After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Cheng Zhanxi stared at the short message on her phone, tears welling up in her eyes.
Yu Qingtang had put down her phone after sending the message, as if she had simply confided in a silent listener, not expecting a reply.
Cheng Zhanxi, watching as Yu Qingtang returned to her lesson planning, her focus even more intense than usual, felt a pang of sadness, a sharp ache in her chest.
Blinking back tears, Cheng Zhanxi quickly left the office.
She went to the restroom in the administration building, locking herself in a stall, her back pressed against the wall.
Yu Qingtang's second math class that afternoon was with Class 9. From a subject teacher's perspective, Class 9's learning environment and attitude weren't as good as Class 7's. They weren't as diligent with their homework either. Yu Qingtang, comparing two assignments, noticed identical mistakes, clearly copied.
She put the two papers aside and continued grading the rest.
Ten minutes before the end of school, Yu Qingtang received a message from Cheng Zhanxi.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Lunch together?
Yu Qingtang glanced at the empty desk across from hers. [Yu Qingtang]: Where?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: School gates.
[Yu Qingtang]: Okay.
Yu Qingtang started packing her things.
The school didn't require teachers to strictly adhere to set working hours, but Yu Qingtang always arrived early and left late. Her sudden departure, even ten minutes early, drew the attention of her colleagues.
Ge Jing, the biology teacher, called out to her. "Ms. Yu," she said, "don't let the students' actions bother you too much."
Yu Qingtang, pausing at the doorway, turned and nodded. "I'm fine," she said.
Ge Jing continued, "We're teachers. We've all been hurt by students at some point. Don't take it too personally. Don't let it get to you."
Yu Qingtang: "I know. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Ge."
Ge Jing: "Don't you have a class this afternoon? Do you want me to ask for leave for you?"
Yu Qingtang looked at her, puzzled.
Ge Jing stood up and walked over, lowering her voice. "The… situation with your class," she said, "I'm sure everyone knows by now. There might be some unpleasant gossip. It's okay to take some time off. The school will understand."
Yu Qingtang understood and thanked her for the offer.
Watching Yu Qingtang leave, Ge Jing returned to her desk and sighed, shaking her head. "These students nowadays…"
The physics teacher smiled. "I remember when you were a homeroom teacher, Ms. Ge, you'd come back to the office and cry at your desk," she teased.
The chemistry teacher joined in the teasing, but their words didn't cause much of a stir.
It was a common experience for teachers to be hurt or angered by their students, intentionally or unintentionally. Even without difficult students, there were always unreasonable parents, making phone calls to complain, sometimes even resorting to social media, exaggerating and distorting facts, subjecting teachers to online harassment.
A teacher who had never experienced such things was truly blessed.
It was all part of the job.
Cheng Zhanxi was waiting for Yu Qingtang at the school gates. Seeing her from afar, she waved.
Yu Qingtang's pace quickened slightly.
For the last two steps, it was Cheng Zhanxi who closed the distance.
Yu Qingtang, caught off guard, found herself less than ten centimeters from Cheng Zhanxi, her eyes meeting Cheng Zhanxi's warm, gentle gaze.
Yu Qingtang's lips pursed slightly as she took a step back. "What are we eating?" she asked quietly.
"What do you want to eat?" Cheng Zhanxi asked.
"Didn't you say we were eating near the school gates?"
"There are a lot of options near the school gates. For example…" Seeing Yu Qingtang's lips pressing together again, Cheng Zhanxi smiled, deciding to stop teasing her. "I've already chosen a place. It's about a ten-minute walk from here. Shall we go?" she asked.
Yu Qingtang gave a quiet "hmm" and followed Cheng Zhanxi.
Leaving the school gates, they walked side by side along the road.
"Ms. Yu."
"Yes?" Yu Qingtang, her hands tucked inside her pockets, looked at Cheng Zhanxi, her profile delicate and elegant.
"If I had kept talking, would you have changed your mind about having lunch with me?" Cheng Zhanxi asked.
"…" Yu Qingtang said, "No, I wouldn't have."
"But you thought about it, didn't you?"
"…"
Cheng Zhanxi, quickening her pace, walked backwards in front of Yu Qingtang, smiling. Her smile was infectious, and Yu Qingtang couldn't help but smile back, her brow relaxing slightly. "Shouldn't you decide what we're eating first, since you're treating me?" she asked calmly.
"You're absolutely right, Ms. Yu. My apologies," Cheng Zhanxi replied.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Why did Cheng Zhanxi's words always seem to carry a double meaning?
This time, even the "artist filter" couldn't make it seem reasonable. Yu Qingtang was certain Cheng Zhanxi was teasing her.
A strange feeling washed over Yu Qingtang. Is this… anger? she wondered. It didn't quite feel like it.
Yu Qingtang decided to ignore it.
They passed by the bicycle repair stall.
The deaf and mute old man looked up, his cloudy eyes focusing first on Cheng Zhanxi, a flicker of recognition and joy in his gaze, then on Yu Qingtang, a hesitant look on his face.
Yu Qingtang's expression remained unchanged.
Cheng Zhanxi made a large heart shape with her arms, a real-life version of her "Cheng Zhanxi making a heart" emoji.
The old man smiled and asked in sign language: Where are you going?
Yu Qingtang's fingers twitched inside her pockets, about to take her hand out.
Cheng Zhanxi, standing beside her, pointed at herself, then mimed eating with chopsticks.
I'm going to eat.
Yu Qingtang discreetly put her hand back in her pocket, her eyes lingering on Cheng Zhanxi for a moment.
The old man signed: Go ahead.
Cheng Zhanxi waved goodbye to the old man, then turned to Yu Qingtang, about to explain, when she saw the look in Yu Qingtang's eyes, a complex mix of emotions she couldn't quite decipher.
Cheng Zhanxi: "What is it?"
Yu Qingtang avoided the question. "What did he say?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi: "He asked where I was going. I said I was going to eat."
Yu Qingtang's voice was calm and even. "You know sign language, Ms. Cheng?" she asked.
"A little. I'm not very fluent," Cheng Zhanxi admitted.
Yu Qingtang, her tone meaningful, said, "You're so multi-talented, Ms. Cheng."
"It's not really a talent. I just started learning again recently. It's always good to learn new things," Cheng Zhanxi replied.
"You're right, Ms. Cheng." Yu Qingtang seemed unwilling to continue the topic. "How much further to the restaurant?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi, not dwelling on it, checked the navigation on her phone. "About 400 meters. Turn left at the next corner," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi had chosen a small, family-style restaurant. The wooden tables and chairs were clean and neatly arranged. A menu with pictures was posted on the wall. It was dinner time, and the aroma of food from the kitchen made their stomachs rumble.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Shall I order?"
Yu Qingtang, relieved, nodded.
Cheng Zhanxi ordered two meat dishes, a vegetable dish, and a soup. The owner relayed the order to the kitchen, her voice echoing through the restaurant, a comforting, familiar sound.
Cheng Zhanxi poured hot water over their bowls and chopsticks, rinsing them clean, then placed Yu Qingtang's set in front of her.
"Thank you." Yu Qingtang said.
"You're welcome," Cheng Zhanxi replied.
After rinsing the teacups, Yu Qingtang poured Cheng Zhanxi a cup of water, a reciprocal gesture, clearly delineating the boundaries between them.
Cheng Zhanxi, resting her chin in her hand, wondered if Yu Qingtang would feel obligated to reciprocate if Cheng Zhanxi offered her a bite of food. Then, she chuckled to herself. That would require Yu Qingtang to open her mouth first.
And if Yu Qingtang did open her mouth, Cheng Zhanxi wasn't sure what she would do, her eyes lingering on Yu Qingtang's lips before quickly looking away. She took a sip of water, trying to dispel the inappropriate thoughts.
Yu Qingtang also took a sip of water.
As winter approached, the air became dry.
The restaurant was close to Yu Qingtang's apartment. Cheng Zhanxi offered to walk her home, but, as expected, was refused. She stood by the restaurant, watching as Yu Qingtang walked away.
[Safe]
Cheng Zhanxi received the message on her way back to school, and smiled slightly.
Ever since their awkward phone call, Yu Qingtang had stopped using "I'm home," replacing it with "Safe."
Cheng Zhanxi: [Almost there]
She was being straightforward. Only someone like Yu Qingtang, with her overactive imagination, would read into it.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped by the bicycle repair stall on her way back to school, chatting with the old man before returning to the office.
Thursday afternoon, Class 7's second PE lesson of the week.
The atmosphere was unusually somber.
Cheng Zhanxi arrived just as the bell rang. The students, lined up under the trees, were unusually quiet, their heads down, avoiding eye contact, not even greeting her as she approached.
Cheng Zhanxi stood before them, her tone light and teasing. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Don't you recognize me anymore?"
"Good morning, teacher," a few hesitant voices mumbled.
Ms. Cheng wasn't feeling so good. "Wu Peng!" she called out.
"Present!"
"Where's the speaker? Why didn't you bring it before class?"
"I'll go get it now!" Wu Peng replied, and he and two other boys ran off, faster than rabbits.
The remaining students looked even more nervous. Tong Feifei, mustering her courage, glanced up at Cheng Zhanxi, who happened to be looking at her, a playful smirk on her face. Tong Feifei's eyes widened, and she almost fainted.
These little brats.
Cheng Zhanxi, amused and exasperated, clapped her hands. "Warm-up exercises," she announced.
The students dispersed, maintaining a safe distance from each other, and began their warm-up routine.
After dancing for a while, the students gradually relaxed, the atmosphere returning to its usual lively energy.
Cheng Zhanxi sat on a mat, her eyes on the students playing on the field, a smile on her face.
She heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Li Lan, the class monitor.
Cheng Zhanxi moved over, patting the mat beside her.
Li Lan sat down, leaving a space between them, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her uniform, her face downcast.
Cheng Zhanxi patiently waited for her to speak.
"Ms. Cheng," Li Lan finally said, her voice small and hesitant, "do you… hate us?"
"Of course not," Cheng Zhanxi replied, turning to look at her, her expression puzzled. "Why would I hate you?"
"Because of Ms. Yu," Li Lan said.
Cheng Zhanxi feigned sudden understanding. "Oh, because of that," she said. "You were all acting so strange earlier. I thought you hated me!" She placed a hand over her heart and sighed dramatically. "My heart is broken! I offer you my sincerity, but you repay me with indifference. How could you!"
"No, no, no!" Li Lan quickly reassured her, relieved that Cheng Zhanxi wasn't angry with them. As long as Ms. Cheng still liked them.
Cheng Zhanxi, of course, noticed Li Lan's expression, and inwardly shook her head.
Even if Cheng Zhanxi had been angry, she wouldn't have shown it. She had plenty of ways to make their lives difficult without them even realizing it. If a teacher wanted to target a student, it was easy, as long as they didn't cross the line. With a little effort, neither the school nor the student would be the wiser.
Only naive children would ask such a direct question, and then believe the answer without question.
After reassuring Li Lan, Cheng Zhanxi asked her about her conversation with Yu Qingtang that Monday evening.
Li Lan, trusting Cheng Zhanxi and hoping for her help, told her everything.
Cheng Zhanxi, having learned the details of the conversation, focused on Yu Qingtang's reaction. "What did Ms. Yu say?" she asked.
Li Lan's reply: "Nothing."
Cheng Zhanxi frowned. "Not a single word?" she asked.
Li Lan's lips pursed into a thin line: "No."
That Monday evening, Li Lan had poured her heart out to Yu Qingtang, sharing all her frustrations and disappointments, but Yu Qingtang had remained impassive, her silence more hurtful than any words. Li Lan had cried, her hopes dwindling with each passing moment, until, finally, giving up, she had returned to the classroom in tears.
On Tuesday, Yu Qingtang had been her usual self, supervising morning reading, teaching math, even checking on their class during the afternoon break, as if their conversation had never happened. She hadn't called Li Lan out for another talk.
Students naturally had a certain respect and awe for their teachers. Li Lan's heartfelt confession in the hallway had taken all her courage, only to be met with silence. Yu Qingtang had unilaterally shut down any possibility of communication.
The class representatives, having anticipated the worst-case scenario, had then submitted their petition.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't think Yu Qingtang had been intentionally ignoring Li Lan. It was more likely that she hadn't known how to respond, so she had chosen silence.
Yu Qingtang's intelligence seemed limited to math. In everyday life, she was often slow to react, unaware even of her own emotions. How could anyone expect her to understand and respond appropriately to the sensitive feelings of teenagers? She wasn't uncaring, as evidenced by her frequent absentmindedness since their conversation.
Li Lan and the others had assumed Yu Qingtang simply didn't want to talk to them. Since communication had failed, they had chosen to cut their losses, to protect themselves by requesting a new homeroom teacher, naively hoping to keep Yu Qingtang as their math teacher.
"Ms. Cheng," Li Lan said, her voice low and hesitant, "I overheard students from another class saying bad things about Ms. Yu today. Did we do something wrong?"
"What did they say?" Cheng Zhanxi asked.
"They said she's a bad teacher, that she's mean to us, that's why we filed the petition. They said we're trying to force her to leave, that she's going to resign."
Gossip spread like wildfire. Within a day, rumors and speculation had reached the students' ears, distorting their original intentions.
"Did we do something wrong?" Li Lan asked again, her head down, a tear falling onto the mat. "What if Ms. Yu really resigns?"
Cheng Zhanxi placed a hand on Li Lan's head, gently stroking her hair.
She couldn't blame them.
They were only fifteen or sixteen years old. They couldn't be expected to think like adults.
Their world was both vast and small. They had big dreams and aspirations, but their world was also limited to their families and their teachers, who, during those formative years, were their entire universe.
It was important to give them love, to let them feel loved, so they could learn to love the world, to be kind and compassionate.
They were teachers, and their role wasn't just to impart knowledge, but also to guide their students through a crucial stage of their lives. Cheng Zhanxi wanted their journey to be filled with sunshine and happiness.
They would eventually enter society, experience its complexities and hardships, grow up, and become adults they themselves might not recognize. They would learn to navigate the world, to excel in their chosen fields, to shine. Cheng Zhanxi hoped that, at least during their school years, they could experience a carefree, joyful journey.
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment, then said, "Ms. Yu… she has her reasons."
Li Lan looked up at her.
"What reasons?"
"I hope Ms. Yu can tell you herself someday."
"Will she resign?" Li Lan asked.
"I don't know," Cheng Zhanxi admitted.
Li Lan hugged her knees, falling silent.
Cheng Zhanxi put an arm around her shoulders, gently patting her arm.
After class, she sent Yu Qingtang a message. [Cheng Zhanxi]: Li Lan said you didn't respond after your talk. Why?]
[Yu Qingtang]: I didn't know what to say.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: They thought you were ignoring them. That's how misunderstandings happen.
The "typing…" indicator appeared on Cheng Zhanxi's screen, then disappeared after a long while, replaced by a single word: [Yu Qingtang]: Okay.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Did Yu Qingtang not know what to say again?
Cheng Zhanxi put away her phone and hurried back to the office. Yu Qingtang was refilling her thermos at the water dispenser. Cheng Zhanxi walked over, and Yu Qingtang instinctively straightened up, waiting for her.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped in front of her, her eyes fixed on Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang stared back at her.
Cheng Zhanxi suddenly bit her lip, a smile spreading across her face, and reached out, gently stroking Yu Qingtang's cheek with her thumb.
Yu Qingtang tilted her head slightly, a puzzled look on her face.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart melted. So cute, she thought, barely resisting the urge to pull Yu Qingtang into a hug.
Composing herself, she said, her voice serious, "You had something on your face, Ms. Yu."
"Is it gone now?" Yu Qingtang asked.
"Not yet. Don't move." Cheng Zhanxi's throat tightened as she gently brushed Yu Qingtang's cheek again with the back of her hand.
Yu Qingtang's eyes fluttered closed, her long lashes trembling, as she stood still, letting Cheng Zhanxi touch her face.
Ge Jing, the biology teacher, tapped Yang Li, the English teacher, on the shoulder, gesturing towards the water dispenser.
From Yang Li's angle, it looked like…
They were kissing!
In broad daylight, in the middle of the office! These young people were… bold!
Yang Li, resting her chin in her hand, watched with amusement. Two beautiful women with long hair kissing. A lovely sight.
"Ms… Cheng," Yu Qingtang murmured, her voice slightly breathless.
Cheng Zhanxi's fingers lingered on Yu Qingtang's face. "What is it?" she asked, her voice low and husky.
"Are you done yet?" Yu Qingtang asked.
"Almost," Cheng Zhanxi murmured, her eyes fixed on Yu Qingtang's lips.
This was the office. They couldn't…
Just a quick kiss, a voice whispered in her ear. It's fine.
Her mind battled her impulses. In the end, desire won.
Cheng Zhanxi's fingers moved to Yu Qingtang's chin, gently tilting her head up, but Yu Qingtang's eyes opened first, her gaze clear and innocent, like a child's.
Cheng Zhanxi's inappropriate thoughts vanished, replaced by a wave of shame. She quickly withdrew her hand, trying to maintain her composure. "All done," she said.
Yu Qingtang closed her thermos and walked back to her desk.
Cheng Zhanxi pulled her chair closer to Yu Qingtang's, turning Yu Qingtang's chair so they were facing each other.
Yu Qingtang looked at her.
Cheng Zhanxi lowered her voice. "There's something I'd like to confirm with you," she said.
"Go ahead," Yu Qingtang replied, her voice soft.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Didn't we first meet at a convenience store?"
Yu Qingtang: "What convenience store?"
Cheng Zhanxi paused, then recounted the details of their first encounter. "It was in March. It was pouring rain in Sicheng. We were at a convenience store on Sunset Boulevard, taking shelter from the rain. I was there first, then you came in. I had a silver suitcase and had bought a drink. You were soaked, so when I paid for my things, I also bought a pack of tissues and offered them to you…"
Yu Qingtang's expression slowly changed from confusion to understanding.
Cheng Zhanxi, her heart filled with hope, asked, "Do you remember now?"
Yu Qingtang looked at her, her cool, calm voice laced with a hint of apology. "So you were telling the truth that night at the bar," she said.
She had thought Cheng Zhanxi had made it up, a clumsy attempt at flirting, because she had heard "Haven't we met somewhere before?" countless times.
Since Cheng Zhanxi had brought it up again, it must be true. Cheng Mo wouldn't lie.
Yu Qingtang: "I'm sorry. I misunderstood."
Cheng Zhanxi paused for a moment, then asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "You really didn't recognize me the second time?"
Yu Qingtang looked down, like a child admitting a mistake. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely.
Cheng Zhanxi's carefully maintained composure began to crumble. "And when I first arrived at school?" she asked incredulously.
Yu Qingtang's mind flashed back to that day, and after a moment of silence, she opened her mouth, about to apologize again. "I'm sorry. I'm a little…"
Cheng Zhanxi, her voice gentle, interrupted her. "Face blind. I know. It's not your fault," she said.
Yu Qingtang, sensing Cheng Zhanxi's underlying emotions despite her calm demeanor, wondered what she was feeling.
Having started the conversation, Cheng Zhanxi decided to get everything out in the open.
Yu Qingtang had been looking at her discreetly on her first day, probably because she couldn't remember her face. Yu Qingtang's glance when Cheng Zhanxi had shown off her exceptional memory probably wasn't jealousy, but perhaps a moment of self-reflection. She had stayed at the field to watch Cheng Zhanxi's class, then left after the roll call…
So, when Yu Qingtang had stumbled into Cheng Zhanxi's arms, her prolonged silence wasn't a prelude to a kiss, but perhaps just a delayed reaction, a momentary lapse in memory, forgetting to stand up.
And when Yu Qingtang had hesitated at the office door on the first day of Cheng Zhanxi's PE classes, her awkward "hello" wasn't a calculated attempt to flirt, to capture Cheng Zhanxi's attention, but simply because she had forgotten Cheng Zhanxi again.
So, there really were people who could meet her three or four times and still not remember her name or her face.
As long as she was face-blind, it was all perfectly understandable.
Cheng Zhanxi: I'm speechless!
Short skit:
Cheng Zhanxi: So, do you remember my name now?
Yu Qingtang: Wife. Wifey. Baby.
Cheng Zhanxi: (//▽//)
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