After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Yu Qingtang wasn't good with words, especially when faced with such affection. She became even more unsure of what to do, so she simply accepted everything passively.
Yu Qingtang wasn't very large, and after eating her fill, she still managed to eat a few more pieces of meat. Now, she held her stomach with one hand, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and slowly exhaled.
Finally, Li Lan spoke up, "Everyone, eat your own food. Let Ms. Yu rest for a bit."
After speaking, she proactively put down the communal chopsticks, setting a good example. Everyone followed suit, focusing on the bowls in front of them.
A group of teenage girls gathered together for a meal was like ten thousand ducks; once the conversation started, it flowed endlessly.
The students' chatter wasn't like what Yu Qingtang encountered in adulthood, where meals were filled with formalities, even among teachers and peers, requiring meticulous etiquette. Going out to eat involved a whole process before a tiny bit of sincerity, real or fake, could be grudgingly offered, making it hard to distinguish truth from falsehood.
The students didn't care about these things. They just sat and chatted, their mouths red from the food, their faces and ears flushed from the heat, talking about the joys and troubles of their age.
A new milk tea shop opened on XX street, the recent study progress, which brand of stationery was good, getting caught playing computer games at home by parents, favorite celebrities, variety shows they were watching, new movies releasing next week, current social topics. And, of course, the inevitable... innocent campus romances, not about their own class, but gossiping about other classes or strangers they didn't know.
Lian Yabing said, "Once during the evening study break, I saw a couple walking hand-in-hand in the covered walkway, fingers intertwined."
The arts representative, eating meat with her head down, immediately looked up sharply, "The evening study break is only ten minutes. What were you doing in the covered walkway?"
Lian Yabing replied righteously, "Can't I enjoy watching others? I specifically went to see the young couples. Everyone knows the covered walkway is the prime dating spot for couples. No couple is innocent when a dog dies!"
The arts representative said, "Next time, I suggest you bring the dean of students along. Catch them one by one, call them all to the office for criticism."
The commissary representative laughed, "Hahaha, that's too mean."
No. 1 High didn't explicitly forbid early relationships, but the traditional domestic atmosphere generally discouraged it.
Yu Qingtang's heart stirred. The covered walkway, was that where Cheng Zhanxi had taken her last time? So it was a prime dating spot for couples.
She suddenly felt a sense of realization, then found herself utterly baffled.
Gossip is human nature.
The students' conversation about romance gradually turned into knowing giggles and exchanged glances.
"Who has a crush?"
"Anyone currently dating? Confess now for leniency, resist for severity." Lian Yabing held a pair of chopsticks, pointing the tips at everyone present.
Everyone had different expressions; most were just watching the fun, some had wandering eyes, clearly hiding something.
Li Lan cleared her throat lightly.
Everyone turned their gazes towards her, eyes bright, teasing in unison, "Wow, you!" Something's up?
Li Lan looked towards Yu Qingtang, who had remained silent throughout, her presence almost negligible. Her voice lowered, tinged with nervousness, "Ms. Yu."
Yu Qingtang lifted her eyelids slightly, "Hmm."
The students, who had forgotten their homeroom teacher was present in their excitement: "..."
The air froze for a second.
Lian Yabing gave a dry laugh, extending the chopsticks she held towards the last plate of beef balls, awkwardly changing the subject, "When did these meatballs get here? I didn't see them before."
After finishing the hot pot, the group of high school students waited at the entrance while Yu Qingtang went to the front desk to pay.
The students didn't spend much. It was a local, affordable hot pot place, known for its good value. Even with nine people, including Yu Qingtang, the bill only came to a few hundred yuan.
Yu Qingtang took the receipt, came out, and saw one person missing. "Where's Li Lan?" she asked.
A student said, "The monitor had something to do, told us to wait here for her for a few minutes."
Yu Qingtang: "...Alright."
She felt a bit unsure how to interact with this group of students. They mostly understood her personality and thoughtfully didn't swarm her with conversation, chatting amongst themselves, occasionally glancing her way with affectionate eyes.
Yu Qingtang felt a strange tension, her slender fingers curling slightly inside her trench coat pocket.
A few minutes later, Li Lan returned, holding a cup of milk tea, extra large.
"Ms. Yu, this is from us." Li Lan placed the milk tea in her hand.
Yu Qingtang didn't even have a chance to refuse. Li Lan had already let go, stepped back two paces, and looked up with a smiling face, "We're heading home now, let's part ways here. Goodbye, teacher."
The others also said, "Goodbye, Ms. Yu."
Yu Qingtang stood by the roadside holding the warm milk tea, replying belatedly, "...Goodbye."
The students walked quite far before looking back at her. Yu Qingtang had to stand still in place.
A few minutes later, sitting on the bus, Yu Qingtang looked down at the extra-large cup of pearl milk tea resting on her lap, her eyelashes slowly blinking.
She took a picture and sent it to Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi was likely painting and didn't reply immediately. Yu Qingtang arrived at her grandmother's house in the old town, stepped into the courtyard, and only then did her phone vibrate in her pocket.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Didn't you dislike pearls? [Surprised]
[Yu Qingtang]: From the students.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: So you're showing off to me? [Pouting.jpg]
Showing off?
Yu Qingtang felt even more confused. Her mind had been muddled ever since parting ways with the students. As for why she took a picture and sent it to Cheng Zhanxi, it was likely out of trust in her, hoping to get an answer from her.
[Yu Qingtang]: Showing off what?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Showing off that you're more popular than me, Teacher Yu. I only get to treat them to milk tea, they never treat me. [Life is hard, Cheng meow sighs.gif]
Another cat-eared emoji. She wondered if Cheng Zhanxi herself would look cuter wearing them than the emoji.
Yu Qingtang's thoughts strayed for a second before she seriously considered Cheng Zhanxi's words.
Was that what she was thinking?
Before she could figure it out, another message from Cheng Zhanxi arrived.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: When I buy you milk tea, you say you don't like this or don't need that. When students buy you milk tea, you even drink the pearls you dislike. Isn't this differential treatment too obvious? Does Cheng Chengzi not deserve your affection?
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Does this need comparison too?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: I'm jealous.
Seeing this message, Yu Qingtang felt a sudden soft stirring somewhere in her heart. An unusually gentle emotion surged up, making her feel as if she were soaking in warm spring water, giving rise to a unique sense of pity.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned against the tree trunk on the mountain, puffing out her cheeks.
She wasn't just saying it; she really was jealous. But Yu Qingtang probably wouldn't say anything nice to coax her. She could only slowly digest it herself.
Just then, Yu Qingtang's message popped up. Cheng Zhanxi widened her eyes.
Yu Qingtang: [We eat together every day.]
The implication was: we're already so close, no need to fuss over trivial matters with the students.
Regardless of whether Yu Qingtang meant it that way, Cheng Zhanxi interpreted it as such!
Cheng Zhanxi immediately beamed.
She typed: [Then I'll treat you to milk tea when we get back.]
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Is Teacher Cheng actually an acrobat? Her specialty is climbing up poles.
Yu Qingtang's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly. She replied: [We'll talk when we get back. I'm going to take a nap.]
Anyway, there were few things she insisted on doing that Yu Qingtang could truly refuse. Yu Qingtang had already begun to grasp this.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Go sleep. You've already eaten and are going to sleep, while I'm still starving.
Yu Qingtang remembered the dirtied rice ball, feeling both amused and a flash of guilt. But she didn't send any more messages. She really needed to rest. She was full and sleepy; today she was exceptionally full and exceptionally sleepy. She had almost fallen asleep on the bus ride home. Besides, she shouldn't keep bothering the busy Cheng Zhanxi.
On the mountain, Cheng Zhanxi waited for two minutes. Seeing no further reply, she sent a "Good afternoon" emoji, put her phone back in her backpack, and returned to sit in front of her easel.
Her easel faced the scattered village houses in the distance. Patches of farmland had undergone the autumn harvest, covered in withered yellow stalks. Grain was piled high like small mountains. Under the sunlight, the rice paddies shone golden, forming a plain yet warm rural picture.
Yu Qingtang took a shower, changed into pajamas, lay down in bed, and closed her eyes relaxedly.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't return to the city on Saturday night but stayed at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain, falling asleep to the chirping of insects. On Sunday, she got up early again and went into the village to continue sketching.
Most of the young and middle-aged people in the village had gone to the city to work, leaving behind mostly elderly people and children. The local customs were simple, and they spoke the local dialect. Few outsiders came to the village. Cheng Zhanxi parked her motorcycle at the village entrance, carried her easel and tools, and walked in. Children playing by the roadside watched her with wide, curious eyes.
Wherever Cheng Zhanxi went, they followed.
Some children ran off, calling out to adults in nearby houses or by the pond below the village. The whole village became lively.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped by a small stream. The water was crystal clear, revealing pebbles at the bottom. She put down her easel and tools, squatted by the stream, scooped up a handful of cool water, and splashed it on her face. The chill made her shiver, but it also refreshingly cleared her mind.
The only little straggler still following her, a three or four-year-old child, wobbled over to the stream bank. Cheng Zhanxi grabbed the child's collar, lifted her aside, and said gently, "Children shouldn't play with water."
She asked again, "Where do you live? I'll take you back to find an adult."
The little one called out in a small, soft voice, "Sister."
Given her age, she should have called her "Auntie." Cheng Zhanxi didn't correct her, accepting the address calmly.
She repeated her question.
The little one tilted her head and said, "I don't want to go home. I want to play outside."
Cheng Zhanxi had no choice but to say, "Alright, then don't play with water. It's dangerous by the water."
The little one nodded repeatedly.
Cheng Zhanxi hadn't eaten breakfast at the farmhouse, instead packing a few loaves of bread and a box of biscuits in her backpack. She sat on a stone slab by the stream, took out a loaf, tore off a small piece, and put it in her mouth.
The little one started drooling, wetting the bib tied around her front.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Hungry? Didn't eat breakfast?"
The little one said in a milky voice, "Grandma wouldn't let me eat."
"Why?"
"I dropped the bowl, no more breakfast." The little one's face scrunched up, looking utterly adorable.
Cheng Zhanxi offered her half the bread.
The little one reached out to take it with two dirty little hands. Cheng Zhanxi retracted her hand, saying, "Wait a minute, wash your hands first."
She put down her things and took the little one to the stream to wash her hands. Cheng Zhanxi held onto the back of her collar with one hand, preventing her from falling in.
Just then, a four or five-year-old boy led an elderly woman dressed as a farmer over, pointing towards Cheng Zhanxi, "Third Grandma, over there!"
Cheng Zhanxi looked back upon hearing the sound.
The old woman rushed over, snatched the little one from Cheng Zhanxi's hand, pulled her behind her, her wary expression relaxing upon seeing Cheng Zhanxi's attire and appearance. She spoke in halting Mandarin, "Hello."
Cheng Zhanxi replied politely, "Hello." She pointed to the easel beside her and introduced herself, "I'm a painter, here for sketching."
She extended her right hand amicably.
The old woman wiped her hand on her clothes and shook hands with her.
The grandmother turned back to scold her granddaughter in the local dialect. Cheng Zhanxi understood bits and pieces, guessing she was telling her not to run off with strangers. But she found the little girl quite amusing, with her wide, innocent eyes, always reacting a beat slower, looking dazed. How could an adult bear to scold her harshly?
Sure enough, after a few sentences, the grandmother couldn't help but laugh, flicking the child's forehead with her finger. She told the boy beside her, "Watch your sister, don't let her run off again."
After the grandmother left, the little girl finally covered her forehead, her small face wrinkled, whispering, "It hurts."
Cheng Zhanxi secretly took out her phone and sent a message to Yu Qingtang.
[Teacher Yu, I found someone who looks just like you.]
Yu Qingtang replied with a question mark.
Cheng Zhanxi: [A three-year-old kid hahaha.]
Yu Qingtang: "???"
Is Teacher Cheng crazy?
Cheng Zhanxi didn't mention that in her eyes, Yu Qingtang sometimes acted like a three-year-old. She held down the record button and sent Yu Qingtang a short video of the clear valley stream.
Yu Qingtang was at home in the old town, having just finished breakfast not long ago, doing math problems at the desk in her second-floor bedroom. The room was spacious and quiet. When the video opened, the sound of the gurgling stream flowed out. Beautiful pebbles of various shapes lay at the bottom of the stream, clear and pure. A cool, moist air seemed to rush towards her, making one yearn for it.
Yu Qingtang put down her pen and replied: [Where did you go again?]
After sending the message, she felt the tone was a bit too familiar and casual. Just as she was about to retract it, Cheng Zhanxi replied instantly.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Sketching.
[Yu Qingtang]: Didn't you say you were going to Xiufeng?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Went yesterday. Saw the scenery here from the mountaintop was nice, so I came down into the village.
Yu Qingtang thought: Then aren't you installing your hanging chair? Didn't you invite me to try it?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu, want to come with me next time? Relax after work. The environment is really good, much fresher air than the city. And there are cute kids to play with.
Yu Qingtang held her phone, clicking open the video again.
...She had to admit she was tempted.
Yu Qingtang sighed silently. Why was everything around Teacher Cheng so attractive?
Yu Qingtang bit her lip, ultimately unable to firmly refuse, leaving room for maneuver: [We'll see when I have time.]
She was still thinking about the child Cheng Zhanxi mentioned who looked like her, but Cheng Zhanxi replied: [I'm going to get busy now, mwah.]
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi gave the remaining half of the bread to the little girl. She herself focused on painting by the stream.
The little girl finished eating and stood obediently behind her. When her legs got tired, she bent down to massage them with her small fists, then rested on the stone slab nearby, quiet and well-behaved.
At lunchtime, the grandmother came to take the little girl home for lunch. She lifted her face and said something to Cheng Zhanxi, who was sitting on the stone slab eating bread and drinking mineral water.
Cheng Zhanxi: "???"
The grandmother pointed at her, then towards the village, making an eating gesture.
Cheng Zhanxi packed up her tools and the painting she had finished that morning, smiling sincerely, "Thank you, Grandma."
The grandmother's wrinkles bloomed like flowers.
After freeloading lunch, Cheng Zhanxi helped clear the table and wanted to help wash the dishes but was pushed out of the kitchen. Cheng Zhanxi leaned lazily against the doorframe, squinting at the sun in the sky. Suddenly, her leg was gently bumped. The little girl held up a children's drawing book, offering it to her, saying in a milky voice, "Sister, look at my drawing."
Cheng Zhanxi looked down and saw the cover read "Spring Kindergarten," "Lower Class (1)," along with her name written in pencil: Lin Xi.
"Your name is Lin Xi?" Cheng Zhanxi asked gently.
The little girl nodded vigorously.
Cheng Zhanxi only left the village in the evening. Before leaving, she saved her phone number in the old woman's phone. Smoke rose from chimneys in every household, chickens and ducks returned to their coops, and children who had played wildly all day were called home by their grandparents for dinner.
The sunset clouds dyed half the sky red.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned against her motorcycle, smiling, took a picture of the sky, and sent a message to Yu Qingtang: [Heading back.]
Sicheng's air quality was good, but still inferior to the countryside.
Yu Qingtang looked out from the courtyard; the evening clouds also filled the sky, but they were far less magnificent than the ones Cheng Zhanxi had photographed.
She stared quietly at the sky for a while before fixing her gaze on the text message.
Is Teacher Cheng heading back now?
Yu Qingtang finished dinner and washed the dishes.
Her grandparents were watching TV in the living room. Fang Wenjiao heard footsteps coming down from the second floor, turned her head, and saw Yu Qingtang carrying her bag, looking like she was about to leave.
Fang Wenjiao asked, "Leaving already?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement.
Fang Wenjiao: "So early?"
Yu Qingtang replied calmly, "I still have some work to finish."
Fang Wenjiao got up to see her off at the door, saying, "Be careful."
"I know, Grandma."
Yu Qingtang's figure hurried away. She walked out of the alley with her head down, gently exhaling.
It wasn't the first time she had left early; why was she feeling guilty?
The bus back to the new district swayed. Yu Qingtang clenched her slender white fingers, leaning back against the seat to rest, controlling the urge to look at her phone.
Buzz—
Yu Qingtang opened her eyes, struggled for less than three seconds, and took out her phone from her pocket.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: I'm back. Teacher Yu, when are you coming back tonight?
Yu Qingtang's heart suddenly beat very fast.
She held her phone tightly, took a slow, deep breath to feel slightly better, and typed her reply: [Not sure.]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Alright, I'm getting into the elevator. I'm exhausted. Going home to collapse for a bit.
Yu Qingtang silently thought: So she just messaged me as soon as she got back?
Her heartbeat, which had just calmed down, quickened uncontrollably again.
Cheng Zhanxi meticulously reported again: [At the door now. Going to take a shower. Let me know when you arrive.]
Yu Qingtang tilted her head to look out the glass window. The landmark buildings of the city center were already in sight.
She lowered her head, pursed her lips, and her fingers tapped lightly on the touch screen keyboard twice.
[Yu Qingtang]: Mm.
Ten minutes later, Yu Qingtang exited the elevator on the 21st floor, glanced at the tightly closed door on the right, and walked into 2101, closing the door behind her. Yu Qingtang opened WeChat. Just as she tapped into Cheng Zhanxi's chat window, she felt an inexplicable panic, as if sending more than just a sentence, but representing something irreversible. She quickly tapped back, threw her phone onto the living room sofa, and went into the bathroom to shower.
Then she went into the study to prepare lessons.
An hour passed. Neither of them initiated contact.
Yu Qingtang started feeling restless, checking her phone every few minutes. She rubbed her brow, unlocked the screen, and saw the last message still lying quietly in the chat window.
Could something have happened to Teacher Cheng?
Yu Qingtang found an excuse for herself, constantly persuading herself that she was just checking on her safety. After a long period of mental preparation, another half hour later, Yu Qingtang stood at the door of 2102, took a light breath, and pressed the doorbell.
Then she immediately stepped back two paces, standing with her hands down.
"Ding-dong ding-dong..."
The crisp doorbell sound echoed in the living room.
Cheng Zhanxi abruptly sat up from the sofa, her heart pounding wildly from being suddenly awakened.
"Ding-dong ding-dong..."
The doorbell was still ringing; it wasn't a hallucination.
Cheng Zhanxi pressed her hand against her racing heart uncomfortably. Remembering something, she rushed towards the door.
The door swung open from the inside. The bright light momentarily made Yu Qingtang, standing outside, close her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi took a step forward, using her height advantage to block the light pouring out from the living room.
"Teacher Yu! You're back!"
Cheng Zhanxi was backlit, making it hard to see her expression clearly, but her voice carried immense joy.
Yu Qingtang's prepared excuses and lines were shattered by this simple sentence. Her mind went blank, standing rooted to the spot.
"I..." She opened her mouth, managing only a barely audible sound before the rest of her words vanished down her throat.
Cheng Zhanxi embraced her.
Not the gentle hug from before, but wrapping her arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground, pressing her close, forcefully pulling her into her embrace.
Yu Qingtang stiffened.
Not only her body, but her reaction nerves seemed to shut down together. Her mind blanked even further, unable to think.
Cheng Zhanxi had just showered and was only wearing a thin silk nightgown. Yu Qingtang wasn't much better off in her long-sleeved cotton pajamas. Both were braless, pressed tightly together, softness against softness, fitting perfectly. Their body heat passed through the thin fabric, invading, merging. The cool became warm, the warm grew hotter, almost causing a sticky layer of sweat to form between their necks.
She struggled to open her lips, feeling like a fish out of water, parched.
All she could do was instinctively breathe, taking large gasps.
The sound of her breathing drummed loudly in her ears, her heartbeat uncontrollable.
Cheng Zhanxi's hand moved to the woman's slender back. Her long, fair fingers suddenly curled, pulling her tighter.
Yu Qingtang couldn't help but let out a low grunt, immediately biting her lower lip.
The woman's breathing beside her ear suddenly grew heavy, the exhaled air scorching hot against her earlobe.
Yu Qingtang sensitively shrank her neck, but the movement was slight, interpretable as either dodging or welcoming.
Cheng Zhanxi found her hand hanging by her side, held it, and wrapped it around her own lower back.
Yu Qingtang's fingers twitched slightly but didn't pull away.
She seemed to have returned to the state from that night, her consciousness scattered, her eyes hazy, unable to think clearly, only wanting to follow her unrestrained instincts, letting herself be taken.
Cheng Zhanxi cautiously, tentatively kissed her earlobe.
Her smooth cheek.
The tear mole at the corner of her eye.
Skillfully, lightly bit her chin.
Yu Qingtang tilted her slender white neck back, her long black hair cascading behind her, her expression forbearing.
Cheng Zhanxi's moist kisses returned to her small, crystal-clear earlobe, lingering.
Yu Qingtang buried her face deep into her neck, hooking her arms tightly around her back.
The motion-sensor light in the corridor automatically dimmed. Cheng Zhanxi held the woman and entered the door of 2102, pushing her against the back of the door.
Cheng Zhanxi gently trapped her between her arms, kissing her forehead tenderly, then her nose tip.
Then, she released one hand supporting the door panel, her fingertips gently lifting the woman's chin, tilting her head, and kissing her.
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