After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 48
Chapter 48
The body in her arms was so soft. Cheng Zhanxi's heartbeat was slow and heavy, her breathing deep. The scent of Yu Qingtang's milky body wash filled her nostrils, chipping away at her dwindling self-control bit by bit.
Her mind was a little fuzzy; she even suspected she might be dreaming.
The woman's breath beside her ear was just as rapid as her own.
Cheng Zhanxi found it increasingly difficult to control herself. Her fair fingertips lifted Yu Qingtang's chin as she lowered her head, seeking the woman's red lips.
Yu Qingtang's pupils contracted slightly. Her fingers tightened around Cheng Zhanxi's waist, and she turned her head just in time to avoid the kiss.
Cheng Zhanxi's lips brushed against the corner of her mouth.
It brought a sensation akin to an electric shock.
Yu Qingtang stiffened briefly, then hugged her tighter, burying her face deep into Cheng Zhanxi's neck again.
Cheng Zhanxi was deeply captivated by her scent. Her just-awakened mind hadn't fully engaged its rationality, so without thinking too much, she turned to kiss her cheek and ear instead.
...
The temperature behind the door rose higher and higher.
Yu Qingtang's hands had somehow ended up draped over Cheng Zhanxi's shoulders, relying on Cheng Zhanxi's support to stay upright.
Cheng Zhanxi half-carried, half-embraced her to the sofa, settling Yu Qingtang onto her lap before kneeling beside her.
This position was perfect for kissing.
Cheng Zhanxi's fingertips caressed her chin, moved up to her full red lips, and gently pressed the center of her lower lip.
Her lips were dry, parting slightly, thirsty from the burgeoning passion.
Cheng Zhanxi's fingertips brushed against them, feeling the faint heat of her breath. Yu Qingtang's chest rose and fell once, her nerves taut.
Cheng Zhanxi released her chin, moved her hand behind her neck, her long fingers weaving through the woman's cool, dark hair, cupping the back of her head and pressing downwards.
Her touch was gentle yet commanding, carrying a heart-trembling intensity. A sudden wave of panic washed over Yu Qingtang, and just before losing herself completely, she blurted out, "Don't."
Their lips were less than three centimeters apart. Cheng Zhanxi stopped, desire evident in her eyes, but she still respectfully asked, "Don't what?" Her voice was slightly hoarse.
Yu Qingtang looked into her eyes, feeling as if she were gazing into a deep pool, sinking helplessly.
She quickly lowered her eyelids and said softly, "I don't kiss."
Cheng Zhanxi's mind cleared for a brief moment, but the proximity was too much. Looking at the desired person's long, curled lashes, her soft cheeks illuminated by the light like a white jade statue, she quickly became lost in passion again, unable to resist her instincts. Cheng Zhanxi guided the woman's head down further, her kiss landing on her chin. Her red lips parted slightly, her teeth gently nipping the soft flesh of her chin. She chuckled softly, nibbling slowly and deliberately.
Even Yu Qingtang's fingertips tingled. She couldn't help but tilt her slender white neck back slightly.
Cheng Zhanxi finally released her chin, her red lips moving elsewhere, respecting her wishes.
...
Cheng Zhanxi's warm lips returned to her smooth cheek. Cupping her face, she leaned in to kiss her again.
Having just gone through the prelude, Yu Qingtang's breathing was unsteady, her voice much lower and slightly hoarse. She still turned away, reminding her, "I don't kiss."
Cheng Zhanxi's hazel eyes shimmered with moisture, like a child denied candy, looking utterly pitiful.
So this was what she was like with the lights on...
The thought flashed through Yu Qingtang's mind, her heart softening for a moment. Then, her eyes turned cold, her expression indifferent, as she explained more clearly, "We can sleep together, but I don't kiss."
Those words sounded familiar, like a heavy hammer striking Cheng Zhanxi, jolting her awake from the vortex of desire.
This wasn't a dream, yet at this moment, she desperately wished it were.
Under the living room lights, she looked at Yu Qingtang for a long time. Slowly, she smoothed down Yu Qingtang's rolled-up pajamas, gently adjusted her collar, and straightened her long hair. Then, she got up, went to the kitchen, poured two glasses of water, and they drank in silence, one glass each. Afterwards, she escorted Yu Qingtang back to 2101.
Cheng Zhanxi stood at the doorway, her gentle expression unchanged from usual, only lacking the brilliant smile. "Goodnight, Ms. Yu."
Yu Qingtang said, "Goodnight."
The door closed, the lock clicking shut inside. Cheng Zhanxi, her back to 2101, instantly lost all expression.
She returned home numbly and picked up her phone.
Yu Qingtang received Cheng Zhanxi's apology and explanation.
[I was out all day today and was exhausted when I got home. I fell asleep on the sofa after showering. I was still groggy when the doorbell rang, and when I opened the door... I thought I was dreaming, so I acted inappropriately. I'm very sorry for any trouble I caused you.]
Yu Qingtang had the TV on at low volume, trying to focus on the domestic drama playing out, giving herself no chance to hesitate. She casually typed: [It's okay.]
Two adults, alone together, a quiet hallway, an ambiguous atmosphere, and having slept together once before—a sudden spark wasn't anything surprising.
It was just that the atmosphere at the time was too enticing, making one lose their senses.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes, went to the kitchen for a second glass of water, took a deep breath, and turned into the bathroom.
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes and lay back down on the sofa, her eyeballs moving restlessly beneath her eyelids.
After a long while, she opened her eyes and reached for the phone on the coffee table.
The message exchange with Yu Qingtang lay quietly there, proving this really wasn't a dream conjured up in her drowsy state.
Cheng Zhanxi sighed, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.
Yu Qingtang's words essentially meant: physical intimacy is okay, emotional connection is off the table.
Cheng Zhanxi gave a bitter laugh.
Should she be glad Yu Qingtang was willing to be physical with her? After all, the first time at the hotel, Yu Qingtang had been picky, and Cheng Zhanxi had only gained an advantage thanks to her health report.
Cheng Zhanxi's thoughts ran wild, then she suddenly realized—why couldn't she think about it?
The previous time, just to arouse Yu Qingtang, the foreplay alone had taken at least two hours. Her mouth had ached before she slowly pulled Yu Qingtang into a world of heightened senses. This time, she seemed to have done nothing, just hugged her through their pajamas, kissed her lightly twice, and Yu Qingtang was already moved.
A woman's emotions and desires are often intertwined. Where there's affection, there's desire; the deeper the affection, the stronger the desire. Cheng Zhanxi didn't believe Yu Qingtang didn't feel the same way about her; she was just forcefully suppressing it.
Cheng Zhanxi recalled the recent moments.
Her fingertips pressing on the woman's lips, her involuntarily parted mouth, her rapidly beating heart—all indicated she felt something too.
Da Yu controlling the flood—channeling is better than blocking. Yu Qingtang was like that river; simply damming it was useless. The water upstream would accumulate, eventually breaking the dam. When the floodwaters surged, the river would ultimately flow into Cheng Zhanxi's sea.
Cheng Zhanxi suddenly shifted her legs, pursed her lips uncomfortably, and stood up.
She couldn't think about when Yu Qingtang's river would overflow for now, because her own river was already flooding.
She also went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and imagined Yu Qingtang's body heat under the warm stream, using her own hand in place of hers...
Cheng Zhanxi barely had the strength to walk out of the bathroom. Dragging her aching legs, she approached the edge of the bed, fell backward onto it, exhausted, and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
In her dreams, she continued what they had started.
Moonlight streamed through the window. Yu Qingtang sat in her lap. She held the woman's face and kissed her, again and again, deepening the kiss wantonly, tasting her sweet flavor thoroughly.
...
Monday morning.
Yu Qingtang deliberately waited until 6:30, a time when Cheng Zhanxi usually wouldn't appear, before stepping out of her home.
The door to 2101 opened bit by bit. Yu Qingtang watched the movement opposite through the crack, her nerves tightening involuntarily.
Pushing the door fully open, Yu Qingtang's heart raced with nervousness. She walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the button.
The elevator ascended from the 1st floor. Time seemed to stretch infinitely. Yu Qingtang gripped her backpack strap so tightly her knuckles turned white.
The sound of a door opening could come at any moment. Wind blew in from the window, and a faint whistling seemed to come from the emergency stairwell. Yu Qingtang shivered involuntarily, not daring to breathe loudly.
Ding—the elevator doors opened in front of her. Yu Qingtang immediately stepped inside, pressed the button for the first floor, then rapidly and repeatedly pressed the close-door button. The elevator doors slowly closed.
Yu Qingtang's legs felt weak. She leaned her back against the elevator car wall and let out a long breath.
Yu Qingtang hurried over from the elevator entrance.
The young lady at the front desk flashed a standard eight-toothed smile. "Good morning, Miss Yu."
Yu Qingtang nodded, walking past without stopping.
The young lady at the front desk: "???"
Since falling in love, Miss Yu really had become stranger by the day. Before, her pace was always unhurried, polite yet distant, as rigid as a robot. Now, she seemed like a lively, interesting person.
It was a pity she didn't see her come down with Miss Cheng.
The young lady at the front desk didn't see Cheng Zhanxi even by the time her colleague came to relieve her shift.
After finishing a class, Yu Qingtang returned. She unconsciously stopped, noticing the desk diagonally in front of her was just as clean and tidy as when she arrived that morning, looking untouched.
Yang Li entered the office carrying English books and lesson plans. Her gaze followed Yu Qingtang's. "Ms. Cheng isn't here yet? Is she sick again?" she asked.
Yu Qingtang started walking again, saying lightly, "I don't know."
She placed her textbook on the desk and asked casually, "Ms. Yang, you could send her a message to ask."
Yang Li smiled.
"No need. Ms. Cheng is an adult; why should I worry? If anyone should worry, it should be the right person, shouldn't it?"
Yu Qingtang didn't quite understand at first, but her ears inexplicably warmed.
Ge Jing went to the water dispenser in the corner. Passing by Yang Li, she whispered, "Seconded."
The two exchanged a smile and went back to their respective tasks.
Cheng Zhanxi's dreams were vivid and beautiful; she didn't want to wake up at all. Plus, she had been tired all day yesterday and had taken care of herself last night. When she opened her eyes, it was already 10 a.m. She closed her eyes again, savoring the dream scenes. Another half hour passed. It was 10:30, and she had no classes that morning, so she decided she couldn't be bothered to go to school.
Cheng Zhanxi sat up, sent Yu Qingtang a message to report her status, then turned to order a few boxes of finger cots online.
She had been abstinent for over half a year, thinking she could practically become a nun. She hadn't expected that chaotic night to flip the switch again.
Cheng Zhanxi sighed, feeling today's new dampness, and got up to go into the bathroom.
The rainy season had arrived.
Sicheng No. 1 High School, Grade 1 Office.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Just woke up, I'll go to school this afternoon.
Yu Qingtang looked at this message, ten characters including punctuation. She put down and picked up her phone intermittently, staring at it for over ten minutes.
Ms. Cheng didn't send her an emoji. Was she angry?
Because of last night?
Yu Qingtang reread their brief two-line conversation several times. After self-reflection, she felt the main responsibility for the matter lay with her. When Cheng Zhanxi hugged her, she didn't refuse. When she kissed her, she didn't refuse either, instead playing hard to get. If she had been firmer, not wanting to indulge in momentary pleasure, things wouldn't have reached such an awkward point later.
Cheng Zhanxi thought she was dreaming, but Yu Qingtang was awake.
If they had muddled through to the end, how would Cheng Zhanxi feel afterward?
Would she feel used as a tool to satisfy desire?
Yu Qingtang thought: With such a dismissive and offensive attitude from me, she had every right to be angry.
Yu Qingtang bit her lip.
Cheng Zhanxi changed into clean, comfortable new pajamas. Seeing a new message notification on the screen, she swiped up to unlock her phone.
[Yu Qingtang]: Ms. Cheng, what would you like for lunch?
Cheng Zhanxi was flattered, quickly looking out the floor-to-ceiling window towards the sunrise direction.
Cheng Zhanxi thought "Eat you" in her mind, then curved her lips and typed: [I want porridge, the kind you bought last time.]
[Yu Qingtang]: Okay.
Cheng Zhanxi raised her eyebrows in surprise.
So readily?
Didn't she cook that porridge herself?
Cheng Zhanxi had a sudden idea and sent Yang Li a message: [Ms. Yang, has Ms. Yu left work yet?]
Yang Li looked up, replying strangely: [No.]
Not long after she said that, Yu Qingtang put down the pen in her hand.
Yang Li's eyes widened slightly. She lowered her head and typed: [She's tidying her desk, looks like she's preparing to leave.]
Cheng Zhanxi: [Alright, thanks Ms. Yang.]
Yang Li: [No problem, are you feeling unwell?]
Cheng Zhanxi: [A little, nothing serious, I'll go to school this afternoon.]
Just dehydrated.
Yang Li: [Okay, rest well.]
Ending the chat with Yang Li, Cheng Zhanxi opened the door to 2102, leaving it wide open into the hallway to easily hear any outside movement.
She rummaged through her fridge herself, taking out pork and shrimp. She had been out over the weekend and hadn't bought shepherd's purse, so she had to make do.
Cheng Zhanxi first took flour from the cabinet, skillfully kneaded it with water into a smooth dough, covered it, and let it rest. Then, she used a food processor to mince the meat, added a little salt, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, chopped scallions, and various spices, finally adding sesame oil, mixing well, and placing it next to the plate of shrimp.
The wonton filling was ready, and the dough had rested perfectly.
Meanwhile, familiar footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Cheng Zhanxi tapped her phone screen—11:30—and turned out of the kitchen.
Yu Qingtang exited the elevator and saw the wide-open door of 2102, her scalp instantly tingling.
"Ms. Yu."
Unsurprisingly, Cheng Zhanxi called out to her from behind.
Yu Qingtang's carefully prepared mental defenses completely crumbled. She turned around somewhat stiffly, maintaining a calm expression, and nodded. "Ms. Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze swept over her empty hands, and she couldn't help but smile.
"Ms. Yu, where's my porridge?" she asked deliberately.
Yu Qingtang lied smoothly, "I ordered takeout, it hasn't arrived yet."
Cheng Zhanxi pondered for a moment, then asked with a smile, "I wonder which takeout place it is. Could Ms. Yu recommend it to me?"
Yu Qingtang: "..."
It was Yu's Kitchen special delivery; how could she explain that?
Yu Qingtang cleared her throat, avoiding the question. "I'll go back first. I'll call you when the takeout arrives."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Okay, I'm making wontons. Would Ms. Yu like to join?"
Yu Qingtang honestly shook her head. "I don't know how."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled. "Your fingers are so nimble, you'll definitely learn quickly. Come on."
Yu Qingtang shook her head firmly.
"No, thank you, Ms. Cheng."
Undeniably, she was tempted, but she had more important things to do. If she went to make wontons with Cheng Zhanxi, who would cook the porridge?
Yu's Kitchen was busy; Yu's Kitchen needed to hurry.
Not chatting further, Yu Qingtang closed the door to 2101.
Cheng Zhanxi curved her lips into a light smile.
She slowly rolled out the wonton wrappers, wrapped the minced meat and whole shrimp inside. Her fingertips flew, and plump little wontons shaped like ingots quickly formed in her palm, lined up neatly beside her, looking charmingly simple.
An hour later, Yu Qingtang came to deliver the porridge.
Cheng Zhanxi took the thermal container, casually asking, "Has Ms. Yu eaten?"
Yu Qingtang: "I have."
Cheng Zhanxi placed the thermal container on the entryway cabinet. Hearing this, she made a questioning sound, "Hmm?" and asked, "What did you eat?" Yu Qingtang wasn't good at lying. Having already lied once today, her already mediocre acting skills plummeted. She stammered, "Ate... um..."
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled, gently following her words, "Um what?"
Yu Qingtang met her teasing gaze, her ears warming, becoming even more speechless.
"So you haven't eaten," Cheng Zhanxi said. "I cooked some wontons, freshly made. Come in and try some."
She took Yu Qingtang's wrist and pulled her inside without waiting for a reply.
"Slippers are here." Cheng Zhanxi gestured for her to look down at the floor, reminding her gently.
Yu Qingtang remembered being carried in last night, barefoot, without even wearing shoes, and stiffened again.
While she was愣神, Cheng Zhanxi had already made her change into slippers, pressed her shoulders to make her sit at the dining table, opened the kitchen door, and even before seeing the wontons, the aroma wafted out.
Yu Qingtang's stomach rumbled.
She hadn't had much appetite this morning, only eating one slice of bread, and hadn't felt hungry all morning. Now, smelling this fragrance, she immediately felt famished.
Cheng Zhanxi carefully carried out a bowl of wontons; the source of the fragrance was right there.
Cheng Zhanxi placed the bowl in front of her. The cooked wontons looked like little boats floating on water, a thin layer of sesame oil shimmering on the surface, dotted with seaweed and vibrant green chopped scallions.
Cheng Zhanxi sat opposite her, arms crossed on the table, leaning forward slightly, looking at her expectantly. "I cooked them in bone broth. Be careful, it's hot."
Yu Qingtang was silent for a moment, picked up the white porcelain spoon, stirred, revealing small dried shrimp underneath. She first scooped a spoonful of broth, blew on it, and slowly drank it. The bone broth was rich, flavorful, and had a long-lasting aftertaste.
Yu Qingtang scooped up a wonton, blew on it to cool it, and, accompanied by Cheng Zhanxi's gentle reminder, carefully took a bite.
The pork was savory, the shrimp light, perfectly balanced, fresh, smooth, and refreshing. After finishing the thin-skinned, tender-filled wonton, Yu Qingtang took a sip of the fragrant bone broth. All her taste buds were awakened, every pore relaxed, feeling warm and cozy. She just wanted to sit quietly in the chair and enjoy finishing this bowl of wontons.
She ate three in a row before remembering Cheng Zhanxi opposite her. She quickly looked up, her expression momentarily blank.
Cheng Zhanxi rested her cheek on one hand, gazing at her intently, her eyes gentle and focused.
Meeting Yu Qingtang's gaze, Cheng Zhanxi calmly lowered her hand and asked with a smile, "How does it taste?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. "Delicious."
Cheng Zhanxi beamed. "So obedient."
Yu Qingtang blinked.
Those words... why did they sound strange?
Cheng Zhanxi curved her eyes, thinking: Keep looking, keep looking, and I'll eat you up.
She resisted the urge to lean over and ruffle her hair, brought the forgotten thermal container from the entryway, and got a bowl from the kitchen to serve herself.
Yu Qingtang asked, "You only cooked one bowl of wontons?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "There was only one bag of bone broth left, just enough for one bowl."
Yu Qingtang pursed her lips, also putting down the spoon she was holding.
Cheng Zhanxi considerately said, "I happen to be feeling a bit unwell, I wanted some porridge."
Her acting was superb, worthy of an Oscar. Yu Qingtang's lips pressed tighter. "Where do you feel unwell?" she asked.
In that instant, Cheng Zhanxi really wanted to make a suggestive joke to tease her, but their relationship wasn't quite there yet, so she held back, vaguely saying, "My stomach feels uncomfortable, nothing serious, it'll be fine later." She gently urged, "Hurry up and eat, the wontons are getting cold."
Yu Qingtang looked at her own bone broth wontons, then at the porridge opposite, which, despite its rich ingredients, still looked light and simple. Her expression was hesitant.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, deliberately saying, "How about we swap? You eat mine, I eat yours."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
She lowered her head and obediently ate her own lunch, not even leaving any broth.
She ate quickly. When she looked up, Cheng Zhanxi had only finished half.
Cheng Zhanxi looked beautiful even while eating. When eating at school or outside, there were many people, and Yu Qingtang hadn't specifically watched her. Now it was quiet, just the two of them, and Yu Qingtang's eyes only saw her.
Her deep chestnut long curly hair wasn't tied up, casually draped behind her, exuding a gentle, languid, mature womanly charm. Because she lowered her head, two strands of long hair fell onto her forehead. She gently tucked them behind her ear with one hand, her long, fair fingertips pressing against the hair by her ear. From Yu Qingtang's angle, her nose bridge was high, her nose tip delicate, her lips thin and moist, her jawline smooth and refined.
The Creator must have meticulously crafted her, stroke by stroke, before lovingly sending her into the human world.
How could the Creator bear to let her leave?
Cheng Zhanxi had overexerted herself yesterday and today. She ate one and a half bowls of porridge before stopping. She took a tissue, slowly wiped the corners of her lips, and looked up to find Yu Qingtang staring at her blankly.
Cheng Zhanxi folded the tissue neatly and sat openly, letting her look.
After a long while, Yu Qingtang slowly retracted her gaze, subconsciously licking her lips, her throat dry. "I... I'll wash the dishes," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "There's a dishwasher."
Yu Qingtang politely said, "Then I'll take them over."
Cheng Zhanxi lifted her chin slightly, watching her with a smile. "Okay, the kitchen is over there."
Since she wanted to explore more new territory, Cheng Zhanxi was happy to let her.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Yu Qingtang silently cleared the dishes and took them into the kitchen.
Compared to when she first rented it out, Cheng Zhanxi's kitchen had changed dramatically. A new built-in dishwasher with a smooth, glossy black metallic finish. The counter held a rice cooker, electric kettle, soy milk maker, multi-functional food processor, electric coffee maker... and other appliances, plus a variety of seasonings and spices, numerous but not messy, neatly categorized, full of life.
The countertop was neat and clean; Cheng Zhanxi had tidied up after making the wontons.
Yu Qingtang looked carefully from one end to the other, opened the dishwasher, and bent down to place their two bowls and chopsticks inside.
Two people, two bowls, two pairs of chopsticks—nothing could be more ordinary, more simple. Yu Qingtang placed them one by one, pair by pair, her movements slow and serious, reverent as if performing some kind of ritual.
She placed the dishes well and looked for the dishwasher switch.
She searched for a while, found the controls for this model were on the inside edge of the opened panel, straightened up, and identified the functions of the several buttons.
Perhaps because she had been in the kitchen too long, Cheng Zhanxi came looking for her.
Yu Qingtang lowered her head to confirm the dishwasher's power button. Just as she was about to press it, a weight settled on her back. The woman's warm, soft body suddenly pressed close, trapping her in the small space.
Cheng Zhanxi lowered her head slightly, looking along her hand. Warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe.
"Don't know how to use it?"
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