After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Cheng Zhanxi's waist was supple. Through the fabric of her windbreaker, Yu Qingtang could feel the faint outline of her abs—warm, rising and falling with the woman's breath.
Yu Qingtang's hands felt like they had touched a hot iron. Her fingertips recoiled, about to pull back, but Cheng Zhanxi held the back of her hand, preventing her retreat. Yu Qingtang struggled twice without breaking free, so she let Cheng Zhanxi press her hands onto her waist. An impulse to tighten her grip around that slender waist arose, but she forcefully suppressed it.
Cheng Zhanxi glanced back to her right. Yu Qingtang consciously placed her right hand there as well, but her body still maintained a distance from Cheng Zhanxi.
The Diavel's seat sloped downwards, causing the rear passenger to naturally slide forward. Yu Qingtang fought against the inertia, shifting her hands to Cheng Zhanxi's sides, avoiding pressure on her abs, gripping the windbreaker fabric tightly. Her body remained tense; it was undeniably difficult.
Just then, Cheng Zhanxi let out an ambiguous chuckle.
Yu Qingtang's already highly strung nerves tightened further, unsure what Cheng Zhanxi was laughing about.
"Holding on tight?" The woman's voice, coming from under the helmet, was gentle and low, carrying a power that calmed the heart.
"Holding tight," Yu Qingtang's unsteady voice replied from the back seat.
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at the fingers gripping her clothes so hard the knuckles turned white, the corners of her lips hidden by the helmet curving slightly.
"Hold on steady," she reminded finally.
The next second, the silver-white motorcycle shot out like an arrow released from a bow.
The Diavel could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 3 seconds. Even though they couldn't reach that speed in the city, its explosive power, comparable to a sports car, was still not to be underestimated.
Yu Qingtang was mentally prepared, but her body wasn't. Due to inertia, her upper body suddenly lurched backward. The rushing wind tore past her ears, roaring along with the engine's hum. Cheng Zhanxi's warning, "You'll easily fly off like that," was no joke. Her heart stopped in fright, her mind went blank. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Cheng Zhanxi's waist, pressing tightly against her back, fitting perfectly, while fearfully shutting her eyes tight.
Maintaining distance, reserved composure—all became unrealistic bubbles under the motorcycle's madly accelerating speed.
Yu Qingtang only wished she could cling tighter. Even her legs began to feel weak; her entire support rested on Cheng Zhanxi alone.
The motorcycle's speed stabilized. The wind noise, muffled by the helmet, became a rustling, peaceful sound. Yu Qingtang opened her eyes, curiously observing the new world from this perspective. But she still didn't dare move slightly away from Cheng Zhanxi's body, her arms tightly wrapped around the woman's waist.
The street scenes on both sides flew backward rapidly. In fleeting glances, passersby stared wide-mouthed at the speeding motorcycle.
The motorcycle entered the main road, weaving nimbly through the traffic. One after another, cars forced to crawl due to weekend congestion were left behind.
The riverside bridge spanned the wide water surface. As the motorcycle drove over it, the lake water below shimmered.
The woman's warmth continuously transferred from where their bodies pressed tightly together, melting into her.
Yu Qingtang silently exhaled, slowly resting her cheek against Cheng Zhanxi's thin, warm back, closing her eyes again, the corners of her lips lifting in an irrepressible shallow curve.
Maple Forest Green Capital entrance.
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at the soft arms still clasped around her waist, smiled to herself, slowed down, and circled the outer road of the complex once more.
Once, and then again.
If not for the lack of time, she could have circled until the end of time.
Yu Qingtang kept her eyes closed, completely unaware.
At 8:45, Cheng Zhanxi stopped the bike, planting her feet firmly on the ground by the roadside.
A few seconds later, Yu Qingtang's eyelashes fluttered lightly. She opened her eyes, the sudden influx of light momentarily dazzling, leaving her disoriented. Her delicate white knuckles moved; she slowly released her arms from around Cheng Zhanxi's waist, steadied herself with her hands on Cheng Zhanxi's shoulders, got off, and silently pursed her lips.
Cheng Zhanxi pushed up her visor, her smile bright. "I'll find a place to park. Wait for me here."
Yu Qingtang nodded, her mood inexplicably low.
A few minutes later, Cheng Zhanxi returned from across the road. The bright orange windbreaker was very conspicuous. Simple casual pants paired with pure black sneakers. Sunlight slanted from her side, casting a hazy golden edge around her.
Yu Qingtang watched her approach, unconsciously spacing out for two seconds.
Cheng Zhanxi raised her wrist to check her bracelet; it was ten minutes to nine.
"Shall we go?"
Yu Qingtang retracted her gaze, softly humming in agreement.
Reporting Xiang Tianyou's house number at the community gate guard, the guard said, "Please wait." He made a call, then registered them before letting them in.
The community was lush with green grass, the landscaping even better than Mingmen Estate, but neither was in the mood to appreciate it, searching along the way.
Yu Qingtang called Xiang Tianyou's father. Surprisingly, he wasn't home. Upon receiving the call, he quickly apologized and said he would rush back as soon as possible. Forgetting even his son's homeroom teacher's home visit, Cheng Zhanxi began to form an initial understanding of this family.
Yu Qingtang glanced at the seemingly endless road ahead, walking as she spoke, "Xiang Tianyou comes from a divorced family. Both his parents have remarried. His mother seems to have had another daughter, but I don't know about his father's side. I heard from his mother that he used to be very obedient in school. I managed to get his junior high homeroom teacher's phone number."
"Xiang Tianyou's junior high homeroom teacher said he consistently ranked first in the grade during his first year. Starting from the second year, his grades plummeted, once dropping to the bottom of the class. In the second half of the third year, they rose slightly. In the end, he missed the admission score for No. 1 High by a few points. His family paid to get him into a parallel class."
Hearing no response for a long time, Yu Qingtang turned to look at Cheng Zhanxi, finding her looking astonished.
Yu Qingtang almost thought she had something dirty on her face. She resisted the urge to touch it and asked, "What's wrong?"
Cheng Zhanxi slowly composed her expression, smiling gently. "Nothing. Teacher Yu is a good teacher."
Yu Qingtang looked away uncomfortably. "Aren't all homeroom teachers like this?"
Cheng Zhanxi hummed noncommittally. "That's still rare," she said. "So you think his family situation is the main reason for his self-destructive behavior, and you want to start from there?"
Yu Qingtang exhaled, uncertain. "Let's try first."
Judging by Xiang Tianyou's father's attitude all along, this home visit was likely to be fruitless.
The two arrived at the villa entrance.
As expected, no one was there to greet them beforehand.
Just as Cheng Zhanxi was about to press the doorbell outside the ornate iron gate, the main door inside suddenly opened. A tall, thin figure of a young man emerged and opened the courtyard gate for them.
Xiang Tianyou wore a black sweater and black drawstring sweatpants. He seemed to have just showered, carrying a slight dampness. His short black hair was soft. He looked gentle and harmless, the playful smile on his lips seeming stiff and performative to Cheng Zhanxi.
At such a young age, he had already learned to use a nonchalant smile as his protective coloring.
Cheng Zhanxi believed Xiang Tianyou's mother's account of him being obedient and academically excellent before.
A person might be influenced by their environment, but their inner core doesn't change so easily.
Like Yu Qingtang, Cheng Zhanxi always felt she wasn't as cold as she appeared. The richer the inner world, the more patience is needed to excavate it.
A thought suddenly struck Cheng Zhanxi. Was Yu Qingtang also from a divorced family like Xiang Tianyou? Or perhaps her parents had passed away?
Xiang Tianyou smiled at Yu Qingtang. "Teacher, you're early. My dad isn't home." His tone held a hint of schadenfreude.
Yu Qingtang replied expressionlessly, "I called your dad. He said he's on his way back."
Xiang Tianyou sighed dramatically. "Then you probably won't see him this morning. Old Xiang is busy day in and day out."
Yu Qingtang stepped inside, saying coolly, "Then I'll stay for lunch at your place."
Xiang Tianyou choked.
Cheng Zhanxi, walking behind, smiled and followed, pressing Xiang Tianyou's shoulder as she passed.
Xiang Tianyou snapped back to reality, instinctively giving her a clean smile.
After smiling, he felt a bit regretful. He didn't let his emotions show, his lips slowly curling up to the mechanically familiar angle. "Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "I'll join Teacher Yu for lunch at your place."
Xiang Tianyou readily agreed, "Okay, I'll ask Auntie to make some delicious dishes."
Cheng Zhanxi gave him a deep look and walked forward.
Xiang Tianyou stood in place, the smile on his face collapsing as if unable to bear the weight, leaving him expressionless.
After a long moment, a self-deprecating look flashed in his eyes, and he also stepped inside.
There was indeed a parent figure in the Xiang household. A woman dressed like a noblewoman sat on the sofa, wearing a light pink silk pajama set. Her long, fair left leg was crossed over her right. The pajama collar gaped open, revealing a large expanse of snow-white, delicate skin, exuding allure.
Yu Qingtang frowned upon entering.
Cheng Zhanxi, coming in after her, decisively turned Yu Qingtang around to face her.
Yu Qingtang: "???"
Cheng Zhanxi whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Don't look, you'll get a sty."
Yu Qingtang's lips twitched. Unable to hold back her amusement, her eyes curved.
Cheng Zhanxi raised her voice, "Hello?"
The noblewoman, sitting sideways to them, turned her head. A sense of crisis immediately arose. She narrowed her eyes, asking unkindly, "Who are you?" Her face was beautiful, appearing under thirty, around the same age as Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, but her aura was completely different—plump, voluptuous, enchanting.
As she spoke, her pajama top gaped even wider, her full bosom almost spilling out.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Yu Qingtang, unaware of what was happening behind her, saw Cheng Zhanxi's complex expression and curiously tried to turn around.
Cheng Zhanxi reached out and held the back of her head, preventing her from moving.
Cheng Zhanxi focused her gaze above the woman's neck, speaking gently, "We are Xiang Tianyou's teachers, here for a home visit."
The noblewoman straightened her serpentine waist, tucking her snowy peaks back in. She picked up her fingernails to admire them, casually saying, "Oh, teachers. Please sit." Though she said this, she showed no intention of getting up to host them.
Cheng Zhanxi lowered her hand, took Yu Qingtang's, and led her to the sofa beside the noblewoman.
The Xiang family's aunt brought two cups of tea.
Cheng Zhanxi accepted them with thanks and placed them on the coffee table.
Xiang Tianyou sat opposite, playing Snake on his phone.
Xiang Tianyou's stepmother, Jiang Liuqing, idly glanced at the teachers beside her and casually asked, "Which one of you is the teacher?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "We both are."
Jiang Liuqing covered her mouth and giggled flirtatiously. "I thought you two were a couple, accompanying for the home visit."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled.
Jiang Liuqing covered her mouth with her hand, yawned, and slowly stood up. "I'm a bit sleepy, going back for a nap. Old Xiang isn't here, and I'm not the child's biological mother. Teachers, please make yourselves comfortable."
Cheng Zhanxi: "Please go ahead."
Jiang Liuqing passed by them, smiling, "You two look quite compatible. Are you really not a couple?"
Yu Qingtang again: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi's smile was about to stiffen.
Xiang Tianyou coldly interjected, "If you want to sleep, hurry up and go. Don't spout... nonsense here."
Jiang Liuqing: "With that attitude towards your elders, your dad will whip you later."
Xiang Tianyou: "The old man isn't here now. Even if I tear down this house, he has to come back to deal with me! Believe it or not, I'll tear it down right now?"
Jiang Liuqing snorted and walked away, swaying her hips.
Xiang Tianyou leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and continued playing Snake.
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her throat.
"Xiang Tianyou."
Xiang Tianyou hesitated whether to uncross his legs, ultimately only putting down his phone, smilingly replying, "Present."
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "When did your dad remarry?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi in surprise.
Asking so directly?
Xiang Tianyou's smile stiffened for a moment, then he nonchalantly laughed, "Two or three years ago, I guess. Why?"
Cheng Zhanxi stroked her chin. "Quite a while. No wonder your intimidation tactics are so practiced."
Xiang Tianyou's expression froze.
Cheng Zhanxi asked curiously, "How do you usually tear things down?"
"..." Xiang Tianyou unconsciously uncrossed his legs, scoffed lightly, and said, "Just throwing things around."
"Expensive things or cheap things?"
"...Cheap things."
"Can't bear to break the expensive ones?"
"Not really. If I break expensive things, won't it be deducted from my allowance?" Xiang Tianyou mumbled vaguely, half-truthfully, raising his hand to rub his nose defensively.
"Then will your dad hit you?"
"Occasionally." The boy paused, then said, "Rarely."
...
The sound of the iron gate opening came from the front yard. Xiang Tianyou's back straightened for a moment, then slumped back down. He inadvertently met Yu Qingtang's eyes—dark pupils, clear and profound, seemingly seeing through everything.
Xiang Tianyou suddenly didn't know what expression he should make.
He maintained his stiff posture, heard the bedroom door on the second floor open, and Jiang Liuqing came down in slippers, rushing to the entrance, throwing herself into the arms of the man who walked in.
Xiang Tianyou's father had sagging skin and the standard middle-aged man's beer belly. He wore casual sportswear; his figure had lost its shape, stretching the loose clothes taut. He took off his baseball cap; only his facial features vaguely hinted at his youthful good looks.
Jiang Liuqing wrapped her arms around the man's beer belly, acting coquettishly for a while before saying, "Xiaotian's teachers are here. I served them hot tea and let them wait for you in the living room." Her voice instantly turned delicate. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand that Xiaotian's teachers were coming for a home visit? It made me impolite."
"My fault, I forgot." Xiang's father chuckled, capturing his young wife's slender hand and pecking the back of it lightly.
The two flirted openly at the entrance, oblivious to others.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang exchanged glances, simultaneously observing Xiang Tianyou out of the corner of their eyes.
Xiang Tianyou's expression was extremely ugly. Humiliation and anger intertwined, making him suddenly want to destroy everything. His chest heaved, his eyes turning red from congestion.
Just then, Yu Qingtang stood up, stepped into view from the entrance, and said coolly, "Mr. Xiang, sorry to disturb you."
Xiang's father's eyes lit up, immediately followed by a pinch from Jiang Liuqing.
Xiang's father composed himself. "You must be Xiaotian's homeroom teacher?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. "Regarding Xiang Tianyou's recent situation, I'd like to chat with Mr. Xiang."
Xiang's father frowned, revealing strong dissatisfaction. "What trouble did he cause again?"
Yu Qingtang replied calmly, "He didn't cause trouble. Is it convenient for Mr. Xiang to sit down and talk?"
"Convenient, convenient." Xiang's father walked inside, saw Cheng Zhanxi sitting on the sofa, his eyes showing surprise upon meeting hers. He unconsciously straightened his back, smilingly asking, "And this is?"
Yu Qingtang answered for Cheng Zhanxi, "Also Xiaotian's teacher."
She took a step sideways, subtly blocking Xiang's father's assessing gaze.
Xiang Tianyou stood up emotionlessly. "I'm going back to my room."
Xiang's father shouted, "You sit right here!"
Xiang Tianyou ignored him, went back to his room, and slammed the door.
Veins popped on Xiang's father's forehead. He turned back to Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang with a smile. "Sorry to make you witness this, teachers. The child is rebellious, please bear with him." He immediately became serious. "Did this kid violate school rules again? Was it being late, leaving early, or fighting?"
Xiang's father continued, "Nowadays they talk about quality education, schools prohibiting corporal punishment—I've always opposed it! How can children learn without being disciplined, especially boys this age? They're simply uncontrollable. I've tried everything. I can only rely on you teachers to educate him well at school. Teachers, teach him as you see fit, discipline him as needed. I absolutely have no objections!"
Cheng Zhanxi almost laughed at his shameless buck-passing.
A person's growth before the age of 18 is largely influenced by family education, with school and social education secondary.
She didn't speak, looking towards Yu Qingtang beside her.
Yu Qingtang's expression was calm. "A child's education is not solely the school's responsibility; family education is also very important."
Xiang's father readily agreed, "Teacher is right. Tell me how to educate him, and I'll do it."
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Xiang's relationship with his son seems strained?"
"It's the rebellious phase. Whatever I say, he opposes me. Father and son act like enemies."
"Hasn't Mr. Xiang considered other reasons?"
"What reasons?"
"For example, your divorce from his mother."
Before Xiang's father could speak, Jiang Liuqing, nestled against the man, spoke up first, dissatisfied, "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm the culprit ruining their father-son relationship?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at her coolly, ignoring her.
Jiang Liuqing: "You—"
Xiang's father patted her hand. "Teacher didn't mean that." He looked at Yu Qingtang. "I can't sacrifice my own lifelong happiness for my son. He'll understand eventually."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know if Xiang Tianyou would understand, but she understood that Xiang Tianyou's father was extremely selfish, always considering things from his own perspective, not delving into the reasons for his son's rebellion, blaming everything on the rebellious phase, shirking responsibility, and pushing everything onto the school if he couldn't handle it.
Yu Qingtang said seriously, "I think you could show Xiang Tianyou more care. I'm not talking about material care, but in life—care about his hobbies, what he likes recently, what difficulties he's facing in his studies, communicate more."
Xiang's father immediately looked troubled. "I'm busy with work, he's busy with studies, we barely see each other a few times a week..." He sighed. "His Aunt Jiang cares about him quite a bit, often tries to chat with him, but he doesn't appreciate it at all."
Jiang Liuqing dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
Xiang's father changed the subject. "Actually, I think boys inevitably go through this phase. Who wasn't mischievous? I was even naughtier than him when I was young, and aren't I fine now? Teachers, don't worry too much. Of course, I'll pay attention to what you said, communicate more, interact more..."
Finally, Jiang Liuqing issued the eviction order with "It's getting late, we won't keep you teachers for lunch." Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang were practically "driven" out.
The first home visit ended in failure, a complete failure.
Xiang's father's attitude was perfunctory. He clearly had his own set of theories, disregarding both the teachers and his son. Communication with such a person was impossible.
The two walked back along the tree-lined path in the complex. Cheng Zhanxi worried Yu Qingtang would be discouraged by this and kept an eye on her mood.
Reaching a pavilion, Yu Qingtang stood there spacing out, lost in thought.
Cheng Zhanxi led her inside and sat down side by side.
Winter had arrived a week ago, marking the beginning of early winter in Sicheng. A bleak north wind blew through the pavilion. Yu Qingtang kept both hands tucked in her pockets, her lips pale from the cold, yet she seemed unaware.
Cheng Zhanxi stood up to block the wind for her. Yu Qingtang's sluggish eyes moved, lifting to look at Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi paused, smiling gently. "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang heard her own very soft voice asking in the wind, "Why?"
She was like this, Xiang Tianyou was like this, struggling for a hopeless outcome, even though that person never had them in their eyes from beginning to end.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't hear clearly, leaned down, and asked again, "What did you say?"
Yu Qingtang lowered her eyes, a mocking look flashing across them. "Nothing." She took her hands out of her pockets, rested them on the pavilion bench, her gaze following the fallen leaves swirling with the wind on the ground. "I just suddenly don't know how to proceed. His father is completely uncommunicative."
"There's always a way when you get there; no need to worry so much." Cheng Zhanxi pressed her thumb against Yu Qingtang's smooth brow, sighing, "Look how worried our Teacher Yu is, she doesn't even know how to frown anymore."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Yu Qingtang forced a slight curve of her lips, captured her hand, her fingertips lingering imperceptibly on the woman's warm palm for a moment before withdrawing.
"Let's go." She stood up. "I'll treat you to lunch."
A question that had been swirling in Cheng Zhanxi's mind since long ago, deepened after entering the Xiang household, finally couldn't be suppressed any longer amidst the unusual silence.
"Teacher Yu, are you going back to your parents' place this afternoon?" The two walked slowly along the path, she asked as if unintentionally.
A gust of wind blew Yu Qingtang's hair by her ear. She stopped, paused for a moment, then turned back, looking at Cheng Zhanxi with unusual calmness, devoid of joy or sorrow.
"I have no parents."
Author's note:
Cheng Chengzi: But you have the best wife in the world (*/w＼*)
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