After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

"Why... did you become a teacher?"

For Yu Qingtang, someone like Cheng Zhanxi becoming a PE teacher must have been a whim. Why she had this whim wasn't important; what mattered was when this whim would abruptly end, when she would leave Sicheng, go where she belonged, and never return.

Just like long, long ago, the extended black sedan drove out of the village, carrying away the person who made her laugh for the first time, and cry for the first time.

The subtext of this question was: Are you leaving soon?

And every morning when she woke up, she was already rehearsing for the day of departure. Even if Cheng Zhanxi disappeared tomorrow, she wouldn't be surprised.

"Why did I become a teacher? Let me think..." Cheng Zhanxi pondered, observing Yu Qingtang's lowered gaze. She didn't miss the woman's slender knuckles turning white from exertion, nor the momentary tension and stiffness in the hand held within her own palm.

She stopped in place, even forgetting to continue walking forward. Clearly, she cared deeply, contrary to her casual tone.

This wasn't a literal question.

Nor did it feel like waiting for a confession; Cheng Zhanxi didn't think they were at that stage yet. If she confessed directly, Yu Qingtang would likely be scared away.

Cheng Zhanxi's thoughts raced as she organized her words, "Firstly, I really like the city of Sicheng. It has a strong artistic atmosphere, and I also like the architectural style here. The old town and the new district each have their own characteristics. The pace of life is slow, suitable for long-term living."

Yu Qingtang slowly lifted her head, looking at Cheng Zhanxi's face.

She heard her own very soft voice: "Long-term living?"

Cheng Zhanxi smiled gently, "Doesn't Teacher Yu like having me as your neighbor?" Of course, becoming her girlfriend sooner would be even better.

A small flower bloomed in an unknown place.

Cheng Zhanxi said, "If you're willing to sell the apartment, I'd like to buy the one opposite yours. We could live together always."

The wind blew past the small flower. Like the trembling tip of a swaying petal, Yu Qingtang's heart quivered in the wind.

"...We'll see." Yu Qingtang unclenched her fingers, lifted her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, lightly pursed her thin lips, and said, "You only said firstly. What about secondly?"

"Secondly, I love the cause of education," Cheng Zhanxi said seriously.

"But aren't you a painter?"

"Can't a painter love the cause of education?" Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow, immediately citing two examples of painters, names Yu Qingtang hadn't heard, but she was still mostly convinced.

Perhaps Teacher Cheng was just a painter who liked being a teacher.

Yu Qingtang's expression relaxed, her voice unknowingly softening as she asked, "Is there a thirdly?"

Cheng Zhanxi smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, but there's a most important point."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you in the future." Cheng Zhanxi smiled, keeping her in suspense.

Yu Qingtang gave her a look that was neither quite reproachful nor quite not, and continued walking forward. Cheng Zhanxi jogged a couple of steps, smiling as she caught up.

Yu Qingtang used that question to voice her unease and fear, while Cheng Zhanxi keenly sensed the hidden meaning, choosing a gentler, more reserved way to tell her: I won't leave you. As long as you're willing, we will always be together.

Perhaps the current Yu Qingtang couldn't fully understand her meaning, nor would she firmly believe her based on just one sentence, but one day in the future, she would understand.

She would also know the real answer to that question.

—Why did you become a teacher?

—For you, only you.

After climbing a slope, Yu Qingtang's exceptionally sharp vision spotted the large locust tree the local had mentioned.

Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, even she, who usually showed no emotion, couldn't help but relax her brow, a hint of joy appearing in her eyes.

"We're almost there," she said, pointing towards the locust tree.

Cheng Zhanxi could only vaguely see a tree, unable to distinguish it clearly yet. She took out a tissue from her pocket, gently wiped the sweat from Yu Qingtang's forehead, and asked, "Want to rest before walking?"

Cheng Zhanxi had good stamina, her face wasn't red, and she wasn't panting. Yu Qingtang, however, wasn't physically active. Her cheeks were flushed from the exercise, though this was also due to her fair, thin skin, which easily showed color.

"No need." Yu Qingtang gasped for breath, decisively refusing Cheng Zhanxi's suggestion. Seeing victory ahead, she was holding onto her last bit of energy. If she relaxed now, she might not be able to muster it again; she had to push through.

Cheng Zhanxi thought of something suggestive and smiled.

She cleared her throat, quickly dispelled the improper thoughts, and said, "Then let's continue."

After speaking, Cheng Zhanxi touched her chin with her free hand. How did the conversation seem to be heading further in that direction?

Yu Qingtang's eyes were currently fixed only on the destination, with no extra thought for the unfortunate dialogue. Cheng Zhanxi reflected for a moment, then, while leading Yu Qingtang forward, asked seriously, "Teacher Yu, if I hadn't come with you, would you have come here alone?"

Yu Qingtang thought seriously for a moment, "Probably not? Or I would have gone back first, checked the detailed route map, and then come." This time was purely due to her long-term city living, usual indifference, and lack of experience.

Sicheng's jurisdiction had good public security. Jiangning County's Baishui Township was only considered poor and remote relative to Sicheng City, but it was far from the point of "impoverished mountains and unruly waters producing villains."

Moreover, Baishui Township had beautiful mountains and clear waters. In spring, vast fields of golden rapeseed flowers bloomed in the mountains. As long as one didn't venture onto these small country paths, there was basically no danger.

If Cheng Zhanxi hadn't come this time, Yu Qingtang would likely have turned back directly, downloaded an offline map or bought a paper map, chosen a suitable time to meet Xiao Qing's father in the township, and avoided such a blind situation.

Actually, she hadn't known Cheng Zhanxi for long. Excluding the first two chance encounters, they had only known each other at school for half a semester. Her trust in Cheng Zhanxi had almost reached a blind level. This trust wasn't just reflected in her admiration for her as a painter, but also manifested in various aspects of life. Arriving in an unfamiliar place, she dared to let Cheng Zhanxi lead her around, even riding a tractor, entrusting her entire being to her without a shred of doubt.

The first time traveling far not for studies, the first time in a place without signal or internet, the first time walking leisurely along a main road flanked by golden rice fields, the first time hitching a ride on a local's tractor, the first time shouting loudly in the back of the tractor... it was all her.

Thinking back, Yu Qingtang herself found it incredible.

Cheng Zhanxi nodded, "Safety first. If you encounter a similar situation, be sure to stick to the main roads, don't take shortcuts for convenience."

"I know."

"When you travel far in the future, Teacher Yu, remember to tell me in advance so I can arrange my time."

In the future again.

Yu Qingtang pursed her lips, looked at Cheng Zhanxi's back walking ahead, her gaze flickering slightly twice before lowering her eyes.

This section was downhill, relatively easy for both, but some parts were very steep. Cheng Zhanxi went down first, carefully supporting Yu Qingtang's arms as she descended.

It had rained a few days ago, washing away part of the path. The footprints previously trodden by villagers were gone, leaving almost no fixed place to step. Cheng Zhanxi looked down at the nearly eighty-degree steep slope, glanced around, and said, "Go down here, or should I find another path?"

Yu Qingtang said, "Let's go down here." Seeing the time getting later and later, if they didn't find Xiao Qing's house soon, they wouldn't even be able to get out of the village before dark.

Cheng Zhanxi noticed she was standing far from the steep slope, likely afraid. She paused, then said, "I'll go find another path, there should be one nearby."

Yu Qingtang grabbed her hand.

Yu Qingtang had already scanned the area with her excellent vision; there was no second path within sight.

"Let's just go here. How do we get down?" Yu Qingtang said, pretending to be calm.

Cheng Zhanxi said, "Run down."

Yu Qingtang: "?"

As Cheng Zhanxi spoke, she demonstrated. Adjusting her backpack straps, she stepped back a few paces from the edge of the slope, took a running start, and charged towards the slope.

Her figure instantly disappeared from view.

Yu Qingtang's heart tightened. She quickly rushed to the edge of the slope and peered down.

Cheng Zhanxi stood below, arms raised high, waving at her.

"Come down—"

Yu Qingtang breathed a sigh of relief, then her legs weakened, and she immediately stepped back, her face pale.

This slope...

"It's okay—" Cheng Zhanxi cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, shouting upwards.

The slope wasn't long, and the rain-softened soil provided good cushioning without being so soft as to trap shoes. It just looked scary.

Cheng Zhanxi: "Teacher Yu—"

Yu Qingtang swallowed fearfully, not daring to even look at the slope. Normally, she would definitely take a detour.

Just then, Cheng Zhanxi tilted her face up, opened her arms towards her, and called out loudly:

"Don't look at the path, look at me—"

An image flashed through Yu Qingtang's mind like a fleeting shadow.

It was also a steep mountain path. Two similarly aged little girls climbed down one after the other. The taller girl in front moved nimbly, light as a swallow, easily running and jumping down a steep section. The silent girl behind was dumbfounded, hesitating at the top of the slope, her small hands clutching her skirt hem.

The girl below waved, her voice crisp as silver bells, "Come down."

Little Yu Qingtang didn't dare.

The girl opened her arms, tilted her face up to look at her, her smile bright, her young, tender face shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

"I'll catch you—"

...

Cheng Zhanxi: "I'll catch you—"

Yu Qingtang's mind buzzed. Memory and reality briefly blurred and merged, images flashing alternately. Her pupils constricted as she fixed her gaze on Cheng Zhanxi's face below, seemingly trying to find a trace of familiarity, but quickly dismissed the thought, slowly clearing the distractions.

Coincidences happen, not to mention Yu Qingtang couldn't remember the face of that little girl from over twenty years ago.

Yu Qingtang retreated to where Cheng Zhanxi had stood, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Opening her eyes again, her gaze was calm, looking straight ahead as she charged towards the edge of the slope.

The feeling of stepping onto the soft soil was like treading on clouds. Yu Qingtang felt as if her legs weren't her own. She was flying, landing in the embrace of the woman who had already opened her arms, waiting.

Cheng Zhanxi's arms firmly caught her, her left foot stepping back to absorb the impact and stabilize her stance.

A clear mountain breeze blew past. Their hair tangled together. They stood quietly embracing, Cheng Zhanxi's hand resting on her long hair, stroking it gently, intermittently.

They separated with unspoken understanding, averting their gazes. Cheng Zhanxi also saw the large locust tree just a dozen meters away.

Turning right at the locust tree, the view suddenly opened up, returning to a cement road.

The Zequan Village stone monument, gray with blue characters, came into view. Beside the monument stood a dark-skinned middle-aged man, not tall, around 170cm, thin, slightly stooped, with very short hair. He wore a faded blue Zhongshan suit, military green work shoes. His clothes were simple but very clean. The exposed skin on the back of his hands and neck was darker than his face, clearly tanned from long exposure to the sun. He was looking towards the village entrance road.

Seeing Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang approaching together, the middle-aged man slowly walked forward, asking timidly, "Are... you Xiao Qing's teachers?"

At the same time, the push-button phone in his Zhongshan suit pocket rang.

Yu Qingtang hung up the call, looked at Xiao Chunjin, who looked at least ten years older than his actual age, and said, "Xiao Qing's father?"

Xiao Chunjin's simple face showed a nervous yet somewhat embarrassed smile. "That's me. Teacher, you've worked hard." He bowed deeply without warning.

Yu Qingtang was startled and quickly stepped back. Cheng Zhanxi reflexively pulled Yu Qingtang into her arms.

Xiao Chunjin straightened up, his eyes already red-rimmed, constantly apologizing to Yu Qingtang.

He had originally wanted to ask Yu Qingtang to meet in the township for the home visit, but this year, Baishui Township had experienced continuous rainy weather, delaying the maturation of the late rice by ten days. These past two days had finally cleared up, and everyone was rushing to harvest the rice. If they didn't harvest promptly during the sunny weather, the rice would rot in the fields. Xiao Chunjin couldn't get away; he had to stay in Zequan Village.

Xiao Chunjin was a local smallholder farmer, contracting a few mu of land. To save money, he harvested the rice by hand. This morning, he went to the fields with his sickle at dawn, worked until eight, then hurried back, changed into his only presentable set of clothes, and started waiting for Yu Qingtang at the village entrance.

He waited from eight until ten, from ten until twelve. The sun climbed higher and higher. He stood like a statue.

He was extremely worried Yu Qingtang wouldn't come.

His daughter was so outstanding, yet because he was a farmer living in a remote village, the teacher couldn't make it for the home visit.

He was useless.

He didn't dare call Yu Qingtang either, afraid of disturbing the teacher, leaving a bad impression, and affecting his daughter. He could only wait and wait here.

Nearly one in the afternoon, his daughter's teacher appeared before him, travel-worn. His emotions instantly overwhelmed him.

Xiao Chunjin pressed the corners of his moist eyes, barely managing to compose himself. He wanted to shake hands with the teacher but remembered something and quickly retracted his hand.

Yu Qingtang stepped forward, proactively taking his calloused hand, looking closely at his weathered face.

His hands and face bore cuts from sharp rice leaves.

Yu Qingtang's voice was steady, "Hello, Xiao Qing's father."

Xiao Chunjin: "Hello, Teacher Yu." He withdrew his hand first, then looked at Cheng Zhanxi, whom he had ignored until now.

Cheng Zhanxi: "I'm also Xiao Qing's teacher. My surname is Cheng."

Xiao Chunjin became even more nervous. Why were there two teachers?

Cheng Zhanxi shook his hand.

She was taller than Xiao Chunjin; standing close felt like looking down, so she stepped back to an appropriate distance after shaking hands.

Zequan Village had a cement road, flat and smooth. Xiao Chunjin led them towards his home. He was an honest, taciturn man, not given to many pleasantries. After the initial greeting asking if the teachers had eaten and receiving an affirmative answer, he remained silent for the rest of the way.

On the road, they encountered another middle-aged man from the village, about the same age. Seeing Xiao Chunjin followed by two beautifully dressed city girls, he joked in dialect.

Cheng Zhanxi didn't understand, but guessed it wasn't anything good, hesitating whether to react.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Chunjin's face darkened, and he cursed at the fellow villager.

Cheng Zhanxi didn't understand the curse either, but curses are generally similar; she understood the meaning without needing translation.

After cursing, Xiao Chunjin loudly said something else in dialect. Cheng Zhanxi understood the words "teacher."

The fellow villager gave Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang an embarrassed, apologetic smile and scurried away.

Xiao Chunjin bowed again, apologizing on behalf of the villager.

Ahead was a single-story house with a small courtyard enclosed by a fence. In front of the courtyard, land had been cleared for a vegetable garden, divided into plots: green vegetables, red chili peppers, leeks, lettuce, radishes, half a rack of cucumbers, half a rack of tomatoes—a dazzling array, everything one could need.

Yu Qingtang retracted her gaze from the vegetable garden and entered the house.

The wall directly opposite the main door was covered with yellowed award certificates, from elementary school to junior high, all bearing Xiao Qing's name.

Seeing Yu Qingtang standing before the wall, seriously looking at the certificates, Xiao Chunjin, who was pouring water from a thermos, paused, a proud smile appearing on his face.

"Teachers, please have some water."

Xiao Chunjin, knowing Yu Qingtang was coming for a home visit, had specially gone to the township to buy disposable paper cups, clean ones.

Yu Qingtang picked up the paper cup, took a shallow sip. Cheng Zhanxi didn't drink, placing her backpack on the stool beside her, resting one hand on it, sitting in a position where she could see far outside the door, her senses alert.

Yu Qingtang put down the water cup and said, "Xiao Qing ranked first in the class in this mid-term exam."

Xiao Chunjin beamed, "The teacher taught well."

Yu Qingtang said lightly, "It's also her own effort, and even more inseparable from the parents' guidance."

After exchanging pleasantries, Yu Qingtang got straight to the point, asking about Xiao Qing's family situation, whether they faced financial difficulties, and if they needed help.

Xiao Chunjin let out a long sigh, his face seeming to instantly gain more wrinkles.

When Xiao Qing was just two years old, her mother, filled with disdain, abandoned her husband and daughter. One day she went out and never returned. After Xiao Qing's mother left, Xiao Chunjin didn't remarry, diligently raising Xiao Qing alone, father and daughter depending on each other. Xiao Qing was exceptionally diligent in her studies from a young age, progressing from the village elementary school to the county middle school, then to the city's key high school, just one step away from university.

Xiao Chunjin only had this one daughter and didn't plan to remarry in this lifetime. He wanted to give her the best of everything. During the busy farming season, he farmed at home; during the slack season, he went to the township for odd jobs, doing day labor, physical work, as a supplement.

But farming depended entirely on the heavens. If the heavens weren't happy, it was possible to have no harvest at all. Even in good years, the annual income was only a few thousand yuan. Adding other income, it was around ten thousand yuan a year. He didn't dare go to the hospital for minor illnesses, relying on his strong constitution to endure. However, these past two years, his health had clearly declined. At night, his back would ache so much he'd wake up, unable to sleep.

"It's a bit difficult, but we can overcome it. Even if I have to sell everything, I'll support her through university!" Xiao Chunjin's eyes were firm when he said this, two flames burning deep within them.

Xiao Chunjin took Yu Qingtang to Xiao Qing's room, specifically reminding her she could look but not touch anything randomly, because Xiao Qing didn't like others messing with her things.

Xiao Chunjin smiled gently, "Don't mind the mess. Xiao Qing says she knows where everything is. I usually clean for her and put things back where they were. How she left it is how it is when she comes back."

The room was tidy, the windows bright and clean. The cabinets and desk were spotless, cleaned at least every other day.

Yu Qingtang didn't touch anything inside. After looking around, her gaze lightly swept over the photo frame on the desk and stopped.

Xiao Chunjin, looking about thirty, had Xiao Qing, with pigtails and a floral dress, riding on his neck. Behind them was a photo studio backdrop.

Beside it was another photo frame: Xiao Chunjin, looking over forty, stood beside Xiao Qing, wearing her junior high school uniform, her hair in a single ponytail, her features delicate. Xiao Qing stood gracefully beside her father, intimately holding his arm. Behind them was the gate of Jiangning County No. 1 Middle School.

The photo frames were wiped very clean.

Xiao Chunjin followed her gaze.

He suddenly turned away, raising his hand to cover his moist eyes.

Yu Qingtang heard the sound and turned around.

Xiao Chunjin kept his hand over his eyes, two tear tracks washing paths down his dark face. His throat choked as he said, "I just... miss her a little."

Tears streamed down the man's face. He nodded apologetically, hurried out, and went to the well in the courtyard to draw water and wash his face.

Yu Qingtang turned back to look at the two photo frames, standing there for a long time.

Before leaving, Yu Qingtang stated she would do her best to secure policy subsidies for Xiao Qing and thanked the parent again for cooperating with her work. Xiao Chunjin nodded repeatedly and expressed his thanks.

Cheng Zhanxi put her backpack back on.

"Are Teacher Yu and Teacher Cheng leaving now?" Xiao Chunjin looked at the sky; the sun was already beginning to set in the west.

Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement.

Xiao Chunjin asked, "Which way are you going back?"

Cheng Zhanxi happened to want to ask him, "We need to go to the township to catch the bus back to the county. How should we go?"

Xiao Chunjin said, "I'll take you there. It'll be hard to walk when it gets dark." Then his voice lowered, and he asked cautiously, "Is a three-wheeled vehicle okay?"

They had already ridden a tractor; would they mind a three-wheeler?

Cheng Zhanxi immediately smiled and agreed, "Yes, thank you, Xiao Qing's father."

"You're welcome. You teachers are the ones who worked hard, coming all this way." Xiao Chunjin was overjoyed, clearing the miscellaneous items from the three-wheeler in the courtyard, washing it with water, wiping it with a cloth, his movements swift.

When Yu Qingtang explained earlier why she arrived so late—taking the bus, then the tractor, then crossing mountains—it was truly arduous. Knowing this, Xiao Chunjin, even at the risk of embarrassment, should have driven the three-wheeler to the bus station to pick them up.

Yu Qingtang hadn't said anything on the phone, just that she was coming for a home visit. He assumed Teacher Yu was from the city and would drive or take someone's car.

Xiao Chunjin deeply regretted not asking one more question, making the teacher go through such hardship.

He wiped the three-wheeler's cargo bed with extra effort, wishing he could polish it.

Yu Qingtang stood beside Cheng Zhanxi, watching this father intently.

Cheng Zhanxi noticed and waved her hand in front of her face.

Yu Qingtang snapped back to reality, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Zhanxi said discontentedly, "Look at me."

Yu Qingtang looked at her, her eyes questioning.

Cheng Zhanxi touched her face, gently saying, "Good girl."

Yu Qingtang: "?"

Don't understand Teacher Cheng.

Cheng Zhanxi, taking advantage of Xiao Chunjin being busy, moved her backpack to her front, unzipped it, and asked, "Hungry?" It was almost time for the evening feeding.

Yu Qingtang had walked quite a bit of mountain road after lunch, her energy depleted. She nodded.

"Still want rice balls?"

"Mm." Another nod.

Cheng Zhanxi handed her the rice ball, deciding to make more varied food next time they went out, lest Yu Qingtang eat rice balls for three meals a day.

Xiao Chunjin placed two small stools in the cargo bed. Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang got in. Xiao Chunjin drove them to the bus station, just in time for the last bus. The bus left Baishui Township, returned to Jiangning County. They exited through the passenger exit, went to the ticket office to buy tickets, only to find the ticket office already closed.

Cheng Zhanxi looked at Yu Qingtang, her voice completely hiding the secret joy in her heart, sighing regretfully, "Looks like we can only stay here for one night."

Author's note:

Cheng Chengzi: I sighed.

Cheng Chengzi: I pretended.

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