After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Yu Qingtang had no objections.
Never mind that Jiangning County currently had no high-speed rail connection to Sicheng City; even if it did, Yu Qingtang would probably agree to whatever Cheng Zhanxi said.
The two left the bus station, opened the navigation map on their phones, and looked for hotels along the way. Jiangning County was, after all, a county seat. While the signal and network were poor in some areas, it was generally fine.
Cheng Zhanxi took a bottle of Yakult from the corner of her backpack for Yu Qingtang.
Having just eaten a rice ball not long ago, Yu Qingtang didn't need another feeding session for the time being. But Cheng Zhanxi wanted to give it to her, and Yu Qingtang accepted without hesitation.
The setting sun cast its glow across the horizon, gradually being pulled into darkness by an invisible hand. Streetlights on both sides flickered on.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the two hotels marked far apart on the map—one a small inn, the other a chain hotel—and asked Yu Qingtang, who was sipping her Yakult beside her, "Teacher Yu, would you prefer to stay closer to the bus station, or somewhere with better conditions?"
Yu Qingtang held the Yakult bottle with both hands, sipping lightly. Hearing this, she moved her lips away from the bottle's edge, tilted her head slightly, and asked puzzledly, "Are the conditions near the bus station very poor?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "The rooms are small and cramped, hygiene isn't guaranteed, and if you want to shower, the bathroom might not be very clean, you can't look too closely."
Yu Qingtang didn't mind much; it was just for one night. But since there was a better option, she naturally chose the one with better conditions.
Cheng Zhanxi swiped through the navigation on her phone screen, saying, "The one with better conditions is quite far from the bus station, about a twenty-minute walk. If you want to take a taxi, I can try booking one online. Shall we walk or..."
Yu Qingtang glanced at the backpack Cheng Zhanxi had been carrying almost all day and asked, "Is Teacher Cheng tired?"
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze softened as she replied, "It's okay."
Yu Qingtang said, "Let's walk then."
She brought the Yakult bottle to her lips again, holding it with both hands, sipping slowly.
Jiangning County's backwardness stemmed from its primarily agricultural economy. Young and middle-aged people had mostly gone to other cities to work. The state wanted to develop transportation to boost economic growth. Plans for a high-speed rail station were finalized three years ago, debated for two years, and construction finally began last year. However, due to various reasons, it was still under construction, with no clear date for completion.
The entire county town exuded a sense of decline, completely different from the rich historical atmosphere of Sicheng City.
During her time in Sicheng, Cheng Zhanxi had visited another county under its jurisdiction, a place thriving with tourism. Development and preservation were both done exceptionally well, transportation was convenient, tourists flocked there, the county residents lived prosperously, enjoying peace and contentment. Some even converted their homes into guesthouses, chatting and laughing with guests in open courtyards.
It was hard to imagine such a huge economic disparity within the jurisdiction of the same city, yet this was the reality before her eyes. Cheng Zhanxi had traveled many places, witnessed countless similar contrasts; she had even been to Kibera in Kenya—Africa's largest slum.
But looking at the buildings in Jiangning County, seemingly covered in a layer of dust, still dampened her mood.
There were few people on the streets. The area near the bus station was even more desolate. Occasionally, a private car would speed past, kicking up clouds of dust.
Cheng Zhanxi had Yu Qingtang walk on the inner side of the road, while she moved to the outer side to block the wind and dust.
Passing a small inn, Cheng Zhanxi stopped, tilted her chin, signaling Yu Qingtang to look right.
Yu Qingtang looked for quite a while before spotting the vertical sign hidden in a gap, reading "Haoyun Guesthouse." The bottom part of the character "yun" (运) was missing, gone somewhere. Looking down from the sign, there was a narrow door, the light inside dim.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
The two continued walking forward. Yu Qingtang finished her Yakult, holding the empty bottle as there were no trash cans nearby. Her thin lips moved as she asked Cheng Zhanxi, "Has Teacher Cheng stayed in such... guesthouses before?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "I have."
Actually, before asking, Yu Qingtang already had a definite answer in her mind. She just wanted to naturally lead to the next question: "Where?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Many places. I've even stayed in the wilderness, slept in tents and sleeping bags, and slept in the car."
She didn't elaborate. Yu Qingtang couldn't help but bite her lower lip in disappointment.
Cheng Zhanxi observed her from the corner of her eye, a faint smile appearing.
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her throat and said, "Once, on a self-driving trip in Africa, I went with a few friends, two cars..."
Yu Qingtang turned her face towards her, her eyes slightly brightened.
Cheng Zhanxi continued.
Beautiful scenery often lies in remote places. When Cheng Zhanxi mentioned camping in the Sahara Desert, lying in a rooftop tent watching the stars, Yu Qingtang's expression clearly showed longing.
"Want to go?" Cheng Zhanxi turned to ask her.
Yu Qingtang didn't speak.
Cheng Zhanxi continued on her own, "Teachers have winter and summer vacations, which is quite nice. Winter vacation is short, how about next summer vacation? I'll take you."
Yu Qingtang bit her lip, finally saying, "If you're still in Sicheng next year."
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze softened.
She thought inwardly: Silly girl, even if I'm not in Sicheng, I'll definitely be by your side.
"Then it's settled." Cheng Zhanxi extended her pinky finger, her voice lilting upwards.
Yu Qingtang awkwardly hooked her pinky around it. They pressed their thumbs together, sealing the promise.
"Yu Qingtang." Cheng Zhanxi gazed at her lowered eyelids, her heart rippling slightly. Suddenly, under the quiet streetlights, she called the woman's full name.
"Mm."
"Nothing, just wanted to call you."
After a pause, Yu Qingtang's lips curved into an unconscious smile. "I know," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi's fingertips approached her lips, shifted upwards just before touching, landing on her cool, smooth cheek, stroking it gently and restrainedly before withdrawing.
"Let's go." She naturally took Yu Qingtang's hand.
The chain hotel Cheng Zhanxi chose wasn't a high-end star-rated hotel, but a budget chain. The map showed a decent one in the county center, but it was too far from the bus station, and they had to catch the earliest bus back to Sicheng tomorrow.
Cheng Zhanxi pulled open the hotel's glass door, leading Yu Qingtang inside.
She whispered to Yu Qingtang, "Let's share a room, it's easier to look after each other, okay?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Cheng Zhanxi asked again, "Do you want a room with a large bed or a standard room?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at her.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled to herself, walked to the front desk, took out both ID cards that had been kept together in her cardholder, and handed them to the receptionist. "One standard room, thank you."
The receptionist confirmed their identities. Cheng Zhanxi paid the deposit and received the room key.
303.
The card beeped at the door lock. Cheng Zhanxi opened the door, inserted the key card into the slot by the door, and the room lights came on one by one.
The room wasn't large. Two single beds placed side by side took up most of the space. The curtains were half-drawn, the wind constantly lifting a corner. A chair was tucked under the desk. Cheng Zhanxi pulled out the chair, placed her backpack on it, turned back to look at Yu Qingtang still standing by the door, observing. "Go out for dinner first?"
Yu Qingtang paused, saying, "I'm not hungry." Then she remembered Cheng Zhanxi hadn't eaten anything since noon, having been busy feeding her, and had carried the heavy backpack all the way. She changed her tune, "Where shall we eat?"
Cheng Zhanxi closed the window, walked towards the door, pushed open the bathroom door midway to peek inside. The hygiene was acceptable—at least on the surface. She closed the door again and said casually, "Let's decide when we go out."
Not far from the hotel was a night market stall—seafood barbecue, rice noodles, fried rice. The chefs behind the stall wore only thin undershirts. Customers in front drank beer, ate skewers, enjoying themselves heartily. The air was filled with the rich aroma of food.
Cheng Zhanxi sat down at a seafood barbecue stall, ordered stir-fried squid, stir-fried clams, and some skewers.
She handed the menu to Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang shook her head, saying she wasn't hungry.
When the dishes arrived, Cheng Zhanxi picked up her chopsticks, fed her a couple of bites of clams and squid. Yu Qingtang then silently took a pair of chopsticks for herself.
Before long, only two empty plates and a pile of bamboo skewers remained on the table.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Want to order something else? The owner's cooking is really good, I haven't had enough." She thoughtfully provided Yu Qingtang with an excuse.
Yu Qingtang's ears flushed slightly. "...Okay."
Strolling back to the hotel, the bloated feeling in Yu Qingtang's stomach finally subsided.
Cheng Zhanxi handed her a digestion tablet and a bottle of water with the cap already unscrewed. Yu Qingtang accepted with thanks, took the tablet, and slowly paced back and forth in the room, curiously looking at Cheng Zhanxi, who was fiddling with her backpack again.
Cheng Zhanxi sensed her gaze and turned around just in time to catch it. Yu Qingtang, caught off guard, didn't dodge this time, asking lightly, "What is Teacher Cheng doing?"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Guess."
Yu Qingtang didn't guess, walking straight over, peering into the gap of the opened backpack. Cheng Zhanxi's hand was still inside, holding a triangular piece of underwear.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
A bright light flashed in Cheng Zhanxi's eyes. Acting decisively, she unexpectedly stuffed the underwear into Yu Qingtang's hand.
Yu Qingtang: "!!!"
She almost threw it away!
"Cheng Zhanxi!" She practically ground out the woman's name through her teeth.
This joke was too much and not funny at all!
Although Yu Qingtang's voice wasn't loud, the anger was palpable. Cheng Zhanxi, satisfied with the effect, maintained a gentle expression, explaining unhurriedly, "Disposable underwear, don't you want it?"
Yu Qingtang's mind went blank for a moment. She looked down again at the pure cotton disposable underwear.
A few seconds later, she reacted, her face flushing crimson.
She opened her mouth, but before she could apologize, Cheng Zhanxi, wearing a mask of kindness, interrupted softly, "My fault, I should have explained clearly before giving it to you. Sorry."
She took the underwear back, placed it next to another one of the same style but different color, and said, "I'll give it to you when you shower later. Need to rest a bit first."
Yu Qingtang had no chance to speak throughout, nodding numbly, retreating to the side with a face as red as a cooked shrimp.
Normally, Yu Qingtang would quickly regain her composure, but in the small space, with Cheng Zhanxi walking around casually in front of her, and the two conspicuous pairs of disposable underwear on the table, the heat in her cheeks not only didn't subside but spread to her ears and neck, turning them red.
She wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
A cool breeze brushed her cheek. Yu Qingtang turned her head towards the source and saw Cheng Zhanxi opening the window.
Yu Qingtang felt increasingly guilty about her reaction earlier. Teacher Cheng had been kind, yet she had misinterpreted her intentions like judging a gentleman by petty standards. Teacher Cheng, fearing her embarrassment, had apologized even though she wasn't at fault.
"Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi turned around. The long hair behind her flew up in the wind. She tucked the chestnut curls behind her ear with one hand, bringing them forward to one side, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"About just now, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Cheng Zhanxi stood by the window, revealing teeth as white as shells, her smile brilliant.
Yu Qingtang breathed a sigh of relief.
Teacher Cheng was broad-minded.
Cheng Zhanxi shook the dust off her windbreaker against the light, hung it on the hanger, and gestured for Yu Qingtang to take off her trench coat too.
Yu Qingtang said, "I'll do it myself."
While she was busy, Cheng Zhanxi sat on the edge of the bed, took off her dusty pants, which had mud spots near the cuffs.
Yu Qingtang hung up her trench coat, dusted off the surface, and felt a warmth behind her. Knowing Cheng Zhanxi had returned, she stepped aside to let her pass.
Cheng Zhanxi stood under the brightest light, wearing a long-sleeved white t-shirt, a close-fitting style that outlined her curvaceous figure. The hem barely reached her hips, half-concealing, half-revealing.
Yu Qingtang inadvertently glanced down, seeing an expanse of eye-catching snow-white. Her ears instantly buzzed.
She wasn't too far away. Cheng Zhanxi heard the woman's subtle intake of breath, accompanied by suddenly heavier breathing.
Yu Qingtang took several steps back, out of earshot, making Cheng Zhanxi feel a pang of regret.
Yu Qingtang sat on the edge of the bed, facing away from Cheng Zhanxi, her hands tightly gripping the bedsheet beside her, stiff as a rock.
Cheng Zhanxi looked back at the dark back of her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Teacher Yu, I'm going to take a shower?" Cheng Zhanxi asked tentatively.
Yu Qingtang's back tensed further. Without emotion, she said, "Mm."
"Then I'm going."
Cheng Zhanxi took the disposable towel prepared earlier from the table, her gaze sweeping over the triangular personal item beside it. Her lips curved slightly, but she didn't take it into the bathroom.
Ten minutes later.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped. A familiar voice came from inside, "Teacher Yu."
Yu Qingtang's heart inexplicably trembled. She raised her voice, asking, "What's wrong?"
Cheng Zhanxi: "I forgot my clothes."
Yu Qingtang thought: You're not changing clothes, how could you forget them?
Cheng Zhanxi continued, "On the table, could you help me get them?"
Table?
Yu Qingtang stood up, walked over. The only thing on the table that could be called "clothes" was the fabric-saving disposable underwear, two pairs stacked together, Cheng Zhanxi's pure white one still on top.
Yu Qingtang froze in place.
Cheng Zhanxi's slightly anxious voice came again from the bathroom, "Teacher Yu, did you see it? The white one."
If Yu Qingtang could see Cheng Zhanxi's face at this moment, she would find not a trace of anxiety, but rather her leaning against the glass bathroom wall with one hand, a leisurely smile on her face.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes, grabbed the small white personal item, then kept her gaze averted from her hand the entire time, quickly walking to the bathroom door.
"Cheng... Teacher." Her voice held an imperceptible tension and tremor. "I'm here."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Come in."
Yu Qingtang rarely stayed in hotels. The last time was when she got a room with Cheng Zhanxi, and she hadn't showered in the hotel then. Perhaps Cheng Zhanxi's words were too casual; the concept of the hotel bathroom having a glass partition didn't even cross her mind. Following the command like clockwork, she pushed the door open.
Seeing the situation inside clearly, Yu Qingtang's pupils constricted. As if struck by lightning, she froze on the spot.
...
Yu Qingtang didn't know how she got out of the bathroom. She floated out like a ghost, sat back down on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall.
That night, apart from the initial kissing, everything later happened with the lights off. Yu Qingtang hadn't actually seen anything of Cheng Zhanxi.
Now she had seen everything. The impact was undeniable.
"Teacher Yu."
"Teacher Yu?"
Yu Qingtang's eyes slowly shifted, looking at the hand waving in front of her, then slowly moving up to Cheng Zhanxi's proper, beautiful face, stopping there, like an exquisite wooden doll, her eyes dull, without waves.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, did I overdo it and break her?
Cheng Zhanxi quickly walked to the corner, took down the pants hanging there, stepped into them, dressed neatly, and returned to stand before Yu Qingtang.
"Teacher Yu." Her throat felt dry, her voice apprehensive as she called softly.
Yu Qingtang's gaze drifted aimlessly around her body, still ghost-like, slowly saying, "I want... to rest for a while."
"You rest, I won't disturb you," Cheng Zhanxi immediately said.
Yu Qingtang sat dazedly at the head of the bed. A cup of water was placed in her hand. She lowered her head, stared blankly for a moment, held it with both hands, and mechanically took a sip.
Cheng Zhanxi regretted it immensely.
Knowing Yu Qingtang was a slow burn, why try to rush things? If she had shown an arm today, a leg tomorrow, given her some time to adjust, would it have come to this? Huh?
A milk-flavored candy was placed in Yu Qingtang's mouth.
The rich milky fragrance spread, capturing her taste buds and breath. Yu Qingtang finally returned to the mortal world, a bit of life returning to her.
She gave Cheng Zhanxi a deep look.
Cheng Zhanxi lowered her head deeply.
Yu Qingtang entered the bathroom, closed the door, click, the crisp sound of the lock turning.
Cheng Zhanxi's shoulders instantly slumped.
She paced anxiously around the room, then suddenly stopped, looked at the table, saw Yu Qingtang had taken everything she needed into the bathroom, and couldn't help feeling a trace of disappointment. But she immediately despised herself for such thoughts. She had played a good hand badly; how could she still think of making reckless moves!
Cheng Zhanxi paced back and forth, making up her mind: no matter what, when Yu Qingtang came out, she had to apologize.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, sooner than Cheng Zhanxi expected, or perhaps she was too preoccupied, so time passed unknowingly.
Yu Qingtang hadn't washed her hair; she didn't want to use the hotel shampoo. She simply rinsed off with water, changed back into her daytime clothes. Facing the mirror, she untied her long hair, casually smoothed it, opened the locked bathroom door, and couldn't help but pause.
Cheng Zhanxi stood at the door, looking like she had done something wrong.
"Teacher Yu, I..."
Yu Qingtang interrupted her coolly, "Later."
Cheng Zhanxi opened her mouth. Yu Qingtang walked past her, nodded slightly, showing no sign of blame, making her even more confused.
Yu Qingtang's gaze fell on a small package on the table. "Can this be used?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi looked over and quickly said, "Yes, yes, I'll open it for you."
She stepped forward. Yu Qingtang moved aside.
Cheng Zhanxi observed her expression from the corner of her eye; Yu Qingtang remained calm.
"This is toner, this is lotion. Shall I apply it for you?" Cheng Zhanxi asked after opening the package.
"No need, thank you, Teacher Cheng." Yu Qingtang's answer was expected, her voice as emotionless as before, but Cheng Zhanxi, influenced by the earlier incident, inexplicably felt she was avoiding her.
"Teacher Yu..."
Yu Qingtang interrupted her again, "Have you applied yours?"
Cheng Zhanxi had to swallow her words back, replying sullenly, "No."
Yu Qingtang handed her the toner sample. She subconsciously glanced at Cheng Zhanxi's face—fair and supple, so delicate that pores were almost invisible.
Her skin was so good even without applying anything.
Cheng Zhanxi felt stifled, her movements becoming somewhat rough. She poured some toner into her palm, haphazardly wiped it on her face, and finished.
Acting recklessly because of her good looks.
Yu Qingtang's voice lowered slightly, "Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi reapplied, gently patting her face to absorb, looking straight at her.
A very faint smile appeared in Yu Qingtang's eyes.
The large stone in Cheng Zhanxi's heart fell, and she became happy.
After both finished their routines, they sat on their respective beds.
Cheng Zhanxi sat cross-legged, facing Yu Qingtang. "Teacher Yu, can I speak now?"
Yu Qingtang, originally facing forward, turned cooperatively, her tone calm, "Let me speak first."
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
She slowly took a breath, forced a relaxed, gentle smile, "Okay, you first."
Yu Qingtang's delicate brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, seemingly organizing her words. After a moment, she said, "This is the first time I've seen such... such..." She considered for a moment, chose an appropriate word, and described reservedly, "Mm, a scene."
The "scene" herself, now clothed opposite her, nodded seriously, curious about what Yu Qingtang would say.
Yu Qingtang spoke very slowly, pausing every few words to think carefully, striving not to cause linguistic misunderstandings: "For me, it's very... hard to accept. I mean, I wasn't mentally prepared... Not saying you don't look good... You're perfect."
Cheng Zhanxi was certain Yu Qingtang held no active desire for her, at least not currently, or lacked a clear concept of it. Otherwise, she wouldn't say "you're perfect," implying she not only saw everything but saw it very carefully.
If this were anyone else, alone with a woman in a room, they would have long lost control, acting like a wolf, letting her personally experience what "perfect" meant.
But Cheng Zhanxi wasn't just anyone; she was a modern-day Liu Xiahui, maintaining a faint smile, patiently listening to Yu Qingtang's explanation.
Yu Qingtang pursed her lips, asking, "Did I make any impolite expression towards you in the bathroom just now? If so, I apologize."
She seemed to have amnesia, completely forgetting what happened in between.
Cheng Zhanxi shook her head with a smile, "No, you handed me the things, then left, very calm, very polite, no offense at all."
Yu Qingtang breathed a sigh of relief.
She continued in that careful tone, "Sorry, although we're both women, seeing such a scene should be nothing... but my personal tolerance is rather low, so... my reaction was quite strong, not directed at you... It was my fault for not realizing beforehand that the bathroom door was glass."
She vaguely remembered that after coming out, she hadn't responded when Cheng Zhanxi spoke to her.
She lowered her head slightly, "I'm very sorry."
"No, it's my fault." Cheng Zhanxi immediately countered, saying seriously, "I shouldn't have been lazy and just let you come in directly. It won't happen next time."
She also lowered her head, expressing apology.
The two looked like a couple bowing to each other.
Cheng Zhanxi's bold probing ended with mutual apologies. But an invisible seed had been planted in this late night, waiting to break through the soil, for the river to flood, for desire to become a sea.
It was getting late. After talking, Yu Qingtang lay down in the covers, dressed, her hands crossed properly over her waist, closing her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi asked softly, "Is Teacher Yu going to sleep?"
Yu Qingtang hummed.
Cheng Zhanxi supported herself on the bed with one hand, leaned over, and turned off all the lights.
The room instantly plunged into darkness. Hazy moonlight filtered through the curtains.
Cheng Zhanxi turned her face inwards, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the opposite wall.
She had just lied to Yu Qingtang.
In the bathroom, Yu Qingtang's expression had been very calm, calmly examining her meticulously from head to toe.
Author's note:
Cheng Chengzi: What are you looking at?
Yu Yuzi: Eyes and ▼
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