After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Ge Jing cupped her face in her hands, lost in her own beautiful fantasy, unable to extricate herself.
Yang Li shook her head helplessly, looking like she "didn't understand young people," and sat down at her own desk.
"Excuse me, is Teacher Cheng here?" A young male voice sounded by Ge Jing's ear.
Ge Jing lowered her hands, looked up at the door, and saw Teacher Lu Yubin from the biology department. Ge Jing said, "Teacher Cheng isn't here."
Lu Yubin muttered, "How come she's not here again?" and peered inside unwillingly.
Ge Jing cleared her throat. "She's really not here. Teacher Cheng is very busy and often not in the office."
Lu Yubin said, "Okay, thank you, Teacher Ge."
Lu Yubin nodded to her and left.
Ge Jing twirled a red pen between her fingers, watching his retreating back.
Yang Li, inside, asked, "Who were you talking to?"
Ge Jing typed back to her: [Teacher Cheng's admirer.]
Yang Li typed back: [Who?]
Ge Jing: [The new male biology teacher this year, named Lu Yubin.]
Yang Li: [I think I remember him. Quite handsome, and his classes get good grades.]
Ge Jing: [You call that handsome?]
In her heart, Lu Yubin was the male "third party" trying to sabotage her ship; his subjective attractiveness plummeted drastically.
Yang Li: [He really is handsome. There are even female teachers at school pursuing him.]
Ge Jing: [Your straight girl aesthetic is truly magical.]
Yang Li: [Is Teacher Ge gay? [Surprised]]
Ge Jing put down her phone, rubbed her face, and fell into deep thought.
Lu Yubin left Cheng Zhanxi's office, took out his phone from his pocket, and tapped into a chat window. Inside lay the WeChat contact card for Cheng Zhanxi that he had asked another teacher for. As a handsome man who had long enjoyed the benefits of his looks, he usually waited for the woman to subtly express interest before naturally closing the distance and starting a relationship.
He liked being in control, but this time, the target was more beautiful than any girl he had ever seen. According to his inquiries, her family background seemed excellent too. That's why he had come by repeatedly, trying to create a chance encounter, never expecting not even to catch a glimpse of her.
Adding someone on WeChat was naturally better done face-to-face.
Now, Lu Yubin had no choice but to try not to lower his stance. He clicked on the contact card, added her to his contacts, sent a verification message, and then waited for a reply.
He tapped on Cheng Zhanxi's profile picture, searched online, and found it was a detail from the Sistine Chapel ceiling. He briefly browsed the background and story of the painting's creation to get a general understanding.
Cheng Zhanxi's phone vibrated.
Her right hand was holding Yu Qingtang's, and the phone was in her right pocket, making it inconvenient to retrieve, so she simply ignored it. As the two entered the school gates, Yu Qingtang shyly pulled her hand away. She took out her phone from her pocket and glanced at it.
[Lu Yubin] requested to add you as a friend.
Verification message: Sicheng No. 1 High School, teacher.
Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow.
She didn't recognize the name, but since it was a colleague, she casually tapped accept and put the phone back in her pocket.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang finally arrived late.
It happened to be the break after the second period. Lian Yabing came to Yu Qingtang's office to get papers. Yu Qingtang's desk was empty. She scratched her head, planning to return to the classroom. Just as she turned, she saw the two teachers entering together.
Lian Yabing was momentarily stunned.
Cheng Zhanxi passed her, smiling as she called out, "What are you spacing out for?"
Lian Yabing quickly made way. "Nothing, I came to get the graded papers from Teacher Yu. Class is about to start."
Yu Qingtang sat down at her desk, pulled open the left drawer, took out a stack of papers marked with red pen, and handed them to Lian Yabing. Lian Yabing held the papers, glanced at the two of them, lowered her head slightly, and left with a noticeable smile.
Yu Qingtang tilted her head slightly, not thinking much of it.
She turned her face. Cheng Zhanxi habitually rested her hand on her desk, leaning back slightly, one hand casually playing with her long hair, her expression languid as she looked outside.
If someone entered the doorway now, or looked in from outside, one could imagine what a heart-stirring picture it would be.
"Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi retracted her hand, her lazy posture straightening up. Her eyes were gentle as she said, "What is it?"
Yu Qingtang suppressed the slight churning emotions within her and said coolly, "I need to prepare lessons."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Okay, I'll head back first."
The school had assigned their desks to a dimly lit corner. The computer screens blocked the view, making it difficult to see anything from outside, even for other teachers in the office. Only the two of them, with just a lift of their heads, could see each other without obstruction.
"Pfft pfft."
Yu Qingtang, preparing her lesson, heard the familiar harassing sound.
She stopped her pen, lifted her eyelids. Cheng Zhanxi raised her arm, hiding behind the computer, and drew a large heart towards her.
The corners of Yu Qingtang's lips slowly curled upwards.
Fourth period in the morning, the preparatory bell had rung.
Students in the hallway hurried back to their classrooms and sat down. Soon, not a single person was left. Yu Qingtang stood in the hallway waiting for the second bell. A figure slowly ambled into view at the end of the corridor. The young man had a fair face, stood 1.8 meters tall, wore his school uniform with a casual flair. His bangs, forcibly trimmed by the dean of students, were at a normal length, stubbornly drooping towards his eyes.
His expression was leisurely, a faint smile playing on his lips, hands stuffed in his pockets as he strolled forward.
Very handsome, very pretentious; most girls his age would scream for him.
This person was none other than Class 7's problem student, Xiang Tianyou.
There was at least a minute before the class bell rang. Xiang Tianyou calculated that this time was enough for him to saunter to the classroom.
He looked around casually, then suddenly stiffened, his expression becoming unnatural.
Yu Qingtang stood not far ahead, gazing at him calmly.
Yu Qingtang wasn't the kind of homeroom teacher who ignored underachieving students. If problem students in a class were left unattended, it would lead to more and more problems. Before the joint petition incident, even if she couldn't match faces to names, Xiang Tianyou was a frequent visitor to her office. She had caught him numerous times during morning reading. But never before had her gaze made Xiang Tianyou feel so guilty, as if a stone were pressing on his heart.
So what if she visited my home once? It's no big deal. Xiang Tianyou convinced himself inwardly, mustering the courage to meet Yu Qingtang's eyes.
When the distance between them closed to three meters, Xiang Tianyou turned his head to look outside the corridor, casually pulling up the zipper of his school uniform.
His heart pounded a bit fast. He glanced sideways at Yu Qingtang's face.
Yu Qingtang stared at him intently, her cool voice speaking, "Aren't you afraid of hunching over?"
She slapped Xiang Tianyou's back and said, "Class is starting, hurry inside."
Xiang Tianyou's mind went blank for a moment. Forgetting even to saunter, he walked towards the classroom door.
He was tall, and appearing at the doorway blocked the sunlight behind him, casting a shadow. The students inside subconsciously looked towards him. Xiang Tianyou felt a heat on his back, straightened his spine, walked to his seat, and sat down.
Guo Fang patted his shoulder. "Brother Xiang."
"Brother Xiang?"
"Brother Xiang, Brother Xiang, Brother Xiang."
Xiang Tianyou slowly came back to his senses, annoyed, "Are you summoning my soul? Spit it out if you have something to say."
Guo Fang said, "Did you do the math paper? The special one from last Friday, the one everyone was scrambling for."
Xiang Tianyou looked at him incredulously, then lowered his voice, "Are you sick? I usually copy your papers, would I do this one?"
Guo Fang said, "Just asking, doing a survey, don't be so angry. I asked around, and they all said they did it. Amazing."
Xiang Tianyou sneered, "Sick."
Guo Fang smiled, "Yes, yes, you're right."
Guo Fang turned his slanted body back forward, opened the math textbook on his desk, and twirled a pen.
Xiang Tianyou's eyes flickered twice. He stretched out his long arm, tapped Guo Fang's desk with a bent finger.
Guo Fang: "?"
Xiang Tianyou asked casually, as if unintentionally, "Did you do that paper?"
Guo Fang grinned, "I did."
Xiang Tianyou: "..."
Damn it!
He gave Guo Fang a thumbs-up, smiled ambiguously, and mouthed: You're awesome.
Guo Fang wasn't particularly afraid of him. Xiang Tianyou looked like a delinquent but wasn't fierce. Their group gathered around him mainly because he was rich and generous. Other reasons included being the worst student, the most handsome, popular with girls, athletic, and good at basketball. All these factors combined made him their leader, not because he fought ruthlessly.
No. 1 High was the city's top key school; it wasn't realistic for them to go out fighting every day.
He Wen Hong from Grade 3 was the real troublemaker, frequently criticized school-wide, reading self-criticisms under the flag, constantly testing the limits of expulsion. Compared to him, Xiang Tianyou was just playing house.
Ding ling ling ling—
The class bell rang, and Yu Qingtang walked in.
Fourth period in the morning was usually when students were sleepiest, but being the homeroom teacher's class, everyone tried hard to stay awake, sitting upright.
Yu Qingtang walked to the podium and said, "I'll write the answers to last Friday's paper on the blackboard. Everyone check yours. If you don't understand something, ask a classmate after class, or come to the office and ask me."
After speaking, she said no more, broke off a piece of chalk, and copied from a paper in her hand onto the blackboard.
The students below took out their papers. Xiang Tianyou found the blank test paper tucked inside his history book.
Yu Qingtang finished writing, didn't walk around below, nor did she check anyone's answers. She directly opened the book and started teaching the new lesson, lest some students who hadn't done it feel awkward.
Xiang Tianyou copied the answers onto a blank corner on the back of the paper. After copying, he spaced out for a while, laughed self-deprecatingly, and tucked the test paper back into his history book.
After class, Yu Qingtang was surrounded at the podium.
"Teacher Yu..." Students came up with their papers to ask questions.
Yu Qingtang had chalk dust on her hands. Without time to dust them off, she used the blackboard behind her to demonstrate the problem-solving steps.
Guo Fang stared at Xiang Tianyou.
Xiang Tianyou felt goosebumps from his stare, slammed his math book shut with a 'pa,' irritably clicked his tongue, and said, "What?"
Guo Fang asked, "Did something grow on your back?"
Xiang Tianyou retorted, "You grew horns on your head!"
Guo Fang said, "Then why did you keep turning around to look at your back all class?"
Xiang Tianyou stiffened. "D-did I?"
Guo Fang said, "You did, you really did." He demonstrated for Xiang Tianyou, twisting his neck almost 180 degrees, eyes glancing downwards.
Xiang Tianyou kicked his desk corner. "Get lost, get lost, get lost."
Yu Qingtang, standing tall at the podium, cast a cool glance towards the back row. Xiang Tianyou met her gaze and subconsciously lowered his head quickly.
Damn it!
He cursed himself inwardly.
The students in the classroom gradually left. Only two or three remained at the podium. Yu Qingtang was explaining the second problem-solving approach when her peripheral vision caught a figure at the door.
"y=f(x) on the interval [n], the set of function values..."
Yu Qingtang's words suddenly paused. The students followed her gaze and saw Cheng Zhanxi standing at the classroom door, tall and graceful, a faint smile on her face.
They were momentarily stunned.
"Hello, Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi walked in, casually found a desk and sat down, saying, "You guys carry on, don't mind me."
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi sitting at the desk, gazing out the window, and unconsciously quickened her pace of speech.
"Goodbye Teacher Yu, goodbye Teacher Cheng."
The students politely said goodbye, left the classroom with their backpacks, hurried down the corridor, and then started chattering excitedly, passionately gossiping about their teachers' romance.
In the classroom, Cheng Zhanxi got up from the desk, walked to stand before Yu Qingtang, and looked up at her.
Yu Qingtang stood on the podium; there was a height difference between them. Standing at this angle, an image suddenly flashed through Yu Qingtang's mind: Cheng Zhanxi standing below the podium, wrapping her arms around her waist from front to back, lifting her down, placing her in front of herself.
The next second, her waist tightened. Two soft arms wrapped around her waist, her body lifted into the air, then gently lowered. Her feet landed flat on the ground, facing the smiling Cheng Zhanxi.
Returning to the familiar height, she needed to tilt her head slightly to see her clearly.
She actually lifted her down!
Yu Qingtang reflexively looked towards the door. Two students walked past, arm in arm.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Yu Qingtang frowned at Cheng Zhanxi. Cheng Zhanxi raised her hand, assuring, "Nobody was there when I lifted you just now, I checked."
Yu Qingtang thought: Is this about whether someone was there or not?
Cheng Zhanxi skillfully took her hand and swung it, acting cute, "Yu Jiejie, I'm hungry."
Yu Qingtang wanted to sternly say "Don't do this again," but somehow couldn't bring herself to say it, unable even to put on a stern face.
She controlled the urge for her lips to curve upwards, managing to maintain a calm expression, "I'll wash my hands first, then we'll go to the cafeteria."
Cheng Zhanxi nodded obediently, "Okay."
Yu Qingtang's facial muscles twitched with difficulty. She quickly walked two steps ahead, lowering her head, the corners of her lips silently lifting.
She entered the restroom; Cheng Zhanxi waited outside the door.
Yu Qingtang turned on the faucet. Cool water enveloped her slender white knuckles, washing away the chalk dust.
Yu Qingtang lowered her head to look at her waist, her cheeks belatedly warming.
She came out. Cheng Zhanxi held out an unfolded tissue, wanting to wipe her hands. Yu Qingtang took it, saying softly, "I'll do it myself."
Teacher Cheng was taking care of her a bit too well. If this continued, her ability to take care of herself would decline. She wondered if she was this considerate towards other friends.
Yu Qingtang glanced sideways at Cheng Zhanxi, complex emotions flickering in her eyes.
On the way to the cafeteria, Cheng Zhanxi's phone vibrated again.
She took it out while eating and unlocked the screen.
[Lu Yubin]: Teacher Cheng, have you been to this restaurant? [Shared link]
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze turned cold. She unhesitatingly deleted the message and put her phone down.
Before this, she had also deleted a greeting message.
Cheng Zhanxi never lacked pursuers, employing various tactics. Someone like Lu Yubin, at a basic level, revealed his intentions with just one sentence. After being ignored a few times, if he wasn't stupid, he couldn't possibly misunderstand her meaning.
Cheng Zhanxi took a sip of soup, looked across at Yu Qingtang sending rice into her mouth with chopsticks. She chewed slowly, her cheeks puffing out slightly like a fluffy little animal. Her expression couldn't help but soften.
Perhaps her gaze was too intense. Yu Qingtang stopped her chopsticks, looked up, and asked softly, "Aren't you eating?"
Cheng Zhanxi poked the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks and smiled, "Eating."
She ate her meal accompanied by Yu Qingtang's beauty, smiling contentedly.
Yu Qingtang lowered her eyes, but glanced at the phone placed aside, pursing her lips almost imperceptibly.
...
"Regarding Xiang Tianyou, does Teacher Cheng have any suggestions?" On the way home at noon, Yu Qingtang, trusting Cheng Zhanxi, asked for her opinion.
The sun was warm and bright. Cheng Zhanxi raised her hand to unbutton her white casual suit jacket. Yu Qingtang's gaze lingered on her chest for a second before quickly looking away.
"Hmm? Are you talking about his father or him?" Cheng Zhanxi casually undid the last button, turning her head to look over.
The turning motion significantly shifted her body. The curves outlined by the embroidered white shirt rose and fell with her breath, blatantly displayed before her eyes.
Yu Qingtang's mind blanked for half a second. Forcing her gaze onto her face, controlling her peripheral vision not to wander, she said, "...Both."
Cheng Zhanxi grabbed her sleeve with one hand. Yu Qingtang naturally helped her. Cheng Zhanxi deftly slipped off the jacket, draped it over her arm, leaving only the classic white shirt inside, outlining her slender and graceful figure. She reached up, flicked her chestnut long curly hair back, and said, "Xiang Kang is stubborn and basically impossible to communicate with. It's unlikely someone in their forties will change their mind. I suggest giving up."
"What about Xiang Tianyou?"
"Let me think. I'll give you an answer in two days, no, tomorrow, okay?"
"It's okay if you don't give an answer. I was just asking casually." Yu Qingtang said seriously, "This is my responsibility, not yours."
"Yours is mine."
Cheng Zhanxi said this without a serious expression or solemn tone. She said it very casually while walking, as if it were a matter of course, needing no further discussion.
Yu Qingtang looked expressionlessly at the woman's profile, yet her heart churned violently, extremely unsettled.
A question almost took shape.
She silently followed Cheng Zhanxi back to Mingmen Estate, took the elevator upstairs together, and parted ways in the corridor.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, see you later." Cheng Zhanxi waved at her.
Yu Qingtang held the doorknob of 2101, stood quietly for a moment, then closed the door.
Yu Qingtang changed into pajamas, lay on the bed, closed her eyes. Thoughts tangled chaotically in her mind, impossible to sort out. Recently, napping often felt like this. She had to force herself to repeat "sleep" silently in her mind before drifting off confusedly.
...
2:15 PM.
Grade 1 Office.
Cheng Zhanxi placed her index finger against her lips, shushing the chemistry teacher who came over with a water cup. The chemistry teacher saw Yu Qingtang resting with her eyes closed in the office chair and nodded knowingly.
Ge Jing sent Yang Li a text message: [Teacher Yu seems much less energetic in the afternoons lately, always needing to rest first.]
Yang Li vaguely sensed she was about to start shipping again and waited for Teacher Ge's next words.
Ge Jing said: [It used to be Teacher Cheng sleeping. Is this couple resemblance?]
Yang Li thought: Teacher Ge, truly worthy of you.
Ge Jing said: [And they go home together at noon. Could it be they did something, so they're tired?]
Yang Li: [I don't understand, elaborate?]
Ge Jing: [[Side eye]]
Yang Li: [[Side eye]]
Yu Qingtang rubbed her aching brow, returned the U-shaped pillow to Cheng Zhanxi, and went out to the corridor for some fresh air.
Cheng Zhanxi's face showed a hint of worry.
Yu Qingtang cleared her muddled head with the wind, returned, passed Cheng Zhanxi's desk. Cheng Zhanxi smiled at her. Yu Qingtang nodded politely, her eyes calm as water, without ripples.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart skipped a beat.
Yu Qingtang had evening study duty tonight. She declined Cheng Zhanxi's dinner invitation, ordered takeout, and brought it to the office to eat.
A serving of fish-fragrant shredded pork over rice. A glance revealed mostly shredded carrots, bamboo shoots, and wood ear mushrooms; the meat was pitifully scarce. Yu Qingtang ate it without changing expression, just like every year, every month, every day, every moment of her past.
The door to 2102 was wide open. Today, Cheng Zhanxi was stewing black chicken soup; the aroma filled the corridor.
Yu Qingtang walked steadily towards the door of 2101. Cheng Zhanxi called out to her just as she opened the door.
"Teacher Yu, want some soup?"
Yu Qingtang's knuckles, gripping the doorknob, turned white. She slowly turned around and politely refused, "Thank you, Teacher Cheng. I'm tired, want to sleep early."
Cheng Zhanxi's smile remained unchanged. "Alright, then I'll save it for tomorrow morning to cook wontons for you. Come to my place in the morning, it's settled."
Yu Qingtang's thin lips moved, seemingly wanting to say something, but she lowered her eyes.
"I... am going to sleep." Her voice was barely audible.
Cheng Zhanxi indeed didn't hear clearly. "By the way, about Xiang Tianyou you mentioned during the day, I thought of a solution."
A tiny spark lit up in Yu Qingtang's eyes, almost imperceptible. She walked further into the corridor, her hand holding the doorknob falling behind her. "What?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Take him out to play."
Yu Qingtang instantly entered work mode, sincerely asking for advice, "Where?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "You can investigate. I think an amusement park is good, suitable for adults and children. Has Teacher Yu been to an amusement park?"
Yu Qingtang predictably shook her head.
Cheng Zhanxi thought, Even better.
"Let's go to the amusement park then. If you like thrills, you can ride the roller coaster, the drop tower. If not, we'll ride the carousel."
"We?" Yu Qingtang keenly caught the word.
Cheng Zhanxi's large eyes looked watery, blinking pitifully, "I haven't been to an amusement park in a long time either. Can't you take me along?"
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi pressed on, "What if neither of you has been? I can be your consultant."
This point undoubtedly moved Yu Qingtang, but the choice of consultant...
Yu Qingtang bit her lip. "...We'll talk later." Worst case, I'll scout it out myself beforehand, figure out the amusement park alone, can't trouble Teacher Cheng anymore.
She had unconsciously allowed Cheng Zhanxi to occupy too much of her private space and time, causing her mind to be filled with thoughts related to her whenever she closed her eyes. Although she couldn't recall specifics, it had seriously affected her life and work state.
She had to find a way to solve this problem.
Yu Qingtang composed herself and said, "Thank you for the suggestion, Teacher Cheng. I'm going back to sleep now."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled brightly, reminding her, "Don't forget tomorrow's breakfast. I bought shepherd's purse tonight, freshly wrapped wontons."
Yu Qingtang looked at her for several seconds, finally lowered her eyes, and softly agreed, "Okay."
Author's note:
Teacher Yu's solution for poor sleep at noon: Go sleep at Teacher Cheng's house (*/w＼*)
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