After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 58
Chapter 58
"See you tomorrow."
"Mm."
Yu Qingtang closed the door to 2101, leaned her back against it, and pinched the space between her eyebrows.
After a long while, she finally lifted her emotionless eyes, walked into the bedroom, and mechanically took clothes to shower.
Cheng Zhanxi finished dealing with the black chicken soup in the pot, curled up in the hanging chair for a while, reviewed Yu Qingtang's performance today in her mind. Then she got up from the chair, her feet landing on the ground, and walked towards the bathroom, a faint sigh escaping into the air.
The next morning, Cheng Zhanxi woke up, washed up, and sent Yu Qingtang a message.
It was just past five, not yet six.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu, are you awake?
The reply came instantly.
[Yu Qingtang]: Mm
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Can I cook the wontons now?
[Yu Qingtang]: Mm
Cheng Zhanxi went into the kitchen to cook the wontons, conveniently opening the front door.
By the time she finished cooking the wontons and came out, she saw Yu Qingtang standing at the entrance, silent, unsure how long she had been waiting.
Perhaps because she was going to eat breakfast, Yu Qingtang hadn't even applied the lipstick she usually wore. Her lips looked almost as pale as her face, making her seem unwell.
Cheng Zhanxi approached and realized it wasn't just an appearance; she genuinely looked unwell. Yu Qingtang's eyes were full of red veins.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart ached.
She took Yu Qingtang's hand, led her inside, and asked gently, "Did Teacher Yu sleep well last night?"
Yu Qingtang, her face exceptionally pale, replied, "Alright."
Cheng Zhanxi breathed softly, forcing a smile no different from usual, and said, "Let's eat breakfast first."
"Thank you, Teacher Cheng." Yu Qingtang sat down in the chair Cheng Zhanxi pulled out for her.
Cheng Zhanxi sat opposite her, stirred the wonton soup in her bowl, mixing the ingredients at the bottom, and said softly, "Eat."
"Mm."
Yu Qingtang rarely showed much expression. She picked up her spoon, ate the wontons in small bites, her expression focused, seemingly no different from last time. But Cheng Zhanxi could tell her appetite wasn't good. And the only thing that could affect her emotions—not to sound overly confident, but based on factual deduction—was currently just her.
Cheng Zhanxi felt a mix of emotions, put down her spoon. The white porcelain spoon handle tapped lightly against the bowl's rim.
Yu Qingtang's movements paused almost imperceptibly, then she continued eating methodically.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Teacher Yu."
Yu Qingtang politely put down her porcelain spoon and looked up at her.
Cheng Zhanxi looked into her eyes and said sincerely, "Am I causing you trouble?"
The restaurant lights were on. A ripple seemed to pass through the center of Yu Qingtang's pupils before settling back into calmness. She replied concisely, "No."
It's my own problem, nothing to do with Teacher Cheng.
Cheng Zhanxi changed the subject, "Could it be that Teacher Yu was too excited about today's breakfast and didn't sleep well?"
Yu Qingtang opened her mouth, momentarily speechless.
She hadn't slept well because of breakfast, but it wasn't anticipation; it was dread, unease, and a faint, indescribable sigh, like fate.
Yu Qingtang gave a bitter smile inwardly, nodded meekly, and went along with Cheng Zhanxi's words, "If Teacher Cheng says so, then yes."
Cheng Zhanxi heard the bitterness hidden beneath her calm voice. Her heart grew heavier, aching so much her eyes almost turned red.
The dining table wasn't wide. Cheng Zhanxi leaned forward, stretched out her arm, her fingertips brushing under Yu Qingtang's eyes, more clearly seeing the dense red veins in the whites of her eyes. Her voice gentle, she said, "Teacher Yu, finish breakfast and sleep a little longer."
Yu Qingtang's lips moved, whispering, "I have to go to school for morning reading duty."
Cheng Zhanxi persuaded, "You're neither the Chinese teacher nor the English teacher. Missing one day is fine." Before Yu Qingtang could reply, she added, "With your current state, can you teach the morning classes properly?"
Yu Qingtang hesitated, admitting truthfully, "I... can't sleep."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't ask why; the reason was likely related to her.
She thought for a moment, "How about you sleep here?"
Yu Qingtang's eyes widened slightly.
Cheng Zhanxi said gently, "Give it a try, maybe a change of environment will help. Didn't you sleep soundly on the bus before?"
Yu Qingtang felt the logic was slightly flawed, yet somehow it seemed reasonable. But she felt resistant to sleeping at Cheng Zhanxi's place. Yesterday, she felt Teacher Cheng occupied too much of her private space; now she was even supposed to sleep here? Why not just move in?
"No, thank you, Teacher Cheng." Yu Qingtang said, "But I'll take your advice and rest at home for a while before going to school."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "You're welcome."
Yu Qingtang finished breakfast here, stood up at the entrance, and sincerely thanked her again.
Cheng Zhanxi naturally curved her lips, not letting her see the forced nature of her smile.
Yu Qingtang's figure disappeared behind the door of 2101. Cheng Zhanxi closed her own door, a deep sense of powerlessness washing over her.
For Yu Qingtang, opening her heart was also a painful process; she was bound to fall into such difficulties and struggles. Cheng Zhanxi didn't regret it, just felt heartbroken, unsure how to accompany her through it, how to lessen her pain.
Yu Qingtang intermittently dozed at home. Waking up felt dizzying for a while. She splashed cold water on her face, finally regaining some clarity.
"Teacher Yu took leave?" Yang Li asked incredulously upon seeing the empty desk next to Cheng Zhanxi's.
"No." Cheng Zhanxi forced herself to appear energetic. "She's resting at home, will be here later."
Yang Li didn't let her imagination run wild this time, hearing Cheng Zhanxi ask her, "Teacher Yang, do you know any remedies for insomnia?"
"You have insomnia?" Yang Li examined her face closely, noticing her lack of energy.
"Not me, Teacher Yu."
"Oh, oh." Yang Li said, "I don't really get insomnia, but I heard some people take... melatonin, I think?"
"Besides medication?"
Yang Li said, "Let me ask Teacher Ge when she comes back." Although Yang Li suspected Ge Jing's suggestion would probably be to "do it" until exhaustion led to sleep. Being single since birth meant her imagination was limited to the "three days and three nights" trope from novels. Reality wasn't that exaggerated; wouldn't friction cause a fire?
Ge Jing indeed tactfully expressed her suggestion: "Sleep holding her, make her feel secure, maybe she'll fall asleep?"
Yang Li silently added in her mind: Actually holding each other would definitely be uncomfortable.
But Teacher Cheng and Yu Qingtang were young and healthy, deeply in love, like dry wood meeting fire. Clinging together, the psychological enjoyment likely outweighed the physical discomfort, so she didn't say it out loud.
Cheng Zhanxi was desperate, posting on her Moments asking for help from all sides, starting with the classic: "I have a friend..."
She was telling the truth, but her friends immediately commented playfully:
[Are you sure this friend isn't you?]"
[Our Xixi actually has insomnia? [Surprised][Surprised][Surprised]]
Cheng Zhanxi rolled her eyes inwardly: Your Xixi is also troubled by love, didn't expect that, huh?
She decided to take the blame, posting again: [Recently suffering from insomnia, need suggestions. Keep the nonsense to yourselves.]
Various friends sent private messages with greetings and suggestions.
Some suggested exercise, both proper and improper kinds. Some suggested medication or seeing a doctor. Cheng Zhanxi considered Yu Qingtang's situation and ruled them out one by one. Finally, she tapped into Jin Siyue's chat window. Jin Siyue sent her a link. Cheng Zhanxi didn't look closely and clicked it directly.
A purchase link for a sex toy popped up.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
[Cheng Zhanxi]: This is the contemporary female idol???
[Jin Siyue]: Me, a top celebrity, providing you with practical advice amidst my busy schedule, and you treat my kindness like dirt.
[Jin Siyue]: Don't you find that after that, you fall asleep particularly quickly? My work stress is all relieved by it. But using it too much reduces sensitivity. Use it every few days, switch things up. I'll send you other toys when I get back. Busy now, talk later.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: ...
The logic was sound, but recommending this to Yu Qingtang made her scalp tingle just thinking about it.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Honestly, it's my friend. She's quite conservative, this method might not work.
[Jin Siyue]: Are you sure she's conservative? What if she's secretly passionate? How old is your friend?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: About half a year older than me.
[Jin Siyue]: What! It's 8102 already, and there's a woman almost thirty who hasn't experienced this kind of pleasure? Recommend it to her quickly! Female liberation starts with me, starts with those around us!
Setting aside other factors, from a practical standpoint, self-sufficiency did indeed aid sleep. Cheng Zhanxi replied: [Let me think about it.]
Ten minutes later, Yu Jianxing sent a private message, simple and direct: [Self-love.]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Poor Ziwei, always getting dragged into this.
[Yu Jianxing]: Sister, we're all thousand-year-old foxes...
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Hahahahaha
Cheng Zhanxi had experimented with toys out of curiosity right after turning eighteen, but hadn't touched them for many years. Searching online now, hmm, technology advanced rapidly; women were increasingly learning to love themselves. A good phenomenon.
Yu Qingtang entered the office from outside. Cheng Zhanxi alertly flipped her phone screen down, prudently returning to the home screen.
She smiled at Yu Qingtang, greeting her naturally, "Did Teacher Yu get some sleep?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. "Slept for a while, thank you, Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi: "I've told you so many times not to be so polite." She beckoned to Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang instinctively walked around the desk and stood before her.
Cheng Zhanxi placed her phone face down on the desk, stood up, looked at the red veins in her eyes—better than this morning, but still quite numerous.
"Teacher Yu, if you're willing, how about I take you exercising tonight?"
Ge Jing, on the front lines of shipping, was unexpectedly thrown onto the highway, choking on exhaust fumes.
Cheng Zhanxi saw Yu Qingtang's resistance and added, "Not long, an hour, no, half an hour is enough."
Ge Jing, thrown off the car, was greatly disappointed: Only half an hour? Is Teacher Cheng that incapable?
Yang Li thought enviously: At least half an hour, young people indeed.
There were people in the office. Cheng Zhanxi couldn't openly act cute, so she took Yu Qingtang's hand, her fingertips lightly scratching her palm, her expression pitiful, mouthing: Try it, try it?
Yu Qingtang's expression was subtle.
She returned to her seat and typed to Cheng Zhanxi: [Which kind of exercise are you talking about?]
Cheng Zhanxi seemed to understand.
[I meant night running. Which kind were you thinking of?]
The "typing..." indicator at the top of the screen flickered intermittently, but no message arrived, confirming Cheng Zhanxi's guess.
Cheng Zhanxi seriously considered the suggestions from Jin Siyue and Yu Jianxing.
After a long while, Yu Qingtang's reply came: [Half an hour?]
She chose to skip the previous question.
Cheng Zhanxi saw through everything, curved her lips, and typed: [Yes.]
Yu Qingtang stared at the screen, contemplating.
After a while.
[Yu Qingtang]: Ten minutes, okay?
Cheng Zhanxi almost slid under the desk laughing. Her shoulders shook as she turned the computer screen slightly to hide herself, chuckling secretly behind it.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay.
Insomnia was Yu Qingtang's most serious problem. She didn't want to completely distance herself from Cheng Zhanxi, nor did she want her to get closer; she instinctively felt danger. Just running together at night for ten minutes—if it could alleviate her insomnia, she felt it was within acceptable limits.
Yu Qingtang rarely regretted things. Within just two weeks, she had already regretted twice. First, treating Li Lan and the others to hot pot. Second, agreeing to Cheng Zhanxi's night run.
She knew her stamina was poor, but she hadn't expected it to be this poor.
That night, after supervising the students' evening study session at school, Yu Qingtang returned to Building 19, 21st floor. Cheng Zhanxi came out from the open door of 2102 and called to her, "Teacher Yu, going for a run?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. "Wait a moment, I'll change clothes."
She changed into a light gray tracksuit, her temperament gentle. Her loose black long hair was tied into a ponytail at the back, her bangs all combed back, revealing a smooth, full white forehead. Her features were delicate and refined, her skin smooth and fine. She looked younger than her actual age, appearing only in her early twenties.
Cheng Zhanxi stood beside her in a white tracksuit, her chestnut hair simply tied up. Her neck was long and fair, her appearance extremely bright, more like a mature, beautiful older sister.
Cheng Zhanxi pressed the elevator button.
Yu Qingtang stared unblinkingly at the woman's reflection in the elevator door, tall and slender. Realizing this wasn't appropriate, that she might lose sleep again tonight, it was already too late to look away.
The elevator arrived. Cheng Zhanxi let her go first, following a step behind.
Yu Qingtang pulled the zipper of her tracksuit jacket up to the very top of the collar, hiding her chin inside. Her hands stuffed into her pockets, she lowered her eyes to look at the ground.
"Teacher Yu."
"Hmm?"
"Are you cold?"
"..." Yu Qingtang tilted her head slightly, glanced at her, and said softly, "Not cold."
"Then why are you hiding so tightly?" Cheng Zhanxi deliberately joked, "We're going out for a run, not being thieves."
Yu Qingtang kept the lower half of her face hidden, silently persisting in something.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped talking, letting her lower her head.
The slacker young lady at the front desk hid her hands under the desk, greeted the two approaching figures, "Miss Cheng..." She almost didn't recognize Yu Qingtang with her head bowed beside her. Pausing for two seconds, she finally said, "Miss Yu, good evening."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled generously, "Good evening."
Yu Qingtang stopped, looked at her, and nodded almost imperceptibly.
The slacker young lady made small talk, "Are you two going out for a run?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Yes."
As she spoke, she followed Yu Qingtang's steps out of the building.
Sicheng's air quality was decent. Stars could be seen in the sky, clustered around the moon. Where the streetlights didn't reach, the ground was still bathed in bright moonlight, covered in a layer of silver.
Yu Qingtang lifted her face slightly from her collar. The moonlight made her pupils appear even darker. She asked, "Does the ten minutes start from leaving the building or from starting to run?"
"Whatever you say, I'll listen to you."
"Start from leaving the building then." Yu Qingtang said, aiming for a quick resolution.
"Then we have to start running now. First leg, let's run to Swan Lake." Fearing she might feel awkward, Cheng Zhanxi finished speaking and started running backward slowly. Seeing Yu Qingtang lift her leg, she turned around and led the way.
To accommodate Yu Qingtang's stamina, she deliberately slowed her pace, looking back frequently.
Perhaps less than two hundred meters, she couldn't hear footsteps behind her anymore. Turning back, she saw Yu Qingtang stopped under a streetlight not far away.
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
She walked closer and found Yu Qingtang panting heavily.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi tried hard to suppress her laughter, asking gently, "Is Teacher Yu tired?"
Yu Qingtang's fair cheeks flushed red, but the exertion provided a convenient cover. Not trying to be strong, she said, "A little. Running feels different from walking."
Walking the mountain path on Sunday, she had also been a bit breathless, but hadn't felt this tired.
Cheng Zhanxi went along with her, "It is very different." She considerately gave Yu Qingtang an excuse, "People who don't usually exercise are like this at the beginning, it's normal."
Yu Qingtang: "Shall we rest for a bit?"
Cheng Zhanxi said okay.
Ran less than two hundred meters, rested for two minutes.
Second two hundred meters, Yu Qingtang got a stitch. She pressed her lower right rib, her brow tightly furrowed, her facial muscles contorting slightly in pain.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't dare take her running anymore. The two strolled to Swan Lake, then strolled back. Cheng Zhanxi's first night run didn't even break a sweat. Needless to say, Yu Qingtang's face was alternating between pale and red—pale from her natural complexion, red from embarrassment.
The two bid each other goodnight at the corridor entrance, returning to their respective homes to shower and sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi supplemented with a few sets of indoor exercises, spent half an hour on the elliptical machine, consuming today's excess calories. Yu Qingtang stood alone in the living room, using her cool hands to cool her increasingly hot face.
Exercise requires positive reinforcement, complementing one's inherent ability. If someone is naturally good at sports, their likelihood of falling in love with exercise increases significantly. Conversely, they might develop resistance. Yu Qingtang took off the light gray tracksuit, tossed it into the washing machine, not even glancing towards it.
She rarely truly disliked things; running now counted as one.
Yu Qingtang went to the kitchen, poured a glass of water, calmed her temper. Holding her pajamas, she walked towards the bathroom, passing the mirror, and paused slightly.
The reflection showed her unconsciously puffing out her cheeks, like a little girl throwing a tantrum.
Yu Qingtang raised her hand to touch her face, her fingertips tracing downwards from top to bottom.
She closed her eyes, regaining her composure.
The sound of water started in the bathroom.
Her mind was still chaotic. Suppressed urges surged, muddled thoughts intertwined. Yu Qingtang lay awake in bed for several hours, eyes closed. The alarm rang. She woke from that half-asleep state, pinched the bridge of her nose, propped herself up against the headboard, and opened the automatic curtains.
The sky was getting light later and later; outside was still pitch black.
Yu Qingtang methodically washed up, changed clothes. Dressed neatly, she came out of 2101. The door opposite was tightly shut. She stared at it for a while, then walked into the elevator as the arrival sound chimed.
Inside the elevator, Yu Qingtang bit her lip and sent Cheng Zhanxi a message.
[Yu Qingtang]: I'm going to work now.
Cheng Zhanxi, behind the peephole of 2102, watched her disappear into the corridor. Seeing the message, her heart felt both soft and sore.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay, I'll head over later.
Yu Qingtang had just exited the elevator when the message popped up. Her fingertips hovered over the virtual keyboard for a few seconds before replying with a single word: [Mm.]
Yu Qingtang didn't go straight to school but ate a bowl of Qianshan rice noodles near an office building she occasionally visited. At 6:30, she walked towards the school, taking a different route. The old bicycle repair stall at the corner came into view. Beside the old man with more white hair than black squatted a familiar, beautiful figure.
The pale dawn light cast a halo around her. The woman in the white casual suit looked hazy and beautiful.
In front of her on the ground was a stainless steel thermal container. Cheng Zhanxi opened it, then magically produced a set of tableware from behind her, opened the box, and took out a pair of chopsticks.
The old man took the chopsticks, picked up a dumpling from the thermal container, and blew on it.
The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkled with laughter. He bit off half, then ate the other half before even finishing chewing.
Cheng Zhanxi was facing sideways to Yu Qingtang, her expression unclear, but her upturned lips were faintly visible.
The old man ate two dumplings, then reluctantly closed the lid, saving them for lunch.
Cheng Zhanxi put the chopsticks into the stainless steel box, leaving it with him.
The two communicated silently using sign language for a while. Cheng Zhanxi indicated she was going to school, propped herself up with her knees, and stood up.
Walking a few steps, she saw Yu Qingtang directly opposite, her dark eyes quiet, unsure how long she had been watching.
"Teacher Yu!" she called out in surprise, instinctively smiling.
Yu Qingtang walked over, greeting, "Good morning, Teacher Cheng." She glanced towards the repair stall.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "I cooked some dumplings this morning and brought a portion for the old man. He eats only steamed buns and pickles for all three meals; I couldn't bear seeing it."
Yu Qingtang said emotionlessly, "Teacher Cheng is very kind."
Kindness, written on paper, was fine. Spoken aloud, it always sounded strange, more sarcastic than complimentary. Knowing Yu Qingtang definitely didn't mean it that way, Cheng Zhanxi rubbed the goosebumps on her arm, pleading with a smile, "Teacher Yu, please don't say that."
Yu Qingtang remained noncommittal, looked towards the school gate diagonally opposite, started walking, and said coolly as she walked, "You visit him every few days. Won't he be sad after you leave?"
Cheng Zhanxi paused for a moment, then understood "he" referred to the old man at the repair stall.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't quite grasp Yu Qingtang's logic. "Besides parents, relatives, and lovers, nobody accompanies anyone for a lifetime, right? Even with relatives, we only walk half our lives together. In this world, being alone is common."
Yu Qingtang gave her a deep look.
Since what you possess is destined to be lost, why possess it at all?
Cheng Zhanxi added, "If everyone feared the other person's sadness upon loss and didn't show kindness, wouldn't this society be ice-cold? Conversely, if everyone lets those around them feel love and warmth, he won't be sad just because my share is gone. He has much more love. Most importantly, he himself becomes a source of light. When a person can warm themselves, those around them will gain strength from him. Have you heard this saying?"
Yu Qingtang's thin lips moved, asking softly, "What saying?"
Cheng Zhanxi said seriously, "Love can be passed on."
Yu Qingtang remained quiet for a long time.
Leaves began falling from the trees in the schoolyard. Swept away, new ones fell. Stepping on them made a crisp rustling sound.
Cheng Zhanxi glanced sideways at her. "Are you thinking of laughing at me?"
Yu Qingtang shook her head.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled nonchalantly, "Go ahead and laugh if you want, it's okay. My nickname on Moments is 'walking chicken soup'."
Yu Qingtang didn't speak, looking at her.
Cheng Zhanxi's expression was open. "But I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
Yu Qingtang looked at her for a long time, saying, "Teacher Cheng is a..."
Cheng Zhanxi interrupted, "Can we not use the word 'kind'?"
Yu Qingtang's lips curved upwards. Looking at the fallen leaves, her eyes held a faint sigh. "...special person."
So special that she couldn't bear to treat her like others, ruthlessly rejecting her thousands of miles away, couldn't bear to see sadness in her eyes.
Yu Qingtang stepped onto the stairs leading to the office, ending the topic.
That night, Cheng Zhanxi invited Yu Qingtang for a night run. Predictably, she was refused. Yu Qingtang now had a psychological shadow about running; she would rather suffer insomnia until dawn than go downstairs and embarrass herself.
She didn't deliberately maintain physical distance from Cheng Zhanxi, nor did she refuse her invitations for meals, maintaining the status quo. She just firmly drew a line between them in her heart: don't look at what shouldn't be looked at, don't think about what shouldn't be thought about, attempting to alleviate her insomnia symptoms this way.
The effect was minimal.
The last time she suffered such frequent insomnia was after the college entrance exams. After the results came out, admissions officers from the top two universities called her home. Her usually stern and serious grandfather smiled at everyone he met. Her grandmother, Fang Wenjiao, smiled so much her eyes narrowed into slits. The usually distant family enjoyed a period of familial bliss like ordinary grandparents and granddaughter during that high school summer vacation.
Yu Qingtang diligently researched schools and majors during the day, even visiting campuses with her grandfather. But at night, she suffered insomnia, lying awake, ears pricked, door open, waiting for Wei Tingyu's call.
She was like the current Xiang Tianyou, just choosing the opposite path—being a "good child."
The summer vacation ended. She ultimately didn't receive that call, not a single word from that person. Alone, she dragged her suitcase to university registration. Day after day, the insomnia symptoms gradually improved, eventually returning to normal.
Unexpectedly, now again...
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes, comforting herself with dark humor: At least it's not as severe as last time.
She was used to having a clear mind, falling asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. Once something occupied her thoughts, she would suffer multiples of backlash, making her unable to sleep all night, even if she had no specific thoughts.
The phone on the bedside table vibrated.
Yu Qingtang opened her eyes, her gaze clear as she looked at the digital clock on the bedside table.
3:17.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu, are you asleep?
Yu Qingtang looked at the sender, checked the time in the top right corner again in disbelief, and turned on the bedside lamp.
3:19.
[Yu Qingtang]: No, why aren't you sleeping yet?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Thirsty, got up for a drink of water.
[Yu Qingtang]: Drink up and go back to sleep.
Yu Qingtang saw the "typing..." indicator appear at the top of the screen, then quickly disappear.
Yu Qingtang judged she might have fallen asleep instantly, put down her phone, and continued resting with her eyes closed.
Ding dong ding dong—
Yu Qingtang faintly heard a doorbell ringing. She listened closely; it was indeed her doorbell. Yu Qingtang sat up, put on a coat, opened the bedroom door, walked through the living room to the entryway, confirmed the person outside was indeed Cheng Zhanxi, and pulled open the door.
Cheng Zhanxi stood at the door in dusty pink pajamas printed with little bears, her long hair fluffy from just waking up. She opened her eyes wide, telling a blatant lie, "Teacher Yu, I can't sleep."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
The two stood locked in a deadlock at the doorway for a moment.
Cheng Zhanxi wasn't wearing a coat. Standing in the corridor in winter, her lips turned white from the cold.
Yu Qingtang said, "...I'll walk you back."
She casually took a trench coat from the vertical coat rack at the entrance and draped it over Cheng Zhanxi.
"Did you bring your key?" Yu Qingtang asked before stepping out.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Brought it."
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Arriving at the door of 2102, Cheng Zhanxi opened the door and invited Yu Qingtang inside.
Yu Qingtang had been here countless times. Anyway, she couldn't sleep. This belonged to the "status quo" she was maintaining, so she entered with little resistance.
Cheng Zhanxi turned on the living room air conditioner; warm air blew from the vent.
She had Yu Qingtang sit on the sofa, went to the kitchen to heat two cups of milk, one for each. Two insomniacs drank.
Yu Qingtang didn't talk much. Since Cheng Zhanxi remained silent, she simply didn't speak either, sitting on the sofa, sipping the hot milk in small mouthfuls.
Cheng Zhanxi then cut a plate of fruit and placed it on the coffee table.
Cheng Zhanxi placed two cushions on the floor in front of the sofa.
Cheng Zhanxi walked back and forth, constantly bringing snacks, drinks, etc.
Yu Qingtang held the milk cup with both hands, her dark eyes following her movements back and forth, thinking nothing.
She was just watching her.
Her heart was empty, yet very full, making her unable to think, needing no thought, just following her figure.
Cheng Zhanxi asked her to come down from the sofa and sit on the cushion. Yu Qingtang obediently did so.
Cheng Zhanxi walked to the opposite wall and turned on the TV.
Yu Qingtang tilted her head up, her pupils clear, watching the woman hold the remote with one arm crossed, selecting a TV series. Yu Qingtang didn't recognize the title. She glanced at it, then refocused her gaze on Cheng Zhanxi.
The TV series began.
Cheng Zhanxi turned off the living room lights. Yu Qingtang's vision suddenly plunged into darkness, only the faint light from the TV remaining.
Cheng Zhanxi sat down beside her, took out a thin blanket, unfolded it, and covered both their legs.
Then she opened a bag of chips and asked, "Want some?"
Yu Qingtang, very consciously not resisting, obediently said, "Yes."
Cheng Zhanxi picked up a tom yum flavored chip, brought it to her lips. Yu Qingtang carefully bit the edge, avoiding Cheng Zhanxi's slender fingers, nibbling the chip like a hamster, holding it with her own fingers, eating it in small bites.
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved into a smile. With the dim light as cover, her smile became a bit more unrestrained.
Cheng Zhanxi opened a bottle of orange juice, inserted a straw, and placed it beside her hand.
The TV series was one Cheng Zhanxi had specifically searched for online—a poorly made idol drama. From the main actors to the supporting cast, both looks and acting skills were lacking. Netizens who recommended it in reverse commented, "If you don't fall asleep in ten minutes, I lose!"
Actually, movies worked better. Cheng Zhanxi had watched several obscure films before—dim lighting, slow narrative pace—falling asleep every time without fail. But compared to TV series, movies carried a layer of ambiguity. For safety, she chose a TV series.
Yu Qingtang took the small plastic fork Cheng Zhanxi handed her, ate the fruit from the plate, watching TV as she ate.
"Is it good?" Cheng Zhanxi asked her.
Yu Qingtang: "It's okay." She picked up the orange juice beside her, her eyes fixed on the TV screen.
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment, "Teacher Yu, do you watch TV like you listen to music?" Yu Qingtang had previously said she listened to music just for the sound.
Yu Qingtang: "Hmm?"
Cheng Zhanxi rested her cheek on one hand, looking at her, her voice laced with amusement, "Just for the excitement."
Yu Qingtang almost choked on her orange juice. She slowly swallowed it in several small sips, her expression unchanged, "Pretty much."
"Then we're pretty much the same."
"Hmm?" Yu Qingtang was already immune to her "pretty much" theory. Continuing to watch TV, she didn't turn to look at her.
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled to herself, "I like excitement." As she spoke, she opened a bag of beef jerky, handed it forward. Yu Qingtang naturally took it, reciprocating by feeding her a piece of mango.
"Teacher Yu, I want to eat pear." Cheng Zhanxi pointed her chin towards the fruit plate in front.
Regarding this, Yu Qingtang wouldn't fuss about her pushing her luck; she had cut the fruit, after all.
Yu Qingtang fed her a bite of pear.
The sound from the TV continued. Yu Qingtang ate snacks very slowly. It took a long time for the two of them to finish one bag of chips, with her eating a small portion and Cheng Zhanxi eating the larger share.
Her sluggish nerves suddenly cleared briefly. She asked Cheng Zhanxi, "Teacher Cheng, what time is it?"
Cheng Zhanxi checked her phone, replying calmly, "Just past ten minutes. Want some honey-glazed eel shreds?"
"Yes." Yu Qingtang said, "But not too much, I'm a bit full."
Cheng Zhanxi opened a small bag for her, watching her let out a long yawn.
As everyone knows, yawns are contagious.
Yu Qingtang resisted the urge to yawn along, her eyes already sore with sleepiness. "Is Teacher Cheng sleepy?" she asked.
Cheng Zhanxi sighed, "What's the use of being sleepy? I still can't sleep when I lie down."
Yu Qingtang empathized deeply, nodding in agreement.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Let's finish this episode first. You eat, there's more if you want."
As she spoke, she let out another big yawn.
Yu Qingtang covered her mouth with her free hand, yawning along, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi placed one hand on the back edge of the sofa behind Yu Qingtang, looking as if she were half-embracing her.
Cheng Zhanxi yawned repeatedly. Yu Qingtang joined her in a duet of yawns. Her vision blurred as she watched the TV, her mind groggy. She placed the half-eaten bag of eel shreds on the table, subconsciously shrinking into the warm blanket. Cheng Zhanxi pulled the blanket up, wrapping it around her shoulders tightly.
The TV volume lowered, becoming background noise.
Time passed minute by second.
Cheng Zhanxi's left shoulder suddenly felt a gentle weight. Yu Qingtang had fallen asleep leaning against her shoulder.
Cheng Zhanxi listened as the breathing beside her ear became even and long. She tilted her head and gently kissed the woman's forehead.
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