After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Cheng Zhanxi kissed the woman's forehead, careful not to wake her.
The faint light from the television flickered quietly in the darkness.
At some point, the sound disappeared. Night insects hibernated in the damp soil of the grass, and all was silent.
Cheng Zhanxi gently withdrew her arm from under Yu Qingtang's neck, letting her rest on the pillow she had prepared earlier. She covered the sleeping woman on the sofa with a blanket and turned the living room air conditioner up by one degree.
Then she knelt down in front of the sofa, her hand gently stroking Yu Qingtang's hair.
Finally, she took Yu Qingtang's hand, which was resting properly at her waist, held it gently, buried her head, and kissed the back of her cool hand. She lifted a corner of the thin blanket and tucked the hand inside.
Cheng Zhanxi quietly gazed at the woman's sleeping face, her eyes exceptionally soft.
After a long while, Cheng Zhanxi turned off the television, tiptoed back to her room, glanced at the figure on the dim sofa in the living room from the doorway, and gently closed the door.
Yu Qingtang had been suffering from severe insomnia recently. Having finally fallen asleep, she slept particularly soundly, a rare good night's rest. She even turned over in her sleep, as if wanting to nuzzle her face against something, her expression peaceful and serene, the corners of her lips faintly curved in a shallow smile.
She hadn't brought her phone over, so there was no alarm. She slept until she woke naturally, feeling soft and boneless.
Her eyes met an unfamiliar ceiling fixture. The minimalist decoration style wasn't much different from her own living room. Yu Qingtang thought she was dreaming. After spacing out for a while, she closed her eyes again, breathing shallowly.
The feeling beneath her was wrong, and her fingers didn't touch the soft duvet. Yu Qingtang suddenly opened her eyes, turned her head to see the vase on the coffee table—blue-purple lover's grass surrounding a few elegant, pure lilies, crystal water droplets shimmering on the petals.
Yu Qingtang sat up abruptly, looking around.
Recognizing it as Cheng Zhanxi's home, her first reaction was surprisingly relief. Then, rationality returned. She raised her hand to rub her forehead, wondering why she was here.
It seemed that last night, Teacher Cheng said she couldn't sleep, then they watched TV and ate snacks together. She couldn't remember anything after that.
But looking at the situation, she knew she had fallen asleep at Cheng Zhanxi's place.
Where was Teacher Cheng?
Yu Qingtang looked around the living room and kitchen, walked to the bedroom door, knocked politely. There was no response from inside. Yu Qingtang didn't push the door open, instead retreating to the living room to check the coffee table. Sure enough, she found a note.
The woman's handwriting was vigorous yet carried a touch of unrestrained flair.
[I'm going out sketching, see you at school] accompanied by a cute smiley face emoji.
One sentence held immense room for imagination.
When did Cheng Zhanxi leave? Did she sleep last night like her? What happened later last night?
How did she end up on the sofa? Who covered her with the blanket? These questions were unnecessary. Yu Qingtang shut them out of her mind.
Yu Qingtang couldn't stop her thoughts from running wild. She folded the blanket she had used, walked to the entryway, grasped the doorknob. Just as she was about to push the door open, she paused, turning back for a look.
The sound of the door closing echoed.
Yu Qingtang returned to 2101 opposite, washed up, and went out to work.
"...Good morning, Miss Yu." The young lady at the front desk paused for two seconds before greeting the woman in the black trench coat and matching trousers who emerged from the elevator.
"Hello." Yu Qingtang nodded slightly, her voice cool. Having finally slept well, her voice carried an imperceptible lightness.
The young lady watched her retreating figure, lowered her head to check her phone, confirming it was 9:30 AM, not 6:30 AM. She looked up again in shock at the direction Yu Qingtang had disappeared.
Fortunately, No. 1 High didn't strictly enforce clocking in. Otherwise, Yu Qingtang, being late by a full two periods just because she was sleeping at home—no, sleeping at her neighbor's—would likely have been summoned by the dean of students for a stern lecture.
As Yu Qingtang approached the office door, her heart inexplicably tightened.
Knowing full well that Teacher Cheng had gone out sketching and definitely wouldn't arrive earlier than her, she still stopped at the door, quietly peeking inside. Cheng Zhanxi's seat was empty.
She gently exhaled. Suddenly, Yang Li's voice sounded from behind, "Teacher Yu."
Yu Qingtang, already on edge, jumped at the call. Fortunately, she was accustomed to maintaining composure and quickly calmed down, replying coolly, "Teacher Yang."
Yang Li held a textbook, saying, "Why aren't you going in?"
"Just about to." Yu Qingtang stepped over the office threshold.
"Did Teacher Yu's insomnia get better?" Yang Li asked.
Yu Qingtang's expression showed a slight unnaturalness.
"Much better, thank you for asking, Teacher Yang."
"Where's Teacher Cheng?"
"She had something to do this morning and went out."
"Oh, oh. Is Teacher Cheng usually quite busy?"
"No."
Yu Qingtang quickened her pace, returned to her seat, finally escaping the colleague's pleasantries.
She sat in her chair for a while, then remembered to send Cheng Zhanxi a message: [I've arrived at school.]
Cheng Zhanxi didn't reply immediately.
Yu Qingtang pursed her lips, lowered her head, and continued typing on the screen.
[Yu Qingtang]: What time did I fall asleep last night?
About ten minutes later, her phone vibrated twice in succession.
Yu Qingtang put down her red pen and picked up her phone.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay, I just finished and came back. I'll probably arrive at school around 11. Let's have lunch together.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Can't remember clearly, probably around four something. I saw you finally fell asleep, so I didn't wake you.
[Yu Qingtang]: Did Teacher Cheng sleep last night?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: No, could I have gone out sketching early this morning if I had slept? [Life is hard, Cheng meow sighs.gif]
Yu Qingtang: "..."
So last night, she suffered from insomnia and went to someone else's house and freeloaded on food and drinks. The host didn't sleep, while she, the guest, slept like a log, even sleeping until nine in the morning?
But Cheng Zhanxi's words undoubtedly lessened her pressure invisibly.
They were essentially two people struggling with sleep difficulties, gathering together late at night to pass the time. She accidentally fell asleep, while Cheng Zhanxi's luck was slightly worse.
Feeling guilty and apologetic, Yu Qingtang asked: [What does Teacher Cheng want for lunch?]
Cheng Zhanxi: [Want to sleep [Sleepy]]
Yu Qingtang: [You didn't have class this morning, why don't you just stay home and sleep? I can bring you lunch?]
Cheng Zhanxi readily accepted.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay, thank you, Teacher Yu.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: [Photo]
Yu Qingtang tapped open the large image. It was a foldable easel set up by a river, with a black toolbox beside it.
Sicheng's river snaked through the city, with many rivers nearby, including an ancient moat outside the city. Yu Qingtang, being a local after all, enlarged the image, judging from the buildings in the background that Cheng Zhanxi had gone to Lipu District in the old town, just two streets away from her grandparents' house.
Not far from there was the well-preserved ancient town protected by the Sicheng municipal government.
Lipu District.
The dew on the tips of the green grass had been dried by the sun. A foot wearing white sneakers passed by. White athletic pants wrapped around long, straight legs. Cheng Zhanxi carried her easel on her back, held the oil painting box in one hand, bypassed a long bench, and walked out from the park's small riverbank.
An elderly couple approached her. Both had more white hair than black, their roots showing silver. The man's hair was almost entirely white. They looked to be over seventy.
The old gentleman was in a wheelchair, the old lady pushing from behind, walking unhurriedly.
As a painter, Cheng Zhanxi habitually observed people, events, and objects she encountered, accumulating material, so she took a few extra glances.
The elderly couple simultaneously looked towards her. Both paused, then seemed somewhat dazed as they watched her approach.
Cheng Zhanxi passed by the elderly couple.
After Cheng Zhanxi had walked far, Fang Wenjiao turned back to look at her retreating figure. The morning mist had long dissipated. She walked in the sunlight, yet also seemed to be walking in white fog, indistinct.
Fang Wenjiao's eyes moistened slightly.
Yu Qingtang's maternal grandfather patted his wife's hand and sighed, "Let's go."
Returning home, Fang Wenjiao lit three incense sticks before Yu Ci's memorial tablet. Amidst the curling sandalwood smoke, she closed her eyes devoutly, murmuring something. Soft sobs could be heard in the air.
Grandfather sat by the window overlooking the outside, lost in thought for a long time.
The wind in the courtyard rustled through the small bamboo grove, year after year.
Cheng Zhanxi parked her motorcycle in the underground garage, turned off the engine, pulled out the key, and walked towards the elevator entrance for Floor B1.
Her figure suddenly paused. The image of the elderly couple from earlier inexplicably flashed through her mind, bringing a sense of déjà vu.
Cheng Zhanxi frowned slightly, searched her memory, confirming she had never met this elderly couple before.
Cheng Zhanxi temporarily dismissed the matter and went upstairs.
A digital clock with an alarm set sat on the living room coffee table. Fearing Yu Qingtang would oversleep and miss class, Cheng Zhanxi had left her an alarm clock before leaving.
Entering the door, she heard the alarm ringing—because no one had turned it off, it rang periodically. Cheng Zhanxi turned off the alarm, put her things in the studio, tidied up briefly, then went out to shower.
She deliberately slowed down. By the time she finished showering, it was past 11 AM. She couldn't sleep for long anyway, so she stayed in the studio, organizing her recent paintings and cleaning up.
Ding dong ding dong—
Cheng Zhanxi closed the studio door and said, "Coming."
She opened the main door. Yu Qingtang stood at the entrance holding several paper bags.
Cheng Zhanxi got her a pair of slippers, smiled politely, "Please come in."
Yu Qingtang changed into the slippers and brought the bags to the dining table.
Together, they took the lunch out of the bags. The containers were exquisite, the presentation delicate. It clearly wasn't from the cafeteria or a random roadside stall.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the logo printed on the paper bag. She recalled it was a rather expensive private kitchen restaurant. She took out her phone to transfer money, "How much?"
Yu Qingtang said, "No need, I'm treating you."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't insist, saying, "Alright, I'll treat you next time." She sat down, unwrapped the chopsticks, and casually asked, "Did Teacher Yu have lunch?"
"Ate already."
"Can you eat a little more?"
"...Not really."
"Go sit in the living room for a bit?"
"No, I want to go back for a nap."
"Then I won't keep you, don't want to delay your sleep." Cheng Zhanxi got up to see her off at the door, saying, "Is it still 1:30 this afternoon?"
"Mm."
"Good afternoon, Teacher Yu." Cheng Zhanxi casually straightened her trench coat collar, smiling gently.
Yu Qingtang glanced at her, her voice somewhat soft, "Good afternoon."
Yu Qingtang walked towards the opposite door. Hearing no closing sound behind her, she resisted the urge to turn back, walked straight to her own door, opened it, and went inside.
Not looking out through the peephole, she went straight to the bedroom.
Yu Qingtang searched online for some white noise, heard to aid sleep. Treating a dead horse as a live one, she put on her earphones and closed her eyes to sleep. Various posts and comments praised it effusively. Yu Qingtang listened, becoming increasingly awake. Opening her eyes, she checked the digital clock beside her.
1:01 PM.
Yu Qingtang walked out of the bedroom, shifted her position to the sofa, turned on the TV, imperfectly replicating last night's scene—she didn't know the name of the TV series, had no snacks at home, just forced herself to sleep.
She felt she had just closed her eyes when the alarm clock rang.
Yu Qingtang sat up, feeling like her head was splitting, wanting to throw the remote control.
1:30 PM.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes waiting for the elevator, seizing every moment to rest.
Cheng Zhanxi stood beside her, not daring to make a sound.
Ding—
Yu Qingtang opened her red-rimmed eyes, walked into the elevator, and immediately closed her eyes again, seizing every second.
Cheng Zhanxi moved opposite her, pressing her forehead against her own shoulder.
Yu Qingtang's initial thought to struggle was instantly crushed by the overwhelming sleepiness.
People gradually entered the elevator.
Cheng Zhanxi wrapped her arm around her waist, moving her to the corner. Soon, Yu Qingtang's soft snores could be heard.
The elevator reached the first floor, the doors opened and closed, then ascended to the 20th floor.
The 20th-floor resident stepped in, paused, then averted their gaze tactfully.
Yu Qingtang slept briefly. Waking up, she felt the elevator was still descending. Confused, she lifted her face from Cheng Zhanxi's neck, asking sleepily, "Not there yet?"
Cheng Zhanxi replied calmly, "Almost."
Yu Qingtang stood straight, her long hair slightly messy from sleep, sticking to her neck, making her look exceptionally black and white.
Cheng Zhanxi reached out to pick them out, her fingertips brushing against the delicate skin, her expression natural.
Yu Qingtang held her breath. Only after her hand left did she subtly exhale.
Arriving at the office, she immediately closed her eyes to rest. Today, fate seemed against her. Just as she was about to drift off, a phone call came in.
It was a parent, asking to speak to a student in the class. A common trivial matter for homeroom teachers.
Another parent called, wanting to understand their child's situation at school. This call lasted over twenty minutes. Yu Qingtang, already suffering from a headache, had to patiently chat with the parent. She answered the phone, reached for her thermos, unscrewed the lid single-handedly, planning to drink some tea to soothe her throat.
Pouring for a long time, only one or two drops flowed into her mouth.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
She pushed her chair back with her foot, got up, and went to the water dispenser nearby to get water.
Holding the thermos with one hand wasn't convenient. Yu Qingtang clamped the phone between her ear and shoulder. This posture was truly challenging. Moreover, modern phones have large screens and are touch-sensitive; accidental touches are easy.
Yu Qingtang held the thermos with one hand, wrestled with the phone with the other. Suddenly, a soft warmth pressed against her back.
A sigh, helpless yet indulgent, sounded from above. The thermos in Yu Qingtang's hand was taken by a slender, fair hand. She looked blankly at Cheng Zhanxi, who was half a head taller.
She slowly moved aside. As the water dispenser faucet opened, Cheng Zhanxi heard Yu Qingtang apologize to the parent on the phone, "Sorry, what did you say? Could you repeat that?"
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved slightly.
Cheng Zhanxi filled the thermos more than halfway. Yu Qingtang reached out to take it.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't give it to her, placing it directly on her desk.
Yu Qingtang covered the phone microphone and whispered thanks.
Cheng Zhanxi gestured for her to continue her call, no need to be polite.
Hanging up, Yu Qingtang leaned back in her chair, pressing her temples with both hands.
After class, she went to Class 7 to relay the message to the parent, brought back Lian Yabing. Lian Yabing finished getting the papers and left. A student came to ask questions.
Cheng Zhanxi had PE class with another class in the afternoon, overlapping with Yu Qingtang's math class.
Lesson planning, grading papers. When the dismissal bell rang, Yu Qingtang's head felt like it had been split open by an axe. Enduring it without showing any change in expression, she asked Cheng Zhanxi, "Is Teacher Cheng eating at the cafeteria tonight?"
Cheng Zhanxi shook her head. "Teacher Cheng isn't eating at the cafeteria."
Yu Qingtang said, "Then are you going to eat near the school gate?"
Cheng Zhanxi still shook her head.
The teachers in the office greeted each other and left one after another like birds released from a cage, rushing towards freedom. Soon, only the two of them remained.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Does Teacher Yu have evening study duty tonight?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Once or twice missing evening study was fine, but consistently being absent would make her, the homeroom teacher, too derelict in her duties. Besides, she taught another class and had study sessions too.
Cheng Zhanxi hummed, saying, "Then let's order takeout."
"We?"
"I still have a bit left to finish." She pointed to the sketchbook in her hand.
"Okay." Yu Qingtang forced herself to stay alert, asking, "What does Teacher Cheng want to eat?"
"Are you hungry? If not, let me look into it first?"
"Alright." Yu Qingtang was mainly sleepy now, so sleepy she didn't even want to talk.
Cheng Zhanxi handed her her U-shaped pillow. "Take a nap first."
Yu Qingtang placed the pillow on the desk, rested her head on it, and closed her eyes.
The last thing she heard before falling asleep was Cheng Zhanxi's gentle voice, "I'll call you when I've ordered."
This time it took forty-five minutes. Cheng Zhanxi picked up two portions of star-rated hotel takeout from the school gate. Arriving at the office, Yu Qingtang was still asleep, face buried in her arms, nose twitching, mouth slightly open, cheeks flushed from sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi moved her chair over, sat beside Yu Qingtang, propped her chin on one hand, and watched her intently.
Yu Qingtang slept soundly, not even furrowing her brow. The corridor echoed with students' footsteps, distant like sounds from another world.
Cheng Zhanxi gently touched her face with the back of her finger.
There were still thirty minutes before evening study began. Cheng Zhanxi woke Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang sat up groggily. Before her lay opened seafood baked rice and Italian meat sauce noodles, emitting an enticing aroma.
Yu Qingtang had only bought a pancake on the way to deliver lunch to Cheng Zhanxi. Smelling the fragrance, her stomach immediately rumbled.
A pair of unwrapped chopsticks was placed in her palm.
Cheng Zhanxi rested her hands overlapped on the desk, smiling gently at her, "Eat."
Yu Qingtang looked at her for a long time, seemingly unable to distinguish dream from reality.
Cheng Zhanxi reached out, touched her face, asking amusedly, "What's wrong? Spacing out?"
Yu Qingtang said concisely, "No."
She quickly lowered her eyes, hiding the fleeting moisture within them.
Cheng Zhanxi, unsure if she had seen it, smiled unchanged, pushed the two meals forward, saying, "Try which one tastes better."
Yu Qingtang picked up a small bite of baked rice. Shrimp mixed with soft rice, wrapped in fragrant cheese, sweet and overflowing.
The baked rice came with a spoon. Yu Qingtang scooped a spoonful, held it with her hand, and brought it to Cheng Zhanxi's lips.
Cheng Zhanxi opened her mouth, tasted it, and smiled noticeably, "Not bad."
Yu Qingtang then used a fork to twirl some meat sauce noodles, blew on it, and offered it forward.
Cheng Zhanxi shook her head with a smile, "No, you eat first."
Yu Qingtang fell silent, her hand not retracting.
Cheng Zhanxi had no choice but to open her mouth, bite the fork, and roll the noodles in.
After Yu Qingtang finished eating, Cheng Zhanxi asked, "Which one tastes better?"
Yu Qingtang pointed to the Italian meat sauce noodles. Cheng Zhanxi moved the seafood baked rice in front of herself, saying, "I think the baked rice tastes better. I'll eat this, you eat the noodles."
Yu Qingtang glanced at her again, the meaning in her eyes extremely complex.
A bit sad, yet also carrying an indescribable repression.
Like someone floating on the sea for a long time, about to sink, suddenly seeing a piece of driftwood floating before them. She didn't know if this driftwood could carry her ashore, or if it was just a fleeting hope before deeper despair.
Sunlight had once visited her wilderness, everything grew, then instantly vanished, leaving her in eternal night.
She didn't have the courage to welcome it a second time.
Throughout the dinner, Yu Qingtang was very quiet. After eating, she asked, "How much?"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "No need, didn't you treat me at noon? We're even."
Yu Qingtang put away her phone. "I'm going to the classroom."
Cheng Zhanxi still had a little baked rice left. "Okay, I'll finish eating, throw away the trash, then go home."
Yu Qingtang nodded.
"Be careful."
"You too," Cheng Zhanxi said.
Yu Qingtang left for class. Cheng Zhanxi watched her retreating figure from the glass window, pursed her lips, her expression gradually becoming serious.
...
Yu Qingtang went to the dormitory area, checked on the boarding students' situation, focusing on chatting with Xiao Qing for a while, careful not to delay her rest, keeping the conversation brief.
Despite this, it was much later than her usual departure time.
Exiting the school gate, she took out her phone, several messages displayed on the notification interface, all from the same person.
10:00 PM.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Finished work?
10:08 PM
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu?
10:20 PM
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu, are you there? Phone dead?
The last message was from ten minutes ago.
Yu Qingtang tapped into the input box. Just as she was about to type a reply, the screen jumped to the incoming call interface. Caller ID: Cheng Zhanxi.
Her heart inexplicably became unsettled, a near-joyful emotion surging.
Yu Qingtang almost instinctively wanted to curve her lips, bit her lip to restrain herself, calmed down for a few seconds, then answered, saying coolly, "Hello."
Cheng Zhanxi clearly let out a sigh of relief, asking, "Are you off work?"
"Just finished, heading back." Yu Qingtang started walking, speaking as she went. "Are you at school?"
Yu Qingtang didn't notice her suddenly cheerful tone, still replying flatly, "Mm."
Exiting the school gate and turning the corner, Yu Qingtang walked along the straight street towards home.
An unintentional glance upwards, she paused.
Cheng Zhanxi stood under the streetlight not far ahead, holding her phone in one hand, waving at her.
The dim yellow streetlight dragged out long shadows on the ground, the two figures overlapping.
Yu Qingtang walked step by step towards her. Unlike the shadows, she and Cheng Zhanxi still maintained a small distance.
Yu Qingtang's thin lips moved, unable to utter a word.
Cheng Zhanxi non-ambiguously touched her face, just checking her temperature in the cold wind, asking with concern, "Why are you off work so late?"
Yu Qingtang said, "Went to check on the boarding students." Pausing, she added, "My phone was in my pocket, I didn't notice."
"It's okay, I'll call earlier next time."
Yu Qingtang tucked the lower half of her face into her raised trench coat collar, humming noncommittally.
"Going home?"
This time, Yu Qingtang paused for a moment before nodding.
The weather was cold, even colder at night. Yu Qingtang kept both hands tucked into her trench coat pockets. Cheng Zhanxi didn't insist on holding her hand, just stayed very close, close enough for their shoulders to brush as they walked.
Yu Qingtang didn't avoid it.
Parting ways on the 21st floor, Yu Qingtang's pale face lifted from her collar. She asked Cheng Zhanxi, "What was the name of the TV series Teacher Cheng watched last night?"
Cheng Zhanxi told her the name.
"Does Teacher Yu want to watch the show until you fall asleep tonight?"
Yu Qingtang didn't deny it. "Want to try."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Then you're missing snacks, drinks, and fruit. Shall I bring them over?"
Yu Qingtang clearly hadn't expected this layer, momentarily falling into contemplation.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Watching TV without snacks has no soul. How about you come get some from my place?"
Yu Qingtang was still hesitating when Cheng Zhanxi took her hand into 2102, stuffing a large gift bag of snacks into her arms.
"Want fruit?"
"I have some!" Yu Qingtang finally reacted, quickly saying, afraid Cheng Zhanxi would act first.
Cheng Zhanxi caught the fleeting panic in her eyes, couldn't help but curve her lips, saying, "Alright, hurry back to shower and sleep. Try lying in bed first. If you can't sleep, then watch TV."
Yu Qingtang nodded obediently like a baby, "Got it."
"Are the snacks heavy?" Cheng Zhanxi really treated her like a baby, asking gently in an adult tone.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi was amused by her helpless expression, laughing heartily, "Alright, hurry back."
Yu Qingtang carried the full bag of snacks into her home, placing them on the living room coffee table.
After showering, she followed Cheng Zhanxi's advice, lying in bed first, closing her eyes, trying to fall asleep.
Her mind still flashed with fragmented images, chaotic thoughts, churning in the sea of consciousness, refusing to let her sleep. Unlike before, this time she could accurately "see" the images, all related to Cheng Zhanxi—her smiling face upon waking, so close she could count her eyelashes.
The surprise at the street corner, her tall figure standing under the dim yellow streetlight, the moment she subconsciously wanted to rush over and hug her, even... do something else.
More, more.
A greedy voice inside said: Need everything, all of it.
Yu Qingtang's eyeballs moved rapidly left and right under her eyelids, trapped on the borderline between sleep and wakefulness, making her even more tired.
Yu Qingtang took a deep breath and sat up, her heart pounding wildly.
It felt like physiological discomfort, her heart rate accelerating. Yu Qingtang sat there calming down for a while, got out of bed, went to the living room, and turned on the TV.
Following Cheng Zhanxi's setup, she prepared snacks, fruit, and the idol drama.
Yu Qingtang forgot where she left off yesterday, starting again from the beginning. Potato chip bag opened, dim living room, faint light from the TV screen reflecting Yu Qingtang's expressionless face as she ate chips.
Potato chips without Teacher Cheng lost their soul.
Fruit wasn't sweet anymore, the idol drama wasn't sleep-inducing anymore.
Cheng Zhanxi was woken by the preset alarm at 2 AM. She rubbed her face, picked up her phone, squinted, and sent Yu Qingtang a message.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Teacher Yu, asleep yet?
The other side replied after several minutes.
[Yu Qingtang]: No
Cheng Zhanxi almost fell asleep again in those few minutes. She bumped her head against the pillow twice, feeling the brain matter sloshing, slightly more awake, typing: [Are you watching TV?]
[Yu Qingtang]: No
[Yu Qingtang]: [Photo]
Cheng Zhanxi saw only dense small characters in the thumbnail. Clicking it open revealed a math problem. Her scalp exploded, nearly fainting on the spot.
Doing math problems late at night, what kind of devil was Yu Qingtang?!
[Yu Qingtang]: I read online that studying difficult professional knowledge points helps with sleep.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Are you sleepy now?
[Yu Qingtang]: No, I want to prove it.
[Yu Qingtang]: You sleep first, I'll study a bit more.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't do math, going over was useless. She managed to type "Goodnight" before succumbing to drowsiness and falling asleep.
Waking up in the morning, "Goodnight" was still in the input box, unsent.
Cheng Zhanxi yawned.
6:30 AM.
"Good morning, Teacher Yu."
"...Morning." Yu Qingtang's mental state was visibly poor, omitting the first few words.
Morning what!
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the red veins in Yu Qingtang's eyes, asking incredulously, "You didn't spend the whole night doing problems, did you?"
Yu Qingtang hummed.
Cheng Zhanxi wanted to find the person who suggested doing problems for insomnia and beat them up!
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes, looked at Yu Qingtang, "How about you continue watching TV at my place tonight? Maybe changing the environment will really help. If you keep not sleeping like this, I..." Her eyes reddened slightly.
Yu Qingtang interrupted softly, "Tomorrow is Friday."
Cheng Zhanxi: "Hmm?"
Yu Qingtang: "I'm going back to my grandmother's house tomorrow. It should be fine then. If not, I'll go see a doctor." She said, "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi remained silent for a few seconds, then forced a smile, "You're welcome, I didn't really help much anyway."
Yu Qingtang shook her head. "No, Teacher Cheng has helped me a lot, I'm very grateful."
Cheng Zhanxi's smile remained unchanged. "Aren't we friends? No need to be so polite."
Friends?
Yu Qingtang silently chewed on this word in her heart, quietly lowered her eyes. She probably wouldn't have any real friends in this lifetime.
Ding—
The elevator reached the 21st floor.
The two walked out one after the other. This time, Yu Qingtang, despite not sleeping all night, didn't doze off in the elevator, naturally didn't rest her head on Cheng Zhanxi's shoulder; after school, she didn't let Cheng Zhanxi order takeout again, giving her a chance to see her upon waking; after work, she promptly went home, exchanging goodnights with Cheng Zhanxi at the door.
She guarded the line she had drawn, not yielding an inch, her determination exceeding Cheng Zhanxi's imagination.
Friday, the last day of the work week.
Yu Qingtang applied light makeup before leaving, making her complexion look better.
She didn't want Cheng Zhanxi to worry about her, but she vaguely felt she had already made her worry.
After the last bell rang in the afternoon, the two were still the slowest to leave.
Yu Qingtang packed her desk unhurriedly. Cheng Zhanxi's desk was empty. Holding a book, she moved it from one drawer to another, pretending to tidy up.
"Teacher Cheng." Yu Qingtang locked the drawer and called her.
"Finished packing?" The book in Cheng Zhanxi's hand, having suffered much torment, finally found its resting place. The drawer was closed by the woman's slender white hand. Cheng Zhanxi walked out from behind the desk, saying, "Let's go."
They could only walk together to the school gate. Cheng Zhanxi escorted her to the bus stop across the street, watched her get on the bus, and waved goodbye.
Yu Qingtang sat by the window, watching her stand still until the bus turned the corner, her figure no longer visible.
Lipu District, back street of the ancient town.
Yu Qingtang parked the shared bicycle, pushed open the courtyard gate, and entered. The aroma of food wafted from inside.
Fang Wenjiao and Grandfather were both there. The aunt was cooking in the kitchen. Fang Wenjiao suddenly said, "Momo, go offer incense to your mother."
Yu Qingtang's expression froze. Stopping her steps towards the kitchen, she turned towards the memorial hall.
Yu Qingtang rarely entered the memorial hall. Her birth coincided with Yu Ci's death. Everyone wanted her mother to live; no one looked forward to her arrival. For her, it was the same.
If birth could be chosen, she would choose never to have come into this world.
Yu Qingtang respectfully offered three incense sticks, looked at the gentle and beautiful woman in the black and white photo, knelt down, kowtowed three times, silently apologized three times in her heart, lifted the bead curtain, and left the memorial hall.
Just as she came out, Fang Wenjiao called her again.
Fang Wenjiao said, "Your grandfather and I went for a walk in the park two days ago and met a woman carrying an easel. Tall, fair, and thin. Your mother looked like that when she was young."
Yu Ci passed away early. Yu Qingtang had such a background and a withdrawn personality. It was a sad matter for Fang Wenjiao and the others, so they rarely mentioned Yu Ci. Perhaps as they grew older, recent events became blurry, while things buried deep in memory became clearer.
Even just mentioning "your mother," her eyes reddened. She had to wipe her tears with a tissue, continuing chokedly.
Yu Qingtang stood waiting for a while. Seeing Fang Wenjiao say no more, she walked away silently.
That night, Yu Qingtang stayed up until 4 AM. Finally falling asleep, she specifically told Fang Wenjiao not to wake her. She slept until noon, her depleted energy from the past few days finally replenished. She even ate an extra half bowl of rice for lunch.
In the afternoon, she went to the Sicheng Special Education School. Busy lately, she hadn't been over for several weekends.
Getting off the bus at the stop, Yu Qingtang walked forward along the road. Suddenly, her gaze froze, landing on a silver-white heavy motorcycle parked by the roadside.
Sicheng was a small place; few people drove such flamboyant vehicles. Plus, this white model was this year's latest.
While she stood there pondering, a surprised voice sounded ahead, "Teacher Yu!"
Cheng Zhanxi hadn't expected to meet Yu Qingtang here. Fate bringing them together thousands of miles wasn't enough; this must be the red thread of fate tied firmly by Yue Lao, making them encounter each other wherever they went.
Yu Qingtang lifted her eyelids, naturally greeting the approaching Cheng Zhanxi, "Teacher Cheng."
Yu Qingtang's gaze went past her shoulder towards the direction she came from, asking, "Why is Teacher Cheng here?"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, pointing towards the special education school behind her, "I came to volunteer."
Yu Qingtang's pupils moved slightly.
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "And you?"
Yu Qingtang replied coolly, "Passing by."
Cheng Zhanxi: "Does Teacher Yu have plans this afternoon?"
Yu Qingtang looked at her, "Yes."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Alright, I have things to do this afternoon too. I won't disturb you then. Does Teacher Yu need to go somewhere? I can give you a ride?"
Yu Qingtang: "No, I'll just take a walk and head back."
Cheng Zhanxi thought: Do you live nearby?
Yu Qingtang stood still by the roadside. Cheng Zhanxi understood she wanted her to leave first, tactfully got on her bike, put on her helmet, and left.
Yu Qingtang waited until her motorcycle's shadow completely disappeared at the end of the street before pursing her lips and walking towards the gate of the special education school.
Yu Qingtang often came here and was familiar with the staff. The teacher who had just escorted Cheng Zhanxi out was still unpacking a delivery at the guardhouse. Seeing Yu Qingtang approach, she greeted her warmly, "Qingtang."
Yu Qingtang smiled slightly, "Teacher Zhao."
Teacher Zhao said, "Wait for me a moment."
Yu Qingtang waited for her to finish unpacking, then walked with her towards the teaching area.
Large swathes of ginkgo trees were planted on campus, their leaves golden yellow everywhere.
Yu Qingtang stepped on the fallen leaves, seemingly asking casually, "I just met an acquaintance at the entrance, surnamed Cheng. Does Teacher Zhao have an impression?"
Teacher Zhao smiled, "I just sent her out."
Yu Qingtang's steps lightened slightly as she asked, "Does she often come here to volunteer?"
Teacher Zhao said, "Not often, but at least once every other week. She's quite sincere."
Yu Qingtang hummed, lowered her eyes towards the ground, unsure what she was thinking.
Teacher Zhao suddenly remembered something, hummed, and said, "But she seems to be looking for someone. No name, just a nickname, called... Momo?"
Yu Qingtang's figure froze, her eyes widening abruptly.
Ginkgo leaves drifted down silently.
"Who did you say she's looking for?" Yu Qingtang asked very softly, "Any more detailed information?"
Teacher Zhao said, "Around her age, no more than two years apart, a deaf-mute little girl named Momo. Lived in the countryside near the capital around six or seven years old, then moved away. That's all the information. Qingtang, you... why are you crying?"
Author's note:
Ah! Finally wrote it!
Short skit:
Sister Yu's first cry, because Cheng Zhanxi left.
Sister Yu's second cry, because Cheng Zhanxi returned.
Sister Yu's third cry...
Cheng Chengzi: That must be on my bed, no other possibility!
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