After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 67
Chapter 67
"Forget about what happened that night, okay?" Beneath the woman's calm voice surged suppressed pain and bitterness, containing a suffering unimaginable to ordinary people.
Cheng Zhanxi remained silent for a long time.
In the quiet kitchen, only the sound of the dough being continuously kneaded in the glass bowl echoed, dull and prolonged.
The dough was kneaded until smooth and glossy. Cheng Zhanxi stopped, looked at Yu Qingtang, and said, "Okay."
Her eyes and voice were very gentle, without a trace of dissatisfaction or blame, yet Yu Qingtang's heart felt as if heavy stones were pressing down on it, stuffy and uncomfortable, and her throat felt blocked by a ball of cotton, unable to utter another word.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled lightly. "Do you remember where we first met?"
Yu Qingtang paused for a moment before saying, "I remember, at the convenience store while taking shelter from the rain."
Cheng Zhanxi: "Then our second meeting was at school. I went to the office to report, but you didn't recognize me."
Yu Qingtang: "Sorry."
Cheng Zhanxi looked at her for a while, then gently said, "Come."
Yu Qingtang put down the kitchen knife and walked over to her. The two looked at each other.
Cheng Zhanxi's hands hung by her sides. She tilted her head up slightly and placed an incredibly gentle kiss on her forehead.
"This is a seal." Cheng Zhanxi chose a lighthearted way to adjust the oppressive atmosphere between them, as well as the emotions surging within her heart. She said seriously, "From now on, what happened that night will disappear from our memories."
Unless Yu Qingtang sought her out to break the seal again.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know why she was so bothered by that night. But a memory is only beautiful if both people consider it so. If it's a heavy burden for one person, why cling to it?
In Cheng Zhanxi's mind, Yu Qingtang was Yu Qingtang. Regardless of how they started, their ending would be beautiful.
She wanted her present and future.
Don't dwell on the past, start anew.
Cheng Zhanxi tossed the kneaded dough aside, went to the faucet to wash her hands. She looked at Yu Qingtang standing nearby and asked, "Have you finished cutting the water chestnuts?"
Yu Qingtang snapped back to reality and quickly continued her unfinished task.
"Mince the meat. The food processor is to your left, the white one."
"Chop the scallions into fine pieces."
"Mince the ginger too."
"Chop the shepherd's purse."
...
Following Cheng Zhanxi's instructions one by one, Yu Qingtang moved around the kitchen, too busy to think about anything else.
Minced pork, shepherd's purse, minced scallion and ginger, diced water chestnuts—all the ingredients for the dumpling filling were prepared. Cheng Zhanxi came over to mix the filling, adding various seasonings. Yu Qingtang watched curiously from the side.
Cheng Zhanxi stirred everything evenly with chopsticks. The white, fleshy water chestnut dice served as a garnish, and their texture was exceptionally crisp and sweet.
"Do you want to wrap them in the kitchen or outside?"
Yu Qingtang's eyes clearly asked what the difference was.
"You can watch TV outside," Cheng Zhanxi said with a smile.
Yu Qingtang's eyes lit up.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Clear the coffee table first, I'll bring the things over later."
Ten minutes later, the tea set, vase, and other decorations on the coffee table were moved aside. A kneading mat was placed in the empty space. The smooth dough was divided into small portions, soft yet resilient. The filling was placed between the two of them.
Cheng Zhanxi asked again, "Do you want to roll the wrappers or wrap the dumplings?"
Cheng Zhanxi was a native of the capital. Although her usual speech didn't have a noticeable accent, the 'er' sound was essential. Yu Qingtang wasn't very good at saying the 'er' sound in 'pi'er' (wrappers), so she said, "I'll wrap the dumplings."
"Alright." Cheng Zhanxi picked up the remote control, found the cartoon "Doraemon" on the networked TV, and pressed play.
Every day is the same, occasionally a whim strikes
With Doraemon, imagination extends infinitely
Sharing joy when happy, staying by my side when sad, rummaging through its magic pocket can make worries disappear
The theme song "Song of Doraemon" was innocent and childlike, familiar to everyone. Even those who hadn't watched the cartoon would have heard this song on various occasions.
Doraemon, riding the time machine, appeared on the screen. Yu Qingtang watched as she picked up the first dumpling wrapper Cheng Zhanxi had rolled out.
By the time the theme song finished, Yu Qingtang had only wrapped her first dumpling. Cheng Zhanxi had already rolled out six or seven wrappers, even while distracted by listening to the song.
Seeing this, Yu Qingtang lowered her head in embarrassment and focused on wrapping dumplings.
The cartoon officially began. Yu Qingtang lifted her head again.
The plot of this cartoon was actually very simple, telling the daily life of the robot Doraemon from the future and Nobita. He often couldn't resist taking out some "magic tools" from the future world to help him, creating many jokes or touching moments. The most famous was its magic pocket, from which anything could be produced.
Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi beside her. Could she be Dorae-Cheng from the future?
Always appearing just in time, always able to produce unexpected things she needed.
The rich imagination and creation of the manga artist decades ago still left Yu Qingtang dumbfounded, forgetting the task at hand.
Cheng Zhanxi slowed down her pace, reliving this childhood classic.
Only the sound of the television filled the living room, light and shadow interweaving on their faces. Cheng Zhanxi laughed out loud from time to time, and Yu Qingtang followed with a very light laugh.
Actually, adults, no matter how much they maintain their innocence, have grown up. An adult's perspective can't be the same as a child's. The cartoon wasn't as good as Yu Qingtang had expected. She laughed only because Cheng Zhanxi was laughing; the relatively simple plot became lively and interesting.
Even at her slower pace, Cheng Zhanxi finished rolling the wrappers. Yu Qingtang only had about ten dumplings beside her. She joined Yu Qingtang in wrapping dumplings. Besides the cartoon, they didn't discuss other topics.
Time passed unknowingly.
Yu Qingtang's phone on the coffee table chimed. Yu Qingtang unlocked the screen and saw the reminder she had set beforehand: Cake.
It was already ten o'clock.
Yu Qingtang's fingertips flew, one ingot-shaped dumpling after another appearing under her hands.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Teacher Yu, do you have something to do?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement.
Cheng Zhanxi paused the TV. The two worked together, quickly finishing the remaining dumplings. Half a jin of peeled water chestnuts was stuffed into Yu Qingtang's hand, and she returned to 2101.
Cooking, wrapping dumplings, watching TV—she was so busy she didn't even have time to eat. The three jin of unpeeled ones were fine, but these would spoil if not eaten soon.
Yu Qingtang washed her hands, sat on the sofa. With the water chestnuts placed in a dish beside her, she ate while searching online for cake-making tutorials. A completely DIY cake requires quite a few tools and ingredients. Yu Qingtang didn't plan to make it herself today, but first seriously studied it, planning to buy things tomorrow.
Thinking of Cheng Zhanxi sticking to her side, she'd have to find an excuse tomorrow to avoid her.
As Yu Qingtang pondered, her hand reached towards the plate beside her and felt nothing.
The water chestnuts were gone.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Wasn't it half a jin? How did I finish it so quickly?
Yu Qingtang, still wanting more, washed the plate, went to the bathroom to wash herself, lay in bed, and slept.
A night without dreams, a good sleep until dawn.
Cheng Zhanxi felt a bit insomniac, tossing and turning in bed until the latter half of the night. She wasn't sad or pitying herself; she rarely indulged in self-pity. When unhappy, she'd go out for a run, or go out to paint, eat, watch movies, chat with friends—many ways to relieve stress.
Only Yu Qingtang... Her words, filled with suppressed pain and embarrassment, echoed repeatedly in her ears.
"Forget about what happened that night, okay?"
They had known each other for several months, even had a close call, almost a second time.
Why didn't Yu Qingtang mind for so long, only showing such concern today?
What exactly was her status in her heart?
Cheng Zhanxi racked her brains but couldn't figure it out. Her intuition told her it must be related to her trip home last week. She had originally thought it might be related to her parents, but now it seemed ninety-nine percent of the reason lay with herself.
Cheng Zhanxi reviewed the timeline from front to back.
Sunday night, she brought her dumplings—still unsure if they were made by her or her grandmother.
Sunday morning, she woke up at four and sent her a message.
Saturday night, Yu Qingtang went to bed very early.
Saturday afternoon, after volunteering at the Sicheng Special Education School, she ran into Yu Qingtang on the roadside. Yu Qingtang said she lived nearby.
Friday night, Yu Qingtang slept very late.
Nothing further back.
No special circumstances, unless something happened somewhere she didn't know about.
A guess flashed through Cheng Zhanxi's mind like lightning, but she immediately dismissed it.
Yu Qingtang couldn't be Momo; she wasn't deaf-mute, nor did she know sign language. Besides, how could there be such a coincidence in the world? The childhood friend she had missed for over twenty years just happened to appear before her, even becoming the person she loved? Even screenwriters wouldn't dare write it like this.
Cheng Zhanxi had been looking for Momo for over ten years, with no news. Actually, she knew deep down that the possibility of reunion was infinitely close to zero.
But she never gave up searching. Partly because this matter had left too deep an impression on her, becoming an obsession in her heart over time; partly because she always thought, what if? As long as she was alive, they might meet again. Even if decades later, with gray hair, she saw Momo also white-haired, surrounded by three generations, even if the other person had long forgotten her, she still wanted to confirm that she was alive, and she hoped that she had lived a good life.
Maybe they could even arrange to go square dancing together, becoming the most dazzling sister duo.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled at the thought, her eyes slightly moist.
Reason told Cheng Zhanxi it was impossible, but a trace of doubt was thus planted.
Regardless, she had to go to the special education school to inquire clearly.
Teacher Qiu hung up the phone, her hands continuing to type on the keyboard before her, handling school affairs. Suddenly, her hands stopped. After pondering for a moment, she picked up the phone beside her and sent a message.
Grade 1 Office.
Yu Qingtang picked up her phone as the screen lit up.
Qiu Li: [Someone named Cheng Zhanxi asked me about you. Is she your friend?]
Yu Qingtang lifted her finger, her gaze calm as water. After a few seconds, she typed: [What did she ask you?]
Teacher Qiu relayed their brief conversation.
Yu Qingtang: [It's nothing, she was just asking casually. Thank you for letting me know, Teacher Qiu.]
Teacher Qiu: [You're welcome. Are you coming this weekend?]
Yu Qingtang: [No, I have to take students to Happy Valley.]
Teacher Qiu: [Are you a teacher now too?]
Yu Qingtang: [Mm.]
Yu Qingtang was solitary, withdrawn. Even at the special education school, she was only familiar with Teacher Wang who had taught her class. She had little interaction with others. Few people knew she had studied there, including Teacher Qiu from the administrative department.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the conversation ended.
Yu Qingtang leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
"Good morning." Cheng Zhanxi stepped into the office, seemingly bringing bright sunlight with her, making the entire office seem much brighter.
"Good morning." The teachers smiled and greeted her one after another.
Yu Qingtang slowly opened her eyes. Cheng Zhanxi had already walked up to her, placing a carton of milk on her desk.
Yu Qingtang looked at her.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "I guessed you didn't drink milk this morning. I brought you a carton on the way, remember to finish it." She inserted the straw and brought it to Yu Qingtang's lips.
Yu Qingtang held the straw between her lips and took a light sip.
It was very thick yogurt, feeling like it coated her tongue, making Yu Qingtang frown slightly in discomfort.
Once the yogurt melted in her mouth, the lingering aftertaste was long. Unexpectedly, it wasn't unpleasant; instead, it made her want to savor it.
Cheng Zhanxi's eyes were bright as she looked at her expectantly, "How is it?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. Because they were in the office, her voice was much lower than at home, whispering, "Good."
Cheng Zhanxi pointed to the brand on the packaging, "Try this one first. Next time I'll bring you something else, see which one tastes best."
Yu Qingtang looked at her face, unblinking.
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled, "Look where my finger is pointing."
Only then did Yu Qingtang reluctantly glance at the packaging—a three-character brand name.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Remembered?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Cheng Zhanxi left the yogurt on her desk. "Remember to finish it."
Yu Qingtang nodded again.
Cheng Zhanxi resisted the urge to ruffle her hair, walked towards her own desk. Just as she sat down, Wen Zhihan walked in from outside the office, her footsteps pausing slightly.
A slender figure walked in.
White sneakers, light blue jeans, white t-shirt with a khaki windbreaker over it. Her features were refined, her temperament gentle.
It was Wen Zhihan, who seemed to appear and disappear like a dragon. Wen Zhihan wore the same outfit yesterday, likely coming directly from the university lab.
Wen Zhihan put down her bag, pulled back her chair halfway, then saw the yogurt Yu Qingtang was holding.
Wen Zhihan sat down, turned her head slightly to glance at Cheng Zhanxi. Cheng Zhanxi returned a meaningful smile.
Wen Zhihan: "..."
Wen Zhihan: [Did Teacher Cheng buy it for you?]
Yu Qingtang: [Mm.]
Wen Zhihan: [Did you pay?]
Yu Qingtang: [No.]
Wen Zhihan knew she had no chance, yet couldn't help feeling a pang.
Seven years versus three months, it doesn't matter who came first; love has never been fair.
Wen Zhihan remained silent for a long time before typing: [This semester ends, I'm returning to the capital to continue my studies.]
She looked up and saw Yu Qingtang opposite her, her brow slightly relaxed, a genuine smile appearing, albeit faint, yet Wen Zhihan caught it.
Wen Zhihan felt somewhat relieved.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Yu Qingtang: [Blessings.]
Wen Zhihan could let go emotionally, but she was still unwilling to see Yu Qingtang trapped here.
[Wen Zhihan]: Coming back to the capital with me? Professor Fang asked about you just the other day.
[Yu Qingtang]: No.
[Wen Zhihan]: You don't belong here.
Yu Qingtang raised a hand to rub her forehead. Just as she was about to use her previous excuse, Wen Zhihan's next message popped up.
Yu Qingtang's fingertips paused, the cursor blinking in the input box, her mind blank.
[Wen Zhihan]: What about Cheng Zhanxi? She's from the capital, she'll go back eventually. Aren't you going with her?
The beautiful illusion shattered by a single sentence; this reflection of the moon in water could break without warning at any time. Yu Qingtang's knuckles, holding the phone, trembled slightly. She typed word by word into the dialogue box.
[Yu Qingtang]: She is her, I am me. I won't go with her.
Cheng Zhanxi saw Wen Zhihan suddenly look up, staring at her in shock.
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
Did Yu Qingtang say she was pregnant? With my child?
Otherwise, why would Wen Zhihan look like her eyeballs were about to pop out?
Cheng Zhanxi rested her chin on one hand, revealing a confident smile.
Wen Zhihan: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi was unilaterally in love, confirmed. She had thought Cheng Zhanxi had won the beauty, but it turned out to be an illusion.
Then their current interaction mode was...
Wen Zhihan's thoughts turned, roughly understanding.
Wen Zhihan had some experience with failure, but she wasn't generous enough to teach her love rival how to pursue her wife. Even if she were to teach, it would have to wait until this semester ended and she left the school. Then, no matter how lovey-dovey they were, it wouldn't be in front of her, out of sight, out of mind.
Wen Zhihan also smiled back at Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Yu Qingtang looked at the two exchanging smiles, seemingly understanding each other: "?"
At the same time, a trace of imperceptible sourness arose in her heart.
Last time, Wen Zhihan seemed to have sought out Cheng Zhanxi alone. When did their relationship become so good?
Yu Qingtang lowered her head absentmindedly to prepare lessons, recalling the details of their usual interactions.
Cheng and Wen exchanged a final glance and looked away.
Three people, three different thoughts.
At noon, Yu Qingtang wanted to avoid Cheng Zhanxi to buy cake ingredients, but she was truly bad at making excuses. After the dismissal bell rang, she dawdled at her desk for a long time, repeatedly pulling off and putting back the cap of a pen.
Cheng Zhanxi, waiting in place, asked, "Teacher Yu?"
Yu Qingtang looked up startled, stammering, "I... I have something to do at noon, can we..."
Cheng Zhanxi understood, "Go home separately?"
Yu Qingtang not only nodded but also hummed in agreement.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Okay."
She lifted her foot towards the door. Yu Qingtang called out to her, "Cheng Zhanxi."
Cheng Zhanxi turned back.
Yu Qingtang said, "I just need to take care of something, not..." She opened her mouth, pursed her lips, seemingly unsure how to explain, frowning in annoyance.
Cheng Zhanxi gently interrupted her, "I know."
Yu Qingtang breathed a sigh of relief, walked over, hugged her, patted her back lightly twice, and instructed warmly, "Go home first, I'll message you later, come to school together this afternoon."
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Today was another day of Yu Qingtang being the older sister.
From younger sister to older sister, what exactly happened in between?
Cheng Zhanxi accepted the hug from her sister, obediently saying, "Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment, "Do you want any snacks? I'll bring some for you."
Cheng Zhanxi's expression was complicated.
Yu Qingtang: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi pretended not to know she was going to the supermarket, saying, "No need, there's still a pile at home we haven't finished."
Cheng Zhanxi walked to the door and waved at her, "Bye, see you later."
Yu Qingtang said, "Bye."
Cheng Zhanxi went home alone, admiring the scenery along the way while wondering why Yu Qingtang was being secretive about going to the supermarket. Could she be buying something she couldn't let her see? Connecting it to her upcoming birthday, could Yu Qingtang be planning to buy ingredients to make her a cake?
As soon as Cheng Zhanxi thought of this, she forcefully expelled the thought.
Can't guess the gift, it'll spoil the surprise!
Yu Qingtang went to the supermarket and bought the necessary ingredients. Some things that weren't easy to buy, she had ordered online on Monday; they should arrive in the next two days. Passing the yogurt section, rows upon rows were stacked high. Yu Qingtang paused beside the three-character brand for two seconds.
Checked out and went home.
Yu Qingtang entered the elevator, temporarily placed the plastic bag on the floor, took out her phone from the side zipper of her bag, and sent Cheng Zhanxi a message: [I'm back.]
Cheng Zhanxi opened the door to 2102.
Yu Qingtang had just exited the elevator. Seeing Cheng Zhanxi at the door, she subtly hid the bag behind her.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Right, her birthday surprise was ruined by herself just like that.
Yu Qingtang firmly blocked the bag. "Has Teacher Cheng slept yet?"
Cheng Zhanxi focused her gaze on her face, "No, waiting for you. Aren't you coming to my place for your nap today?"
Yu Qingtang nodded, "Okay, I'll put my things away first."
"I'll go in first then. The door is open, come straight in later, no need to knock." Cheng Zhanxi didn't dare look or think further, turning back into the living room.
Yu Qingtang put the ingredients away, categorized them into the fridge and kitchen cabinets. She went into the bedroom, changed into cotton pajamas, walked through the cold corridor, and entered Cheng Zhanxi's warm living room.
Cheng Zhanxi was curled up in the hanging chair reading, wearing proper long-sleeved pajamas, the cuffs rolled up, revealing fair, delicate ankles swaying gently in the air. Her feet were snow-white, her toes pink and tender, painted with nude nail polish.
Yu Qingtang's gaze lingered on them. Cheng Zhanxi lowered her pant legs, stepping into the slippers in front of the hanging chair, hiding the lovely pink and white.
Yu Qingtang held her pillow, her slender white knuckles tightening involuntarily, her thin lips lightly pursed.
Cheng Zhanxi asked strangely, "Teacher Yu, why are you standing there motionless?"
Yu Qingtang snapped back from her brief daze, walked over, placed the pillow on the sofa, sat down herself, skillfully unfolded the thin blanket, and covered herself.
Cheng Zhanxi came over to tuck her in, then tiptoed back to her room.
Her long hair reached her waist, chestnut curls flowing down her back. Slender waist, long legs, a true stunner.
Yu Qingtang abruptly pulled the blanket higher and closed her eyes.
Author's note:
Yu Qingtang's Diary:
November 29th
Craving Cheng Zhanxi's body
November 30th
Craving Cheng Zhanxi's body
December 1st
Craving Cheng Zhanxi's body
December 2nd
Yu Qingtang, oh Yu Qingtang, reflect upon yourself thrice daily. Didn't we agree to just be good friends? You two are just good friends, you can't crave her body anymore.
December 3rd
Craving Cheng Zhanxi's body
X Month X Day
She's so delicious (//▽//)
(Inspired by "Hu Shi's Diary," just for fun, please don't take it too seriously)
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