After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 73
Chapter 73
"I wish Yu Qingtang would never leave me."
Yu Qingtang froze, a layer of mist quickly welling up in her eyes.
Before her tears could fall, Cheng Zhanxi reached across, her thumb catching the teardrop.
Cheng Zhanxi made her second wish: "I wish Yu Qingtang could be happy every day, joyful and cheerful."
Yu Qingtang smiled through her tears.
"The third wish..." Cheng Zhanxi looked at her with a smile, clasped her hands together in front of her, and closed her eyes.
She devoutly made the third wish in her heart, opened her eyes, and blew out the candle in front of her in one breath.
Bathed in the hazy moonlight filtering in, Yu Qingtang said again, "Happy birthday, Cheng Zhanxi."
"You too." Cheng Zhanxi took the crown off her own head and placed it on Yu Qingtang's.
The dining room lights turned on. Yu Qingtang took out the inserted candle and placed it aside.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the blueberry cheesecake in front of her, her appetite whetted. "I'll go get a knife from the kitchen," she said.
"Wait a moment." Yu Qingtang stopped her.
Cheng Zhanxi turned back and saw Yu Qingtang holding a small box tied with a ribbon.
"A birthday gift for you." Yu Qingtang pursed her lips, looking a little apprehensive.
There was a birthday gift too?
Cheng Zhanxi accepted the small box with surprise and joy, opened it in front of her, and raised an eyebrow upon seeing the item resting quietly inside.
She truly hadn't expected this gift.
Yu Qingtang had given her a pure silver whistle. The design was quite fashionable; it could be used as a pendant, paired with clothes on a longer chain, and also served a practical purpose—as for what practical purpose, only Cheng Zhanxi, the PE teacher, could quickly realize: she needed a whistle for class, using its sound to give commands to students.
Serving three purposes at once.
Cheng Zhanxi tried blowing it; the whistle sound was crisp and clear, the tone pleasant.
Cheng Zhanxi looked up, unable to suppress her affection, and said, "I love it. This is the most special gift I've ever received."
For Yu Qingtang, it was an even more thoughtful gift.
Seeing Cheng Zhanxi liked it, Yu Qingtang's tense nerves relaxed, and her lips gently curved upwards.
Cheng Zhanxi walked up to her holding the whistle and said, "Will you help me put it on?"
"Okay." Yu Qingtang took the silver whistle.
Cheng Zhanxi had been wearing a necklace. Yu Qingtang's fingertips touched the back of her neck, removed the sapphire teardrop pendant necklace, placed it on the dining table, and put the whistle she had personally chosen on her instead.
She walked in front of Cheng Zhanxi, adjusted its position, letting it hang right in the center of her collarbone.
Cheng Zhanxi's eyes were extremely bright as she asked her, "Does it look good?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at the gemstone necklace on the dining table, compared them inwardly, felt slightly discouraged, and said, "Not as good-looking as the previous one."
Cheng Zhanxi grasped the silver whistle, "I don't care! This one is the best-looking! I'm going to wear it every day from now on, even when I sleep!"
Yu Qingtang smiled faintly.
Cheng Zhanxi extended her arms towards her, and the two naturally embraced.
Cheng Zhanxi rubbed her cool, smooth cheek against hers.
"Have you ever given anyone a birthday gift before?"
"No."
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved upwards, "Then how did you pick a gift I like so much on your first try?"
Yu Qingtang was a bit shy, burying her face in the crook of her neck.
"I don't know."
"It's because our Yu Tangtang is too smart, even so good at choosing gifts for people."
Yu Qingtang's face grew hotter. After a long moment, she squeezed out two faint, low words, "Don't..."
Cheng Zhanxi tried hard to control her thoughts from going astray and asked gently, "Hmm? Don't what?"
Yu Qingtang gripped the fabric of her trench coat on her back, the tips of her ears scarlet, saying very shyly, "Don't... praise me like that."
"Why not?" Cheng Zhanxi simply hooked a dining chair out with her foot, sat down, had Yu Qingtang sit on her lap, wrapped her arms around her waist, her gaze looking up from below, leaving Yu Qingtang's shy expression nowhere to hide. "I'm just praising you. You're so good, you deserve all the praise in the world."
Yu Qingtang felt like she was about to spontaneously combust. Still, she opened her mouth, enduring the growing shame, and asked softly, "Where am I good?"
"Good everywhere." Cheng Zhanxi listed them one by one, "You're beautiful, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen..."
Having just praised the most superficial point, Yu Qingtang jumped off her lap, ran to the kitchen, forcefully ending the topic.
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled behind her, pinching her own chin.
Can't be so unaccustomed to praise, she'll have to get used to it in the future.
Yu Qingtang found a knife in the kitchen, brought out two small plates, a faint lingering blush still on her ears.
The cake wasn't large, slightly more than enough for two. The main ingredient of cheesecake is cream cheese, requiring a lot of sugar during preparation. Sweet and rich, it perfectly suited Cheng Zhanxi's taste. Yu Qingtang couldn't eat much of it, only having a few bites, putting the remaining half in the refrigerator.
The two sat on the sofa and opened Xiang Tianyou's gift together. Xiang Tianyou had placed it in the back seat of her car yesterday when they went to Happy Valley. When they got home last night, he had awkwardly brought it up and handed it to her, saying, "Happy birthday, Teacher Cheng. May Teacher Yu have good health."
Yu Qingtang, who had unexpectedly received a blessing: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi had told Xiang Tianyou beforehand that she wouldn't open it until Sunday night. The high school student was scratching his head and ears, sending her messages several times a day, not saying anything important, claiming to be sharing emojis. Cheng Zhanxi couldn't help but laugh; the kid's thoughts were simple, just reminding her not to forget to open his birthday gift.
Xiang Tianyou had given two DIY ceramic mugs, one black, one white, patternless, simple and elegant.
Cheng Zhanxi silently praised Xiang Tianyou inwardly, trying not to let the joy in her eyes show too obviously, asking nonchalantly, "Which one does Teacher Yu like?"
Yu Qingtang originally wanted to choose the black one, similar to her usual style, but her outstretched hand landed on the white mug instead.
Yu Qingtang held the white mug with both hands and was carried princess-style back to 2101 by Cheng Zhanxi.
She was wearing cotton house slippers, unsuitable for walking in the corridor. Cheng Zhanxi put her down in the entryway, not overstepping any boundaries.
Yu Qingtang looked at her figure standing outside the door, feeling the urge to invite her in for the first time.
Her thin lips moved, but ultimately, she didn't say it.
Cheng Zhanxi waited quietly for a moment, then said gently, "Goodnight, Teacher Yu."
"Goodnight." At the last moment before midnight, Yu Qingtang seriously said again, "Happy birthday."
She truly, devoutly wished that Cheng Zhanxi could be forever happy, forever shining.
"Thank you."
"Goodnight."
Yu Qingtang slowly closed the door, watching her face through the ever-narrowing gap.
Cheng Zhanxi kept a faint smile on her face the whole time.
Cheng Zhanxi returned to 2102, picked up her phone, and sent Xiang Tianyou a message: [Opened the gift]
Xiang Tianyou replied instantly: [[Sa Beining inhaling oxygen.jpg]]
The kid didn't know what to say, using an emoji to pretend to be calm, but actually meaning "Urgent, waiting online for feedback."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't keep him hanging, directly typing: [You really got something, the gift is excellent]
Xiang Tianyou's heart, which had been hanging for almost two days, finally settled: [Hahahahaha, as expected of me, awesome]
Cheng Zhanxi: [You're the most awesome, from now on you should change your name to Brother Niu]
Xiang Tianyou: [﹁_﹁]
Cheng Zhanxi: [Hurry up and sleep. I just finished my birthday, welcoming the first day of being twenty-eight. You're not allowed to be late]
Xiang Tianyou, who had just turned fifteen not long ago: [You're already twenty-eight, so old [Surprised]]
Cheng Zhanxi: [Thanks for asking, actually twenty-seven. What's wrong with twenty-eight? Not living to twenty-eight is called dying young!]
Xiang Tianyou: [Sleeping, sleeping, goodnight Teacher Cheng]
Cheng Zhanxi sent him a moon emoji, washed up and went to sleep herself. Before sleeping, she held the whistle at her collar, closed her eyes, smiling until her eyes curved into crescents.
Monday morning, the two met unexpectedly at the elevator entrance.
Cheng Zhanxi wore a camel-colored coat, her chestnut long curly hair draped behind her, mature and elegant. The coat wasn't buttoned, revealing a black cashmere sweater underneath. She had swapped the chain for a matching long cord, the silver whistle hanging in front as an accessory, very eye-catching.
Yu Qingtang retracted her gaze from the silver whistle, her mood uncontrollably lifting, yet her cheeks felt slightly hot.
Wasn't wearing it like this a bit too obvious?
But she was really happy.
Yu Qingtang saw her own upturned lips reflected in the elevator's mirror-like wall, slightly startled, she quickly lowered her head to compose herself.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't expose her, lest she get so shy she'd want to crawl into a hole.
Teasing her at home was fine, but outside, others might see, and she couldn't bear that.
The receptionist on duty on the first floor had changed to the slacker young lady. Her voice was clear, "Good morning, you two."
Cheng Zhanxi returned the smile, "Good morning."
Yu Qingtang held Cheng Zhanxi's arm, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Good morning."
The slacker young lady froze, "G... Good morning."
Cheng Zhanxi subtly shifted sideways, blocking her view, put her arm around Yu Qingtang's waist, and walked out the first-floor door side by side.
The slacker young lady spaced out in her seat for a while, then lowered her head and sent a message to the colleague taking over her shift: [I think Miss Cheng and Miss Yu are getting married soon, maybe we'll get to eat their wedding candy soon]
Reaching the entrance of No. 1 Middle School, Yu Qingtang showed no intention of letting go. The two openly held hands as they entered the school gate. Cheng Zhanxi said, "Shall I accompany you to Class 7?"
Yu Qingtang nodded.
"I'm heading out!" Xiang Tianyou slung his shoulder bag on, shouted loudly in the house, not caring if he woke his loving father and stepmother—it would be better if he did.
The young man gave a mischievous smile.
The Xiang family had a driver, but Xiang Tianyou didn't like riding in the driver's car. He didn't like taking the bus either, preferring to stroll alone to school, embracing the fresh air in the faint morning light—much better than that stuffy old car. Monday morning, he left early as usual, helped an old lady cross the street along the way, and headed towards the school.
Maple Forest Green Capital was some distance from No. 1 Middle School. Xiang Tianyou remembered Cheng Zhanxi telling him not to be late, checked his watch, and decided to take a shortcut.
Along the way was an urban village area, all old neighborhoods, concentrated with illegal and non-compliant buildings. "Sliver buildings" and "handshake buildings" were everywhere, pipes and wiring were chaotic, alleys were narrow, population dense. Besides locals, many were tenants from out of town, a mixed bag, with poor public security.
Xiang Tianyou, young but tall, a boy, a pseudo-school bully, wasn't afraid walking swaggeringly alone through the alleys. He navigated the urban village familiarly, but saw a familiar back ahead.
It was a girl, ponytail, about 165cm tall, wearing the same clean and tidy blue and white Sicheng No. 1 Middle School uniform as him.
She walked quickly, hurriedly. As she turned to cross the road, Xiang Tianyou recognized her face.
Their class's top student, Yu Zhou.
Yu Zhou clutched her schoolbag, walking quickly while looking back, finally breaking into a run, as if something terrifying were chasing her.
Xiang Tianyou frowned, looked back following her figure, but saw nothing.
Xiang Tianyou, tall with long legs, followed Yu Zhou from a distance, paying attention to any movement behind her, occasionally showing confusion.
Reaching the school gate, Yu Zhou saw the "imposing" figure of the dean of students, his stern face. She breathed a sigh of relief, her wildly pounding heart slowly calming down. She entered the school gate without looking back again.
Grade 1, Class 7.
"Hello, Teacher Yu."
"Good morning, Teacher Cheng."
Student after student walked into the classroom, youthful and energetic, faces full of smiles.
Unsure when it started, Yu Qingtang could almost call out most people's names.
Tong Feifei, petite, skin not very fair, a natural healthy wheat color, a mouth like a little trumpet chattering all day.
Shen Ming, medium height, fair skin, delicate features, quiet personality, soft and gentle voice.
Xiao Qing, the boarding student with delicate features and excellent grades.
Most people had ordinary features, eyes not particularly large, nose bridges not particularly high, with a few freckles or pimples, varying heights and weights, yet they formed distinct differences in Yu Qingtang's mind.
Xing Bailu and He Shuangjiang came over holding hands. Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi beside her; Cheng Zhanxi curved her lips into a smile.
Yu Qingtang's gaze fell on the two of them.
This was the pair Cheng Zhanxi mentioned who were dating early in the class. Their heights weren't much different; Xing Bailu was slightly shorter, her cheeks a bit chubby, looking quite likable. He Shuangjiang had a colder personality, her features more angular. At this moment, she was looking at the girl beside her, her eyes smiling.
Honestly, Yu Qingtang couldn't see anything special. She felt it was quite normal. Shouldn't good friends smile? Or should they glare at each other like enemies?
Their hands were intertwined, fingers clasped. Hmm, similar to her and Cheng Zhanxi.
Walking all the way up to Cheng and Yu, they greeted, "Hello Teacher Yu, hello Teacher Cheng."
Yu Qingtang gave them a deep look and said, "Go inside."
The two immediately released their hands as if shocked by electricity, lowered their heads, and hurried inside, completely fleeing in disarray.
Yu Qingtang: "?"
Only then did she sense something unusual.
After the two entered the classroom, Cheng Zhanxi leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "Did you see anything?"
Yu Qingtang asked, "Why are they so afraid of holding hands in front of me?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Guilty conscience."
Yu Qingtang asked, "What thief?"
Cheng Zhanxi pretended to pull something from her own heart, met Yu Qingtang's questioning gaze, winked, and said, "Heart thieves."
Yu Qingtang let out a very soft laugh.
She took Cheng Zhanxi's hand, raised it to her shoulder level, then lifted her own hand, intertwined their fingers, her dark eyes clear, asking sincerely from the heart, "Is this... a very intimate gesture?"
Of course, it was a very intimate gesture. Every time Yu Qingtang proactively intertwined their fingers, Cheng Zhanxi's heart would beat very fast.
Cheng Zhanxi carefully considered her gentle reply, saying, "This is how couples hold hands."
Yu Qingtang's expression froze.
Did that mean she couldn't hold hands with Cheng Zhanxi like this anymore?
Cheng Zhanxi deliberately paused for two seconds, taking in her disappointment, and added, "Close good friends do this too, it's more common between girls."
Yu Qingtang's expression relaxed.
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "Why do you like holding hands with me like this?"
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment, "I don't know either, I just like it. What about you?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "I like it too."
Yu Qingtang lightly bit her lower lip and asked softly, "Do you hold hands like this with other good friends?"
Cheng Zhanxi moved closer again, almost touching her forehead and nose, lowered her voice, and said, "Only you."
Yu Qingtang: "Am I your best friend?"
Cheng Zhanxi didn't accept this "friend card," answering her in a different way, "Besides my family, you are the most important person to me."
Yu Qingtang looked at her, "You are the most important person to me in this world."
Cheng Zhanxi was stunned.
This...
Before she could think deeply, footsteps sounded nearby.
Lian Yabing and Li Lan appeared together.
Lian Yabing held a fist against her lips, as if struggling to endure something. Li Lan supported her arm, as if Lian Yabing would be unsteady otherwise.
Yu Qingtang released Cheng Zhanxi's intertwined fingers and said coolly, "Why aren't you going in?"
Lian Yabing was flushed with excitement, practically floating, her legs weak, leaning most of her weight on Li Lan, letting her support her as she walked over.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Do you two live close?" She hadn't seen them come to school together before.
Lian Yabing said, "Not close, but the monitor rode her bike past my complex entrance, so I came on her bike."
Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow.
The little girl was quite romantic. When the weather warmed up, she'd buy a bicycle too and give Yu Qingtang a ride to work.
The two went inside.
Yu Qingtang said, seemingly self-taught, "Did Li Lan wait for Lian Yabing specifically at her complex entrance?"
Cheng Zhanxi: "Mm-hmm." Didn't deny it.
Yu Qingtang: "I'll observe more."
They were under her nose every day; if there was really something going on, it was impossible for her not to see it.
6:55, Yu Zhou arrived, her lips a bit pale, her complexion not looking very good.
She greeted them and lowered her head as she went inside.
Two minutes later, Xiang Tianyou arrived. He had dawdled along the corridor, zipping up his jacket. He nodded to the two teachers at the door and slipped into the classroom.
Boys this age often have a bit of awkwardness.
None of the troublemakers were late. The morning reading bell rang. Yu Qingtang watched Yang Li enter the classroom and said, "Let's go back to the office."
Cheng Zhanxi scooped up her hand, tucked it into her own coat pocket. The two secretly intertwined their fingers inside, sweetness blossoming, unseen by anyone.
After the first period morning reading class ended, Yang Li returned from Class 7, routinely praising Cheng Zhanxi's fashion sense, from her coat to her pants, then her knee-high boots. Finally, noticing the pendant hanging in front of her, she said, "Teacher Cheng, what item is this? It's shiny and matches your sweater well."
Yu Qingtang's pen tip paused. She lifted her eyelids to look over, her expression unreadable.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "A silver whistle." She demonstrated by blowing it, "Does it sound nice?"
"Nice." Yang Li showed interest, saying, "It's quite unique. Where did you buy it? Can you send me a link?"
She reached out to touch it. Cheng Zhanxi sat back in her office chair, naturally avoiding her, smiling sweetly as she said:
"It's a birthday gift from Teacher Yu. I don't know where she bought it either."
Yang Li, having lived for forty years, tactfully didn't press further and even added praise, "No wonder it suits you so well, turns out Teacher Yu bought it." She glanced at Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang calmly met her gaze and nodded.
Although nothing explicit happened, Yang Li felt goosebumps rise, as if smelling the fragrance of public displays of affection (dog food).
Yang Li quickly ended the topic with "Teacher Yu has great taste" and returned to her desk, lest she choke on the sweetness.
After she returned to her seat, Cheng Zhanxi leisurely agreed, "I think so too."
Teacher Yu's face was almost buried in her lesson plan.
Ge Jing heard about it from Yang Li and specifically came over to ask about the silver whistle. Cheng Zhanxi patiently demonstrated again, asking, "Does it sound nice?"
Ge Jing beamed, "Nice." Not only nice-sounding, but also delicious. The CP is truly fragrant.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Teacher Yu gave it to me. See, not only can you wear it, but you can also blow it. It's very practical for my PE classes."
Ge Jing was envious and happy, "Teacher Yu is so thoughtful."
Cheng Zhanxi held the silver whistle, saying, "I think so too."
Teacher Yu's ears turned bright red.
The office air conditioning was on; it wasn't cold. Cheng Zhanxi draped her coat over the back of her chair, wearing only the black cashmere sweater underneath. The pure silver whistle reflected metallic silver light as she walked around the office, attracting attention. The female teachers saw her girlish thoughts and played along, smilingly asking about it. Cheng Zhanxi demonstrated and explained again and again.
Does it sound nice? Teacher Yu gave it to me. Good-looking and practical.
Cheng Zhanxi's lips remained curved in a smile the entire morning.
A certain female teacher entered. Cheng Zhanxi walked a circle in front of her.
Female teacher: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her throat, about to speak.
A female teacher behind her preemptively laughed, "Did you see the pendant Teacher Cheng is wearing? Teacher Yu gave it to her. It's not just a pendant, it's also a whistle, sounds really nice when blown. And Teacher Cheng can use it for PE class. It's really good-looking and practical. Everyone should learn from Teacher Yu when giving gifts in the future."
Everyone: "Hahahahahaha."
Cheng Zhanxi also laughed embarrassedly, holding the silver whistle in front of her.
As for Yu Qingtang, she had already taken the opportunity to pull open the office door and leave when the female teacher came in.
Grade 1, Class 7.
The homeroom teacher's face suddenly appeared outside the back door's glass.
Class 7 students: "!!!"
After a while, Yu Qingtang left.
During the break, the students, whose souls had scattered and then gathered again, patted their chests, "Scared me to death. What's wrong with Teacher Yu today? How many times has she come this morning? Has anyone counted?"
A student nearby spoke up, "Rough estimate, at least five times."
Someone raised their hand, "I counted, that was the seventh time just now!"
Li Lan looked towards Xiang Tianyou in the back row. Today's Xiang Tianyou was exceptionally well-behaved; not only did he not sleep in class, but he also seemed to be taking notes. It probably wasn't his fault.
Why was the homeroom teacher suddenly appearing so frequently? Was it a lack of humanity or a moral decline?
Class 7 students collectively shivered: Mom, I'm so scared.
Finally making it to the end of the morning, the dismissal bell rang. In the office, Yu Qingtang watched Cheng Zhanxi put on her coat, went forward to button it up for her. She was almost getting whistle PTSD; seeing it made her feel uncomfortable all over. Cheng Zhanxi lowered her head, looking at her focused expression, her eyes filled with tenderness like water.
Ge Jing quietly made herself disappear, not disturbing the perfect pair.
Yu Qingtang finished buttoning her coat. Cheng Zhanxi smoothly caught her hands, held them in front of herself, stroking the smooth, delicate backs of her hands, asking, "What does Teacher Yu want for lunch?"
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment, "Eat near the school gate?"
Cheng Zhanxi raised her eyebrows in surprise. She actually didn't say "Anything is fine"?
Cheng Zhanxi was overjoyed, saying, "Okay, let's go eat near the school gate then."
How could she know what Yu Qingtang was thinking: The cafeteria has so many people, the teachers' dining area will definitely have other teachers. Cheng Zhanxi's good connections weren't limited to this office. What if she showed off the whistle again, explaining this and that to other teachers? Yu Qingtang could only dig a hole on the spot and crawl in.
In short, outside school was safer.
Happily ate lunch, happily went home together. Cheng Zhanxi hummed songs all the way.
Yu Qingtang was infected by her good mood, her tone much lighter, "You like that whistle that much?"
Cheng Zhanxi replied without thinking, "I like the whistle, but I like you more."
Yu Qingtang suddenly stopped. Cheng Zhanxi, holding her hand, had her forward steps halted. She turned back to look at her, "What's wrong?"
A very bewildered expression appeared on Yu Qingtang's face.
She said, "I don't know."
A feeling like being shocked by electricity flowed through her heart, soft and throbbing, yet also a bit tingly and numb. This current spread from her heart throughout her body, making even her legs feel a bit weak.
Yu Qingtang said, "Let me rest for a bit."
Cheng Zhanxi waited patiently for her.
Yu Qingtang looked at her without speaking, but lifted her other, free hand.
Cheng Zhanxi understood and hugged her.
Warm body temperature enveloped her. Yu Qingtang's hand rested on the back of her head for the first time. This felt more like an actively initiated embrace between lovers, rather than childlike intimacy.
Yu Qingtang let out a sigh of satisfaction by Cheng Zhanxi's ear, one she herself wasn't even aware of.
Cheng Zhanxi's arms tightened around her.
At noon, she still napped at Cheng Zhanxi's place. Yu Qingtang came over holding her pillow, familiarly heading towards her sofa, but Cheng Zhanxi took her hand and led her to the study. This apartment, excluding the shared area, was 130 square meters. The three-bedroom space was ample. The study wasn't small. Cheng Zhanxi usually stayed in the studio, so its usage rate was low. A single bed was placed in the empty space, covered with neat, soft bedding.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
If this continued, she really wasn't far from moving into Cheng Zhanxi's home.
Yu Qingtang lay on the single bed, covered with a sun-scented blanket pulled up to her shoulders.
Cheng Zhanxi stood at the door, her hand by the light switch.
"Good afternoon." Yu Qingtang revealed her face from above the blanket, small and delicate.
"Good afternoon." Cheng Zhanxi smiled at her, turned off the study light, and gently closed the door.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes, heard footsteps outside the study, then the sound of the bedroom door closing. Her brows relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep peacefully.
The bed was much more comfortable than the sofa. The scent in her nostrils was fresh and pleasant. Yu Qingtang heard the alarm clock ring, reached out to turn it off, opened her eyes to darkness. The feeling beneath her was soft, the blanket so warm, making her reluctant to leave the bed.
For southerners, the winter bed was the hardest thing to part with.
Yu Qingtang snuggled deeper inside, hiding half her face, and closed her eyes again. She wasn't afraid of oversleeping; Cheng Zhanxi would definitely wake her up.
Knock knock knock—
Sure enough, after a few minutes, a knocking sound came from nearby.
"Teacher Yu, are you awake?"
"Awake." Yu Qingtang's voice was muffled, as if coming through a layer of blanket.
Cheng Zhanxi laughed, "May I come in?"
"Please come in."
Cheng Zhanxi pushed the door open and came in. Yu Qingtang was still nestled inside like a silkworm cocoon, her dark long hair clinging to her snow-white neck, contrasting with the light blue pajamas, warm and soft.
Cheng Zhanxi sat on the edge of the bed, her fingertips brushing the hair on her forehead, tucking the long strands behind her ear, asking gently, "Don't want to get up?"
Yu Qingtang hummed softly, her long lashes, her eyes like a fawn's, unconsciously releasing a pitiful and innocent aura.
Cheng Zhanxi checked her watch, "Then shall we stay in bed for another two minutes? There's still time."
Yu Qingtang immediately closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't help but chuckle. Afraid of waking her, her fingertips traced her brows and eyes from a distance.
Two minutes and fifty-nine seconds later, Cheng Zhanxi leaned close to her ear, gently calling her, "Yu Qingtang."
Yu Qingtang's breathing was even.
"Yu Tangtang?"
Yu Qingtang's lashes fluttered, her brow tightening slightly, as if fighting drowsiness.
Cheng Zhanxi watched her quietly for a while, her gaze soft. She stood up, went to the living room first, opened the main door, then returned to the study, lifted Yu Qingtang from the single bed, carried her all the way to the door of 2101, only then raising her voice to wake her.
Yu Qingtang had woken once when she was picked up. Recognizing it was her, she drifted back to sleep groggily.
Now she was still drowsy.
"Press the code."
Yu Qingtang reached for the keypad lock. Cheng Zhanxi averted her eyes.
Beep—
The indicator light lit up, the main door opened.
Cheng Zhanxi placed her at the entryway door, gently instructing, "Good girl, go change clothes. Don't wear the trench coat, it's cold lately, wear something thicker."
Yu Qingtang extended her hands. Cheng Zhanxi hugged her.
"Go on, I'll wait here for you."
An impulse drove her, emotion temporarily overriding reason. Yu Qingtang blurted out, "Come in and wait." Afterwards, complex emotions like annoyance flashed in her eyes. She pursed her thin lips, then added in a lower voice, "If you don't mind not having slippers."
"Of course not!" Cheng Zhanxi immediately said.
She tried hard to restrain herself, not jumping straight in, but walking steadily into the entryway step by step.
Yu Qingtang made way.
Cheng Zhanxi entered the living room. Before Yu Qingtang could offer pleasantries, she said, "No need to pour water, I'll just wait here. Any more delay and we'll be late."
Yu Qingtang nodded to her and walked into the bedroom.
Cheng Zhanxi moved around the living room, but didn't sit down, instead measuring the living room, which had the same layout as her own, step by step. It looked empty from the outside, she knew that. Walking in, she found it even emptier, almost no details proving it was a lived-in living room.
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze swept across the snow-white walls, suddenly pausing slightly.
She walked forward, staring at a long nail embedded in the wall. Nails in living room walls are usually for hanging pictures. Cheng Zhanxi searched around the nail and found a straight mark different in color from the normal wall. It was basically certain a picture had hung here before, and the frame must have been heavy, otherwise such a new house wouldn't have such a mark.
What picture did she hang? Where was that picture now? Why wasn't the nail removed?
Yu Qingtang came out of the bedroom. Cheng Zhanxi sat properly on the sofa, hands resting neatly on her knees. Yu Qingtang had changed into a dark gray coat. The clothes were thick, making her look even more petite, even though she was only a few centimeters shorter than her. Cheng Zhanxi always felt an urge to hug her and hide her away, unrelated to desire, just a possessiveness stemming from the heart.
Yu Qingtang looked at her deep, dark eyes and said, "Shall we go?"
Cheng Zhanxi stood up, "Let's go."
Before leaving, Cheng Zhanxi glanced back at the long nail, asking casually, "Did Teacher Yu have a picture in the living room before?"
Yu Qingtang's hand, holding the doorknob, paused. "Yes," she said.
"Why was it taken down?"
"I hung it in the bedroom."
"Do you like that painting very much?"
"Mm." Yu Qingtang closed the main door.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled and didn't continue the conversation.
Seventeen or eighteen vats of vinegar overturned in her heart simultaneously. Didn't Yu Qingtang say she was just so-so about paintings? Which painter was it? What virtue or ability did he/she possess to enter Yu Qingtang's bedroom? Her own paintings hadn't even gotten in! She wouldn't even take them for free! This painter had better still be alive; when she had time, she'd personally go meet them and see who this sacred figure was!
Cheng Zhanxi turned her face away. From an angle Yu Qingtang couldn't see, the corners of her mouth turned down.
Yu Qingtang tugged at her sleeve.
Cheng Zhanxi took a deep breath, turned back, her expression normal as she asked, "What's wrong?"
"The elevator is here."
Cheng Zhanxi took Yu Qingtang's hand and walked in, naturally slipping her fingers between hers, intertwining them.
She stood in the descending elevator, smiling as she watched the constantly changing numbers, telling herself again and again: Don't be angry, don't be angry, it's just a painting.
Ding—
The elevator descended to the first floor. The two walked out. Cheng Zhanxi's face was tense.
What to do? Still so angry!
The young lady receptionist on the first floor was startled.
Why were the two reversed today?
She even forgot to greet them. Yu Qingtang proactively nodded to her, only then did she say, "Good afternoon, you two."
Cheng Zhanxi nodded.
No matter how slow Yu Qingtang was, she noticed Cheng Zhanxi's mood was off. She watched her as they walked. Cheng Zhanxi kept her head down, looking at the ground, seeming angry, yet also wronged.
"What's wrong with you?" She proactively stopped and asked.
Cheng Zhanxi lifted her slightly red-rimmed eyes, the wronged tone in her voice even stronger, "Whose painting is hanging in your bedroom?"
Yu Qingtang had a premonition that if she didn't tell her, she might cry. For a woman who could be scared to tears just by hearing the name of a horror movie, not challenging her tear threshold was the correct choice.
Yu Qingtang sighed imperceptibly and said, "Yours."
Cheng Zhanxi widened her eyes in disbelief.
Yu Qingtang repeated, "Your painting, 'Blizzard'."
Cheng Zhanxi's tears still fell. She choked slightly, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Made me angry for so long..."
Yu Qingtang thought inwardly: How would I know you'd get angry over something like this?
But she didn't speak, just used her hand to wipe away Cheng Zhanxi's tears, her heart filled with even more tenderness, "I was wrong, don't cry, your makeup will smudge."
Cheng Zhanxi sobbed, "I'm wearing waterproof makeup."
As soon as these words came out, both of them laughed.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't cry anymore, feeling a bit of belated embarrassment, her ears turning red.
Yu Qingtang touched her soft ear.
Composing their emotions, the two set off together again.
So her "Blizzard" had been bought by Yu Qingtang. Cheng Zhanxi increasingly felt a sense of destiny. No matter how many coincidences, as long as they involved Yu Qingtang, she could accept them. This was the red thread Yue Lao had firmly tied around them.
Why did she put "Blizzard" in her bedroom? Did she want to look at it even while sleeping, or did she simply not want her to see it?
After the small misunderstanding, Cheng Zhanxi began pondering this matter.
Second period in the afternoon, Class 7 PE class.
Cheng Zhanxi arrived early at the field. The kids in that class were also very enthusiastic. Just as the preparatory bell rang, almost everyone had arrived, chatting happily in groups of three or five. Some girls even surrounded Cheng Zhanxi, chattering and gossiping. Cheng Zhanxi was young, her mindset even younger; she had no generation gap chatting with them.
The class bell rang. Cheng Zhanxi picked up her whistle.
"Tweet—!"
The students, who had been lazy and scattered just moments before, heard the whistle, assembled, lined up, backs straight.
Cheng Zhanxi used the standard school-issued whistle. The silver whistle Yu Qingtang gave her was so precious, how could she blow it casually?
At the same time, she hung the whistle Yu Qingtang gave her around her neck. Like this morning, her coat wasn't buttoned, the silver whistle resting against the black sweater underneath, very conspicuous.
She taught half the PE class, walked proudly past the students over a dozen times, yet surprisingly, not a single person noticed the mystery on her.
Teacher Cheng was very disappointed.
Cheng Zhanxi specifically chose an angle facing the students, picked up the silver whistle hanging from her collar, and blew it once.
"Tweet—!"
The sound was brighter, crisper.
Tong Feifei looked over upon hearing the sound. Her mouth moved.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at her expectantly.
Tong Feifei indeed didn't disappoint Cheng Zhanxi's expectations. She let out a "Wow," and said, "Teacher Cheng, the thing hanging on your chest is actually a whistle too."
Cheng Zhanxi showed the whistle to everyone, "Does it look good?"
Everyone liked her very much, their eyes sparkling as they praised, "Good-looking—"
"Does it sound nice?"
"Nice-sounding—"
Cheng Zhanxi smiled slightly, "Teacher Yu gave it to me."
Author's note:
Cheng "Wife-Flaunting Maniac" Zhanxi: The whistle looks good, right? You don't have one. I have a wife, you don't have one either, Xixi hehehehehe
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