After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Cheng Zhanxi's chosen destination was Qingzi Peak, a few hours' drive away.
Qingzi Peak was higher in altitude than Xiufeng in the Sicheng suburbs; by comparison, Xiufeng was merely a hill slightly taller than an earthen mound. Due to the greater distance, most students in the class had never been there. Qingzi Peak had high terrain, its summit often shrouded in clouds and mist, with lush pine trees and vegetation covering the mountainside, offering beautiful scenery.
The academic workload in the second semester of the first year of high school had increased significantly compared to the first semester. The pressure of the arts and science stream division in the latter half of the year had made the students of Class Seven as taut as a string; they truly needed a spring outing to relax.
The students were highly enthusiastic, and a cacophony of chatter filled the bus from the moment they boarded, never ceasing.
Cheng Zhanxi placed her backpack on her lap and took out an insulated bento box and a stainless steel cutlery case.
The bento box contained tuna sushi, egg rolls, pan-fried sausages, and fried spring rolls, all appealing in color and taste.
Cheng Zhanxi picked up a fried spring roll with her chopsticks, cupped her hand beneath it, and brought it to Yu Qingtang's lips. Yu Qingtang took a gentle bite, and some crumbs fell onto Cheng Zhanxi's fair palm. She whispered, somewhat embarrassed, "I can do it myself."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled and handed the chopsticks to her.
Neither of them had eaten breakfast. Yu Qingtang picked up the remaining half, intending to feed it to Cheng Zhanxi. Just as she thought it inappropriate to make her eat her leftovers, Cheng Zhanxi had already lowered her head and bitten the tip of the chopsticks, her long eyelashes appearing exceptionally thick. Yu Qingtang was momentarily stunned. Then, Yu Qingtang's wrist, holding the chopsticks, was guided forward. Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head up, ate the entire spring roll, and smiled at her.
The bus, which had been buzzing with lively conversation, suddenly fell silent.
Lian Yabing: "Hic."
The other students all looked at her, secretly giving a thumbs-up below.
Cheng Zhanxi remained perfectly composed, even glancing back at everyone and asking kindly, "Are you hungry? I have more snacks here."
The students shook their heads in unison, "No! We're not hungry!"
The other person involved, Yu Qingtang, was so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head.
Cheng Zhanxi gestured downwards with her hand and said, "Give your homeroom teacher some face."
Everyone obligingly resumed the lively atmosphere of conversation, as if nothing had happened.
Cheng Zhanxi turned back and said softly to Yu Qingtang, "Alright, you can continue eating now."
Yu Qingtang glanced up at her, or more accurately, stared at the area of her chest, looking like she desperately wanted to bury her face in her embrace. After a moment's thought, she restrained herself. If she really made such a gesture in front of the entire class, she wouldn't have a shred of dignity left.
Cheng Zhanxi took out two disposable gloves, and she and Yu Qingtang ate the hand-rolled sushi together. Yu Qingtang ate in small, delicate bites, making no sound at all.
Xing Bailu glanced at He Shuangjiang, who had just withdrawn her envious gaze.
Is this the world of adults?
I really want to grow up quickly, together with the person beside me.
Lian Yabing was ecstatically 'shipping' them, oblivious to the class monitor beside her whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
Li Lan was tutoring Lian Yabing in English. The two had been inseparable since the middle of the last semester, and everyone consciously left the empty seat next to Lian Yabing free, not daring to take the class monitor's spot.
The sounds from the back of the bus drifted in and out, and the scenery outside the window continuously receded.
The students, tired from their boisterousness, slumped over and fell asleep, some boys starting to snore.
Cheng Zhanxi placed her bag at her feet, cupped Yu Qingtang's face, and let the woman's head rest on her shoulder.
On the smoothly moving bus, Yu Qingtang soon fell asleep. Cheng Zhanxi held her hand, lowered her head, and also drifted off into a drowsy sleep.
Green mountains and clear waters flanked them. Waking up midway, occasionally opening their eyes to a slit, was a refreshing and delightful experience.
As they neared their destination, the bus grew noisy again. Students pointed with curious eyes at the lush green rice seedlings in the distant paddy fields, discussing animatedly. Some students brought up geography facts, like "rice in the south, wheat in the north," the Qinling-Huaihe Line, global climate distribution, what defined the boundaries, and major crop types. The history class representative also joined the discussion, only to be exasperatedly shot down by other overwhelmed students.
"We're out here to have fun, I don't want to study anymore—"
"This is called edutainment."
"The moment you start teaching, I'm not happy anymore."
"Hahahahahaha."
Eventually, they split into two camps: those who wanted to study continued studying, while those who just wanted to have fun sang in the bus. Later, only the youthful songs filled the entire bus, drifting out into the open fields, carrying far into the distance.
The popular songs from Cheng Zhanxi's era had become relics of a bygone time. She and Yu Qingtang clapped along to the beat for them.
The bus driver, an older man, glanced at the lively scene in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but smile.
The sound of brake pads rubbing against rubber was heard. After the bus came to a steady halt, the students disembarked in an orderly fashion. Yu Qingtang counted heads outside the bus, while Cheng Zhanxi remained inside, overseeing things. She was the last to get off, exchanging a smile with Yu Qingtang, who was looking up at her from outside the bus door.
What's a spring outing with fifty students like?
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang hadn't yet experienced it, but other tourists already had. A large group of teenagers, a swarming mass, made everyone steer clear of their path, like an unstoppable force.
Xiang Tianyou—the brightest star in the crowd—turned back and waved at them, his smile radiant, his teeth snow-white.
"Teacher Yu, Teacher Cheng, hurry up and follow!"
The tourists all turned their gazes in unison towards Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, who were behind.
Cheng Zhanxi & Yu Qingtang: "..."
An old lady, who perhaps hadn't heard the "teacher" part, struck up a conversation, "What kind of group is this? That young man is handsome, oh my."
Cheng Zhanxi complimented, "You're very beautiful too."
The old lady said, "Can I join this group? Are you the tour guide?"
The old lady's daughter, standing beside her, tugged at her arm. The old lady became displeased, "I'm at this age, what's wrong with looking at a good-looking young person?" She turned back to Cheng Zhanxi with a smile, "The young lady is quite pretty too. Is being a tour guide hard work? Leading so many people."
The old lady's daughter lowered her voice and said, "Mom, they're teachers."
The old lady's gaze towards Cheng Zhanxi took on a peculiar glint. "Oh, a teacher! Hello, teacher. A teacher as pretty as you, do you have a partner?"
Yu Qingtang was feeling jealous that Cheng Zhanxi was chatting with the old lady and ignoring her. Suddenly, Cheng Zhanxi pulled her over by the arm, and she found herself standing in front of the old lady.
Yu Qingtang and the old lady stared at each other, wide-eyed.
Cheng Zhanxi said with a grin, "Yes, I do. This is my girlfriend. She's also a teacher."
The old lady and Yu Qingtang stared at each other wide-eyed again, somehow creating an atmosphere akin to meeting the parents.
Yu Qingtang's ears turned red. She managed to force out a, "Hello."
Cheng Zhanxi burst out laughing, and suddenly, the soft flesh on her lower back was pinched by two fingers.
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her throat, suppressed her laughter, and said, "Do you think we're a good match?"
The old lady carefully examined the beautiful pair before her and nodded repeatedly, "A good match, a good match."
The old lady's daughter pulled her away. Cheng Zhanxi's arm around Yu Qingtang's waist didn't loosen; instead, it tightened. She lowered her head and smiled, "She said we're a good match, did you hear?"
Yu Qingtang was shy and didn't speak.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "We are a match made in heaven, the most perfect pair."
She released Yu Qingtang's waist, took her hand that was hanging by her side, intertwined their fingers, and caught up with the student group ahead.
They moved through the crowd, walking under the sunlight. Nearby tourists occasionally cast various glances at them—astonishment, envy, blessings. Yu Qingtang slowly lifted her head, her shoulders relaxed. She tilted her head to look at Cheng Zhanxi's gentle profile, then looked down at their intertwined hands, which had not let go.
A slight pressure came from their knuckles. Yu Qingtang's knuckles tightened, holding her hand firmly.
The curve of Cheng Zhanxi's lips deepened noticeably.
Li Lan, who had done thorough preparatory work, directly led the famished students to a place to eat, instantly packing the restaurant to overflowing.
Li Lan assisted Yu Qingtang in arranging the seating, then ordered the food. The kitchen was bustling with activity, and the waiters hurried around with teapots.
Passing tourists, seeing so many people inside, followed the crowd and came in.
A queue formed at the entrance for waiting numbers. It wasn't peak tourist season, and Qingzi Peak wasn't a famous attraction, so this restaurant suddenly became very conspicuous on the street.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled at the proprietress, who was personally serving dishes due to being short-staffed, "Proprietress, we've brought you so much business, shouldn't you give us a discount?"
She was beautiful and spoke pleasantly. In the time it took for her to serve a few dishes back and forth, she had already made the proprietress laugh heartily. The proprietress readily agreed, "Alright, I'll give you a 5% discount."
"There are so many of us."
"You know there are so many of you. A 5% discount is quite a bit."
"Proprietress~"
"10% discount, no less." The proprietress put down the dish and gave her a playful glare. "I still have to serve other tables. I'm not chatting with you anymore; if we talk more, I'll end up giving it to you for free."
The beauty, nurtured by the water towns of Jiangnan, still possessed her charm, and walked away with a sway of her hips.
The students at the same table were overjoyed. Cheng Zhanxi was also smiling, when suddenly a low pressure enveloped her side.
Cheng Zhanxi's smile froze slightly. She leaned closer, swallowed, and explained to Yu Qingtang in a low voice, "Um... I was mainly trying to save money."
Her previously confident expression instantly deflated, perfectly portraying a henpecked wife.
The students laughed so hard they slapped the table.
Other tables heard the commotion and, not knowing what was happening, sent someone over to inquire. The student relaying the message embellished the story, turning it into: Teacher Cheng glanced at the proprietress one too many times, and Teacher Yu got so full from jealousy that she couldn't eat anymore.
The students clicked their tongues, thinking: Teacher Yu is still more formidable.
When settling the bill, they got a 12% discount. The proprietress said that next time Cheng Zhanxi came, it would be on the house, provided she only brought her girlfriend.
The girlfriend beside her blushed.
There was shyness, and also shame.
They started climbing the mountain at two in the afternoon. Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi, as usual, walked at the back of the group. Yu Qingtang nudged Cheng Zhanxi's pinky finger. Cheng Zhanxi cooperatively slowed down and turned back, "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang climbed the steps one by one, saying in a low voice, "Do you think I'm..."
The last few words were too soft, so Cheng Zhanxi asked again what she had said.
Yu Qingtang said, "...being unreasonable."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "Why do you say that? Because of the proprietress?"
Yu Qingtang nodded. Cheng Zhanxi gently pinched her nose; it didn't hurt. Yu Qingtang looked at her.
Cheng Zhanxi answered seriously, "No, I only feel your affection for me. Besides, you didn't make a big fuss, and you even reflected on yourself. If this is called being unreasonable, then there are no reasonable people in the world."
Yu Qingtang felt a sense of helplessness, the corners of her lips turning up slightly. "You always have a way of persuading me with reason."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Because I am a reasonable person."
Yu Qingtang smiled.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned her right cheek closer to her and said in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Does a reasonable person get any reward?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at the tourists to their left and right, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Not now."
"Then later is okay?"
"...Mm." Yu Qingtang's voice was almost inaudible.
"When we reach the summit, is it okay?"
Yu Qingtang made a gesture as if to shake off her hand, but she didn't really do it. Their hands were clasped tightly, the kind that couldn't be pried apart. Cheng Zhanxi knew when to stop, swung their joined hands, and strode forward with renewed vigor, "Quick, quick, let's get to the summit quickly."
Yu Qingtang also felt a secret sense of urgency.
This morning, Cheng Zhanxi hadn't kissed her deeply either. From last night until now, more than 12 hours had passed without a kiss.
Unfortunately, Yu Qingtang was willing but lacked the strength.
She fell further and further behind the student group ahead, until even the last student was out of sight. Li Lan called. Yu Qingtang took out her phone, leaning against Cheng Zhanxi, panting.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Let me take it."
Yu Qingtang handed her the phone.
Li Lan: "Teacher Yu, where have you gone?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "We're buying something."
Li Lan: "Teacher Cheng?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "It's me. Keep an eye on the students, stay in touch. We might be a bit late getting up there."
They couldn't let the students accommodate Yu Qingtang's stamina.
Li Lan: "...Alright."
She hung up the phone and said to a class committee member in front of her, "Those two are buying something halfway up the mountain. They said we should go on ahead."
The class committee member said, "Then let's go ahead and wait for them at the summit."
They were all grown up, not elementary school students. They could look out for each other and didn't need teachers watching over them.
Li Lan put away her phone, glanced back towards the way they had come up the mountainside, and said, "Okay."
The mountain wind lifted Yu Qingtang's long hair. She rose from the resting stone, having just caught her breath.
Cheng Zhanxi felt sorry for her and suggested, "How about I carry you up on my back?"
"There are too many people." Yu Qingtang shook her head, tightening the cap on the mineral water bottle in her hand.
Cheng Zhanxi could only lead her up to the summit step by step. She had considered everything carefully, but she had overestimated Yu Qingtang's stamina. No, Yu Qingtang had no stamina to speak of.
At half-past five in the evening, Li Lan called to say they had arrived.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
By now, apart from those staying at the mountaintop hotel, all other tourists had descended. There was hardly anyone climbing up.
A cool breeze was blowing. Cheng Zhanxi's fair fingertips hooked a strand of Yu Qingtang's hair and tucked it behind her ear, then she gently suggested again, "Shall I carry you up?"
Yu Qingtang was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Give me the bag."
Yu Qingtang put on Cheng Zhanxi's backpack, looked at the slender yet sturdy back in front of her, and slowly leaned onto it.
Cheng Zhanxi straightened up, standing steadily.
Yu Qingtang's heart tightened, and she wrapped her arms firmly around her neck.
"Are you really on my back? Why can't I feel any weight?" Cheng Zhanxi spouted nonsense with a straight face.
"Don't talk nonsense," Yu Qingtang's voice was soft and gentle.
"How is this nonsense?" Cheng Zhanxi started walking with ease. "I really can't feel it. Could it be that you're a fairy from heaven? Deliberately hiding it from me. Yes, you must be a fairy, otherwise how could you be so wonderful."
Yu Qingtang pressed her face against the nape of her neck, her ears feeling warm.
Cheng Zhanxi wasn't as relaxed as she appeared. Carrying an adult woman, especially up steps, even with her good stamina, wasn't effortless. After Yu Qingtang stopped talking, she also remained silent to conserve energy.
Carrying a person uphill was naturally not fast. They rested twice on the way, but it was still much faster than if Yu Qingtang had climbed herself. An hour later, they finally reached the summit.
It was completely dark by then. Cheng Zhanxi put Yu Qingtang down not far from the hotel, so the students wouldn't see a scene that might damage their homeroom teacher's dignity.
They walked towards the hotel. Li Lan was waiting in the ground floor lobby and went to the front desk with them.
A couple was at the front desk trying to rent a camping spot. The receptionist politely informed them that it had already been fully booked by someone and suggested they try other hotels.
The man in the couple said, "I just came by and saw your site was clearly empty!"
The receptionist still said, "I'm sorry."
Cheng Zhanxi stepped forward and said the same thing. The receptionist's attitude was completely different, smiling sweetly and saying, "Okay, please wait a moment."
The male tourist pointed at Cheng Zhanxi, displeased, "Why can she? Are you discriminating based on appearance?"
The receptionist said, "It was this young lady who booked it all."
Cheng Zhanxi turned around and nodded politely.
The male tourist had intended to say a couple of rude things, but after seeing Cheng Zhanxi's face clearly, he was at a loss for words, momentarily captivated.
His girlfriend forcefully flung off their clasped hands and turned to leave.
The man hurriedly chased after her.
"Honey, listen to me, I just wanted to ask if she could spare a spot for us. Wait for me, she's really not as good-looking as you..."
The receptionist couldn't help but chuckle.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang averted their gazes. While processing Cheng Zhanxi's check-in, the receptionist said, "Our hotel's camping site is the best. It's open, with an excellent view. It's covered with young grass, flat and soft, offering the most comfortable camping experience. A stream passes nearby with very clear water, suitable for direct drinking. We also have a water supply system..."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "I know, otherwise I wouldn't have chosen your place."
The receptionist handed back her ID card with both hands and said, "To the right of the camping site, there's a small path leading to an apricot blossom grove. It's currently the apricot blossom season. If you two are free tomorrow, you can go appreciate the flowers. There aren't many people in the morning, and the air is very fresh."
She glanced at the two people in front of her, who were clearly a couple, and smiled, pursing her lips.
Cheng Zhanxi took the ID card, her lips curving into a light smile, "Thank you."
After leaving the hotel and heading to the camping site, Yu Qingtang finally spoke, her expression complicated, "You booked the entire site?"
Cheng Zhanxi nodded, "Yes."
Yu Qingtang looked at her disapprovingly, "How much would that cost? We don't need such a large site."
"I know you want to save money for me." Cheng Zhanxi placed both hands on Yu Qingtang's shoulders. Yu Qingtang struggled only infinitesimally before letting her hold them, looking into her gentle, tea-colored eyes, and tacitly acknowledging her words.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "It's our first spring outing with the students. I want everyone to be comfortable and not be disturbed by strangers. Besides, there are so many girls in our class; it's safer with just classmates around than with outsiders."
Yu Qingtang lowered her head and admitted her mistake, "I didn't consider it thoroughly."
Cheng Zhanxi stroked her long hair.
Li Lan let out a sigh in her heart that was almost tangible.
She waited quietly for a little longer, then said, "Teacher Yu, we should get going. The students have been waiting for a long time."
The campsite was in an open area on the mountaintop. The hotel provided outdoor tents, sleeping bags, as well as barbecue grills and racks.
After collecting all the items, the boys were responsible for setting up the tents, while the girls sorted the food they had brought and methodically started the fire for an open-air barbecue.
Cheng Zhanxi had outdoor experience and helped out with the boys. Yu Qingtang kept an eye on the barbecue on the other side, occasionally glancing towards Cheng Zhanxi, who was under the campsite's floodlights. Cheng Zhanxi was wearing white casual clothes, squatting among a group of boys, very conspicuous.
After eating, drinking, playing, and making merry, the food and drinks were all gone. Just past eleven o'clock, the students gradually crawled into their tents.
The campsite floodlights were turned off. Moonlight soaked the tender green, grass-covered ground.
The world suddenly fell silent, and the chirping of insects rose from the grass.
Cheng Zhanxi led Yu Qingtang to sit in an open space at the very front, supporting herself with her hands behind her, looking up at the star-filled sky.
The starry sky and the open wilderness were two things that most easily allowed people to relax.
Yu Qingtang was still not quite used to this kind of atmosphere. She glanced back at the tents behind them, zippers tightly closed, completely silent. Her voice unconsciously softened, "Are they all asleep?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Probably."
"Didn't they say they wanted to watch the stars?"
"They study too hard usually, so they can't stay up late when the time comes."
Is that so?
A flicker of suspicion crossed Yu Qingtang's mind.
But she believed whatever Cheng Zhanxi said, so she suppressed her doubt. Well then... let's watch the stars.
She tilted her head up.
The stars twinkled kindly at her.
When Yu Qingtang was little and had nothing to do, she would watch ants on the ground, and also look at the starry sky above, wondering: which star would her mother be? Would she be quietly watching her from the sky, just like in the stories?
Would she miss her too? Would she be thinking about whether she was growing up safely and healthily?
Later, she gradually stopped looking. Stars were just celestial bodies billions of light-years away; the light she saw might be hundreds of years old. People needed a bit of romance and fantasy to live, but Yu Qingtang had none.
Yu Qingtang shifted her gaze from the brightest star and lowered her eyelids.
The higher one is, the closer one feels to the sky. Cheng Zhanxi looked at the vast, sea-like expanse of stars, feeling as if they weren't hanging in the sky, but rather as if she was draped in a splendid Milky Way, immersed in an endless sea of stars.
"Do you believe that people turn into stars after they die?" She heard Yu Qingtang's very soft voice by her ear.
"I believe so," Cheng Zhanxi replied in the same volume, without turning her face.
A long silence.
Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head to look at her. Yu Qingtang was hugging her knees, no longer looking at the starry sky, but at the grass.
Cheng Zhanxi brought her supporting hand back from the ground and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang said in a low voice, "If the child on earth is one she doesn't like, would she still appear in the sky?"
A child she doesn't like?
Was she talking about herself?
Cheng Zhanxi was very surprised, a dull ache spreading in her chest. She said softly, "How could you be a child she doesn't like? If your mother could see you, she would definitely be very happy."
"Is that so?" Yu Qingtang's voice was unusually calm. She looked down at the wild grass by her hand and plucked a blade. "Then why do they all hate me?"
"Who are 'they'?"
"Grandparents, maternal grandparents, and... him." The man who was nominally her father.
Yu Qingtang took a deep breath and said before Cheng Zhanxi could speak, "You don't need to comfort me, and please don't. I'm already used to it. I just occasionally wonder, I never wanted to be born into this world, nor did I want to take my mother's life. They insisted on bringing me into existence. What is the purpose of my life?"
Yu Qingtang gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Don't you find it absurd? Not a single person looked forward to my arrival."
"I did."
Yu Qingtang turned her face and looked at her, devoid of any emotion.
Cheng Zhanxi looked into her eyes and repeated earnestly, "I did."
A thin layer of mist formed in Yu Qingtang's dark jade eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "The world looked forward to it too. The sky wants you to see its color, the earth wants you to see how vast she is, the trees want you to see how they grow, the rivers want you to see how they flow, the flowers want you to smell their fragrance, the birds want you to hear their songs, and these insects in the grass, they are all greeting you. Listen carefully, close your eyes."
Yu Qingtang's long lashes drooped, her eyelids closed, and she tilted her head to listen.
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "Did you hear it?"
Yu Qingtang said softly, "I heard it."
Cheng Zhanxi said gently, "They are saying: Welcome, Yu Qingtang. Welcome to this beautiful world."
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes and smiled through her tears.
The chirping of insects grew louder, drowning out the soft sound of tent zippers being pulled at the campsite.
In the moonlight, one figure after another emerged from the tents, agile and light, making no sound, silently proceeding according to plan.
Yu Qingtang kept her eyes closed for a long time. When she opened them again, she had calmed down considerably.
She let out a long breath, relaxed her brow towards Cheng Zhanxi, and smiled.
Cheng Zhanxi restrained herself from letting her peripheral vision drift behind Yu Qingtang. She reached out, tucked a stray strand of Yu Qingtang's long hair behind her ear, and said softly, "I have something to tell you."
Yu Qingtang looked pleased and was still smiling, "What is it?"
Cheng Zhanxi gazed at her tenderly and said, "Happy birthday."
Yu Qingtang's eyes widened abruptly.
This phrase was too distant for her; she hadn't reacted as a normal person would for a long time.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at her and smiled, enunciating clearly as she said again, "Happy birthday, Yu Qingtang."
Yu Qingtang's dull eyes finally moved. At the same time, realizing something, she turned her head to look back.
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