After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Cheng Zhanxi's heart tightened. “No time” meant…
“Uncle Wei has a terminal illness?”
Song Qingrou took the warm water her husband handed her and silently acknowledged it.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart sank.
Previously, her mother had been troubled by this child betrothal. Instead of directly refusing, she had asked Cheng Zhanxi to meet Miss Wei in her brother's place. This was because Mrs. Wei had passed away, and in a way, it was her dying wish. Now, with Wei Tingyu also… it was like the dying wish of two people.
Song Qingrou was soft-hearted, and out of basic morality, she couldn't firmly reject this marriage.
Cheng Zhanxi thought of something and asked, puzzled, “What about Miss Wei's own opinion? She hasn't met me or my brother, right? Does it not matter to her who she marries?” She was, after all, a young lady from a prominent family. How could she be so indifferent about the person she would spend the rest of her life with?
Song Qingrou took a sip of water, shook her head, and sighed, “She's an orphan girl who lost her mother at a young age and whose father is also about to pass away. What right does she have to choose?”
Cheng Zhanxi didn't understand.
She had dedicated herself to painting and didn't understand the intricate dealings within the wealthy and influential families of the Capital City.
Cheng Yi calmly explained to her: The Wei family was different from the Cheng family. The Wei family had four sons, numerous descendants, and a traditional, feudal family structure. All power was firmly held in Old Master Wei's hands. Except for the third son, Wei Tingyu, everyone else coveted the Wei family's assets. Old Master Wei wasn't even dead yet, and they were probably already scheming for his inheritance.
After Yu Ci's death, Wei Tingyu hadn't remarried. He had few descendants, only one daughter. The other branches of the family, however, had flourished and established deep roots. Once Wei Tingyu died, the fate of his only daughter was predictable.
It sounded complicated with many people involved, but it boiled down to one phrase: fighting for the family inheritance.
People don't get up early if there's no profit. The Wei family's Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, and Fourth Uncle were eager to marry Miss Wei off, also for the share of the family assets she held.
Although a daughter married out wouldn't be left with absolutely no assets, there was a big difference between a Miss Wei living in the Wei family home and a Mrs. X living in someone else's house. Wei Tingyu was dying, and his brothers, disregarding their fraternal bonds, had bared their fangs, ready to devour the third branch's entire legacy, leaving them with no heir!
Old Master Wei doted on the uncontentious Wei Tingyu so much; if his share were to be divided among the other three, it would be a very substantial amount for each of them.
Miss Wei, having lost both parents and not being valued by Old Master Wei, would become like meat on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.
Wei Tingyu was not only seeking happiness for his daughter's future but also looking for a strong backer for her, someone who could ensure she could live safely without worrying about the covetous eyes of the Wei family members.
Wei Tingyu had been a recluse for many years, and his friendships had faded, including his connection with the Cheng family. But coincidentally, their two families had a marriage agreement. Although it was half in jest, for Wei Tingyu, it was like grasping at a life-saving straw. Moreover, the Cheng family had a widespread reputation and an upright family tradition; they were the only family he could trust now.
If it were anyone else, there was no guarantee they wouldn't collude with the other three branches of the Wei family or use Miss Wei as a tool in their power struggle. The Wei family was too large; who wouldn't be tempted?
After listening, Cheng Zhanxi remained silent for a long time before sighing heavily.
“No wonder…”
So all of this was simply a father's love for his daughter. Even the slightest chance, he had to grasp it tightly and not let go.
Cheng Zhanxi sighed again, “Miss Wei is also a pitiful person.”
Song Qingrou dabbed her slightly red eyes with a silk handkerchief and said, “Who could say she isn't?”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “If I had known earlier…”
A thought surfaced in her mind, but she immediately dismissed it.
She had Yu Qingtang now. How could she let her sympathy overflow and think that if she had known earlier how pitiful Miss Wei was, perhaps she wouldn't have fled the marriage? At least she could have met her; what if they had gotten along?
But things had come to this point. Letting such a thought linger in her mind for even a second would be disloyal to Yu Qingtang. So the thought didn't even last half a second.
In fact, Wei Tingyu had revealed all this during his last personal visit. Back in March of last year, when Cheng Zhanxi fled the marriage, the Cheng family hadn't known so many inside details.
The atmosphere in the living room became very solemn for a moment, and no one spoke.
A life, a woman's entire future. Although it wasn't directly related to their Cheng family, and they had no obligation to bear the responsibility, these matters still weighed heavily on the hearts of the Cheng family members. A family that could raise someone with Cheng Zhanxi's character naturally consisted of kind and soft-hearted individuals.
Cheng Yuanxi lowered his gaze to the teapot on the coffee table for a long time, his lips moved, breaking the silence in the living room.
“I will marry Miss Wei.”
All three of them looked at him.
Song Qingrou's eyes reddened as she blamed herself, “You don't need to sacrifice your lifelong happiness. It's all Mom's fault…”
Cheng Yi, with a stern expression, disagreed, “This isn't a matter of sacrifice or not. The issue is that you don't like women. What would you marry her for? To make her live like a widow? Our Cheng family wouldn't do such a thing.”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “I agree with Dad. Unless you're bisexual.”
Cheng Yuanxi raised his eyes and said, “I never said I would spend my life with Miss Wei. Uncle Wei wants a support for her, so we'll provide that support. How long can the Wei family members covet Miss Wei? Three years? Or five? As long as we help her through this crisis, we can divorce. When the dust settles, Mom can take Miss Wei as her goddaughter, and she can continue to be protected by the Cheng family, so she won't be alone.”
Song Qingrou's eyes lit up.
“Good! This is good!”
Not only did it achieve Wei Tingyu's main objective, but it also didn't substantially affect her two children.
Cheng Yi added, “We need to discuss this with Miss Wei and your Uncle Wei beforehand.”
Cheng Yuanxi said, “Naturally.”
Cheng Zhanxi looked at her brother with concern and asked, “Then what will you do for these few years?”
Cheng Yuanxi gave a handsome smile and said, “I don't have plans to date or marry for now. I'll focus on managing the company; a few years will pass quickly. Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about whether you can win over your sweetheart. Don't let it be that I'm divorced and you still haven't brought anyone home.”
Cheng Zhanxi threw the orange in her hand at him.
Cheng Yuanxi deftly caught it, uncrossed his long legs, and said while peeling the orange, “Since Uncle Wei doesn't have much time left, let's meet and discuss this as soon as possible to settle the matter. Dad, will you talk to him, or shall I?”
Cheng Yi said, “I'll do it. You're of the younger generation.”
Cheng Yuanxi nodded, “Alright. Let me know the time once it's confirmed. I'll be there; it will show more respect.”
He split the peeled orange in half, giving one part to his mother and the other to his sister, then straightened up and said, “I'm going for my afternoon nap.”
Cheng Yi took his wife's hand after she finished her orange and stood up, “We're going back to our room too.”
Cheng Zhanxi wiped her hands with a tissue, “I'm going to sleep too.”
Cheng Yi and Song Qingrou went up to the second floor. The siblings went to the third floor, wished each other a good afternoon, and walked in opposite directions.
Cheng Zhanxi entered her bedroom, took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and threw herself onto the large, soft bed. The fluffy bedding made her feel as if she had sunk into clouds. She lay there motionless for a while, then brushed aside the long hair covering her face, picked up her phone from the bedside table, and sent a message to Yu Qingtang:
【Just finished eating, chatted for a bit too long. Has Teacher Yu woken up?】
Cheng Zhanxi's flight was in the morning, so she arrived home late. After eating and chatting, it was now past three, almost four in the afternoon.
Cheng Zhanxi lay on her side in bed, holding her phone in one hand. Her eyelids grew heavier as she looked at the screen, eventually closing as she couldn't keep them open any longer, and she fell asleep.
The phone screen automatically went dark and lay tilted beside her hand. After a while, the screen lit up, but with no response, it returned to darkness again.
In the days before the final exams, Cheng Zhanxi had spent most of her time with Yu Qingtang, rushing to finish her paintings late at night, and hadn't rested well. This sleep lasted straight until dinnertime.
Song Qingrou came to knock on her door.
“Xixi, are you awake? Dinner is ready.”
Cheng Zhanxi groggily sat up, groggily picked up her phone, and squinted at the unlocked screen.
[Yu Qingtang]: Woke up
Cheng Zhanxi ruffled her long hair and typed to Yu Qingtang: 【I just woke up. Going to eat first [Cheng-style heart.jpg]】
She left her phone upstairs and came out, shuffling in her slippers like a wandering spirit. She opened the door, spread her arms towards the woman at the doorway, and closed her eyes. Song Qingrou reached out and hugged her, seemingly complaining but actually pleased, “You're so grown up, yet you still want hugs every day.”
“I'll still want hugs even when I'm eighty.”
“Your mom will be over a hundred by then. Give Mom a break.”
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes and chuckled.
“I'm so sleepy, Mom.” Cheng Zhanxi rested her face on her shoulder, whimpering, her voice thick with a nasal tone, looking like she couldn't wake up.
Song Qingrou said, “Then why don't you sleep a bit more? I'll ask Aunt Yun to keep your food warm.”
Cheng Zhanxi rubbed her face against her shoulder, then back again, acting cute, “No, I want to eat with you all.”
Cheng Zhanxi lingered for a while, then went downstairs with Song Qingrou.
Cheng Zhanxi used her fingers as a comb, and by the time she reached downstairs, she had just tied her hair into a low ponytail with a black hair tie. Cheng Yi, passing by, stopped and gently picked a small white ball of wool, which she had picked up from somewhere, from her hair and threw it into the trash can.
Cheng Zhanxi looked up and touched her hair, “Is there more?”
Cheng Yi said, “No more.”
Cheng Zhanxi went to wash her hands and sat down at the dining table.
The family ate dinner harmoniously and then chatted for a while in the living room.
Cheng Zhanxi occasionally glanced towards the stairs, wondering if Yu Qingtang had replied to her message.
Song Qingrou noticed her distraction and told her to go upstairs.
Within her parents' and brother's sight, Cheng Zhanxi walked up to the second floor unhurriedly and steadily. As soon as she turned the corner, she quickened her pace and ran into her room.
She eagerly picked up her phone; the screen showed a WeChat message notification.
Cheng Zhanxi clicked on it, full of joy.
An official account ad push: 【XX Mall Big Sale, Lots of Discounts】
Cheng Zhanxi: “…”
She ground her back teeth, clicked, and unfollowed.
Yu Qingtang hadn't replied. Maybe she was also eating. It seemed she had to watch TV with her grandparents in the evening, so perhaps she didn't have time to check her phone?
Cheng Zhanxi opened Yu Qingtang's chat window, wondering what to send her, when her phone screen lit up with an incoming call. Cheng Zhanxi's heart skipped a beat, her eyebrows arching in delight, thinking it was Yu Qingtang. But when she saw the caller ID, her expression instantly fell. She answered, “Hello, Xiao Xue,” her voice muffled and reluctant.
Cheng Zhanxi's assistant, Xiao Xue, said, “Am I disturbing you?”
Cheng Zhanxi composed herself and said, “No, what's up?”
Xiao Xue: “There's a meeting with an art dealer tomorrow. I'm calling to remind you not to forget. The relevant documents have been sent to your email; please take a look.”
Cheng Zhanxi sat down at her desk, opened her laptop, logged into her email with one hand, and said, “I see it. It's the one sent at 7:50, right?”
“Yes.”
Cheng Zhanxi had an art gallery in the Capital City. All its affairs were managed by dedicated staff, but there were always some matters that required her personal attention. She had been away for over half a year, and the studio staff, having finally caught her now that she was back, wouldn't let her off easily. Xiao Xue was scheduling her upcoming itinerary, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven—packed solid.
Cheng Zhanxi agreed with “mm-hmms” and “okays” while looking at her emails, grumbling inwardly: If she had known, she would have returned later and could have spent more time with Yu Qingtang in Sicheng.
Cheng Zhanxi switched to the WeChat desktop interface, frowning.
Still no reply after so long?
Cheng Zhanxi sent Yu Qingtang a sticker.
Yu Qingtang replied instantly: 【,】
Cheng Zhanxi switched to her headset for the call, freeing her hands to type on her laptop keyboard: 【What are you doing?】
Yu Qingtang: 【Watching TV with Grandma and Grandpa】
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved: 【I knew it】
Yu Qingtang: 【Mm】
Cheng Zhanxi's mind raced for a moment. Xiao Xue's voice came through the headset, “Teacher Cheng, are you listening?”
Interrupted by her, Cheng Zhanxi forgot what she wanted to say to Yu Qingtang. Her flying fingers stopped, and the cursor blinked in the input field. She pressed her headset and said, “I'm listening. What did you say?”
“…” Xiao Xue said, “Didn't you ask me to schedule Tan Lingfei for you earlier? She's free next week. Shall I arrange for you to meet at the studio?”
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment and said, “Okay. How many days does she have?”
“Two days, all yours.”
“That's good.” Cheng Zhanxi smiled and said, “Well done.”
Xiao Xue seized the opportunity to play pitiful, exaggerating how difficult it was to book this person, all to make Cheng Zhanxi feel sorry for them and give them bigger year-end bonuses as a reward for their hard work. Cheng Zhanxi got the hint and said everyone would get a red envelope for the New Year.
Xiao Xue was pleased and moved on to the next matter, which also happened to be quite important, involving a senior artist Cheng Zhanxi greatly admired. Cheng Zhanxi listened attentively, unable to spare attention for anything else.
The cursor on the WeChat desktop interface kept blinking, but no new text was typed, remaining stuck there.
…
Sicheng, Old Town District.
A soap opera filled with domestic trivialities was playing in the living room; a daughter and father were arguing heatedly. Elderly people's hearing deteriorates, so they always turned the TV volume up very high, which was extremely noisy for younger people.
The extremely loud noise didn't disturb Yu Qingtang, who was staring blankly at her phone.
The screen dimmed due to prolonged inactivity. Yu Qingtang tapped it lightly, returning to the chat interface.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes.
After nearly ten minutes, “The other person is typing...” appeared at the top of the screen.
Yu Qingtang held her breath.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Busy with something, will call you later
Yu Qingtang looked at this message and very, very slowly typed: 【Okay】
Cheng Zhanxi glanced at the reply, clicked the mouse to send a [Cheng-style heart.jpg] sticker, and continued her phone call.
This call lasted for over an hour. Cheng Zhanxi's mouth was dry. After hanging up, she drank a large glass of water to soothe her throat and then rubbed her drowsy temples. She disliked handling these mundane affairs but couldn't completely ignore them. The latter half of the conversation almost made her fall asleep.
Cheng Zhanxi patted her face, quickly skimmed through her emails, shut down her laptop, took a quick shower in the bathroom, applied body lotion, and, smelling fragrant, lay down in bed to call Yu Qingtang.
Finally, it was time for just the two of them.
Cheng Zhanxi listened to the “du—” of the dialing tone, looking up at the ceiling with an unblinking, solemn expression.
Just as it was about to automatically disconnect, the call was answered. A cool, clear voice entered her ear, “Hello.”
Cheng Zhanxi's expression enlivened, and she said childishly, “Guess who I am?”
The other side played along, “Can't guess.”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “Look at the caller ID.”
There was a pause on the other end, as if she had obediently looked at the caller ID, then said, “Cheng Zhanxi?”
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know why she was so easily amused by Yu Qingtang. She laughed until her eyes curved, turning from lying flat to her side, one cheek resting on the pillow, her face flushed, and said, “You're so cute.”
Yu Qingtang said seriously, “You too.”
Cheng Zhanxi: “Hahahahaha.”
Yu Qingtang took a bath towel from the rack, wrapped it around her body, and slowly dried herself, saying, “Is it that funny?”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “Yes, it is. Why does it sound so empty where you are? Is there an echo?”
Yu Qingtang walked out of the bathroom with her phone and asked, “How about now?” “It's gone.” Cheng Zhanxi asked, “What were you doing just now?”
“Nothing much,” said Yu Qingtang, who had hastily ended her shower halfway through.
“Ah.” Cheng Zhanxi uttered a meaningless sound. The two of them had spent every day together in Sicheng and weren't used to communicating remotely by phone. Yu Qingtang was taciturn; she didn't say much even when they met in person, let alone over the phone.
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment, her slender fingers twirling a strand of her long hair on her chest, and rambled on, asking what Yu Qingtang had done all day. Yu Qingtang answered each question.
Cheng Zhanxi then took the initiative to recount her own day's activities, which mainly consisted of sleeping: eat, sleep, wake up, eat, pretty much like a pig.
Yu Qingtang let out a very soft laugh.
Late at night, when they had chatted enough, Cheng Zhanxi asked if they could video call. Yu Qingtang refused.
She refused not because she didn't want to see Cheng Zhanxi or didn't miss her, but precisely because she missed her too much. She was afraid that if Cheng Zhanxi's face appeared on the video, she would suddenly burst into tears uncontrollably.
Cheng Zhanxi said, “Alright then. Wait for me a moment.”
Cheng Zhanxi's breathing disappeared from the phone, but the call wasn't disconnected. Sounds of walking back and forth, the bed creaking as it dipped and sprang back, were heard. A minute later, Cheng Zhanxi's voice reappeared in her ear, saying, “Check WeChat.”
Yu Qingtang clicked on the new message.
Cheng Zhanxi had sent her a selfie using her iPad. In the photo, Cheng Zhanxi, wearing navy blue pajamas, was sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed, holding her phone to her ear with one hand, her eyes gentle.
“Did you see it?”
“…Mm.” Yu Qingtang tried her best to suppress the tremor in her voice, not letting any of it show.
“Is it pretty?”
“Pretty.”
“Can you take one for me too?”
“…No.”
“Please?” Cheng Zhanxi coaxed her.
“No…” Yu Qingtang swallowed the “ma” sound in her throat. Lately, she found herself increasingly swayed by Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi heard the half-uttered word and couldn't help but chuckle.
It was getting late, and she had to wake up early tomorrow. She didn't keep pestering Yu Qingtang with cute talk. After being sweet for a while, she said, “I'm going to sleep now.”
Yu Qingtang said, “Good night.”
Cheng Zhanxi pretended to be slightly dissatisfied and said, “You're not even going to ask me to stay?”
Yu Qingtang: “Huh?”
Cheng Zhanxi could almost imagine her dazed look. The more she thought about it, the more her heart itched. She didn't dare tease further, lest she impulsively fly back to Sicheng, only to return and find Xiao Xue's corpse hanging at the gallery entrance.
Work first, then romance after work is done. Work is temporary, love is for a lifetime.
Cheng Zhanxi calmed her restless self and smiled, “It's nothing. Good night, Yu Qingtang.”
Hearing Cheng Zhanxi call her full name, Yu Qingtang's heart stirred slightly. She remembered the low call at the airport that morning, accompanied by a kiss.
Her raven-feather-like dark eyelashes had trembled before her eyes, their soft warmth pressing against hers.
Yu Qingtang touched her own lips, her thin lips parting slightly, “Good night.”
After hanging up, Yu Qingtang stared blankly for a while, then lowered her head, opened the camera app on her phone, and switched to the front-facing camera.
The first digit on the bedside clock jumped from 0 past 1, then from 1 to 2. Yu Qingtang checked her selfie. After much effort, when she finally felt it was barely presentable, she noticed she had accidentally included the digital clock on the right in the picture.
2:03.
Yu Qingtang was about to delete it when her fingertip paused, hovering over the confirm button.
The image of a woman's parting lips appeared before her eyes.
—Are you really not with her out of pity?
Pity means being pitiful, right?
Would this make her seem a little more pitiful? She didn't want Cheng Zhanxi to pity her, but what other way did she have to increase her leverage? She was just a humble, cowardly wretch, willing to prostrate herself at her feet, begging for the goddess's favor.
Yu Qingtang moved her fingertip away from the delete button.
Cheng Zhanxi had slept her fill yesterday. Her regular biological clock woke her up at six. She took the elevator to the basement level and swam several laps in the large, temperature-controlled swimming pool, stretching her muscles. She leaned against the edge of the pool, dried her hands, and picked up her phone to check for new messages. She never used to be addicted to her phone, but ever since leaving Yu Qingtang, she felt like checking it eight hundred times a day.
Yu Qingtang: 【I don't look good】
Yu Qingtang: 【[Selfie]】
Splash—
Cheng Zhanxi almost leaped out of the water. She quickly climbed out of the pool using the ladder, not bothering to wipe the water from her face and body, and sat cross-legged on the edge, tapping to open the enlarged picture.
It was probably Yu Qingtang's first time taking a selfie, but she had found a good angle and the lighting was excellent, making her skin look fair and translucent. She had probably looked up a guide at the last minute. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and besides, the other person was already a beauty. Cheng Zhanxi hugged her phone and blew a flurry of kisses at the screen.
Cheng Zhanxi: 【Where do you not look good? You look so good I don't even want to go out today, just want to stay home and look at the photo】
Cheng Zhanxi long-pressed the image to save it, then went to her photo album to zoom in, not missing a single detail.
The photo was scrolled to the bottom left corner. Cheng Zhanxi stared blankly for a moment at the time on the white digital clock.
She remembered saying good night to Yu Qingtang before midnight last night. This photo was taken after 2 AM. Had she been taking photos for over two hours, or did she take a selfie on a whim after 2 AM? Cheng Zhanxi leaned towards the former.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart softened with a mix of pity and love. She replied: 【I saw the time. No staying up late, understand?】
The other side immediately showed “typing...”
A minute later, Yu Qingtang replied: 【Couldn't get a good one】
Cheng Zhanxi: 【You look good no matter what. Can I use this photo as my WeChat profile picture?】
Yu Qingtang: 【No】
Cheng Zhanxi: 【Screensaver?】
Yu Qingtang didn't reply, which meant tacit approval.
But Cheng Zhanxi couldn't bear to use it as her screensaver. She had to go out for work recently, and others would see it. As a second best, she set it as her chat background with Yu Qingtang and even sent a screenshot to show her.
Yu Qingtang blushed crimson. “Typing...” showed for several minutes, but she didn't manage to type out a single sentence in reply.
Cheng Zhanxi burst out laughing.
Cheng Zhanxi's good mood for the day began with Yu Qingtang proactively sending her a selfie.
At the breakfast table, the Cheng family members looked with complex expressions at Cheng Zhanxi, who was holding a spoon but not eating her congee, instead just looking down and smiling, almost burying her face in her bowl.
Cheng Zhanxi looked up and saw three pairs of eyes staring at her. She asked, puzzled, “Why aren't you eating?”
Cheng Yi said, “Eating.” He looked at his wife and son and said, “Everyone, eat.”
Cheng Zhanxi scooped a spoonful of congee into her mouth. After a short while, she propped her chin on one hand and started smiling inexplicably again.
Cheng Zhanxi was the last to finish eating. She casually grabbed a car key from the drawer under the TV cabinet and announced, “I'm heading out.”
She entered the garage, pressed the unlock button on the car key, looked around, walked to a silver supercar, drove it out from the innermost part of the garage. The engine roared, a silver gleam flashed by, and she sped away from the estate.
Cheng Zhanxi first made an appearance at the studio to reassure her employees that their boss was alive and well, and year-end bonuses would be paid as usual.
Afterward, she went with her assistant Xiao Xue to meet an art dealer. Cheng Zhanxi wasn't short of money, but she didn't mind having more.
A successful art dealer inherently possesses a unique and thorough understanding of art. Cheng Zhanxi and the dealer had an engaging conversation in a teahouse all morning, had lunch together, and in the afternoon, they went together to meet another scheduled friend—an artist collaborating with Cheng Zhanxi's gallery.
At nine in the evening, Cheng Zhanxi shook hands and bid farewell to the art dealer. A friend invited her for a late-night snack, but Cheng Zhanxi declined.
Her wave of dismissal was so quick that her friend asked, puzzled, “What are you rushing off to do?”
Cheng Zhanxi walked to her car parked by the roadside, opened and closed the door, and fastened her seatbelt all in one smooth motion, saying, “Going home to call my girlfriend.”
The friend said “Oh,” and was just about to gossip a bit, but before she could speak, a silver car shadow sped past her, leaving her with a face full of exhaust fumes.
The friend choked and coughed.
She watched the distant car shadow merge into the night and quickly disappear.
Cheng Zhanxi drove out of the garage and called Yu Qingtang. When the call connected, she was still panting, “I'm done with work and home now.”
During the day, she had only replied to Yu Qingtang with three sentences in total, one of which was sent hastily from the restroom.
The night was as cool as water.
The window in Yu Qingtang's bedroom was open. She sat at the desk by the window, motionless, watching the swaying moonlight and bamboo shadows in the courtyard, and said, “No need to rush, I'm not asleep yet.”
“It's not that,” Cheng Zhanxi panted heavily, “I was afraid you might be asleep?”
“No.”
“What did you do today?”
“Cooked, watched TV, spaced out,” Yu Qingtang replied.
She thought of her while cooking, thought of her while watching TV, and it was thinking of her that made her space out for so long.
“I met an art dealer today and closed several deals. Actually, I'm sort of half an art dealer myself. By the way, did I tell you I have an art gallery? It's called Yiqing.”
“You didn't mention it, but I've been to that gallery.”
“Hmm?”
“I bought one of your paintings.”
Cheng Zhanxi had been busy all day, and her mind was a bit fuzzy. She just remembered and chuckled twice.
Yu Qingtang lowered her head, her fingers picking at the desktop, and said in a tiny voice, “It was so expensive.”
Cheng Chengzi: Alright, arranging the money transfer immediately! Sending over the money, the person, body and soul, and all the intimate extras (water and fingers) too (//▽//)
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