After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Cheng Zhanxi nearly tripped as she entered the doorway. Then, Song Qingrou, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room, heard the crisp laughter of a young woman from the entryway.
"Are you talking about that painting, The Blizzard? Three million is very expensive. I'll call and scold the person in charge of the auction later." Cheng Zhanxi changed her shoes, walked in from the entryway with a smile, and said to Song Qingrou, "Mom."
Song Qingrou said, "Are you hungry? Shall I make you a late-night snack?"
"No need, thank you, Mom." Cheng Zhanxi released her finger from the microphone and continued speaking into the phone, "How about I refund the money to you, okay?" Her voice immediately softened by several degrees, almost melting with tenderness.
Song Qingrou: "..."
In the study on the second floor, Cheng Yi, who was working, looked up and saw the door pushed open. His wife walked in, looking a little melancholic.
Cheng Yi pushed the documents in his hand aside, pulled his wife onto his lap, and gently asked, "What's wrong?"
Song Qingrou rested one hand on her husband's shoulder and said with mixed feelings, "I just heard our daughter on the phone with the person she likes. That tone, that expression, as if she was afraid that speaking too loudly would startle the other person."
Cheng Yi: "Jealous?"
Song Qingrou said, "Not really." She didn't know how to put it and sighed.
Cheng Yi: "Children always grow up. When she has her own little family, she'll have even less time for us. It's always been like this, throughout history."
Song Qingrou agreed with him but still couldn't lift her spirits.
Cheng Yi took his wife's hand, pecked the back of it, and said, "Back when I married you from the Song family, father-in-law and mother-in-law probably felt the same way you do now. Alas, when children grow up, they are no longer under their parents' control."
Song Qingrou laughed, "You're so annoying."
Cheng Yi said, "It's better for me to be annoying than for you to be annoyed."
Song Qingrou wrapped both hands around her husband's neck.
Cheng Yi tilted his head to kiss her.
Song Qingrou pulled back, glanced nervously at the study door, and said, "The door isn't locked."
Cheng Yi said, "They're all grown up. They know not to barge into their parents' room."
Song Qingrou's mood lifted. "Is this one of the benefits of children growing up?"
Cheng Yi smiled. "Of course." He gently held the back of his wife's head, his voice lowering, "Concentrate, or I'll get jealous."
...
Yu Qingtang rejected Cheng Zhanxi's offer to refund the money, saying, "No." She said, "I have money again now."
Cheng Zhanxi gently coaxed her, "Yes, yes, yes, you're a rich woman with an entire building."
Being praised by her, Yu Qingtang's mood didn't improve at all.
She did own a building, but it was nothing compared to Cheng Zhanxi. Yu Qingtang had vaguely realized the gap between her and Cheng Zhanxi before but hadn't paid much attention to it. Now, thoughts of comparison would surface from time to time. This thought wasn't about determining who was superior or inferior, but about finding a hint of compatibility.
Materially, spiritually, and in terms of lifestyle, they were too far apart. She could learn what she didn't understand. She could even study art history, learn about Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, William Turner, so she wouldn't be clueless when looking at paintings, unable to articulate anything. She wanted to have a common language with Cheng Zhanxi. Cheng Zhanxi hadn't told her what paintings were sold or about art dealers precisely because she knew Yu Qingtang wouldn't understand, so she had thoughtfully glossed over it.
Would a painter like someone who didn't understand painting? Cheng Zhanxi had said she once kicked someone out of her exhibition for talking nonsense about her paintings. Would she one day kick Yu Qingtang out of her heart too? There might be novelty for a day or two, but after a year or two, wouldn't she get tired of it?
Even her friend, Yu Jianxing, was her classmate from the Paris Academy of Fine Arts, a sculptor. At least someone like that was worthy of standing by her side. What was she?
Yu Qingtang regretted being born into the Wei family so much, yet now she found herself thinking: if she were the true young mistress of the Wei family, could she perhaps be considered a suitable match for Cheng Zhanxi, in terms of social standing?
If her mother hadn't died, if Wei Tingyu hadn't undergone such a drastic change in temperament, if they had met in a normal social setting... would there have been a different story?
But in reality, she was just an unfavored young lady of the Wei family whose marriage could even be casually arranged by others. How could she possibly aspire to marry into the esteemed Cheng family?
Cheng Zhanxi: "Rich lady, give me a hug."
Yu Qingtang, distracted, cooperatively said, "Hug."
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Yu Qingtang didn't expect her to be so perceptive even over the phone. She quickly reined in her messy thoughts and said, "Nothing, I've been waiting too long, I'm a little sleepy."
The moment the words left her mouth, Yu Qingtang wanted to bite her own tongue.
Not only had she spoken the truth about waiting too long, but was that last sentence a complaint against Cheng Zhanxi? What right did she have to complain? What if Cheng Zhanxi got angry, or told her to go to sleep and stopped talking to her?
"Ah." Cheng Zhanxi opened her mouth, then uttered another meaningless sound.
Was Yu Qingtang complaining to her? This intimate, natural tone made Cheng Zhanxi's heart bloom with joy. She went upstairs from the living room, apologizing softly as she walked, "It's my fault, okay?"
Yu Qingtang said, "Okay."
Cheng Zhanxi's prepared basketful of coaxing words got stuck in her throat. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why don't you play by the rules?"
Yu Qingtang asked, "What are the rules?"
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment and said, "It's covering your ears and shaking your head, 'I'm not listening, I'm not listening.'"
"Why wouldn't I listen to you? Your voice is clearly so pleasant." Yu Qingtang said without thinking. She heard the footsteps on the stairs on the other end stop. Cheng Zhanxi was breathing in her ear, each breath clear, slightly heavier than before.
Yu Qingtang waited for a while, a sense of unease rising in her heart. She asked, "Why aren't you talking anymore?" Had she said something wrong?
Cheng Zhanxi's voice lowered. "Were you just saying sweet nothings to me?"
Yu Qingtang didn't understand. "What?"
Cheng Zhanxi's tightly clenched knuckles on the stair railing slowly loosened. She closed her eyes and said, "I said I miss you."
This time, it was Yu Qingtang's turn to be silent.
After a long while, her low, soft, and calm voice sounded in Cheng Zhanxi's ear.
"I... long for you too."
Sīniàn (longing/yearning) was a word not often used in spoken language. Compared to the more easily uttered word "xiǎng (think/miss)," it carried a heavy weight.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart was overwhelmed by a surging tide of longing. The desire to see her overshadowed everything else. She tightened her grip on the railing again, her voice low as she suggested, "Yu Qingtang, come to the Capital City. Stay by my side." It had only been two days since they parted, and she felt like she was going crazy missing her.
Yu Qingtang's expression was conflicted. She hesitated for a long time, bit her lower lip, and still refused, "No."
Cheng Zhanxi had work to do. What would she do in the Capital City? And her parents, family, friends – how would they view her? How would they view Yu Qingtang standing by her side?
Cheng Zhanxi respected her decision. "I'll go back as soon as possible."
Yu Qingtang insincerely advised her, "Work and spending time with your family are important."
Cheng Zhanxi earnestly emphasized, "You are as important to me as my family."
Yu Qingtang held the phone for a long time. Two strands of long, dark hair fell from behind her ears onto her chest. The corners of her lips couldn't help but curve up slightly. Softly, she said, "Mm."
Song Qingrou came down from the second floor and saw Cheng Zhanxi standing on the curved staircase, talking on the phone: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi stuck her tongue out at her with a smile. "I'm going upstairs right now."
Passing by Song Qingrou, she stopped, her expression suddenly becoming playful.
Song Qingrou felt a shiver and said, "What are you doing?"
Cheng Zhanxi stared at her lips and said meaningfully, "Mom, your lipstick is smudged."
Before Song Qingrou could become flustered and exasperated, Cheng Zhanxi took a long stride, bounded up the stairs in a few steps, and disappeared in a flash.
Song Qingrou stomped her foot, blaming Cheng Yi for this.
Back in her third-floor bedroom, Cheng Zhanxi asked Yu Qingtang what she had done today. Yu Qingtang said, "Cooked, watched TV, spaced out."
The same as yesterday? Cheng Zhanxi frowned.
Thinking about it, it made sense. During winter break, she didn't have to work, she had no friends, and no hobbies. When Cheng Zhanxi was around, she could barely manage to take her out. Now that Cheng Zhanxi was gone, she probably just stayed at home, her routine unchanging.
After hanging up, Cheng Zhanxi sent a message to Xiang Tianyou.
[Sa Beining inhaling oxygen.jpg]
Xiang Tianyou replied instantly: [Beep, your oxygen tank is online]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Knew you weren't asleep yet.
[Xiang Tianyou]: Entrapment? [Vomiting blood emoji]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Don't overestimate yourself, young man. Are you bored during winter break?
[Xiang Tianyou]: So bored.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: I have a mission for you.
[Xiang Tianyou]: Mission accepted! Guaranteed to complete!
The next morning, after Yu Qingtang finished breakfast and was about to go out, she received a call from Xiang Tianyou.
Xiang Tianyou: "Teacher Yu, I'm bored at home. Are you free to hang out with me?"
"What do you want to do?"
"Anything, whatever you like to do is fine. The main thing is that you like it." Xiang Tianyou scratched his head and said, "How about you teach me some problems?" Cheng Zhanxi's mission wasn't clear, only telling him to make Yu Qingtang happy. Xiang Tianyou had never tried to cheer anyone up besides his mother.
He thought about it. If he proactively asked for tutoring, Yu Qingtang should be very happy.
"Okay," Yu Qingtang said. "But I'm going to the library today. Do you want to come with me?"
Xiang Tianyou was stunned: "Huh?"
At eleven in the morning, the host sitting opposite Cheng Zhanxi went to the restroom.
Cheng Zhanxi picked up her phone from the side, unlocked the screen, and saw a photo of Yu Qingtang that Xiang Tianyou had sent her.
Yu Qingtang was sitting at the corner of a large table, her long hair casually tied into a loose ponytail behind her. She wore a gray cashmere sweater, its sleeves rolled up to reveal her fair forearms. Her profile, facing the camera, was delicate and beautiful.
A book lay open in front of her, one hand holding down the pages, her expression focused as she read.
Cheng Zhanxi saved the picture, gazed deeply at Yu Qingtang's face for a moment, then focused her attention on the text message from Xiang Tianyou.
[Didn't expect this, did you? We're at the library]
Cheng Zhanxi replied: [Didn't expect it]
The young man's phone, placed on the table, lit up. Xiang Tianyou looked up at Yu Qingtang opposite him, chatting with Cheng Zhanxi right under her nose.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Did you want to go to the library, or did she?
[Xiang Tianyou]: She did. I wanted her to tutor me.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Be a decent human being. She's on winter break, and you're making her give you free tutoring? Does she owe you?
Xiang Tianyou scratched the back of his head: [Well, wasn't I doing it to make her happy?]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Use Xiao Yuan Sou Ti yourself. It won't kill you.
[Xiang Tianyou]: Alrighty [Humble.jpg]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: What book is Teacher Yu reading?
Cheng Zhanxi caught sight of the curtain being lifted out of the corner of her eye; the host who had gone to the restroom was returning. Cheng Zhanxi locked her phone screen, placed it face down on the table, and put on a polite and respectful smile.
Today, she had come to visit an elderly gentleman, a collector. The senior admired her greatly and had her stay for lunch and dinner. In the afternoon, they also appreciated his collection together. After bidding farewell to the old gentleman, Cheng Zhanxi got into her car and saw the message Xiang Tianyou had sent at noon: [Gombrich's The Story of Art]
Cheng Zhanxi thoughtfully fastened her seatbelt and replied "OK" to Xiang Tianyou.
She returned home a little earlier today than yesterday. She only called Yu Qingtang after taking a shower.
"I heard from Xiang Tianyou that you two went to the library?"
Yu Qingtang was slightly surprised but not overly so. It was normal for Xiang Tianyou to proactively tell Cheng Zhanxi.
"Mm."
"Why the sudden urge to read?"
"I was bored at home."
"What did you read?"
Yu Qingtang sat at her desk, her hand brushing over the thick stack of books on it.
Besides the one Xiang Tianyou mentioned, there were also Janson's History of Art, Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Ten Discourses on Art History, and Understanding Art. They were all art history books, covering various levels of depth. She couldn't find a few of them at the library, so Yu Qingtang planned to order them online.
"Nothing much, just browsing." Yu Qingtang lowered her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "So, can we add 'reading' to today's activities?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement.
"What are you planning to do tomorrow?"
"Xiang Tianyou wants to go to Happy Valley and asked me to go with him."
"Why does he want to go to Happy Valley again? Does he live there? Are you going to the haunted house this time too?"
"No, he said it's no fun screaming in the haunted house without you," Yu Qingtang said with a smile.
"What about you?"
"What?"
The wind outside suddenly died down.
Yu Qingtang heard Cheng Zhanxi ask in her ear, "Did you miss me today?"
"...Mm."
"Be clear, did you miss me or not?" Cheng Zhanxi's voice was low, like a bewitchment.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes.
"I did. I missed you very much." I miss you every moment.
"Me too," Cheng Zhanxi said.
The two, a thousand miles apart, simultaneously lowered their heads, their fingertips clutching the hems of their pajamas, slender white knuckles twisting together.
After a moment of shared, silent shyness, they spoke again in unison, "I..."
"You go first."
"You go first," Yu Qingtang said.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't have much to say; the things in her heart were too cheesy to say out loud. But she didn't want to hang up so soon, so she said directly, "Can we not hang up? You read your book, and I'll do my thing."
Yu Qingtang: "Okay."
When Cheng Zhanxi plugged her phone into the charger, it only had five percent battery left. She lay in bed, and even though Yu Qingtang was a thousand miles away, she felt enveloped by her presence, soft and comforting. She fell asleep with a faint smile on her face.
After hanging up, Yu Qingtang opened the second book.
The history of Western art was vast and long-standing, from the ancient world to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance to Rococo, and then developing into the modern world, with numerous styles. Yu Qingtang crammed the information, first memorizing representative artists and artworks from each period, lest Cheng Zhanxi casually mention a painter next time they chatted, and she wouldn't have even heard the name.
There was not a shred of joy in such reading. For Yu Qingtang, reading had never been a hobby, only a skill, so she was used to it. She was only afraid that she wasn't reading fast enough, not remembering enough, and wouldn't have time to truly understand and integrate the knowledge.
The fourth day after they separated.
Yu Qingtang went to the Sicheng Art Museum to see an exhibition, with Xiang Tianyou tagging along like a little tail.
Xiang Tianyou consciously acted as Cheng Zhanxi's informant, reporting Yu Qingtang's every move to Cheng Zhanxi. Cheng Zhanxi stopped him; she didn't need to know every little detail of what Yu Qingtang was doing. Even if she wanted to know, Yu Qingtang should be the one to tell her.
However, she still gladly accepted the photos of Yu Qingtang taken by Xiang Tianyou and informed Yu Qingtang that she had received them from him.
Yu Qingtang didn't object.
It was just that every time Xiang Tianyou went out with her and picked up his phone, Yu Qingtang felt like he might be chatting with Cheng Zhanxi. Xiang Tianyou sensed the jealousy in the air and proactively showed her his game screen: "It's not Teacher Cheng. Teacher Cheng is very busy; it takes half a day for her to reply to me even once."
Yu Qingtang said lightly, "So you came out with me just to play games in a different place?"
Xiang Tianyou: "..."
A teacher is indeed a teacher! Even in love, she's still a teacher!
In the final exams, Xiang Tianyou's class ranking improved by more than ten places, shocking everyone. Yu Zhou was an indispensable contributor. Not only had Yu Zhou previously lent Xiang Tianyou her class notes to copy, but she also designed a review plan for him before the final exams. Xiang Tianyou himself also worked hard and his efforts paid off.
Xiang Tianyou's father was busy like a spinning top at the end of the year. At home, there was only his stepmother, so he didn't want to stay there much. He simply packed his schoolbag and went to Yu Qingtang's house to do his winter homework and practice other problems, staying from morning till night. After dinner, he would have the driver pick him up. When he was there, Yu Qingtang would read upstairs, and Xiang Tianyou would do his homework in the study, saving up the problems he didn't understand to ask her collectively after she finished reading.
The young man was full of vigor. Even without jumping around, he injected a bit of life into the otherwise unchanging environment.
Even Fang Wenjiao and Grandfather felt that the house had become much livelier.
Capital City.
Cheng Yi and Wei Tingyu had arranged a time to meet. Originally, they planned to meet outside, but Wei Tingyu said he wanted to pay a visit to their home.
After dinner, Cheng Yi mentioned this. The whole family, including Cheng Zhanxi, sighed again, remarking on how much Wei Tingyu must care for this daughter to visit and make requests time and time again.
Song Qingrou said, "Although Miss Wei's biological mother passed away early, having such a doting father is worth it. Unfortunately..." Wei Tingyu was about to leave, and Song Qingrou's eyes reddened again.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart already belonged to someone. Previously, when she heard about Miss Wei's situation, she had felt a twinge of compassion. Now, she consciously made no effort to be curious about anything related to Miss Wei, even if she had questions in her heart.
For example, they were both in the Capital City, so why had she never met this Miss Wei, or even heard of her? Her parents always called her Miss Wei; did she not even have a name?
Her engagement hadn't been completely canceled yet. Inquiring about this would make it seem like she was trying to two-time.
She didn't care about Miss Wei, only about when this time bomb could be defused.
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "When is Uncle Wei coming to our house?"
Cheng Yi said, "Tomorrow. Do you want to meet him?"
Cheng Zhanxi opened her mouth to accept a segment of orange handed to her by Cheng Yuanxi. Only after eating it did she say, "I have something on tomorrow."
Cheng Yuanxi slowly wiped his hands with a tissue and smiled, "It's fine if you don't meet him. What if Uncle Wei meets my younger sister and then doesn't think much of me? I'm not as good-looking as my sister."
Cheng Yi said, "If you have something on, then never mind. Anyway, you don't need to worry about this. Your brother and I will take care of it. Don't worry."
Cheng Zhanxi was naturally relieved, a hundred times over.
The next morning, after breakfast, Cheng Zhanxi went upstairs, changed her clothes, and planned to go to her studio.
As she was about to go down the stairs, she saw Cheng Yi welcoming someone in at the doorway.
The visitor was about fifty-something, with slightly frosted temples, a pale face, and a slender figure. He wore an overcoat and trousers, dressed very respectably.
A servant was taking his scarf and overcoat. Underneath, he wore a brown three-piece suit, with silver sleeve garters on his arms. The man turned, saw Cheng Zhanxi standing on the stairs, lowered the hand that was adjusting his suit sleeve, and his eyes crinkled at the corners in a smile towards her.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart.
There were many handsome young men, but not many men remained so handsome in old age. His demeanor was also excellent, like a dapper gentleman, his eyes deep. The vicissitudes of time had only made him appear more charming.
Her father was also very handsome and maintained a good figure, but in terms of facial features alone, he was slightly inferior to the man before her. It was just that he held a plain handkerchief in his hand, his knuckles long and pale, covering bloodless lips. He seemed to be in poor health, his posture not quite straight, like a withered tree in winter, uncertain if it would survive until the next spring.
Cheng Zhanxi walked over, habitually observing details in her mind.
Cheng Yi introduced, "This is Uncle Wei."
Cheng Zhanxi had already guessed. She said politely and generously, "Hello, Uncle Wei. I'm Cheng Zhanxi."
Wei Tingyu smiled gently. "Hello. Are you feeling better?"
Cheng Zhanxi had fled her marriage, previously feigning illness to the Wei family. Cheng Zhanxi's expression didn't change as she obediently said, "Much better, thank you for your concern, Uncle Wei."
Wei Tingyu nodded lightly, his smile warm. "That's good."
Cheng Zhanxi suddenly had a strange feeling.
Why did Wei Tingyu give her a sense of déjà vu?
Cheng Zhanxi stood in the entryway, looking back at the two figures walking side by side towards the study on the first floor.
This Uncle Wei was so handsome that she felt a little tempted to paint him, but his health probably wouldn't allow him to be a model. Cheng Zhanxi shook her head, dismissing this absurd idea, and left the house.
With such a handsome father, what must the daughter look like?
Stop! Stop!
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her mind of all thoughts about the Wei family and drove out of the estate.
Whether Uncle Wei could be a model or not wasn't important. Today, she was going to meet a real model.
Models weren't just for runway shows or cover shoots. There was another type of professional model who specifically served artists. Painting is an art that requires inspiration, and a good model can inspire a painter. The model is a part, and a very important part, of a painter's figure creation.
Tan Lingfei was such a model, quite famous, introduced to Cheng Zhanxi by a painter friend. Her main profession wasn't modeling; being a model was just a hobby, so she was particularly hard to book. She was picky not only about the time but also about the person.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't often paint figures precisely because suitable models were hard to find. Of course, if Yu Qingtang were willing to be her model, she wouldn't need to paint any other model for the rest of her life.
Cheng Zhanxi stepped into the studio.
Xiao Xue came over from ahead and said, "Miss Tan is in the reception room."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "So early? Is the tea ready? Use the best tea leaves."
Xiao Xue: "Got it, got it."
As Cheng Zhanxi walked in, she put on a smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Hello, I'm Cheng Mo."
Tan Lingfei, wearing a wine-red long dress, stood up and shook her hand amicably. "I'm Tan Lingfei. I've heard so much about you."
After shaking her hand, Cheng Zhanxi said, "Please sit."
The Cheng residence.
Song Qingrou and Cheng Yuanxi entered the study together. Seeing the refined and gentle Wei Tingyu standing inside, they still couldn't help but be slightly dazed for a moment.
Cheng Yi cleared his throat.
Song Qingrou averted her gaze, lowered her head, walked over, and stood beside Cheng Yi.
To avoid making their family of three seem too imposing, Cheng Yuanxi didn't come closer.
Wei Tingyu gave a slight nod. "Mrs. Cheng, Young Master Cheng."
Cheng Yuanxi said, "Uncle Wei, you're being too formal. Just call me by my name." This was Wei Tingyu's third visit to the Cheng residence. Cheng Yuanxi had been absent the previous two times, so this was also his first time seeing him in person.
Cheng Yi said, "Let's all sit, Tingyu." He called him by his first name.
Wei Tingyu, holding the plain handkerchief, steadied himself with the back of the chair and slowly sat down.
His health was already very poor. His private doctor advised him against going out, especially in winter. If he caught a cold, it would be like adding frost to snow for his already severe condition. The Wei family probably couldn't hide it anymore. His brothers, especially the second one, was a shrewd person.
Wei Tingyu again covered his mouth with the handkerchief, took a couple of gentle breaths, and said, "I saw Zhanxi going out just now. Doesn't she need to sit down and talk?"
Cheng Yuanxi thought: He calls me Young Master, but calls my sister by her name. As expected, he still favors my sister.
"I was just about to talk to you about this." Cheng Yi smiled and began, presenting the outcome of their family discussion from a few days ago to Wei Tingyu for consideration. "What do you think?"
Wei Tingyu's thin lips moved. "Still to marry Yuanxi?"
Cheng Yi said, "Yes. My daughter already has someone in her heart. As parents, we can't force her."
Wei Tingyu lowered his eyes, his thoughts unreadable. He didn't speak for a long time.
Song Qingrou glanced at Wei Tingyu. Cheng Yi looked at her, and she immediately averted her gaze.
Wei Tingyu finally spoke, his words like a sigh, "I'll ask her."
Song Qingrou had always had a question. Even if Cheng Yi was squeezing her fingers, she had to ask it. She spoke very slowly and softly, as if afraid to disturb this man who resembled a white jade sculpture: "Yu Ci's daughter, how has she turned out now?"
At the mention of Yu Ci's name, Wei Tingyu's expression softened even more. He didn't seem to want to hear the rest. A polite yet distant smile touched his lips as he said, "She looks just like her mother."
Song Qingrou breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of joy appearing in her eyes, which she barely managed to suppress.
Who knew that their two families had been discussing the marriage for so long, yet she didn't even know what her daughter-in-law looked like. She had asked Wei Tingyu for a photo, and Wei Tingyu had his servants search for several days, only to unearth a baby picture from the bottom of some box, taken shortly after birth.
Song Qingrou: "..."
What could one possibly tell from that?
Now, hearing Wei Tingyu say this, she felt relieved. It was easy to imagine that parents with celestial beauty would have a daughter who also looked like a fairy. If she couldn't be her actual daughter-in-law, being a goddaughter would also be very good.
Song Qingrou: "When can our two families formally meet?"
A flicker of resistance crossed Wei Tingyu's face. He slowly calmed down and repeated, "I'll ask her."
His face grew paler. He covered his mouth and lips with the handkerchief and coughed heavily. A morbid flush appeared on his cheeks, and the corners of his phoenix eyes bloomed with a peach-blossom hue, a beauty so striking it was almost soul-stirring.
It was strange to describe a man as beautiful, especially one who was no longer young, but he was indeed so beautiful that most women would feel inadequate in comparison.
Yu Ci was gone. He dragged his sick and frail body, no longer possessing the high spirits of his youth, but rather a poignant beauty, like a cuckoo crying blood.
After seeing Wei Tingyu off, Song Qingrou stared at the doorway for a long time before averting her gaze.
"He didn't even stay for lunch," Song Qingrou said regretfully. As soon as she finished speaking, she heard her husband beside her snort.
Song Qingrou explained, "I just saw that he's not in good health. With this cold wind outside, what if he catches a chill..." The more she explained, the messier it got. Song Qingrou decided to stop talking and brought Cheng Yi a plate of fruit.
Cheng Yi turned his face away and didn't eat.
The couple was having a tiff. Cheng Yuanxi took out his phone from his pocket and immediately sent a message to his sister: [Half-resolved. Uncle Wei said he needs to go back and ask Miss Wei. If she agrees, I'll marry her. If not, the engagement can only be broken off.]
Seeing that Song Qingrou was about to lose her patience with coaxing, his dad would be in for it. Cheng Yuanxi glanced at the message on his phone, a question flashed in his mind, and he spoke up to change the subject, "Mom, what's Miss Wei's name? We can't just keep calling her Miss Wei, Miss Wei, can we?"
Song Qingrou thought for a moment and said, "I think her name is Wei Qingtang."
Cheng Yuanxi smiled, "My god-sister's name sounds quite nice."
Song Qingrou said, "Be careful your actual sister doesn't get jealous."
Cheng Yuanxi said, "Then I'll just keep calling her Miss Wei. When she marries into the family, the two of them can get to know each other. It's none of my business."
Cheng Yi found a way to smooth things over for himself and interjected, "She's been annoyed by this matter. Don't mention the Wei family in front of her anymore. Just let her know when it's all over."
Song Qingrou and Cheng Yuanxi both agreed.
Cheng Zhanxi finished tidying up and came out of the art studio, just as Tan Lingfei, having changed her clothes, walked over from the direction of the dressing room.
Cheng Zhanxi put away the phone she was about to use to reply to Yu Qingtang, gently bit her lower lip, quickly adjusted her expression into a smile, and watched the other person approach. This action was caught by Tan Lingfei, who smiled and asked, half-testingly, "Boyfriend?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "No, girlfriend."
Tan Lingfei said "Oh," and repeated playfully, "Girlfriend."
Cheng Zhanxi's smile didn't falter. "Yes, I'm very clingy with her. I miss her terribly if I don't see her for a little while. Please don't laugh, Miss Tan."
Tan Lingfei seemed taken aback by her answer, unsure what expression to make for a moment. After a short pause, she smiled and said, "I wish you both happiness."
Cheng Zhanxi accepted generously, "Thank you."
"Miss Cheng is a very interesting person."
"I prefer it when people call me Teacher Cheng; it's more fitting for my profession."
"Alright, Teacher Cheng." Tan Lingfei readily complied.
They were both respectable adults. The hint of rejection was so clear, there was no need for her to try to get close despite the other's aversion. Such an interesting person would be good to have as a friend.
Cheng Zhanxi wasn't driving her supercar today; a white Porsche Panamera was parked quietly by the roadside. Cheng Zhanxi opened the passenger door. Tan Lingfei thanked her and bent down to get in. As Cheng Zhanxi walked around to the other side, she stood outside the car door, her back to the interior, took her phone out of her pocket, and sent a voice message to Yu Qingtang.
The night wind rushed in through the open driver's door, gently lifting the strands of hair on Tan Lingfei's forehead.
Cheng Zhanxi closed the car door, fastened her seatbelt, and drove towards their intended destination.
The evening breeze rustled the small bamboo grove in the courtyard.
The phone, which had been silent since morning, vibrated. A page of a book, being turned by slender white fingers, lost its support halfway and fell. That fair, slender hand reached for the phone on the desk.
Cheng Zhanxi had sent her a voice message.
Yu Qingtang opened it, pressed the phone to her ear, and listened carefully.
"I was painting during the day. Now I'm going to dinner. I'll be home around ten. If you're sleepy, go to bed first. I'll tell you when I get back. Be good." The message was long, but the voice note was short because Cheng Zhanxi spoke very quickly. There was the sound of wind blowing across the microphone, and the sound of cars honking on the road.
Yu Qingtang put on her earphones and listened to the voice message, which was no more than ten seconds long, over and over again, gazing quietly at the bamboo grove outside the window.
Cheng Zhanxi came home a little over ten minutes late. As soon as she got out of the garage, she immediately called Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang answered instantly.
Cheng Zhanxi panted, "I..."
Yu Qingtang finished her sentence, "I'm not asleep."
Cheng Zhanxi leaned her back against the wall, unconsciously whining, "I'm so tired." She had been painting all day and just wanted to go home and sleep, but she couldn't not treat the model to dinner. Tan Lingfei was also very talkative, so Cheng Zhanxi had to keep chatting with her. The conversation itself was interesting; Tan Lingfei knew a lot and had insightful opinions, but Cheng Zhanxi couldn't stop thinking about her girlfriend. When it was almost ten, she directly brought up Yu Qingtang, saying her girlfriend was waiting for her.
Yu Qingtang thought: Is it because she has to call me every day that she's tired?
Yu Qingtang: "Then you should go to bed early today."
Cheng Zhanxi was almost falling asleep standing up. She had no energy left to discern Yu Qingtang's subtle abnormality. She slowly straightened up and dragged her leaden legs towards the main door.
She chatted desultorily with Yu Qingtang, "Are you sleepy?"
"A little."
"Why don't you go to sleep first?"
"I'll wait for you."
Cheng Zhanxi felt a renewed surge of energy. She strode into the house in a few steps, climbed two flights of stairs in one go, walked into her bedroom, and said, "I'm going to take a shower."
Yu Qingtang said, "Mm."
The call wasn't disconnected. Cheng Zhanxi took her phone into the bathroom and placed it on the sink counter outside the shower.
Yu Qingtang listened to the faint sound of the shower water coming from inside. The phone remained pressed to her ear, and she stayed in one position, motionless.
The air seemed to stop flowing.
Until a voice came from her ear, "I'm done showering."
The pause button on time was released. Yu Qingtang moved her knuckles; a tingling numbness spread from her arm to her fingertips in the hand holding the phone. She switched the phone to her other hand and said softly, "Go to sleep."
Cheng Zhanxi: "I just finished showering!"
Yu Qingtang said, "I'm sleepy."
Cheng Zhanxi: "...Alright then. What time are you getting up tomorrow? I'll call you in the morning?"
Yu Qingtang's fingernails dug into the flesh of her palm. She said, "I don't know."
Cheng Zhanxi: "But I have to paint all day again tomorrow, and I'll probably be back very late at night, around the same time as today."
Yu Qingtang closed her eyes. She heard her own calm and gentle voice say, "Then let's talk when you're free."
Cheng Zhanxi yawned.
Her head was dizzy. She yawned repeatedly and said, "It'll be better after these next two busy days."
Yu Qingtang said gently, "Good night."
The phone Cheng Zhanxi was holding tilted and fell beside her pillow. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The screen remained on the call interface until her phone ran out of battery and automatically shut down.
A strong wind blew during the night. When Yu Qingtang woke up early in the morning, a lot of fallen leaves had accumulated in the courtyard again.
Just after breakfast, the landline phone in the living room rang.
Yu Qingtang was washing dishes in the kitchen when she heard Fang Wenjiao call her loudly. Even her usually stern grandfather was calling her name.
Yu Qingtang dried her hands and walked out.
Fang Wenjiao, her face full of smiles, beckoned to her, "Your dad wants you to take the call. Come quickly."
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