After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Wen Zhihan looked at Cheng Zhanxi's profile picture, which was a childhood photo of a quiet little girl. As for who this little girl was, did it even need to be said?
Wen Zhihan had wanted to send the chat history and then immediately delete her, letting Cheng Zhanxi also taste the bitterness of a red exclamation mark.
But she wasn't Cheng Zhanxi, after all; she wasn't that shameless. So she quietly watched the phone screen light up on the desk until Cheng Zhanxi's reply popped up.
【Did she say anything else to you?】
Wen Zhihan: 【Nothing important.】
Cheng Zhanxi: 【Thank you.】
Cheng Zhanxi: 【You can delete me now. I'll let you delete me first this time, but I won't apologize.】
Wen Zhihan decisively deleted Cheng Zhanxi. After deleting her, she unconsciously smiled, her two fingers resting on her forehead, her eyes curving. As she smiled, she dabbed the moisture from the corners of her eyes with a tissue.
She knew where the difference between her and Cheng Zhanxi lay.
Cheng Zhanxi loved and hated clearly, her emotions were intense, and what she could give Yu Qingtang was a passion like fire, enough to melt a stone, let alone an iceberg.
Wen Zhihan didn't lose in love, but in the way love was expressed.
Knowing how to love was just as important as love itself.
On the runway of Capital International Airport, planes took off one after another into the blue sky, drawing straight lines. Wen Zhihan sat in the soon-to-depart flight, sent her last message, and turned off her phone.
Township Hospital.
Yu Qingtang was in Xiao Chunjin's hospital room when her phone vibrated. She opened WeChat.
Wen Zhihan: 【I've gone abroad. I hope that the next time I see you, you will have found happiness in your life. Lastly, there's something I want to tell you: you are very, very good. And that person by your side, she's not as good as you imagine. I've already exited the stage, so my words are well-intentioned. Consider them.】
Cheng Zhanxi watched Yu Qingtang staring blankly at her phone screen, her heart itching with curiosity, but her upbringing didn't allow her to peek at Yu Qingtang's phone.
So Cheng Zhanxi had to pretend to ask casually, "What are you looking at?"
Yu Qingtang put away her phone and said nonchalantly, "Nothing."
Cheng Zhanxi asked, "Who sent the message?"
Yu Qingtang didn't hide it and said truthfully, "Wen Zhihan."
Cheng Zhanxi ground her teeth.
Just now in the car, she had been secretly chatting with Wen Zhihan, hiding it from Yu Qingtang, and Yu Qingtang was already jealous. Yet, Cheng Zhanxi couldn't explain it clearly at the moment.
Now Wen Zhihan was messaging Yu Qingtang, making her jealous.
What was wrong with this woman? Going abroad and still trying to stir up trouble between them. She only wanted to stir up spring waters with Yu Qingtang, not any other kind of water.
Yu Qingtang had no intention of telling Cheng Zhanxi the content of the message and turned her attention to Xiao Qing by the hospital bed.
Xiao Qing was wiping her father's hands with a damp towel, trimming his nails, and carefully cleaning the dirt from under his fingernails, patient and meticulous.
Xiao Chunjin, dressed in a blue and white striped hospital gown, lay peacefully asleep on the bed, his face calm and serene.
Yu Qingtang, with one hand in her pocket, said in a light voice, "Xiao Qing, come out with me for a moment."
After speaking, she walked towards the door of the hospital room.
Xiao Qing tucked her father's hand under the covers, took a deep breath, and followed her out.
Meanwhile, Cheng Zhanxi savored Yu Qingtang's cool and calm tone. She slipped one hand into her coat pocket, and as she turned to leave, the hem of her coat billowed up and then settled, a faint, hidden fragrance wafting towards her.
Cheng Zhanxi loved the way she was composed, rational, and handled students with ease. She even wanted to return to the classroom as her student, to let Teacher Yu discipline her.
Just imagining this scene made her heartbeat uncontrollably accelerate.
Wen Zhihan said she was insecure, but if it were anyone more ordinary, they wouldn't even dare to look at Yu Qingtang, or would only dare to watch her retreating figure from a distance around a corner she had passed.
Yu Qingtang, who considered herself as lowly as an ant, didn't know that she was also the bright moonlight admired by many.
The corridor outside the hospital room.
Xiao Qing mustered her courage and glanced at her homeroom teacher. Yu Qingtang's expression betrayed no joy or anger.
The courage Xiao Qing had just gathered dissipated, and she lowered her head.
Yu Qingtang's voice was devoid of emotion as she asked, "Why didn't you report to school?"
Cheng Zhanxi leaned against the corridor wall not far away, at a distance where she could just hear their conversation but remained inconspicuous.
When it came to handling student issues, Yu Qingtang was much more professional than her, and it was her responsibility. Cheng Zhanxi just needed to observe.
"I don't want to study anymore."
Cheng Zhanxi heard the girl's stubborn reply and tutted inwardly.
"Because of your father's illness?"
Xiao Qing remained silent, her fingers by her side clenched into fists.
Yu Qingtang's voice remained calm throughout.
"Do you know that when Teacher Cheng and I went to your house, your father was lying in bed, constantly crying, begging me to take you back to school to study?"
The girl's tears fell, splashing onto the hospital corridor tiles.
"The auntie next door told me your dad was on a hunger strike, wanting to pass away early so as not to burden you."
Xiao Qing's thin body began to tremble, her chest heaving violently.
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes bloodshot.
Yu Qingtang stepped forward at the right moment and pressed the girl's face into her shoulder. Suppressed sobs echoed in the corridor.
"Teacher..."
Xiao Qing cried in her arms until she was out of breath.
"Can you... help me..."
"I can't live without my dad..."
Yu Qingtang gently patted her back, her chin resting on the top of her head.
Suddenly, the pinky finger of Yu Qingtang's free hand was hooked. Cheng Zhanxi, who had been standing not far away, had come to her side at some point, her pinky hooked around Yu Qingtang's. Cheng Zhanxi mouthed: I want a hug too.
Yu Qingtang shot her a playful glare.
Don't mess around.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped messing around, but she didn't let go of their hooked pinkies, swinging them back and forth.
Yu Qingtang proactively reached for her other fingers and took her hand.
Cheng Zhanxi was overwhelmed by the favor. This was the first time Yu Qingtang had taken the initiative since her confession, an intimacy tinged with possessiveness.
The conditions at the township hospital were average. Cheng Zhanxi took a taxi to where her car was parked and drove it over. Yu Qingtang sat in the passenger seat, Xiao Qing in the back, with Xiao Chunjin's head resting on her lap. Xiao Chunjin was covered with a blanket from the car, his face flushed rosy from the heater.
They drove all the way to the County Hospital. Yu Qingtang went to handle Xiao Chunjin's admission procedures, while Cheng Zhanxi and Xiao Qing stayed with Xiao Chunjin.
After everything was settled, it was already seven or eight in the evening. Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, who had been busy since morning, were famished.
Xiao Qing refused to leave the hospital. Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi went out to eat and would bring dinner back for her.
Xiao Chunjin woke up once in the County Hospital. Seeing Xiao Qing sitting by his bedside, he squeezed his eyes shut, turned his face away, and struggled to turn his body away as well.
Xiao Chunjin had never raised his voice or spoken harshly to his daughter in his life. Ever since Xiao Qing decided to drop out of school, Xiao Chunjin would look at her as if she were an enemy, scolding her, ignoring her, trying to use this method to force her back to school, but nothing worked. Xiao Qing paid no attention, and father and daughter were at odds.
Xiao Chunjin, with his back to his daughter, felt a pain in his heart as if a knife were twisting, so painful that his eyes reddened.
Xiao Qing said from behind him, "I will go to school."
Xiao Chunjin's eyes widened in astonishment.
Xiao Qing turned him over, her eyes filled with tears.
"Teacher Yu said she would lend me money for your surgery, and I can pay her back slowly after I start working."
"She also said there are student loans for university, and as long as my grades are good, the country won't let me miss out on education. There are also poverty assistance policies in high school, and she will help me apply for everything I'm eligible for, which adds up to a lot of money."
"Don't be like this anymore. Even if I get into university, if something happens to you, how will I live?"
Xiao Qing opened her father's clenched fist. The middle-aged man's palm was calloused and rough from years of labor. The girl pressed her delicate face against it and sobbed, "Dad, I can't live without you."
Xiao Chunjin's throat choked, and tears streamed down like rain.
"Let Xiao Qing stay here to take care of her father first. After the surgery, she can go back to school. I'll help her pay the tuition fees first and request a leave of absence." Yu Qingtang had eaten until she was about seventy or eighty percent full, and her eating pace slowed down. She discussed it with Cheng Zhanxi while eating, "What do you think, Teacher Cheng?"
Cheng Zhanxi stirred the fish soup in her bowl with a spoon and said with a smile, "I think it's very good."
Hearing this, Yu Qingtang looked up at Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi also looked at her.
Yu Qingtang smiled first.
Cheng Zhanxi touched her own face and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang looked pleased and said, "Nothing."
Cheng Zhanxi could also see she was in a good mood and said, "Are you happy about Xiao Qing's matter?" This sentence was ambiguous, so Cheng Zhanxi rephrased, "I mean, being able to help her."
Yu Qingtang said, "Yes."
Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow.
She even added an affirmative particle; it seemed she was really happy.
Actually, since the start of this semester, Yu Qingtang's mental state had improved significantly compared to when she was at home. She managed a class, the students liked and needed her, and several lively ones constantly sought her attention, like Tong Feifei, Xiang Tianyou, Lian Yabing, Li Lan, and others. Xiang Tianyou's grades were skyrocketing, he no longer daydreamed in class, and he was one of the most attentive students in the entire class. Hu Juan, whom he had angered to tears last semester, specifically came to Yu Qingtang's office to praise him by name, and other subject teachers also showered him with compliments.
Now, Xiao Qing's matter was also preliminarily resolved. Xiao Qing needed money, and she happened to have money. She could help her, help a father who doted on his daughter.
Yu Qingtang vaguely realized her own worth. She wasn't useless; she could still help others.
Therefore, when facing Cheng Zhanxi, she unconsciously became much more composed.
People need to find their self-worth to find their place in a relationship, not just blindly depend on others. Such a relationship is like a castle in the air, without foundation. For Yu Qingtang, a sense of security didn't just come from others; it originated more from within her own heart.
After eating, they packed up the leftovers and also got a portion of congee for Xiao Chunjin.
When they returned to the hospital room, Xiao Chunjin was still awake. The electric kettle on the table was gurgling as it boiled water. Xiao Qing had moved a chair to sit by the bed, using the remote control to change TV channels.
As soon as Yu Qingtang entered, Xiao Chunjin struggled to sit up.
Cheng Zhanxi quickly stepped forward and pressed Xiao Chunjin's shoulder, making him lie back down.
Yu Qingtang placed the bag on the table and said, "The doctor said you need more rest."
Xiao Chunjin was weak and couldn't speak much. Xiao Qing, beside him, relayed, "Teacher Yu, my dad wants to thank you."
"I've already received it." Yu Qingtang beckoned her to the table, "Come and eat first."
Xiao Qing walked over, saw the food on the table, paused for a moment, then looked up and asked, "How much did it cost?"
Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi; she had predicted this.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Two dishes, one rice, plus the congee, thirty-four in total."
Xiao Qing silently noted it down in her heart.
Children from poorer families often have stronger self-esteem. Yu Qingtang's voice was calm, but her eyes were gentle as she said, "When your father recovers, I'll give you a bill. Don't think about these things now; you can pay it back slowly in the future."
Xiao Qing nodded, took the disposable chopsticks Yu Qingtang had unwrapped, sat down at the table, and lowered her head to eat.
Cheng Zhanxi raised the hospital bed, placed the congee on the raised tray table, and began to feed Xiao Chunjin.
Seeing this, Yu Qingtang frowned slightly and said lightly, "Let me do it."
Yu Qingtang grasped Cheng Zhanxi's hand, her fingertips touching the spoon handle.
Cheng Zhanxi refused, "I'll do it."
Xiao Chunjin: "..."
Xiao Qing hurriedly swallowed the food in her mouth and said, "Let me do it."
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang looked at each other silently for a few seconds, then simultaneously let go.
Yu Qingtang cleared her throat and said to Xiao Qing, "The congee is a bit hot. Finish your meal first, it's not too late to feed him then."
Xiao Qing: "Okay."
There wasn't much else to help with in the room. Cheng Zhanxi also cleared her throat, "Then we'll..."
Xiao Qing understood, "You two teachers can go attend to your own matters."
Yu Qingtang turned her head uncomfortably, looking at the white wall of the hospital room.
Cheng Zhanxi took Yu Qingtang's bag, took Yu Qingtang's hand with her other hand, and said, "Call us if anything happens. The number is on the bedside table."
Xiao Qing walked them to the elevator.
It was late, and they were the only two waiting for the elevator. Cheng Zhanxi quietly sidled closer and pressed a light kiss from her thin lips onto Yu Qingtang's cool, smooth cheek.
Yu Qingtang's heart thumped heavily, and she lowered her gaze. The knuckles of the hand intertwined with the woman's unconsciously tightened, the pressure transmitting to Cheng Zhanxi, who squeezed back even tighter.
She felt her shoulders being slowly turned by Cheng Zhanxi. Her lowered gaze happened to fall upon Cheng Zhanxi's full... hmm.
Yu Qingtang's gaze froze, her throat bobbed. Closer and closer...
Just as the two were about to embrace, the sound of the elevator doors opening reached their ears.
The two separated as if shocked by electricity. A man and a woman, family members of a patient, walked out of the elevator and passed by them.
Yu Qingtang unnaturally raised her fingers to tuck her hair behind her ear.
Cheng Zhanxi led her into the elevator. The doors slowly closed in front of them, leaving no gap. Cheng Zhanxi leaned in and hugged her. Their winter clothes were thick, making it difficult to feel each other's body heat through the embrace, but Cheng Zhanxi's face pressed against her cheek, her breath soft and even by her ear.
Cheng Zhanxi was about half a head taller than Yu Qingtang. Her chin rested on Yu Qingtang's shoulder, her arms wrapped around her waist from behind. This hugging posture resembled a large dog, full of dependence.
Yu Qingtang enjoyed her dependence.
The time to the third floor passed in a flash. A second before the elevator doors opened, Yu Qingtang touched Cheng Zhanxi's fair, delicate ear, her fingertip lingering almost imperceptibly for half a second.
She had wanted to do this last time during their video call. She also wanted to pinch it, to hold it with her lips, to nibble it gently with her teeth, to devour her piece by piece.
A dark glint flashed through Yu Qingtang's eyes, gone in an instant.
They found a chain hotel near the hospital. When checking in at the front desk, Cheng Zhanxi glanced at Yu Qingtang beside her. An idea struck her, and she tentatively said to the receptionist, "One king-sized bed room."
Yu Qingtang's pupils trembled slightly. Her lips moved, but she didn't speak.
The receptionist checked their IDs and handed them over along with the room key card—a thin magnetic card, one, with the room number printed on it: 304.
Cheng Zhanxi held it in her hand, her palm surprisingly a little sweaty.
In a hotel room in the county town, Cheng Zhanxi certainly wouldn't do anything to Yu Qingtang. For their official first time, Cheng Zhanxi wanted some sense of ceremony; it wouldn't be so casual. But sharing a bed itself was a heart-pounding affair. She could see Yu Qingtang before sleep, and Yu Qingtang would be the first person she saw upon waking.
Even though they had slept together in the hospital room not long ago, and even though she wasn't completely inexperienced in relationships, Cheng Zhanxi clutched the room key, feeling like a young lad newly in love, unable to suppress the overwhelming joy in her heart.
If Yu Jianxing were here, she would definitely say she'd seen a ghost.
Ghost?
Cheng Zhanxi's brilliant smile froze for an instant, then bloomed again.
What about ghosts? If a ghost dared to stop her from being in love, she'd change her name to Zhong Kui right now!
Yu Qingtang caught sight of Cheng Zhanxi's lips, stretched almost to her ears in a grin, from the corner of her eye. She couldn't help but purse her lips and smile faintly too.
The two arrived in front of room 304. Cheng Zhanxi turned Yu Qingtang's shoulders, held her hands with both of hers, her expression gentle, her eyes fixed on her without blinking, her eyes curving into a smile.
Yu Qingtang, embarrassed and slightly annoyed, whispered, "Open the door."
Cheng Zhanxi, as if waking from a dream, said, "Oh, oh, open the door, open the door. Huh? Where's my room key?"
Yu Qingtang, exasperated, pulled the room key from her hand and, with a "beep," opened the door.
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at her own hand, dawning realization: "Ah."
A fair, slender hand reached out from inside the room, grabbed her wrist, pulled her in, and slammed the door shut with a "bang."
Cheng Zhanxi stood by the door. Yu Qingtang went into the bathroom, and the gurgling sound of running water came from inside.
In front of Cheng Zhanxi was a 2m x 1.8m king-sized bed, more than enough for two people. The corners of Cheng Zhanxi's lips began to curve upwards again.
She sat on it first, testing its softness. In reality, the quality of hotel beds was just so-so, but Cheng Zhanxi was still full of enthusiasm. She sat down, bounced up, played for a while, then walked to the desk, opened her backpack, and took out disposable underwear.
Yu Qingtang leaned with both hands on the edge of the sink, her face covered in water droplets, yet she couldn't hide the smile playing on her lips.
So Cheng Zhanxi also had her silly moments, and she was so adorably silly.
Clearly, the room key was in her hand, yet she was looking everywhere for it, and even said "Ah."
How could there be such an adorable person?!
Yu Qingtang laughed harder and harder, until she had to press her fist against her lips to keep from making a sound.
The sound of water in the bathroom continued for a long time.
Cheng Zhanxi, feeling uneasy, came over and knocked on the door, "Yu Qingtang?"
Yu Qingtang instantly wiped the smile from her face and replied seriously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's fine as long as you're in there."
"Coming out now." Yu Qingtang turned off the faucet, patted her face in the mirror, let out a light breath, and opened the door to come out.
Cheng Zhanxi was drawing the curtains with her back to the bathroom. As Yu Qingtang passed the table in front of the TV, her peripheral vision caught an object, and her steps faltered slightly.
It was two pairs of disposable underwear, neatly folded together.
The tips of Yu Qingtang's ears flushed hot.
She was both shy and curious, couldn't resist taking a couple more glances, and involuntarily reached out to touch them.
Just then, Cheng Zhanxi turned around. Yu Qingtang snatched her hand back as if shocked, her heart pounding like a drum. She only saw Cheng Zhanxi's lips move, her ears buzzing for a moment, unable to hear what she was saying.
Fortunately, she could read lips and replied calmly, "You wash first."
Cheng Zhanxi said okay, walked over, picked up the top pair of underwear, and went into the bathroom.
Yu Qingtang looked at the single pair remaining in front of her, a faint sense of regret welling up inside.
She actually took it in... Yu Qingtang realized what she was thinking, immediately raised her hand to rub her cheeks, forcing her mind to clear and banish the indecent thoughts.
She reopened the closed window and let the breeze blow on her for a while, finally cooling down her burning face.
Whenever she was in the same room as Cheng Zhanxi, she started to become abnormal. Did this mean she liked Cheng Zhanxi more? Liking someone this much was too overwhelming.
Yu Qingtang was gradually and clearly tasting the flavor of love. It was a feeling of her heart being so full it couldn't hold anymore, growing sweeter the more she savored it, more intoxicating than the strongest liquor.
As soon as Cheng Zhanxi came out, she saw Yu Qingtang's flushed face, ears, and snowy neck—none were spared.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart skipped a beat. Her first reaction was: Is she drunk?
But such a scene had happened once before. It was when she had dealt with those hooligans, changed clothes, and was going to school with Yu Qingtang. They had been talking about something, and Yu Qingtang's face suddenly turned beet red. Cheng Zhanxi thought she had a fever, and Yu Qingtang, flustered and annoyed, ended up gasping for breath. So, Cheng Zhanxi rationally ruled out the option of drunkenness, walked over step by step, and cupped Yu Qingtang's cheeks, making her look up.
Yu Qingtang's eyes seemed to hold two pools of spring water, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye became a captivating hook, ensnaring her soul.
Cheng Zhanxi's voice unconsciously grew hoarse, "What's wrong?"
Cheng Zhanxi had just showered. She used a small bottle of body wash she brought from home, rose milk scented, fragrant and smooth.
Yu Qingtang's mind was a little muddled. She thought: Can smoothness also be smelled?
Yu Qingtang's face grew redder, the breath she exhaled onto Cheng Zhanxi's fingers cupping her cheeks grew warmer, and her red lips unknowingly parted slightly, revealing the soft, moist interior.
The room felt like a large furnace, with someone constantly adding firewood underneath.
Cheng Zhanxi's freshly showered body broke out in a sweat.
She, of course, knew what was happening to her and what she wanted to do, but Yu Qingtang might not. Her eyes held infatuation, obsession, not lust. Even if it were, Cheng Zhanxi couldn't do it with her in a place like this.
Yu Qingtang was completely unconsciously seducing, unaware of how attractive she was to the person in front of her. Cheng Zhanxi's eyes were restrained. Her fair fingertips slid across her chin, giving it a gentle squeeze, hoping to sober her up.
Yu Qingtang didn't sober up. Unsure if it was painful or not, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she let out a soft, "Mmm..."
Cheng Zhanxi took a deep breath, released her hands before her rationality collapsed, retreated to a safe distance, turned her head to look at the room's wall, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "It's your turn to shower."
Yu Qingtang's dark jade eyes gradually cleared, the bewitching, seductive mist disappearing. She stood up, found her legs a bit weak, and swayed unsteadily. Cheng Zhanxi promptly supported her arm. Half of Yu Qingtang's body leaned against her, soft, warm, and fragrant, intoxicatingly rich.
Like a spark landing on dry tinder, ready to ignite a flame at any moment, Cheng Zhanxi's body instantly stiffened.
Yu Qingtang steadied herself by holding onto her shoulder and stepped into the bathroom.
The kindling moved away, but the spark still flickered. Cheng Zhanxi stood in place, flexing her long fingers.
Cheng Zhanxi licked her dry lips, unscrewed the cap of the mineral water bottle on the bedside table, and drank nearly half of it in one go. The cold water slid down her throat, calming both her agitated heart and body.
Cheng Zhanxi sighed almost inaudibly.
If she had known earlier, she would have...
She would have what? Not gotten a king-sized bed room? Was there a difference between a king-sized room and a standard room? It was impossible for them to stay separately.
As Cheng Zhanxi thought about it, she chuckled.
She tightened the cap of the mineral water bottle, put it back in its place, pillowed her hands behind her head, stretched out her long legs, and lay comfortably on the bed, waiting for Yu Qingtang to come out so they could chat innocently under the covers.
In the message Wen Zhihan sent her, it said Yu Qingtang felt she wasn't good enough for her. Cheng Zhanxi had vaguely sensed her insecurity but had never thought this was the main reason she didn't accept her. Now that she knew the crux of the problem, she could prescribe the right remedy.
Suddenly, her gaze swept to a corner of white fabric at the edge of her vision.
Cheng Zhanxi narrowed her eyes and sat up. When she saw clearly what it was, her expression changed instantly.
—Yu Qingtang had left her underwear behind.
Hehehe
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