After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at Yu Qingtang's hand resting on her waist. Slender, nimble fingers held the dark gold sash of her nightgown. If she gently pulled it undone, Cheng Zhanxi would be like a flower blooming in spring, buds unfurling, slowly blossoming at her fingertips.
Cheng Zhanxi was both expectant and nervous; time seemed to have pressed the slow-motion button at this moment.
Silence became sound, like water dripping in a stalactite cave.
Drip—
Drip—
Each drop splashed onto Cheng Zhanxi's unbearable heart. Imagining Yu Qingtang's fingertips slowly brushing across her skin, her heart began to pound violently.
Thump. Thump.
Drip—
The water droplet stopped mid-air. Cheng Zhanxi felt a sudden tightening force around her waist, her expression freezing like the droplet.
This, of course, wasn't Yu Qingtang embracing her.
Yu Qingtang's fingertips moved nimbly, tightening the sash of her nightgown and, incidentally, adjusting her collar.
"Be careful not to catch a cold."
Yu Qingtang didn't dare to look directly at the jade-like skin exposed at her neck, nor did she dare to look into her eyes, as it would make her inexplicably parched. So, her gaze rested on a strand of long hair by Cheng Zhanxi's ear, tucking it behind her ear. The fair earlobe appeared even more translucent under the light.
Before Yu Qingtang's hand could drop to her side, Cheng Zhanxi grasped it.
Cheng Zhanxi initially had a spark of anger, but upon touching Yu Qingtang's soft, delicate hand, it vanished completely, leaving only helplessness and amusement.
"Don't I look good dressed like this?" Cheng Zhanxi sighed softly in her heart, patiently trying to convey her aesthetic sense.
Yu Qingtang studied her.
Cheng Zhanxi's features were regular and radiant, and her figure, needless to say, had everything it should: a slender waist, long legs, and two particularly full curves. The light shone on her, her skin as white as milk, lustrous and smooth. The dark gold silk nightgown suited her well, with a thin sash at her waist, below which were long, straight legs. The opening of the nightgown was tantalizingly visible, exuding the aura of a sophisticated young woman.
"Beautiful," Yu Qingtang nodded honestly. It was a different kind of beauty from when she wore the smoky pink long-sleeved pajamas, as if something more had been added.
"Added what?" Cheng Zhanxi asked her softly. Yu Qingtang had unknowingly spoken her thoughts aloud.
"I don't know."
Cheng Zhanxi took her hand, placed it on her own face, and said, "Touch it, feel it slowly."
Yu Qingtang touched her face, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curving up. "It's very smooth."
Cheng Zhanxi's eyelids drooped slightly. She nuzzled her palm affectionately, her voice a lazy nasal hum, "Continue."
Yu Qingtang's fingertips lingered on her cheeks, eyebrows, eyes, nose, then slowly moved back to her ear, pinching her thick, soft, full earlobe, unable to let go.
Like Yu Qingtang, Cheng Zhanxi's ears were also sensitive spots. As Yu Qingtang kneaded her earlobe, it soon turned bright red, like a piece of warm red jade.
Cheng Zhanxi's cheeks also flushed a faint crimson, as if she had applied natural rouge.
Yu Qingtang rarely observed Cheng Zhanxi so closely when she was awake, partly due to shyness and partly for other reasons. She found this side of Cheng Zhanxi incredibly novel; her own every small movement could easily affect Cheng Zhanxi, just as Cheng Zhanxi affected her.
"Xixi..." she murmured, her gaze filled with infatuation.
"I'm here." Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head and kissed her cool fingertips.
The pad of Yu Qingtang's finger touched Cheng Zhanxi's slightly parted red lips. Mimicking Cheng Zhanxi's actions from memory, she pressed and gently rubbed, clearly seeing the other woman swallow.
So, Yu Qingtang swallowed too.
Cheng Zhanxi looked into her dark pupils, her lips slightly parted, and said softly, "Give it to me."
Yu Qingtang asked, stunned, "What?"
Cheng Zhanxi said no more, lowering her head to bite her fingertip.
Yu Qingtang kept watching her, so she could see how Cheng Zhanxi was treating her.
Her cicada-wing-like eyelashes fluttered down, holding an amber light like moonlight. Her nasal bridge appeared even more prominent from this angle, her skin so delicate not a single flaw could be found. Her gaze slowly moved downwards, seeing the red lips that held her fingertip.
The tip of the tongue curled over the pad of her finger, bringing a sensation of pressure, teeth leaving faint indentations.
She closed her eyes, a blush appearing at the corners of her eyes.
Yu Qingtang didn't know why, but her face flushed red too, and her heart accelerated.
"Cheng Zhanxi." Her voice didn't sound as calm as usual, tinged with a hint of urgency.
Cheng Zhanxi was occupied and could only manage a soft nasal hum: "Hmm?"
"I want to hold you."
Cheng Zhanxi released her fingertip and smiled, tilting back her long, slender, snow-white neck. Her damp long hair swayed, and a few water droplets fell onto the floor.
Yu Qingtang hugged her, encircling her slender waist, her face resting on her chest.
She found that Cheng Zhanxi's heart was beating as fast as hers.
The silk nightgown material was very smooth, and Yu Qingtang's hand unconsciously lingered on it.
"Cheng Zhanxi."
"Hmm?"
"Cheng Zhanxi." Yu Qingtang called her name more urgently than before, accompanied by a slight bewilderment in her wide eyes.
She was craving something.
Her hand moved to the front, as if with a mind of its own, grasping the nightgown's sash again, pulling it out bit by bit.
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at her hand, then raised her head to look into Yu Qingtang's dark, deep eyes.
Yu Qingtang: "I..."
Her long knuckles curled slightly, her voice barely audible: "...May I?"
Accompanied by Cheng Zhanxi's assenting nasal hum, Yu Qingtang's breathing grew heavier.
The automatic curtains of the floor-to-ceiling window closed, blocking out the night. The room became as bright as day. Yu Qingtang saw details she had never seen before and held her breath.
Cheng Zhanxi's nightgown sash came undone. The silk nightgown lay loosely bunched around her waist, light floating on it, like a dark golden lotus, sprouting snow-white petals and a vibrant red stamen.
Yu Qingtang stood motionless. If not for her breathing and blinking, one might have mistaken her for a statue.
Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head.
"Yu Qingtang?"
Yu Qingtang instinctively averted her gaze, immediately lowering her eyelids, as if another look would be a desecration of her sanctity.
Cheng Zhanxi frowned.
"Look at me."
Yu Qingtang looked at her face.
"Look down."
Yu Qingtang glanced down so quickly that Cheng Zhanxi thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
Cheng Zhanxi frowned. "Am I ugly?"
Yu Qingtang stammered, "N-no, you're perfect."
Cheng Zhanxi's frown deepened. "Then you..." A possibility suddenly occurred to her. "Let's go to bed, turn off the lights."
Yu Qingtang obediently did as she was told, and the room plunged into darkness.
The two lay on the large, soft bed. In the dim light, all the interrupted intimacy naturally resumed.
They kissed, from gentle touches to explosive entanglement.
Cheng Zhanxi's nightgown was tossed onto the floor by Yu Qingtang. As for her own pajamas, they had long since met the same fate.
Cheng Zhanxi intended for Yu Qingtang to be on top of her, but after a couple of kisses, Yu Qingtang, panting, fell to the side, very consciously preparing to receive.
Under the covers, Cheng Zhanxi took her hand to guide her. Yu Qingtang took her hand out and draped it around Cheng Zhanxi's neck, hugging her tighter, her neck arching back in a graceful curve, wholeheartedly accommodating her.
After a few attempts, Cheng Zhanxi finally gave up on this plan and proceeded entirely at her own pace.
What Yu Qingtang had previously thought was very comfortable became merely a prelude today.
She thought it was over, but it had just begun.
Yu Qingtang went from hugging Cheng Zhanxi's neck to her arms falling to her sides, knuckles bent, gripping the bedsheet beneath her. Later, due to her intense struggles, Cheng Zhanxi grabbed one of her hands, interlacing their fingers and pressing them above her head.
Cheng Zhanxi came up to kiss her, swallowing her involuntary sounds into her own mouth, yet a few stray whimpers still escaped.
...
After a long time, the commotion in the room subsided.
Yu Qingtang opened her mist-filled eyes. A wall lamp was on in the bedroom. Cheng Zhanxi was propped on her cheek, looking at her, her right hand resting outside the covers.
The corners of Yu Qingtang's eyes were faintly red, her neck a light pink, and her chest rose and fell irregularly. Her gaze swept over the woman's well-defined right hand and then retracted.
She closed her eyes, a barely perceptible smile gracing her lips, and relaxed back into Cheng Zhanxi's embrace.
"Tired?" Cheng Zhanxi lowered her propped-up left hand and gently kneaded the back of her neck.
Yu Qingtang hummed softly and said, "Sore."
"Where are you sore?" Cheng Zhanxi's hand moved. "Is it here?"
Yu Qingtang hadn't fully come down yet. Her whole body trembled, and she almost opened her mouth to bite her fingers.
Yu Qingtang exhaled softly. "No."
"Then are your legs sore?"
"Mm."
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment, then coaxed softly, "Sitting up might be more comfortable."
Yu Qingtang didn't think much of it.
Cheng Zhanxi held her and sat her on her lap.
Not the usual side-sitting embrace, but Yu Qingtang kneeling with her knees apart on either side of Cheng Zhanxi's legs. Cheng Zhanxi's hands could just reach around behind to encircle her willow-like, supple waist, tilting her face up to kiss her.
Yu Qingtang didn't realize what was about to happen until Cheng Zhanxi turned off the lights again.
In the deep night, the big bad wolf shed her sheep's clothing.
...
They had work tomorrow. At one in the morning, Cheng Zhanxi exercised some restraint, released her hands from Yu Qingtang's waist, and laid the unconscious woman flat on the bed, her head resting on a soft pillow.
Cheng Zhanxi returned after washing her hands, opened the door and windows for ventilation, and got a glass of water to moisten the sleeping Yu Qingtang's throat.
Yu Qingtang drank it all and continued to sleep soundly.
Cheng Zhanxi refilled the glass, placed it on the bedside table, and climbed in to hold her.
As soon as Yu Qingtang settled into her embrace, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she murmured something in her sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned close to her lips to listen. Yu Qingtang mumbled, "Don't..."
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying no threat at all. It was fortunate she was asleep; if she were awake, Cheng Zhanxi couldn't guarantee she would let her off.
Cheng Zhanxi rested her forehead against Yu Qingtang's, closed her eyes for a long moment, then lowered her head to kiss her lips. As she wished, she heard Yu Qingtang's involuntary hums, contentedly parting their moist, clinging lips, and closed her eyes. A gentle breeze blew all night.
Cheng Zhanxi came out of the bathroom; Yu Qingtang was still asleep. Cheng Zhanxi brushed aside the strands of hair covering her face, revealing a delicate face, long and curly eyelashes, breathing shallowly, her sleeping face as innocent as a child's.
Cheng Zhanxi tiptoed out, closing the door behind her.
After a while, Yu Qingtang woke up naturally.
The room's automatic curtains had already opened. Since it was early morning, the light wasn't harsh.
Yu Qingtang lay in the warm bed. The space beside her was empty, but she was no longer so anxious about Cheng Zhanxi leaving, especially since Cheng Zhanxi had, as usual, left a note in her palm saying she was making breakfast.
In the trash can beside the bed were several opened pink wrappers.
Yu Qingtang's gaze lingered on the trash can. She got out of bed, lifted the top wrapper, and saw the used...
Mm.
Yu Qingtang touched her burning face, covered it again, then pulled out a few tissues to cover all the wrappers, lay back on the bed, and closed her eyes to savor the memory.
Unlike the time at the hotel, which was purely sensory stimulation, this pleasure, infused with emotion, was soul-stirring and bone-melting.
Just as she was thinking about it until her bones felt soft and her muscles weak, Cheng Zhanxi pushed open the door and walked in.
Yu Qingtang reflexively wanted to pull the covers over herself, but her hands lacked strength; she had barely lifted them halfway before they fell back.
Cheng Zhanxi misunderstood, walked over quickly, and asked, "Are you not feeling well?"
A suspicious blush spread across Yu Qingtang's cheeks. "No."
"Then what is it?"
Cheng Zhanxi sat on the edge of the bed, took her hand, her voice as gentle as her eyes.
Yu Qingtang remained silent. How could she say something like, "I was thinking about what you did to me last night"?
It was too shameless.
Cheng Zhanxi thoughtfully didn't press further. "Can you get up? Or should I ask for leave from school for you?"
Yu Qingtang was somewhat tempted, but reason made her refuse the suggestion. "I can. No need to ask for leave."
"Alright, then get up and wash. Breakfast is almost ready." Cheng Zhanxi lifted her out of bed. The scenes from last night were vivid in her mind. Yu Qingtang stiffened almost imperceptibly, holding onto her arm to put on her shoes and stand firmly on the floor.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't notice her subtle thoughts and walked to the wardrobe to pick out her clothes for the day.
First-year grade group office.
During the morning self-study session, Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang stepped into the office together. Yang Li glanced over and abruptly sat up straight in her office chair.
Only when she watched Yu Qingtang walk behind her desk and fill the thermos Cheng Zhanxi had bought her with water did Yang Li conceal the surprise in her eyes and say, "Teacher Yu?"
Yu Qingtang turned around and said calmly, "Teacher Yang."
Yang Li said, "It really is you."
What a thing to say.
Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi, then turned back to Yang Li and said, "It's me."
Yang Li said, "Would you consider joining our English department?"
Yu Qingtang curved her lips into a smile.
"No, I'm quite happy teaching math."
Yang Li was even more surprised.
They say one should look at a scholar with new eyes after three days of separation. She hadn't seen Yu Qingtang for a week, and the other woman seemed like a completely different person.
Just now when she walked in, if it weren't for the landmark Cheng Zhanxi beside her, she wouldn't have dared to recognize this young woman wearing a white lantern-sleeved top and a blue-and-white floral print skirt, with a cool yet gentle temperament, as Yu Qingtang.
She was like the moon from the heavens fallen to the mortal world.
As Yu Qingtang moved through the office, the other teachers' necks followed her figure from left to right, and from right to left.
Going to Class Seven for lessons, the students who had been stunned before the morning reading session were stunned once again.
The students, who usually focused on listening, were all distracted, intently watching the teacher.
Yu Qingtang had to interrupt her lecture several times, stop to maintain discipline, and get them to focus on their studies.
When Yu Qingtang passed through the corridor, students who were playing and chasing stopped their pursuit, students who were talking opened their mouths and forgot their words, and students leaning on the corridor railing for air, noticing the unusual silence around them, turned their gazes over, unconsciously holding their breath.
Yu Qingtang's figure disappeared around the bend of the stairs, a faint, elegant, fairy-like woody fragrance lingering in the air.
The students in the corridor seemed to have experienced a fleeting, beautiful dream, immersed in it, silent for a long time.
A girl who had been grabbing a classmate, her playful fight paused by an invisible hand, pressed play again, asking her classmate beside her in 0.5x speed if what they had just seen was an illusion.
The classmate said she had seen it too. People in the corridor exchanged glances; yes, they had all seen it.
Then, a thunderous discussion erupted, buzzing and vibrating throughout the entire corridor.
There was only one question: Who is she?
The answer came quickly. A student from Class Seven in the corridor excitedly raised their voice, "She's our homeroom teacher!"
Yu Qingtang, the homeroom teacher of First Year Class Seven, the "Fairy Jiejie" herself. The news spread like wildfire across the campus. Sicheng No. 1 Middle School's discussion forums were flooded with posts about Yu Qingtang. Because the school didn't allow mobile phone use on campus, no photos were taken, but everyone who had seen her described her as breathtakingly beautiful. Students who hadn't seen her formed groups to loiter outside the First Year Class Seven classroom or pretend to pass by the science and math office window, hoping to encounter the "Fairy Jiejie." Even teachers joined in the excitement. Teachers had it easier than students; if they wanted to see her, they could just walk into the office. After being stunned, they would leave satisfied, only to return again.
Sicheng No. 1 Middle School's former top beauty, Cheng Zhanxi, became outdated at lightning speed. Yu Qingtang's popularity soared, even surpassing Cheng Zhanxi's previous fame.
However, along with the major discussions sparked by Yu Qingtang, an insider revealed that Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi were a couple, and they were even expecting their second child soon. Cheng Zhanxi, basking in the glow of the current top beauty, returned to the public eye.
A student posted: Why is it that Yu Qingtang has been a teacher for over half a year, but her beauty has only been discovered now?
The insider who broke the news replied: What else could it be? Of course, it's the power of love!
Yu Qingtang didn't care how much attention she attracted at school, nor did she pay any mind to the students loitering outside the glass windows. She only cared if Cheng Zhanxi's gaze was on her.
Cheng Zhanxi did more than just look at her; she wished she could hide Yu Qingtang away, not letting anyone else see even a single strand of her hair.
Yang Li teased her, "Teacher Cheng, the perfume you sprayed on yourself today smells like vinegar."
Yu Qingtang placed two fingers on her brow bone, her hand concealing the smile at the corners of her lips.
After Yang Li left, Cheng Zhanxi softly called her name.
Yu Qingtang looked up, revealing a pair of smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled too.
What was a little jealousy? Her treasure belonged to her alone, but her beauty shouldn't be monopolized by her.
Besides, Cheng Zhanxi got back all the "vinegar" she had "eaten" from Yu Qingtang at night, in various ways.
Steam etched patterns on the bathroom glass. Yu Qingtang's hand fell limply, only to be caught by Cheng Zhanxi and pressed above her head, fingers weaving through hers from the back of her hand, holding tight. In the shower stall, the sound of water intertwined, intermittent and indistinct.
A thick, soft towel was placed on the washbasin. Yu Qingtang sat on it. In the mirror, Cheng Zhanxi stood in front of her, her fingertips toying with the sash of the nightgown she had just tied.
...
In the blink of an eye, it was a new weekend.
More than a week had passed since Yu Qingtang returned from her business trip. Last week, because Cheng Zhanxi was too clingy, Yu Qingtang couldn't get away to go home. Besides, she herself somewhat craved the tenderness between her and Cheng Zhanxi. Although Cheng Zhanxi was incredibly energetic, almost as if she had inexhaustible stamina—she thought the first night, when she was so tired she passed out, was the limit—it wasn't until Friday night, two days later, that Cheng Zhanxi showed her what "to the fullest extent" truly meant.
Yu Qingtang's voice was hoarse, and she had cried until her face was tear-streaked like a pear blossom in the rain. On Saturday, she slept deeply for the entire day, barely recovering her energy, then went out for dinner with Cheng Zhanxi and watched a movie.
The movie was a blockbuster, a popcorn flick with stunning special effects; the viewing experience was fantastic. For someone like Yu Qingtang, who hadn't seen much of the world, her eyes never left the big screen for the entire duration. Sometimes, startled by the effective sound system, she would even hug Cheng Zhanxi's arm and bury her face in her shoulder.
The movie had a few thriller elements. Cheng Zhanxi was afraid of ghosts, but as long as no real ghosts appeared in the movie, just suspense and horror, she was fearless. Yu Qingtang couldn't handle it; she couldn't stand the tense sound effects and the fear of the unknown. She leaned closer and closer, eventually ending up sitting directly in Cheng Zhanxi's lap, letting Cheng Zhanxi hold her while they watched the movie. Anyway, they had bought the sofa couple seats in the last row.
As for how much of Yu Qingtang's fear was real and how much was coquetry, Cheng Zhanxi didn't expose it, contentedly enjoying the warm, fragrant, soft jade in her arms, occasionally kissing her smooth cheeks and small earlobes.
When the movie ended, Yu Qingtang brought the Coke with a straw to Cheng Zhanxi's lips. Cheng Zhanxi drank the last sip of Coke, and Yu Qingtang threw it into the cleaning lady's trash can, saying, "Thank you."
The cleaning lady looked at her, stunned for a moment, then continued cleaning.
The mall wasn't far from home, so they hadn't driven. They took the elevator downstairs.
As soon as they walked in, the "phubbers" in the elevator lifted their heads one by one, looking first at Yu Qingtang, then at Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi walked to the inner corner and pressed Yu Qingtang's eye-catching face into the crook of her own neck.
Yu Qingtang tilted her head up slightly and blew gently at the base of her ear.
Cheng Zhanxi laughed and said softly, "Don't tease."
Yu Qingtang continued to blow.
Cheng Zhanxi pressed her head back down and warned in her ear, "Do you want to get out of bed tomorrow or not?"
Yu Qingtang blinked, nestled against her neck, the end of her voice rising softly, "I don't want to."
They had an incredibly wild and unrestrained weekend.
This week, Yu Qingtang couldn't indulge Cheng Zhanxi any longer; she had to go back to the old district, and Cheng Zhanxi needed to stay home and concentrate on her painting. But after school on Friday, Cheng Zhanxi still drove Yu Qingtang back to Lipu District; she couldn't let her girlfriend take the bus anymore. Before getting out of the car, there was naturally another round of passionate, oblivious entanglement. Yu Qingtang's lips looked as if they had been bitten, red and luscious, as she pushed open the door and got out.
Just as she walked into the courtyard, Fang Wenjiao was standing in the center, it was unknown how long she had been watching quietly.
Yu Qingtang called out, "Grandma," and the heat in her cheeks gradually subsided.
It was April, and the red flowers in the courtyard were blooming brilliantly, yet they couldn't compare to the delicate beauty and charm of the young woman who had just entered.
Fang Wenjiao saw the white Audi drive away from the courtyard gate and asked, "Did someone drive you back?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in affirmation, "It was Teacher Cheng."
Fang Wenjiao gave her a deep look and said, "Come in for dinner."
Yu Qingtang said, "Okay."
She looked back at the open courtyard gate. The Audi slowly reversed back. Yu Qingtang's eyes widened.
Cheng Zhanxi rolled down the car window and waved at her from inside.
Yu Qingtang beamed with delight.
Fang Wenjiao urged from inside, "Momo."
Yu Qingtang sent Cheng Zhanxi a message on her phone and trotted inside.
The reason Cheng Zhanxi didn't stay for dinner at Fang Wenjiao's was that she wanted to find a formal time to visit. She and Yu Qingtang were officially dating, and Fang Wenjiao was an important elder to Yu Qingtang. Arriving empty-handed and unannounced would be too impolite. If she were to marry Yu Qingtang, she might have to deal with her scumbag father. Cheng Zhanxi hadn't directly asked Yu Qingtang's thoughts on this and didn't know her attitude. If Yu Qingtang thought it was fine not to see him, then Cheng Zhanxi wouldn't see him.
Anyway, marriage was a matter between the two of them.
Cheng Zhanxi drove away from Lipu District.
On Saturday night, Cheng Zhanxi came out of her studio and had a video call with Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang propped her newly bought tablet on her desk. She was so engrossed in their chat that she didn't notice the footsteps coming from the stairs.
Fang Wenjiao stood at the door of Yu Qingtang's room, her expression complicated. Her hand rose and fell.
She sighed, returned to the first-floor bedroom. Her grandfather, who was sleeping lightly on the inner side of the bed, was awakened. He turned over with difficulty and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Fang Wenjiao said, "Momo is in a relationship."
Grandfather said, "She's already so old, isn't it good that she's in a relationship? Is she supposed to become an old maid? What are you sighing about?"
Fang Wenjiao said, "She still has a marriage engagement."
Grandfather said, "Oh, oh."
From the time this marriage engagement was set last year until today, Yu Qingtang never brought it up proactively. When Fang Wenjiao occasionally mentioned it, Yu Qingtang would act as if it had nothing to do with her. Over time, Grandfather had even forgotten that she had a marriage engagement.
Grandfather said, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Fang Wenjiao said, "Tomorrow when Tingyu calls, I'll ask him about it."
Grandfather patted her back and said, "Sleep now, worry less."
Fang Wenjiao sighed inwardly.
On Sunday, Wei Tingyu called home as usual, asking after his parents-in-law's health. Fang Wenjiao said they were both fine, then hesitantly asked, "Tingyu, ah."
Wei Tingyu's voice was gentle, "I'm listening, Mom. Go ahead."
Fang Wenjiao's hand tightened on the landline receiver. "I just wanted to ask, how are the preparations for Momo's wedding coming along?"
The father and daughter were on bad terms, neither mentioning the other. Every time Fang Wenjiao spoke to one about the other, she was on edge.
Wei Tingyu, contrary to his usual self, still spoke gently, "They're almost ready. We just picked out the wedding dress and diamond ring a couple of days ago."
Fang Wenjiao's expression, however, wasn't good. "You picked them?"
Wei Tingyu's voice was warm, "Is there a problem?"
Fang Wenjiao's voice suddenly rose sharply, "It's Momo getting married, not you! Why are you picking the wedding dress?! What would happen if you came to pick her up? I've never seen a father like you!"
The old house had poor soundproofing. Yu Qingtang was in her room checking emails on her laptop when she heard what sounded like an argument downstairs and got up from her desk.
This time, Fang Wenjiao wasn't so easily appeased by Wei Tingyu's few words.
In the older generation's tradition, a woman only marries once in her life. Such an important matter, and he took full charge of it. How could that be acceptable?!
"Wei Tingyu! Why don't you just marry in her place?!" Fang Wenjiao's voice rose several octaves, sounding shrill.
Yu Qingtang, who had reached the middle of the stairs, paused, stunned.
She seemed to have forgotten something.
Wei Tingyu said calmly, "Mom..."
Fang Wenjiao interrupted him, "Don't call me Mom!"
Wei Tingyu gave a wry smile, but then heard Fang Wenjiao suddenly exclaim in surprise, "Momo."
Fang Wenjiao looked at Yu Qingtang on the stairs, her high-pitched voice lowering, and pointed to the landline, "It's your dad's call."
She thought Yu Qingtang would turn and walk away as before, but unexpectedly, Yu Qingtang came down the stairs step by step and took the receiver from her hand.
Fang Wenjiao was both surprised and delighted.
Yu Qingtang picked up the receiver, her face impassive.
"I want to break off the engagement."
So steamy ah~
ReplyDelete