After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 115
Chapter 115
Yu Qingtang took the tissue from Cheng Zhanxi's hand, gently pressed the corners of her eyes, and slowly exhaled, indicating she was fine.
Cheng Zhanxi took her hand, and the two stood together on the platform, looking at the neatly arranged desks and chairs below. In a way, the fifty students of Class Seven were matchmakers for her and Yu Qingtang; without these students, there would be no present Yu Qingtang. Besides, Cheng Zhanxi genuinely liked the students; having taught them for a year, she was emotionally reluctant to part.
Cheng Zhanxi would not be teaching at Sicheng No. 1 Middle School next semester. Her purpose for coming here had been achieved, and her primary profession wouldn't allow her to remain in this job long-term.
As for Yu Qingtang…
"I haven't decided yet. Maybe I'll continue to stay on as a teacher," Yu Qingtang said with slight hesitation after a moment of thought on the way back, her expression somewhat dazed.
Graduates with a mathematics major primarily find employment in finance, IT, research, and, of course, teaching. Yu Qingtang's master's research had focused on scientific research, not because she liked it, but because, in comparison, it allowed her to concentrate on herself without needing to pay attention to the world.
Yu Qingtang had lived for twenty-eight years. The person she loved was Cheng Zhanxi, but she had yet to find something she truly loved from the bottom of her heart.
Hearing Yu Qingtang say this, Cheng Zhanxi said, "Then continue being a teacher. When you find what you truly want to do, we'll do that."
Yu Qingtang sighed softly and said, "But I'm already twenty-eight."
At an age when people from ordinary families should be establishing their careers, getting married, and having children, she didn't even know what she should do or what she liked to do.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Most people go their whole lives without knowing what they like. A person's quality of life isn't defined by age. At least you're still on the path."
Yu Qingtang said, "But you're not most people."
Cheng Zhanxi said gently, "Neither are you. Don't rush."
Yu Qingtang looked at her steadily for a moment, then extended her arms. Cheng Zhanxi leaned forward, allowing Yu Qingtang's arms to drape around her neck, while Cheng Zhanxi's hands encircled the woman's waist.
Yu Qingtang buried her face in the crook of Cheng Zhanxi's neck.
The gentle summer evening breeze blew past, and Cheng Zhanxi kissed her long hair.
The nervousness of soon meeting the parents dispelled the sadness of the end-of-term farewell.
Before heading to the Capital City, both Yu Qingtang and Cheng Zhanxi had their own worries.
Yu Qingtang was thinking about the Wei family that came with it. Since she was going to the Capital City, she definitely couldn't avoid her background. She didn't want to bring up the Wei family and wasn't prepared for it. She hoped even more to have no connection with the Wei family, no ties to the Capital City, and to face the Capital City and the Cheng family there with a completely new identity.
Her worries were insignificant compared to Cheng Zhanxi's current anxiety.
Cheng Zhanxi had no secrets to hide from Yu Qingtang, except for one thing. The night before leaving for the Capital City, Cheng Zhanxi hid in the bathroom to confirm the matter of the marriage engagement with her mother.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: Mom, are you sure Miss Wei has nothing to do with me anymore?
【Song Qingrou】: It never had anything to do with you. The one engaged was your brother.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: You promised! Don't let everyone tease me about Miss Wei when I bring my girlfriend back to the Capital. If I have to go through a 'chasing wife to the crematorium' scenario, none of you will have a good time [fierce.jpg].
【Song Qingrou】: I know, I know. Mom promises you.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: Love you [Cheng-style heart.gif]
Yu Qingtang was sitting on the sofa in front of the bedroom's French window, reading a book. The screen on the small coffee table lit up.
【Song Qingrou】: [Chat log between Song Qingrou and Cheng Zhanxi]
【Song Qingrou】: Hahahahaha
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Has the team-building activity already started?
Cheng Zhanxi, still unaware that her mother had sold her out in an instant, pressed the toilet flush button, pretended to wash her hands, and came out of the bathroom.
She looked at Yu Qingtang sitting on the sofa and smiled, her smile pure and flawless.
Yu Qingtang returned her smile, a hint of guilt stirring in her heart.
But Song Qingrou was in high spirits, and she didn't want to dampen her future mother-in-law's enthusiasm.
Yu Qingtang bit her lip and turned her gaze back to the book in her hands.
Before bed, Cheng Zhanxi checked the luggage one last time, then got into bed and hugged Yu Qingtang. Having just showered and applied body lotion, Yu Qingtang was fragrant and soft. Cheng Zhanxi restlessly nuzzled against her, skillfully devouring her completely.
Yu Qingtang rested her hands on Cheng Zhanxi's shoulders, kneeling in her embrace, her waist swaying gently like a weeping willow by the lakeside.
Suddenly, a fierce wind blew, and the willow began to sway violently, brewing a torrential downpour.
Raindrops fell onto the lake surface, creating ripples. The heavens don't reason with you and take things slowly; the next second, large raindrops pattered down, and the whole world became misty with moisture.
There's a lot of rain in the southern summer. Cheng Zhanxi heard the sound of the wind blowing raindrops against the French window glass, chuckled softly, and, nibbling Yu Qingtang's earlobe, whispered, "It's... rain... ing."
Deliberately slowing her tone, the woman's usually clear and mellow voice became exceptionally sexy and alluring.
Yu Qingtang could no longer hold back. Her five fingers gripped Cheng Zhanxi tightly, her usually indifferent and calm dark eyes misted over with desire, and tears welled up at the reddened corners of her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head up and sealed Yu Qingtang's lips.
It was raining.
The rain was torrential, and the city was shrouded in mist.
Yu Qingtang lost consciousness for a long time. She wasn't sure if she had fainted directly. When she woke up, the bedroom was pitch black. Cheng Zhanxi was sleeping beside her, her breathing long and even.
Yu Qingtang took Cheng Zhanxi's hand. Remembering the unrestrained madness of the final moments, an impulse drove her. Without thinking, she opened her mouth as if to bite, but when her teeth touched the soft skin on the back of the woman's hand, she slowly pulled back and placed a light kiss there instead.
She placed Cheng Zhanxi's hand on her own waist and snuggled into her embrace, adjusting to a comfortable sleeping position.
The next day, the sky cleared. After the rain, the sky was exceptionally clear, the blue bluer, the white whiter, like a natural oil painting.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang had breakfast at home and then set off for the airport.
Capital City.
Song Qingrou, from a woman's aesthetic perspective, was choosing clothes for her husband and son.
Cheng Yi and Cheng Yuanxi tirelessly tried on one outfit after another. Song Qingrou would either nod or shake her head, and the clothes would be hung on a nearby rack or put back into the wardrobe by a servant. Cheng Yi, in particular, was the only one in the family who hadn't met Yu Qingtang and deeply regretted being away on a business trip at the time.
Regarding who would pick them up from the airport, the three of them discussed it and decided that Cheng Yuanxi would represent them. It would seem formal yet not overly grand, so as not to cause Yu Qingtang psychological pressure.
Ever since Song Qingrou confirmed that Yu Qingtang was Cheng Zhanxi's girlfriend, she had been planning for this day. The three of them would occasionally discuss this topic, and the content of their discussions could be summarized as: "Welcoming Yu Qingtang to the Capital City to Inspect Cheng Zhanxi's Family Situation and Grace Us with Her Guidance."
Before Cheng Yuanxi left, Song Qingrou patted the young man's shoulder, placing high hopes on him: "Son, you're the first one from our family to meet her. You absolutely must leave a good impression on Xiao Tang."
Cheng Yuanxi raised his hand to adjust his contrasting tie, tilted his chin up, and said confidently, "Rest assured."
Song Qingrou was worried sick. "When you see her later, you absolutely must tone down that narcissistic streak of yours."
Cheng Yuanxi: "..."
Song Qingrou squeezed his firm arm again and sighed, "Son..."
Cheng Yuanxi: "Son knows."
Song Qingrou: "I haven't even said anything yet."
Cheng Yuanxi: "I'm going to be late, Mom."
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Qingrou, who was holding his arm, gave him a firm push outwards, and the next second, Cheng Yuanxi was outside the door.
Cheng Yuanxi smiled and said, "I'm off."
Song Qingrou gave him an encouraging, earnest look, like it was his first day of kindergarten, with Song Qingrou outside the school gate, watching him for a long time until his figure disappeared into the car at the entrance.
It was hard to tell if he was picking someone up or sending off a bride.
The driver drove in the front, while Cheng Yuanxi sat in the back seat, picked up a small mirror in the car, and adjusted his hairstyle, ensuring every single strand of hair was perfectly in place.
Yu Qingtang had gone to bed late the previous night and was yawning incessantly from sleepiness. She fell asleep as soon as she boarded the plane, saving herself the trouble of being nervous during the journey. Cheng Zhanxi dozed off intermittently, then took off her steam eye mask and looked out the window at the cotton candy-like white clouds. Looking at the woman sleeping soundly beside her, her heart also turned into cotton candy, sweet and soft.
Cheng Zhanxi took their intertwined hands and lightly kissed the back of Yu Qingtang's hand.
A flight attendant passing by in the aisle lightened her steps and bent down to ask Cheng Zhanxi if she wanted anything to drink.
Cheng Zhanxi asked for a glass of juice.
The in-flight announcement informed passengers that they were about to arrive and prepare for landing. Cheng Zhanxi woke her up.
As the plane descended, the outline of the capital city below gradually became clear. Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi, who looked back at her and squeezed her hand tightly.
Cheng Yuanxi watched the two, Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, emerge hand-in-hand from the arrival gate. He approached them with a refined smile, first calling out to Cheng Zhanxi, then looking at Yu Qingtang with surprise and a hint of delight, saying to Cheng Zhanxi, "Aren't you going to introduce her to your brother?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Yu Qingtang, my girlfriend."
Cheng Yuanxi smiled gently. "Hello, Miss Yu."
"Hello." Yu Qingtang lowered her eyes.
Cheng Zhanxi thought she was shy and proactively shielded Yu Qingtang slightly, changing the subject, "Where's the car parked?"
Cheng Yuanxi led the way. Cheng Zhanxi leaned close to Yu Qingtang's ear and said in a volume only the two of them could hear, "Don't be afraid. Besides, look, my brother and I look so much alike, doesn't that make you feel a bit more at ease?"
Yu Qingtang: "...Yes."
Cheng Zhanxi patted the back of her hand.
Yu Qingtang bit her lower lip slightly, glanced at her, and seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Hmm?"
Yu Qingtang looked again at Cheng Yuanxi's tall and straight figure ahead, then shook her head and said, "Nothing."
Yu Qingtang had special hypnotic techniques. Since Song Qingrou had asked her to pretend she hadn't met her before, she would temporarily forget their previous encounter.
Yu Qingtang tightened her grip on Cheng Zhanxi's hand and leaned against her shoulder.
Cheng Zhanxi looked down at her and smiled.
Cheng Yuanxi was merely the vanguard sent by their family, dutifully playing the role of a backdrop while secretly observing the interaction between his sister and Yu Qingtang. He had never completely dispelled his suspicions about Yu Qingtang. Today, however, she seemed quite artless. Cheng Zhanxi kept teasing her, whispering something, and the pink on Yu Qingtang's earlobes never faded.
Cheng Yuanxi felt half-relieved.
The black sedan drove smoothly into the Cheng family's hillside villa, passed through the cover of green plants, and stopped in front of a strikingly designed manor villa. Beside it was a lake, and the breeze blowing from the lake surface dispersed the heat in the air.
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Yi, who was dressed in a light gray suit, appearing mature and steady, and looking only around forty. Her heart tightened slightly; he was the only one she hadn't met.
"Uncle."
Then, to the beautiful woman beside him in a sleeveless blue-and-white qipao, Song Qingrou, she said, "Auntie."
Yu Qingtang bowed slightly and said politely yet gently, "Hello."
Song Qingrou's eyes were fixed on her.
Today, Yu Qingtang wore a light blue, waist-cinching long dress. A delicate necklace adorned her smooth, fair neck, revealing her exquisite collarbones. She looked even more gentle and serene than the last time.
Cheng Yi poked Song Qingrou's waist with his index finger from behind.
Song Qingrou made her smile appear appropriate for the occasion—joyful yet polite, as if it were their first meeting. "You're here! Please, come in quickly."
Yu Qingtang turned to look at Cheng Zhanxi, who had unknowingly fallen behind her.
After a brief daze, Cheng Zhanxi immediately caught up.
A subtle thought flashed through her mind: if she wasn't sure they had only met today, she would have thought Yu Qingtang and Song Qingrou had known each other for a long time. Perhaps this was the legendary "feeling like old friends at first sight."
She had fallen in love with Yu Qingtang at first sight; her mother feeling like old friends with Yu Qingtang at first sight was quite normal.
No matter how well Yu Qingtang could hypnotize herself, she couldn't treat Song Qingrou, with whom she chatted on WeChat every day, as a stranger. She could only try her best to play along with her act.
Cheng Zhanxi had to pay attention to Yu Qingtang's attitude toward her family and also observe how her family perceived Yu Qingtang. Worried about both sides, she had no time to dwell on the strangeness of it all, attributing it to fate, to the two words "destiny" or "fateful coincidence."
The main spokesperson for the Cheng family was Song Qingrou. The last time Song Qingrou met Yu Qingtang, she was still in the dark. Today was indeed their first formal meeting. The meeting gift, besides a large red envelope, was a set of expensive jewelry.
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi. When Cheng Zhanxi told her to accept it, she did.
Although Song Qingrou was free-spirited and willful, even dragging Yu Qingtang into family "team-building" activities, today, in person, there was no trace of the playful persona from WeChat. She possessed a calm elegance refined by time, spoke unhurriedly and gently, making people feel very cordial.
Song Qingrou introduced the man sitting beside her: "Cheng Yi. Yi as in Yiheyuan. My husband, Cheng Zhanxi's father."
Then she introduced the young man in the single armchair: "Cheng Yuanxi. Yuan as in yuanyuan. Cheng Zhanxi's older brother."
Cheng Yuanxi nodded with a gentle smile.
Song Qingrou: "My surname is Song, given name Qingrou. Qing as in qingqing zijin, Rou as in rouhe."
Song Qingrou's gaze swept to the other person on the two-seater sofa, Cheng Zhanxi, who was sitting right next to Yu Qingtang. With a teasing look, she said, "This one doesn't need my introduction, does she?"
Yu Qingtang's ears turned slightly red, and her hands, resting on her knees, clutched the fabric of her long dress.
Cheng Zhanxi gracefully put her arm around Yu Qingtang's shoulder. Yu Qingtang met her gaze, saw the bright smile in her eyes, and felt like she was about to spontaneously combust on the spot.
Song Qingrou's true nature was exposed: "Aiya."
Cheng Yuanxi reflexively moved his thighs apart, then belatedly realized he was sitting in a single armchair and silently drew his legs back together.
The Cheng family and Yu Qingtang chatted briefly in the living room, then Song Qingrou pulled Yu Qingtang into the bedroom to talk privately.
Song Qingrou: "Don't look at her. We two are talking. Why do you keep looking at her? Do you think Auntie is old and not as good-looking as her? Like mother, like daughter. When Auntie was young, I was even better looking than her."
Yu Qingtang, who was just about to look at Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi smiled and said, "Go on."
Song Qingrou took Yu Qingtang's wrist and said, "I just get annoyed with how the Cheng family members always act like they're master strategists, as if only they can give orders and we're all fools."
The three surnamed Cheng in the living room, who were all indiscriminately targeted, smiled faintly.
As long as Wife/Mom is happy.
Yu Qingtang smiled.
Song Qingrou, while saying, "We two are on the same side," led Yu Qingtang into the bedroom and closed the door.
Bedroom.
Song Qingrou had Yu Qingtang sit on the sofa, while she casually pulled over a low stool and sat opposite her, not particular about formalities at all.
Yu Qingtang's nerves were taut. Cautiously, she asked, "Auntie, why don't you sit here?"
Song Qingrou waved her hand, saying it wasn't necessary. She looked at Yu Qingtang and said sincerely, "Auntie has something to ask you. Tell Auntie the truth. Auntie doesn't care how you two got together, as long as you live well in the future."
Yu Qingtang was completely bewildered but maintained a respectful attitude. "Please ask."
Song Qingrou asked seriously, "Does Xixi know that the person she ran away from marrying was you? Did you know her long ago?"
Yu Qingtang: "?"
What?!
What runaway marriage?!
Cheng Zhanxi ran away from a marriage? When did she get engaged!!!
Yu Qingtang, slow to react as if she were Siri, enunciated slowly, "Auntie, I don't think I understand what you're saying."
Song Qingrou frowned. "You don't know?"
Yu Qingtang thought blankly: Should I know?
Song Qingrou observed her expression, which didn't seem like she was lying, and hesitated. "Weren't you initially arranged to marry my son in a childhood engagement?"
Yu Qingtang asked back, "Childhood engagement?"
Song Qingrou was surprised. "You don't know either?"
Yu Qingtang shook her head.
Song Qingrou's frown deepened. Is Yu Qingtang really the eldest young mistress of the Wei family? What on earth did Wei Tingyu tell her? But she had no time to press further now; she needed to clarify one thing first.
Song Qingrou: "Cheng Yuanxi is gay and couldn't fulfill the engagement. Our family planned to have Xixi meet you, but she ran away in a fit of anger, so we told the Wei family she was ill."
Yu Qingtang pondered for a moment, then a realization dawned on her.
Last year, because the young master of the Cheng family claimed illness, the Wei family intended to arrange a marriage for her with another family. They even specifically called her back to the Capital City, and there were intense discussions in the study. Yu Qingtang had zoned out completely, not caring about the person's name or even their gender. It turned out that at that time, it was no longer Young Master Cheng, but Miss Cheng.
In other words...
Yu Qingtang's eyes suddenly widened.
Cheng Zhanxi ran away from her marriage?!
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