After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 122
Chapter 122
The three of them got into the car. Yu Qingtang's gaze subtly swept over the mother and daughter who had boarded a few steps behind her. She secretly wondered what they had said, and if it had anything to do with her.
Had Cheng Zhanxi seen her expression when she heard the words "Young Mistress" just now? If she had seen it...
Yu Qingtang had to admit, she didn't resist this possibility.
She wasn't as outwardly expressive as Cheng Zhanxi, but like every girl in love, she hoped her lover could understand her thoughts.
It took some time to get to the horse ranch. They had all woken up early and weren't in high spirits for chatting in the car, so they caught up on sleep. After arriving at their destination, the driver woke them.
Cheng Zhanxi got out of the car first, then helped Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang out in turn. She let go of her mother's hand once she was steady, but she held onto Yu Qingtang's hand and didn't let go, even giving it a gentle swing or two, her eyes and brows filled with delight.
Song Qingrou glanced over, a pang of "a grown daughter cannot be kept at home" bitterness welling up in her heart.
The manager, who had been waiting at the entrance, came forward: "Madam, Miss..."
When he reached Yu Qingtang, he didn't pause for a second, adhering to the Cheng family's form of address, and said calmly, "Young Mistress."
Yu Qingtang's fingers, intertwined with Cheng Zhanxi's, couldn't help but curl, and she almost hid behind Cheng Zhanxi out of shyness.
The horse ranch manager led them inside.
The horse ranch was a gift from Commander Song to his daughter, Song Qingrou. She loved riding horses and would come over for a ride whenever she had free time. A large area of land around it also belonged to her. Sometimes she would take her horse out for a wild ride, galloping across the mountains and plains. She had developed an unceremonious nature since childhood, which was why she initially felt she had nothing in common with the polite and serious young master of the Cheng family, Cheng Yi. He wasn't her type, so she kept her distance from him.
Of course, she was later proven wrong.
Song Qingrou and Cheng Zhanxi both had their own horses. Before changing into riding attire, the manager first took Yu Qingtang to choose a horse.
Song Qingrou walked beside them. Yu Qingtang switched from holding Cheng Zhanxi's hand to holding the corner of her clothes.
The horses in the paddock were eating fodder, each one well-fed with smooth coats, plump and strong. Adult horses varied in size; heavy breeds could reach two meters in height and weigh up to 1200 kilograms. Apart from miniature horses, even the shortest were nearly a meter tall and weighed several hundred kilograms. Most of the horses in the paddock were fine steeds, their height similar to the people present. Combined with their length, they looked quite imposing.
They couldn't choose the horses that were boarded there and already had owners, so the manager led them further in. A horse snorted loudly, the sound deafening. Caught off guard, Yu Qingtang jumped in fright.
She truly jumped, both feet leaving the ground before landing again.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Song Qingrou tried to suppress it, but she couldn't hold it in either and burst out laughing.
The manager, having seen this many times, comforted her, "It's alright, Young Mistress, it's very well-behaved." As he spoke, he patted the side of the horse's neck, and the one-point-eight-meter tall black horse nuzzled his palm docilely.
Yu Qingtang was greatly embarrassed and tugged at the corner of Cheng Zhanxi's clothes, pulling her forward.
Cheng Zhanxi understood and skipped this part, asking the manager to quickly take them to choose a horse.
The first requirement was that it be docile and friendly.
The manager brought over a colt. It was entirely black, like gleaming satin, with a tuft of white mane on its forehead.
A trainer came over to teach Yu Qingtang basic techniques for bonding with the horse, such as what actions would make the horse feel goodwill. After she became familiar with the colt, the three of them went to the changing room to put on their riding attire.
The white trousers were slim-fitting, and the tall boots greatly enhanced the look of her legs. The top was black, creating a striking visual contrast.
The complete riding attire also strictly required a helmet, protective vest, and so on. Yu Qingtang looked at herself in the mirror and felt as if she were looking at a different person, someone utterly unfamiliar.
Her long hair was tied up, making her look capable and dashing.
She recalled the various heroic figures she had seen riding horses on television and felt as if she too had become one of them, galloping on horseback, the wind from the green meadow already caressing her face.
Cheng Zhanxi knocked on the door from outside: "Tangtang, are you changed?"
Yu Qingtang reined in her imagination, suppressed her involuntary smile, slightly adjusted her expression, opened the door, and came out, saying, "I'm ready."
The moment she appeared, Song Qingrou's "rainbow farts" (excessive compliments) began: "What is this heavenly beauty, unparalleled in the world, a graceful, jade-like belle!"
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Yu Qingtang glanced at Cheng Zhanxi and walked over to her side, step by step.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, her eyes sparkling: "Beautiful."
Yu Qingtang also smiled shyly.
She belatedly realized that Song Qingrou and Cheng Zhanxi were holding their helmets, while she was the only one who had obediently put hers on. She was about to take it off when the mother and daughter moved faster than her, decisively putting on their helmets. Cheng Zhanxi took her hand and said gently, "Let's go, the horse is outside."
Cheng Zhanxi's horse was a white one, pure white all over, without a single stray hair.
She grasped the saddle, placed one foot in the stirrup, and swung her long leg over. Her movements were fluid and graceful, and in the next second, she was already seated firmly on the horse's back.
Yu Qingtang felt her vision blur, and then the scene changed.
Cheng Zhanxi sat atop the tall white horse, her figure slender. Behind her, the sunlight shone down, casting a hazy golden halo around her face, her features astonishingly beautiful.
It reminded Yu Qingtang of a saying she had read somewhere: The one riding a white horse isn't necessarily a prince; it could also be a princess.
Song Qingrou silently grumbled to herself: Such a deliberate peacock display.
She led over her large brown horse, also mounting it with an easy leap. Holding the reins in one hand and the whip in the other, she let out a clear cry and urged the horse forward, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Yu Qingtang's gaze was immediately drawn to Song Qingrou.
Song Qingrou, in her red riding attire, galloped freely. Her upper body was leaned low, like an agile cheetah. The wind whistled, and even though her face couldn't be seen clearly, one could still sense her dashing and unrestrained grace.
Yu Qingtang had heard that Song Qingrou was a general's daughter, and her actions and style were unrestrained, even more magnanimous than ordinary men. No wonder she could raise someone as special as Cheng Zhanxi.
Yu Qingtang watched Song Qingrou for too long and didn't notice Cheng Zhanxi's increasingly dark expression.
Cheng Zhanxi gave the trainer a look.
The trainer led the colt over and called out, "Miss Yu?"
Yu Qingtang came back to her senses and said, "Here."
The trainer said, "Shall I help you up first?"
Imagination is plump, reality is bony.
Just getting on the horse took Yu Qingtang several minutes. The horse had body heat and felt warm to the touch. Yu Qingtang didn't dare to touch it directly and was very reserved. The trainer, seeing Cheng Zhanxi watching intently from the side, also couldn't bring himself to fully support her.
Cheng Zhanxi dismounted her horse, and the trainer tactfully moved aside.
Cheng Zhanxi's equestrian skills were decent, but riding herself was one thing, and teaching was another. The trainer gave verbal instructions, and she demonstrated.
Yu Qingtang was helped onto the horse by Cheng Zhanxi. Although it was a colt, its size was not small at all. Thoroughbreds have a natural advantage, with strong and powerful hooves. Yu Qingtang sat on top, looking at the height from the ground, her hands tightly gripping the saddle, so stiff she didn't dare to move.
Cheng Zhanxi held the reins and led her around for half a lap.
Song Qingrou galloped past, lap after lap, causing the colt to become restless, its front hooves pawing the ground.
Cheng Zhanxi called out, "Mom!" Song Qingrou pulled the reins, and her horse's front hooves reared up and then landed, hot air snorting from its nostrils.
Song Qingrou looked back.
Cheng Zhanxi pointed at the colt: "If you keep running, it's going to want to run too."
"Alright, I won't disturb you." Song Qingrou smiled, had the fence opened, creating an exit, and rode her horse straight out, leaving only the silhouette of a person and a horse behind.
Yu Qingtang couldn't help but whisper, "Wow."
Cheng Zhanxi jumped up to pinch... but missed her face.
Yu Qingtang cooperatively leaned down, allowing Cheng Zhanxi to pinch her chin.
Yu Qingtang walked another half lap, gradually daring to hold the reins herself and guide the horse in circles. She said enviously, "How long will it take for me to be like Aunt Song?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Ten or twenty years, perhaps."
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "She started riding when she was little, around four or five years old. It's been over fifty years now. Saying ten or twenty years is an underestimate."
Yu Qingtang pouted.
Cheng Zhanxi then smiled and said, "But you can train to be like me. My riding skills are alright. Want to see?"
Yu Qingtang's attention was immediately diverted. She said eagerly, "Yes."
Cheng Zhanxi put her fingers in her mouth and whistled.
At the other end of the ranch, the docile white horse raised its head, lifted its snow-white hooves, and galloped quickly towards Cheng Zhanxi.
This magical scene, like something out of a TV drama, immediately captivated Yu Qingtang. Her eyes suddenly lit up, with two big words written in them: Want to learn!
Cheng Zhanxi leaped onto the white horse, wrapped the reins twice around her hand, and smiled at her, "I forgot to tell you, I also started riding at four."
Cheng Zhanxi reached out and pressed down the edge of her helmet, let out a clear cry, and the white horse's hooves kicked up, darting off like an arrow released from a bowstring.
A streak of flowing white snow appeared on the field.
Is there a difference between over twenty years of riding experience and over fifty years? Of course, there is, but a beginner like Yu Qingtang couldn't tell. Plus, with the "lover filter," Cheng Zhanxi's figure galloping across the grassland instantly outshone ten Song Qingrous.
After completing a lap, Cheng Zhanxi returned, holding the reins to make the horse walk slowly. Her upper body was straight, her body rising and falling with the white horse's gait, composed and elegant, like a slow-paced piano piece.
Yu Qingtang's gaze was fervent: "Teach me."
Yu Qingtang never had the chance to develop hobbies when she was young, nor did she know what she liked. After seeing Song Qingrou and Cheng Zhanxi's performance at the horse ranch, she developed a strong interest.
On the first day, they rode until ten in the morning. Cheng Zhanxi went to work, and Song Qingrou took her to the VIP lounge for tea and snacks. Near the horse ranch, there was also a tea plantation owned by a friend of Song Qingrou. They had lunch at Song Qingrou's friend's house, and the dishes were all personally cooked by the host.
He loved food and had opened his own private kitchen restaurant. The decor was Zen-inspired, not very famous, and he didn't advertise, but customers who had been there all praised it. The head chef was himself, but he didn't cook often, mainly focusing on developing new dishes. If customers were lucky enough to catch him cooking, they would laugh and say it was a once-in-three-lifetimes fortune.
There were no explicit pricing standards here, nor were they written on the menu; payment was based on one's inclination. It didn't matter if those with more money gave more, or those with less paid less. He wasn't short of money; as long as he was happy, and those who ate his food felt happy, that was enough.
The world is vast, full of wonders.
Everyone has their own way of living.
Yu Qingtang went back and told Cheng Zhanxi about this peculiar person she had met. Cheng Zhanxi was sitting on the sofa, holding Yu Qingtang on her lap, and said, "He's an uncle of mine. I wouldn't have remembered if you hadn't mentioned him. I haven't seen him in a long time. I'm craving his food."
Cheng Zhanxi swallowed.
Yu Qingtang smiled, "Do you actually want to see your uncle, or do you want to eat his cooking?"
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Both. You don't know, for him, missing his food makes him happier than missing him."
Yu Qingtang picked up a strand of long hair in front of her, lowered her eyes, and said, "I feel..."
Cheng Zhanxi's nose brushed against her cheek, "Feel what?"
Yu Qingtang said, "I've seen too little of the world before. These few days Aunt Song took me out, I feel the world is so big. I want to see more."
Cheng Zhanxi hummed in agreement, a smile in her eyes.
Yu Qingtang asked again, "When will you be done with work?"
Cheng Zhanxi was puzzled: "Why?"
Yu Qingtang tugged at that strand of long hair, pulling lightly on Cheng Zhanxi's scalp. It wasn't very painful, but Cheng Zhanxi let out a soft hiss.
Yu Qingtang let go of her long hair and said softly, "I want you to accompany me."
"Isn't it good for my mom to accompany you?" Cheng Zhanxi asked, feigning ignorance.
Yu Qingtang mumbled, "Can your mom be the same as you?"
Cheng Zhanxi heard clearly but pretended she didn't: "What did you say?"
Yu Qingtang buried her face in Cheng Zhanxi's shoulder and said sullenly, "Nothing. If you're busy, then forget it."
Yu Qingtang looked aggrieved. How could Cheng Zhanxi bear to tease her further? She pulled her closer, supporting her waist and back, facing her, and said gently, "I've been quite busy lately, I can't get away for a while."
The corners of Yu Qingtang's mouth instinctively turned down, then quickly returned to normal. She said magnanimously, "It's okay, you work first."
Cheng Zhanxi changed the subject, "But I can take you to the studio tomorrow, and we can drop by the gallery."
Yu Qingtang's face lit up with joy, but she suppressed it with reason and said, "Won't it delay your work?"
"Just for one day, it won't."
One day was enough, better than only seeing each other in the morning and evening every day.
Yu Qingtang wrapped her arms around Cheng Zhanxi's neck and proactively kissed her on the lips.
Cheng Zhanxi leaned back, sinking into the sofa, and closed her eyes. Yu Qingtang sat on her lap with her knees apart, cupped her face, and kissed her from above.
Her posture was very dominant, extremely dominant, like an eternally cool older sister, the ultimate top.
Cheng Zhanxi tilted her neck back to receive it. Then Yu Qingtang took her hand and placed it on the buttons of her shirt, her waist swaying gently like a willow branch.
Ah.
Familiar history repeated itself once more.
Cheng Zhanxi carried the overwhelmed Yu Qingtang back to the room, moving the battle to the bed.
Her raven-black hair, like flowing water, cascaded beside the pillow. Cheng Zhanxi, mesmerized, sniffed her fragrant hair, her cool nose brushing against her neck, then her lips replaced her nose and continued.
Yu Qingtang was lost in passion, her hands grasping blindly, trying to hold onto something but finding nothing. Cheng Zhanxi caught her hands, pressed them above her head, and intertwined their fingers.
Her fragrance.
Cheng Zhanxi tasted it again and again, endlessly.
The second time was so long that Yu Qingtang found it somewhat unbearable.
"Didn't... you say... tomorrow... you have... to work?" Her knuckles tightened in the spaces between Cheng Zhanxi's fingers as she spoke intermittently.
"Mm," Cheng Zhanxi responded, gently nibbling her earlobe, but she had no intention of stopping.
"..."
Cheng Zhanxi released Yu Qingtang's hands, and Yu Qingtang melted onto the soft, large bed like a puddle of water.
Cheng Zhanxi grabbed her ankle.
Yu Qingtang lowered her head slightly and exclaimed, "You—"
The night was deep, and the lovers' intimacy was hidden behind the curtains. Only scattered, broken sounds were heard by the passing wind, but the wind wouldn't tell humans.
Yu Qingtang fell asleep, sleeping very soundly. Her breathing was heavier than usual, showing she was exhausted.
Cheng Zhanxi got up to shower and rinse her mouth, cleaned up the mess, and then climbed back into bed, still full of energy.
She almost woke Yu Qingtang up again. Today it was Yu Qingtang in riding attire; every day brought new stimulation. Cheng Zhanxi felt that if this continued, she would end up breaking Yu Qingtang's arms and legs. Maybe she should sign her up for a fitness class? No, a fitness class wouldn't work; Yu Qingtang definitely wouldn't stick with it. Yoga seemed good, and swimming was also okay.
An image of Yu Qingtang in a swimsuit flashed through Cheng Zhanxi's mind. She quickly interrupted the thought and closed her eyes to sleep.
Early in the morning, Yu Qingtang opened her eyes. She lay in bed without moving, watching Cheng Zhanxi wash up and move around the room tidying up. Finally, Cheng Zhanxi lifted her out of the covers.
She carried her out horizontally, then placed her upright in the washroom, squeezed toothpaste for her, and while she brushed her teeth, one hand rested on Yu Qingtang's waist, gently massaging it.
After brushing her teeth, Yu Qingtang leaned her hands on the sink, her thin lips pressed together, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Sore."
The two positions chosen last night had put too much strain on Yu Qingtang's waist. She only started to recover a little after finishing breakfast and getting into Cheng Zhanxi's car, letting out a long sigh.
Cheng Zhanxi reclined the front passenger seat, letting her lie down, and said with concern, "Why don't you rest at home?"
Yu Qingtang said, "No."
Seeing her firm attitude, Cheng Zhanxi didn't insist.
"Then lie down for a while. I'll call you when we arrive."
"Okay."
Xiao Xue had been notified by Cheng Zhanxi in advance and was waiting at the studio entrance early. Around nine in the morning, she saw Cheng Zhanxi leading a woman in a white suit. It was a casual three-quarter sleeve suit, the collar designed with a ribbon tie, paired with white wide-leg trousers and low-heeled shoes. Her features were coolly exquisite, and her aura was incredibly powerful—a true ice queen.
Xiao Xue: "!!!"
Xiao Xue had thought Teacher Cheng's partner was a soft, sweet girl.
Xiao Xue suppressed her shock and stepped forward, "Teacher Cheng..." She looked at Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang said calmly, "My surname is Yu."
Xiao Xue smoothly adapted: "Miss Yu."
Xiao Xue gestured with her hand and said, "Miss Yu, let me show you around our studio."
Cheng Zhanxi's studio wasn't large. Upon entering from the doorway, there was a large office with an open view, several individual office rooms, and a glass conference room with the blinds open, currently empty.
Xiao Xue led the two of them in. The employees all looked up, curiously glancing towards the source of the sound.
Wow.
Xiao Xue saw their expressions all saying the same word. She raised her hand in a downward motion, and the employees gradually lowered their heads and focused on their work.
After a detailed tour, not even missing the orchid next to the water cooler, Xiao Xue escorted the two into the office. She also went in, closed the door, and lowered all the blinds, making it impossible to peek inside even a little.
The employees still had their heads down, but they had opened the company's internal group chat.
Their company was fair, just, and open, with a free atmosphere. They didn't create private group chats excluding the boss; gossip was discussed directly in the main company group.
Employee 1: Is the studio expanding its business again? The boss who came this time is quite good-looking.
Employee 2: More than just quite good-looking, only a tiny bit less than our Teacher Cheng.
Employee 3: @Employee 2 Please speak with your conscience, how is she worse than Teacher Cheng?
Employee 2: I also want to evaluate objectively, but Teacher Cheng pays too well [facepalm emoji].
Employee 4: I just want to know who is responsible for liaising this time?
Employees 1235678: Me!!!
Employee 1: Is this boss also an art dealer? Or a collector? Or a painter? Or just someone who wants to invest in the gallery?
Employee 2: All possible, this sister's aura is versatile, such an amazing sister.
Employee 3: Could she be single? [cupping face emoji]
Xiao Xue: You're dreaming.
Employee 3 glanced at the closed office door, then at Xiao Xue's reply. The assistant slacking off in front of the boss and a client? Xiaoxue Jiejie is quite something.
[Xiao Xue] invited [Past Events Like the Wind] to the group chat.
All employees: ???
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Let me introduce, your lady boss @Past Events Like the Wind
All employees: "..."
This lady boss looks a bit old, huh? Didn't expect Teacher Cheng to have this kind of preference.
[Past Events Like the Wind]: Hello everyone.
The message popped up, still with the orchid avatar—Yu Qingtang had changed it later, it was a clivia lily grown at home, a flower that had bloomed with great difficulty.
Everyone looked at each other, then enthusiastically welcomed her.
Employee 1: [Flower emoji]
Employee 2: [Connected by the internet, cherish this fate emoji]
Employee 3: [Cheers to our friendship emoji]
Employee 4: [May happiness always be with you emoji]
[Past Events Like the Wind]: [Great luck and prosperity, wishing you wealth emoji]
The chat was flooded with "Thank you, Lady Boss."
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Lunch gathering at noon, my partner and I are treating.
Cheng Zhanxi casually sent a group red envelope, telling everyone to work hard.
After a short while, Xiao Xue came out of the office, closing the door tightly, still not letting anyone outside catch a glimpse of even a corner of clothing.
"Xiaoxue Jiejie," Employee 3 called out to her, "What does that boss who just went in do?"
Xiao Xue said, "Does the boss."
Employee 3 paused, feeling something was off but couldn't quite say what: "Then is she here to invest in the gallery?"
Xiao Xue said, "Something like that."
Even Cheng Zhanxi belongs to her, so wouldn't the gallery too... They're family anyway.
Employee 3 wanted to ask more, but Xiao Xue interrupted, "Have you finished the spreadsheet I asked you to do?"
Employee 3 said, "Finished, I'll email it to you now."
Xiao Xue turned and walked away in her high heels.
Employee 3 sat at his workstation, muttering to himself, "Still don't know if she's single or not."
At noon, with ten minutes left before closing time, Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang came out of the office together. Yu Qingtang was shy and felt embarrassed to hold hands in front of so many people, so they just stood side by side.
Cheng Zhanxi clapped her hands and said, "Time to get off work and eat."
Cheers erupted in the office. People cleared their desks, stood up from their seats, and gradually headed out.
Arriving at the reserved private room, Cheng Zhanxi led Yu Qingtang to her seat. The employees consciously left the seat on her other side empty and looked towards the door. Cheng Zhanxi smiled, "What are you looking at? Order the food."
A cheerful girl giggled, "The lady boss isn't here yet, how dare we order?"
Cheng Zhanxi glanced at Yu Qingtang and said, puzzled, "She's been here all along."
Xiao Xue, very proactively, stepped forward to introduce Yu Qingtang: "This is the lady boss."
Employee 1 blurted out, "Past Events Like the Wind? And that orchid—"
She was pinched in the waist by Employee 2 and yelped, shutting her mouth.
The others all looked like they wanted to laugh but didn't dare. Some who really couldn't hold it in covered half their faces with their hands, wishing they could bury their faces under the table.
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi, blinking her eyelashes in confusion. Was there something wrong with this screen name?
Cheng Zhanxi cleared her throat and said, "Order the food, stop playing around."
Yu Qingtang temporarily suppressed her doubts, planning to ask her when they got home. Cheng Zhanxi must be hiding something important from her.
While waiting for the dishes to be served, Cheng Zhanxi's phone rang.
Cheng Zhanxi answered, "Hello."
Her expression changed slightly. She covered the microphone and said to Yu Qingtang beside her, "I'm going out to take a call."
She pulled back her chair and left the private room with slightly quickened steps.
Yu Qingtang watched her hurried back, not ignoring the nervousness revealed in the glance Cheng Zhanxi had given her just now.
Cheng Zhanxi walked to a quiet place, cautiously looked around, made sure no one was there, then pressed her chest and said, "Continue."
A sweet female voice came from the phone: "Hello, Ms. Cheng. The diamond ring you ordered is ready. When will you be free to come and pick it up?"
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