After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 125
Chapter 125
Cheng Zhanxi was sitting in the tea room; the person in the seat opposite her had gone out to answer a call.
The tea in the cup was a clear, bright green. Cheng Zhanxi picked up her phone and glanced at it. Seeing Yu Qingtang's reply, she couldn't help but drift off in thought.
When she woke up this morning, she found herself lying naked in bed, without even a scrap of fabric to cover her, while Yu Qingtang, wearing a slip dress, was sleeping demurely beside her.
This made Cheng Zhanxi seriously wonder what on earth had happened last night.
They had been together for a few months, and nothing this bizarre had ever happened.
Last night, that group of mischievous friends kept saying she was a "0". Could it be that she drank too much and dragged Yu Qingtang into forcing herself on her? No, she wouldn't have slept so soundly; if she had felt something, it's even more impossible that she'd have no impression of it at all.
Did Yu Qingtang deliberately not dress her?
She never expected Yu Qingtang to be this kind of Yu Qingtang—secretly provocative.
The other guest in the tea room finished their call and came back in, only to see Cheng Zhanxi, directly opposite, with a brilliant smile on her face.
Guest: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi composed herself slightly, resuming her gentle, kind, respectful, and frugal demeanor.
Meanwhile, in the jewelry store.
Yu Qingtang, guided by the sales assistant, was dazzled by the items in the glass display cases, yet she maintained a calm and composed exterior.
The sales assistant smiled faintly. "Are you looking to buy a ready-made piece or have something custom-made? Our brand offers customization services."
Yu Qingtang pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there a difference?"
The sales assistant said, "Ready-made items are what we have in-store or online. Customization comes in two types: full custom and semi-custom. Full custom means tailored to your specifications. We have professional jewelry designers. You provide a sketch or an idea, communicate with the designer, and you'll need to be involved throughout the process with timely discussions to create your ideal diamond ring. Semi-custom is where you select the diamond and the ring setting..."
After finishing the explanation, the sales assistant asked, "Are you in a hurry for it?"
The excitement in Yu Qingtang's mind had been burning since Cheng Zhanxi's friends' gathering last night and hadn't subsided. Without hesitation, she said, "Yes, I am."
The sales assistant said, "Then I'd recommend buying a ready-made diamond ring or opting for semi-custom. The turnaround time for semi-custom is about ten days."
Yu Qingtang frowned. "Ten days?"
The sales assistant noticed her urgency and smiled, pressing her lips together. "Yes."
Yu Qingtang said, "Let me look at the ready-made ones first."
The sales assistant replied, "Alright."
Yu Qingtang looked at several ready-made diamond rings. The styles were all quite good, but she hesitated. "If I buy a ready-made one, will it seem like I'm not taking it seriously enough?" She added, "This is my first time proposing; I have no experience."
The sales assistant chuckled.
Yu Qingtang realized what she'd said and was amused by herself. She raised her fingers to rub her temple and said, "My apologies."
The sales assistant smiled and said it was alright. "Seeing how serious you are, you must love your other half very much, right?"
Yu Qingtang lowered her eyelids and softly hummed an "Mm."
The sales assistant said, "What matters in a proposal is the sentiment. I believe when she receives your proposal, she'll care about you, the one proposing, not whether the diamond ring is custom-made. If you're really concerned about it, you can choose semi-custom, and I can mark it as urgent for you."
Yu Qingtang pressed, "How much sooner can it be if it's expedited?"
The sales assistant said tactfully, "It still depends on the actual production time required. I can only help by noting it down."
Yu Qingtang understood.
It was standard sales talk. In short, it meant, "I can mark it as urgent, but I can't guarantee it will actually be expedited."
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment and said, "Let's go with semi-custom then. What are the specific steps?"
Yu Qingtang stayed in the store past lunchtime, selected a semi-custom plan, and placed the order.
After paying the deposit, the sales assistant, beaming, was about to see Yu Qingtang out. However, Yu Qingtang stopped in front of a glass display case and said calmly, "Recommend a ready-made one for me as well."
Sales assistant: "!!!"
Is this the world of the rich?!
Yu Qingtang came out carrying a small bag with the diamond ring, exiting under the sales assistant's gaze, which was composed yet unable to conceal her shock.
In the back seat of the car on her way home, she opened the small, blue velvet box. A cut diamond was set on the ring band, sparkling brightly.
For some reason, Yu Qingtang always had a gut feeling that Cheng Zhanxi would propose to her. This intuition was especially strong last night. When Cheng Zhanxi's friends offered their wedding wishes, Yu Qingtang even suspected for a moment that Cheng Zhanxi might pull out a proposal ring on the spot.
Yu Qingtang had heard the story of Song Qingrou and Cheng Yi's love from Song Qingrou herself. In the second month of their relationship, on the first day of that month, at dawn, Cheng Yi had planned a proposal ceremony. Cheng Zhanxi was so much like her father; perhaps she was already planning how to propose.
They had been together for four months, over a hundred days, and Yu Qingtang hadn't considered marriage. But if she were to spend her life with someone, that person could only be Cheng Zhanxi.
The length of time wasn't an issue; in her heart, they were already committed for a lifetime.
Cheng Zhanxi had taken the initiative so many times. This time, she wanted to be the one to forge ahead. Even if she couldn't, she didn't want to just wait where she was and complacently accept Cheng Zhanxi's proposal ring.
She was also Cheng Zhanxi's rose, growing in her body, blooming in her heart—a unique rose.
Yu Qingtang closed the ring box and said to Lao Li, the driver in the front seat, "Uncle Li, don't tell anyone where I went or what I did today."
Lao Li said, "I understand, Young Mistress."
Yu Qingtang added, "Don't tell Aunt Song either."
This time, Lao Li paused for a moment before saying, "Alright."
Yu Qingtang hid the bag and the box in a locked drawer. Cheng Zhanxi respected her greatly; she would never open anything of Yu Qingtang's that was locked, or even just covered, without her permission. So, Yu Qingtang wasn't worried about her secret being exposed.
In the car, Lao Li called Song Qingrou. "Madam, I've safely brought Young Mistress home."
Song Qingrou was tending to a potted plant in front of her. It was growing exceptionally well, its leaves a vibrant green. She asked, "What was she out doing? She was gone for so long."
Lao Li replied, "Young Mistress asked me not to say."
Song Qingrou let out a surprised "Hm?" then chuckled. "Alright, then it's nothing."
Song Qingrou had only asked casually, with no intention of prying into Yu Qingtang's privacy. However, the unexpected answer from Lao Li piqued her interest.
Her daughter-in-law was up to something.
Cheng Zhanxi was the one who had truly encountered something.
And by "something," it meant something bad.
She came out of the tea room and went to the ground-level parking lot to get her car. She happened to see a woman talking on the phone next to a blue BMW. The woman was standing a bit too far out, blocking Cheng Zhanxi from driving her car out. So, Cheng Zhanxi stopped behind her, rolled down the window, and leaned out halfway, saying, "Hello?"
The woman, with her back to Cheng Zhanxi, had long, black, unpermed and undyed hair that reached her waist, and a graceful figure.
Upon hearing the voice, she flinched slightly and slowly turned around.
Cheng Zhanxi saw her face clearly. Her expression didn't change in the slightest as she politely said, "Hello, could you please move aside a little?"
The woman stared blankly for a moment before moving out of the way.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Thank you."
She rolled up the window and drove past her.
"Suisui?" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded. "Qi Sui, what's wrong with you?"
The young woman named Qi Sui placed her hand on the door handle of the blue BMW. After a moment, she slowly leaned her back against it.
"Qi Sui."
Qi Sui closed her eyes briefly and said, "I'm here."
"If you're there, why aren't you talking?"
"I just..." A gust of wind blew past. Qi Sui lowered her head, her long hair falling over her eyes. She let out a soft breath and said, "It's nothing. I dropped something."
Her friend said, "Well, you should have told me. I thought something happened to you. Are you coming to the dinner party tonight? It's a welcome-home banquet everyone specially organized to celebrate your return."
Qi Sui tucked her long hair behind her ear and smiled. "I'll come."
Her friend said, "Then it's settled. See you tonight."
Qi Sui said, "See you tonight. Bye."
She stood quietly in the parking lot for a while, gazing in the direction where the Porsche Panamera, long out of sight, had disappeared.
She... didn't recognize me?
Qi Sui gave a self-deprecating smile, a bitter taste at the root of her tongue.
Qi Sui pulled open the driver's door of the BMW, bent down, got in, and drove out of the parking lot.
Cheng Zhanxi took a detour to buy a cake and a bouquet of roses, placed them on the passenger seat, and drove home.
The villa gate opened. Yu Qingtang, in the living room on the ground floor, heard the sound. She uncrossed her legs from the sofa, put on her shoes, and went out.
Cheng Zhanxi had one hand behind her back. She handed the cake in her other hand to Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang glanced at the logo on the bag; it was from her favorite shop. Yu Qingtang preferred lighter flavors; most cakes were too sweet and rich for her. Last time, they had gone to a dessert shop where the fruitcake was just right. Afterwards, Cheng Zhanxi would occasionally go buy one to bring home. The only drawback was that it wasn't on the way, requiring a big detour each time.
Yu Qingtang took the cake and stood on tiptoe to kiss Cheng Zhanxi's cheek.
"Thank you, dear," she said very softly, a hint of shyness in her voice.
Cheng Zhanxi brought out her other hand, revealing a bouquet of fiery red roses.
Wow, what a surprise... Not really.
Actually, Yu Qingtang had seen it long ago; Cheng Zhanxi's attempt to hide it was too obvious. But that didn't stop Yu Qingtang from being very happy to receive the flowers.
Yu Qingtang smiled and was about to kiss her other cheek. Cheng Zhanxi turned her head away, tapped her own lips with the index finger of her free hand, and raised an eyebrow.
Yu Qingtang kissed her lips.
Cheng Zhanxi cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
The evening sun painted half the sky red. Cheng Zhanxi led Yu Qingtang by the hand into the house.
"What did you do at home all day? Were you bored?" Cheng Zhanxi asked while changing her shoes.
"Slept, read, ate fruit. Not bored," Yu Qingtang replied. "Oh, right, the Chinese roses in the garden have bloomed. I went and took a few photos."
They took the cake to the coffee table. Cheng Zhanxi forked a small bite and fed it to Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang ate it and then showed Cheng Zhanxi the photos on her phone.
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Your photography skills have improved. Want to buy a more professional DSLR?"
Yu Qingtang smiled. "No need, I just take pictures casually."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "You do need one. Buy one and try it out."
Yu Qingtang said, "It's too heavy."
Cheng Zhanxi was speechless, suddenly unable to refute that.
After a moment, she burst out laughing.
"Seriously though," Cheng Zhanxi suggested earnestly, "shouldn't you get some exercise?"
Yu Qingtang said suggestively, "Don't I get enough exercise already?" Except during her period, they did it once or twice every day. If the mood struck, even the middle of the night was no issue. If they were separated for a few days due to some matter, it was even more intense; Yu Qingtang could cling to her and constantly want more.
Yu Qingtang knew her stamina was poor, so on one hand, she treated this as a form of exercise, consciously and proactively.
As long as she didn't have to run, anything else was negotiable.
Cheng Zhanxi was once again unable to refute her.
She changed tactics. "Do you like swimming?"
Yu Qingtang said, "I can't swim."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "I can teach you."
This villa had an outdoor swimming pool. It was summer now, perfect for swimming. It had just been unused for too long and needed someone to fix it up.
Cheng Zhanxi called property management to schedule a visit for tomorrow.
Once the pool was ready, they could explore a new location.
The two of them shared half the cake, putting the rest in the refrigerator. They went to the kitchen to cook together. Tonight was Western food. Cheng Zhanxi cooked while Yu Qingtang watched beside her, learning so she could cook for her next time.
When it was almost ready, Yu Qingtang went to the dining room to light candles, slowly poured the red wine from the decanter into stemmed glasses, arranged fresh roses in a vase, and lit some aromatherapy.
Cheng Zhanxi served medium-well steak, creamy pumpkin soup, fruit, and a vegetable salad.
A very romantic candlelight dinner. The deep red wine was mellow and fragrant, with a lingering taste.
Yu Qingtang couldn't resist having a few extra sips. Her alcohol tolerance was average, and she knew red wine had a strong after-kick. But because Cheng Zhanxi was by her side, she had no inhibitions and drank as much as she wanted. Cheng Zhanxi didn't stop her either. Anyway, she would take care of her.
Yu Qingtang's face was flushed red; she collapsed on the bed, drunk and unconscious.
Cheng Zhanxi filled the bathtub with water, carried Yu Qingtang in, and then stepped in herself, soaking in the spacious tub.
The water provided buoyancy; even an asleep Yu Qingtang was easy to support.
Yu Qingtang murmured in her sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi's water-soaked fingers brushed aside the long hair on Yu Qingtang's face. She caressed her sleeping eyebrows and eyes, her gaze gradually softening.
Yu Qingtang's face automatically sought out Cheng Zhanxi's hand. Once found, she nuzzled it affectionately a couple of times and then lay still against her shoulder.
Cheng Zhanxi patiently and meticulously bathed her, dried her with a large bath towel, wrapped her up, and carried her back to bed. Then she returned to the bathroom and quickly finished her own shower.
Even though she exercised regularly and had better stamina than most, this whole routine left her sweating. She couldn't help but think of herself last night. Yu Qingtang must have been standing by the bed, feeling small, pitiful, and helpless, right? Perhaps the reason she hadn't dressed her was simply because she couldn't lift her.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled. She still resolved not to drink too much in the future.
Click. Cheng Zhanxi lay back on the bed and turned off the bedroom light.
Yu Qingtang woke up in the middle of the night with a dry mouth, looking for water. Her mind was still fuzzy from the alcohol, and her limbs felt weak.
Her hand searched for Cheng Zhanxi in the bed.
"Xixi."
Cheng Zhanxi, roused by her calls, asked in a half-asleep state, "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang, eyes closed, said, "I want to drink water."
"Drink water..." Cheng Zhanxi, also with her eyes closed, repeated it twice before becoming a bit more awake. She propped herself up and turned on the light. "It's on your nightstand. I'll get it for you."
Cheng Zhanxi leaned over Yu Qingtang, picked up the water glass with one hand, and helped Yu Qingtang sit up with the other. Yu Qingtang took the glass with both hands and sipped it slowly, but finished the entire glass.
"Want more?"
"No more."
Yu Qingtang kept her eyes closed the whole time. She slid from Cheng Zhanxi's embrace back under the covers and hugged her slender waist.
Cheng Zhanxi turned off the light again.
But when she lay back down, she couldn't fall asleep.
It wasn't that she wasn't sleepy, but that someone wasn't letting her sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi opened her eyes. Her chest heaved, and she began to pant.
Yu Qingtang's head had completely burrowed under the covers. Cheng Zhanxi, through the thin summer quilt, pressed the back of her head, actively offering herself, breathing lowly and slowly, her breaths heavy.
She began to involuntarily embrace the person on her, tilting back her long, fair neck, not stingy with her sounds.
Then, it stopped abruptly.
Like fireworks shooting into the night sky all at once, only to vanish mid-air. Never mind blooming, there wasn't even a prelude to a bloom.
Cheng Zhanxi: "???"
Yu Qingtang was pillowed on her chest, breathing evenly, fast asleep.
Cheng Zhanxi was so angry... she gently pinched Yu Qingtang's ear.
Bad woman.
She ground her teeth, then smiled again.
Yu Qingtang felt herself rising and falling in a sea of passion. Familiar waves surged towards her. Her body reacted faster than her mind, a string suddenly pulled taut. She swayed continuously. In the dim light, she opened her eyes and saw Cheng Zhanxi's seated figure.
Yu Qingtang closed her eyelids, burying her face and her unrestrained sounds into the pillow, letting the seawater submerge her.
...
The next day, Yu Qingtang rarely woke up at the same time as Cheng Zhanxi. It was just six o'clock. Cheng Zhanxi went to the gym on the ground floor, and Yu Qingtang went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Washing rice to cook congee, Yu Qingtang cupped cool water in her hands, her mind wandering again and again.
She seemed to have had a dream last night.
She dreamt she was eating red bean paste buns. The chef was top-notch; the dough was perfectly proofed, soft and springy. The bean paste filling was very sweet; even Yu Qingtang, who didn't usually like sweets, couldn't refuse it.
Yu Qingtang went to the cupboard, took out some flour, and decided to make red bean buns for breakfast.
After her workout, Cheng Zhanxi took a shower. When she returned, there was a steamer basket of piping hot buns on the dining table. The red beans were steamed until perfectly tender, emitting a sweet fragrance that made one's mouth water.
Cheng Zhanxi, disregarding the heat, picked one up directly with her hand and took a bite. The red bean paste flowed out from the opening, filling her mouth. She closed her eyes, comfortably savoring the morning delicacy to her heart's content.
Yu Qingtang placed chopsticks in her hand, chiding her for eating with her fingers, yet her eyes were full of laughter.
Who wouldn't like their lover to enjoy their cooking?
Cheng Zhanxi sat down and ate the other half with chopsticks. The buns weren't large. Cheng Zhanxi ate three in one go, contentedly put down her chopsticks, picked up her bowl of congee, and asked with a smile, "How did you know I like red bean paste buns?"
Yu Qingtang looked slightly surprised. "You like them?"
Cheng Zhanxi nodded with an "Mm" and said, "Then it seems we have a telepathic connection."
Yu Qingtang smiled and said, "I had a dream last night."
"What did you dream about?"
"I dreamt I was eating buns, these ones." Yu Qingtang gestured with her chin.
"It really is telepathy. This must be heaven guiding you to make delicious food for me," Cheng Zhanxi said.
As breakfast was nearly finished, Cheng Zhanxi looked at the two remaining red bean buns in the steamer basket, placed side by side. Her expression gradually became subtle.
She looked up at Yu Qingtang opposite her. "You... what did you say you dreamt about just now?"
Cheng Zhanxi drove out.
On the way down the mountain, she really couldn't hold it in anymore. She pulled over, parked the car, and covered her face with both hands, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Red bean buns, my foot!
That woman, Yu Qingtang!
Next time, I'll definitely make her eat her fill while she's wide awake!
Cheng Zhanxi laughed in the car for a long time, then rubbed her aching facial muscles and drove to the gallery.
She had an appointment to meet someone at the gallery today.
Xiao Xue was waiting for her at the entrance and said the person she was meeting hadn't arrived yet. Cheng Zhanxi took off her sunglasses and held them in her hand, walking inside unhurriedly. The gallery had several series on display, all recently launched, and there were quite a few people visiting the exhibition.
Cheng Zhanxi walked straight to the reception room inside without looking sideways.
Xiao Xue said, "By the way, Teacher Cheng, someone wanted to buy a painting just now."
Cheng Zhanxi was surprised. "This early?"
Xiao Xue replied, "Yes."
Since she had nothing else to do, Cheng Zhanxi asked, "Where are they? I'll go receive them."
Xiao Xue pointed in a direction and said, "Right over there."
Cheng Zhanxi glanced over, frowning imperceptibly. Her expression otherwise unchanged, she said, "The guest will be here soon. You can handle the matter of selling the painting."
Xiao Xue said, "Alright."
Cheng Zhanxi asked again, "Whose painting does she want to buy?"
Xiao Xue replied, "Teacher Wu's. That piece, The Crow. Teacher Wu's market value has been rising recently."
"Fine." Cheng Zhanxi put on her sunglasses. "I've been very busy lately. You don't need to tell me about such trivial matters."
Xiao Xue still replied, "Alright."
Cheng Zhanxi's figure disappeared around the corner at the end of the hallway.
Xiao Xue went to attend to the young woman who wanted to buy a painting.
"Hello, Miss Qi," Xiao Xue said.
The woman in a long white dress turned around. Qi Sui nodded with a slight smile. "Hello."
Xiao Xue subtly blocked the direction Cheng Zhanxi had left, as if she hadn't noticed the woman's covert glances. There were at least a thousand, if not ten thousand, women who coveted their boss. Xiao Xue had seen plenty. Besides, their boss was a married woman now and had a great relationship with her wife.
As a qualified assistant, one not only needed to be competent at work but also skilled at reading people and situations. Otherwise, on what grounds could she frequently threaten Cheng Zhanxi with hanging herself to get her to come out and work?
"If you're buying a painting, this way, please." Xiao Xue pointed in a completely opposite direction.
Qi Sui nodded and followed as directed.
Qi Sui was straightforward, signing the sales contract without haggling. Xiao Xue made a call to have the painting brought over.
Just as she hung up the phone, she heard a gentle inquiry from behind her: "Do you have any paintings by Cheng Mo here?"
The fox's tail was showing.
Xiao Xue turned around and smiled faintly. "Teacher Cheng Mo's exhibition has already ended. My apologies, Miss Qi."
"It's alright, I was just asking casually," Qi Sui said. "I've visited many galleries abroad, and yours is not inferior in the slightest."
"Thank you for your praise, Miss Qi. You're welcome to visit often," Xiao Xue said. Anyway, their boss would be skipping work again soon after finishing her tasks; she wouldn't see her even if she came.
Qi Sui took the wrapped painting and said, "Thank you."
Xiao Xue saw her to the door and waved. "Take care, Miss Qi."
Qi Sui walked a short distance, then turned back to look at the sign under the sunlight not far away: Yiqing Gallery.
These two characters, are they someone's name?
Forget it, it had nothing to do with her anymore anyway. But she had come alone today. Could it be... that she still had a chance?
Cheng Zhanxi brewed a pot of tea for herself. While the person she was meeting hadn't arrived yet, she called Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang was in the car on her way to the Cheng family home. She was a bit surprised when she saw the caller ID.
Cheng Zhanxi rarely called her at this time of day.
"What's wrong?" Yu Qingtang answered.
Cheng Zhanxi poured tea from the teapot into a cup. Her mood had returned to the cheerful level it was at when she first left home this morning. She said, "I'm bored. I want to hear you talk."
"Talk about what?" There was a hint of laughter in Yu Qingtang's voice.
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment and said, "Just tell me about your dream of eating red bean buns last night."
Yu Qingtang: "?"
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