After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 126
Chapter 126
The driver, Lao Li, sat in the front driver's seat. He heard Yu Qingtang in the back seat talking about red bean buns—one moment about how soft the skin was, the next about how sweet the filling was, all in meticulous detail. There were pauses and exchanges; it was clear someone opposite her was asking questions, and she was answering.
Lao Li held the steering wheel with both hands, completely bewildered.
He just couldn't understand young people these days.
Lao Li dropped Yu Qingtang off at the Cheng residence. Before leaving, he said to Song Qingrou, "Madam, it seems Miss Yu wants to eat red bean buns."
Song Qingrou hummed in acknowledgment, "Oh? Is that so? Alright, I understand."
Thus, when Cheng Zhanxi had dinner at the Cheng family home, red bean buns appeared on the table again. Their Aunt Yun was a professional chef; the buns were round and plump, the red bean filling at the top a vibrant, enticing color that whetted one's appetite.
Cheng Yuanxi washed his hands as soon as he entered and grabbed one to eat.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
She sat down at the table, picked up her chopsticks, her feelings complicated.
After returning home, Cheng Zhanxi sat alone on the sofa eating red bean buns, savoring them carefully, not missing a single part, utterly content.
Yu Qingtang gently combed her fingers through Cheng Zhanxi's long hair and asked, "Is work tiring?"
Cheng Zhanxi was eating, her voice a little muffled. "It's alright." She looked up. "I met an acquaintance, and someone I don't know well."
When she mentioned the person she didn't know well, she paused imperceptibly, her brow furrowing slightly as if associating it with something unpleasant, then quickly pushed the thought away and continued with her food. She had eaten dinner at the Cheng's distractedly, barely touching one red bean bun. Only at home could she feel at ease.
She focused on eating, so Yu Qingtang didn't interrupt further, leaning back into the sofa and closing her eyes, her chest rising and falling slowly, heavily.
After staying in the living room for a long time, the two returned to their room.
Yu Qingtang was a bit tired. Cheng Zhanxi carried her to the bathroom for a bath, and she fell asleep soon after returning.
Her sleep quality now rivaled Cheng Zhanxi's; by the time Cheng Zhanxi had finished tidying up the bathroom, she was already asleep.
Cheng Zhanxi lay on her side beside her, one hand propping up her cheek, watching Yu Qingtang's brow smooth out in her sleep. She didn't know what Yu Qingtang was dreaming about, but the corners of her lips curved up in a faint smile.
Cheng Zhanxi kissed her brow, then the tip of her nose, and finally the corner of her lips, kissing her again and again with fascination.
Yu Qingtang murmured something in her sleep.
Cheng Zhanxi moved closer to her ear.
"Baby."
Yu Qingtang slept soundly, her breath carrying a sweet fragrance.
Cheng Zhanxi's gaze was gentle, her voice lowered as she called out again, "Wife."
Yu Qingtang was asleep and didn't hear, so naturally, she wouldn't respond. But the warm blood in Cheng Zhanxi's heart instantly turned scalding. She didn't know what possessed her in the middle of the night, but she actually threw on a long coat, went out to the garage, and brought back the ring from the trunk.
While Yu Qingtang was oblivious in her sleep, she slowly slid it onto the base of her ring finger.
She turned it left and right a couple of times; it fit perfectly.
The style also complemented her slender fingers.
Cheng Zhanxi admired it for a moment, a smile involuntarily appearing on her face. She carefully tucked Yu Qingtang's hand under the covers, got into bed, and turned off the light.
Tomorrow morning, she would discover a diamond ring on her hand. Given Yu Qingtang's personality, she would probably run to the living room to find her, then ask knowingly what it meant. Cheng Zhanxi would present the prepared flowers and, in a house decorated with flowers and balloons, get down on one knee to propose to her.
Wait, where were the flowers and balloons?
And, wasn't this kind of proposal totally cliché?
How could her mind come up with such a tacky proposal?
Cheng Zhanxi's eyes snapped open, and she slipped the ring off Yu Qingtang's hand.
Yu Qingtang let her fuss, unaware that she had worn and then had a diamond ring removed.
Cheng Zhanxi opened the WeChat group named "Cheng Xixi's Think Tank" and looked at the chat history.
Her friends had come up with all sorts of ideas: hot air balloons, skywriting with a helicopter, yachts—all ridiculously extravagant. There was even one about faking a lottery win: buy something from the boss, deliberately make it a free prize, let Yu Qingtang redeem it, and when she opened the prize, it would say "Marry Me." This was contributed by a married friend who had used it before, offering it with great enthusiasm.
Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Since someone had already proposed like that, she definitely couldn't use it. Besides, it didn't seem that great anyway.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: Are there any other ways?
【Think Tank No.s 1-16】: Spare us.
You wouldn't know unless you were a think tank member, but once you became one, you'd be shocked. Who knew that Cheng Zhanxi, usually so unceremonious, would become incredibly finicky when it came to the proposal, obsessing over details to a maddening degree.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: What do you think if I lie naked on the bed with a ring on my body?
【Friends】: Yes!!! This is good!!!
【Friend 1】: I suggest putting it in your mouth. She can bite the ring when you two kiss.
【Friend 2】: Then why not put it in the other mouth? When you two, ahem, ahem, ahem, won't it be a surprise? Isn't it romantic?
【Friend 3】: I don't know if it's romantic, but it's certainly risqué.
【Everyone】: Hahahahaha
【Cheng Zhanxi】: I knew I couldn't count on you. I already have an idea.
【Friends】: !!!
【Friends】: Tell us, let us advise you.
Cheng Zhanxi explained her idea in such and such a way.
Her friends had an epiphany, all agreeing it was feasible. They also said that while they couldn't help much with the event itself, they were available for any preliminary preparations or subsequent needs.
Cheng Zhanxi put the diamond ring back in her bag, intending to return it to the trunk when she went out tomorrow. Afraid of waking Yu Qingtang, she didn't fuss anymore after coming back this time, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.
The next day, at the studio.
Xiao Xue went to Cheng Zhanxi's office to get something—when Cheng Zhanxi wasn't around, she was in charge of the studio. As soon as she entered, she thought she was still half-asleep and seeing things. She rubbed her eyes. Wasn't that their beloved boss sitting behind the desk?
Just as Xiao Xue was further suspecting she might be seeing a ghost, Cheng Zhanxi greeted her.
Xiao Xue reminded her, "You don't have any work scheduled today."
"I know." Cheng Zhanxi's slender, fair fingers held a pencil, sketching something in a notebook. "I'll just stay here for a while."
Xiao Xue thought: Did she have a fight with the boss's wife?
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Are you here to get something?"
Xiao Xue said yes. Cheng Zhanxi picked up her pen and notebook and moved aside from the seat.
Xiao Xue used a key to open a drawer in Cheng Zhanxi's desk, took out a file, and said, "All done. You can get back to your work."
Cheng Zhanxi sat down again and said, "I'm not working today."
Xiao Xue made an "OK" gesture. "Understood. Won't disturb you even if the sky falls."
Xiao Xue tucked the file under her arm and went to the gallery. When Qi Sui saw her, her gaze drifted behind Xiao Xue, a hint of disappointment expertly concealed in her expression.
Xiao Xue offered a professional smile. "Miss Qi, here to see the paintings again?"
Qi Sui said, "Yes."
Xiao Xue said, "Take your time. I need to get back to work."
Qi Sui nodded, her expression flawless.
Xiao Xue walked away in her high heels.
Qi Sui stayed in the gallery until noon. A friend who worked in a nearby office building invited her for lunch.
Qi Sui was absent-minded.
Her friend waved a hand in front of her face twice before she snapped back to reality, smiling faintly. "What's wrong?"
Her friend said, "You have four big words written all over your face."
Qi Sui asked, "What?"
Her friend enunciated each word, "Forced. Smile." She continued, "What's wrong with you? You've been out of sorts for the past few days. Is work not going well since you returned to the country?"
Qi Sui said, "No."
Her friend's eyes showed complete disbelief.
Qi Sui was silent for a moment, then put down her chopsticks, her expression unreadable. "Do you know who owns the gallery I've been visiting recently?"
Her friend asked, "Who?"
Qi Sui said, "Her."
A single word, no name needed, referring to a unique individual.
Her friend paused, then lowered her head and ate in silence.
After a while, she looked up, somewhat at a loss for words. "You still haven't forgotten?"
Qi Sui gave a bitter smile. "If you had met someone like that, you wouldn't forget either."
"But that's all in the past," her friend gently persuaded. "People still have to look forward."
Qi Sui turned her head to look out the window. The sign for Yiqing Gallery was just across the road. Her voice sounded somewhat ethereal. "I met her."
Her friend didn't dare to respond.
"She didn't recognize me. I don't know if she really forgot me or if she's deliberately pretending not to know me," Qi Sui said. "I... I made a lot of mistakes in the past. I don't know if I'll have a chance to make up for them. Even if I don't, I owe her an apology. I want to apologize to her face to face."
Her friend thought, She might not need it.
It had been seven or eight years. Perhaps the other person had long forgotten her. Why bother? But it was clear Qi Sui couldn't let go. It would be best if this could bring closure, allowing her to move on to a new life.
Cheng Zhanxi used work as an excuse, spending all day in the office preparing her secret proposal.
Yu Qingtang was out shopping with Song Qingrou. They happened to be near the gallery, looked up at the sign, and walked in.
It was close to mealtime, so there weren't many people. Song Qingrou spotted a pale blue back, tugged Yu Qingtang's wrist, and Yu Qingtang tilted her head as Song Qingrou gestured with her chin in a certain direction.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Song Qingrou was a severe "face-con" (someone who highly values looks), and not only was she one herself, but she also tried to get Yu Qingtang to join her.
Yu Qingtang had no interest in women other than Cheng Zhanxi, but Song Qingrou was clearly very interested. So, she had no choice but to follow Song Qingrou over and watch as Song Qingrou struck up a conversation with the other person, "Do you also like Wu Mohan's paintings?"
The woman in the long blue dress turned around. She had dark, glossy hair, delicate features, a pitifully beautiful look, and a slender figure, exuding a fragile kind of beauty.
Qi Sui was startled when someone suddenly spoke to her. Upon seeing it was a beautifully dressed woman with an air of sophistication, she relaxed and said, "Yes, I just bought one of her paintings yesterday."
Her gaze shifted to Yu Qingtang beside Song Qingrou, and she looked slightly stunned.
What a beautiful woman.
Her eyebrows were like ink paintings, her lips as red as cinnabar. Though her complexion was pale, giving her the delicate air of a sickly beauty, the tear mole at the upward curve of her eye dispelled her fragility, lending her an icy, aloof, otherworldly aura.
The fingers of the hand she had linked with the elegant woman's were long and slender, her skin as translucent as fine jade. Even the lights of the gallery exhibition hall were outshone by her radiance.
If they had met elsewhere, with no one else around, Qi Sui might have thought she was dreaming of a fairy from a painting.
Qi Sui said, "Hello."
Yu Qingtang gave a faint nod.
Song Qingrou affectionately and naturally patted Yu Qingtang's arm. Although Yu Qingtang had become much more cheerful, it was only with familiar people; towards strangers, she still maintained a cold and unapproachable demeanor.
Song Qingrou said, "My surname is Song."
Qi Sui said, "My surname is Qi."
Yu Qingtang watched as the two chatted and then added each other on WeChat.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
As long as Auntie is happy, hopefully Uncle Cheng won't get jealous of Miss Qi when they get back.
Since Qi Sui had nothing else to do and it was almost lunchtime, she offered to treat Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang to a meal. Song Qingrou, her judgment clouded by beauty, almost agreed. Yu Qingtang tugged her sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Xixi's studio is nearby, aren't we going to find her for lunch?"
She could see her daughter anytime, but beautiful women weren't a common sight.
Song Qingrou hesitated. "Isn't she out with clients for lunch today?"
Yu Qingtang said, "...I'll call and ask her."
She walked to a quiet spot and made the call.
Song Qingrou smiled at Qi Sui. "My daughter works nearby."
Qi Sui said, "Then Miss Yu is your..."
Song Qingrou immediately beamed, crow's feet appearing around her eyes. "Daughter-in-law. She's about to marry my daughter."
Qi Sui also smiled, sincerely saying, "Then I wish them a harmonious union for a hundred years, long and lasting."
"Thank you for your kind words."
Yu Qingtang walked back. "Xixi said she's at the company. She's coming to pick us up now."
Qi Sui was momentarily dazed.
Xixi?
Song Qingrou said, "Tell her not to bother picking us up, we'll go find her."
Yu Qingtang said, "I've already told her."
Song Qingrou turned to Qi Sui, her face full of apology. "I'm sorry, Xiao Qi, we have to..." She gestured towards the door.
Qi Sui understood. "Aunt Song, Miss Yu, take care."
Cheng Zhanxi put the notebook and pencil into a drawer, locked it, put the key in her bag, and left the office with her bag slung over her shoulder.
She met Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang in the first-floor lobby, and they went out for lunch.
Song Qingrou looked at Cheng Zhanxi's face, which had thinned a bit, her expression pained. "What kind of work is so busy? Don't you have anyone to help? Do you want your brother to transfer a couple of capable people from his company to you?"
Cheng Zhanxi quickly said, "No need. Wouldn't people from Brother's side be overqualified for my work?"
Ms. Song said, "I didn't say they'd help you permanently. Just use them and then transfer them back. Do you think your mom has no business sense?"
Cheng Zhanxi gave her a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, Ms. Song, the business genius!"
Song Qingrou laughed and playfully slapped her arm.
Yu Qingtang, standing beside them, suddenly said, "Let me help you."
Cheng Zhanxi was too surprised to answer immediately.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Yu Qingtang's eyes. "Can't I?" she asked dejectedly.
Ms. Song's hand moved towards Cheng Zhanxi again. Cheng Zhanxi dodged in time and said, "You can, but I'll be done in a few days. Just be good and wait for me at home."
Yu Qingtang didn't say anything.
As the three of them walked a bit further, Cheng Zhanxi received a message from Yu Qingtang: 【I want to be with you】
No symbols, no emoticons, but Cheng Zhanxi read a sense of grievance in it.
To propose sooner, Cheng Zhanxi had been rushing her work these past few days, leaving early and returning late, spending less and less time at home. Even the frequency of their nightlife had decreased.
Cheng Zhanxi thought to herself, Baby, it's not that I don't want you with me, but if you're with me, everything I'm doing will be exposed. Then the surprise will be gone, and the proposal I've worked so hard on will have to be redone.
【Cheng Zhanxi】: Three days at most, be good.
The three of them went for Cantonese food. The dishes were exquisite. Song Qingrou accepted the bowl of soup Yu Qingtang handed her. The soup base was thick and milky white. She stirred it with a spoon, blew on the hot surface, and habitually glanced around. Seeing no sign of Cheng Yi, Song Qingrou then said, "I met a beauty at the gallery today."
Cheng Zhanxi hummed in acknowledgment, focusing on picking out fish meat for Yu Qingtang.
"It's steamed, very tender. Try it."
Song Qingrou was used to their public displays of affection and chuckled to herself, "Her name is quite interesting, Qi Sui. Sounds like 'seven years old [qī suì (七岁)]'."
Yu Qingtang saw Cheng Zhanxi's expression suddenly change before her.
She had never seen Cheng Zhanxi with such an expression—sudden iciness, followed by intense disgust.
Cheng Zhanxi's expression changed in an instant, but Yu Qingtang was sure it wasn't her imagination.
Cheng Zhanxi lifted her eyelids, the coldness in her eyes still lingering. "What did she say to you?"
Song Qingrou also sensed something was wrong. "Nothing much, just chatted about paintings."
"What paintings?"
"Wu Mohan's."
"Didn't she talk about me?"
"Why would she talk about you?" Song Qingrou glanced at Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang's expression was normal; it was unclear whether she hadn't noticed the subtlety in the words or was good at concealing it.
At this moment, Song Qingrou deeply regretted striking up that conversation in the gallery. Wasn't this just asking for trouble? It was fine if it burned her, but what if it burned her two children?
By the end of the meal, the warm atmosphere had completely vanished.
Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang went home, while Cheng Zhanxi went to the studio.
Cheng Zhanxi sat in her office chair, her feet tapping the ground, spinning around in frustration. She took out her phone and sent a message: 【Did you know Qi Sui returned to the country?】
Yu Jianxing's heart skipped a beat when she saw the message.
【Did she come to get back together with you?】
【My mom and Yu Qingtang met her today.】
【Damn,】 Yu Jianxing said, 【how does she still have the nerve to look for you?】
Cheng Zhanxi retracted the first two messages; she didn't want to see a single word related to that person. She sent a voice message: "Looks like you knew she was back long ago. Give me her phone number."
【Yu Jianxing】: What are you going to do?
Cheng Zhanxi said coldly, "To eliminate future troubles."
Yu Jianxing had many friends and a wide network. They used to hang out in the same circles, and mutual friends were still around. Getting a phone number was a matter of minutes. Cheng Zhanxi stared at the screen for a while, and then a string of numbers appeared.
Cheng Zhanxi dialed it.
Qi Sui was eating alone downstairs from her company when her phone on the table vibrated.
There was no caller ID, but she had memorized this string of numbers after getting it. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably, and her fingertips trembled as she pressed the answer key, held it to her ear, and closed her eyes.
"Qi Sui?" Cheng Zhanxi's voice was unusually calm, devoid of liking or dislike, carrying no emotion whatsoever, completely like speaking to a stranger.
"It's me."
"What do you want?"
Qi Sui opened her eyes. "I want to apologize to you."
"No need."
"That day in the parking lot, were you deliberately pretending not to know me?"
Cheng Zhanxi lost what little patience she had for Qi Sui's self-absorbed talk. "So you still don't understand?" she said coldly.
"I understand, but I want to see you."
"I said, no need."
"That Miss Yu at Yiqing Gallery, she's your girlfriend, right?" Qi Sui's fork pierced the small cake on her plate. She heard the emotional fluctuation in Cheng Zhanxi's voice, as she had wished, and for a moment, didn't know whether she felt more pain or relief.
Cheng Zhanxi suppressed her anger. "You really did it on purpose."
Qi Sui didn't deny it. She repeated, "I want to see you. You can decide the time and place."
"Tomorrow at nine in the morning, at a certain cafe." Cheng Zhanxi didn't wait for her reply and hung up the phone directly.
Qi Sui listened to the busy tone from the phone, only putting it down after a long while, slumping weakly into her seat.
Meeting Song Qingrou and Yu Qingtang at the gallery was purely accidental. It was just that when they left, they greeted Xiao Xue who was coming out from inside. Xiao Xue's attitude, the "Xixi" Yu Qingtang mentioned, and the resemblance between Cheng Zhanxi and Song Qingrou's features all pointed to one answer.
When Qi Sui said those words to test Cheng Zhanxi, she had clung to a sliver of hope, which Cheng Zhanxi had personally shattered.
This was good too.
Qi Sui closed her eyes, let out a long breath, picked up her phone to pay the bill, and left the cafe without looking back.
After hanging up, Cheng Zhanxi immediately dialed Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang's tone showed no abnormality. "Are you bored again?" she asked gently.
Cheng Zhanxi hummed a muffled "Mm."
Yu Qingtang thought for a moment. "Then shall I tell you about the red bean bun dream?"
Cheng Zhanxi, who was about to bury her face in her arms, burst out laughing.
"I don't want to hear about red bean buns. I want to hear about a dream of eating black truffles. Did you have one?"
"What?"
Cheng Zhanxi laughed. "Nothing. I'll let you eat them next time."
Yu Qingtang was quiet for a moment. "Is there nothing you want to say to me?"
"Yes," Cheng Zhanxi answered quickly and frankly. "But I haven't figured out how to say it yet. Can I apply for a later time?"
"You can. Can you get off work on time and come home today?"
"I can."
Yu Qingtang was quiet again for a while. "Are you going to take a nap?"
"Mm."
"Then you should sleep."
"Okay."
Just as Yu Qingtang was about to hang up, she heard Cheng Zhanxi on the other end seriously say three words.
Yu Qingtang didn't know why her eyes suddenly welled up. "Me too," she said.
Cheng Zhanxi added, "Don't worry." Her voice was low and gentle. "I will never leave you."
Yu Qingtang hummed a soft "Mm," wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Then I'm going to sleep. You can message me whether you have something or not. If I don't reply, call me. I'll be around this afternoon."
"Okay."
When Cheng Zhanxi woke up from her nap, she checked her phone. Yu Qingtang hadn't messaged her. She took the initiative to send a message: 【Woke up.】
Yu Qingtang replied instantly: 【Time to work?】
Cheng Zhanxi said: 【That's right.】
Yu Qingtang: 【Then you get busy, I'm going to read.】
Cheng Zhanxi took out the things from her drawer and continued to work at her desk. Qi Sui's matter couldn't affect her, but she couldn't tolerate Qi Sui disturbing her Yu Qingtang, not even by saying a single word to her. She had already touched her bottom line.
There was a large tree in the villa's courtyard. From under the tree, one could see the villa's gate. Yu Qingtang sat on a small stool in the shade of the tree, a book open on her lap. The wind rustled the pages. Yu Qingtang's gaze returned from the gate, where it had been fixed for who knows how long, and she turned the page back. She stared blankly at the gate, and the book on her lap was rustled by the wind again, a cycle repeating itself.
She read less than three pages all afternoon. When the evening glow painted the sky, Cheng Zhanxi's car drove into the courtyard gate. The light in Yu Qingtang's eyes brightened bit by bit.
Cheng Zhanxi stopped the car beside her and got out.
Yu Qingtang stood up. The book fell to the ground. Her legs, numb from sitting for so long, made her sway unsteadily.
Cheng Zhanxi promptly wrapped an arm around her waist, whispering in her ear, "I'm back."
Yu Qingtang tightly gripped the fabric on her shoulder.
Cheng Zhanxi embraced her, gently patting her back.
Yu Qingtang's tense body slowly relaxed. Cheng Zhanxi combed her fingers through the long hair on her back and said gently, "Park the car with me?"
It was only a few steps to the garage. Yu Qingtang wanted to say no, but her body honestly settled into the passenger seat.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled, fastened her seatbelt, and parked the car in the garage.
Cheng Zhanxi turned off the engine and unbuckled her seatbelt. Suddenly, her vision darkened. Yu Qingtang pressed her down and leaned in to kiss her.
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes, feeling the gentle tremor of her lips, her hand caressing the woman's back.
Yu Qingtang's posture was fierce, but in reality, she was just pressing against her lips, kissing her very slowly and gently. This was her way of holding on. All of Cheng Zhanxi's efforts over such a long time had been undone by Qi Sui's sudden appearance.
She couldn't articulate it, but every gentle suckle and kiss repeatedly conveyed the same sentence: Don't leave me.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart felt as if it were being pierced by a knife, and her eyes reddened along with it.
As Yu Qingtang kissed her, she felt the tears on Cheng Zhanxi's face and pulled back in panic, flustered. "Did I hurt you?"
Cheng Zhanxi lifted her face and said, "Then sleep with me."
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