After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 136
Chapter 136
Lian Yabing had originally thought that after the class reshuffle, she would completely bid farewell to enjoying romantic pairings. She hadn’t expected that on the very first day of the official start of school, a piece of joyous news falling from the sky would leave her stunned.
She felt a rush of blood to her head, followed by dizziness and blurred vision. The world darkened before her eyes for a moment, and her limbs went weak as she slumped backward.
She fell into a soft embrace. The collar of the school uniform was smooth, and a fresh, pleasant scent of soapberry reached her nostrils.
“Oh no! Lian Yabing fainted—”
The words had barely fallen when the fainted Lian Yabing came to again.
She supported herself with Yu Zhou’s outstretched hand, pushing herself up from Li Lan’s embrace. She said to Yu Zhou in front of her, “Thank you.” Then, without turning her head, she said in a slightly lower voice, “Thank you, Class Monitor.”
Li Lan’s voice sounded in her ear, a low and deep “Mm.”
Lian Yabing resisted the urge to turn around.
Since Lian Yabing was fine, the other students continued to gossip about Teacher Cheng and Teacher Yu.
“Teacher Cheng, are you two married?”
“Not yet.” Cheng Zhanxi tilted her head to glance at Yu Qingtang, who was smiling faintly, and said, “We plan to get engaged first. We’re discussing the date; it’ll be within these two months.”
“Ahhhh!” The students cheered, then strongly demanded, “We are Class Seven’s people in life, and Class Seven’s ghosts in death! You must give out wedding candies when you get married! Teacher Yu, just give them to Tong Feifei, and let her distribute them to us!”
Cheng Zhanxi smiled and said, “Definitely. If you’re willing, you can also come to our wedding.”
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi in surprise.
The students’ eyes lit up: “Really? Really?”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “A gentleman’s word is his bond.”
She hoped her and Yu Qingtang’s wedding would be as grand and lively as possible, preferably with everyone Yu Qingtang cared about present. The Cheng family was large and influential; inviting an extra class of students wouldn’t matter to them.
Lian Yabing teetered back and forth on the verge of fainting. Beside her, Yu Zhou watched her, sometimes giggling foolishly, sometimes rolling her eyes back, sometimes biting her knuckles, seemingly trying hard not to cry out. Yu Zhou’s small head was filled with great confusion.
Li Lan maintained a faint smile, keeping her gaze from falling on Lian Yabing, lest it affect her mood for congratulating Teacher Cheng and Teacher Yu.
The Class Seven students were practically ecstatic.
Students from other classes in the corridor saw the commotion here, each one completely baffled.
The enthusiastic Class Seven students surrounded Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, making it impenetrable, and only reluctantly returned to their respective classrooms when the class bell rang.
A dozen or so people scattered in the blink of an eye, some even heading to different floors, trotting towards the stairs at either end of the corridor.
Yu Qingtang looked wistful.
Cheng Zhanxi put an arm around her shoulder and said, “Reluctant to see them go?”
Yu Qingtang said, “A little.”
Cheng Zhanxi was about to speak again when she caught sight of a figure ahead and paused.
The teacher for Class Five’s current period walked over from the corridor and said, “Teacher Yu.”
Yu Qingtang nodded. “Teacher Ke.”
The other person was a female teacher, wearing a light pink summer blouse, with long, smooth hair. She taught English to Class Five.
Even Yang Li was no longer part of her teaching team.
Teacher Ke went in, and the sound of her introducing herself to the students reached their ears.
Yu Qingtang said, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
Cheng Zhanxi thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to your office.”
Yu Qingtang thought to herself, The office isn’t really a suitable place to talk, is it? If we’re going somewhere, the covered walkway would be quieter. But since Cheng Zhanxi said so, she naturally didn’t object.
Yu Qingtang’s office hadn’t changed; it was still in the same place. A new teacher was already sitting at Cheng Zhanxi’s former desk—she had submitted her resignation letter to the school before the end of the first semester. The school hadn’t tried to stop her; she had gotten in through connections in the first place, and anyone with discerning eyes could see she wouldn’t stay at the school for long.
Cheng Zhanxi smiled at the new teacher, and the new teacher, bewildered but polite, returned a smile.
She had just stepped in when Yang Li entered the office right after her.
She said in pleasant surprise, “Teacher Cheng!”
Cheng Zhanxi turned around and said with a smile, “Teacher Yang, long time no see. A summer vacation has passed, how have you become even more beautiful? If this continues, even the English teachers won’t have enough praises for you.”
Yang Li was coaxed into a beaming smile and said, “I should be saying that to you. Teacher Cheng, you’re glowing. Did something good happen?”
“How could ‘good’ be enough?” Cheng Zhanxi said. “It’s a tremendously joyous occasion.”
Yang Li asked curiously, “What is it?”
So, Cheng Zhanxi perfectly replicated what Yu Qingtang had just done in front of the students: she took Yu Qingtang’s left hand with her right, then placed her own left hand over Yu Qingtang’s, the two diamond rings sparkling with a delicate light.
Yang Li was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “This truly is a tremendously joyous occasion.”
Yang Li and Cheng Zhanxi had worked together for so long; how could Yang Li not know what little schemes Cheng Zhanxi had in her heart?
Yang Li immediately raised her voice and said, “Wow! You two are getting married!”
With that shout, the attention of all the teachers in the office was drawn over.
The oldest chemistry teacher adjusted his reading glasses and looked up.
For a moment, the office was filled with a chorus of congratulations.
Yu Qingtang: “…”
So this was Cheng Zhanxi’s idea for coming to the office first. However… Yu Qingtang’s lips curved slightly; she was very happy too.
This must be the legendary “he who stays near vermilion gets stained red.”
Previously, she disliked public displays of affection, but now she was actually “sprinkling dog food” in front of the students. Yu Qingtang recalled the scene in the corridor just now, and her cheeks felt a little hot.
After making the promise to give everyone wedding candies upon marriage and flaunting their affection to her heart’s content, Cheng Zhanxi contentedly led Yu Qingtang out of the office by the hand.
Ge Jing arrived a step too late.
She had a class this period and missed it. When she returned after class and heard the office teachers discussing Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang’s engagement, she felt like she had missed out on a billion!
In the covered walkway, the wisteria flourished.
Under the gentle breeze, the two walked hand in hand. Yu Qingtang, who had initially felt many emotions at the start of the new semester, gradually calmed down and found she had little to say. Life is a train journey; people get on and off at every stop. It cannot be prevented, nor should it be. And she only knew that Cheng Zhanxi would always accompany her, from start to finish, through mountains and waters, rain or shine.
But Yu Qingtang had something she wanted to ask her.
“Do you know how Lian Yabing and Li Lan are doing?” She couldn’t tell, so she could only pin her hopes on the sharp-eyed Cheng Zhanxi.
Cheng Zhanxi was surprised, jumped back a step, and said in a disbelieving tone, “Who are you?! When did my Yu Tangtang become so gossipy?!”
Yu Qingtang stepped forward and pinched her cheek. “I am gossipy. Are you going to tell me or not?”
Cheng Zhanxi, knowing when to yield, said, “My Queen, spare me.”
Yu Qingtang released her hand and hummed softly.
What is called acting spoiled because one is doted upon? This is called acting spoiled because one is doted upon.
Cheng Zhanxi absolutely loved the way she was uninhibited with her; this was exclusively hers.
Cheng Zhanxi sat down on a bench in the walkway and pulled Yu Qingtang onto her lap. Yu Qingtang habitually looked around nervously, and seeing no one, she obediently let Cheng Zhanxi hold her.
Cheng Zhanxi gently kissed her cheek and mused, “According to my observations, Li Lan probably confessed, but Lian Yabing is hesitating. The two are in an awkward phase.”
“You even know she confessed?”
“During the spring outing in the first half of the year, on your birthday, weren’t the two of them sharing a tent?”
“So?”
“I think I heard strange sounds coming from their tent.”
Yu Qingtang frowned. “They’re still minors. That’s not good, is it?”
She didn’t hear Cheng Zhanxi speak for a while. Lifting her eyelids, she saw Cheng Zhanxi’s expression was subtle.
Yu Qingtang: “?”
Cheng Zhanxi squeezed her fingers and said slowly, “Where did your thoughts wander? I was talking about kissing.”
Yu Qingtang: “…”
After a long moment, her ears flushed red, she said “Oh,” and changed the subject, “Then how do you know she confessed?”
“Look at how Lian Yabing is evasive and doesn’t dare to look at her. Also, with that blockhead of hers, it would be a miracle if she figured out Li Lan likes her on her own.”
“Does Lian Yabing like Li Lan?”
“Are you treating me like an automatic answering machine?” Cheng Zhanxi said. “Girls’ thoughts at this age are inherently complex, and when they spend so much time together, it’s easy to confuse friendship and love. I can only tell that Li Lan has those intentions. Lian Yabing seems… to have her mind on other things.”
“Then, is there anything budding between Xiang Tianyou and Yu Zhou?”
“…” Cheng Zhanxi was genuinely surprised this time. “Darling, how many thoughts are there in your head that I don’t know about?”
Yu Qingtang said lightly, “Didn’t I tell you I was reading novels on Jinjiang a while ago? I think those two are like the male and female leads of a romance novel.”
The outwardly gentle but inwardly resilient top student & the perverse and arrogant school tyrant. And Xiang Tianyou’s looks are definitely worthy of a campus novel male lead.
Cheng Zhanxi clapped for her.
Yu Qingtang laughed and said, “I’m kidding. By the way, Xiang Tianyou wants you to treat him to a meal. He’s saving his stomach starting now; if you invite him too late, he’ll starve to death.”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “He has evening self-study, so he probably doesn’t have time for dinner, right? Tell him this weekend, he can pick whatever he wants to eat.”
Yu Qingtang nodded.
Cheng Zhanxi was no longer a teacher, so it wasn’t convenient for her to hang around the school all day. She didn’t have a desk in the office either. Yu Qingtang had to work, and as her family member, it was even less appropriate for her to linger by her side. Who brings a family “pendant” to work? Today was the first day of the new semester, and Yu Qingtang had to welcome new students. Cheng Zhanxi was worried, so she came to accompany her.
Now that Yu Qingtang had adapted well, Cheng Zhanxi went home after the second class in the morning, leaving two fruit candies in Yu Qingtang’s pocket.
Yu Qingtang sat at her desk in the corner, habitually glancing up at the diagonally opposite seat. She would subconsciously smile, but upon seeing the other person’s face, it would turn into a polite nod.
The new teacher was terrified, almost suspecting that Yu Qingtang had a problem with her.
After retracting her gaze once more, Yu Qingtang let out a soft sigh, took a fruit candy from her pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. It was lychee-flavored.
She sent Cheng Zhanxi a message: 【In the last forty-five minutes, I’ve looked at the teacher in your seat thirty times.】 [Cheng Zhanxi]: Miss me that much?
[Yu Qingtang]: The first hour since Cheng Zhanxi left, missing her.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Hahahaha
[Yu Qingtang]: Why didn’t Yiping end up with Fang Yu?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Should I go ask the author to buy the rights and remake it with an ending where Yiping and Fang Yu get together?
[Yu Qingtang]: Hahahaha, I need to get back to work.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Okay, I’m off to the studio.
The bell for the end of morning classes rang. Yu Qingtang quickly tidied her desk, left the office, and walked towards the school gate.
No. 1 Middle School was just two streets away from the city center. The pedestrian and vehicle traffic at noon was immense, a dense crowd of people and cars. Yu Qingtang walked towards home without looking sideways when suddenly, a hand wrapped around her waist. Yu Qingtang’s scalp tingled; she was about to struggle free when she looked up and saw Cheng Zhanxi’s face. Joy lit up her features as she said, “What are you doing here?”
Yu Qingtang withdrew the hand that had been pushing against Cheng Zhanxi’s shoulder.
“Picking you up from work.” Cheng Zhanxi took her hand, interlaced their fingers, and said, “I’ve stewed chicken soup, and all the vegetables are prepped. We just need to stir-fry them when we get home.”
If it weren’t for the public setting, Yu Qingtang would have wanted to cup Cheng Zhanxi’s face and kiss her hard right then.
She didn’t make any move, but Cheng Zhanxi saw her ardent gaze.
Cheng Zhanxi’s lips curved into a smile. “Are you very touched?”
Yu Qingtang looked at her and nodded.
Previously, when Cheng Zhanxi was in the Capital City and had been busy with work for a long time, the feeling she got when she came home from work and saw Yu Qingtang’s busy figure in the kitchen, and Yu Qingtang taking off her apron to tell her “Dinner’s ready,” was the same as what Yu Qingtang was feeling now.
The most romantic things are often not grand vows of eternal love, but simple, unadorned life.
Cheng Zhanxi restrainedly kissed her cheek, swung their joined hands, and said, “Let’s go, we’re going home.”
Yu Qingtang sometimes looked at the road ahead, sometimes tilted her head to look at Cheng Zhanxi’s profile, smiling all the way.
Passersby occasionally cast glances, infected by the couple deeply in love, and couldn’t help but smile.
“Good afternoon, you two.” The voice of the ‘salted fish’ receptionist on the first floor was cheerful and friendly.
“Good afternoon,” Yu Qingtang said.
“Good afternoon,” Cheng Zhanxi said behind her.
Yu Qingtang took a candy from her pocket, placed it on the reception desk, and said with a smile in her voice, “Have a candy.”
The ‘salted fish’ receptionist said, “Is this your wedding candy?”
Yu Qingtang played along with her joke, “Yes, here’s one in advance. The rest will be delivered later.”
The ‘salted fish’ receptionist: “Hahahaha.”
Yu Qingtang linked arms with Cheng Zhanxi and walked towards the elevator.
Out of the ‘salted fish’ receptionist’s sight, Cheng Zhanxi’s expression immediately became aggrieved.
Yu Qingtang pinched her pouting lips and asked, feigning ignorance, “What’s wrong?”
Cheng Zhanxi said, “You gave the candy I gave you to someone else.”
Yu Qingtang raised an eyebrow. “So stingy?”
Is this a matter of being stingy?
Cheng Zhanxi felt both angry and jealous, and a mist quickly formed in her eyes.
Her ability to cry on cue was unexpected by Yu Qingtang. She quickly said before Cheng Zhanxi could shed “golden beans,” “That was candy I brought from home this morning, not the one you gave me.”
Cheng Zhanxi: “Really?”
“Really.” Yu Qingtang showed her the remaining candy in her left pocket. “You gave me two this morning. I ate one, and there’s one left.” She then took Cheng Zhanxi’s hand and guided it into her right pocket, where there were at least four more candies. Yu Qingtang had just taken the candy from her right pocket.
Cheng Zhanxi blinked back her tears and said, “Then why did you tease me?”
Yu Qingtang paused, glanced at her, and said, a little unsurely, “For fun?”
Cheng Zhanxi: “Wuwuwu.”
Yu Qingtang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Alright, I was wrong.” She hugged Cheng Zhanxi, gently patting her back, and coaxed softly, “I’ll never do it again.”
“No.” Cheng Zhanxi whimpered.
Yu Qingtang’s gaze was indulgent. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
The elevator arrived, and tenants going downstairs walked out.
Cheng Zhanxi instantly regained her composure. The speed of her change in expression made Yu Qingtang suspect she had been a Sichuan opera performer in her past life.
No matter how they were at home, outside, Cheng Zhanxi always maintained her image, exuding her mature charm. Yu Qingtang was the same; they wouldn’t let outsiders see their special behavior with each other. Both derived a great sense of security and happiness from this.
After arriving home, Cheng Zhanxi went to the kitchen to stir-fry the dishes.
Yu Qingtang stayed on the sofa in the living room to rest. She picked up her phone and opened a WeChat group with only two people. The group name was: “Another Weepy Day Today.”
The group owner was Song Qingrou. She had just “clocked in” a few hours ago.
[Yu Qingtang]: Clocked in (1/1)
[Song Qingrou]: What was it about today?
[Yu Qingtang]: I teased her by pretending to give the candy she gave me to the receptionist on duty on the first floor, but I actually gave her one I brought myself.
[Song Qingrou]: Last night, I tricked Cheng Yi by saying I forgot our wedding anniversary.
[Yu Qingtang]: This…
Isn’t that a bit much? Yu Qingtang put herself in his shoes and felt she couldn’t accept it.
[Song Qingrou]: I’m not telling you to learn from it. Auntie is just providing you with a negative example. He cried so miserably last night, it’s made me regret it ever since.
[Yu Qingtang]: …
[Song Qingrou]: I’m about to eat. Have you two eaten?
[Yu Qingtang]: Xixi is cooking, it’s almost ready.
[Song Qingrou]: Alright, give Auntie a call when you have time. I miss you guys.
Yu Qingtang put away her phone and went to the kitchen.
A warm, soft body pressed against her back, and arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Cheng Zhanxi freed one hand to pat the hands on her waist and said gently, “What’s wrong?”
Yu Qingtang pressed her face against Cheng Zhanxi’s warm back and said, “Can’t I hug you even if nothing’s wrong?”
Cheng Zhanxi smiled. “Of course, you can.”
Yu Qingtang clung to Cheng Zhanxi’s back until Cheng Zhanxi turned off the stove. Then she let go and helped carry the dishes out.
The chicken soup was simmered to a golden yellow, rich and fragrant. Yu Qingtang drank half a bowl of soup and ate a tenderly stewed chicken leg. She couldn’t eat much rice, only a few mouthfuls.
After the meal, she walked a few laps in the living room to aid digestion, then went to the bedroom for an afternoon nap.
Sunlight moved step by step across the floor-to-ceiling window, like flowing golden sand. Time, too, slipped away invisibly like fine sand.
Wednesday evening self-study, during the break.
Li Lan crossed past Class Five and arrived at the entrance of Class Six. She said to a student who had just come out, “I’m looking for Lian Yabing.”
The student turned their head. “Lian Yabing, someone’s looking for you!”
Lian Yabing looked up from her playful interaction with the student at the front desk, glanced at the doorway, and asked, “Who’s looking for me?”
The student looked at Li Lan. Li Lan seemed not to hear and didn’t speak. The student turned back again and said, “Just come out.”
After saying that, she rushed to the girls’ restroom, racing against time.
Lian Yabing secured the test paper on her desk with her pencil case and came out, completely bewildered. Upon seeing Li Lan standing in the corridor, her scalp tingled, and she instinctively wanted to turn and run back.
Li Lan reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Lian Yabing: “…”
Here we go again, here we go again.
Nowadays, it wasn’t like before when only a boy and a girl together would make people think of romantic entanglements. Among the open-minded new generation, boy-girl, boy-boy, or girl-girl relationships were all the same. Two people pulling and tugging in the corridor—gossip would spread through the class later, not even needing to wait until tomorrow. Lian Yabing sensibly didn’t struggle and let Li Lan lead her to the covered walkway.
Lian Yabing was familiar with the covered walkway. Although she was a “single dog,” she liked watching young couples display affection, provided they were good-looking.
Later, Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang were just too sweet, both good-looking and with great CP chemistry, and she even got to “ship” a real couple, so she never came here again.
She never expected that one day she would become the protagonist of a scene in the covered walkway.
Lian Yabing was sighing inwardly and didn’t notice that Li Lan in front of her had stopped.
Li Lan turned back, saw her obviously distracted expression, and frowned. “What are you thinking about again?”
Every time they were together, Lian Yabing’s eyes would glaze over. Was Li Lan so unsightly or annoying?
Lian Yabing felt uncomfortable all over whenever she saw her and said, “Nothing.”
Li Lan didn’t waste time and asked directly, “Have you thought it over?”
Lian Yabing suddenly tilted her head up and tried to change the subject, “Ah, the moon is so beautiful tonight.”
Li Lan was overjoyed. “Are you confessing to me?”
Lian Yabing: “???”
Con-confess? Confess what? She hadn’t said anything.
Li Lan took a step forward.
Lian Yabing took a step back and said flusteredly, “Don’t come any closer.” She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and said, “My mom doesn’t allow me to date early! Don’t do this anymore!”
“Your mom also wanted you to choose the liberal arts stream, why didn’t you listen then?”
“How can that be the same?” Lian Yabing opened her eyes and said, “I asked Teacher Yu. Teacher Yu said I’m good at science and told me to study science, not to listen to what those people say. My mom supported me later too. Really, don’t come any closer.”
Li Lan stopped two steps away from her. “If your mom agreed to you dating early, would you be with me?”
Lian Yabing’s head was about to explode.
“What exactly do you like about me?”
“You’re cute.”
“Cats are cuter. Wouldn’t it be better if you got a cat?”
“I only want to ‘raise’ you.”
Lian Yabing knew she shouldn’t laugh, but she couldn’t help it.
Lian Yabing said, “Class Monitor, we’re only sixteen this year. Don’t you think saying such things is too childish?”
Li Lan didn’t speak, but her eyes earnestly said: She didn’t think so.
Lian Yabing said, “Last year, our class held a debate about early romance. Although I didn’t participate, I was on the opposing side. I like my current life focused on studying: read, get into a good university, work. Romance can happen anytime, but not now.”
Li Lan tilted her head slightly and asked, “Do you like me?”
Lian Yabing pressed her lips together and didn’t answer, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Li Lan stepped forward, cupped her face, tilted her head, and kissed her on the lips.
Lian Yabing’s ears buzzed, and her mind was filled with a single thought: Now this is even more like being the protagonist of a scene in the covered walkway.
Lian Yabing’s back was against a pillar of the walkway. Li Lan’s hand gently supported the back of her head, kissing her assertively yet with a touch of innocence.
High school students of this age couldn’t possibly have advanced kissing skills. Merely the touch of their lips was enough to make their heads spin.
Lian Yabing didn’t think to resist for a moment. By the time she came to her senses, Li Lan’s tongue had also slipped in. Not far away, in the dimly lit grass, two figures were squatting furtively, occasionally swatting at annoying mosquitoes.
Yu Qingtang didn’t have evening self-study tonight, but as the homeroom teacher, she had to be on duty at school in case of emergencies. Cheng Zhanxi, afraid she’d be bored, came to accompany her. The two of them were walking and ended up at the covered walkway, where naturally some sweet nothings were exchanged.
Before long, Li Lan came over, pulling Lian Yabing with her.
Before Cheng Zhanxi could react, Yu Qingtang quickly pulled her to hide in the bushes, becoming mosquito feed.
Cheng Zhanxi: “?”
“We’re not students. They should be the ones hiding, right?” Cheng Zhanxi whispered.
“Shh.” Yu Qingtang placed her index finger to the center of her lips, watching the two students in the distance with rapt attention.
Seeing this, Cheng Zhanxi had no choice but to give up and followed her gaze.
They were some distance away, so she couldn’t hear clearly what the two were saying. Cheng Zhanxi wasn’t that interested and idly swatted mosquitoes with her bare hands.
Yu Qingtang suddenly grabbed her arm, seemingly a little excited.
Cheng Zhanxi looked up, squinted, and—my goodness, they were directly locking lips.
Tsk, young people nowadays.
She tried hard to squint but still couldn’t see the specifics. She asked Yu Qingtang beside her, “Is it a French kiss?”
Yu Qingtang, without blinking, said, “Yes.”
The place was dim, but the light in her eyes was exceptionally bright.
Cheng Zhanxi found it rather amusing.
How was her girlfriend getting cuter and cuter?
Just as the two were kissing more and more passionately, inseparable, the class bell suddenly rang, echoing throughout the night campus.
In the empty covered walkway, it was almost enough to make one’s heart stop.
Those two also stopped.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang moved their numb and aching legs, planning to stand up after the two girls left, but then they heard a crisp slapping sound.
Under the moonlight, red finger marks quickly appeared on Li Lan’s face.
... Damn (ー_ー゛)
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