After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Lian Yabing wiped her mouth, a cold expression appearing on her face for the first time.
"The reason I didn't reject you directly was because I still wanted to be friends with you. If you insist on an answer," Lian Yabing looked at the slap mark on the girl's fair cheek under the moonlight, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, but her tone was unhesitating, "I don't like you."
The September evening breeze was somewhat chilly. Lian Yabing zipped up her school uniform and left without looking back.
Li Lan stood silently for a long time, then lowered her head.
After a while, she too disappeared into the covered walkway.
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang, covered in mosquito bites from hiding in the bushes, stood up. Cheng Zhanxi hadn't expected a pure campus love story to take so many twists and turns, and she let out a soft "hiss." Yu Qingtang stared blankly in the direction the two had left, lost in thought.
Cheng Zhanxi had heard of "shipping CPs." Seeing Yu Qingtang's reaction, she wondered if it was because the first CP she shipped had ended badly, making her sad.
Yu Qingtang's mind was blank when Cheng Zhanxi's face suddenly appeared before her.
Yu Qingtang: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi: "What are you thinking about?"
Yu Qingtang shook her head: "Nothing."
Cheng Zhanxi looked at her.
Yu Qingtang smiled: "I just found it quite novel." She had never witnessed a novel-like scene of a forced kiss followed by a slap.
As she thought this, Yu Qingtang's right hand caressed Cheng Zhanxi's left cheek.
Cheng Zhanxi raised an eyebrow: "What's wrong? You want to try too?" She said, "If you're curious, you can slap me lightly. I don't mind."
Yu Qingtang stroked her face and smiled, her lips curving: "No." She couldn't bear to.
"Then give me a kiss."
Yu Qingtang lightly kissed her cheek.
Cheng Zhanxi took the opportunity to hug her, deeply inhaling her scent: "Wife, you smell so good."
She didn't often call her that. Yu Qingtang instinctively blushed, her heart racing, and then she looked around.
Cheng Zhanxi touched the diamond ring on her ring finger and said, not without a hint of complaint, "Why aren't we engaged yet?"
Yu Qingtang smiled faintly.
Cheng Zhanxi said this every day, and so did she. But Cheng Zhanxi said it aloud, while she kept it hidden in her heart.
Yu Qingtang wrapped her arms around Cheng Zhanxi's waist, her head turning again towards the direction Li Lan and Lian Yabing had left.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Do you want to play matchmaker?"
"What's 'play matchmaker'?"
"It means being a Yue Lao, pulling the red string of fate, and setting them up."
"..." Yu Qingtang looked at her with an expression of disbelief and said, "How could that be possible?"
Those were her students—formerly. She was just idly watching the drama unfold. As for what would happen in the future, it depended on the two of them.
Cheng Zhanxi chuckled: "I thought..." She cut herself off and said, "Never mind."
Yu Qingtang wasn't curious enough to press for every detail. She said, "I bumped into Xing Bailu and He Shuangjiang kissing here before."
Cheng Zhanxi didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Do you come here every day specifically to watch young couples?"
No wonder Yu Qingtang's movements when hiding just now were so swift and practiced.
Yu Qingtang defended herself: "It was a coincidence. I've only bumped into them twice in total."
That time, because she saw them kissing, Yu Qingtang realized she also longed to kiss Cheng Zhanxi, and thus came to understand her own feelings.
After hearing this, Cheng Zhanxi tapped Yu Qingtang's nose with her index finger and teased, "When it comes to romance, you're not even as good as some teenagers. Aren't you ashamed?"
"Not ashamed at all," Yu Qingtang said seriously. "They're minors, so they can only kiss. But we can drive on the highway."
"..."
Yu Qingtang rarely said such suggestive things, especially when they were outside. After saying it, her own ears turned completely red.
Cheng Zhanxi, however, felt something different. Her lower abdomen involuntarily contracted a few times. The arm around Yu Qingtang's waist tightened, and she leaned close to her ear, panting softly, "What you said... I want to get on the highway right now."
It was absolutely out of the question at school. After evening self-study ended and they returned home, Cheng Zhanxi eagerly kissed her, their clothes scattering from the entryway all the way to the bedroom door.
Afterwards, Cheng Zhanxi picked up the clothes and put them in the laundry basket. She looked at Yu Qingtang on the bed, who was covering her forehead with the back of her hand, her long hair spread messily on the pillow, and carried her to the bathroom for a bath.
Yu Qingtang nestled in her arms like a docile cat, letting Cheng Zhanxi do as she pleased.
The new semester was always busy. High-intensity work reduced one's desires. After evening self-study, Yu Qingtang just wanted to go home and sleep. This was the first time they had made love since the semester began, so the passion was greater, but she was also more tired afterwards. Just after her bath, as Cheng Zhanxi wrapped her in a towel and carried her back to the bedroom, she fell asleep.
The next day, she woke up at exactly six in the morning. Cheng Zhanxi was already out of bed.
Yu Qingtang put on the silk nightgown folded at the head of the bed. After seeing Cheng Zhanxi's back in the kitchen, she returned to the bedroom to wash up.
Cheng Zhanxi had made an extra portion of breakfast and packed it in an insulated lunch box.
Yu Qingtang saw it and asked. Cheng Zhanxi said it was for the old man at the bicycle repair stall.
Yu Qingtang said "Oh" and lowered her head to eat her congee with a spoon.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Didn't I become suspicious when I saw you at the special education school? I went to ask that old man if he remembered you. He said he did, that a young girl often chatted with him, but then she probably graduated, and he never saw you again. He missed you quite a bit and even asked me about you later. You went to the repair stall with me before, why didn't you say anything?"
Yu Qingtang slowed the movement of her spoon stirring the congee and said, "I didn't think it was meaningful back then. I was going to leave anyway."
Cheng Zhanxi: "And now?"
Yu Qingtang lifted her eyelids and looked at her with a light smile.
At half-past six in the morning, the pale white mist gradually dispersed in the morning sun.
At the bicycle repair stall on the street corner near Sicheng No. 1 Middle School, the old man, who had been there for twenty years as if it were a single day, had already unloaded his tools from his tricycle, set up his stall, and was waiting for the students who got up early for school.
When Cheng Zhanxi approached, a student was inflating a tire with the pump in front of the stall. A newly patched tire was spinning before the old man, who was intently filing the tire patch adhesive with a rasp. Cheng Zhanxi bent down and waved her face in front of the old man. The old man immediately put down his rasp, his face beaming with joy.
Yu Qingtang, standing beside them: "..."
Previously, when she was in middle school and came back during winter and summer breaks, the old man wasn't this happy to see her.
And Cheng Zhanxi, truly loved by everyone, men and women, young and old, without exception.
Cheng Zhanxi put down the insulated lunch box, exchanged a few pleasantries with the old man, and pointed to Yu Qingtang standing nearby.
Yu Qingtang suddenly felt a sense of homesickness mixed with apprehension upon returning to a familiar place.
The old man looked at her kindly and amiably.
Yu Qingtang slowly walked forward.
After a short while, Cheng Zhanxi was dazzled by their sign language, completely disregarding her, the amateur.
After chatting for over ten minutes, Yu Qingtang had to go to school to supervise the morning self-study session. The two bade farewell to the old man and stepped through the school gates.
Cheng Zhanxi said: "You're amazing."
Yu Qingtang smiled, accustomed to it.
Cheng Zhanxi often praised her in areas where she herself wasn't skilled, never stingy with her compliments—for example, mathematics, teaching, her work as a homeroom teacher, and now, sign language. It had to be said that blind praise from an outsider and a loved one could greatly boost one's confidence. Yu Qingtang could basically face her strengths and weaknesses with equanimity.
On Saturday morning, the two went to Fenglin Lüdu to pick up Xiang Tianyou for a big meal. Xiang Tianyou had spent the entire summer vacation at home with tutoring, barely stepping out. Now that he finally had a chance to go out and have fun, he was eager to let loose.
Coincidentally, Cheng Zhanxi hadn't been to a haunted house in a long time.
And so.
"Ahhhhhhhh—"
"Help ahhhhhhh—"
Yu Qingtang expertly supported the two out, one on each arm.
Cheng Zhanxi squeezed Yu Qingtang's forearm, made a surprised sound, and said, "It seems much firmer." Previously, Yu Qingtang's arms were soft, but now she could actually feel the outline of muscles.
Yu Qingtang had changed into a long-sleeved shirt. She rolled up her cuffs, clenched her fist, and tensed, revealing faint lines of muscle.
Cheng Zhanxi said in pleasant surprise, "It's real."
Yu Qingtang casually rolled down her sleeves, appearing calm on the surface but thrilled inwardly.
Yu Qingtang had originally planned to get an annual membership at a nearby gym. After trying it for a few days, she found she still had no interest in fitness. She didn't find the men and women working out, drenched in sweat, sexy. Only Cheng Zhanxi seemed sexy to her, whether clothed, however much she wore, or unclothed—each state had its own sexiness.
If it weren't for the determination to give Cheng Zhanxi a perfect experience, she would have given up long ago.
Some people just don't like exercise; every cell in their body screams resistance. It can't be forced.
On Sunday, Cheng Zhanxi took Yu Qingtang to a place with light traffic to practice driving. Yu Qingtang reviewed the Subject Three driving test content and quickly got the hang of it. Her talent for driving was also impressive. Her slender, fair hands held the steering wheel steadily, a pink diamond ladies' watch adorned her wrist, and she looked straight ahead, her profile exquisitely charming.
Cheng Zhanxi was seeing more and more facets of Yu Qingtang, and she was becoming increasingly captivated by her.
Another weekend.
Yu Qingtang had indulged too much the previous night and slept in until noon.
The automatic curtains were half-open, sunlight filtering through the gently swaying white gauze. Cheng Zhanxi was leaning against the headboard reading, while Yu Qingtang lay in bed, tilting her head slightly to look at her.
Cheng Zhanxi seemed to sense it and looked down, saying gently, "Awake?"
Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement, hugged her waist, pillowed her head on Cheng Zhanxi's lap, closed her eyes, and nuzzled her affectionately.
Cheng Zhanxi's hand rested on her smooth, long hair. "Tired?"
"Not tired," Yu Qingtang said nasally. "Just feeling lazy to the bone, don't want to get up."
"Then don't get up."
"I have to," Yu Qingtang said softly.
"Then get up."
"Don't want to..." Yu Qingtang hugged her, acting coquettishly.
Most conversations between lovers were nonsensical. Cheng Zhanxi lay down, allowing Yu Qingtang to snuggle better into her embrace. They cuddled for a while, then Yu Qingtang sat up. Cheng Zhanxi brought her clothes and helped her put them on.
They dawdled until two o'clock before having lunch.
In the afternoon, they went out to watch a mind-bending movie. While waiting for their food at dinner in the mall, they discussed the plot. When their thoughts aligned, they were pleasantly surprised by their telepathic connection. When their opinions differed, they each expressed their views and then tacitly moved on.
On Sunday daytime, after Yu Qingtang finished practicing driving, she held the steering wheel, took a quiet breath, and turned to Cheng Zhanxi in the passenger seat, "Shall we... drive tonight?"
This "drive" wasn't that "drive." Cheng Zhanxi understood and said, "Okay."
Yu Qingtang's gaze slowly changed. She paused for a moment and said, "What I mean is, I'll drive."
Cheng Zhanxi blinked slowly, as if digesting the sentence.
After a moment, she couldn't help but beam with joy, her voice lilting upwards, "Okay."
The little fox said to the little prince: "If you come at four in the afternoon, then at three I shall begin to be happy. The closer the time comes, the happier I shall feel."
Cheng Zhanxi's mood from afternoon to evening was filled with the kind of happiness and anticipation described by the little fox.
Yu Qingtang continuously exercised her right hand. Even if Cheng Zhanxi didn't know at first, she gradually understood. In fact, this kind of thing didn't necessarily require great physical strength; technique was more important than stamina, unless she wanted to be like Cheng Zhanxi herself. But Cheng Zhanxi didn't expose her. Since Yu Qingtang was willing, let her exercise. It was better to be diligent in some limbs than none.
Cheng Zhanxi went into the bathroom to shower.
Yu Qingtang sat in the single armchair by the French window, her nails trimmed neatly round, gleaming with a pearly light pink. She closed her eyes to meditate, rehearsing various scenes in her mind, mentally preparing for what was to come.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped.
Yu Qingtang's eyes snapped open. She looked down, squeezed the knuckles of her right hand, and held her breath.
Cheng Zhanxi came out wearing the thin, dark gold silk nightgown from last time. Water dripped from her long hair, soaking the fabric on her back and front, her curves graceful. The sash at her waist was tied in a loose knot, so loose it seemed a gentle tug would make it slide open like silk, revealing the splendid scenery within.
Yu Qingtang's mindset was vastly different from before. Previously, seeing Cheng Zhanxi like this, she would only have found her sacred and inviolable. Now...
She only hoped she could maintain her composure and not appear too eager.
Yu Qingtang took a deep, controlled breath, averted her gaze from Cheng Zhanxi's snow-white skin, and said, "I'm going to take a shower."
Cheng Zhanxi casually dried her hair with a large towel and said, "Go ahead."
Yu Qingtang walked past her, smelling the fresh scent of her hair and the fragrance of shower gel emanating from her neck, and stopped uncontrollably.
Cheng Zhanxi: "?"
Yu Qingtang looked at her deeply, tilted her head, closed her eyes, and kissed her smooth cheek. Her nose intoxicatingly slid from cheek to chin, her thin lips brushing against the side of Cheng Zhanxi's neck, a brief solace for her craving.
Cheng Zhanxi's lips curved into a faint smile as she watched Yu Qingtang's back disappear into the bathroom.
Cheng Zhanxi dried her own long hair and sat on the edge of the bed with the hairdryer, waiting for Yu Qingtang to come out.
Yu Qingtang took longer than usual to shower. She came out wearing a nightgown of the same style as Cheng Zhanxi's but a different color. The sash was tied meticulously, the neckline modestly covered, revealing only the line of her snow-white neck. Her expression was demure and serious, appearing overly solemn due to her inner nervousness.
Cheng Zhanxi breathed lightly and beckoned, "Baby, come here."
Yu Qingtang sat in front of her and turned her back.
Cheng Zhanxi combed through her towel-dried long hair. The warm air from the hairdryer passed through her strands, past the ears hidden by her hair. The heat slowly baked, raising the temperature in the bedroom.
Cheng Zhanxi bent down to put the hairdryer back in the drawer. Yu Qingtang's hands wrapped around her slender waist from behind, and she eagerly kissed her ear.
It was so sudden that Cheng Zhanxi couldn't help but let out a soft moan. The hairdryer, just a few centimeters from the drawer, fell in with a thud.
Yu Qingtang's movements paused briefly. Cheng Zhanxi closed the drawer, turned around, and cupped the back of Yu Qingtang's head, not allowing her to be distracted.
Previously, Yu Qingtang had done everything except use her hands. The preliminary preparations went smoothly, and Cheng Zhanxi offered no resistance, allowing herself to be swept into the torrent, rising and falling with the current.
However, when it came to using her hands, Yu Qingtang still couldn't help feeling a bit stage fright. Cheng Zhanxi was a good lover, patiently guiding her, step by step, to unlock the most primitive code.
The bedroom light dimmed and then brightened again.
Footsteps sounded, then disappeared into the bathroom.
Cheng Zhanxi released her five fingers gripping the bedsheet. The light was a bit glaring; she raised her hand to shield her eyes and lazily squinted.
Yu Qingtang washed her hands in the bathroom, returned, and hugged her without a word.
Cheng Zhanxi readjusted to the dim light, freeing one hand to gently stroke the woman's back.
Yu Qingtang buried her face in the crook of Cheng Zhanxi's neck. For a long time, there wasn't a sound.
Cheng Zhanxi: "Asleep?"
Yu Qingtang said in a muffled voice, "No."
"Why aren't you talking?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
"...Don't want to talk."
"There's still plenty of time, you can practice slowly in the future." To be fair, Cheng Zhanxi thought she had done okay, but Yu Qingtang seemed a bit dejected now, perhaps because of the significant difference in their "skills."
Yu Qingtang fell silent again.
Cheng Zhanxi's hand touched Yu Qingtang's face, lingering at the corners of her eyes.
Yu Qingtang: "What are you doing?"
Cheng Zhanxi sighed in relief: "I was afraid you might cry."
Yu Qingtang was amused: "Do you think I'm you?"
Hearing her laugh, Cheng Zhanxi patted her back and said, "Shall we sleep? I'm a bit tired."
Yu Qingtang asked, "Is it because of me?"
Cheng Zhanxi didn't react at first, but then she realized Yu Qingtang's words likely had a deeper meaning, so she played along: "Yes, you're too amazing."
No one dislikes hearing such praise in bed, regardless of gender. The good thing about Yu Qingtang was that she wasn't blindly confident. After hearing it, besides feeling happy, she also had self-awareness and decided to make Cheng Zhanxi's praise well-deserved as soon as possible.
And so.
Yu Qingtang got up at five in the morning to practice.
The subject of her practice, Cheng Zhanxi, woke up gasping for breath: "..."
She wasn't this competitive in other matters, but she was remarkably persistent in this.
Cheng Zhanxi slowly closed her eyes, her hand resting on Yu Qingtang's head, her consciousness gradually drifting away.
Yu Qingtang was like a diligent student striving for improvement, burning the midnight oil to catch up on her studies, determined to satisfy her "teacher."
Cheng Zhanxi sent a message to Yu Jianxing.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Lately, I
[Yu Jianxing]: Three minutes have passed. What's next?
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Feel like I'm living in a dream
[Yu Jianxing]: ???
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Sigh (Note: a happy sigh)
[Yu Jianxing]: I have a feeling I might not want to hear what you're going to say next. Farewell!
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Don't go, I haven't said anything yet
[Yu Jianxing]: You're definitely going to show off your Jiejie again. I won't listen, I won't listen.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: My Jiejie has been particularly craving my body lately.
[Yu Jianxing]: You have been blocked by the other party.
Cheng Zhanxi burst out laughing, locked her phone screen, tossed it aside, and got up to wash and dress.
The congee in the pot was kept warm, and the stir-fried side dishes were in the steamer on the stove, needing only a few minutes of heating. For the past two days, Cheng Zhanxi hadn't accompanied Yu Qingtang to school in the morning. After the early morning exertions, even with her good stamina, Cheng Zhanxi would be sleepy. She often fell asleep afterwards, and by the time she woke up, Yu Qingtang had already left for work.
Sicheng No. 1 Middle School.
Yu Qingtang lightly pressed the back of her hand to her lips and yawned, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
The new teacher at Cheng Zhanxi's former desk was named Qian. Teacher Qian asked with concern, "Teacher Yu, haven't you been sleeping well lately?"
Yu Qingtang yawned again and said, "It's alright."
Just waking up a bit early.
Teacher Qian said, "Take care of your health."
Yu Qingtang nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Teacher Qian."
After speaking, she let out a long yawn, her eyes even redder. Teacher Qian wanted to say something but hesitated.
She mainly wanted to say that with Yu Qingtang yawning across from her every day, she couldn't help but feel sleepy too, yawning incessantly.
The phone on the desk vibrated.
Yu Qingtang dabbed the corners of her eyes with a tissue and picked up her phone.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: I'm up and having breakfast.
Yu Qingtang looked at the time in the top left corner of the screen. It was later than yesterday. A genuine smile touched her lips.
This should mean she had improved compared to yesterday.
[Yu Qingtang]: I'm at work.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: I know.
Yu Qingtang licked her lips and quickly glanced around.
Cheng Zhanxi lowered her head to take a sip of congee, and then saw a new message from Yu Qingtang pop up in the chat interface.
[Yu Qingtang]: Coming home to fuck you.
Cheng Zhanxi almost choked on the mouthful of congee she hadn't finished swallowing. She quickly grabbed a tissue to cover her mouth and started coughing.
[System Notification: Yu Qingtang retracted a message]
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Oh?
There was no response from Yu Qingtang's side.
When it came to dirty talk, Yu Qingtang's kindergarten level was no match for Cheng Zhanxi's doctoral advisor level.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Is work easier to "do" or am I? Can it writhe like I do?
Yu Qingtang's status showed "typing" for a long time, but nothing was sent.
Teacher Qian, sitting diagonally opposite, only saw the usually serious and indifferent Teacher Yu suddenly flush bright red, as if licked by fire, even her earlobes turning crimson.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Work hard. If you have something to say, say it to my face when you get home.
This time, Yu Qingtang replied quickly.
【Mm】
Cheng Zhanxi could guess what Yu Qingtang looked like right now—undoubtedly blushing furiously, looking utterly adorable. Unfortunately, Cheng Zhanxi was no longer her colleague and couldn't see it, but she also didn't want anyone else to see it.
Yu Qingtang used the cool back of her hand to lower the temperature of her cheeks and focused on opening the teaching aid in front of her.
Cheng Zhanxi could no longer teach at Sicheng No. 1 Middle School. On one hand, her goal had been achieved. On the other hand, she was genuinely busy with her painting. Besides the immense energy consumed by painting itself, she also needed to travel frequently for sketching, holding exhibitions, visiting various art shows and exchange meetings, encountering all sorts of people and events, accumulating experience, and finding inspiration.
One month into the semester, Cheng Zhanxi traveled to Paris to meet her teacher and went with friends to another country to see an exhibition, a trip lasting twenty days.
Yu Qingtang still wasn't quite used to such separations, but she was trying to get accustomed to them.
Cheng Zhanxi had her own world; Yu Qingtang couldn't clip her wings. All she could do was continuously broaden her own horizons. Even if she couldn't soar alongside her, she wanted to become the sweet spring Cheng Zhanxi thirsted for, the phoenix tree where she rested.
On the second day after arriving in Europe, Cheng Zhanxi made a video call to her, asking if she would like to meet her teacher and classmates.
Yu Qingtang rushed back to the bathroom to tidy her appearance, then nodded and said yes.
Cheng Zhanxi moved the camera, and on the screen appeared her dignified yet amiable teacher, and her blonde, blue-eyed European classmates, saying hello to her.
Fortunately, Yu Qingtang was fluent in English. Although nervous, she behaved with grace and composure. At the end, Cheng Zhanxi's teacher even asked her to bring Yu Qingtang over next time, saying he and his wife would welcome her warmly. Cheng Zhanxi's classmates, needless to say, praised her endlessly, showering her with compliments, one after another, to the point where Yu Qingtang couldn't get a word in.
Although Yu Qingtang hadn't gone with her, it felt as if she had drawn a little closer to Cheng Zhanxi's life.
Before returning to the country, Cheng Zhanxi confirmed her return flight's arrival time with Yu Qingtang so she could be picked up from the airport. Yu Qingtang suddenly said, "You're not going to come back a day early again, are you?"
Cheng Zhanxi laughed: "Oops."
Yu Qingtang's lips curved. "Actually, there's no need for such surprises. If you tell me you're coming back tomorrow, I'll start feeling happy right now."
Cheng Zhanxi said, "Alright, I'll be back tomorrow."
Yu Qingtang: "Huh? Not the day after tomorrow?"
Cheng Zhanxi laughed heartily, "This time, I'm two days early."
Yu Qingtang said, "But it's so late, I can't ask for leave from school."
"I'll take a taxi back. You can just wait for me at school," Cheng Zhanxi said. "I decided this on the spur of the moment, changed my flight. I couldn't wait to see you."
In the end, Yu Qingtang still drove to the airport to pick up Cheng Zhanxi. She found a teacher to swap classes with, freeing up her afternoon.
Cheng Zhanxi watched her put the heavy luggage into the trunk without asking for help. Even though it was a bit of a struggle, she managed it properly.
Cheng Zhanxi blinked.
It seemed that during her absence, Yu Qingtang hadn't slacked off on her exercises at all.
Yu Qingtang parked the car in the garage and, seeing things through to the end, took the suitcase out again and pushed it forward herself.
Cheng Zhanxi felt a bit unaccustomed to having her hands empty, but seeing Yu Qingtang so eager to take charge, she could only smile and let her be.
As soon as they entered, Yu Qingtang pressed her against the wall in the entryway, draped her arms around her neck, and said in a low, craving voice, "Carry me to the bedroom..."
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