Chapter 11
Yan Qing carried the takeout bag from Lianxi Restaurant into a breakfast stall near L University and ordered a bowl of vegetable porridge and a tea egg.
The takeout box contained a few slices of buttered baguette, which had been sitting overnight, dry and hard, making them very difficult to bite. Seeing the people at the next table soaking fried dough sticks in soy milk, Yan Qing suddenly had a whimsical idea: she would try soaking one in her porridge.
The breakfast stall owner smiled and waved from the kitchen window towards the door: "You're here? The usual three dishes?"
"yes."
The voice sounded familiar. Yan Qing turned around, and Zhuge Xiaoxiang saw her too.
"A junior schoolgirl? I've run into her again."
"Senior Zhuge, what a coincidence." She straightened the table opposite her. "Sit here."
Zhuge took a seat, and the owner brought him a serving of steamed buns, a bowl of soy milk, and a tea egg.
He noticed the takeout bag next to Yan Qing: "Lianxi Restaurant, not cheap."
"Others couldn't finish it, so they packed it up for me." Yan Qing pushed the baguette container over, "Would you like to try some, senior?"
"Then I won't be polite." Zhuge picked up a piece, took a bite, and said, "It's a bit dry."
Yan Qing watched in surprise as he threw the whole baguette into the soy milk, dipped it in the soy milk, scooped it out, and took a bite with relish.
"How does it taste?" Yan Qing asked.
Zhuge replied with a smile, "It has a unique flavor."
Yan Qing smiled and lowered her head, then dipped her baguette into the porridge bowl.
Zhuge took a clean bowl and chopsticks, picked up two small steamed buns and placed them in front of Yan Qing: "Exchange."
Yan Qing ate the filling of the steamed bun, leaving the pleated dough to cover the egg yolk.
Zhuge slowed down his eating, staring intently at the egg yolk wearing a straw hat, a dreamy look flashing across his face.
"Doesn't it look like a monk wearing a straw hat?" Yan Qing laughed heartily.
Zhuge remained silent, and Yan Qing awkwardly ate the bun skin and egg yolk.
After two days of rain, Yan Qing took a walk on the playground on a rare cool evening. Summer nights were her favorite time; the tourists had left, and the students had long since gone home. Enjoying a moment of peace on campus was a rare luxury for her.
The playground was unusually deserted tonight. A few children were chasing and playing in the shade, and a young couple was kissing in the shadows.
Yan Qing walked along the rubber track, her mind wandering to many things. Finally, her thoughts settled on Qiao Yi's illness. Thinking of Qiao Yi's illness, she could no longer easily enjoy the summer nights after the rain. She gazed worriedly at the track beneath her feet, each lap a symbol of Qiao Yi's life. The lines were receding, and Qiao Yi's life was fading away.
She walked for an unknown amount of time before suddenly realizing she was the only one left on the playground. She hurried towards the gate; she had to get out before the playground locked.
As she passed the podium, she noticed a person sitting on one side of it, with their head down and half of their body shrouded in the bright light of a searchlight.
It was already quite late, and she felt inexplicably nervous, quickening her pace. As she approached, she realized the other person was engrossed in their phone and hadn't noticed her. She glanced at them again, surprised, and asked, "Senior Zhuge?"
Zhuge Xiaoxiang looked up from the light and saw Yan Qing. She didn't seem too surprised, just smiled faintly.
Zhuge put away his phone, and the two walked side by side out of the playground.
Yan Qing then learned that Zhuge Xiaoxiang lived on Xuefu Street behind L University and would come to the school to stroll around when she had free time.
They walked under the dim streetlights. Zhuge Xiaoxiang weighed the alumni card in his hand and smiled, saying, "Sometimes I feel like the campus is another home. When I have nowhere else to go, I can come back and visit with just an alumni card. Even if the whole world doesn't welcome you, the doors here are always open to you." He turned to look at Yan Qing, "Why didn't you go home for summer vacation, little junior?"
“Nowhere to go,” Yan Qing replied, quoting his words.
Zhuge smiled and didn't ask any more questions.
Ever since his argument with Huang Yanxiang at the birthday party, Cheng Jiaming had been sullen for several days.
On Friday afternoon, Yan Qing had just finished teaching the day's lessons when Shen Hanyang knocked on the door of the children's study.
"Jiaming, Dad will take you to Disneyland tomorrow."
Cheng Jiaming glanced at him sideways: "Who are 'you'?"
"You, and Sister Wu."
“I’m not going!” Cheng Jiaming refused decisively.
Shen Hanyang's voice was low and gentle, in the standard tone of coaxing a child: "Daddy mainly wants to take you. If you don't go, Sister Wu and the others won't go either."
Cheng Jiaming said nonchalantly, "Then let's all just not go!"
"Didn't you say you wanted to go shopping?"
Upon hearing Shen Hanyang's words, Cheng Jiaming's expression shifted, and he clearly hesitated.
"I want Teacher Yan to come with us. If Teacher Yan goes, I'll go too."
Yan Qing, who was already packing her things, paused for a moment when she heard her name called.
Shen Hanyang said, "You should ask Teacher Yan for her permission yourself."
Cheng Jiaming tugged at Yan Qing's sleeve: "Teacher Yan, let's go together."
Yan Qing wasn't very interested in the suggestion; she had other plans. The day after meeting Zhuge Xiaoxiang on the playground, he sent her a message inviting her to help proofread a high school math problem set he and his partner had compiled. The offer was quite good, so Yan Qing agreed. She had just received the manuscript this morning and was planning to use the weekend to do some preparatory work.
So she politely declined Cheng Jiaming's suggestion: "Teacher has something to do this weekend."
Cheng Jiaming grabbed her arm and pleaded, "Teacher, please go."
Yan Qing gave Shen Hanyang a pleading look, but Shen Hanyang pretended not to see it and turned to leave.
Cheng Jiaming was still trying to persuade her when Yan Qing's phone rang. She received a WeChat message from Shen Hanyang: "I'll add money."
Yan Qing replied, "I do have something to do."
"Add one week's tuition fee."
“I have work on weekends.”
"Add one month's tuition fee."
And that was the deal.
The next morning, a black Buffett S minivan was parked at the entrance of L University. After Yan Qing got in the car, she found that Shen Hanyang, Cheng Jiaming, Wu Yanying, and Secretary Gao were sitting inside.
Seeing Yan Qing's floral print short dress, Secretary Gao smiled and said, "Teacher Yan takes today's outing very seriously, dressing up in her finest attire."
Wu Yanying silently sized up Yan Qing for a moment, then turned her gaze to the window.
The happiest person was Cheng Jiaming. He grabbed Yan Qing's hand and shoved Shen Hanyang next to him, saying, "Make way, I want to sit next to Teacher Yan."
Shen Hanyang glanced at him and moved aside slightly.
Secretary Gao, with great tact, switched to the passenger seat, offering her place to Shen Hanyang: "Mr. Shen, please sit here."
The road to Disneyland was congested, and the car moved very slowly. Inside the car, everyone was silent except for Cheng Jiaming, who kept chattering and fidgeting. After a while, tired from all the fuss, he slumped onto Yan Qing's lap and fell asleep. He didn't sleep soundly, opening his eyes every now and then to ask, "Where are we?"
Yan Qing said, "Go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there."
Cheng Jiaming shifted his body to adjust his position: "I can't sleep."
Yan Qing said, "Then close your eyes and rest, save your energy for when you're queuing later."
Without turning his head, Secretary Gao in the passenger seat said with a half-smile, "President Shen has already arranged the fast lane, there's no need to queue." His tone was full of contempt for Yan Qing's lack of worldliness.
After driving and stopping for more than an hour, we finally arrived at our destination.
This was the first time Yan Qing had stepped into Disneyland after studying in S City for so many years. Looking at the dreamlike fairytale castle standing so realistically before her, her long-dormant childlike heart couldn't help but stir again.
Secretary Gao glanced at Yan Qing from under her eyelids: "Teacher Yan, have you been here?"
Yan Qing shook his head honestly.
Secretary Gao said, "You're lucky to be here on your first visit because of President Chen. You don't have to wait in line. You should cherish this opportunity and have some fun."
Wu Yanying grabbed Secretary Gao's hand and said coquettishly, "I want to take a picture in front of the castle!"
The castle is one of the must-see photo spots at Disneyland. Wu Yanying wore a cropped T-shirt, paired with a pleated skirt and knee-high socks. Her delicate face made various lively and cute expressions for the camera, making her look like a girl from a manga.
Wu Yanying waved over and said, "Brother Hanyang, come and take pictures too!"
Shen Hanyang smiled and said, "Go ahead and take the picture."
Cheng Jiaming grew impatient and insisted on going to the gift shop.
In the gift shop, Cheng Jiaming was overwhelmed by the choices, wanting this and that, and finally chose a StellaLou doll with a bow.
"Old Shen, I want this!"
As Shen Hanyang took out his phone to pay, he said, "It suits you perfectly."
Cheng Jiaming stuck his tongue out at him: "What do you know? It's for Xiangxiang, you lonely soul!"
Unbeknownst to Yan Qing, Shen Hanyang's gaze swept over her almost casually.
Wu Yanying chose a Minnie Mouse headband, put it on, and looked in the mirror: "Does it look good?"
Secretary Gao said, "It's beautiful, so cute!"
She then took a fancy to a Duffy bear headband, and after comparing them, she couldn't decide which one to choose.
Secretary Gao said, "Buy them all. Two headbands only cost a little over two hundred yuan. We should have a great time when we come here!" As she spoke, she picked up a pink and fluffy plush toy backpack and compared it to Wu Yanying's: "This suits you too, it makes you look youthful and beautiful."
Secretary Gao noticed Yan Qing not far away and asked, as a formality, "Teacher Yan, aren't you going to buy anything?"
Yan Qing picked up a keychain-sized plush toy, looked at the price tag, and couldn't help but gasp: "So expensive."
Cheng Jiaming, holding Xingdailu, sat outside the door making a video call to Huang Yanxiang. Wu Yanying was still enthusiastically selecting items from various shelves, with Secretary Gao following closely beside her like a devoted maid, offering advice. Only Shen Hanyang stood leisurely by the cashier, waiting to pay.
Everyone had their fill of shopping. Wu Yanying whispered something to Secretary Gao, and the two greeted Shen Hanyang before heading into the restroom. A little while later, Wu Yanying emerged, having changed into a different outfit. She wore a Peter Pan collar and puff sleeves, and her hair was styled in a ponytail with a newly bought headband, making her look pure and sweet.
Wu Yanying blushed slightly, secretly glanced at Shen Hanyang, and pointed to the carousel, saying, "I'll take pictures there."
Secretary Gao said, "Teacher Yan, please help me."
Yan Qing took the bags from Secretary Gao, which included Wu Yanying's and Secretary Gao's tote bags, Wu Yanying's newly bought doll backpack, a crossbody bag she used to match her outfit, and a heavy paper bag.
Disneyland was packed with people during the summer vacation. Wu Yanying said proudly, "Luckily, I did my research in advance and found the best photo spots. I'll lead the way, you guys follow." She and Secretary Gao traveled light and walked quickly, while Yan Qing, carrying a lot of backpacks, struggled to keep up behind them.
Before long, the three of them had become separated from Shen Hanyang and Cheng Jiaming.
Wu Yanying spent the most time filming near the balloon vendor, finally giving Yan Qing a chance to rest. She found a vacant spot near a flowerbed and stood there, her mind blank as she watched the crowds go by. Everyone had ears on their heads—some were rabbit ears, some bear ears, and others were ears of indistinguishable animals, all furry. She was hot and thirsty, but the straps of her bag kept slipping off her shoulders. She had to painstakingly put them back on again and again.
Suddenly, she felt a lightness all over her body. Turning her head, she saw that Shen Hanyang was standing beside her at some point. He took her things very naturally. He only glanced at the heaviest paper bag before placing it on the ground.
"Mr. Shen, let me do it..."
Shen Hanyang simply said, "I'll do it."
Yan Qing gently moved her stiff elbows; several deep red marks were already visible on her snow-white forearms. She didn't notice that Shen Hanyang's gaze lingered briefly on her arm, which was covered in red marks.
“These little gadgets are nothing special,” Shen Hanyang suddenly said.
Yan Qing, confused, asked, "What?"
Shen Hanyang stared straight ahead, where a large group of girls, fully armed, were taking photos with great enthusiasm.
“These,” he said.
Yan Qing still didn't understand what he meant.
Cheng Jiaming jumped out from the side, holding up his phone camera and pointing it at the two of them: "Look here!"
With a crisp click of the shutter, Cheng Jiaming opened the photo to check it, then grinned at the two of them: "A great success!"
Wu Yanying emerged from the crowd, drenched in sweat, her meticulously applied makeup ruined. Seeing Yan Qing, she complained, "Where have you been? I called you for ages and you didn't answer. I need to change!" Seeing her paper bag containing her clothes lying on the ground, Wu Yanying became even more annoyed: "How could you leave it on the ground? What if it gets dirty?"
Secretary Gao, with her sharp eyes, spotted Shen Hanyang at a glance and hurriedly took the bag from his hand, saying, "How could I let you carry this?" As she spoke, she glanced at Yan Qing without leaving a trace.
A boy's voice rang out from not far away: "Cheng Baozi!"
Cheng Jiaming glanced in the direction of the sound and saw a dark-skinned, short, and stocky little boy licking an ice cream as he walked towards him.
Cheng Jiaming muttered, "I can't believe I've run into this sweet potato here."
Yan Qing asked, "Who is he?"
"Cao Xinchen, the troublemaker in our class."
Cao Xinchen's face was sticky from eating, and melted ice cream kept dripping down, making a messy stain on his shoes.
He glanced at Shen Hanyang, then at Yan Qing, and rudely asked, "Who are you two?"
Cheng Jiaming retorted irritably, "What's it to you?"
Cao Xinchen then asked Cheng Jiaming, "Who are they?"
Cheng Jiaming said, "Go away, I hate sweet potatoes."
Cao Xinchen glared fiercely, his eyes wide: "You dare not be honest?"
Cheng Jiaming said, "Come on, my dad will kick your guts out!"
Cao Xinchen glanced at Shen Hanyang opposite him, his beady eyes darting around.
"Baozi!" he cursed, then swaggered away.
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