Chapter 22
Just as Yan Qing had expected, she and Zhuge Xiaoxiang met again on the playground on a summer night.
This place seemed to have become their secret territory. Actually, they didn't have many things in common; usually, after a few brief words, they would fall silent. Yet, just walking side-by-side, feeling the evening breeze, seemed to effortlessly lift the weight from their hearts. Sometimes Yan Qing couldn't tell whether it was the time spent with Zhuge Xiaoxiang or the breeze blowing across the playground that brought her moments of ease.
"There's a small bar on Wuxing Street with a singer performing every night. Interested?" This was the first time Zhuge Xiaoxiang had asked her out.
Yan Qing was slightly surprised: "Now?"
Yan Qing had never been to a bar before. When she sat down with Zhuge Xiaoxiang at "FANTLAND," she felt incredibly daring. The dimly lit bar was filled with stylishly dressed young people, sitting in small groups at twos and threes, some talking quietly, others gently swirling their glasses to the music. The atmosphere was so inviting that she felt slightly tipsy even before the alcohol had touched her stomach. Yan Qing even felt as if the entire bar was gently rocking like a small boat.
Zhuge Xiaoxiang ordered herself a gin and tonic, and also asked Yan Qing for a non-alcoholic beverage.
The bartender looked at him in surprise: "Broken your vow?" He glanced at Yan Qing beside him and suddenly realized: "For love, one can even give up life."
"Go do your job!" Zhuge Xiaoxiang said with a smile.
The bartender quickly brought over the gin and tonic, still adding with concern, "Boss, are you sure you can handle this? Don't try to impress a pretty girl!"
Zhuge picked up a mint from the bar and threw it at him: "Mind your own business." Then he said to Yan Qing: "Don't listen to his nonsense, he can't keep his mouth shut."
Yan Qing felt a slight heat on her face.
The background music stopped. A rustling sound followed, and the resident singer came on stage.
She was a very young girl, and Yan Qing felt she looked familiar.
The girl wore a white spaghetti strap tulle dress, paired with a metal buckle belt and mid-calf riding boots, a typical punk sweetheart.
The people in the audience stopped talking and all looked at the stage.
The girl picked up the microphone, her voice sweet and gentle: "It's so nice to see everyone again. Every time I sit here, I feel incredibly happy. The outside world is full of dangers, but this little space is our safe haven, allowing us to temporarily forget the troubles of the world and spend a precious night with wine and the people we love. Tonight, this song is dedicated to a very special person. Without him, there would be no FANTLAND, and we wouldn't be gathered here today. He is our FANTLAND boss—" The girl extended her hand to Zhuge Xiaoxiang.
Applause erupted from the audience, and some people whistled and cheered, "Zhuge is awesome!"
Yan Qing looked at Zhuge Xiaoxiang in surprise.
The girl on stage extended an invitation to Zhuge Xiaoxiang: "I would like to invite our mutual friend—Boss Zhuge—to come up on stage and sing this song with me!"
Amid cheers from the crowd, Zhuge walked onto the stage.
The two sang "Love the Way You Lie" together. The girl was very professional, and Zhuge's singing skills were surprisingly good as well.
Just then, Yan Qing remembered that this was the girl she had seen at the hospital. Last time, she was without makeup, wearing a hospital gown, and looked delicate and frail, a stark contrast to her confident, poised, and radiant demeanor on stage today.
The bartender brought over a plate of snacks, and Yan Qing took the opportunity to ask, "What's this girl's relationship with Zhuge Xiaoxiang?"
The young man stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before saying, "Family."
Seeing the doubt on Yan Qing's face, he continued, "He's truly someone closer than family. Don't worry, sister. You made the right choice in choosing our Boss Zhuge."
Yan Qing's face flushed again: "My relationship with him isn't what you think."
"No way," the young man said in surprise, "He usually doesn't drink at all, but he was able to drink a glass of gin and tonic today, which means he's in a great mood. It's not because of you, is it?"
Yan Qing remained silent.
The young man laughed: "So you two have a purely platonic friendship? Okay, then I'll give you my sincere recommendation for our Boss Zhuge. Not only is he handsome, but a few years ago he was teaching in a mountainous area while also promoting local agricultural products through e-commerce. His business was booming, and he's basically financially independent. He's opening this bar purely for fun. Not only that, he's an excellent cook—he's a perfect cook, both in the kitchen and in the dining room. You're lucky to be with him."
"What are you talking about?" Zhuge Xiaoxiang had already finished singing a song and returned.
The bartender stuck out his tongue and ran away.
Zhuge Xiaoxiang could tell from his expression that he wasn't going to say anything serious.
"Ignore him," Zhuge said.
Yan Qing bit her straw, but her eyes kept drifting towards the girl on the stage.
"You want to know who she is, right?"
Yan Qing glanced at Zhuge Xiaoxiang but remained silent.
Someone exclaimed, "Ruoting looks so beautiful today!"
The girl blew a kiss to the audience, her smiling eyes as sweet as honey.
“Her name is Hu Ruoting. Her older sister is Hu Ruoyi,” Zhuge paused for a moment, “the girl who almost became my wife.”
He took a sip of his drink.
“Their father passed away early, and their mother raised the two sisters with great difficulty all by herself. After Ruoyi passed away, her family became my family. I told myself that no matter what, taking care of them is my inescapable responsibility.”
The singer on stage then sang:
Oh yes you will be
My endless love
...
In the shifting lights, Yan Qing suddenly saw another version of herself in him. Fate had cast similar shadows behind them, similar losses, and similar obsessions.
She was filled with confusion: Was it not a coincidence that her life path and Zhuge Xiaoxiang's path intersected at this time and place, but rather a guidance from the unseen world?
"Would you mind?" Zhuge Xiaoxiang suddenly asked.
Yan Qing wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. Her attention was drawn to the beautiful crystal wine glass in front of him. The clear liquid inside looked almost indistinguishable from water, making one forget that it was alcohol. Gazing at that enigmatic liquid, Yan Qing suddenly had the urge to try it.
"Hello!" A sweet greeting made Yan Qing turn around. Hu Ruoting walked over and sat down next to them.
"One White Beauty, please!" Hu Ruoting ordered skillfully.
Zhuge Xiaoxiang bluntly retorted, "Give her a glass of peach soda."
Hu Ruoting frowned: "That's too stingy! One glass of wine won't bankrupt you!"
"At such a young age, what's the point of learning to drink? White Beauty is high-proof whiskey, doesn't she want to ruin her voice?"
Hu Ruoting smiled dismissively, her gaze passing over him to Yan Qing: "This is our second meeting, haven't you asked how to address me yet?"
Zhuge Xiaoxiang said, "Ruoting, this is my junior from junior high school, Yan Qing."
"Why do you call everyone 'little'? I'm little too, and Miss Yan Qing is little too. Are you looking down on me?!"
The soda arrived, and Zhuge Xiaoxiang pushed it towards her: "Are you going to act like a big sister in front of me?"
Hu Ruoting clicked her tongue. Her throat was probably dry from singing a few songs, and she gulped down her peach soda in a few mouthfuls. After finishing her drink, Hu Ruoting jumped off the bar stool and went to chat at another table.
Zhuge Xiaoxiang watched her retreating figure helplessly: "I don't know if it's adolescence or rebellion, she's hard to manage."
"The young lady has a lovely temperament." After saying this, Yan Qing saw Zhuge Xiaoxiang smiling.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked.
Zhuge said ambiguously, "I'm gratified."
On Friday, Yan Qing arrived at a secluded path near East Lake, following the address sent by Shen Hanyang.
Donghu is another gathering place for the wealthy in S City, as it is favored by the rich because a large artificial lake and park has been built in this metropolis where land is extremely valuable.
Yan Qing wandered around the roadside for a long time, confirming the house number several times, but she just couldn't find the door of "Wu Bu Jing Restaurant".
Secretary Gao called. Unsurprisingly, she opened her mouth with her characteristic haughty tone: "I've been watching you upstairs for ages, and you still haven't found the entrance?"
Yan Qing was completely baffled by the wall inscribed with the three characters "毋不敬": "I only see a wall."
"Did you see Leopard Head?"
Yan Qing saw a shiny bronze leopard head on one side of the wall, carved with lifelike detail.
"Put your hand in."
Yan Qing hesitated before reaching her hand into the leopard's wide-open mouth. The cold, sharp touch as she passed its two realistic teeth made her shudder.
A series of creaking and scraping sounds appeared, and a gap appeared in the previously airtight wall, shaped like a door.
The waiter led Yan Qing to the private room, where she immediately saw Secretary Gao's mocking expression.
"Is this the first time I've seen an invisible door?" she asked.
"Yes, it's my first time," Yan Qing answered truthfully.
Secretary Gao chuckled and said, "Have a seat."
Yan Qing sat down at the very entrance.
Shen Hanyang and Cheng Jiaming arrived late. Cheng Jiaming buried his face in her arms, exclaiming, "I've missed you so much!"
Shen Hanyang nodded slightly to her as a greeting.
Wu Yanying stared at her for a while: "New earrings?"
"I bought it a few days ago at a shop near the school," Yan Qing replied.
Wu Yanying and Secretary Gao exchanged a smile, their eyes revealing a secret only they understood.
Yan Qing didn't understand what had happened and couldn't help but ask, "Is there a problem?"
Wu Yanying said, "It's a replica of Van Cleef & Arpels."
"Van Cleef & Arpels?" Yan Qing repeated these four words, seemingly having heard of them, but upon closer examination, she had no real concept of them.
Wu Yanying said, "It's best not to buy counterfeit products. They look cheap. It's better to just buy a regular, unbranded one. There's no need to buy fakes just to pursue big brands."
Secretary Gao couldn't resist making sarcastic remarks: "Nowadays, girls are too easily brainwashed by consumerism. Their abilities don't match their material desires, and they're held hostage by vanity, leading to a flood of counterfeit goods on the streets. Xiao Wu is right, buying fake goods is worse than not buying them at all; it makes you a laughingstock."
The two of them went back and forth, each speaking eloquently, leaving Yan Qing speechless.
After getting her ears pierced that day, the shop assistant took the opportunity to promote her product: "Register as a member of our store and get a 25% discount on all items." So she chose a pair of four-leaf clover earrings, which cost only eighteen yuan in total. Of course, she didn't know that these were counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels products, and she was even less aware that her unintentional actions had violated a major taboo of Secretary Gao and her colleagues.
She was unable to explain herself, but thankfully the waiters started serving the food, and she no longer had to face their nagging.
She had no appetite and randomly pointed to the plate closest to her with her chopsticks. Secretary Gao said, "Caviar, have you had it?"
Yan Qing glanced at her and moved her chopsticks away.
Every dish on the table looked unusual, so she simply scooped out the noodles from her own bowl—one serving for each person. She thought this way, she couldn't go wrong. She had just taken a bite when Secretary Gao put a finger to her lips and said, half-jokingly, "Keep it down."
Shen Hanyang remained silent as always. Wu Yanying glanced around with her bright eyes, saying little and maintaining her ladylike demeanor. The busiest person was Secretary Gao, serving food to Cheng Jiaming on her left, refilling water for Wu Yanying on her right, and also finding time to chat with Shen Hanyang about company matters.
Yan Qing looked at the scene, which resembled a family of four, except that she was not in the picture.
She felt puzzled, not understanding why she was sitting there, like an unwelcome outsider, intruding into their harmonious life.
Just then, Shen Hanyang finally spoke: "When will Teacher Yan resume classes?"
Cheng Jiaming also asked, "Teacher, when are you coming back?"
“I’m available anytime. However…” Yan Qing couldn’t help but glance at Secretary Gao, who was engrossed in eating, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.
"Teacher Yan, please feel free to make any requests." It was Shen Hanyang who spoke.
Yan Qing thought for a moment and then told the truth: "My situation is a bit special. I may need to take leave from time to time to go home and take care of my family."
Secretary Gao raised her eyelids: "You're asking for leave from time to time, but what exactly does that mean? The frequency and duration, there must be some kind of quota, right?"
Yan Qing looked troubled: "I'm not very sure, it depends on his physical condition."
What illness does he have?
Secretary Gao asked the question directly, but Yan Qing did not answer immediately.
Secretary Gao was clearly displeased: "We have the right to know what illness he has. After all, you're going to be in contact with the child, so we need to know about your health, right? What kind of illness is it? Is it contagious?"
"It's not contagious."
Secretary Gao pressed on: "What exactly is the illness?"
“…Brain tumor.” Although Yan Qing was already very familiar with these two words, saying them in front of a large group of outsiders still made her feel sad.
A moment of silence fell over the dinner table. Then Secretary Gao's voice rang out again: "Do you have a medical certificate?"
Yan Qing looked up at her in disbelief.
Secretary Gao replied matter-of-factly, "Of course I need to see the evidence, otherwise how will I know if what you're saying is true or false?"
Yan Qing's expression had already turned sour: "No one would curse themselves with a terminal illness."
Secretary Gao said, "I've heard of brain tumors. They're like chives, you cut one crop and another grows back, faster than you cut them. They're incurable. Even if they're not contagious, we're still bothered by them. There are some things we have to be careful about."
Yan Qing didn't know what she meant by "etiquette," so she remained silent.
Cheng Jiaming didn't seem to be very sensitive to the conversation between adults. He leaned over and picked up a rose-shaped pastry and put it on Yan Qing's plate: "Teacher, this is delicious. It's a bit like the one you took me to eat at your school cafeteria last time."
Yan Qing patted his head: "Thank you, Jiaming."
Secretary Gao rolled her eyes and turned to Wu Yanying, saying, "Speaking of L University, there are quite a few stories. I heard that teacher Huang Qian was swindled out of all her money by her ex-husband, leaving her with no choice but to rent a house with her paralyzed mother and her daughter who is still in school."
This time, Cheng Jiaming heard it: "Aunt Gao, you mean Xiangxiang's mother?"
"Yes, even so, she still enrolls her child in equestrian classes, in the same school as Jiaming. A single woman with elderly parents and young children, instead of focusing on houses and cars, she's trying to emulate the rich and indulge in aristocratic sports. It's so impractical."
Huang Qian's affair was no secret at L University, and Yan Qing knew a thing or two about it, but being brought up as a joke by Secretary Gao in an occasion like today left Yan Qing feeling very uncomfortable.
Secretary Gao immediately asked, "Teacher Yan, is that true?"
"I don't know," Yan Qing said.
"Isn't she your mentor? Don't you gossip in private? I think her daughter is quite sharp-tongued, unlike her mother who's easy to bully. Anyway, women shouldn't be love-struck."
Yan Qing put down her chopsticks.
Secretary Gao noticed her action and asked sarcastically, "What's the inside story? Tell us about it."
Yan Qing stared at her, remaining silent for a long while. Under her scrutinizing gaze, Secretary Gao's aura seemed to weaken unconsciously. She turned her head, intending to change the subject, but Yan Qing suddenly spoke up:
"What do you want to hear? Do you want to hear how tragic it was for Teacher Huang to be dumped by a man? Do you want to hear how she was talked about and ridiculed by her colleagues and students?"
Secretary Gao was shocked: "What are you saying? I was just..."
Yan Qing didn't give her a chance to argue, coldly interrupting her: "In this whole affair, Teacher Huang is the victim. She encountered an irresponsible and heartless man, but that doesn't diminish her character in the slightest. She is very capable, excels at her job, and is also a responsible and devoted mother and a filial and caring daughter. You can search online—of course, if you don't have that skill, I don't mind telling you—Teacher Huang's papers and books combined are taller than your ridiculous height even in eight-centimeter heels. And what about you? What achievements have you made in your field? Where do you get the confidence to mock Teacher Huang?"
Secretary Gao blushed: "You..."
Yan Qing wasn't finished yet: "Your manners are elegant, but that elegance is like the exquisite makeup on your face; no matter how expensive the cosmetics are, they can't hide the true ugliness. You pride yourself on being noble, yet you lack even the most basic respect for others. Is this the kind of upbringing you're so proud of? Taking pleasure in the suffering of others only highlights your ignorance and vulgarity, serving no other purpose. I've endured this long not to eat your precious caviar, but out of curiosity, to witness the diversity of humanity. Now, I have."
After saying that, Yan Qing got up and left without looking back.
Secretary Gao stared in astonishment, both angry and embarrassed: "What kind of evil spirit is possessing her?"
Before any of them could react, Shen Hanyang quickly chased after him.
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