35. Don't get angry.
"This isn't just not jealous, this is extremely jealous!"
Song Chiyu didn't know why he insisted on making breakfast, but it didn't seem like a big deal, so she didn't say anything.
After breakfast, Qi Yanzhou drove her to her workplace.
Song Chiyu was about to get off the car with her bag when Qi Yanzhou called out to her, "Do you want to kiss me before you go?"
"No time." Song Chiyu hurriedly opened the car door and got out. After taking a few steps, she turned back for some reason. He thought she had forgotten something, so he rolled down the window and was about to ask when she suddenly leaned down and kissed him on the lips before leaving.
He pulled her close behind the head, kissed her back, and then reluctantly let go.
Song Chiyu didn't have time to argue with him. She turned and walked into the courtyard. Unexpectedly, He Zhu was staring at her from the security room door, munching on a steamed bun. Before Song Chiyu could even get close, the instant their eyes met, He Zhu exclaimed, "Wow!"
Without uttering a single unnecessary word, Song Chiyu covered her mouth and walked straight inside.
"Please, don't say another word from now on. This month's milk tea is on me."
"No, your husband usually seems like such a refined and proper person, but I didn't expect him to be so romantic."
indeed.
Song Chiyu had previously thought that he was the kind of person who did everything in a very rigid and methodical way, including in bed he was the kind of person who only had fixed positions. But ever since she met him in the Gobi Desert, she knew that beneath his conventional exterior lay a rebellious spirit.
Song Chiyu didn't have a deep conversation with her, but just casually agreed.
She had just arrived at the office when her direct supervisor asked her to come in. The metal restoration department had hired someone new, but the ancient book restoration department was short-staffed, so she was being sent back.
Song Chiyu rarely complained about her work, but today was an exception. Staring at the transfer order in her leader's hand, she asked, "How long are you planning to make me stay back this time?"
The leader shook his head: "The next transfer would probably be a promotion. For this year's National Cultural Relics Industry Vocational Skills Competition, the paper and calligraphy cultural relics restoration project is for you and He Zhu."
"If I'm transferred back like this, what will Director Chen say?"
The leader glanced around instinctively, then quietly leaned closer to her: "Rumor has it that Director Chen might be transferred to another location. Of course, this is just a rumor, so don't spread it around."
Song Chiyu packed up her things and returned to the ancient book restoration room.
To show their welcome, He Zhu and her colleagues suggested having dinner together that evening. Song Chiyu politely declined, and when He Zhu asked her why, she only said that she had something to do at home. However, He Zhu immediately guessed the reason: "Want to go home and be with your husband? You can invite him to eat with us. I don't mind if he comes."
But Qi Yanzhou would probably mind.
Song Chiyu shook her head: "Next time."
"You and your husband have such a good relationship," a colleague remarked.
"Oh my, didn't you see how lovey-dovey they were? They even kissed goodbye when they got out of the car today—" Song Chiyu quickly covered her mouth, but it was too late. Other colleagues exclaimed, "Wow, I didn't know you and your husband were so romantic."
"Please, everyone, don't tell anyone. I want to keep a low profile for a while."
"Don't worry, none of us are the gossipy type."
By noon, everyone in the courtyard knew that she and her husband had a good relationship, and the previous rumors about her getting a divorce began to dissipate. This was something that brought her some comfort.
However, while she was happy, others were naturally unhappy.
A colleague, eager to see some drama unfold, told Xie Yunjin about it. Xie Yunjin, who was busy assembling a tortoise shell, didn't even look up.
My colleague was quite disappointed. But thinking about it, it makes sense. For people like them, relationships are only a small part of life. Ultimately, stability and compatibility are the most important things in marriage.
What her colleagues didn't know was that as Song Chiyu was about to leave the office after get off work, Xie Yunjin, who appeared calm and collected in front of others, suddenly embraced her in the empty corridor.
After receiving Qi Yanzhou's assurance, Song Chiyu was no longer as anxious as before and calmly asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, Teacher Xie?"
Xie Yunjin watched the girl who once had eyes for him, now gazing at him with such calm indifference.
The question swirled in his mind, but he hesitated to ask it.
How could she not love him anymore?
He felt that their breakup was just a minor disagreement. How could it have escalated to the point of no return? He still believed that if he were standing there, even if she was furious, she would run to him, feeling wronged. Why wasn't it the same this time?
The setting sun slowly sank below the horizon outside the corridor.
He suppressed the emotion welling up in his throat and asked very softly, "You really like him?"
Song Chiyu never expected that someone like him would one day be concerned with such trivial matters as love. Despite his overflowing affection for her, he had never shown any joy, instead asking her if she could focus her energy on more important things and not just think about these insignificant little things.
But for Song Chiyu at that time, liking him was the most important thing in the world.
Now that she doesn't love him anymore, he's the one who's interested in who she loves.
“That should be true,” Song Chiyu replied.
"You and him," he thought of the recent rumors, "are living together?"
"kindness."
"How is it?" Xie Yunjin asked.
“Very good.” Song Chiyu knew what he wanted to hear, but the truth was that Qi Yanzhou was a hundred times better than him as a husband. “He wouldn’t stay silent when I faced questions from his family, nor would he look down on my parents. He would even take care of them for me. He has never let me cook or wash dishes. He even blow-dries my hair. He is a really good husband.”
"He's faking it," Xie Yunjin said bluntly. "Let him do that for the rest of his life and see what happens."
Song Chiyu couldn't help but laugh: "But Teacher Xie, you're not even willing to pretend. In your mind, washing dishes, cooking, and taking care of the family are all women's things. It was only after I met him that I realized marriage can be like this."
Xie Yunjin couldn't help but grab her wrist and take a step closer: "I'll learn, I'll start learning right now, okay?"
"Then what's the point of you coming back to me? You only came to me because no one else is as accommodating to you as I am," Song Chiyu said with a smile, pulling her hand away. "Teacher Xie, I'm moving forward now, so please don't look back. It will really bother me."
“Song Song, you’re wrong. There are many people willing to pretend like this for me, but when I see them, I always think of you. I think of how you smiled and called me Yun Jin, and how you were still angry but still couldn’t bear to torment me.” He sighed helplessly, “It’s not that I can’t bear to lose your kindness to me, it’s that I can’t bear to lose you.”
These were words he had never uttered when they were dating, and now he gazed at her with a helpless and sorrowful expression. "Song Song, it's me who loves you, it's me who can't forget you. You said you love him, but isn't that all based on how good he is to you? In the end, you've only ever loved me."
“Perhaps if I had met him sooner, I wouldn’t have liked you so much.” She replied calmly, “Because I’ve seen what good things are.”
Xie Yunjin was speechless for a moment.
She attributed all her past love for him to youthful ignorance, denying even his sacrifices and waiting. "Now, for his sake, you won't even admit you ever loved me?"
“No, it’s that you still refuse to accept the fact that I no longer love you, Teacher Xie.” Song Chiyu looked outside and saw that the sky had completely darkened. “Teacher Xie, I have to go home. My husband is waiting for me to have dinner.”
Her husband.
A wave of unprecedented bitterness washed over him, causing a throbbing pain in his heart, as if something was missing. He closed his eyes, and a single tear silently slid down his cheek.
But she didn't see that the quiet stairwell was filled with the sound of her footsteps as she went downstairs.
**
When Song Chiyu returned to the apartment, it was already completely dark outside the window.
The room was brightly lit, and the aroma of food filled the air even before she entered. She put down her bag and went into the kitchen, standing with her back to him as she washed her hands at the sink: "I had some last-minute work today, so I got back a little late. I was going to share some of the work with you, but I'll wash the dishes later."
Qi Yanzhou didn't realize she was back until he heard her speak.
He turned the range hood down to the lowest setting. He turned and walked towards her. "It's okay."
She smiled sheepishly and walked past him toward the pot, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back, looking down into her eyes: "You cried?"
"No," she quickly looked up and denied.
But her eyes were so red.
He held her waist, pulled her face close, and asked, "What happened?"
His gentle and caring tone made her unconsciously lower her guard.
She carefully observed him, then clarified beforehand, "I didn't cry, I just had a few tears in my eyes. I didn't even notice until you pointed it out."
He nodded gently.
Song Chiyu then told him everything about Xie Yunjin coming to see her. To prevent him from misunderstanding, she repeatedly emphasized, "I really didn't cry. I just felt wronged for the girl who used to like him, and then my eyes welled up with tears for my past self."
"Yes." He wasn't surprised at all: "You suffered a lot of grievances when you liked him before, right?"
Song Chiyu was slightly surprised: "How did you know?"
“I noticed when you hung up on me last time.” He didn’t show much emotion, but simply stated the facts: “People don’t do that when they feel safe.”
Song Chiyu lowered her head and fell silent.
Perhaps not wanting to embarrass her, he turned around and turned off the stove, continuing gently, "When you asked me if I was angry, I was actually more heartbroken. Because I feel he never truly loved you."
"Mm." Song Chiyu hadn't expected that the person who understood her best would be Qi Yanzhou. She leaned against the kitchen counter behind her and gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Thank you, Teacher Qi."
He turned around and said, "No need to thank me. Let's eat."
"I'll serve the rice." The emotions she had been suppressing were released at this moment, and she felt much lighter.
After the meal, he took the initiative to clear the dishes from the table, saying, "Take a rest and go take a shower. I'll clean up these."
Song Chiyu felt a little guilty: "I can still wash the dishes."
“I know you can, but I’ll do it.” He turned and went into the kitchen, standing in front of the sink with his back to her. “Oh, and about your shop. I had my brother find you a professional commercial restoration specialist in Beijing, because your previous teacher not only couldn’t help you make a name for yourself in this industry, but might even have brought you trouble.”
"Wouldn't that be troubling you again?"
"No, but you should make time to come to Beijing with me every weekend during this period."
“Okay,” Song Chiyu said without hesitation. “I’m also going to represent our institute in the cultural relic restoration skills competition, so I can learn from them. By the way, I’m going back to repair ancient books. It seems that the former vice president is being transferred.”
"kindness."
"Was it...you who helped?"
“No.” He put down the washed plate and turned around: “You are good as you are.”
Song Chiyu felt a little embarrassed by the praise.
"I'm going to take a shower."
She took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and came out. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Song Chiyu walked towards the door, watching his back as he wiped the counter in the kitchen: "Teacher Qi, did you order any takeout?"
"No." Qi Yanzhou also came out.
She opened the door, only to find Li Li and Lao Song standing outside. Startled, Song Chiyu released the doorknob and took a step back: "Dad, Mom, what brings you here?"
“I’m just worried about you and Yanzhou,” Li Li said, holding the clothes she had brought from home and the vegetables and meat they had bought themselves. “I’m afraid you’re both too busy with work to cook and you’ll be ordering takeout every day.”
But seeing the dishcloth in Qi Yanzhou's hand, they felt relieved. Old Song gave him a thumbs up: "Young man, you have the potential to inherit my mantle."
"You flatter me," Qi Yanzhou smiled politely. "Dad, Mom, please have a seat."
He poured them two glasses of water and washed some fruit.
"I'll come over after I finish cleaning up here."
"It's nothing, it's nothing," Li Li waved her hand, seemingly unconcerned, but actually she was very happy to see Qi Yanzhou doing chores. Watching him finish his work in the kitchen and then pick up the dirty laundry basket from under the sink to wash on the balcony, she couldn't suppress the joy on her lips. This is the kind of husband she wanted. The last one, Xiao Xie, was a Beijing resident, but he was no match for her at all.
"Mom told you to get married, okay? But you didn't believe me." Li Li patted the back of her hand: "Look at you, you haven't dated for years because of that Xiao Xie. If you don't break up with him, where will you find someone as good as Yan Zhou?"
Li Li's voice wasn't loud.
But the balcony wasn't far from the sofa, and Song Chiyu was afraid that Li Li would say something she shouldn't, so she repeatedly gestured for her to stop talking. But Li Li couldn't stop: "You cried when you broke up with Xiao Xie, your eyes were so swollen."
"I didn't!" Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that Qi Yanzhou's movements while operating the washing machine paused for a moment.
"Not yet?" Li Li didn't want to expose her, and snorted: "If you ask me, I should have known that if we missed out on Xiao Xie, there would still be Xiao Qi later. We should have been secretly happy back then."
"Yes, yes, yes, you found the best son-in-law." Song Chiyu gave a thumbs up.
"Right?" Li Li had completely forgotten who her original blind date was. The more she looked at this potential son-in-law, the better he seemed—good temper, good job, and good to her daughter. After observing him for a short while, she felt there was nothing to worry about and made an excuse to leave with Lao Song.
Song Chiyu said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Teacher Qi, I didn't mean for you to do my laundry."
"It's okay, it's just a matter of putting it in the washing machine." After washing the clothes, he picked up the floor scrubber that was next to him. "Let me play on my phone for a bit, I'll mop the floor."
"Let me do it." Song Chiyu felt somewhat guilty and reached out to take the things from his hands.
“I can do it,” he raised his hand to avoid it. “It’s not a big place anyway, let’s rest for a while.”
Song Chiyu glanced at the sofa next to her, feeling embarrassed to lie down and watch him work, and decided to go back to her bedroom and lie on the bed.
Perhaps it was because the mattress was comfortable, but she felt sleepy after lying down for a short while.
When Qi Yanzhou came in, she was already asleep on the pillow, her phone next to her still playing a lecture about the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty. He locked the phone screen and took it to the bedside to charge.
She seemed to have gotten used to that sound, and woke up as soon as it was turned off.
He groggily sat up and asked, "What time is it, Teacher Qi?"
"It's past ten o'clock." He glanced casually at the neckline of her pajamas.
"Huh? I slept for so long?" She lay down flat on her back, and the next second she closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
He stood up, adjusting the thin blanket for her, and said, "Mm."
Song Chiyu forced herself to stay awake and sat up again: "How did I fall asleep again?"
"Maybe I got up too early this morning." He knelt on one knee by the bed, cupped her face, and kissed her directly. Song Chiyu opened her lips as if to say something, but his soft tongue had already crossed her teeth and entwined with hers.
Song Chiyu was still half asleep and completely dazed. Seeing that he was awake, she didn't react much, so she naturally wrapped her arms around his neck and lay back down.
He didn't waste any words either. He sat up slightly, kissed her, took off his pajamas, and pressed himself against her again.
Song Chiyu gradually felt his kiss getting a little deeper. Just as she was about to push him away, a hand reached under the hem of her pajamas and landed in front of her.
She braced herself against him, lowered her head to avoid his kiss, and nestled in his arms, saying, "Teacher Qi."
"Hmm?" He showed no dissatisfaction and remained gentle and considerate.
"My mom said something about Xie Yunjin today, don't take it to heart." Song Chiyu was sure he heard it; it would be strange if he hadn't. "My family and I all feel that missing out on him and meeting you is my blessing."
“I know,” he said, slightly propping himself up and creating some distance between them. “Do I look angry?”
"No," Song Chiyu knew perfectly well, but she couldn't help but worry: "I'm just afraid you'll overthink it."
"No." He lowered his head again and gently kissed her lips. "I know that in your heart, I've always been better than him."
Song Chiyu felt a pang of guilt when she recalled saying that he was suitable for marriage. She didn't stop him from caressing her skin with his fingers, trying her best to ignore the trembling caused by his fingertips: "It's not just because you're good to me, I really think you're better than him in every way."
"Mmm." He lowered his head and kissed her lips again.
But she still had something to say, so she dodged the question again: "My marriage with you, although it didn't begin with love, doesn't mean there wasn't any affection between us."
"Yes, I know." His fingers landed on the silk collar, moving little by little along the close-fitting seam, and he lowered his head to kiss it.
She bit her lip, her previously clear thoughts instantly becoming muddled.
What she had originally intended to say to him turned into a coquettish "Teacher Qi, wait a moment."
"Okay," he said, but his nimble, soft tongue showed no sign of softening. "Is it alright now?"
No.
The other hand also fell down.
On one hand, you can feel the softness of the tip of your tongue, and on the other hand, you can feel the clear calluses on your fingertips.
She bit her lip even tighter.
"Teacher Qi, wait a moment, I still have something to say."
"Okay, go ahead," he replied patiently, but his movements didn't stop at all. He kissed her down her ribs to her navel, and then pulled down the silk sash around her waist.
Song Chiyu raised her hand to try to stop her.
He gently held her wrist and whispered soothingly, "Lift your waist up a little, I'll put a pillow under your head."
Song Chiyu obediently raised her waist.
Keeping her eyes closed and remaining rational: "Teacher Qi..."
Would you mind if I touched it with my hand?
She shook her head.
Just as she was about to continue speaking, she realized she hadn't said anything at all. She opened her eyes, met his gentle and deep gaze, and involuntarily bit her knuckles, looking at him pitifully and helplessly.
What do you want to say?
He leaned closer, his voice incredibly gentle, but his actions betrayed a completely different story. It almost shattered her reason; she couldn't help but press her knees against his waist.
He had no intention of trying to seduce her.
As the silk fabric fell from the floor, he grabbed her waist, stared into her eyes, and became completely absorbed in them.
Song Chiyu covered her mouth in disbelief.
Only now did she realize that she didn't understand him at all. He had been holding back before, but now even the slightest movement was enough to cause an uproar.
She had heard her roommate explain some things when she was in school: a girl's body has three relatively sensitive areas, two of which are relatively easy to touch, while one is a location that most people rarely experience. It's almost negligible.
Song Chiyu didn't know where the point was, but suddenly this sentence came to mind.
A trembling whisper escaped between her teeth, which were biting his shoulder: "Brother~"
"Hmm?" His breathing was a little erratic than before, but he still responded patiently and gently, "Where do you feel unwell?"
"too……"
He didn't hear clearly, but he could vaguely guess: "Okay, I'll give way a little."
However, it was only on the knee.
There has been no real change; on the contrary, it's getting worse—
Her hand gripped his wrist tightly, and the feeling that this emotion could slip out of her control at any moment was both exciting and increasingly frightening. "It's not just a little knee movement."
"I've already withdrawn." His tone remained gentle.
Song Chiyu realized that while he responded to every sentence, none of them truly addressed anything. By the time she came to her senses, a patch of the bed sheet was already visibly soaked with sweat.
He covered his face with his arm, saying, "We can't continue."
"Yes, I know." He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her gently. "I won't make things difficult for you."
But his word is not to be trusted at all.
Instead, it gave rise to a surging, wave-like force.
Song Chiyu inadvertently met his eyes, which were deep and unfathomable, like a calm sea, but softened the moment they met.
She then realized that this wasn't just not angry; she was clearly furious!
[Author's Note]
Mini-theater:
Xiao Song: Teacher Qi, are you sure you're not angry?
Teacher Qi: Don't be angry, not at all. I know you've always only cared about me. (Gentle on the surface, but not really thinking that way at all [heart emoji])
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