Playing hard to get
I didn't follow you!
As soon as Gao Junxiao left the consultation room, he announced this to Qingcheng, then stepped aside and walked past Qingcheng with a cold expression.
Ha! They've all learned to answer first now. This time it's clearly a case of protesting too much. Qingcheng wanted to laugh, but then thought better of it. Last time she wronged him without knowing the facts. But he really knows how to hold a grudge.
After convincing herself, Qingcheng shrugged silently, indicating that she didn't care and didn't intend to expose him. She turned around and told Shitou to go back with "Teacher Tian". She glanced at Gao Junxiao and provocatively said that "Teacher Tian" looked very strong and should have no problem carrying a seven-year-old boy.
Gao Junxiao coughed behind him, seemingly in protest. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, showing no intention of taking the child. Qingcheng frowned and urged, "Young Master, don't just stand there, hurry up and get started!"
"You're dressed quite nicely, but why are you so clumsy?" Gao Junxiao explained helplessly, wiping his face. "Don't move a patient with a fracture easily. When we arrived, Shi Tou was lucky that you didn't cause him any further injury."
These words left Qingcheng speechless. It seemed to make sense, and her confidence vanished instantly. She pouted and said softly, "Then I'll go call a rickshaw. Could you please help me get the stone onto the rickshaw later?"
She hadn't walked far when suddenly a weight settled on her shoulder; a woolen overcoat had been draped over her shoulders. Qingcheng realized she'd been in such a rush that she hadn't even had time to put on her jacket. The distinctively clean scent of a man wafted from the overcoat, and the lingering warmth of the fabric made her nose itch slightly.
Oh no, he'll definitely laugh at me for being so forgetful. Feeling the warmth of the coat, Qingcheng hesitated, clutching the hem of her coat, and asked, "You gave me the coat, aren't you cold?"
"I'm from the North," Gao Junxiao said nonchalantly.
“Northerners aren’t polar bears. Winters in the South are cold in the wind. You should take it back. I’m not cold either,” Qingcheng said, pulling down her coat and refusing, silently stretching her stiff hands.
"You won't freeze to death from this short walk." Gao Junxiao put the coat back on her and patiently advised, "You have to set a good example for the child. What if he learns from you and runs around outside without a coat? Children don't have the same resistance as adults."
“You’re not wearing a coat either, what if he copies you?” It’s not that Kiyosumi is deliberately being argumentative, but according to statistical research, children are more likely to imitate their same-sex elders.
Gao Junxiao seemed to have heard some praise and said with a smile, "That's great. He's been learning to be a considerate man since he was little. As a teacher, how can there be a problem with setting a good example?"
“No problem! Stone is a real man. I’ll put clothes on my sisters too when I grow up.” Stone suddenly interjected, his innocent little face full of pride.
After being scrambled around like that, Qingcheng's head felt like it was filled with mush, but... something seemed off! Oh well, she'd wear it anyway; she wasn't ungrateful. Qingcheng felt the clothes on her body were burning hot, just like her pounding heart.
Just then, a clear male voice came from behind: "It's only a short walk, don't waste money. You'd be better off using that money to buy some calcium supplements for the child."
She didn't want to waste money, but she had no other choice. Qingcheng thought to herself that he was a decent person when he was being reasonable.
Unable to carry him or ride him in a car, Qingcheng lowered her head and asked humbly, "Then what should we do? We can't just carry him back on a stretcher."
The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. The usually strong-willed Shi Tou was on the verge of tears, large tears welling up in his eyes. He hugged Gao Junxiao's arm tightly and asked, "Am I going to die? My mother said that only the dead are carried on stretchers."
Gao Junxiao quickly patted his little head and whispered reassuringly, "Teacher He is just joking, we have other cars to ride in." Shi Tou looked outside curiously after hearing this…
The sky outside was already tinged with the glow of dawn, a magnificent red that caught the eye. The bustling streets were teeming with people, a truly lively scene.
Kiyosumi looked at the familiar single-bar bicycle in front of her, tilted her head and asked in confusion, "This isn't mine, is it?"
"I don't know. I saw the car keys on the table, so I rode over," Gao Junxiao said matter-of-factly, showing no shame whatsoever for misappropriating someone else's personal property.
Just because you see a key doesn't mean it's a bicycle key! Qingcheng glared at Gao Junxiao with dissatisfaction. Haha, she had never seen such a shameless man in her life! Today was truly an eye-opener.
The man ignored her expression and gestured for her to get her car keys from her pocket, explaining that he couldn't easily reach her while holding the child. Qingcheng now wanted to take back her comment about 'thinking he was nice'—this man had no bottom line!
How could she possibly do that in public… Kiyosumi clenched her fists, repeatedly telling herself not to get angry, because if she did, she would lose. Kiyosumi gritted her teeth and asked, “Why didn’t you give it to me just now?”
"I forgot!" Gao Junxiao said with a smile, adding with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "Don't overthink it."
Damn it, how could she forget? He must have done it on purpose; this is blatant sexual harassment. She wanted to avoid trouble for a while, but now this bastard has come to her doorstep, and she's not going to let him get away with it.
This is intolerable! Let's see who's more of a jerk. Qingcheng smirked and patted the back seat, saying in a negotiating tone, "You know better than anyone where the keys are. Could you please put Shitou on the back seat, and I'll hold the handlebars while you take out the keys? Is that alright?"
Gao Junxiao stared at her for a few seconds, but in the end he did as she asked. As he turned the keyhole, Qingcheng stepped onto the bicycle and said to Xiao Shitou, "Sit tight."
Afraid that the man might cause any more trouble, Qingcheng pedaled away without looking back, glancing at his departing figure out of the corner of her eye. She felt incredibly relieved, hahaha, "Teacher Tian, you can walk slowly in the cold wind."
Fighting against fate is endlessly enjoyable, and so is fighting against a rogue. She would never admit that she had become childish under the influence of that rogue.
"Teacher He, we're leaving now. Will Teacher Tian be angry?" Shi Tou asked, leaning against her waist.
"The adults aren't that easily angered," Kiyosumi replied, downplaying the issue.
“But Teacher Tian will get cold and hungry. If I get hungry, I will be unhappy,” Shi Tou said seriously.
“If he gets cold, he’ll run back home quickly; if he gets hungry, he’ll buy himself food. You’ll be like that when you grow up.” Qingcheng thought Gao Junxiao wasn’t stupid; what could possibly happen to a grown man with all his limbs intact?
"Hmm—" Stone responded as if he understood but not quite. "I always feel that this is not good. If Teacher Tian catches a cold, she will have to take very bitter medicine, and her head will feel dizzy and she won't be able to work."
Hearing the child's innocent words, Qingcheng's heart trembled. Suddenly, Shitou cried out "Ouch!" Qingcheng quickly stopped the car and got out to check on Shitou's condition.
"I'm fine. I just saw Teacher Tian's wallet in his coat pocket, so he doesn't have any money to buy food." After Shi Tou finished speaking, Qing Cheng touched her pocket and sure enough, Gao Junxiao's wallet was still in his coat pocket.
The chilly wind of early winter seeped in through her collar. Kiyosumi looked at the brightly lit streets in the distance, wondering if she had gone a little too far...
When Qingcheng saw the man's tall figure again, he was buying roasted chestnuts at a steaming stall. Qingcheng breathed a sigh of relief and said helplessly to Shitou, "See? Teacher Tian will buy food when he's hungry. He must have some change on him."
All the worry was unnecessary. Just as Qingcheng was about to turn around, Shi Tou shouted loudly at Gao Junxiao without paying any attention. Gao Junxiao turned around and looked at them in the direction of the sound. After his initial surprise, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Well, there was nowhere to hide now. Resigned, Kiyosumi pushed the bike toward him and suggested that he ride the bike and take the stone back first, while she would walk slowly behind.
"Wait a minute, the boss will be done cooking soon." Gao Junxiao took the handlebars and pushed the bike to the side to park it.
"You take the stone back first, I'll wait for you. If you catch a cold, no one will go to art class." Qingcheng put her hands in her pockets, finding a way to save face after returning.
"Oh, ma'am, did you bring any money?" the stall owner suddenly asked.
"Hmm, what's wrong? And I'm not the madam." Kiyosumi decisively denied the stall owner's guess.
"Madam, five cents." The stall owner quickly packed a bag of roasted chestnuts, still using the same form of address.
Qingcheng paid for the chestnuts without understanding what was going on. The shopkeeper wiped his hands, took out a gold watch from his pocket, and said to Qingcheng, "Take your husband's watch back. Don't be angry with him anymore."
The gold watch gleamed in the candlelight. Qingcheng immediately understood why and snapped, "Are you crazy? You're using a gold watch as collateral for a five-cent roasted chestnut? Do you think your money grows on trees? And you dare say I'm wasting it? Put it on properly!"
"Want some? It's still warm. I remember you like it." Gao Junxiao smiled as he took the gold watch and put it back on, a few stars shining in his deep eyes.
For a moment, Qingcheng felt like crying, but she forced the tears back into her eyes. Some things will fade with time, but some things will take root in your mind and become indelible memories.
He and she met when they were both struggling, a time when they were at their lowest point. But that didn't stop the memory of the wild chestnuts from being fragrant, sweet, and delicious, their flavor still lingering on her tongue. No chestnuts she ate afterward could compare to even a fraction of what she had that night.
“You’re right, my money didn’t come from thin air, so please take down the missing person ad for me. I’ve found the person I’m looking for.” Gao Junxiao stared straight at her, their eyes meeting, as if they were back on the street on the day they parted.
Even though she had long anticipated that Gao Junxiao would eventually reveal his true colors, Qingcheng still felt somewhat caught off guard. Two possible solutions flashed through her mind: play dumb to the end or simply admit it. But no matter how she handled it, the initiative was now in Gao Junxiao's hands, which made her very unhappy.
"Okay, after I leave, can you focus on your work?" Kiyosumi asked tentatively, neither confirming nor denying.
"How do you know I'm not thinking about work right now?" Gao Junxiao asked in return.
"Okay, I'll take it as you working hard. Can you spend your free time on more meaningful things?" Qingcheng wanted to make him understand that he shouldn't do meaningless things for her.
"Isn't teaching and nurturing students quite meaningful?" Gao Junxiao asked, whether he was feigning ignorance or just being argumentative.
This man is so sure you won't really get angry with him that he'll appear around you like a ghost, teasing you from time to time before running away with a grin.
"Gao Junxiao, ever since I met you, you've been distracting me. I have so many things to do every day, and I never have enough time. I don't have time to play these childish games of marriage and dating with you." Qingcheng's pent-up anger finally exploded at this moment.
"If you like this kind of game, buy a quiet little house, find a socially recognized, virtuous wife, have a few children, and enjoy the kind of family bliss you want. You have no idea what separates us."
"I'm done." Gao Junxiao's expression remained unchanged, with a faint smile still on his face. "First, as for being distracted, I always felt like you were confessing your feelings to me. Second, marriage is not child's play; at least for me, it's a responsibility. Third, I know very well what I want at this age."
"Finally, what do you think is the barrier between us? Do you even understand me? Why did you categorize me with other men from the very beginning? Just because others like something doesn't mean I have to like it too? Just because others follow social rules doesn't mean I have to follow them?"
A series of soul-searching questions weighed heavily on Qingcheng's heart, making her cheeks burn. In a trembling voice, she asked, "Are you sure the He Qingcheng you saw was the real He Qingcheng?"
"The He Qingcheng I saw was compassionate towards all living beings and things, but she was not a god, she was a human being. She was once a little girl named Hua'er, who could cry, make a fuss, and act spoiled, and she could also order people around. But now she has forgotten how to be compassionate towards herself, but someone remembers—I remember."
"The flower is dead, after the engagement was broken off." After saying this, Qingcheng took off her coat and threw it to the man, then walked away without looking back.
Gao Junxiao was clearly stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses and wanted to chase after him, there was still a bewildered Shi Tou behind him who needed to be taken care of.
Shi Tou tugged at his arm and asked, "Teacher Tian, why is Teacher He angry? She clearly said that adults don't get angry easily."
"Teacher, there's something I did late," Gao Junxiao replied earnestly.
“Oh, then you should ask Teacher He again. She won’t be angry for long. Just don’t be late next time. My mother says, ‘You have to be diligent.’” Shi Tou said sincerely.
"Okay." Gao Junxiao watched Qingcheng's departing figure with reluctance, and made a decision in his heart. He did not expect to be the protagonist in Qingcheng's book. If possible, he would be a likable passerby. It would be good enough if he could see her often.
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