Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 47

Chapter 47 – Piano Sounds

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In late December, Mother Qin called from abroad, “Xiaohan, you’re not coming home for the New Year again? Didn’t your exchange program end this semester? Why can’t you return home? What are you staying in America for?”

During her university years, Qin Han had only spent one New Year at home. She hadn’t been present for any subsequent holidays.

After her first year of university, she spent the summer helping at a rehabilitation hospital. In her second year, she secured an exchange program spot and flew to America. For the next two years, she didn’t return home even once.

Mother Qin had argued about this several times, but perhaps because she knew the reason behind Qin Han’s reluctance to return, she felt slightly guilty. In the end, she let Qin Han have her way.

“Mom, I’m not staying in America. I’m going to a special education school in Changsha to practice sign language. I’ve already made arrangements with them.”

During her two years in America, Qin Han had indeed learned much. She studied the knowledge taught by American teachers while simultaneously teaching herself from the textbooks Du Zhi had sent from China.

Now her only deficiency was sign language. Due to the differences between the American and domestic sign language systems, Qin Han’s sign language skills were lacking.

Du Zhi helped her contact a teacher from a special education school in Changsha. That school didn’t take winter break, and many students lived on campus year-round, only getting one holiday per year. Qin Han could use this time to learn and practice sign language.

Mother Qin was furious about Qin Han’s decision to go to Changsha. “Are there no schools in Imperial City where you can learn sign language? Why must you run off to Changsha?”

The phone call that day had been unpleasant, ending with Mother Qin hanging up.

On New Year’s Eve, Qin Han sent a photo from the dormitory of Changsha’s special education school, showing her and hearing-impaired students making dumplings together.

Mother Qin didn’t respond, probably still angry.

In truth, when Qin Han returned to China, she felt no sense of familiarity.

The dialects on Changsha’s streets, the local snacks, even the famous Orange Isle—everything was completely different from Imperial City.

This was an environment completely foreign to Qin Han, like being abroad, leaving her feeling rootless.

When Qin Han finally returned to Imperial City, it was already the spring of the new year.

She stepped off the plane, taking in the familiar airport scenery with a deep breath.

This city, where he was closest, where she could encounter him at any moment.

As long as she wanted.

Anytime she wished.

Qin Han dragged her massive suitcase out of the airport, where Mother Qin was waiting to pick her up.

It was an early spring afternoon. Mother Qin wore an ink-blue coat over a black dress.

Her hair had been cut short, and she stood outside the waiting area, eagerly anticipating her daughter’s arrival.

The awkwardness between mother and daughter that had built up over the years vanished the moment they reunited.

Some buried grievances in the heart do indeed heal with time.

Qin Han threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Mom.”

“Finally decided to come back?”

Mother Qin choked back a sob before quickly smiling. “Let’s go. I’ll take you out for Western food.”

“Should we take a taxi?”

Mother Qin shook her head, jingling her car keys. “I drove here, you know.”

She had purchased a white SUV—the same model her husband had recommended as suitable for women, just like Du Zhi’s.

Qin Han was surprised her mother had obtained a driver’s license at some point.

As she settled into the passenger seat, Mother Qin shared amusing stories from her driving test. “I hadn’t learned anything new in ages, yet I still got nervous during the exam. When answering the theory questions, I was even more anxious than during my college entrance exams. I broke out in cold sweat—how pathetic, right?”

Mother Qin drove with practiced ease. “You’re almost done with university, Qin Han. Why don’t you get your driver’s license too?”

Qin Han shook her head, glancing at her mother to confirm her good mood before tentatively saying, “Mom, I have an exam tomorrow.”

“What kind of exam?”

“The Imperial City Special Education School. The Education Bureau is recruiting teachers. I want to try for it.”

Mother Qin paused before responding. “Then go. Why ‘try’? With your qualifications, there’s no way you won’t pass.”

Qin Han sensed something about her mother had changed, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Before she could figure it out, Mother Qin parked the car in front of a modest-sized bakery. “Wait here a moment. I’ll get a small cake to celebrate your return.”

After a pause, Mother Qin asked, “Xiaohan, would you like to come inside and see?”

Her cheeks flushed pink as she spoke, an uncharacteristic nervousness coloring her voice.

Qin Han initially thought her mother wanted her to choose the dessert flavor herself.

But upon entering the shop, a woman in light blue apron greeted Mother Qin, “Manager, you’re here.”

Qin Han was stunned. “When did you open a shop?” she asked. Her mother explained the bakery had only opened in March, barely a month ago.

Embarrassed, Mother Qin touched the diamond earring dangling from her earlobe. “I’ve always loved baking. After marrying your father, I never considered doing anything for myself. But now… I realize running a bakery is quite fulfilling.”

Qin Han felt her heart swell with happiness at her mother’s transformation.

This marked the first time Mother Qin had spoken of her husband without resentment, her tone genuinely peaceful.

They enjoyed their most joyful meal in years at their old favorite restaurant, ordering the same ribeye steak they’d always shared.

Mother Qin told Qin Han about the sweet shop and the various customers she’d encountered.

Qin Han could sense her mother’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke.

During the meal, Mother Qin’s phone vibrated. After glancing at it, she turned the screen face-down on the table, her cheeks flushing pink.

Qin Han looked at her curiously. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s your father. He keeps asking to take me out for dinner lately.”

Mother Qin fanned her flushed cheeks like a schoolgirl, smiling. “I’ve been so busy. Let’s reschedule for next week.”

Qin Han wondered what had happened during the New Year’s celebrations to cause such a change in her mother.

As she pondered this, Mother Qin suddenly asked, “Xiaohan, I’ve met a customer recently. He’s two years older than you and studying medicine.”

“Huh?”

Qin Han didn’t immediately understand her mother’s meaning.

“I think he’s quite handsome, and his personality seems compatible with yours.” Mother Qin smiled. “Why don’t you two meet? Get to know each other?”

In May, even the wind carried a gentle touch.

Dandan sat in Zhang Yuqing’s passenger seat, half of the window rolled down. She leaned against the glass, gazing at the rose bushes along the roadside, her hand reaching out as if to touch them.

Zhang Yuqing glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and cautioned, “Dandan, don’t reach your hand out.”

“Dandan understands.”

It was just after the May Day holiday, and Zhang Yuqing was dropping Dandan off at school.

At the entrance of the special education school, several parents had brought their children for class. The children were all so adorable, yet each carried their own unique challenges, making one’s heart ache.

Zhang Yuqing parked his car across the street and led Dandan toward the school building.

Dandan’s teacher had remained the same throughout the years, so Zhang Yuqing was quite familiar with her. “Xu-laoshi.”

“Oh, Yu Dan-gege! How has Dandan been with her homework these past few days?”

Zhang Yuqing smiled. “Just so-so.”

The school corridor buzzed with noise. These children’s lack of understanding of rules was what most frustrated teachers and parents.

Some children had virtually no concept of rules at all. A child suddenly screamed and ran off, followed urgently by their parent. In the chaos, the parent accidentally bumped into Zhang Yuqing.

The parent ran several steps away before grabbing their child and turning back. “I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?”

Zhang Yuqing smiled. “It’s no problem.”

Wails of anguish came from the autism class, “I want wontons! Wontons! I want wontons, Mommy!”

“There are no wontons today. Would you like dumplings instead?”

“No! I want wontons! Wontons! I want them!”

Children with autism often exhibit repetitive behaviors. When their routine is disrupted, they can become overwhelmed.

The child wailing heartbreakingly now was simply upset because his morning wontons had been replaced with dumplings.

Xu-laoshi sighed. “I doubt we’ll get any proper teaching done this morning.”

Zhang Yuqing, however, found himself transported to a summer afternoon when a young girl had lingered in his shop, dragging out her visit.

The sunlight had been perfect that day. The girl, eyes downcast with a hint of melancholy, had murmured softly, “Zhang Yuqing, I’m not happy.”

Some things are so ordinary they seem unworthy of notice.

Yet they remain etched in the heart, staying there for years.

Xu-laoshi glanced at Zhang Yuqing, perhaps wondering why he was still standing there after seeing off his sister.

At the end of the bustling corridor, piano music drifted from the music classroom.

It was Beethoven’s “Für Elise.”

The school only had one piano teacher, and Zhang Yuqing had heard that teacher was on maternity leave.

To ease the awkwardness, he casually asked, “Has Teacher Li returned?”

Xu-laoshi glanced at the classroom at the end of the corridor and shook her head. “It’s not Teacher Li. It’s a new teacher we recruited this year. They won’t officially start until next month.”

Perhaps pleased with her new colleague, Xu-laoshi added, “The young lady is exceptionally talented. Her academic record is outstanding—she’s a top graduate from the Normal University.”

Hearing the words “Normal University,” Zhang Yuqing momentarily drifted into thought.

A parent approached to greet Xu-laoshi and asked, “Xu-laoshi, is the new teacher substituting for Teacher Li today?”

“Yes, the new teacher is.”

“Oh, my child adores the new teacher! My husband mentioned yesterday when he picked up our child, he found the new teacher to be incredibly patient.”

The parent led their child toward the music classroom but stopped after a few steps. “Xu-laoshi, I’d like to greet the new teacher. What should I call them?”

Xu-laoshi smiled. “Just call them Teacher Qin.”

Zhang Yuqing, who had been about to leave, suddenly turned back. “What did you just say the new teacher’s surname is?”

“The surname is Qin, isn’t it?”