Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 57

Chapter 57 – Movie

I was afraid you’re not good enough

——

The graduation photo shoot was Qin Han’s last university activity. That day, her roommates took advantage of Zhang Yuqing’s gentlemanly presence to test their drinking limits.

When they returned, the girls could barely walk straight. Qin Han and Zhang Yuqing drove them to the school’s perimeter, then helped each one down to the dormitory building.

These dorms were full of graduates, and recently, men had been coming regularly to help move out belongings.

The dorm supervisor had relaxed her rules, allowing Zhang Yuqing to enter after registering.

The evening breeze carried a warm heat that intensified the lingering effects of alcohol.

Qin Han had only sipped her drink, yet she kept smiling.

When others weren’t looking, Zhang Yuqing reached out to stroke her hair. “Weren’t you upset about graduation this morning?”

Qin Han grinned. “But nobody’s leaving the capital. Graduation doesn’t seem so important now.”

Her smile held an innocent, carefree quality, eyes curving like crescents with stars hidden in their depths.

Zhang Yuqing leaned closer, teasing, “Young lady, don’t smile like that at me.”

“Why not?”

“It makes me want to kiss you.”

Flushing, Qin Han dashed away to steady Xie Ying’s unsteady steps toward the dormitory.

Xie Ying, equally drunk, staggered with unsteady steps, resisting Qin Han’s attempts to support her.

Leaning against the stair railing on the first floor of the dormitory building, she pointed carelessly. “You’re not bad. From now on, you’re our Room 6014’s unofficially acknowledged future son-in-law!”

The drunk girl’s finger wavered before pointing directly at the old man sweeping the courtyard behind Zhang Yuqing.

Zhang Yuqing smiled. “No need for that. I think I’ve done well enough. We shouldn’t trouble the old man.”

Qin Han let out a snort of laughter.

Even after working for so many years, he still carries that youthful spirit.

The immortal youth.

Most of Qin Han’s roommates were already in Imperial City, and with Zhang Yuqing’s companionship, the sting of graduation had been considerably dulled.

After that day, Qin Han officially graduated and began her role at the special education school.

As a newly graduated student, the school temporarily assigned her as the assistant teacher for a small special education class.

Her duties included observing lessons and assisting students.

On the day of the graduation photo shoot, Xie Ying had indeed been drunk, but that didn’t stop her from focusing on what she considered important matters.

Xie Ying bombarded Qin Han with messages, earnestly trying to educate her and Zhang Yuqing about sex education. Her methods varied—sometimes it was movies, sometimes short videos, and even explicit literature.

Faced with these frequent messages, Qin Han dared not leave her WeChat open on her computer, fearing the teachers in the office might see.

This week had been exceptionally busy for Qin Han. In her special education class for children with intellectual disabilities, a new student had joined—a young boy with autism.

All newly enrolled children struggle with understanding rules, but those with autism have an even harder time grasping them.

The little boy couldn’t comprehend why he needed to sit in a chair, why there were times for class and times for breaks, or why the teacher kept correcting him.

During the first week of school, he cried or screamed almost every day.

In special education classes, parents must accompany their children to school. The boy’s mother was equally helpless.

On the last day of that week, while Qin Han held the sobbing boy, he scratched her hand. His mother kept apologizing.

The boy’s mother used to be a high school teacher. When her child was diagnosed with autism, one parent had to stay home full-time to care for him, forcing her to quit her job.

Even parents can reach their breaking point.

As the boy’s mother clung to Qin Han, apologizing, she suddenly collapsed to the ground in tears.

There is no cure for autism.

This is a truth all parents of autistic children know, yet desperately wish they could deny.

That day was Friday. After work, Qin Han didn’t leave. Instead, she invited the boy’s mother out for dinner.

It was a very special meal. The little boy could only remain calm when he was in the car.

Qin Han bought some food and sat in the car with the boy and his mother, eating and chatting.

“A parent’s emotions can affect their child,” Qin Han said to the boy’s mother. “Other children also act like this when they first start school. They’ll gradually adapt. Don’t be too anxious—give him some time.”

In truth, Qin Han had learned half of what she knew from books, and the other half from Zhang Yuqing.

She was a good parent, always patient.

Even when life wasn’t going well, she would never put any pressure on Dandan.

This was something many parents couldn’t do.

The boy’s mother frowned. “But other children can sit still. Why does he always jump up and shout? Sometimes I regret having a child. What if he’s like this his whole life?”

Qin Han suddenly looked serious. “Mothers need to be strong. Even if he doesn’t understand, don’t say things like ‘I shouldn’t have had a child’ in front of him.”

Qin Han took out a small notebook with daily records.

[ Monday, first period: Xiaotong cried the entire class.

Monday, third period in the afternoon: Xiaotong could sit in his chair for two minutes.

(The teacher used a ball in class. He might like balls or spherical objects.) ]

Qin Han’s mother took the notebook, stunned. “Teacher Qin, you…”

Qin Han smiled. “If given the choice, I’m sure Xiaotong would want to be a good boy too. But right now, we don’t have that choice. If you observe carefully and keep records, you’ll find the child is improving. This afternoon during the first period, Xiaotong sat quietly in class for eighteen minutes.”

She added, “Please give the child more patience. After all, he’s your son.”

Xiaotong’s mother wept. “Yes, I was wrong. I didn’t observe as carefully as you do. I only thought my child wasn’t good enough. How could I be such a mother?”

By the time Qin Han finished talking with Xiaotong’s mother, it was already past 10 PM.

On her way home, Qin Han received a call from Zhang Yuqing. They discussed many school-related matters.

Zhang Yuqing didn’t judge whether Xiaotong’s mother was right or wrong. He just smiled and said, “Somehow I feel a bit envious of those children.”

“Why?”

“Maybe it’s because my girlfriend pays them more attention than I do,” he joked.

After his teasing remark, he asked, “Come tomorrow. What do you want to eat?”

Qin Han cheered, “I want to make hotpot with the AC on! And I want Yaonan Market’s small cabbages!”

After returning home and washing up, Qin Han lay on her bed. The AC breeze made the curtains by the window flutter gently. Only then did she remember the twenty-plus unread messages Xie Ying had sent her.

The last WeChat message was a “digging nose” emoji, accompanied by a scornful comment, “Little Qin Han actually prioritizes romance over friendship? Not even replying to messages?”

Qin Han apologized repeatedly and exchanged a few more messages with Xie Ying.

Xie Ying was probably applying a face mask again, her words muffled and unclear, “I’m not talking to you anymore. Go check the stuff I sent you immediately—about that movement! It’s the key to your happiness for the rest of your life!”

“Oh.”

Xie Ying had recommended a list of movies and a few short videos.

At 11 PM, Qin Han was curled up under her blankets, feeling drowsy. She randomly selected a Korean movie to watch.

The opening scene showed historical settings—grand palaces guarded by soldiers.

Qin Han thought, somewhat confused, “Are modern educational videos supposed to start with ancient history now?”

The origin history of two genders?

As Qin Han watched, drowsiness washed over her. She closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, a man was tearing open the robes of a woman in palace attire, his hands covering her exposed skin.

Having disengaged from work mode, Qin Han’s mind felt muddled. She closed the video, her face flushing with heat.

Shouldn’t I let Zhang Yuqing watch this instead?

She recalled how, on their first meeting, he had calmly helped her close a porn video that accidentally played on her phone. Wouldn’t he be more accepting of this kind of content than me?

In her half-awake state, Qin Han pondered this for two seconds before forwarding everything Xie Ying had sent to Zhang Yuqing.

Then she collapsed into a deep sleep.

The film’s influence permeated her dreams. Qin Han found herself in a scene from the movie.

Zhang Yuqing wore ancient robes, his usual short hair replaced by a beautiful black conical hat. A black satin ribbon lay against his cheek, tied in an elegant bow at his jawline.

The ribbon obscured his throat. His lips, flushed with color, drew closer.

Those eyes—always carrying a hint of amusement—now held the depth of dark pools, ignited with desire.

Even in this dream, Zhang Yuqing didn’t become as rough as the movie’s male lead. His fingertips gently brushed against her clothes, lightly lifting her buttons.

The dream version of herself was bold, daring to unfasten Zhang Yuqing’s shirt.

Qin Han was woken by her phone’s vibration. With eyes still closed, she groped for the device, still half-dreaming as she unlocked it by habit and pressed it to her ear.

The cold air from the air conditioner chilled her ear as the phone made contact.

Zhang Yuqing’s voice came through the speaker, “Little girl, still asleep?”

Qin Han instantly woke up, feeling guilty. In the dream, she’d undressed him and even touched his abs.

She mumbled, “I-I’m awake now.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

Qin Han crawled out from under the covers, sat cross-legged on the bed, and put the phone on speaker. She fanned her burning cheeks with both hands.

Qin Han, you’re really a shameless girl now!

How could you think of doing something like that?!

You haven’t even kissed him, and you’re already trying to take off his clothes!

For some reason, Zhang Yuqing suddenly chuckled. “Now that you’re awake, little girl, I need to have a proper talk with you.”

“About what?”

“Did you send me quite a few things last night?”

Zhang Yuqing smiled. “Tell me, what were you planning?”

Qin Han suddenly remembered what she had done the previous night.

What had she been thinking at the time?

Was—was she trying to make it easier for Zhang Yuqing to accept by showing him?

Oh right, she’d thought since these things required both people’s participation anyway, it wouldn’t matter who saw them first.

Her logic had seemed sound at the time, but now that Zhang Yuqing brought it up, she found the whole situation incredibly embarrassing to discuss.

Before Qin Han could respond, Zhang Yuqing continued in a leisurely tone, “Shall I guess instead?”

“No need!” Qin Han hastily interrupted. Zhang Yuqing always handled situations with more composure than she did; who knew what he might say if she let him guess.

She felt she needed to preemptively explain herself.

In the morning light, Zhang Yuqing’s voice carried a unique languor. “If I’m not guessing, then you tell me.”

Qin Han’s mind went blank. She blurted out, “I was afraid you’re not good enough!”

Zhang Yuqing, “?”