Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 61

Chapter 61 – Suddenly

Sitting obediently on his bed, shoes removed

——

The summer night breeze was brisk, a thin cloud leisurely drifting to cover the moon.

The light in the old factory grew even dimmer. Crickets chirped in the grass, while Qin Han’s hands, tucked between her and Zhang Yuqing, unconsciously clenched into fists.

Her palms were slightly sweaty, but what truly captivated her attention was the sour plum wine lingering between Zhang Yuqing’s lips.

And the gentle invasion of his tongue.

Qin Han hadn’t felt drunk after drinking a large cup of chilled sour plum wine. Instead, it was his kiss that made her entire body feel dizzy, even muting the surrounding insect songs and rustling grass.

The old factory wasn’t a haunted ghost realm, but an ambivalent greenhouse that could make people lose their senses in the quiet night.

Qin Han had no experience, unsure what to do. Beyond instinctive response and intoxication, she couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.

But her boyfriend was truly very gentle.

Zhang Yuqing’s kiss wasn’t just a desire-driven assault. He paid close attention to Qin Han’s feelings, gently kissing and sucking while his hand soothingly patted her back, as if afraid she might not be comfortable.

Because of his consideration, Qin Han’s nearly blank mind finally began to function.

She remembered that morning when they hugged, Zhang Yuqing had guided her to place her hands around his neck.

Qin Han, curled between them, shifted her arm and draped it around Zhang Yuqing’s neck.

She could feel his surprise, as well as the mix of excitement and barely contained emotion.

With her arm no longer between them, their embrace grew tighter.

Their heartbeats resonated through the thin summer fabric, making even the air around them seem to warm.

Zhang Yuqing’s comforting pat on her back grew slightly erratic. When he kissed her deeply, his arm tightened involuntarily around her waist, holding her close.

They stopped because Zhang Yuqing’s phone rang. He didn’t answer, just silenced the ringtone. With his forehead pressed against Qin Han’s, he affectionately pinched her flushed cheek. “Little girl, you’re letting me get away with too much.”

Zhang Yuqing was referring to Qin Han draping her arm around his neck.

But Qin Han shook her head.

Sometimes, Qin Han had moments that were irresistibly alluring without her realizing it.

Because of her innocence, her charm came naturally.

Just like now, with her cheeks flushed in the evening breeze, stray strands of hair dancing in the wind. Her eyes sparkled like clear springs, and her red lips moved slightly.

Qin Han said earnestly, “I’m not letting you get away with anything. I just… enjoy this too.”

She had a quiet personality, and her voice was soft.

But her eyes shone brightly, like stars reflected in water.

Zhang Yuqing ruffled her hair, but stepped back slightly as he smiled. “You talk too much,” he said.

“Why?”

He didn’t answer directly. “How can you be so alluring?”

Zhang Yuqing’s phone screen stayed lit until the call automatically disconnected. Soon, a new call came through.

The ringtone sounded, and this time he answered, “Mm?”

The old factory was quiet, with only the soft rustling of nature breaking the silence. Luo Shijin’s loud voice stood out clearly, “Qing-ge! Where did you take Qin Han?! Her phone rang earlier—it was probably her mom calling.”

In truth, Qin Han rarely mentioned her mother to Zhang Yuqing, worried that the past incident might still bother him.

But Zhang Yuqing’s expression remained calm. “We’re at the old factory. We’ll head back now.”

“What were you doing there? It’s pitch-black and boring.”

Luo Shijin, who often dealt with out-of-towners while restocking, now spoke with a distinct Henan accent.

Li Nan’s voice quickly came through the phone, “If it’s boring to you, that’s fine. The couple might find it interesting. Stop being so nosy.”

The two of them, ignoring the still-connected call, immediately began bickering.

Zhang Yuqing smiled, hung up the phone, and turned to Qin Han. “Don’t you feel a bit regretful for missing the fireflies?”

Qin Han shook her head.

She felt no regret. It was as if Zhang Yuqing had planted something in her heart—something brighter than fireflies.

She was thrilled by his embrace and looked forward to his kiss. As for those more intimate actions, she felt both eager anticipation and faint unease.

But when the kiss finally happened, she suddenly felt,

This was how they were meant to be.

Zhang Yuqing jumped down from the factory window ledge, carefully lifting Qin Han down with him.

As Qin Han lowered her gaze to straighten her skirt, Zhang Yuqing called out from beside her, “Little girl.”

“Hm?”

The half-moon in the sky remained hidden behind thin clouds, while the buildings and tree shadows appeared colorless, like a brush painting.

When Qin Han looked up, Zhang Yuqing stood within this ink-wash scene, his eyes brimming with smiles.

She suddenly recalled how, when she first met Zhang Yuqing, she’d always thought of him as a male fox spirit who’d lived in Yaonan Alley for centuries, smiling at everyone he met.

Zhang Yuqing extended his half-closed palm toward Qin Han and slowly unfurled his fingers. A sparkling little creature fluttered out from his hand.

Qin Han’s eyes widened in delight. “Is that a firefly?!”

“Yes, a firefly.”

“It’s so beautiful! Just like the books describe—all sparkly.”

The city girl who’d never seen fireflies before bounced excitedly after the insect.

Worried she might trip, Zhang Yuqing kept close, holding her wrist as he smiled. “Not as beautiful as you, though.”

Back at Zhang Yuqing’s shop, Qin Han called her mother.

Her mother didn’t ask where she was or if she’d be home tonight. She only mentioned it was Sunday tomorrow and asked if Qin Han wanted to go shopping together.

Remembering her father’s plans to meet Dean Du for dinner, Qin Han replied she had “a slight arrangement” tomorrow.

Inside the shop, Li Nan played soothing music from his phone. Beibei wagged its big tail, waving goodbye to everyone to show how much it wanted canned food.

“Little girl,” Zhang Yuqing said to Qin Han, “you should go home and sleep.”

“Why?”

Qin Han had that pure curiosity unique to children.

She felt she wanted to see Zhang Yuqing again tomorrow, so staying here was best.

She didn’t think much about anything else.

However, even if she hadn’t considered it, Zhang Yuqing had already thought of everything for her.

“Are you not having lunch with your dad and Du Zhi tomorrow?”

Zhang Yuqing opened a can of meat for Beibei, crouching down to place it on the ground. “It wouldn’t be proper to have your dad come pick you up from my place.”

“But Dad used to come pick me up here before,” Qin Han recalled, remembering the incident from when she graduated from high school.

Zhang Yuqing threatened playfully, “Normally, I’d welcome you staying at the shop. But I can’t control myself today. I might not resist the urge to kiss you while you’re asleep.”

He paused before continuing, “And once I start kissing you, I might develop other ideas. That’s entirely possible.”

Beibei slurped the dog food while Luo Shijin and Li Nan bickered again for some reason.

No one noticed the person here who was spouting such shameless words.

Qin Han’s ears turned bright red. “Th-then I’ll take a taxi.”

“Why take a taxi when your dedicated driver’s right here?” Zhang Yuqing picked up the car keys. “I’ll drive you home.”

Instead of meeting at the Qushun Restaurant near Qin Han’s school, Dean Du and Father Qin chose to dine at a restaurant in the shopping mall near Du Zhi’s home. Du Zhi had specifically requested this location, craving the sour fish soup from a particular restaurant there.

With such a gracious guest, Father Qin naturally agreed to her request.

Qin Han sat with Du Zhi and her father in the mall restaurant, watching people shop through the glass windows.

During the meal, Father Qin and Dean Du discussed disability assistance work while Qin Han quietly spooned up some sour soup, blew away the cilantro floating on top, and sipped it.

The restaurant specialized in Miao cuisine, and their sour fish soup was particularly authentic.

Just as Qin Han took a sip, she suddenly saw a familiar woman through the window.

The woman wore a rose-pink professional suit and carried a white handbag. As Qin Han looked at her, the woman also turned to glance in her direction.

It was Mom!

Qin Han quickly swallowed the soup, feeling a bit flustered.

She turned to look at Dean Du and her father, who were discussing a school-enterprise collaboration and gently clinking their glasses together.

After many years, Qin Han remembered the brown paper file folder she’d found in her mother’s cabinet.

Those obsessive remarks and images flooded back into her mind.

Just days ago, Mom and Dad’s relationship had finally eased. Could this incident cause another misunderstanding?

As these thoughts crossed Qin Han’s mind, she felt a growing unease.

Mother Qin entered the room carrying her handbag.

Father Qin, slightly taken aback by her presence, nevertheless smiled warmly and pulled out a chair for her.

After gesturing for her to sit, he introduced her to Du Zhi, “Dean Du, this is my wife, Li Jingru.”

Du Zhi smiled. “No wonder Little Qin Han is so beautiful. Her parents are clearly a well-matched pair.”

Where Du Zhi couldn’t see, Qin Han and Father Qin exchanged a glance—a silent, shared concern between parent and child.

Mother Qin, however, appeared completely at ease. She set her handbag on her lap and smiled apologetically. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your serious discussion. It’s just that after shopping in the clothing section downstairs, I felt like eating sour fish soup. I happened to come up and see you here. Would it be too much trouble to join you? Or should I get a separate table?”

It was already past 2 PM. Father Qin looked at her with concern. “Why didn’t you eat lunch on time?”

Mother Qin replied casually, “There were so many beautiful clothes. I got completely absorbed in shopping.”

“We’re done here too. I’m going to go shoe shopping, so I won’t stay longer. You three enjoy your meal.”

After saying this, Du Zhi stood up and leaned close to Qin Han’s ear. “Little Qinhan, I’m leaving first. I don’t want to watch your parents show off their affection here and make single dogs like me jealous to death.”

Du Zhi winked at Qin Han. The four adults bid each other farewell and departed.

Father Qin ordered a new sour fish soup for Mother Qin, along with several small dishes tailored to her preferences.

Mother Qin tucked stray curls behind her ear and, like a famished child, used Father Qin’s chopsticks to grab a piece of cold braised pork. “I’m starving. Let me just eat a few bites first.”

Father Qin and Qin Han watched her eat, tension palpable in the air.

After several bites, Mother Qin looked up. “Why are you both staring at me?”

Father Qin explained, “That person earlier was Xiaohan’s principal. We were discussing disability assistance matters. This wasn’t a private gathering, but official business.”

Qin Han nodded vigorously. “Official business.”

Mother Qin paused, swallowing the pork before letting out a chuckle. “I never minded that part.”

Perhaps sensing their lingering doubts, she set down her chopsticks and said earnestly, “I was the one who made mistakes before. You’ve given me plenty of security, but I kept dwelling on trivialities. I’ve changed now. Don’t worry.”

The newly ordered appetizers were brought to the table by a waiter. Mother Qin took a bite and asked with a smile, “When will you bring your boyfriend home for Mom to see, Qin Han?”

Realizing her phrasing might have sounded presumptuous, she quickly added, “Perhaps I should buy him a gift and visit him instead. I wasn’t mature enough back then.”

The sour fish soup served as the backdrop for many family conversations that evening.

After dinner, the three of them went upstairs to watch a movie together.

During the meal, Father Qin suddenly took Mother Qin’s hand. “Jingru,” he said, “let’s get remarried.”

Mother Qin blushed, her tone reminiscent of their early years—slightly reproachful yet affectionate. “Why say such things in front of Qin Han?”

Father Qin smiled. “What’s wrong with that? Qin Han isn’t a child anymore. She should know by now that no matter how many women I’ve met, I’ll only ever love her mother.”

In the car on the way home, Qin Han noticed her mother resting her hand on her father’s thigh, and saw how he had kissed her when they got in.

When the car pulled up to their building, Qin Han suddenly said, “Mom, Dad, I want to go to a friend’s place.”

“It’s so late. Is it really appropriate to go to a friend’s now?”

“Yes, it’s fine!”

Qin Han said as she ran off. She knew her father would be staying over tonight, and she knew what kind of intimate activities her parents would be engaging in.

She knew her parents would get back together, and from now on, her father would live with them.

What wonderful news!

Qin Han sat in the taxi, her eyes curving into crescents.

She couldn’t wait to share this joyful news with Zhang Yuqing, just as she had always come to him when she was sad.

The driver couldn’t resist asking, “Little girl, what’s the good news? You look so happy.”

“Something absolutely wonderful!”

After getting out of the taxi, she ran all the way to Yaonan Alley. The entire street was still dark except for the faint glow coming from Zhang Yuqing’s shop.

When she entered, Beibei looked up, gave her a lazy glance, then went back to sleep.

Qin Han followed the light upstairs. Zhang Yuqing’s bedroom door was open, and the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

She knew he was taking a shower.

Half an hour earlier, he’d sent a message saying Dandan had accidentally spilled juice all over him before bed.

When Zhang Yuqing finished showering and came out bare-chested, he saw Qin Han sitting obediently on his bed, shoes removed.

Perhaps because it was nighttime, and because she had appeared so suddenly with such a beautiful smile, Zhang Yuqing nearly reacted immediately.

The girl, completely unaware, waved at him with a grin. “Zhang Yuqing, come here! I have good news for you!”