Sweet Oxygen - Chapter 63

Chapter 63 – Goodbye Kiss

It was meant for me to meet you

——

The early morning sun wasn’t scorching. Zhang Yuqing walked along Yaonan Alley, holding Qin Han’s hand.

When they occasionally met acquaintances—whether someone carrying steaming oil strips and flatbreads or a dog walker—they would stop to ask, “Is this Yuqing’s girlfriend?”

Zhang Yuqing would respond with a faint smile, “Yes.”

Whether out of genuine sincerity or polite courtesy, the acquaintances would follow up with, “The young lady is truly beautiful.”

Zhang Yuqing would nod without modesty, acknowledging, “Yes, she is beautiful.”

He was a man who radiated a sense of security. When it came to matters of romance, he faced everyone with open honesty.

Qin Han recalled her high school days when she and Hu Keyuan had accompanied each other to the restroom. As they emerged from the corridor’s deep washroom, they spotted a young couple holding hands. Finding the sight novel, they watched for a moment.

Unexpectedly, the grade director appeared at the stairwell entrance. The couple separated like startled kittens, their hands springing apart as they leaped to opposite ends of the corridor. Blushing crimson, they each greeted the grade director with practiced courtesy.

That day, Hu Keyuan had laughed so hard she nearly fell over, clutching her stomach as she leaned against Qin Han’s chest.

Now, when Qin Han thought of Hu Keyuan, she no longer felt any deliberate avoidance or other emotions.

Her former best friend had become someone who had participated in her life—someone who would occasionally be remembered during specific moments, a companion from a past segment of time.

Qin Han looked at Zhang Yuqing’s hand holding hers. They weren’t on campus anymore, and there wouldn’t be any grade directors appearing. She felt a sudden sense of regret, wondering how Zhang Yuqing would react if they were walking hand in hand on campus and encountered a teacher.

Several people were lined up outside the breakfast shop on Yaonan Alley. Snow-white oil strips were placed in the oil pot, instantly puffing up and releasing an oily aroma.

While Zhang Yuqing skillfully ordered several items, Qin Han asked him during the time waiting for the oil strips to fry, “If we were at school and holding hands like this when we encountered the grade director or a teacher, would you let go?”

Zhang Yuqing laughed heartily, “Little girl, I’m a good student. Not the type to have early romance.”

After saying this, he received a glare from Qin Han with wide eyes.

“What do you want to hear? That I won’t let go of your hand no matter who I meet? Is that answer satisfactory?” He teased Qin Han.

Qin Han slapped his arm.

“You’ve even learned to hit people now?”

Zhang Yuqing leaned close to her ear. “You don’t cherish me anymore after sleeping with me?”

The girl fell silent, her face flushed as she refused to look at him.

On their way back to the shop, they encountered Luo Shijin. The young man rubbed his hands together and asked, “Hey, Qing-ge, is there any breakfast left for me?”

“Yes.”

When the three entered the shop, Beibei was already happily eating its dog food.

Dandan had also woken up and was sitting at the table after washing up.

Qin Han went over to wipe a piece of toothpaste foam from Dandan’s chin. Luo Shijin, puzzled, asked, “Why haven’t I heard Dandan call Qin Han ‘Qin Han’ lately? Wasn’t she always following her around like a shadow, calling her ‘Sister Qin’ all the time?”

Zhang Yuqing poured soy milk into a bowl. “We ran into her at school. She seems unable to comprehend why her ‘Sister Qin’ would appear at school, or why she’d become ‘Teacher Qin.’ Since she can’t make sense of it, she simply stopped calling.”

“That’s easy—” Luo Shijin said, setting down a bowl of soy milk in front of him. He tore off a piece of fried dough and dropped it into the bowl, stirring it a few times with his chopsticks before continuing with a casual tone, “—Just call her ‘sister-in-law’.”

Qin Han’s ears flushed crimson. To hide her embarrassment, she changed the subject to the fried dough submerged in the soy milk. “Why do you soak the fried dough in soy milk?”

“It’s a habit. I’ve always eaten it this way since childhood. Qing-ge likes it too. Qin Han, try it! It’s really delicious—like that thing, uh! Bursting tofu!”

Luo Shijin enthusiastically promoted his eating method, waving his greasy hand. “I won’t help you. Have Qing-ge tear off a piece for you to soak and taste!”

Zhang Yuqing’s shop was always bathed in sunlight, the rays streaming through the window.

Even the tiny dust particles that floated up during their movements became cheerful notes, dancing lightly in the air.

Dandan sat next to Qin Han, pressed close to her.

Zhang Yuqing sat across from Qin Han, with Luo Shijin beside him.

Beibei crouched by the table, mouth open as he panted.

Qin Han gazed at Zhang Yuqing through the sun-drenched space.

He lowered his gaze, long eyelashes casting small shadows on his lower eyelids. Likely having heard their conversation, he slowly raised his eyes. The sunlight made the smile in his eyes shine brilliantly, his black pupils resembling obsidian stones from a high-end jewelry magazine.

He asked, “Want to try?”

He had asked the same question last night.

In the dimly lit bedroom, he had knelt before her, leaning down to kiss her bare skin. His fingertips lingered on a particularly sensitive spot as he asked, “Want to try?”

Remembering this, Qin Han’s face flushed. She nodded hurriedly, then lowered her head to stare at the soy milk in front of her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the table’s surface. A black shadow lay there—Zhang Yuqing’s beautiful hands.

One hand casually held an oil strip, while the other gently broke off a piece.

Qin Han felt utterly ruined.

When she saw the scene reflected in the shadow, her mind filled with images from last night.

When Zhang Yuqing placed the small piece of oil strip in her bowl, Qin Han moved almost mechanically. She picked up the oil strip with her spoon, put it in her mouth, and took a small bite.

“Look! Isn’t it delicious? Qin Han’s face is red from enjoying it!”

Luo Shijin chattered nonstop, “This eating method is something I learned watching others when I was young. It’s definitely a hidden gem!”

Luo Shijin didn’t notice Qin Han’s blush, but Zhang Yuqing guessed the reason.

He teased with a smirk, “What’s on your mind, young lady?”

His question made Qin Han’s face grow even redder, her head dipping so low it nearly touched the soy milk bowl.

After breakfast, Zhang Yuqing drove Dandan and Qin Han to school.

Qin Han had picked up a few old books at Grandpa Liu’s house when she returned from Yaonan Market two days ago. She’d left them at Zhang Yuqing’s shop, and now she chose one to bring along before getting in the car.

Dandan preferred the front passenger seat, so Qin Han settled in the back.

The Monday morning rush left them stuck in traffic. When the car was held up at an intersection, Qin Han could see Zhang Yuqing’s fingertips tapping the steering wheel through the seat gap—light and rhythmic.

His wrist bones stood out in the sunlight, creating a sensual sight.

To stop herself from daydreaming, Qin Han opened the book in her hands.

It was one of Sanmao’s works. As she flipped through pages, she suddenly recalled how Zhang Yuqing had once explained the character timelines in Eileen Chang’s novels.

He reads female authors too. Has he read Sanmao’s books?

Qin Han asked, “Do you also read Sanmao’s books?”

“I’ve read it. Sahara Stories. It’s well-written and quite enlightening.”

Due to the traffic, he turned to look at Qin Han and smiled. “I’ve also read the book you’re holding.”

The car passed through Imperial City’s most bustling commercial district and office buildings, the streets gradually becoming smoother.

On the way to school, Dandan flipped through more than ten pages of her book. Zhang Yuqing told her that reading in the car wasn’t a good habit, saying it would damage her eyes. She insisted she would finish this story, but by the time she did, the car had already come to a steady stop in front of the school.

Recently, Dandan had learned to enter the classroom alone. The teacher had sent Zhang Yuqing a message, requesting that he not accompany Dandan through the school gate—this was the new assignment.

She could now open the car door herself, put on her backpack, and bid farewell to Zhang Yuqing, mumbling that she would behave properly at school.

Zhang Yuqing pointed at Qin Han behind them. “Won’t you say goodbye to Qin Han-jiejie?”

Dandan stared at Qin Han for a long time, looking utterly confused.

She was probably still struggling to distinguish between “Qin Han-jiejie” and “Miss Qin.” In the end, she only managed to squeeze out, “Bye.”

To complete the assignment set by Dandan’s teacher, Qin Han couldn’t accompany her into the school either.

She sat in the car with Zhang Yuqing, watching Dandan walk into the school, politely greet the gatekeeper, then disappear into the campus carrying her pink backpack.

Qin Han had just looked away when Zhang Yuqing got out of the car and sat down in the back seat, closing the door behind him.

The car was spacious, but with an extra passenger of his height, it suddenly felt cramped.

Qin Han blinked. “I should go to work.”

Zhang Yuqing took out his phone, checked the time, and said thoughtfully, “There’s still half an hour before Miss Qin’s work starts. Let me borrow five minutes.”

He leaned closer, brushed stray hair from her face, and kissed her.

These five minutes were devoted entirely to parting kisses.

Held in his arms, Qin Han felt his gentle touches and kisses. Perhaps the experience from last night had taught her how to respond actively.

In the end, Zhang Yuqing pulled back slightly, his chest still slightly heaving as he smiled. “Young lady, if we continue, this won’t be a farewell kiss anymore.”

They had been so absorbed that neither noticed when Gentle Night had fallen to the floor. Zhang Yuqing picked up the book and teased Qin Han, “Our Miss Qin, I’m afraid you’ll need to reapply your lipstick now.”

As Qin Han blushed and touched up her lips, Zhang Yuqing leaned back in the car, his expression thoughtful.

He casually flipped through the book in his hands. After a moment, he suddenly smiled.

“What’s so funny?” Qin Han asked.

Zhang Yuqing glanced over, his smile still lingering. “I’ll tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“I used to think that what people experience in life is predetermined. Like when I was in high school and worked as a part-time model at an art studio outside school.”

He paused briefly, studying her expression. “What’s with that look? Hm?”

Qin Han asked innocently, “The kind where you have to be completely naked?”

Zhang Yuqing ruffled her hair. “No, just regular figure drawing.”

“Oh, carry on then.”

“What? Disappointed I didn’t become a nude model?”

“No.”

“Did you sneak a peek at me last night?”

“No!”

When Zhang Yuqing finally stopped teasing, he continued, “While modeling, I heard a lot of instructors’ critiques for art students and saw many drawings. Sometimes when I couldn’t figure out how to solve a problem, I’d sketch figures on paper.”

With his good memory and natural talent for art, he later got recommended by the art studio’s instructor to work part-time at a tattoo shop during college.

During his time there, he gradually learned tattooing. But even then, Zhang Yuqing never imagined he’d eventually make a living from it.

Zhang Yuqing rarely showed this nostalgic expression. Looking slightly serious, Qin Han instinctively set down the lipstick and small mirror in her hands, listening intently to Zhang Yuqing’s words.

“Many experiences are priceless. Perhaps my reading of countless books was meant for me to meet you.”

Zhang Yuqing smiled warmly, gently pinching Qin Han’s cheek. “So that falling for a book-loving girl wouldn’t be so effortless.”