Chapter 51: Punishment

Lately Tang felt Qi Yu was off.
Could not say how—but women’s sixth sense—accurate for no reason.
Especially alone with phone—smiling to herself—meaning unclear—must be something up.
Also—from some day—Qi Yu left shop on the dot—minute precise—not half second extra—like clocked out.
Most obvious—Moments full dinner photos—restaurant or home cooking—no people in frame—but two sets chopsticks on table always.
Before Tang would not notice. But many coincidences—not coincidence.
Evening now.
Shop quiet. Tang idle at bar chatting Xiaojing Liyun others.
Noise upstairs lounge—Tang glanced watch.
5:50.
Probably Qi Yu leaving.
Sure enough—stairs down—passed them—light greeting.
“Good work—I’m off.”
Xiaojing Liyun nodded together.
Qi Yu front foot—Tang back foot followed.
“Wait.” Tang opened glass door—Qi Yu on e-bike—helmet on.
“What?” Qi Yu glanced—hands not stopping.
Tang forward—hand on handlebar. “You leaving?”
“Mm.” Helmet locked—looked at her. “Dinner—what?”
“Where eat? I’ll come.”
“No—someone else—next time.”
Clean refusal—Tang more sure.
Once ok—not every night.
Did not let go—squinted—teasing smile—old trick. “Who? I know them? If all know—we can together.”
Qi Yu raised brow—scene familiar.
Still blunt. “No—inconvenient—next time.”
“Why?” Tang pressed.
Step closer—hand on shoulder—meaningful. “You’re off.”
Qi Yu heart skipped—looked up—fake calm. “How off? Eating dinner off?”
Tang: “No—but every night this time like rushing off… someone every day?”
Qi Yu blank silent—Tang leaned—stared face—smile low. “Say it—you dating?”
Qi Yu looked—wanted deny.
Just with Jiang Ya—not planning public yet.
But Tang’s tone—could not hide. Deny worse—covering up.
Turned eyes—sighed—frank. “Yeah.”
“Really?”
“Really—what? Nearly thirty—dating normal?” Seeing Tang’s grin—could not help.
“No… why not tell me—I’ll treat you breakup feast.” Hand squeezed shoulder—“Who? That sister?”
“No.”
“Huh?” Tang stunned—smile stopped—“Then who?”
Heard Qi Yu describe—thought them almost—wrong guess.
Qi Yu glance—pressed lips—stopped—low. “Jiang Ya—don’t spread.”
“What?” Voice rose.
Shocked—eyes wide. Even listed Li Wen—not Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya who? Straight as they come—rejected her before—how now—Tang chaos.
Stunned—whole face twisted—half beat—only. “Real or fake… sis this is soap opera.”
Qi Yu speechless.
Wanted say—did not—glanced phone—light. “Don’t believe fine—I’m late—really going.”
Pulled Tang’s hand off—key—start—Tang blocked again.
“Wait.” Curiosity hooked—could not let go—gripped. “You and her… how together?”
“Isn’t she straight? Bent that fast? So sudden?”
Qi Yu looked up—sighed inside.
Sudden indeed—even if wanted explain—where start.
Lowered eyes—silence—brow knit. “Complicated—can’t say in few words.”
“Anyway… one night she drunk—I took her home… talked a lot… some things happened… ah I don’t know how to say.”
“Tell you later—I’m gone.”
Before Tang reacted—rode off—corner—gone.
Tang stared direction—still shocked.
Drunk? Some things? Don’t know how say?
That meaning?
Uncertain—but only answer fit—why feelings heated so fast.
Fast progress.
Worried long single—no desire—clueless.
Extra worry apparently.
……
Delayed by Tang at door—worried late—sped—school exactly six—gate open—students out.
Parked roadside—among parents picking kids.
Just replied Jiang Ya—looked up gate—tall figure in crowd—walking to her.
Jiang Ya bag—simple tee—jeans tucked—plain—still parents glanced.
Qi Yu met her eyes—warm smile. “Off early today?”
Jiang Ya hand on shoulder—back seat. “Oh forgot tell you—math teacher swapped last period—out early.”
“Oh.” Carrying her—cool wind—Qi Yu curved lips pleased. “Thought you wanted see me sooner—not then.”
Since together Qi Yu changed—once silent—now teasing—no proper air.
At first Jiang Ya shy—could not speak. Week adapted—knew Qi Yu’s game.
Did not answer—straightened helmet—body close back—chin on shoulder. “Drive careful—less talk.”
Qi Yu: “Changing subject again.”
Jiang Ya hand—nails light pinch on arm—“Talk more—you cook tonight—I eat anything.”
Qi Yu: “No no—I’ll shut up.”
Surrendered at once. Her level—unburnt egg lucky—could not head chef—Jiang Ya cooking tonight—did not want lose feast.
……
No.1 Middle near mall supermarket—not far. Chat on way—ten minutes there.
Weekday—few people—staff chatting sometimes.
Qi Yu pushed cart—Jiang Ya memo—tonight ingredients.
Glanced phone screen—smile. “What’s Chef cooking tonight?”
Jiang Ya looked up—thought. “Pickled fish—cola ribs—garlic greens—corn rib soup—enough?”
Qi Yu laughed. “Enough—stuffed.”
Close—bumped shoulder—low laugh. “Feast every day—we’ll be pigs soon.”
“You’re the pig.” Jiang Ya smiled—glanced—fruit aisle—picked orange.
“Fine—pigs are cute.”
Qi Yu hand quietly behind waist—soft pinch—Jiang Ya unprepared—light hum—then shy glare.
Qi Yu withdrew—looked ahead innocent—teasing smile corner.
Ingredients done—early—seasonings low—led Qi Yu to that aisle.
She picked—Qi Yu follower. Beside her—two small bottles—reading labels—focused.
“Right.” Qi Yu stared—hesitated—spoke. “Friend—childhood… Tang Xuejun—remember?”
“Mm remember.” Jiang Ya put chili sauce in cart—turned shelf.
Qi Yu eyes down—pushed cart following. “Told her about us—you mind?”
Jiang Ya on seasonings paused—looked back—smiled. “Of course not.”
“But…” looked at Qi Yu—stopped.
Qi Yu understood—added fast. “Told her don’t spread for now. I know her—won’t gossip.”
“Mm.” Jiang Ya relieved—smile at Qi Yu.
Qi Yu smiled—stepped close—no one around—finger hooked pinky—light shake. “Honestly if you weren’t Qi Xuan’s homeroom teacher—I’d want public—but now is fine too.”
Thought seriously—Qi Wenping Qi Li both hurt by marriage—not feudal—probably support. But Qi Xuan—scare her—or blab at school—hurt Jiang Ya.
When stable—chance to go public.
Jiang Ya stared—blank—saw customer behind—pulled hand free—grabbed random sauce.
“Mm I think… now is good too.”
Eyes flickered—Zhou Lin’s crying flashed—pressed down.
Customer near—did not let Qi Yu speak—gripped wrist—left aisle.
……
Past seven—back apartment.
Jiang Ya cooked—Qi Yu helper—kitchen laughter—hour—hot dishes out.
Three dishes soup table—Qi Yu photo Moments as usual—then ate.
Prophecy true—small appetites—half left—Jiang Ya boxed fridge.
After Jiang Ya lesson plans—Qi Yu chores.
Kitchen done dishes—near nine.
Came out—Jiang Ya sofa—focused computer—fingers dancing keyboard.
Qi Yu quiet—sat beside—side look—unblinking—smiling—deep affection look.
Who could resist.
Two minutes Jiang Ya could not pretend—stopped typing—quick glance—small voice. “Writing plans—don’t look like that…”
Qi Yu laughed—closer—shy face. “You write—I only look—that bothers you?”
“…You…” another glance—pushed glasses—moved computer away—coughed—“Don’t use that look.”
Too lustful.
“What look? Hm?” Unhappy—leaned—moved computer aside—cornered Jiang Ya on sofa.
Bodies close—one above—embarrassing.
Turned face—dared not meet—push weak—like feigned refusal.
“Don’t… I need work.”
“Work over girlfriend? I accuse you—neglect girlfriend—must punish.” Took glasses—cupped face—forced look.
Pinned below—soft—struggle useless—obedient look—weak blink—soft. “What punishment?”
Plan worked—laughed. “Kiss me once.”
“Not face—here.”
Finger on own lips.