#59: Bite Marks

Cheng Wanyue knew her father’s temperament well. Sure enough, the next morning at breakfast, his attitude toward Qing Hang was different from the day before.

As Yang Huimin had said, a foster son becoming a son-in-law still meant they were family—and even closer. There was nothing wrong with that.

Cheng Guo’an wasn’t worried about much else, but one practical issue remained: if Qing Hang stayed in Beijing, a long-distance relationship could strain their feelings. Cheng Wanyue would likely move to be with him.

Though transportation was convenient and marriage was still far off, he had never wanted his daughter to marry far away.

They returned to Beijing that afternoon. Cheng Wanyue and Qing Hang took a flight, while Cheng Yanqing stayed in Nanjing to finish his holiday. After seeing Huo Zhi off, he would return to work. He drove, and Meiqiu accompanied him.

Cheng Guo’an dropped the two off at the airport but didn’t ask Qing Hang if he planned to relocate.

He felt it was too early to put such pressure on Qing Hang.

With Cheng Yanqing still in Nanjing, Cheng Wanyue lived alone without much food at home. So after landing, she dragged her suitcase straight to Qing Hang’s place.

Cheng Wanyue’s work schedule was flexible, but Qing Hang was always busy. Yet all his free time was spent on her.

They were like when they first met—quarreling over small things but quickly making up every time.

That morning, Qing Hang had been invited back to his alma mater for an academic lecture and hadn’t gone to the hospital. He began changing clothes only after Cheng Wanyue returned from the studio. He dressed very formally.

Cheng Wanyue watched him tie his tie, then bend down to pick up his watch from the bedside table and fasten it around his wrist.

His figure was tall and strong, not frail. In just a black shirt, he exuded a youthful charm, but with his suit jacket on, he appeared mature and steady. As he walked toward her, the look in his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, easily made her mind wander.

But he had important matters to attend to—he wouldn’t have time for her.

“A thirty-minute lecture and thirty minutes for questions—it’ll be over in just over an hour,” Qing Hang said as he approached her. “Do you want to come with me?”

Cheng Wanyue’s eyes lit up. “Can I?”

“No one says you can’t. It’s in the student auditorium—I’ve reserved a seat for you.”

“And what about you?”

“I’ll stand.”

“This topic is so specialized—I won’t understand it.”

“Many students won’t either. Most are just there to listen casually for credits. Sitting among them, you’ll blend in as a student. If you get bored, just play with your phone—it’ll pass quickly.”

Since coming to Beijing, Cheng Wanyue had visited many places but hadn’t yet been to Qing Hang’s alma mater.

She didn’t have anything important to do that evening, so it seemed like a good idea. “If other teachers or your junior classmates ask who I am, what will you say?”

Without hesitation, Qing Hang replied, “Family, girlfriend.”

“Then I should change into something more formal too,” Cheng Wanyue said, dressed casually since she wasn’t taking photos that day.

“This is perfect,” Qing Hang leaned down to kiss her dimple. “Spend an hour with me, and after it’s over, I’ll get a tattoo.”

On his chest was a bite mark—her doing from last night.

And so, Qing Hang brought Cheng Wanyue to the school. At around six in the evening, the campus was bustling with students, likely just finishing dinner.

High schools were strict with rules, but universities were much freer. As soon as she entered the gate, Cheng Wanyue saw several couples. Had she and Qing Hang not separated, they might have been one of those student couples dating on campus.

A male student from the student council came running up to greet them—he was there specifically to escort Qing Hang.

Qing Hang was familiar with the school and didn’t need guidance. Cheng Wanyue listened as he explained the names of various roads, which statues represented whom, the significance of certain monuments, and which windows in the cafeteria served the best dishes. It felt like they toured the entire campus.

After finishing her simple dinner, Li Yu hurried to the auditorium. In front of the large hall was a vast lawn where Cheng Wanyue squatted under a tree playing with a cat, while Qing Hang stood nearby holding his laptop and her bag.

“Qing Hang, you’re here.”

Qing Hang turned around. “Senior Sister.”

Cheng Wanyue greeted Li Yu first. “Hello.”

Li Yu nodded at her. “Let’s go in together—it’s about to start.”

Qing Hang needed to go backstage to adjust his PowerPoint presentation, so he led Cheng Wanyue to her reserved seat. “All the reserved seats are in the front row. Sit next to Senior Sister.”

“That’s fine—I can sit anywhere,” Cheng Wanyue took the seat to Li Yu’s left. “Go prepare.”

Before heading backstage, Qing Hang left his phone with Cheng Wanyue. He habitually set it to silent, and she did the same with hers.

Li Yu was in charge of this semester’s academic lectures and had invited Qing Hang. She introduced him at the beginning and would moderate the Q&A session afterward.

The stage lighting was ordinary, but Qing Hang shone brightly under it.

The applause in the auditorium echoed. Cheng Wanyue picked up her phone, and just as she opened the camera, Qing Hang glanced her way. She captured his smile at that exact moment.

Li Yu suddenly understood Qing Hang—not everyone standing side by side belonged to the same world.

Cheng Wanyue harbored no ill will toward her—never had. When she saw that jade pendant, she was only angry and didn’t utter any disparaging or mocking words. Though she might not have fully understood Li Yu’s introduction, she still clapped, acknowledging and appreciating her.

Though she still didn’t know what Qing Hang saw in Cheng Wanyue, she was certain she hadn’t lost too badly.

People always felt不甘 losing to someone inferior.

Qing Hang said, “Wanyue hasn’t eaten yet, Senior Sister. Let’s go—we’ll leave the rest to you. You’ve worked hard today.”

“The one who worked hard is you,” Li Yu paused, her gaze turning to Cheng Wanyue. “Wanyue, I owe you an apology. I acted poorly last time—I’ve reflected on it. Those words were too narrow-minded.”

Cheng Wanyue smiled. “I’ve already forgotten about it.”

“I truly admired Qing Hang,” Li Yu said frankly. “After you two got together, I only saw him as a friend. I hope you don’t look down on me.”

“Of course not,” Cheng Wanyue took a brooch out of her bag. “By the way, here’s a small gift. Thank you for taking care of Qing Hang.”

In the end, Li Yu accepted the gift.

The evening breeze was cool. As they stepped out of the auditorium, Qing Hang took off his coat and draped it over Cheng Wanyue’s shoulders. He asked when she had bought the brooch.

Cheng Wanyue hummed softly, refusing to tell him.

She had bought it while shopping with a colleague yesterday—it caught her eye, though it didn’t suit her style. During the Q&A session, the pearl on Li Yu’s brooch fell off, reminding Cheng Wanyue of the one in her bag.

After the lecture ended, many students poured out of the auditorium.

Amidst the chatter, Cheng Wanyue turned to look. Qing Hang was an outstanding graduate of his class and had assisted his professor in teaching lab classes before graduation—it was normal for students to recognize him.

Several male students ran past, teasingly asking, “Senior, is this your girlfriend?”

Qing Hang smiled. “Yes.”

“Many seniors and juniors come back to take wedding photos on campus. Will you two come back to do that when you get married?”

“That depends on her.”

They discussed scenic spots on campus. Listening, Cheng Wanyue realized her past regrets weren’t so significant anymore.

Qing Hang took her to the cafeteria for dinner, then to a tattoo shop.

In the dim evening light, the bite mark on Qing Hang’s chest was barely visible. The shop owner, unfazed, suggested Cheng Wanyue bite again.

As the tools were being sterilized, Cheng Wanyue—who had no concept of “shyness”—pulled open Qing Hang’s shirt and leaned in. But just before biting, she hesitated.

“What if you regret it someday?”

“I won’t regret it. Go ahead.”

“Without the right mood, I can’t bring myself to do it,” Cheng Wanyue joked, recalling her high school nickname, “Little Dog Cheng.” But she didn’t have a habit of biting people randomly. “Or… maybe I’ll apply some lipstick and leave a lip print instead?”

The shopkeeper lifted the curtain and went inside to fetch something.

Qing Hang picked up his suit jacket from Cheng Wanyue’s shoulder and draped it over her head, completely covering her face before leaning down to kiss her.

Earlier, she had drunk a bowl of osmanthus rice wine, and the taste of flowers lingered in her mouthwash.

The kiss wasn’t gentle, but its intent was clear. Only when Cheng Wanyue couldn’t breathe did she push Qing Hang away and bite his chest.

The shopkeeper returned with the tools. Qing Hang unbuttoned his shirt and sat on the couch.

The bite mark was fresh. Throughout the tattoo process, Qing Hang didn’t make a sound. However, Cheng Wanyue asked many questions. The shopkeeper explained that the pain felt like being pricked by needles.

She thought, it must have hurt quite a bit.

The year she was hospitalized, she had many IV drips, switching from her left hand to her right, and then back again.