The man in the photo has somewhat familiar features. Qi Yan felt that she might have seen him the moment she saw the photo, but the man didn't have a specific impression in her memory. Hearing what Niu Niu said, she suddenly felt a thunderbolt falling on her body, she was in a daze. Right then, Lu Zhiqiao came back.

Looking at each other, Qi Yan suddenly had an impression in her mind. She stared at Lu Zhiqiao, vaguely feeling a sense of similarity, and then fell into chaotic thoughts, ignoring the panic that flashed in the woman's eyes.

Lu Zhiqiao's expression was a little stiff, and the corners of her mouth quickly deepened, with a smile in her eyes, she entered the room calmly, glanced at the cabinet casually, and smiled: "Little girl, eat less snacks, I've already hid them in the cabinet, and you still found out."

As she spoke, she casually tidied up the things the girl dug out, stuffed the stack of photo frames back into the cabinet, and closed the cabinet door.  Then she straightened up, turned her head to look at Qi Yan, her eyelashes trembled, and smiled: "Did you come back with Niu Niu?"

The two were very close, their arms rubbing against each other, so close, Qi Yan felt more like it, she frowned slightly, her lips moved, and when she was about to speak, Lu Wei interrupted loudly: " Mom, I came back earlier than Teacher Qi, how could we be together."

Qi Yan looked sideways, the little girl grinned, and looked at her without blinking, as if observing, she turned her gaze back, and said with a smile: "I had a meeting after class, I just came back, I thought you were working overtime again, you didn't reply to my WeChat.”

Her heart fell heavily.

How did this child learn to lie? As a teacher, of course, she could not help the student to hide the truth from the parents, but if she did not keep her word, would the child hate her? No longer trust her? And then affect her relationship with Lu Zhiqiao......

She quickly dismissed the idea. She believed that Lu Zhiqiao had her own ability to judge. Instead of thinking about this unwarranted, she better worry about Lu Zhiqiao's reaction after learning about the incident earlier. This woman loves her daughter like her life. Last time, when she consulted her in the office, the woman was paranoid to death. Right now, she has no conclusive evidence. If she rashly tell her, it will arouse Lu Zhiqiao's panic for no reason.

Worse, she may beat the child again.

In case there is nothing going on with the two children, and just a case of  adults overthinking and overreacting, this may backfire.

Qi Yan was conflicted and looked at Lu Zhi Qiao anxiously, forgetting about the photo frame for a moment.

"I got too busy in the afternoon, I didn't have time to look at my phone..."

Lu Zhiqiao didn't notice it, she smiled apologetically, and her tone was unconsciously coaxing, revealing the shyness of a little girl, and said after explaining: "However, I came home as soon as I finished my work. It's not six o'clock yet."

Seeing her like this, Qi Yan was suddenly elated, raised her eyebrows, couldn't hide the lingering joy in her eyes, and smiled lightly: "Okay, I forgive you."

"Then do you want to eat here for dinner?" Lu Zhiqiao blushed inexplicably, raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and asked in a low voice.

Qi Yan didn't speak, turned around with a smile and went into the kitchen, answering her with actions.

....

The two adults were busy in the kitchen, while Lu Wei went to her room to do her homework. Seeing that the door to the second bedroom had been closed for a while, Qi Yan became more and more apprehensive. She was stir-frying vegetables but she was so distracted she neglected the pan.

"The water is almost boiled dry." Lu Zhiqiao was cutting vegetables beside her, raised her eyes and glanced at it, put down the kitchen knife quickly, and poured some water into it.

Qi Yan came to her senses, did not speak, and flipped the spatula twice.

She was absent-minded, her expression was somewhat grave, and her frowning brows never relaxed. Lu Zhiqiao noticed just now, but hesitated whether to ask, thinking that if it was a private matter, she is not qualified to ask.

If she wants to talk, she will naturally talk.

"Shall I fry it?" She stretched out her hand to pick up the spatula, and her fingertips inadvertently touched the back of Qi Yan's hand. The steaming heat and the warmth of her skin made her shrink back like an electric shock.

Qi Yan didn't move, her lashes trembled slightly, her brows furrowed even deeper.

"What's wrong with you?" Lu Zhiqiao couldn't help asking.

Then she saw the woman raise her head, a trace of determination flashed in her deep pupils, and said in a serious tone: "There is something I want to tell you."

"What?"

"I lied to you just now..." After finishing speaking, Qi Yan looked down at the pan, and seeing that it was almost done, she turned off the fire, put the dish aside, and wiped her hands.

Lu Zhiqiao hung her retracted hand in mid-air, froze for two seconds, then slowly dropped by her side, closed her eyelids, feeling a little heavy in her heart, but didn't respond and just waited for her to continue talking.

The range hood was left on, and the noise was just enough to cover up their voices.

Qi Yan explained everything perfectly.

"I'm mainly worried about your drastic thoughts. After all, I don't have conclusive evidence. If you misunderstand...and you are so busy with work, you'd worry about these things. I..." She grabbed Lu Zhiqiao's hand, her tone was weak, her eyes were half aggrieved and half ashamed.

Lu Zhiqiao pursed her thin lips tightly, her expression was always indifferent, and she couldn't tell whether it was happiness or anger.

Back when she lied to Qi Yan, she felt that this person was making a fuss out of a molehill, but now that she has been lied to once, she now knows how uncomfortable it is. What Qi Yan said was not wrong, just now when she heard her daughter and male classmate sneaking around, her mind was full of those frightening news, she almost turned around and rushed out, but fortunately Qi Yan held her hand, which made her restrain herself.

Calm down and think about it carefully, Qi Yan's words are also reasonable, if there is no evidence to act rashly, it will only startle the snake, and maybe push the child into the fire pit instead.

Those girls who have gone nowhere in the news, without exception, are caused by their parents not teaching them well, which led to disasters.

But just because she is not impulsive, doesn't mean that she is not in a hurry. In comparison, Qi Yan's lie did not make her that uncomfortable.

At least she knows how to confess.

"I was wrong." Qi Yan thought she minded, and realized that she shouldn't justify herself, so she hugged her and coaxed her softly: "I really know I was wrong, I will never lie to you again."

"For the sake of my timely confession, please be lenient, huh?

"Qiao Qiao~"

The cringey call made Lu Zhiqiao feel goosebumps all over her body. She gently pushed Qi Yan away, turned her face away, "For the time being, pay more attention to Niu Niu and that classmate Wang, and I will try to spend more time at home.”

She is not as polite and careful as she used to be when talking to Qi Yan now. The truth is, she still feels uncomfortable in her heart, but knowing that Qi Yan cares about this, she even refrained from saying thank you for a long time.

Qi Yan felt it, so she got a little comfortable. She grabbed Lu Zhiqiao's hand and kissed it, wrapping it in her palm, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them. Then you have to pretend you don't know, don't sell me out.

The temperature in her hand was burning, Lu Zhiqiao couldn't help shrinking back, and was caught by those charming amber eyes, "Do you care about your image in Niu Niu's heart?"

"Of course." Qi Yan looked at her deeply, "I treat Niu Niu as my own daughter."

A pair of narrow and sharp eyes, like the sparkling wine in a glass, every time she looks at Qi Yan, Lu Zhiqiao can't help but feel flustered, and it's also the same when they first met, it must be something that attracted them to each other a long time ago.

She loves her eyes. Lu Zhiqiao thought.

However, the second half of Qi Yan's sentence pulled her back from her thoughts. It seemed that there was nothing wrong with it, just loving the house and the crow*, but she vaguely felt that this was not going to work. There were hidden dangers lurking in invisible places.

*means that because you love someone, you also love the crows in their house. It is a metaphor to love a person and care about people or things related to them

Qi Yan is a teacher, so partial to her child, because of love. Like most parents, she could only wish for it, but because of reason, it shouldn't be.

"Don't be too nice to Niu Niu..." Lu Zhiqiao said sullenly.

Qi Yan's eyes lost their luster in an instant, and murmured, "Aren't you going to let me do this?"

"No..." Seeing how quickly she was depressed, Lu Zhiqiao panicked and said incoherently, "I, I'm worried about you—"

Her voice stopped abruptly.

Realizing what she had said, her heart beat violently, she pursed her lips, and said no more.

However, Qi Yan seemed to change her face, burst out laughing, and raised her eyebrows: "Huh? What are you worried about?"

"..."

"Say it quickly, or I'll kiss you."

Lu Zhiqiao pursed her mouth even tighter, almost in a straight line, she would rather die than say anything. So her cheek was nibbled gently, lips moved slowly along her cheekbone to her tear mole sucking lightly.

Liking someone, unconsciously, joy and sorrow surrounds her, and she holds the switch that controls her heart, whether she is to be happy or sad. She can't help but decide for herself.

Everything is voluntary.

….

The matter of her daughter made Lu Zhiqiao worry for days. Her head was in turmoil and she was busy with work. Until it was finally Friday. She calmed down and remembered that she hadn't seen Qi Yan for two or three days.

Since returning from vacation, the two families have dinner together almost every day, either at 901 or 902. But since Wednesday, Qi Yan said that she was a bit busy, eating in the cafeteria at noon, eating outside at night, returning home at 9 o'clock at night, and preparing for lessons.

Even so, she did not forget to report to her on WeChat about her daughter's situation at school--no change for the time being.

She didn't bother.

Two or three days suddenly became very long, as if two or three years had passed.

There is always some itching in her heart, and once she relaxes, she will always think of that person when she eats and drinks. In the past, she was like a machine, living and working just to complete tasks, but now she has a little more concern for no reason, and she is affected by everything, looking forward to it, but she can't explain why.

The setting sun streams in through the windows, making the office warm and bright. Lu Zhiqiao sat in a chair in a daze. After a while of work, she suddenly felt flustered when she was free. She swiped her phone boredly, wanting to see what was going on in Moments. She tapped into WeChat, but involuntarily opened Qi Yan's chat box.

The orange cat avatar, weird and cute.

She isn't aware that Qi Yan has a cat, maybe it was raised by a friend.

Lu Zhiqiao curled the corner of her mouth, looked through the pitifully few chat records, and guessed that this person should be in class, so she quit and entered Moments and swiped two or three movie messages in a row, and she became curious.

The movie released just two days ago, a mystery thriller movie, has a good rating and reputation, and many people are reposting recommendations.

It's been a long time since she went to the movies.

It's not interesting to be alone, she'd take Lu Wei, but that child doesn't like to watch this kind of film.

The orange cat avatar flashed in her mind, Lu Zhiqiao paused, and suddenly had a strong impulse, her heart felt like it was being eaten by thousands of bugs, it was crisp and itchy.  She accidentally entered Qi Yan's chat box, typing slowly...

[Do you want to go to the movies?]

After editing, she hesitated and didn't send it for a long time, and her eyes sank a little bit.

Would this kind of invitation be too ambiguous?

There have been so many blush-inducing memories between them, but it doesn't mean she got used to it. She was obviously so conflicted and anxious, and didn't think clearly at all, so she couldn't give Qi Yan any wrong signals.

However, if Qi Yan invited her, the situation would be different.

How does she get Qi Yan to invite her?

Lu Zhiqiao deleted the text, exited the chat box, and shared a movie ad with two words: I want to watch it.

The moment she pressed 'post', her fingers trembled slightly, her deep breath was stuffed in her throat, and she spit it out slowly, her heart was beating wildly, and the blood ran up her cheeks with heat, making her a little dizzy.

--boom

She lost her grip on the phone and dropped it on the table. She hurriedly picked it up, put it aside, patted her face with both hands, and got up to go to the bathroom.

The toilet is on the other side, and she has to go through the entire departmental office area that occupies the first floor. Lu Zhiqiao kept her pace and tried to keep her face calm. She met a few staff members who greeted her along the way. She looked back calmly and felt much better, so she continued to the toilet.

"vomit--"

There was a woman leaning against the washstand, clutching her stomach and retching, Lu Zhiqiao was taken aback, looked carefully, and frowned: "Manager Chi?"

The woman immediately straightened her back, turned her head and was stunned. Manager Chi quickly took out a tissue to wipe her mouth, and smiled awkwardly: "Director."

"You..." Lu Zhiqiao looked her up and down, "Are you all right?"

"I'm okay, maybe I've eaten something bad." Chi Nian's hair was disheveled, and her eyes were slightly bloodshot, and anyone could see that she was forcing a smile.  "I'm going back to work first."

After speaking, the woman hurried out like a ghost was chasing her.

Lu Zhiqiao froze for a while, unable to tell what was strange, so she couldn't help thinking about the scene at the Lantern Festival, and wondered what Qi Yan said to her friend. But when she thought of Qi Yan, she remembered her WeChat Moments again, and her mood that had just slowed down boiled again.

....

In the last class this afternoon, the school arranged for the homeroom teachers of the first year to give a health lecture in each class, and handed out popular science manuals on relevant knowledge, as well as a big gift bag of sanitary products for the girls.

Qi Yan, a gorgeous "maiden", spent half an hour lecturing the children about their physiology. The boys and girls below listened with interest, one by one, with a look as if opening a door to the new world. If it weren't for the two boys who happened to be playing with condoms this morning, she might've believed it.

The condom was taken from home, filled with water and made a hole, playing as a pinball.

An "experienced" person like Qi Yan even blushed a little when she saw it. However these kids didn't take it seriously, giggling and joking around.

Of course she has to tell the parents.

Qi Yan likes calling out parents the most.

After school, she returned to the office, sat down to drink some water and rested. All the other teachers did not change their faces or their heart beat, they were quite experienced veterans who have long seen no surprise. Everyone chatted for a few words and got ready to get off work one after another.

This week is very busy, participating in various teaching and research activities, and also bringing in intern teachers. Fortunately, it is the weekend and she can rest for two days.

Qi Yan opened WeChat, glanced at the replies from the parents of the two boys, said some polite words, and clicked into Moments habitually, unexpectedly the first one was Lu Zhiqiao's post

She froze.

Lu Zhiqiao's Moments has always been boring, full of work messages, and rarely posts other content, but today she reposted a movie ad.

Like a little wolf dog who smells the smell of meat, she is only keenly aware of opportunities, so she didn't think too much. She opened an app and booked two tickets for the evening, took a screenshot, sent it, and then typed.

[Want to go to the movies? My treat]

[Just the two of us.]

With particular emphasis.

After two or three days of busy work, like two or three years later, her heart is like being scratched by a cat's paw. Qi Yan can't wait to create a world for two people, even if it's only for a few minutes, or just say a few words alone.  But if Lu Zhiqiao wanted to take her daughter, she would not refuse.

The most important thing is that the person is happy.

There was no reply until Qi Yan returned home, and the phone screen lit up, it was a message from Lu Zhiqiao.

[Okay.]

This simple word was rather cold, but they didn't extinguish Qi Yan's enthusiasm and anticipation, on the contrary, the fire burned even more vigorously. The corners of her mouth curled up, and she sent an emoji, then entered the house with her mobile phone in her arms, shook off her shoes, threw away her bag, let out a low-pitched scream, and collapsed on the sofa.

Biting her lips, she stared at the ceiling.

Why is Qiao Qiao  so easy to talk to?  She thought, her heart suddenly sour.

It's just two people watching a movie, she is too excited, but she can't help but be excited, all her emotions are controlled by that person, she has the final say. Even so, she felt it wasn't enough.

Going to the movies with someone you like has a different meaning, with a sense of sacredness and ritual.

Is this a date?

....

After having dinner at home, Qi Yan and Lu Zhiqiao lied about having something to do and they went out together.

Qi Yan drove the red LaFerrari. The streets were lined with bright lights, and the cool sports car was speeding in the night, and the roar of the engine frequently attracted attention.

Lu Zhiqiao sat quietly in the passenger seat, her eyes were as calm as water, and the colorful lights from the street came in through the window glass, making it much darker, slightly reflecting the imperceptible curvature of the corners of her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the person beside her. Her gaze fell upon the pair of hands on the steering wheel.

Ten fingers, thin and slender, glistening white; beautiful hands.

Extending only further within the limit of her line of sight, unless she turns head to see more. Lu Zhiqiao clenched her fists and didn't move. She turned her eyes and looked forward. The distance was shortening bit by bit. She had never had such a great sense of expectation.

Despite the turbulent waves in her heart, her face remained calm.

The theater is located in the commercial square in the city center. Because it was Friday, there were many people, most of whom were young couples, in batches. Qi Yan was afraid of making Lu Zhiqiao uncomfortable because of the crowd so she asked her to wait in the corner, and went to line up to get the tickets by herself.

Although the line was long, it moved forward very quickly. After a while, Qi Yan came back with the tickets, and saw Lu Zhiqiao obediently standing in the corner waiting and her heart softened all of a sudden.

"Want popcorn?" she asked softly, handing over a ticket.

Lu Zhiqiao took a look, raised her eyes, and looked blank for a moment. The impression was that it was something that only children would eat, and it didn't feel clean. She subconsciously wanted to shake her head, but suddenly, a strong milky scent entered her nose, a young couple came over and stopped in front of the claw machine next to her, the girl was holding a large bucket of popcorn in her arms, the scent came out of the bucket.

"Let's catch this Kumamon!" The girl's voice was crisp and sweet, with a coquettish tone.

The boy had his arms around her shoulders, smiled dotingly, and stuffed two game coins into the machine slot. At this time, the girl reached out and grabbed two or three popcorns, brought them to his mouth, and fed him gently and carefully.

Lu Zhiqiao was in awe for a moment. Staring at the two of them.

From the beginning to the end, Qi Yan's gaze followed her, so she turned her head following her gaze, and naturally saw it too.

There was a thud in her chest.

Qi Yan turned her eyes back and looked at Lu Zhiqiao, with eyes suddenly full of tenderness, she gently grabbed Lu Zhiqiao's hand, and pulled it into her arms, the woman came back to her senses, turned her head, and met her burning gaze.

"Let's go get some popcorn."

"……okay."

There is also a long queue at the counter selling snacks, so there is enough time to wait.

Qi Yan led Lu Zhiqiao through the crowd, and stood at the back of the line, with her hands on either side of her shoulders, carefully protecting her in front of her, but paying attention to keeping a little distance so as not to appear too close.

The line is moving forward slowly, and there are more and more new people queuing up behind, and the surroundings are buzzing like a vegetable market. Lu Zhiqiao has a bit of a headache. She actually doesn't like the noisy environment. Being here will only make her flustered, anxious and restless.

Suddenly, she was caught by both hands.

A ball of warm stuff got into her palm, slowly combed her curled five fingers, then slipped into the gap between her fingers, clasped them tightly, and the two strands of warmth pressed together.

Lu Zhiqiao's body trembled, she shrank her fingers, felt the slight burning temperature in her palm, the anxiety in her heart gradually receded, and soft light shone in her dark eyes.

Her back also felt warm.

She felt protected, cared about, nervous, and a little bit thrilled about doing bad things in public.

Qi Yan bought a large bucket of popcorn, but because Lu Zhiqiao said she would not drink milk tea, she only bought one for her. There are still fifteen minutes before the movie starts, and the two are standing at the ticket gate, Qi Yan is holding milk tea in one hand, Lu Zhiqiao is holding popcorn in the other, and the two are still holding each other's hand tightly with the other empty hand.

Lu Zhiqiao doesn't know if it's because of the heating or some other reason, but her face was very red, like a beautiful peach blossoms that bloomed that night when she was drunk, and her palms were also damp, sweating constantly.

Her heartbeat was so fast that she felt like she was going to drop dead, her breathing was erratic, and she didn't dare to look at the person beside her.

A strong buttery fragrance entered her nose, and her lips were touched by something hard. Lu Zhiqiao hurriedly looked down, it was popcorn. She was taken aback, and the moment she raised her eyes, she saw Qi Yan looking at her tenderly. She smiled and said, "Eat one."

Thinking of the young couple just now, her mind buzzed, and she was a little at a loss.

Then, like a ghost, she opened her mouth and ate the popcorn. Her lips accidentally touched Qi Yan's fingers. She forgot to chew for a while, and the taste remained on the tip of her tongue, full of fragrance.

Qi Yan grabbed another one and put it into her own mouth, chewed and giggled while chewing.

Seeing her happily chewing, Lu Zhiqiao started chewing too, and the two swallowed almost at the same time.

The ticket check started, and Lu Zhiqiao's mind froze. She quickly broke away from Qi Yan's hand, and walked in the front with the popcorn bucket in her arms. After the ticket check, her steps were big and fast, and her figure disappeared in the auditorium after a while...

Mystery thriller, the plot is very fascinating and even some scenes are a bit scary.

The closed and dark space was almost full. The two sat in the middle of the last row. Lu Zhiqiao was immersed in it as she watched, completely forgetting the existence of the people around her. Everytime she sees the tensed scene, she would grab a popcorn and ending up eating almost all of it.

The feeling of thirst pulled her thoughts out of the movie.

Regretting that she didn't buy something to drink just now, how could she have thought that she could eat so much popcorn, she turned her head to look around, and saw a cup of milk tea with a straw in her hand, she was stunned for two seconds, and then remembered that Qi Yan bought it.

Evidently had been drunk.

Qi Yan was also concentrating on watching the movie, but she wasn't absorbed in it. She was always paying attention to the person beside her. Seeing Lu Zhiqiao staring at her milk tea, she knew she must be thirsty, so she picked it up and handed it over.

In the darkness, Lu Zhiqiao's softly contoured side profile was dyed pale by the light from the screen, and the tear mole at the end of her eyes also showed its charm.

She looked at the milk tea and didn't move for a long time.

Qi Yan's arms stiffened, and suddenly remembered something, stretched out her other hand to peel off the plastic seal, exposed a hole, and said softly, "It won't be dirty when you drink it this way."

Subconsciously, the mouth is always one step ahead of the brain.

She said she was dirty.

However, she was right, who would want to eat other people's saliva? Of course it's dirty.

The light on the screen dimmed, and the self-deprecating smile on the corner of Qi Yan's mouth disappeared without leaving a trace.

"It's okay, no need." Lu Zhiqiao took the milk tea, held the straw in her mouth without hesitation, took a big sip, and then leaned back in the chair.

At this time, the light became brighter again.

She looked calm, with a slight smile in her eyes.

Author's Note:

=3=Yanyan, why would Ma Ma think you are dirty~

[I feel a little uncomfortable, I will ask for leave tomorrow (31st), I'm sorry, bow.jpg]