The Night is Called Gentle - Chapter 27

So be it, then. “Yan Huaiqing, Yan Huaiqing. Don’t stop me Let her come out Let her explain herself how she schemed against me with her vicious tricks.”

“Yan Huaiqing, Climbing up by stepping on the broken bones of your fellow disciple, How dare you do it but not own up to it? Hiding from me can you hide from your own conscience?”

“Yan Huaiqing Come out and face me Shameless! Do you think no one knows how this theater was built?”

“I know everything you’ve done. Heaven has seen it too you’ll die a wretched death.”

“Yan Huaiqing, you’ll descend into the eighteen layers of hell you’ll descend into the eighteen layers of hell.”

The theater’s layout and glass materials were specially designed for excellent soundproofing, keeping noise to a minimum. It wasn’t until they reached the first floor that the clamor from outside the courtyard began to seep in.

The curses were torn and hoarse, yet piercingly sharp, cutting through the security guards’ attempts to block and the layers of discouragement for onlookers, reaching the eardrums of everyone in the first-floor lobby, causing a visceral discomfort.

The content was repetitive and illogical, as if the person cursing was shouting each word purely on instinct, like performing a daily, monotonous task.

Yan Huaiqing wanted to raise her hand to cover Lin Zhixia’s ears, but the other had already instinctively moved first, reaching out to shield her and stepping in front.

Her sense of vigilance was strong, yet she didn’t crane her neck to see what was happening outside. Instead, like a bodyguard, she silently protected her toward the parking area on the other side.

They walked in silence.

Everyone they encountered along the way seemed to take it in stride, merely mentioning that they would try to persuade and reconcile again.

They smoothly got into Lin Zhixia’s car.

With the doors locked, shutting out the eighteen layers of hell, the two sat in silence for a while.

Outside the window, the evening sun dipped westward, stretching shadows infinitely long. The Awakening of Insects had passed, and beneath the grayish-green shadows of the distant barren hills, dormant insects were breaking through the soil.

“Did it scare you?” Yan Huaiqing turned to look at Lin Zhixia, who was gripping the car door tightly.

“I’m not afraid. Teacher Yan, I once read in a book that women, being responsible for reproduction, are incarnations of the goddess Nüwa from birth. No matter how many evils they commit in life, they will not descend into the eighteen layers of hell after death. So, there’s no need to be afraid.”

What an extraordinary way to offer comfort. Yan Huaiqing laughed. “Do you also think I’ll go to hell?”

“So be it, then. Heaven isn’t perfect why not create an ideal hell instead? I’ll go down with you.” Lin Zhixia declared earnestly.

“Are you an idealist?”

“Ideals endure there’s no shame in that.”

In this exchange of questions and answers, it was as if Lin Zhixia were the one being cursed, the one who needed to explain herself. She was quietly helping Yan Huaiqing to shift emotions and stress.

Yan Huaiqing fell silent for a moment, leaning her head back against the passenger seat, her eyes downcast as she asked softly, “After hearing all those ugly words, Teacher Lin, are you still willing to treat me to a meal?”

Lin Zhixia grasped the steering wheel and smiled. “Teacher Yan, would you like to come to my place for dinner? I only know how to make a dish or two, but we can always order takeout.”

“I’d be honored to enjoy takeout personally selected by Teacher Lin.” Yan Huaiqing turned her face toward her, a slight smile playing on her lips.

After fastening her seatbelt, Lin Zhixia started the car and took a side route home. Her driving skills were rather lacking she missed several turns at intersections and ended up veering farther and farther off course.

“Seems like Professor Lin owns quite a few properties. Are you taking me to your third home?” Yan Huaiqing glanced back at the intersections they had passed and asked.

Lin Zhixia grew flustered, her eyes darting between the side mirrors. “I usually take just one route home a single turn to the neighborhood entrance. But there are too many cars on this road; I can’t manage the lane change.”

Ah, so she didn’t know how to change lanes. Yan Huaiqing raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I’ve heard that driving, cooking, and singing are all controlled by the same part of the brain. Take your time, Professor Lin, no rush.”

“Professor Yan, please don’t laugh at me. When I’m driving, my brain can’t multitask,” Lin Zhixia retorted anxiously, accidentally switching on the wrong turn signal and stomping on the brakes a few times.

Normally, drivers tend to give way to luxury cars worth millions, but Lin Zhixia’s masterful braking skills earned her a series of honks from the car behind.

She grew even more flustered.

Yan Huaiqing remained reclined in the passenger seat, calmly observing the road.

“Check the left mirror, turn on the left signal, give a little gas, and merge next to that white car.”

Lin Zhixia complied.

“Let the red car behind pass first.”

Lin Zhixia tapped the brakes to slow down.

“Speed up and merge now.”

Lin Zhixia accelerated and turned the steering wheel.

“Red light.”

Lin Zhixia hit the brakes.

Just like that, she followed Yan Huaiqing’s instructions like a little puppet, maneuvering the car all the way home.

What a relief she let out a long sigh after parking the car.

“You’ve worked hard, Professor Lin,” Yan Huaiqing said, unbuckling her seatbelt and sharing in her relief.

Lin Zhixia’s mind suddenly sharpened again, and she felt a wave of embarrassment. “My driving isn’t great. Sorry you had to see that, Professor Yan.”

“Truly not great,” Yan Huaiqing remarked humorously. “I almost thought you were deliberately driving poorly to make me feel better.”

Hearing her lighthearted tone, Lin Zhixia gave an awkward laugh. She wished she could have done that, but the moment her hands touched the steering wheel, her brain seemed to shut down.

Still, each of them had now embarrassed themselves once, so neither could laugh at the other. In a way, it worked out.

Together, they waited for the elevator, pressed the button, stepped out, unlocked the door, and entered the apartment.

Yan Huaiqing’s expression remained calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Unlike Lin Zhixia, she didn’t scan the unfamiliar surroundings with curious eyes.

After changing her shoes, she simply sat quietly on the sofa, taking in the meticulously organized, orderly, and rigidly structured home.

You really can’t judge a book by its cover this girl had turned her home into an exhibition hall.

Gazing at the perfectly coordinated wall hangings, decorative items, and shelves filled with peculiar curios, Yan Huaiqing kept her eyes steady, careful not to disrupt the arrangement.

“Professor Yan, please don’t laugh. My home is just a bit cluttered and packed with things. But it’s actually very casual and free you can do whatever you like here.”

Lin Zhixia poured a cup of tea and placed it on the table. Even the teacup was perfectly square.

Yan Huaiqing smiled at the cup. “It does feel free a methodically organized kind of freedom. Once you get used to it, it must be quite comfortable.”

Lin Zhixia grinned sheepishly, kneeling on the rug nearby and looking up at her. “Professor Yan, is there anything you’d like to eat? I can try to cook, or we can order takeout if it doesn’t work out.”

She was trying to be considerate of her guest’s feelings, but the other woman didn’t seem to have any particular emotions to speak of.

“Aren’t you going to show me around your exhibits first?” Yan Huaiqing gestured with her hand.

“Professor Yan is interested?” Lin Zhixia’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Very interested.” Yan Huaiqing lifted her gaze and took a preliminary look around.

“Come quickly.” Lin Zhixia swiftly stood up, pulling her from the sofa and leading her on a haphazard tour of the house.

She knew every item what it was called, how she acquired it, the stories behind them, and why they were arranged the way they were like a seasoned tour guide.

Yan Huaiqing was gracious, lingering in each area for a while and even picking up a few items to examine.

In this home, only the kitchen and master bedroom were closed off; the rest of the spaces were semi-open and interconnected, creating a scene at every turn. The more familiar it felt, the more comfortable she became.

As they passed by the kitchen door, Yan Huaiqing asked softly, “Xiaxia, do you have groceries in your fridge?”

“Yes, but probably not as well-stocked as yours, Professor Yan.” Lin Zhixia opened the kitchen door and asked, “What would you like to eat? I can order it online it’ll be delivered quickly.”

“Can I cook myself?” Yan Huaiqing’s gaze drifted past her, settling on the refrigerator.

“No, you can’t.” Lin Zhixia hurriedly stepped in front of it. The Lin family had basic principles it wouldn’t do to have a guest cook their own meal.

“Professor Lin’s refrigerator looks quite expensive. I’m curious can’t I even take a look?” Yan Huaiqing eyed the fridge magnets, which were far more valuable than the fridge itself, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Lin Zhixia slowly lowered her hand and proudly began introducing the fridge magnets. Each one was collected from various places, and every one held special meaning.

“So, Professor Lin, what are you planning to cook for me? I can assist you.” Yan Huaiqing tapped a magnet from a food-themed series as she asked.

Lin Zhixia unconsciously opened the fridge to inspect its contents. Before she could even get a clear look at the ingredients, she heard a soft “Hmm” beside her ear, and Yan Huaiqing listed off the dishes.

“Shredded potatoes with chili peppers, scrambled eggs with chili peppers, stir-fried pork with chili peppers, stir-fried tofu with chili peppers Professor Lin, is your ultimate sense of security hidden in the fridge chili peppers?”

This,

Why does this person always like to turn others’ words back on them?

Lin Zhixia explained, “The chili peppers were brought by the cleaning aunt from the countryside yesterday. She said to give them to my mom, but since my mom is traveling, I had to store them in my fridge.”

“I see. So, what is Professor Lin’s specialty dish and her sense of security?” Yan Huaiqing glanced from the fridge to her.

Lin Zhixia opened the fresh produce compartment and chuckled, formally introducing: “Poached shrimp. Just boil them in water, and they’re ready to eat. It’s my specialty and my ultimate comfort food.”

Yan Huaiqing nodded and took a step back. “Alright, start cooking then.”

“Ah? Isn’t that a bit too casual?” Lin Zhixia felt awkward.

“Though it might not be enough to fill me up, I don’t mind you serving just this one dish to entertain me.” Yan Huaiqing blinked at her and suggested, “However, you could also let me assist you and make a couple more dishes.”

“Alright.” Lin Zhixia was easily persuaded and took a step back.

Truth be told, she quite enjoyed cooking with Yan Huaiqing, even if it usually ended with her being the assistant.

The warmth of a home’s hearth soothes the ordinary soul, and the kitchen is the perfect place for casual, heartfelt conversations.

“Professor Yan, would you like to tell me about that woman’s story?” Lin Zhixia asked, her back turned as she washed vegetables. The sound of running water muffled the bluntness of her question.

“Do you want to hear my side of the story?” Yan Huaiqing carefully sliced the potatoes into thin strips.

Lin Zhixia unhurriedly drained the vegetables, placed them beside the cutting board, then leaned against her from behind as if bracing herself, watching her chop.

“I don’t care for others’ words I only want to hear Teacher Yan’s one-sided account.”

“Can I? Can I? Can I?”