In order to create a certain atmosphere, Xu Qingzhu also turned off the living room lights.
Seeing that she was dressed lightly, Liang Shi got up to close the window and then went to the bedroom to get a blanket.
Xu Qingzhu asked her, "Aren't you going to cover yourself?"
Liang Shi shook his head expressionlessly: "I'm not cold."
“Cover yourself up when you’re scared,” Xu Qingzhu said. “Otherwise, you’ll feel the cold seeping into your body.”
Liang Shi shook his head again: "It's okay, I'm not afraid."
The television was dimly lit, while a strong wind blew outside, rustling against the windowpanes. A mournful sob came from the television, followed by the sound of high heels on the marble floor.
Tap, tap—
Xu Qingzhu, already covered with a blanket, began to read with a blank expression.
Liang Shi glanced at the television, then secretly looked at Xu Qingzhu, and realized he couldn't be afraid.
Therefore, she tried to avoid making large physical movements.
Twenty minutes later, Liang Shi sidled up to Xu Qingzhu.
Xu Qingzhu remained expressionless, watching the strange little ghosts on TV as if they were dolls, showing absolutely no reaction.
Liang Shi was always startled when he saw the terrifying-looking little devil appear unexpectedly.
So she and Xu Qingzhu grew closer and closer.
Xu Qingzhu suddenly asked, "Teacher Liang, are you scared?"
Liang Shi: "...I'm afraid you'll be scared."
Xu Qingzhu: "Oh~"
You could sense Xu Qingzhu's subtle sarcasm in her drawn-out tone.
But Liang Shi did not go far away.
The scenes on TV became increasingly frightening. In an empty, deserted room, the protagonist stood alone in a room filled with eerie green light, as if something terrifying could appear at any moment.
With each new person appearing, Liang Shi moved a little closer to Xu Qingzhu.
...
Then suddenly a female ghost in red with long hair appeared on the TV, catching everyone off guard with a close-up shot.
Liang Shi hugged Xu Qingzhu tightly, burying his head in her neck and smelling the fresh scent of oranges in her hair.
Xu Qingzhu was so choked she could barely breathe, but she patted Liang Shi's shoulder lightly.
Liang Shi: "Teacher Xu, if you're so scared, why don't you just turn it off?"
Xu Qingzhu: "..."
She chuckled softly, "Okay."
Only after turning off the TV did Liang Shi feel like he had come back to life.
She ran to the kitchen, drank a whole glass of water, and took several deep breaths. After calming herself down, she walked out again. All the living room lights were on, restoring the bright atmosphere to its former state.
Liang Shi said earnestly to Xu Qingzhu, "Teacher Xu, one shouldn't be too thrill-seeking in life, don't you think?"
Xu Qingzhu nodded: "Teacher Liang's teaching is correct."
Liang Shi: "..."
She always felt that Xu Qingzhu was being sarcastic or sarcastic towards her.
But in life, who doesn't have something they're afraid of?
However, Liang Shi felt a little guilty. Xu Qingzhu was originally sad and probably wanted to relieve her mood with a horror movie, but she got so caught up in the movie that she turned it off.
Liang Shi tentatively suggested, "How about we turn on the lights and finish watching what we've seen before?"
Xu Qingzhu shook her head: "I'm not watching."
Liang Shi hesitated: "Are you angry?"
Xu Qingzhu looked at her in surprise: "Huh?"
"No," Xu Qingzhu denied. "Why would I be angry?"
Liang Shi apologized in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I'm not used to looking at these things."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Xu Qingzhu smiled. "Pour me a glass of water, I have something to tell you."
Liang Shi had a feeling that it was only now time to get down to business.
Instead of pouring water, she heated up a cup of milk for Xu Qingzhu.
After a long while, Xu Qingzhu finally composed herself and said, "Su Zhe came to find me."
Liang Shi was shocked: "He's looking for you? Is he here to warn you?"
"No." Xu Qingzhu smiled. "He asked me if I wanted to go back to the Su family?"
...
Xu Qingzhu succinctly recounted to Liang Shi what had happened more than twenty years ago.
Liang Shi subconsciously touched the bracelet on his wrist.
That was given to Su Yao by Old Madam Sheng, which means that the other party was once overjoyed and ready to accept this daughter-in-law.
Unexpectedly, Sheng Qinglin's death triggered so many changes.
Liang Shi asked Xu Qingzhu, "What are your plans?"
"I'll go home tomorrow," Xu Qingzhu said. "I need to hear what other people have to say."
"Do you need me to come with you?" Liang Shi asked gently.
Xu Qingzhu shook her head: "No need, weren't you planning to go to the orphanage tomorrow?"
“We can go another day, if you need me,” Liang Shi said. “I’ll go with you.”
"No need." Xu Qingzhu shook her head calmly, having composed herself. "Go ahead and do your thing. You can't help me with this."
Liang Shi: "..."
"Xu Qingzhu, am I particularly useless in your heart?" Liang Shi suddenly asked gently, with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Xu Qingzhu was taken aback: "What are you talking about? Are you still drunk?"
"No," Liang Shi said, "I just feel like I can't help you with anything."
"How could that be?" Xu Qingzhu said, "You were the one who found out about this first, and Teacher Liang, how do you think you can help me with these family issues that are entangled with past grievances?"
Liang Shi: "..."
"Then I should at least do something for you," Liang Shi said. "You look too..."
Fragile yet strong.
Xu Qingzhu blended these two qualities very well.
It's quite heartbreaking.
I wanted to do something for her, but I felt powerless.
"Your noodles and milk tonight were both very good." Xu Qingzhu's lips curved up, and she said gently, "At a time like this, having someone give me a bowl of steaming noodles and a cup of hot milk is the greatest help. Thank you, Teacher Liang."
As she spoke, she bent down and gave a perfunctory bow.
Liang Shi: "..."
“Teacher Liang,” Xu Qingzhu suddenly raised an eyebrow, “are you trying to get praise while you’re drunk?”
Liang Shi: "No! That's not true! Impossible!"
He tried very hard to deny it three times in a row.
Xu Qingzhu smiled and said, "Okay, I understand. Teacher Liang's noodles were delicious tonight, and I'm very full."
Liang Shi: "..."
It always makes my ears burn when I hear it.
"Oh, right." Xu Qingzhu picked up the milk and got up, intending to go upstairs. Before turning around, she patted Liang Shi on the shoulder. "Teacher Liang is very opinionated, has high aesthetic standards, and is very considerate of others. I entrusted the entire burden of finding a house to Teacher Liang out of unconditional trust."
"Also, Teacher Liang is extremely useful," Xu Qingzhu continued. "Without Teacher Liang, how could I maintain my composure while watching horror movies?"
Liang Shi: "...!!!"
After Xu Qingzhu finished speaking, she went upstairs.
Liang Shi realized this belatedly and suddenly smiled as he watched her retreating figure.
Although she was subjected to sarcastic remarks, Xu Qingzhu should have adjusted her mood.
//
To prove that he wasn't actually that scared, Liang Shi sent Xu Qingzhu a list of horror movies before going to bed.
It was meticulously prepared, and the stills and synopsis look quite frightening.
Liang Shi: [Professor Xu, you can read this slowly if you can't sleep.]
Xu Qingzhu: [...]
Liang Shi: [If you're scared, you can call me.]
Xu Qingzhu: [...]
Liang Shi: [If you're really scared, then come to the living room... I can come too.]
Xu Qingzhu: [I don't know what to say.jpg]
A few seconds later, Xu Qingzhu sent a 3-second voice message, her voice tinged with amusement, her cool tone rising to a tender and alluring tone, "Teacher Liang, go to sleep, goodnight."
Liang Shi: "..."
She listened to the voice message three times, then her fingers trembled as she tapped the screen: "Okay, Teacher Xu, goodnight."
//
The next day was a sunny day.