Sang Xiao left in a huff.
She had given out “Good Kid” certificates to all the children at the kindergarten, and everyone was happy—except for Sang Xiao. She had mischievously given one to Kuang Qingshang, but Kuang Qingshang actually wanted it. This put Sang Xiao in a dilemma, so she asked Bian Yan for advice on what gift to give in return.
If they were an ordinary married couple, Bian Yan would have certainly suggested: if you can’t think of anything, just give yourself. When in doubt, solve it in bed. For example, whenever Xu Jia and her wife encountered this problem, Bian Yan always gave the same advice. This gift, though perfunctory, was effective.
However, Sang Xiao and Kuang Qingshang’s situation was different. Bian Yan thought for a long time but ultimately let Sang Xiao decide for herself, though she offered a lot of references. Giving a gift in return basically boiled down to either catering to the recipient’s preference or being perfunctory by returning a different item of the same category as the original gift.
Catering to her preference? Sang Xiao didn’t have a clue what Kuang Qingshang liked. She had previously thought Kuang Qingshang liked playing basketball, but Feng Shu said she wasn’t that keen on it.
Sang Xiao finally chose to be perfunctory. Kuang Qingshang had given her a necklace jewelry, so she decided to return an accessory: a watch.
The advertisements often said that a watch was the standard for successful people, and Kuang Qingshang had been going out with Feng Shu quite often lately.
Sang Xiao gritted her teeth and pulled out her private savings, resolving to buy a watch that was roughly the same price as the necklace. She felt indignant, though, thinking, Doesn’t Kuang Qingshang know that kindergarten teachers don’t earn much? Giving me such an expensive necklace—my little stash has taken a huge hit.
Sang Xiao found time to go with Bian Yan to a specialty store, and after much deliberation, she finally selected a beautiful ladies’ watch that was similar in price to the necklace.
Sang Xiao happily planned to find an opportunity that evening to give the watch to Kuang Qingshang, thereby settling their score. However, after work, Teacher Kang called Sang Xiao over, saying he wanted to treat her to a meal and had something he needed to discuss with her.
As a private kindergarten, Morning Star Kindergarten occasionally had team-building activities where everyone would go out to eat together, and the atmosphere was good. One of the major reasons Sang Xiao liked her job, besides the adorable children, was the nice atmosphere in the school.
But Sang Xiao didn’t have much private contact with her colleagues. She decisively rejected Teacher Kang’s dinner invitation and told him to just say whatever he needed to say directly.
By the time Sang Xiao left work, there was almost no one left in the kindergarten. The two of them stood at the entrance, with Sang Xiao waiting for Teacher Kang to speak.
Teacher Kang looked outraged, as if he had a lot to say, but didn’t know where to start. He finally stammered out what he thought was a perfect opening.
“Teacher Sang, is your financial situation not very good lately?”
Huh? How did he know?
Sang Xiao was extremely shocked. Although she was past the age of asking her family for money, her parents knew her salary was low and would give her an allowance. She had always been very frugal, and aside from necessary expenses, she had saved up all the money over the years for a rainy day, so her little stash was quite full. However, buying the watch for Kuang Qingshang had certainly depleted it a bit. Although not a lot, Sang Xiao was heartbroken. As a kindergarten teacher with a low income, she treasured every penny in her wallet, especially the part she had earned herself. Even the rest of the money, though in her hands, felt unsettling, as if she would have to pay it back eventually.
Seeing Sang Xiao’s expression, Teacher Kang knew he had guessed correctly.
It really is like that. It actually is like that.
This question had been bothering him for over two months. During that time, he had been trying to verify it. Sure enough, he had seen Sang Xiao being picked up multiple times in a luxury car, which was completely inconsistent with her usual spending.
He had even seen a woman who was clearly not their age come to pick Sang Xiao up last time.
Teacher Kang tried to maintain a normal tone and said, “If you’re really short on money, I can lend you some.”
Sang Xiao was very puzzled. She had just thought Teacher Kang was just saying that, but it seemed he genuinely believed she was very short of money. Did she look that poor? She refused, saying, “Thank you, but I’m not that short of money.”
If she were really in need of money, she would turn to Bian Yan, her parents, or, if absolutely necessary, Kuang Qingshang. There was no way she would ask Teacher Kang, who was only a colleague.
Teacher Kang, however, was very serious and earnest. Perhaps he was too anxious, and his voice was a bit strained as he whispered, “Sang Xiao, you can’t go on like this.”
Sang Xiao: “???”
Although Teacher Kang was sometimes childish and a bit melodramatic, pretending to transform with the kids, he couldn’t be like this—speaking without head or tail. Sang Xiao’s tone was also not very pleasant as she asked, “What did I do?”
She had always been a law-abiding, upstanding citizen. Given Teacher Kang’s tone, anyone would think she had broken the law. And who was he to her? How dare he speak to her like that?
Sang Xiao believed the most unconventional thing she had done recently was give Kuang Qingshang a “Good Kid” certificate.
Teacher Kang said, “I saw everything.”
Sang Xiao: “???”
Teacher Kang stammered out what he had seen, and then repeated his offer: “If you need money, you can come to me. My family is reasonably well-off, and I have a little bit of savings.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
She finally understood. All the stammering from Teacher Kang was just his way of trying to persuade her to “return to the right path.” The “older woman” he referred to must be Feng Shu.
Feng Shu had promised Kuang Qingshang that she would look after Sang Xiao, and occasionally came to pick her up on weekends to go home for dinner. Sang Xiao had a very good impression of Feng Shu, but she never expected the other party to be equated with the stereotypical greasy old man who keeps a young woman.
Why was Teacher Kang’s first reaction when he saw her riding in a luxury car that she was being kept? Sang Xiao tried to imagine it. If she saw Teacher Kang suddenly being picked up in a luxury car, she would only think he might be a hidden rich second generation.
Are men really like the ones described in male-focused web novels, where most have a complex about ‘saving fallen girls’?
Sang Xiao couldn’t help but make a generalization. She had a pretty good impression of Teacher Kang before, despite him being occasionally childish.
In short, Sang Xiao was speechless.
She disliked this kind of prejudice.
Even though Teacher Kang’s intention was almost entirely good, that goodwill was built on prejudice against women.
Sang Xiao stepped back a bit, frowning, “Is that how you see me?”
“I…” Teacher Kang stammered. He knew that when such things were exposed, the other party would be ashamed and angry, but in his fantasy, the one stammering should have been Sang Xiao, not him.
Sang Xiao, however, was persistent and demanded an explanation. Although she was not tall, her imposing manner was not weak at the moment.
Kuang Qingshang was late today. As soon as she arrived, she saw Sang Xiao confronting a man at the kindergarten entrance. Sang Xiao’s face was cold, and she looked like she was determined to settle something. Sang Xiao usually looked soft and easy to bully, but at this moment, she was very serious and stern.
Kuang Qingshang narrowed her eyes as she looked at the man. She opened the car door and took a few steps to Sang Xiao’s side, asking softly, “What’s wrong?”
Sang Xiao didn’t even have the extra emotional energy to be surprised by Kuang Qingshang’s arrival; she just said, pouting, “Nothing.”
They were talking about this kind of subject in a tug-of-war manner. If someone heard them, they would be misunderstood. If no one heard them, they would still be misunderstood. Sang Xiao now thought Teacher Kang was truly childish.
As soon as Kuang Qingshang arrived, Teacher Kang’s attention was drawn to her. After all, it was rare to see such a tall person in real life, and she was also very beautiful with a unique presence.
Teacher Kang asked, “Who is this?”
Sang Xiao’s face was cold, and she didn’t want to talk to him.
Kuang Qingshang reached out and put her arm around Sang Xiao’s shoulder, pulling her into an embrace. Her tone was flat as she said, “I’m her wife. May I ask who you are?”
Teacher Kang: “…”
Knowing that Teacher Kang’s initial intentions were good, Sang Xiao tried to save him from being too embarrassed. She gave him a way out, saying, “Teacher Kang, I think you must have misunderstood. My… ahem… my wife and I have a perfectly legitimate marriage certificate. It’s not the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.”
Kuang Qingshang frowned, a hint of danger in her eyes, but she said nothing.
Teacher Kang was too embarrassed to face anyone.
Why? Was it a mistake? How could it be a mistake?! He had clearly sought verification for over two months! Plus, Sang Xiao had always appeared to come from an ordinary family, and the car she usually drove was a very cheap one, so he had… considered the wrong angle.
“Sorry,” Teacher Kang mumbled as he slunk away, his retreating figure radiating despair. Before deciding to talk to Sang Xiao, he thought he was a savior. Now that he realized everything was just a misunderstanding, he was nothing but a clown.
Kuang Qingshang released Sang Xiao. “Let’s go.”
After getting into the car, Sang Xiao was still angry. How could Teacher Kang wrongfully accuse her without knowing the facts? Although she didn’t care about his opinion, she had been wrongly accused!
She was clearly married—she had gotten married on her parents’ arrangement without any emotional foundation or knowing Kuang Qingshang, simply and haphazardly. She was already quite upset about this, but now, merely because Kuang Qingshang didn’t show her face when picking her up, she was considered to be kept? Kept by her wife? And Feng Shu had been dragged into it, too.
Sang Xiao was sulking.
Kuang Qingshang already knew the gist of what had happened and asked softly, “Still angry?”
Sang Xiao nodded. “Mm.”
Kuang Qingshang thought for a moment and said earnestly, “I apologize. It’s all my fault. I’ve been too busy before, making your marriage feel like you’re not married at all.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
She quickly shook her head. No, no, she wanted exactly this effect of being married but feeling like she wasn’t. Kuang Qingshang definitely shouldn’t change anything.
“I will come pick you up more often from now on to fundamentally prevent this kind of misunderstanding, but I will have to leave before long.” Kuang Qingshang actually wanted to ask Sang Xiao why she hadn’t mentioned she was married, but she could also understand why.
Sang Xiao waved her hand. “No need. I plan to drive myself after this. No need to trouble you.”
Kuang Qingshang looked puzzled. “Why?”
For freedom, of course, Sang Xiao thought. When Kuang Qingshang picked her up, she had to obediently follow her home and would feel nervous the whole way. But if she drove herself, she could go wherever she wanted, free as a bird.
Besides, Kuang Qingshang was very busy, and Sang Xiao worried that picking her up would delay her important business. As someone who liked to keep things even, Sang Xiao disliked owing anyone a favor.
Sang Xiao made up an excuse: “My car is too cute; it would be a pity not to drive it.”
Kuang Qingshang looked quietly at Sang Xiao but ultimately didn’t refute her. She just nodded solemnly. “Mhm, mine isn’t cute.”
Sang Xiao: “…”
Have you ever been cute?