Teacher Qin Chapter 7

Chapter 7: So Ugly

During the summer break before her transfer, Qin An’an was practically glued to Qin Qing every day. At first, Qin An’an would leisurely bring along a few English study materials, but after a while, she stopped bringing them altogether. Later on, she even started a side hustle as a matchmaker.

Qin Qing hadn’t thought much of it initially, helping Qin An’an with her studies whenever she could. It wasn’t until she started hearing things that didn’t sound quite right that she put a stop to Qin An’an’s daily visits.

And so, after being barred from entering for three days, Qin An’an finally managed to corner Qin Qing at her doorstep. Qin Qing could only admire her niece’s persistence, wondering what kind of benefits her cousin and his wife had promised this little brat.

Qin Qing picked up the little girl who was staring at her expectantly from the doorway, gave her a frustrated roll of the eyes, and helplessly locked the door. Having been cooped up at home for three days, Qin Qing had intended to go out for a walk today, but she hadn’t expected to run into Qin An’an the moment she opened the door.

Auntie… Qin An’an reached out shyly and tugged at the corner of Qin Qing’s clothes, acting spoiled and delicate. My legs are numb.

She had been squatting for too long, boohoo…

Qin Qing turned around and crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. You still know your legs are numb? I thought you were having a great time squatting there just now. Qin An’an pouted at those words. Qin Qing reached out and took Qin An’an’s hand. Let’s go. They won’t be numb once you move around a bit.

Qin An’an followed Qin Qing with a giggle. Auntie, where are you going?

Could it be…

Qin Qing looked back at Qin An’an and naturally guessed what the kid was thinking. She reached out and rewarded her with a light rap on the head. Stop thinking about nonsense.

Ouch! Qin An’an clutched her forehead in pain, muttering something under her breath. Qin Qing ignored her. The two of them left the residential area one after the other and walked across the sparsely populated Old Plaza. The weather was nice today; there was no rain, and the sun wasn’t too harsh.

Qin An’an boredly kicked a small pebble on the ground. When she casually looked up, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance. That person had their head down, fiddling with something in their hands. There was a small yellow dog by their feet, which was panting and spinning in circles, looking incredibly silly.

Auntie, Auntie, look! Qin An’an ran up to Qin Qing like she was presenting a treasure and pointed in Gu Yuwei’s direction. Qin An’an’s voice wasn’t loud, but in the quiet surroundings, it was particularly noticeable.

Gu Yuwei’s movements paused when she heard the voice. Driven by some unknown impulse, she hopped off the swing and prepared to leave, leading the small yellow dog away.

Qin Qing looked in the direction Qin An’an was pointing, not knowing what to expect, and finally saw Gu Yuwei clearly. Hmm? She’s in my class. By the way, when did you meet her? Qin An’an was at the County Middle School while Gu Yuwei was at the Experimental Middle School; Qin Qing couldn’t figure out how the two knew each other.

Eh, Auntie, you didn’t know? Qin An’an looked at Qin Qing and continued, The bear at the amusement park! It was her! Although it had only been a glimpse, Qin An’an still remembered it when she saw her again. So she’s in your class, Auntie. No wonder…

Qin An’an watched the person leading the small yellow dog.

Qin Qing was stunned for a moment, seemingly recalling Qin An’an’s words. Once she remembered, a look of realization dawned on her face. Qin Qing curled her lips into a smile and stepped forward to call out to Gu Yuwei.

Gu Yuwei’s footsteps faltered. She didn’t know why she felt so flustered, but she turned around with a look of surprise on her face. Hello, Teacher Qin.

Qin Qing nodded and asked casually, Out for a walk by yourself?

Gu Yuwei nodded. Qin An’an popped out from behind and fixed her gaze on the small yellow dog beside Gu Yuwei. Gu Yuwei moved two steps inconspicuously, blocking the sight of a dragonfly with torn wings on the ground.

Hello! Qin An’an waved at Gu Yuwei with a bright smile. My name is Qin An’an. You’re in my aunt’s class, right? Can I call you Yuwei? We’ll be in the same class next semester. You’re the first friend I’ve made at the Experimental Middle School.

Qin An’an’s outgoing nature made Gu Yuwei freeze for a second, but only for a second. In the next moment, Gu Yuwei flashed a smile. Sure! Gu Yuwei pulled the small yellow dog slightly toward Qin An’an. The little fellow was a bit shy. Gu Yuwei said, It looks like you really like dogs.

The small yellow dog sniffed at Qin An’an’s feet. Qin An’an’s smile widened instantly, and she crouched down to pet the dog. So cute! What’s its name?

Qin Qing stood to the side and smiled as she watched the two of them getting along so well. Gu Yuwei also crouched down. Her gaze darkened in a place where the other two couldn’t see as she smiled and stroked the dog’s head. It doesn’t have a name.

Oh? Okay then. Qin An’an was stunned for a moment but didn’t think much of it.

The three people and the dog lingered at the Old Plaza for a while longer, and Qin An’an and Gu Yuwei became increasingly familiar with each other. As the sun gradually began to set, the three of them finally left the Old Plaza, with Gu Yuwei and Qin An’an walking in front and Qin Qing following behind.

Outside the Old Plaza was a road, and across that road was the Experimental Middle School. The three of them stepped onto the crosswalk one after another. The small yellow dog was walking on the side closest to the road when it suddenly broke free from Gu Yuwei’s restraint and bolted toward the street.

Gu Yuwei was the first to react and took off after it. Cars rarely passed on the road in front of the Experimental Middle School, but a bicycle was approaching. Everything happened too fast. By the time Qin Qing and Qin An’an turned around, Gu Yuwei was already sitting on the side of the road, clutching the small yellow dog. A bicycle lay overturned across from them.

The person riding the bicycle was a high school student. He was also dazed by the situation and quickly scrambled up from the ground. He hadn’t been going fast and wasn’t hurt. The student approached Gu Yuwei, looking a bit anxious. Are you okay?

Gu Yuwei looked at the student and shook her head. Her knee seemed to be scraped, and her leg felt a bit weak now.

Yuwei, how are you? Is it serious! Qin An’an supported Gu Yuwei’s shoulder. Qin Qing also came over. Gu Yuwei saw her brow furrowed in concern. Qin Qing asked, Can you still stand up? As she spoke, Qin Qing reached out to help Gu Yuwei.

Gu Yuwei’s leg was weak. Although she didn’t want to be helped, Qin Qing insisted, and there was no other way while they were in the middle of the road. Qin An’an took the small yellow dog from Gu Yuwei’s arms and stepped aside, poking the little fellow’s head with a look of reproach.

Qin Qing supported Gu Yuwei as she stood up and returned to the sidewalk. When the three of them looked back, the high school student had already vanished.

Gu Yuwei didn’t really mind. After a moment of recovery, she could walk now, though her knee was scraped and there was a dark hole in her pants. She couldn’t help but limp as she walked.

What kind of person is that! Hitting someone and then running away! Qin An’an complained indignantly, then asked Qin Qing, Auntie, what do we do now?

Qin Qing’s frown deepened. She pursed her lips and looked at Gu Yuwei. My house is just ahead, and I have medicine there. How about I take you there to treat it first?

Her tone was consultative. Gu Yuwei was enduring the pain; Qin Qing could tell.

Gu Yuwei smiled and took the dog’s leash from Qin An’an, shaking her head. Thank you, Teacher Qin, but that’s not necessary. I’ll just apply some medicine myself when I get back. I don’t want to be a bother. After saying that, she took two steps back and waved at them. Goodbye, Teacher Qin. She then looked at Qin An’an. Goodbye, An’an.

Qin An’an was a bit stunned. She had never met someone like this and forgot to respond for a moment. Qin Qing watched Gu Yuwei’s stubborn movements and hesitated for a while before saying to Qin An’an, It’s getting late. An’an, you go home first. Send me a message when you get there. I’ll walk her home.

It was getting dark, and with that limp, Qin Qing was worried something else might happen to her. After all, she was a student in her class, and this had happened right in front of her eyes today.

Whether for professional or personal reasons, she felt responsible.

Qin An’an snapped out of it and nodded. Only then did Qin Qing turn around and step forward to support Gu Yuwei again. Before she could react, Gu Yuwei was instantly enveloped by a familiar, elegant fragrance. This embrace was still so warm, making her feel a sense of longing.

I’ll walk you back. Qin Qing’s voice came from above, disrupting Gu Yuwei’s dazed consciousness. Gu Yuwei wanted to refuse, but Qin Qing didn’t give her the chance to speak. Don’t say no! It’s dark, and it’s not safe for you alone. Be good.

There was a hint of irritation in her voice.

Gu Yuwei opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t make a sound. Her head, resting against Qin Qing’s shoulder, gave a tiny nod. Thank you, Teacher Qin.

The way back wasn’t long. Gu Yuwei had walked it countless times, but she had never felt it go by faster than this.

An orange light glowed inside the house by the pebble path. Gu Yuwei stopped walking. Qin Qing thought she was uncomfortable from walking in one position for too long and quickly loosened her grip. Does it hurt?

Gu Yuwei was stunned for a moment, then smiled. It’s fine. Gu Yuwei turned to look at the house over there. Teacher Qin, I’m home. She didn’t want Qin Qing to go over there; more importantly, she didn’t want her to see that man. That kind of place was not something she should see.

Qin Qing followed Gu Yuwei’s gaze, thought about it, and nodded. Okay, then I’ll leave you here. Remember to wash the wound with clean water before applying medicine. Don’t let it touch water for the next few days, and don’t run around. Rest well. It will be very itchy when it scabs, but whatever you do, don’t scratch it. Do you understand?

Gu Yuwei agreed, a strange feeling rising in her heart. For as long as she could remember, no one had ever nagged her so much about her health. The number of things the man had thrown at her during his frequent drunken rages was already countless. She had long since become numb; no matter how many wounds she had, she felt nothing.

The girl’s limping figure disappeared under the streetlights. Qin Qing only turned to leave once the distant door opened and the girl went inside.

Gu Tao wasn’t home, which was unexpected for Gu Yuwei. But she didn’t care. After briefly cleaning the wound on her knee, she went back to her room. The sound of the front door came as Gu Tao walked in. He glanced toward Gu Yuwei’s room and then sat back on the sofa, carrying a plastic bag.

Inside the plastic bag were two bottles of liquor and a pack of cigarettes.

Gu Tao popped a cap and tilted his head back to take a swig, his cloudy eyes narrowing. That woman… who was she?

Over the next few days, Gu Yuwei didn’t go to the Old Plaza again, but she didn’t stay home obediently as Qin Qing had said either. After all, she couldn’t stand staying there. The wound on her knee gradually scabbed over. Gu Yuwei felt the uneven texture of the scab and tore a hole in it. A bright red liquid seeped through the crack.

Gu Yuwei wiped the liquid away and lowered her pant leg, unwilling to look any longer.

So ugly—