Chapter 107: Teacher Cheng Plays Dirty

The room was silent; Cheng Chen and Yan Danchen sat facing each other, he tightly holding her hand.

Her palm was pale and soft as boneless flesh; after struggling briefly, Yan Danchen could not pull her hand free from Cheng Chen's large grip.

She lowered her head shyly, a blush creeping up her ears.

Cheng Chen gazed at her tenderly, his voice slow and steady:

"Chenchen, be my…"

"Ding ling ling!"

A shrill sound shattered the quiet.

Cheng Chen's phone rang.

The atmosphere, the emotion—all perfectly set—just right—then ruined by this random phone call.

It felt like having just bathed, lying in bed ready to get moving, when the vice squad burst in…

The phone kept ringing insistently.

Cheng Chen took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and decided that whoever called, he'd start yelling at them!

He glanced at the caller ID—unknown number?

Cheng Chen, furious, hung up immediately!

"Chenchen…"

"Ding ling ling!"

Same call—again, the caller refused to give up.

Cheng Chen stared at the number, thinking of just turning the phone off.

"You should answer the call first; we can talk later…"

Yan Danchen kept her head down, speaking in a whisper.

Since the person involved had spoken, Cheng Chen had no choice but to press answer—though his tone was sharp:

"Hello, who's this?!"

"Pū chī."

Seeing Cheng Chen's furious expression, Yan Danchen suddenly burst out laughing.

If they're calling you, who else would they be looking for?

Cheng Chen glanced at Yan Danchen, his fingers tracing her palm; she tried to pull away but was held fast,

so she pouted and shot him a glare.

This man was young, but so domineering!

"Oh, it's Director Zhang—I'm sorry, I was just busy…"

Cheng Chen instantly changed his tone, becoming calm and composed.

This man couldn't be insulted!

"Yes, yes, I'm still in Sha City; He Jiong told me, but I'm tied up for now."

"Hmm, how about tomorrow at noon? I'll treat you, I'll treat you—today was really awkward, so tomorrow it's a date, don't go anywhere, you go ahead…"

After hanging up, Cheng Chen sighed.

How could he have forgotten? When the recording of "Kuai Ben" ended, He Jiong had told him their Dazongyan and deputy station chief wanted to have dinner with him.

But the moment he saw Yan Danchen, he completely forgot.

Fortunately, Director Zhang understood and invited him to lunch tomorrow to discuss things.

Indeed, women only slow down my sword-drawing speed!

"What happened?"

Yan Danchen asked with concern.

Cheng Chen recounted the day's events; after hearing it, Yan Danchen blamed herself:

"I was there too, yet I completely forgot to remind you—I'm sorry."

Hearing this, Cheng Chen smiled:

"What are you talking about? It has nothing to do with you—I forgot myself."

"But won't you offend Xiang Province Station over this?"

Cheng Chen waved his hand:

"No way—they're not that petty. Besides, even if I did offend them, so what? Xiang Province Satellite TV is still too young to threaten me."

"Good."

Yan Danchen exhaled in relief, patting her chest.

Looking at her lovely face and her bosom, Cheng Chen swallowed hard, then ventured:

"Shall we continue?"

"Huh?"

This question left Yan Danchen stunned.

But Cheng Chen was the type who had to finish what he started today—or he wouldn't sleep at night.

"Yan Danchen, be my girlfriend!"

Still holding her small hand, Cheng Chen said it with all his courage.

"Ah!"

Yan Danchen covered her burning face with her other hand, shy and flustered—his burning gaze made her heart pound wildly, her mind going blank…

"Can you?"

Watching her adorable reaction, Cheng Chen's heart stirred, pressing on.

"I… I'm actually older than you…"

Yan Danchen extended her palm, five slender fingers like spring onions.

She was born in 1978, five years older than Cheng Chen, who was born in 1982.

If you add traditional age counting from her family's custom, she's six years older than Cheng Chen.

People say, "A woman three years older brings golden bricks."

But a woman five years older? That's like an old mother—so ugly to hear!

Cheng Chen thought Yan Danchen would reject him, but when he saw her hold up five fingers, he instantly understood.

"What's there to fear? In the entertainment industry, couples aren't just five years apart—some are ten or twenty years apart. What's this to us?"

Cheng Chen reassured her.

The truth is, Brother Hou Yong is over twenty years older than his last wife.

How many years older is Uncle Wu from Longliqi than Shi Shi? How many years older is Kai Zi than Da Mimi?

There are plenty among female stars too—like Genshuo and Li Jie, who are seventeen years apart.

Hmm, his name's pretty popular with fans…

And what about Xiao Yaxuan's happiness? How many girls can truly understand that?

So age is truly not a problem!

But Yan Danchen is conservative; in her view, a man can be older than a woman—like her father, who is three years older than her mother.

But if a woman is older than a man… rumors will spread, and they won't be nice.

Besides, Cheng Chen is only in his early twenties. If she said yes, she'd always feel guilty.

For example…

Yan Danchen looked at Cheng Chen seriously and said slowly:

"I'm nearly five years older than you, and if a woman doesn't take care of herself, she'll age faster than a man.

Once we're married, the age gap will become more obvious—and when I'm too old to walk,

I'll only be able to sit in a wheelchair, watching helplessly as you dance with some younger old lady…

Just thinking about it, I can't say yes to you!"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen nearly burst out laughing, but seeing her serious, almost angry expression, he forced himself to hold it in.

This girl thinks way too far ahead—I've just confessed to you, and you've already planned where we'll be buried.

But he knew this was Yan Danchen's view of love: conservative, earnest, and once she fell for someone, she'd never let go.

Thinking of this, Cheng Chen suddenly had an idea. He smiled and asked:

"Do you have a guitar at home?"

"In the inner room."

Yan Danchen grew angrier and more sorrowful the more she thought.

Though five years isn't much, for elderly people, it's almost a new look every year.

When they grow old, Cheng Chen really might, as she imagined, use his sturdy body to chase after younger old ladies.

So when Cheng Chen asked to borrow an instrument, she didn't even look up, lost in her own thoughts…

"Zeng~"

The sound of a guitar string plucked—Yan Danchen lifted her head.

Without her noticing, Cheng Chen sat across from her, holding a guitar.

His fingers brushed the strings, producing a clear sound. Then, Cheng Chen closed his eyes, plucked the strings, and softly sang:

"When you are old and your hair is white, sleep heavy with drowsiness.

When you are old and can no longer walk,

Dozing by the fire, recalling your youth.

Many have loved your moments of joyful grace,

Loved your beauty, false or true.

But only one still loves your soul's devotion,

Loves the wrinkles on your aged face…"

To answer Yan Danchen's fears, Cheng Chen directly sang "When You Are Old."

Indeed, the literary girl Yan Danchen was instantly captivated by Cheng Chen—her eyes reddened, filled with awe and emotion.

"The wind brings me word of you—this is the song in my heart.

When I am old, I truly hope this song is sung for you…"

This song was adapted by Zhao Zhao from the Irish poet Yeats's poem "When You Are Old."

The arrangement is plain, without climax; its impact after listening is no different from hearing a poem recited.

But it was precisely this sincere expression, delivered in Cheng Chen's soft singing, that gently unfolded the passage of time between youth and age.

Strictly speaking, "When You Are Old" was Zhao Zhao's song for his mother.

But Yeats's original intent was to dedicate it to the woman he secretly loved, expressing his unwavering devotion.

So when Yan Danchen heard this song, she was moved more by the emotion Cheng Chen conveyed through music than by the song's origin.

"Was this song written for me?"

After Cheng Chen finished singing, Yan Danchen asked, her face filled with emotion.

Cheng Chen shamelessly nodded and said:

"Don't worry about the age gap between us. We're like Yeats's love for Maud Gonne—pure and sincere. Yan Danchen, be my girlfriend, okay?"

Cheng Chen looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Yan Danchen nodded vigorously, her heart's knot untied, and she gladly agreed with joy.

Cheng Chen pulled her into his arms; warm jade in his embrace, her faint scent continually drifted into his nose, stirring his heart wildly…

Cheng Chen cupped her small face and kissed her directly…

"Mmm~"

But this kiss was only a light taste; Yan Danchen immediately pulled her head back, her face flushed red, eyes hazy as she gazed at Cheng Chen.

"Um, I'll—I'll wash the dishes first…"

Saying that, she fled toward the kitchen like a runaway; Cheng Chen, however, stretched his arms out and lay arrogantly on the sofa, watching her panicked back with quiet delight…

"Um… you sleep the sofa tonight, I—I'll sleep the bed."

After everything was tidied up, Yan Danchen came before Cheng Chen and stammered out.

"Ah, no way, I'll freeze to death sleeping on the sofa."

Winter in Sha City was damp and cold; sleeping on the sofa meant waking up frozen solid in the night.

"There's air conditioning and blankets…"

"My dear Yan-jie, you're from Xiang Province—don't you know air conditioning only works in summer and does nothing in winter!"

Cheng Chen made an exaggerated expression, feigning a pitiful, wounded look.

"Then what do you want me to do!"

Yan Danchen stamped her foot in anger.

"I want to sleep the bed."

Cheng Chen said, being utterly shameless.

"Fine, you sleep the bed, I sleep the sofa."

Yan Danchen nodded in agreement.

"No way—what if you catch a cold? Absolutely not."

Cheng Chen shook his head like a rattle drum.

"But there's only one bed…"

"Then we'll just sleep the same bed!"

"Absolutely not!"

Yan Danchen flatly refused.

But when she saw Cheng Chen's pitiful expression, her tone softened and said:

"You're still too young… we can't… ah, it's decided—I'll sleep the sofa, you sleep the bed!"

You say I'm young?

Cheng Chen laughed bitterly at her words, but when he saw her return to her room and bring back a cotton quilt, he surrendered and said:

"Fine, if you catch a cold sleeping on the sofa, I'll be heartbroken. Go back to your room and sleep—before I change my mind, hurry!"

"Alright, these are the thickest quilts I have at home—shouldn't be too cold tonight. Goodnight."

Yan Danchen said as she made up his bed.

Cheng Chen said nothing, but pointed to his lips.

"Hm?"

Yan Danchen looked at him, puzzled.

"Goodnight kiss."

Cheng Chen crossed his arms and said shamelessly.

Yan Danchen rolled her eyes, then reluctantly pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

But Cheng Chen suddenly turned his head—this kiss landed squarely on his lips.

Yan Danchen's face turned blood-red; she covered her mouth, muttered "Rogue!" under her breath, then turned and fled back to her room.

She reached the door, then suddenly turned back to warn:

"Don't you dare do anything tonight—I'm locking the door! If you come over, you're a beast!"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen suddenly recalled a little story about "worse than a beast."

Now that you say that, if I don't do anything tonight, I won't be able to explain myself to you tomorrow!

…

That night, Cheng Chen tossed and turned on the sofa, unable to sleep.

It wasn't particularly cold—just… his heart was itchy.

He quietly got up, crept carefully toward Yan Danchen's bedroom door, hand on the knob but not turning it.

The girl had indeed locked the door.

But Cheng Chen had prepared in advance—he pulled out the spare key to the bedroom.

There were four keys to the bedroom, all on one keyring.

While she was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, he stole one key and kept it on him—now it was perfectly useful…

After opening the bedroom door, Cheng Chen crept silently toward the bed…

"Mmm…"

Yan Danchen murmured in her sleep.

Cheng Chen immediately slipped under the covers…

"Ah, Cheng Chen, don't tickle me—hahaha, you're still young, hahaha…"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen's heart flared with anger—why did this girl keep saying he was young?

Forget it—he gritted his teeth and hugged her tightly…

……

The next day, when Cheng Chen groggily woke up, he saw Yan Danchen holding a pair of scissors in front of him……

"What are you doing!"

Cheng Chen instantly sobered up, staring in horror at the scissors in Yan Danchen's hand.

"None of your business!"

Yan Danchen shot him a look, then walked toward the bathroom with something bunched up in her hand.

Only then did Cheng Chen notice that a large patch had been cut out of the bedsheet with the scissors.

"Hehe……"

Looking at the tattered bedsheet, Cheng Chen laughed foolishly.

"Stop laughing like an idiot, get up and come eat breakfast……"

Yan Danchen called out from outside.

Cheng Chen stretched lazily, refreshed and clear-headed as he got out of bed.

Outside the sunlight was just right, and at the dining table the radiant Yan Danchen was busy preparing breakfast for him.

Once upon a time, Cheng Chen had seen this very scene in his dreams, but upon waking it had all been nothing but a moonlit flower reflected in water.

But now it was different — the woman before him was someone he could see and touch, someone who truly and tangibly existed.

Cheng Chen walked up behind Yan Danchen, pulled her into his arms in one swift motion, and whispered softly by her ear:

"You've worked hard, Little Chenchen……"

"Are you trying to kill me……"

Yan Danchen seemed to think of something, her pretty face flushing crimson as she buried her head deep against his chest……