An Hao went upstairs alone, she knocked on the door gently and heard footsteps coming from inside.
Then the door opened, revealing the smiling face of Cheng Yu.
"An Hao, you’re here! Come in, I have everything ready," said Cheng Yu, her smile warm and welcoming, yet not overbearing.
"Ms. Cheng!" An Hao apologetically stood at the door and said, "I’m sorry, but something came up today, so I won’t be able to enjoy the coffee you made by hand. I specifically came to apologize and thank you!"
"What’s so urgent?" A hint of disappointment appeared on Cheng Yu’s face.
An Hao felt embarrassed to say that she was going shopping and watching a movie with her husband instead of having coffee with her, so she made up an excuse: "It’s not particularly urgent, just that it’s rare for us to have a day off, and the elders at home would like us to visit."
"You’re not staying at the school?" Cheng Yu asked, and then as if suddenly remembering something, she said, "Yuyu has told me about you, mentioned that you’re already married."
"Yes. So..." Drinking coffee was a leisurely activity, could she just sit down, finish the coffee, and leave right away?
Moreover, Cheng Yu looked like someone who valued ambiance, and she would probably prepare some small pastries as well, right? By the time they had eaten and drunk, the whole morning would be gone.
"Alright then." Cheng Yu saw An Hao’s dilemma and didn’t press the issue, as it was meant to be a gesture of gratitude. If it made the other person feel forced or constrained, that would not be good, "Since that’s the case, let’s do it another time. My timing wasn’t great this time anyway."
"No, no, it’s really my own reason," An Hao smiled and said to Cheng Yu, "Ms. Cheng, I truly appreciate your kindness! Thank you!"
"It’s nothing," Cheng Yu said with a smile, "You got married so early, it’s a pity for us, Yuyu especially; he regrets not meeting you sooner."
Now that Cheng Yue was mentioned, An Hao said a bit more: "Ms. Cheng, now that you know my situation, I hope Yuyu won’t hold any feelings for me in the future. After all, I am a married woman! It would cause trouble for me and my family."
"Don’t worry about that! I’ll make sure to talk to him," Cheng Yu assured An Hao.
"Thank you, Ms. Cheng, I must be going now. Ms. Cheng, goodbye!" After An Hao finished speaking, she was ready to leave.
"Hold on a moment." Cheng Yu went back into her room, took a jar from the top of her bookshelf, and opened it to reveal richly aroma coffee powder inside.
She found a small paper bag, scooped out two heaping spoonfuls, and as she was putting it away, out of the corner of her eye she inadvertently glanced at the solitary figure standing under the horizontal bar on the staff playground.
It was a bit too far for Cheng Yu to see clearly.
But her instincts told her it was a real soldier.
For a brief moment, time seemed to fly back to that era filled with flying shrapnel, fierce artillery fire, warriors in combat, and that figure moving fearlessly through the suppressive fire of the enemy.
"Ms. Cheng?" The voice of An Hao instantly pulled her back to reality, Cheng Yu put the coffee jar back in its place, came out of the room, and handed the bag of coffee she had prepared to An Hao, "This is for you."
An Hao took it and smelled it: "Is this coffee powder?"
"Have you had it before?"
"No. I’ve just smelled this kind of aroma passing by the coffee shops in town," An Hao said with a laugh. In fact, she had frequently drank this bitter concoction in her last life.
"If you need to stay up late, this will definitely help you keep awake," Cheng Yu pointed at her dark circles, "You must have slept late last night, right?"
An Hao nodded with a smile, shaking the item in her hand, "Thank you, Ms. Cheng, I really have to go now."
"Go on! I’ll walk you out," Cheng Yu grabbed her coat with one hand, ready to go downstairs with An Hao.