Coveted for a Long Time 4

Chapter 4

Back when the Qiao family had just struck it rich, Qiao Jianliang and his wife were busy all day building their business and making money. They had no energy to spare for their child, nor did they pay any attention to her education. Like the older generation, they figured as long as she was fed and watered, raising her “free-range” was fine. As for the grandparents, they had passed away years ago.

Seven or eight years old is the age when kids love to play in groups and crave companions, but there were no peers around, so Qiao Xi was always alone.

The old lady felt it was a pity and thought the Qiao couple irresponsible, but it wasn’t her place to interfere in another family’s affairs. She only muttered in private, “Having a child isn’t just about giving birth; you have to teach and raise them. Since they have money, they should enroll her in some hobby classes so she can play with other kids. Sigh, this family is really…”

Fu Bei walked in just in time to hear this and looked over.

Seeing her, the old lady asked kindly, “Why are you back so early today?”

“Zhao Shihuan and the others had things to do, so they left early,” she said.

“Well, you came back at the right time,” the old lady laughed. “Little Xi was just here. She was unhappy all afternoon, hanging off the balcony several times looking for you. She’s been waiting for you, poor thing.”

Fu Bei paused for a moment but said nothing.

The next day, Qiao Xi didn’t run over early in the morning as usual. She wasn’t seen even by the afternoon, presumably still angry about yesterday.

But she came after dinner.

At that time, Fu Bei was sitting on the sofa in the living room. Seeing her, she lifted her eyelids slightly.

Qiao Xi didn’t crowd around her but went to snuggle up to the old lady. The old lady asked with a smile, “Why didn’t you come over during the day? Did you go out?”

“Went to the pawnshop,” Qiao Xi whispered, glancing at Fu Bei intentionally or unintentionally out of the corner of her eye.

The “pawnshop” was an old store in the North District that used to do pawnbroking. Now, Qiao Jianliang had bought it for antique trading, but the locals still called it by its old name.

The old lady asked the helper to bring some fruits and cakes, pushing them all toward Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi obediently ate the cake, chatting with the old lady from time to time, but she ignored Fu Bei.

Fu Bei leaned back against the sofa watching TV, paying no attention to the old and the young. Even when the old lady left halfway through, the seemingly absent scrutiny from across the room continued. Qiao Xi seemed unhappy, glancing over several times, but helpless against the lack of response, the child finished her cake and left.

When the old lady came back out and didn’t see anyone, she was puzzled. “Where is she? Where did she go?”

“Left.”

“Left by herself?”

Fu Bei gave a noncommittal hum.

The old lady got angry and scolded, “It’s so late at night, and she’s so small. You didn’t even ask someone from the house to walk her back.”

The night outside was silent and boundless, dark everywhere. It would be dangerous if something happened. Fu Bei remained silent, causing the old lady to nag a few more sentences. The Fu family was good in every way; in the eyes of others, it was a top-tier family. But the old lady knew that while this family was good everywhere else, human emotions ran too thin.

The next day, Qiao Xi came early as usual. She wore a new dress made by Mother Qiao herself. The skirt was large and fluffy, making her look particularly cute and lovable.

The child kept hovering around but didn’t speak.

Fu Bei pretended not to see her.

Finally, Qiao Xi couldn’t hold it in anymore and asked sullenly, “Fu Bei, what are you doing?”

Calling her by her full name again, unlike the polite way she addressed everyone else.

“Nothing much,” Fu Bei said indifferently, sitting down on the sofa. Qiao Xi followed and sat down too. At first, she was a bit far away, then slowly scooted over, finally shamelessly pressing against the other’s arm. She didn’t look at Fu Bei, staring unblinkingly at the TV screen with her big black eyes.

If not for the afternoon incident, they would have been considered reconciled. A child’s awkwardness comes and goes quickly; she might sulk, but she wouldn’t hold a grudge.

Unfortunately, a group of people came to the Fu house in the afternoon, adults and children alike. Among them was Zhou Jiaqi. Zhou Jiaqi was a year older than Qiao Xi, taller, thinner, and had delicate, pretty features.

Qiao Xi hadn’t had her growth spurt yet; she was short and a bit chubby. Seeing so many people, she stood awkwardly to the side, but no one paid her any attention as everyone was busy.

Zhou Jiaqi called out sweetly, “Sister Bei.”

Before Fu Bei could speak, the parents hurriedly praised Zhou Jiaqi for her politeness. After exchanging pleasantries, someone asked the old lady, “Is that a relative of yours?”

“From next door, over to play.”

The grudge between Qiao Xi and Zhou Jiaqi was formed in childhood.

After the adults went outside, Zhou Jiaqi walked up to Qiao Xi and kept asking, “Where did you buy your dress?”

The little girl was usually spoiled, so her tone was somewhat bossy. Accustomed to being indulged by those around her, she asked repeatedly when Qiao Xi didn’t answer, her tone becoming a bit arrogant.

Qiao Xi wanted to dodge and ignore her, but Zhou Jiaqi grabbed her skirt.

“Let go, you’re going to tear it,” she said anxiously. Qiao Xi liked this dress very much, which was why she wore it today. A child always wants to show their best side to the person they care about.

Zhou Jiaqi refused to let go, domineeringly saying, “Tell me where you bought it, and I’ll let go.”

“My mom made it.”

But Zhou Jiaqi didn’t believe her.

When Fu Bei came downstairs, she happened to see Qiao Xi hit Zhou Jiaqi’s arm hard. The child was strong, and when Zhou Jiaqi looked up and saw Fu Bei coming down, she burst into tears first.

The adults outside were alarmed, but since it was a conflict between two children, it was hard for anyone to say anything, so they just hurriedly comforted Zhou Jiaqi.

Qiao Xi stood stubbornly in place, her small hands clutching her skirt.

After all, she was someone else’s child, and there was a large group of guests at home. Grandpa Fu asked Fu Bei to take Qiao Xi back next door.

Fu Bei went to escort her. As they neared the Qiao family’s door, she said in a deep voice, “Don’t hit people in the future.”

At her teenage age, right was right and wrong was wrong. She believed that no matter the friction, one shouldn’t hit others, especially not so hard. She didn’t side with Qiao Xi; her stance was simply impartial.

Qiao Xi had been holding the corner of her shirt while walking. Hearing this, she let go without a word and walked back sullenly by herself.

Starting from that night, Qiao Xi didn’t visit the Fu house for the next week. The old lady wondered, “Why did she suddenly stop coming? Is something wrong at home?”

Nanny Chen said, “I saw her sitting at her door yesterday. She’ll probably come again in a couple of days.”

But she still didn’t come.

Two days later, in the afternoon, Fu Bei saw Qiao Xi at the security booth.

The child was chatting with the security guard there. The guard had an honest-looking pug, and she was squatting on the ground petting it, hugging it from time to time without minding the dirt. The pug was very affectionate with her, wagging its tail incessantly.

Before Fu Bei could go over, Zhao Shihuan arrived.

Seeing Qiao Xi, Zhao Shihuan immediately beamed and called out, “Hey, you, kid, do you still know me?”

Of course she knew her. Qiao Xi knew she was close with Fu Bei, so she ignored her completely, turning her back directly. This amused Zhao Shihuan. Being the tease she was, she insisted on going over to provoke her a couple of times, annoying Qiao Xi.

“You’re so annoying, don’t touch me.”

Zhao Shihuan’s face was thicker than a city wall. She laughed, “The place is only this big; just squeeze in.”

Qiao Xi was still angry, and her anger spilled over to bystanders. In short, she ignored Zhao Shihuan. Zhao Shihuan magically produced a handful of candy and coaxed, “Want some? Brought it specially for you. Imported candy, very delicious.”

“Don’t want it,” Qiao Xi said stiffly, though her tone softened considerably.

Zhao Shihuan had never known shame. With one sentence here and another there, she coaxed the person over in no time. She had originally planned to find Fu Bei, but now she didn’t want to go anymore. Instead, she lured Qiao Xi away, saying she would take her out for a spin.

Childhood Qiao Xi was relatively simple. Having been trapped in the compound for a long time, she was moved upon hearing someone would take her out to play. After struggling for a long time, she still couldn’t resist Zhao Shihuan’s sweet talk and followed her half-doubtingly.

Near the gate, Zhao Shihuan said, “Hold my hand.”

Qiao Xi shook her head. “Won’t hold it.”

“If you don’t hold it and get lost outside, I won’t look for you,” Zhao Shihuan said, truly improper, saying whatever came to mind.

Qiao Xi hesitated. As they walked, she eventually grabbed Zhao Shihuan’s hand.

Fu Bei stood behind the dense, low bushes, watching the two walk away step by step.

**

In the past, Fu Bei didn’t know how to coax people, and now she couldn’t influence anything either.

Qiao Xi left the Fu house very decisively.

Nanny Chen, who was still working for the Fu family after all these years, saw Fu Bei come out a few steps later and chattered, “Miss Qiao is still the same old way; she hasn’t changed much.”

Fu Bei didn’t respond. Her aura was cold and heavy as her gaze lingered on the main gate.

**

After staying home for a night, Qiao Xi drove away early in the morning without even eating breakfast. Qiao Jianliang was in a dilemma; he couldn’t bear for her to leave, but he couldn’t lower his pride to chase after her, so he could only watch the car drive away.

Qijing Street was bustling. Before dawn, the traffic was endless. After entering the street, it was jammed all the way. By the time she reached the shop, it was daylight.

The tattoo parlor had no other employees; Qiao Xi worked alone. The shop was small but had everything necessary. It was hard to get business for a new shop in the early stages; not even two customers would come in to look around in a day. Even if they did, nine out of ten people who inquired wouldn’t get a tattoo.

She stayed in the shop until 8:30. Since there were really no customers, she closed up, preparing to buy groceries and go home to cook.

After moving out to live alone, the pace of life had slowed down. She wasn’t in a hurry to do anything. After buying vegetables, she bought a large pile of instant food.

It was quiet downstairs in the residential complex. A completely black Maybach was parked under the tall, lush old banyan tree. The car model was grand, and Fu Bei was leaning against it. The dancing shadows of the tree fell down, making this spot half-bright and half-hidden, so Qiao Xi didn’t notice her when she got out of the car until the person spoke up: “Where have you been?”

Her voice was slightly low and heavy, adding a touch of chill to the dry, sultry night.