Coveted for a Long Time 7

Chapter 7

The road from the school to the compound wasn’t far. Zhou Jiaqi was the first to get off. Before leaving, she politely said goodbye to everyone, though she didn’t spare a single glance for Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi shifted in Zhao Shihuan’s arms, turning to steal a peek at the back seat. But as soon as she turned, she found Fu Bei looking right at her. Fu Bei’s gaze was deep and carried a chill that made Qiao Xi very uncomfortable, so she unconsciously tightened her hold on Zhao Shihuan’s neck.

Unaware of the eye contact between the two, Zhao Shihuan patted Qiao Xi’s back. “Stop squirming, you’re blocking my view.”

Qiao Xi immediately crouched down, resting her head on Zhao Shihuan’s shoulder.

They were all minors, and one was only seven years old. Naturally, they didn’t have so many complicated thoughts or scruples, and none of them felt there was any problem.

However, Fu Bei’s expression remained somber and heavy. Even if it didn’t show directly on her face, her peripheral vision stayed fixed on them. Qiao Xi didn’t understand what this meant. While snuggling affectionately against Zhao Shihuan, she secretly watched Fu Bei.

Zhao Shihuan suddenly remembered something and asked, “Qiao Qiao, are you free this weekend?”

Only then did Qiao Xi withdraw her gaze. She thought for a moment and nodded. “I have class on Saturday, but I’m free on Sunday.”

“Our family is hosting a party. Do you want to come?” Zhao Shihuan tilted her head to ask.

From the front, it looked normal, but from the back, it seemed as if the two were incredibly intimate, almost cheek to cheek. Qiao Xi hummed, pondered for a while, and asked, “Is it your birthday?”

Zhao Shihuan smiled. “My birthday passed ages ago. The family is just hosting a dinner on Sunday, a gathering for acquaintances. Anyone who’s free can come.”

“Okay,” Qiao Xi agreed. She didn’t know many people in the neighborhood yet, and in her heart, Zhao Shihuan already counted as a good friend. Since she was invited, she definitely wanted to go. Besides, staying at home was boring with nothing to do.

The two chatted happily, while the person in the back remained silent until they arrived at the Zhao family’s gate. Fu Bei said in a deep voice, “Zhao Shihuan, you’re home.”

Zhao Shihuan was clearly in a good mood. She put Qiao Xi back on the seat before bending over to get out. As she closed the door, she said warmly, “See you tomorrow. I’ll bring you some snacks then.”

Qiao Xi was quite polite and waved her hand busily. “Goodbye. Thank you.”

Truly unreserved—she accepted whatever others offered.

Zhao Shihuan had wanted to chat a bit more, but the driver couldn’t read the room and drove off as soon as Qiao Xi finished speaking.

The sun hung low over the western mountains, its light golden and brilliant, dyeing the entire sky gold. The afterglow poured through the car window, so bright it was blinding. Qiao Xi turned sideways; this way, she could avoid the direct sunlight and also see the back seat.

Fu Bei leaned back against the seat with her eyes closed, her body gilded with a soft halo. Her facial contours were distinct, her features deep and three-dimensional. Her thin lips were pressed together, and even with her eyes closed, she appeared indifferent.

Sensing the other person seemed a bit unhappy, Qiao Xi didn’t ask. She clung to the seat and watched for a while, then turned back to look at the road ahead.

The car was too quiet. The driver drove dutifully, not saying a word more than necessary.

When Zhao Shihuan was there, there was someone to chat with. Now the atmosphere felt stagnant. Qiao Xi couldn’t sit still and turned back to look again.

Unexpectedly, Fu Bei had opened her eyes and caught her in the act, asking coolly, “What are you looking at?”

Qiao Xi quickly made an excuse: “Outside the window. The sun has set behind the mountain.”

The lie was clumsy enough. To look at the sun, she just needed to turn her head; why turn her body around? She was clearly peeking at Fu Bei. A child’s nature loves beautiful things. Fu Bei was beautiful and handsome, like someone from TV. Qiao Xi couldn’t help but pay excessive attention to her, stealing glances intentionally or unintentionally.

They soon arrived at the gate. Qiao Xi got off first. She wanted to wave to Fu Bei, but Fu Bei didn’t look at her at all. The car made a turn and drove into the Fu family’s gate.

Standing at her own gate for a while, seeing Fu Bei get out of the car, Qiao Xi carried her schoolbag into her house.

That evening, Mother Qiao went next door to the Fu house. Not sure what she chatted about with the old lady and the others, but when she returned, she told Qiao Xi, “From now on, you’ll go to and from school with Elder Sister, in their family’s car.”

Adults always want to establish some connection with those around them when doing things, as if that’s the only way to have the human touch of neighbors.

Actually, Qiao Xi didn’t want to take the Fu family’s car. She didn’t like Zhou Jiaqi, so she tugged at the corner of her shirt and didn’t reply, silently objecting. Unfortunately, Mother Qiao didn’t pay attention. After speaking, she went to call Qiao Jianliang for dinner, telling the helper to serve the dishes quickly so they wouldn’t get cold.

Qiao Jianliang cared about his daughter reasonably well. After coming out, he lifted Qiao Xi onto her seat at the table and asked gently, “Are you adjusting to the new school? Can you keep up with the teacher’s pace?”

“Mmh.” Qiao Xi was a bit unhappy, but she nodded anyway.

The couple was still discussing business at the dinner table, not really focusing on their daughter. Even though Qiao Xi had a long face, no one asked what was wrong, assuming she just wasn’t used to the new school on her first day.

Being parents, it was the first time for both of them. They raised their daughter the way they had lived their own childhoods—taking care of food, clothing, and schooling, but not paying attention to the child’s growth issues. Most parents in the world are like this; family affection can be thick or thin, blood is thicker than water but also as clear as water.

Because she had to take the Fu family’s car, Qiao Xi got up earlier than usual. After finishing her meal quickly, she went next door. She didn’t want to get up early, but Mother Qiao kept urging her, so she climbed up sleepily.

Next door, they were still eating breakfast. Fu Bei’s expression shifted slightly when she saw Qiao Xi holding a cookie tin in her arms.

Grandpa Fu rarely spoke first, but he asked, “Haven’t had breakfast yet?”

He assumed she brought it to eat on the way, since it was still so early.

Qiao Xi shook her head and replied, “I ate.”

She was very well-behaved, knowing not to disturb the family meal. Hugging the tin, she sat down on the sofa. Nanny Chen brought over a plate of fruits, but she didn’t eat much, only grabbing a small handful of dried longans to put in her pocket.

The old lady instructed Fu Bei, “Take good care of Little Xi. She just started school and probably isn’t used to it yet.”

The Primary and Middle School sections were far apart; where would she find the energy and time to take care of her? Fu Bei didn’t say anything and took the child out. Once in the car, seeing Qiao Xi guarding the cookie tin like a treasure, she asked in a low voice, “Who is that for?”

Qiao Xi, sitting next to her, leaned closer upon hearing the question and answered honestly and foolishly, “For Sister Huan.”

Zhao Shihuan said she would bring her snacks. She wouldn’t accept someone’s kindness for free, so she used cookies as an exchange.

Fu Bei glanced at the surface of the tin but ultimately didn’t ask further, looking straight ahead expressionlessly.

The driver had to pick up Zhou Jiaqi. Since both back seats were occupied, Zhou Jiaqi had to sit in the front passenger seat. Hearing the driver say that Qiao Xi would be joining them from now on, Zhou Jiaqi almost wore her displeasure on her face. Before Qiao Xi came, she had always sat with Fu Bei. Now that things suddenly changed, she abruptly felt a sense of crisis.

The world of a child a few years old is simple; they encounter few things and are relatively innocent. But they are also prone to jealousy, their hearts only so big. Zhou Jiaqi completely treated Qiao Xi as an enemy now. After entering the classroom, she deliberately blocked the aisle with a stool, not letting Qiao Xi pass.

Qiao Xi didn’t even bother with her, carrying her schoolbag and walking the other way, which made Zhou Jiaqi furious.

Young age leads to childish actions, but the harm isn’t small. Zhou Jiaqi formed a clique, sweetly coaxing classmates to her side and secretly badmouthing Qiao Xi—saying Qiao Xi came from the North District, had hit her, had a bad temper…

Having just transferred to the new class, the classmates weren’t familiar with Qiao Xi and were also very naive. They believed whatever Zhou Jiaqi said, and one by one, they stayed far away from Qiao Xi. Children like to follow the crowd; they believe whatever they hear without judgment, isolating and cold-shouldering a classmate without realizing it.

Qiao Xi sat alone at the very back, knowing it was Zhou Jiaqi’s doing, and glared back fiercely, not showing weakness.

“From now on, you’re not allowed to follow Sister Bei, and not allowed to be in the same car as me,” Zhou Jiaqi said bossily.

“Who cares about being in the same car as you,” Qiao Xi replied with disgust, then paused. “That’s Grandma Fu’s car. If you don’t want to be with me, then don’t ride in it.”

Sharp-tongued since childhood, she knew how to hit the mark in an argument.

Zhou Jiaqi’s face flushed red, unable to find a retort. She held it in for a long time, forced to walk away when the class bell rang. The little girl had quite a few bad ideas; as she left, she pretended to accidentally knock over Qiao Xi’s pencil case, almost knocking the cookie tin to the ground with it. Qiao Xi had always been one to respond to softness but not hardness. Knowing this was intentional, regardless of whether class was starting, she walked over to Zhou Jiaqi’s desk and swiped her pencil case to the floor with a whoosh.

Everyone around was stunned, never having seen such a fierce girl.

Zhou Jiaqi’s eyes instantly filled with tears, which fell uncontrollably.

Because of this, the teacher called Qiao Xi to the office for a lecture and criticism. Unfortunately, the child was stubborn as a mule, refusing to bow her head or apologize no matter what. The matter could only be handled lightly, pretended not to have happened. After all, it was a private school; which student in the class didn’t come from a wealthy and powerful family? The teachers knew to handle things indirectly and try not to blow things up.

But Zhou Jiaqi had a mouth on her, and within an afternoon, everyone knew about Qiao Xi throwing the pencil case.

Fu Bei and Zhao Shihuan also found out. Looking at the tearful Zhou Jiaqi, Zhao Shihuan was clearly at a loss, getting a headache from the crying. She had to offer a few words of comfort.

Qiao Xi stood firm holding the cookie tin, not explaining a word from beginning to end. Whether being called to the office or now, she hadn’t shed a single tear. Her mouth was shut tight as she went to sit in the front passenger seat alone.

Both were children, and one was crying. Zhao Shihuan couldn’t favor Qiao Xi, so she sat in the back constantly coaxing Zhou Jiaqi.

“Alright, alright, if you cry your eyes swollen, you won’t be pretty anymore. Stop crying.”

Zhou Jiaqi was quite capable of crying. As she cried, she burrowed into Zhao Shihuan’s arms. Zhao Shihuan was extremely troubled. After a moment, she patted Zhou Jiaqi’s back to comfort her and kicked the unmoved Fu Bei, saying reluctantly, “Hey, say something too. Don’t act like a grim reaper.”

Fu Bei ignored her, completely unconcerned about these things.

Zhao Shihuan sighed. “Cold-blooded. She’s been crying for ages and not a word from you.”

After the car started, Zhou Jiaqi gradually stopped crying. She didn’t dare squeeze toward Fu Bei, knowing Fu Bei wouldn’t care about her. Leaning into Zhao Shihuan’s arms, she glanced at the front. Qiao Xi was blocked by the seat, so she couldn’t see how she looked.

Fu Bei looked up at the front passenger seat. The child held the tin tightly with both hands, her head slightly raised, staring motionless at the front.

Aggrieved, stubborn, and with a posture of refusing to admit fault until death.