Coveted for a Long Time 18

Chapter 18

It had indeed been a long time. Zhao Shihuan was now about the same height as Fu Bei, and their styles of dress were similar. At first glance, they looked harmonious and eye-catching together. Guests cast curious glances their way; some were unfamiliar with the Zhao family and only recalled them after being reminded.

Years ago, the Zhao family wasn’t as prominent as the Fu family, but after five or six years in the Beijing circle, they had developed rapidly and were now on par. Elder Zhao and Grandpa Fu were close friends with a deep bond. They were overjoyed to see each other; the smile on Grandpa Fu’s face was entirely genuine, a true happiness compared to his demeanor with others.

Elder Zhao was easygoing, chatting with everyone he saw, instantly livening up the atmosphere.

Zhao Shihuan was much more composed than back then, greeting acquaintances and friends one by one.

Qiao Xi smiled sincerely and replied softly, “Sister Huan.”

Zhao Shihuan habitually raised her hand, probably wanting to ruffle her hair like before, but stopped in time. She nodded and turned to Fu Bei beside her. “I ran into you in the US last time, about a year ago. How have you been lately? I heard you’re teaching at Jiang University now, undergraduates?”

“Should be, though the Academic Affairs Office hasn’t issued specific arrangements yet,” Fu Bei said, standing next to Qiao Xi. Her attitude was the same as before, but the familiarity from childhood was gone.

The two chatted for a while, maintaining a sense of distance throughout. After all, they were twenty-seven or twenty-eight now. With little contact over the years and each having their own careers, it was normal for feelings to fade.

Elder Zhao and the others drifted elsewhere as they talked, leaving only the younger generation here. Everyone gathered in a group to converse. Qiao Xi had nothing to discuss with these people, so she stood to the side, holding a drink and listening to others talk.

Zhou Jiaqi and her group came over to catch up with Zhao Shihuan, deliberately blocking Qiao Xi’s view, intentionally or not.

Qiao Xi couldn’t be bothered to argue. Zhou Jiaqi had been this way since childhood, her brain seemingly waterlogged. Instead of being a dignified and skilled young lady—she was much more popular with the elders anyway—she insisted on treating Qiao Xi as an imaginary enemy, believing Qiao Xi stole her limelight and attention. She was truly sick in the head.

The alcohol content wasn’t low; it tasted strong yet sweet, quite nice. Qiao Xi took a few more sips. Fu Bei, who had come over unnoticed, frowned slightly and whispered, “Drink less. This is quite intoxicating.”

“Just had a few sips,” Qiao Xi said, putting down the glass.

Zhao Shihuan was surrounded and pushed to another side by the crowd. Someone came to call the two of them, but Qiao Xi didn’t want to join the fun, and Fu Bei didn’t move either, so it suddenly became quiet here.

After a few days of rest, the sickly pallor on Fu Bei’s face had faded, but she wasn’t fully recovered. Her lips were still relatively pale. Nearing thirty and highly educated, yet a small fever had reduced her to this state.

She came over with a glass of juice and replaced Qiao Xi’s original glass of wine.

Qiao Xi was stunned, then amused. She would be twenty-three in another month, yet she was still being treated like a child. But she didn’t show it, nor did she drink the juice.

As the host, Fu Bei had almost no free time. She stood for less than two minutes before people constantly came over to chat and curry favor, leaving the two with almost no space to talk. Just as she planned to take Qiao Xi elsewhere, Liang Yuzhi came looking for her. People from the Liang family had arrived, and she needed Fu Bei to go over immediately.

Until the banquet started, Qiao Xi was alone.

Halfway through, she ran into Zhou Meihe and Zhou Lin. Without Qiao Jianliang present, the mother and son looked down their noses at her, their disdain making it seem as if Qiao Xi was beneath their notice. There was no helping it; Qiao Jianliang had made his will early. As long as he was alive, there was hope for change, making Qiao Xi a rival for the inheritance.

Qiao Xi found these clowns annoying. Especially after Qiao Jianliang appeared, the Zhou mother and son’s attitude did a complete 180, which was simply disgusting. If not for Qiao Jianliang’s face, she definitely wouldn’t have given them any respect.

Under Zhou Meihe’s tutelage, Zhou Lin knew he wasn’t biological and always acted submissive and humble, almost becoming a model of gentleness and refinement. Even if Qiao Xi didn’t look him in the eye, he still said dutifully, “Sister, let’s sit at the same table later.”

Qiao Xi said lazily, “No thanks. Just agreed to sit with a friend.”

Zhou Lin’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes steady as he calmly accepted.

In the end, Qiao Jianliang and the other two sat at the table closest to the head table, while Qiao Xi was called by Zhao Shihuan to join her table.

Fu Bei didn’t go to the head table either; she was here too, sitting opposite the two of them.

Her expression was calm as usual, but she would look at Qiao Xi from time to time. Occasionally, when Zhao Shihuan spoke, she would add a word or two, unhurried and rather unpredictable.

Zhao Shihuan had a carefree nature and was easier to get along with. Having been immersed in the business world for the past few years, she spoke and acted with boldness yet remained approachable. She got along with everyone. Inadvertently, she would pour a drink for Qiao Xi, her actions natural enough that even though Qiao Xi sat next to her, others at the table didn’t pay much attention.

“You’ve been gone for five or six years; we thought you wouldn’t come back. How long are you staying in Jiang City this time?” someone asked.

The Zhao family’s return was sudden. Apart from bidding for the land in the western suburbs, there were no other moves for now. Other families were watching, definitely looking for opportunities to cooperate. After all, the current Zhao family had wide connections and substantial capital; few in Jiang City could compare. Cooperating with them would certainly lift one’s status.

People attending the banquet weren’t stupid. Except for Qiao Xi, who really came to eat, everyone else came for connections and resources, including the people at this table. Despite their young faces, they were all shrewd and deep; none were naive.

Zhao Shihuan barely touched her chopsticks from beginning to end, busy dealing with these people. Hearing the question, she wasn’t vague but didn’t state clearly either, only saying, “Anyway, I’ll definitely be here this year. I’ll stay here longer; not used to life in Beijing, it’s more comfortable in Jiang City.”

Her words implied short-term development and investment in Jiang City.

The atmosphere at the table changed immediately. Some tried to win over Zhao Shihuan, while others tried to curry favor with Fu Bei.

Qiao Xi felt a bit uncomfortable. Never used to such occasions, she just ate on her own. The plate on her left had food similar to sticky rice balls. After two bites, she felt a bit choked and wanted to drink water, but her glass was empty.

Just as she was about to do it herself, Zhao Shihuan had already pushed a glass of water over. She didn’t pay special attention to Qiao Xi, still talking to the person next to her while pushing the glass.

Qiao Xi paused, then picked up the water to drink.

As soon as she looked up, she saw Fu Bei looking at her. In an instant, she looked away again.

The meaning in those eyes was too deep. Qiao Xi didn’t recover for a moment, unable to distinguish what exactly it meant.

The meal wasn’t homely at all; it was like a business engagement. The birthday celebration had clearly become a social occasion where everyone was weaving their own network of relationships, lacking the warmth a birthday should have. Everyone was respectful and polite to Grandpa Fu. Only Qiao Xi, when toasting, had no selfish desires and sincerely said, “Wishing you many returns of the day and good health.”

Though the words weren’t outstanding and rather cliché, the sentiment was there.

Grandpa Fu was moved, his feelings complicated. He didn’t particularly like Qiao Xi, and coupled with the matter between Qiao Xi and Fu Bei back then, there was a knot in his heart. Now, he had many laments; perhaps he was truly getting old.

Fu Bei didn’t follow to toast, helping to take care of their peers after the banquet ended.

Later, Zhuang Qiyang arrived. He was late due to business at the bar. A group of peers gathered together to make noise. After all, it was Grandpa Fu’s birthday; they had to be moderate and couldn’t leave early, so they gathered to chat.

Zhao Shihuan stayed around, while Fu Bei left from time to time, having no free moment.

By the time it was dark, only close friends and relatives remained at the Fu house. When it was time to leave, it was nearly midnight. Qiao Xi was exhausted and had drunk quite a bit of wine. Qiao Jianliang wanted her to stay home for two days, but she refused. In the end, he had to have the driver take her back to Qijing Street.

The others in the Fu family were still busy and had no time to attend to her for the moment, so she walked out alone.

Leaving the villa gate, she didn’t wait for the driver first but waited for Zhao Shihuan instead.

Zhao Shihuan seemed only a few steps behind. As soon as she came out, she asked, “Want to go together?”

“Sister Huan,” Qiao Xi said, “it’s not on your way. I have a driver to take me, thanks.”

Thinking Zhao Shihuan meant to drive her, she was surprised when the other party smiled and said, “I didn’t bring a driver.”

Qiao Xi was stunned.

“Can’t drive after drinking. Can I catch a ride?” Zhao Shihuan asked.

Since it came to this, she couldn’t refuse.

Just as the two got into the car one after another, Fu Bei came out accompanying people from the Liang family and inadvertently glanced over. The night was heavy and quiet; there was no light there, so the expression on her face couldn’t be seen. Only when the car drove far away did the group walk to the roadside.

Liang Yuzhi sensed something wrong with her expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fu Bei composed herself and said calmly, “Nothing.”