Coveted for a Long Time 25p2

Chapter 25 p2

The car suddenly fell silent. The sky was dim. The driver turned on the lights at this moment, brightening suddenly, but the light was never bright enough, instead outlining a blurry halo around the two.

Through the reflection in the window, Qiao Xi discovered this person was looking at her, making her extremely uncomfortable.

Their gazes met in the window, even without facing each other.

“I don’t know,” Fu Bei said.

Qiao Xi was dazed, momentarily unsure how to react.

The driver didn’t stop at the Qiao family’s door but drove directly into the Fu family’s. Compared to the deserted Qiao house, because of the old lady’s presence, the Fu house appeared lively, harmonious, and happy.

Getting out of the car, Qiao Xi wanted to walk out.

Before taking two steps, she was called by Fu Bei: “Where are you going?”

She didn’t look back, only saying, “Home.”

“Your parents aren’t coming home today. They asked you to eat here.”

Actually, it wasn’t true. The old lady knew the Qiao couple wasn’t home again and had specifically informed them, even sending a text message to Fu Bei instructing her to bring the person home for dinner after school.

Speaking is an art. The Qiao couple not being home, and the old lady asking Qiao Xi to come for dinner—omitting a few words made the meaning entirely different, at least sounding more bearable.

The concern of outsiders and the concern of family always have essential differences.

Sure enough, Qiao Xi’s expression shifted, her heart complicated, but she was no longer guarded. She looked at Fu Bei doubtfully, seemingly confirming the truth. Fu Bei’s expression was as usual, not looking like she was making up stories to coax someone.

Pursing her lips, she stayed.

The old lady’s liking for her had never changed, even bordering on favoritism. Qiao Xi had stayed by the old lady’s side these past few years, practically raised by her, so naturally, there would be bias.

“Just talking about when you’d arrive, and here you are,” the old lady said kindly, coming over to take Qiao Xi’s backpack. “Lots of dishes today. Eat more later; we’ll take a walk after eating.”

The Fu family members were just okay to Qiao Xi. Only the old lady was genuinely good, without a trace of selfishness. She was truly kind-hearted, roughly knowing the Qiao couple’s virtues and aching for the child, so she did what she could.

Receiving kindness, Qiao Xi would reciprocate with the same attitude. She called out obediently, “Grandma.”

Then greeting the other Fu family members, she helped serve rice and soup.

After eating, they really went for a walk. The old lady took the two of them out for a casual stroll, chattering a few sentences. Most of the time, Qiao Xi was answering. The little girl was quite a talker, making the old lady laugh from time to time.

After the walk, Fu Bei walked Qiao Xi home. Not that Fu Bei volunteered; after all, the two houses were close, just two minutes away. But the old lady insisted, saying girls were afraid of the dark and should be walked home.

“You go back; I’ll go myself,” Qiao Xi said, walking out the main gate.

Fu Bei didn’t stop, only replying, “I’ll be nagged if I go back.”

True enough. Now that the old lady was getting on in years, she loved repeating small things over and over, sometimes nagging all night. Only Qiao Xi could stand the nagging; any other Fu family member would have long found an excuse to work.

The night wind was chilly, blowing fiercely. Qiao Xi was dressed lightly and hugged her arms.

Fu Bei didn’t react, as if she couldn’t feel the cold.

Qiao Xi turned her head to look at this person.

At the flower-like age, Fu Bei was already quite tall, 1.73 meters, likely to grow more in the next couple of years. Her bone structure was beautiful, flawless from any angle. Her skin was cool white, lips thin, nose high, features deep and distinct. More outstanding than when they first met, becoming increasingly prominent.

Walking side by side with her, Qiao Xi appeared very small. Her growth spurt came much later than her peers, so much so that she doubted she would only be this tall. But fortunately, she shot up like bamboo shoots after rain later.

Neither spoke much. Walking to the Qiao family’s main gate, Fu Bei stopped first.

“I’ll walk you to here. Rest early.”

The Qiao house was still empty, still no one. Not going in was good; she wouldn’t see the empty and deserted appearance inside, and Qiao Xi didn’t need to hide it. She gave a hum of acknowledgment and entered the house silently.

Not lingering in the downstairs living room, knowing those two definitely wouldn’t return tonight, she went straight upstairs to her room. Entering and opening the curtains, she caught a glimpse of Fu Bei walking back out of the corner of her eye.

From the Qiao house to the Fu house, the distance was short. From the time she entered the door to entering her room, there was actually more than enough time for that person to return.

The moon tonight was particularly round and white. A few dim stars dotted the sky sparsely. Thick clouds piled up where heaven met earth. The breeze brushed her face, comfortable and leisurely.

Time didn’t stop; days passed neither slowly nor quickly. Every event that happened seemed insignificant, like a breeze on willow tips, blowing across the water surface causing ripples, then quickly returning to calm.

The next day, Zhao Shihuan kept her promise and brought a bag of candy for Qiao Xi, a variety she had never eaten before, brought back from Russia by her father.

“Quite sweet. Try it.”

Qiao Xi had just passed the tooth-changing period and was still wary of candy. Yesterday was muddled; today she wouldn’t eat it.

Zhao Shihuan wouldn’t let it go. “Eating Chen Shuo’s but not mine; Qiao Qiao, you’re wasting my good intentions.”

“Don’t want to eat for now. Ate too much candy; too cloying.” Qiao Xi made up a story seriously to equivocate.

Zhao Shihuan teased her, scoffing, “Then put it in your bag. Eat slowly. I’ll give you more when you finish.”

Qiao Xi really stuffed the bag of candy into her bag, making Zhao Shihuan laugh incessantly. Laughing, she rubbed her head. She didn’t like it, turning her head to avoid the touch. Zhao Shihuan insisted on touching, and they tussled in the car.

Children should be laughing and playing; keeping a straight face all day isn’t appropriate.

Fu Bei watched these two without much reaction, only steadily catching Qiao Xi when she fell over.

Zhao Shihuan was really asking for it, shamelessly pretending to pounce, scaring Qiao Xi into hiding in Fu Bei’s arms.

The two older ones never asked questions they shouldn’t, nor showed sympathy or pity. Growing up inevitably involves messy things, but there’s no helping it. Different people are in different families and environments. Some things outsiders can’t change; what can be done is very little.

Jiang City had a heavy rain lasting two days. The pattering sound of rain didn’t stop, and the gloomy sky never brightened.

It was rare for the couple to remember they had a daughter at home, rushing back in the evening. Qiao Jianliang even cooked dinner personally.

The rain was too heavy; getting wet was inevitable. Qiao Xi shook off the water and entered.

Mother Qiao’s eyes were red, looking like she had cried. Seeing her return, she said, “Change your shoes quickly. Come eat after changing.”

Qiao Xi didn’t greet anyone. Changing shoes and sitting on the stool, she was exceptionally quiet without a word.

She knew they had quarreled again, but considering the rare occasion of the whole family being together today, she let it slide for now.

Mother Qiao served rice for the father and daughter, asking, “How’s school?”

Qiao Xi wasn’t listening, sitting there dazedly thinking about things. Reacting a beat slow, it was Qiao Jianliang who patted her hand, reminding her, “Your mom asked you something. Why aren’t you talking?”

Only then did she come back to her senses, looking up at Mother Qiao and replying, “It’s alright.”

“Been a bit busy lately. I’ll call the teacher in a couple of days to ask. She called me before; got busy and forgot to return it.”

Qiao Xi didn’t speak, not knowing what to say. Who was Mother Qiao putting on a show for? “Before”—that was already last month’s matter. At that time, Qiao Xi had a cough and low fever, seeing the school doctor. The homeroom teacher wanted to contact the parents but couldn’t get through to her phone at all. In the end, it was the family helper who went to school to check on her.

Qiao Jianliang still remembered this, his face instantly looking unpleasant. But the teacher couldn’t reach him either at the time, so he had no right to judge Mother Qiao.

Putting some food into Qiao Xi’s bowl, Qiao Xi didn’t eat it, just taking a mouthful of plain rice. Qiao Jianliang felt he hadn’t done well, not caring enough for his daughter. After pondering for a long time, he asked kindly, “Is the monthly exam next week? Have you reviewed your lessons?”

Qiao Xi: “Reading books.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best.”

“Mmh.”

Regarding their daughter’s education, the couple’s views differed greatly. Although Qiao Jianliang admired intellectuals, he wouldn’t force the child to study. After all, she was his seed; if he was like that, could he expect his biological daughter to reach the sky? Mother Qiao didn’t think so. Her background and experience determined her perspective, believing nothing is difficult in the world; as long as one works hard, it can be achieved. Poor grades meant not working hard enough.

At the dinner table, some words had to be held back no matter how much one wanted to say them. Mother Qiao didn’t scold her daughter, only becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Qiao Jianliang.

“Since there’s an exam, go back to your room to read after eating. Review well; don’t score as poorly as last time.”

Qiao Xi picked up food for herself, eating slowly and chewing carefully.

In the dead of night, it was the same old story. Listening to the intermittent sounds of dispute from outside, Qiao Xi lying in bed wrapped the quilt tighter. Before long, she covered her ears and shrank completely inside.

Outside the window, heavy rain poured. Inside and out, it was pitch black, without a speck of light.

Until morning, the rain fell intermittently for a while before finally stopping. The sky brightened slightly, the morning light looking unreal. The couple argued until late at night before sleeping; where would they find the energy to wake up early? When Qiao Xi got up, they were still asleep. The auntie had made breakfast early.

Unprecedentedly, Fu Bei was waiting at the door.

She was surprised, asking puzzledly, “Why did you come over?”

Usually, she went to the Fu family’s door to take the car.

Fu Bei shook the thing in her hand. “Grandma brought it for you; insisted I come over.”

Just two pieces of pastry, the kind the old lady usually liked. Qiao Xi accepted them, opening to take a look. She was listless today, clearly off at a glance, unable to hide her emotions. Taking the things, she didn’t say a word, walking with her head down.

Looking into the Qiao family’s gate, Fu Bei’s thin lips moved. After a moment, she followed. “Are Uncle Qiao and the others home?”

Qiao Xi only nodded. Unknown which spot was hit, clearly fine last night, but now feeling incredibly sour.

With her back turned, she walked forward with large strides.

Fu Bei was stunned. It wasn’t hard to figure out what was going on. Silent for a while, she ultimately didn’t ask, only following closely, guarding behind.