Chapter 34
The water stains dampened the gray trousers, instantly revealing a darker patch. Qiao Xi’s skin was white, as was the instep of her foot, contrasting sharply with the dark stain on the trousers under the soft lighting.
Qiao Xi wanted to break free, but unfortunately, Fu Bei had grabbed her ankle. Moreover, her knee really hurt, causing her to gasp in pain.
This person used so much force that a red ring appeared around her ankle.
Qiao Xi had never liked this, not now, not ever. Fu Bei was always calm and breezy, subtly taking control as if everything was within her grasp and unshakable.
This attitude was the most annoying.
But Qiao Xi knew the other side of this person. Even if Fu Bei usually appeared upright and cool, she wasn’t gentle and refined deep down. Just like in bed, she would grab Qiao Xi’s ankle like this, but instead of placing it on her lap, she would put it on her shoulder. More often than not, this person was a bit pathological, confining Qiao Xi and engaging in intimate, shameful, and domineering acts.
Qiao Xi didn’t like dominance, including at this moment. She stopped struggling—why not let someone else clean the wound for her? She didn’t have to do it herself anyway. But she still felt uncomfortable inside. Taking advantage of a moment when Fu Bei relaxed slightly, she suddenly extended her foot towards the other’s lower abdomen.
Truly treating Fu Bei’s clothes as a towel, doing it on purpose.
Fu Bei had mild mysophobia, usually wiping the table two or three times if there was water on it. But now she showed no reaction, not caring about these small details.
Like punching cotton, no amount of force worked. Feeling unappeased, Qiao Xi kicked her foot into Fu Bei’s embrace, though not hard. The movement was light, just fueled by anger. Her nature had always been proud and spoiled. As a child, she would sulk silently when wronged; as she grew older, she would throw tantrums, though not the noisy kind. Anyway, whoever provoked her would suffer her temper.
Fu Bei seemed not to feel it, holding her slender calf still and bending low to treat the abrasion.
Alcohol was too stimulating; having disinfected once, there was no need to use it again. Knowing she was afraid of pain, Fu Bei worked slowly.
“Fell?”
Qiao Xi said stiffly, “Careless.”
Wet roads and flip-flops were a recipe for falling.
“Be careful walking on rainy days,” Fu Bei said with rare gentleness.
Qiao Xi didn’t appreciate it, not even responding with a hum.
Fortunately, Fu Bei didn’t provoke her further, finishing treating the wound first.
“What are you doing here?” Qiao Xi asked, clearly unwelcoming of Fu Bei’s arrival. She would accept Fu Bei’s kindness but not the person. She should be indifferent, but every time she thought about this afternoon, it felt like a thorn stuck in her throat. Not that she cared that much; ultimately, it was unwillingness at work.
Most people are like this—changeable, controlled by unwillingness, regardless of feelings.
Fu Bei said, “Had dinner nearby with a friend, so I came over.”
Friend—definitely Qiu Yinong. Shopping for clothes and then eating together; their relationship must be quite good.
“Oh,” Qiao Xi said coldly.
Fu Bei lifted her eyes, suddenly catching a glimpse of the shopping bag placed not far away—from the clothing store in the mall. Stunned, she looked at Qiao Xi, her eyes containing a myriad of emotions. Finishing the wound treatment, she stood up and asked, “Where’s a towel?”
“I can wipe it myself; don’t need you,” Qiao Xi said, limping barefoot into the restroom to get a dry towel, then coming out to find clean shoes to wear.
A large abrasion hurt with every step. Looking back and seeing Fu Bei standing there, anxiety surged in her heart. With anger rising, she lost her balance while walking and almost fell again. The next moment, she was supported by the other party. Fu Bei really knew where to hold—not the hand or anywhere else, but her waist, making it seem so intimate.
Holding waists regardless of who it was, without hesitation.
Making no secret of her rejection, Qiao Xi pulled her hand away in annoyance, standing firm on her own, and said coldly, “Don’t need your help. I can walk myself.”
The wound was oozing blood, turning crimson. Fu Bei picked her up horizontally and placed her on the high chair she was originally sitting on, holding her down and saying patiently, “Don’t move. I’ll help you with whatever you need.”
“I didn’t ask for your help!”
From childhood to adulthood, the two had never quarreled with red faces. Even when Qiao Xi threw a tantrum, Fu Bei endured it. She was always like this; even if the sky fell, she wouldn’t crumble. Only occasionally when facing Qiao Xi was she slightly different. She didn’t reply, avoiding an argument, and continued doing her own thing. Taking the dry towel from Qiao Xi’s hand, she bent down to wipe the remaining water stains off her leg.
It was like this before too, but back then it wasn’t them fighting, but Qiao Xi fighting with Mother Qiao. The teenage girl was stubborn as a mule, running to Jiang University whenever she felt aggrieved. Fu Bei was always the same, silently doing inconsequential things.
Perhaps it was indulgence, allowing Qiao Xi to be presumptuous. But times had changed; Qiao Xi no longer needed this method.
“Went to the mall this afternoon?” Fu Bei asked, her tone certain.
Qiao Xi didn’t answer.
“That friend of mine went too, to buy clothes,” Fu Bei said, her long narrow eyes drooping. Sensing the impatience and resistance from the person in front of her, she added, “She’s going on a blind date this weekend.”
Guessing what might have happened, this counted as an explanation. Not made up to coax Qiao Xi, the words were true, just omitting some unnecessary details. For example, she had sought out Qiu Yinong this afternoon to ask for a small favor. Coincidentally needing to come to Qijing Street, she did a favor in return; when Qiu Yinong invited her, she accepted directly.
The Qiu family had a wide network, similar to Chen Shuo’s family.
Hearing the words “blind date,” Qiao Xi stiffened, her expression becoming intriguing. Pursing her lips, she said after a long while, “What does that have to do with me…”
Looking up at the shopping bag on the counter, Fu Bei followed her words: “She went to the same store as you, around four o’clock.”
Qiu Yinong was Fu Bei’s senior sister and now a colleague; interacting normally was expected, and some behaviors were explainable.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips, responding with silence.
Fu Bei actually knew many things, but explanations were rare. Qiao Xi felt weird inside, wanting to hear the explanation yet not wanting to. But this didn’t amount to caring. Irritated, she found a pair of shoes to wear, walking with difficulty dragging her leg.
With a scraped knee, she definitely couldn’t drive. Although the residential complex was close, walking wasn’t an option either, so she could only take a taxi.
Fu Bei wanted to drive her, but she refused. However, after the heavy rain in a crowded downtown area, getting a taxi wasn’t easy. After struggling for a while, she got into this person’s car.
“I’ll take you up.”
Qiao Xi pushed her away. “No need.”
But Fu Bei insisted. There was a security guard at the gate, so she supported her at first. By the time they took the elevator to the twelfth floor, she was almost carrying Qiao Xi.
Arriving at the door, Qiao Xi said while feeling for her keys, “We’re here. You can go back.”
However, the other party acted as if she didn’t understand human language. “I’ll leave in a bit.”
Rainy days were stifling. The floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the corridor was half-open for ventilation. Being on a high floor, the wind whistled. It was raining outside again, bean-sized raindrops beating against the glass window with a pitter-patter.
The living room was very dark; closing the door shut out all light. With a warm person pressing against her back, Qiao Xi felt uncomfortable and moved, only to have her waist seized. She wanted to reach out to turn on the light, but Fu Bei blocked the direction, intentionally or not.
Fu Bei was too close, almost enveloping her whole body in her arms. Actually, from entering the door to now, it had only been a few seconds, but Qiao Xi felt extremely awkward. The other party’s thin, hot breath landed imperceptibly on the back of her neck. The person turned slightly, and the warm breath suddenly landed on her ear.
She immediately turned away, reaching out to turn on the light.
At the same instant, Fu Bei also raised her hand.
The light didn’t turn on, but their hands touched. Qiao Xi was stunned, subconsciously wanting to withdraw, but was suddenly grabbed.
Both were unintentional, just a coincidence.
Qiao Xi wanted to pull away, but Fu Bei took the opportunity to embrace her from behind. Restrained outside, but inside the room, the darkness amplified senses and emotions, magnifying every subtle movement.
Thinking this person was going to do something, Qiao Xi immediately said, “Let go, don’t hug me.”
It had been like this the previous times, getting handsy in the dark. Before, Qiao Xi was in a good mood and didn’t reject it, but now it was different.
Fu Bei grabbed both her hands, holding her tightly, chin resting in the crook of her neck, whispering in response, “Will let go in a moment…”
Her tone was gentle, a bit coaxing. This time she wasn’t domineering as before but compliant with Qiao Xi, like soothing a kitten—just like that year under the banyan tree outside Jiang University, bending down in front of Qiao Xi, asking patiently if they could talk.
Completely lowering her stance.
Qiao Xi was stunned for a moment. She should have pulled the person’s hands away, and definitely could have, but after a moment of silence, she remained motionless, allowing the hug.
A wet, hot sensation came from her ear, faint and looming. This person was gently soothing her, knowing her too well, knowing exactly what to do.
Qiao Xi was susceptible to this, so she didn’t refuse.
The warmth gradually moved to behind her ear, her neck, her sensitive back. Fu Bei did all this very gently, considering Qiao Xi’s feelings, touching the softest place in her heart.
Once a person lowers their guard, grudges are temporarily put aside.
The silent darkness was boundless, wrapping the two of them inside. Qiao Xi closed her eyes, her fingers twitching. Finally, she broke free from the shackles, grabbing the arm wrapped around her waist, intending to push the other party away. But Fu Bei sensed it first. This person suddenly let go for a split second, moved silently to the front, and hugged her again.
With moisture and softness imprinted on the corner of her lips, Fu Bei raised her hand to stroke the side of her face, her thumb gently scraping her cheek.
Qiao Xi turned her head first, not letting her succeed.
“Are you blaming me?” Fu Bei asked in a low voice, touching her face.
Qiao Xi resisted a bit, saying stiffly, “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
No need to ask; definitely yes. anyone else wouldn’t easily let go. Sometimes feelings are like a thin thread wrapped around a finger; the harder you pull, the more it hurts. Knowing it shouldn’t hurt, yet still pulling.
Fu Bei held her tighter, giving Qiao Xi no chance to break free. She was a bit paranoid, yet incredibly gentle, saying in a soothing tone, “I’m sorry…”
Although three meaningless words, saying them made a big difference. Qiao Xi felt uncomfortable, unable to describe the feeling. She wanted more than this; it wasn’t something a few simple words or an explanation could turn the page on. Struggling a bit, she ultimately remained silent.
What kind of mood did she harbor back then? Palpitations, hesitation, loving carefully, love blazing hot, concealing it incredibly clumsily. In front of Fu Bei, the girl’s spring thoughts could barely be hidden; she didn’t believe Fu Bei couldn’t see it. She knew the Fu family’s attitude long ago. Grandpa Fu even embarrassed her to her face, implying both openly and secretly that she shouldn’t pester Fu Bei anymore. She took it all, playing dumb as if she didn’t understand.
Learning she often ran to Jiang University to find Fu Bei and sensing something abnormal, Liang Yuzhi talked to her privately.
“We know you have deep feelings for Little Bei; that’s normal. Auntie also had good friends growing up and still keeps in touch. But there must be boundaries between friends, right? Everyone has their own things to do; you can’t be tied together every day. Friendship needs moderation, otherwise it’s easy to have conflicts.”
Liang Yuzhi spoke generously and appropriately, neither pointing it out explicitly nor speaking too harshly, letting her understand on her own.
Qiao Xi pretended not to understand, asking back, “Not tied together. She has her things, I have mine. Did Auntie misunderstand something?”
Liang Yuzhi’s face didn’t look good, smiling falsely. Calming down for a while, she poured a cup of tea for Qiao Xi and said, “No, just speaking casually.”
The conversation wasn’t pleasant. Every sentence Liang Yuzhi said had deep meaning, roughly telling Qiao Xi to be self-aware and stop clinging to Fu Bei, also blaming her. The implication was that if not for Qiao Xi, these things wouldn’t have happened.
Liang Yuzhi said a teapot must be matched with a teapot lid to become a whole; it cannot be matched with anything else, or it becomes a monstrosity.
“Our family only has Little Bei; no choice. We have to rely on her in the future.”
Later, when Fu Bei left, Qiao Xi could imagine what happened—nothing more than pressure from the Fu family. But at that time, no one had it easy; Fu Bei wasn’t the only one suffering.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips, ultimately saying nothing.
The rain grew heavier, pattering urgently. The sound of raindrops hitting the glass was particularly loud—patter, patter-patter—falling harder than during the day. The clouds in the sky were denser, pitch black without a trace of light.
“Nothing to be sorry for. Just your choice,” Qiao Xi said word by word, her tone calm and steady.
Clearly not accepting it.
Fu Bei stiffened, the hand stroking her back also pausing.
