Coveted for a Long Time 36

Chapter 36

The scenery on the mountaintop was lofty and distant, with a gentle, cool breeze.

Father Fu, caught in the middle, tried to smooth things over by pulling Qiao Xi forward. Unfortunately, the abrasion on Qiao Xi’s knee had just scabbed over, making walking inconvenient.

“Haven’t seen you lately; busy?” Father Fu asked. A seasoned businessman, he was deep and always appeared amiable on the surface, but his attitude towards Qiao Xi wasn’t fake. It was all for the sake of the late old lady, who had dearly loved Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi said, “It’s alright. Been relatively free these past two days.”

“Rare for you to have the heart to come.”

Father Fu was a smooth talker, easing the stagnant atmosphere with just a few sentences.

Qiao Xi wanted to put down the flowers but found it difficult to squat, fearing the scab would crack open. Since the fall, she had been suffering; at first, bending her knee even slightly carelessly would cause the scab to split and bleed. Fu Bei, standing aside, took the flowers and bent down to place them for her.

Her movements were unhesitating, a subconscious act.

Five years ago, Liang Yuzhi didn’t accept their relationship, and it was still the same now. But since Grandpa Fu hadn’t spoken, it wasn’t their place to interfere. She looked at Grandpa Fu, whose attitude had always been intriguing. He never sternly reprimanded or opposed, nor did he offer any support. He treated both Qiao Xi and Fu Bei the same, making his thoughts unfathomable.

However, he definitely didn’t agree, just didn’t go too far.

Paying respects didn’t take long. There was nothing to catch up on with the Fu and Liang families. Qiao Xi left after offering incense, politely greeting the group before departing.

Father Fu smiled and said, “When you have time to return to the compound, come over for a meal. Your senior sisters are back in Jiang City.”

Calculating, Qiao Xi hadn’t seen her two senior sisters for a long time. It seemed that since the old lady passed away, the sisters gradually disappeared and rarely visited the compound. She nodded. “Sure, definitely will.”

Actually, it was just going through the motions. Neighbors who saw each other often, everyone was pretending. Would the Fu family welcome her? Not necessarily. Grandpa Fu and Liang Yuzhi had been deceiving themselves all along. They didn’t expose the matter back then, and even after Fu Bei went abroad, they treated Qiao Xi like typical elders. But it wasn’t hard to guess what they really thought.

The Fu family’s face was important; they wouldn’t tear it apart.

Watching Qiao Xi leave, impatience faintly showed between Fu Bei’s brows.

Liang Yuzhi finally couldn’t hold it in, composing her expression and reminding, “Light another stick of incense.”

Fu Bei didn’t light it, dropping a sentence: “Finished paying respects. I’ll wait for you at the bottom of the mountain.”

Only then did Grandpa Fu’s face change, sternly saying, “Where do you think you’re going? Stay here; you’re not going anywhere!”

But Fu Bei turned a deaf ear, walking straight past him and leaving in a few strides.

Grandpa Fu was so angry the flesh on his cheeks trembled. Father Fu and Liang Yuzhi fell silent on the side, daring neither to speak nor persuade. Only Liang Jincheng raised an eyebrow, looking thoughtfully at Fu Bei’s retreating figure.

**

Qiao Xi hadn’t expected Fu Bei to follow. She walked slowly, and even when Fu Bei caught up, she didn’t make a sound, the two relatively silent.

Both understood, though it was hard to distinguish clearly.

Qiao Xi wasn’t angry. After walking slowly for a while, the person behind suddenly said, “Walk slower.”

She stopped, turned her head to look, ignoring these details, and just asked, “Why did your uncle come?”

The old lady had clearly expressed many times that she disliked Liang Jincheng, so he shouldn’t have been allowed to pay respects.

“Grandfather didn’t have time, so he came instead.”

Although the Liang and Fu families were related by marriage, they were somewhat at odds. In-laws are often enemies; anyway, it had been like that for years, looking down on each other a bit.

The road in the cemetery was winding and steep. After walking so far down, the scab cracked anyway, oozing blood slightly. Qiao Xi didn’t feel it; Fu Bei noticed first. Because her leg was inconvenient, she couldn’t drive recently, so she had taken a taxi here today. Fu Bei offered her a ride in her car. Being in the middle of nowhere, Qiao Xi didn’t refuse, as it was hard to get a taxi here.

“Does it hurt?” Fu Bei asked suddenly, her tone actually carrying a hint of concern.

Qiao Xi was stunned, thinking she misheard. Belatedly remaining silent, Fu Bei opened an unopened bottle of mineral water, wetting a tissue to help wipe the blood around her knee.

Sudden change and gentleness—the sun rising from the west.

Qiao Xi blinked and looked down. One sitting and one bending over, she inadvertently saw the shapely, fair softness inside the V-neck of this person’s khaki top. Fu Bei’s hair was blown messy by the mountain wind gusts. Two strands of hair suddenly fell behind her ear, gently sticking to her slender neck, the ends drilling straight into the deep cleavage.

Being close, she could smell the faint perfume on the other person, drifting into her nose.

“Stop wiping.” She pushed Fu Bei away, taking a tissue herself. “I’ll do it myself; don’t need you.”

The daytime mountain wind was especially gentle, brushing lightly like weightless crow feathers. Fu Bei stepped aside and brought another bottle, this one for Qiao Xi to drink.

“Back to the residential complex?”

Qiao Xi didn’t even lift her head. “Shop. Still have things to do.”

She didn’t really accept the blatant kindness, nor did it change the stalemate.

**

The temperature in Jiang City dropped completely, staying in the teens without changing. The south was always damp and cold, the air unbearably dry.

The flower shop continued to deliver flowers daily. Qiao Xi wasn’t moved at all. After a while, she accepted everything without guilt, using them to decorate the shop. When customers praised the flowers, she would casually give them a couple of stems.

Customers felt embarrassed. “Such a big, beautiful bouquet; a pity to break it up.”

Saying so, they would still accept.

Qiao Xi didn’t care. “Take more if you like. They’ll wither in a few days here anyway.”

Customers just smiled and didn’t take more.

The scab on the abrasion was extremely itchy and fell off very slowly. Qiao Xi was losing patience, regretting going out to throw flowers that day. She should have given them away like this earlier to save herself the bad luck.

The sending couldn’t keep up with the receiving. By the time the scab fell off completely, the shop counter was full of various flowers. Her knee being inconvenient, she originally promised to help Qin Si on Monday but couldn’t make it. Qin Si’s parents came to Jiang City, and she was busy dealing with them, having no time to come over.

In the morning, Wan San passed by and actually brought a pile of nutritional supplements. Unknown if he was giving them or someone else was, he instructed Qiao Xi, “Remember to eat them all; don’t just leave them there.”

Knowing Wan San for so long, Qiao Xi knew he wasn’t the type to actively care about others. Wondering why he suddenly became so nice, she still said politely, “Thanks, Brother Wan. Spent money again, buying so much.”

Wan San laughed heartily. “Be careful when going out next time; don’t fall again.”

These words were relayed from Qin Si. The original words weren’t gentle at all; Wan San modified them to sound pleasant.

Qiao Xi didn’t ask about Qin Si at all. Wan San wanted to say something several times but stopped, tactfully keeping his mouth shut. Unaware of his change, Qiao Xi teased, “Treating you and sister-in-law to dinner next time. Let’s set a date another day.”

As a thank you.

Wan San choked up, feeling this trip was in vain.

Fu Bei had come a few days ago, leaving after a short stay. She seemed very busy. Qiao Xi didn’t ask or care. Until Qiao Jianliang came to see her, chatting about family matters, he asked, “Little Xi, do you remember Chen Shuo?”

Having bumped into Fu Bei picking up Chen Shuo when she went to the airport to pick up Qin Si, how could she not remember? But Qiao Xi pretended not to know, replying nonchalantly, “Don’t remember.”

“The tall, thin boy who always followed Little Bei before,” Qiao Jianliang said.

Qiao Xi gave an “Oh,” uninterested in hearing this.

Qiao Jianliang said the Fu and Chen families had been close recently, probably to deal with Second Master Tan. Liang Jincheng really poked a hornet’s nest this time; how could he escape without pain? Qiao Jianliang gloated a bit when saying this. He remembered when his real estate investment failed, thinking his relationship with Liang Jincheng was solid, he went to borrow money. The other party ignored him and even demanded his other investments in exchange—simply kicking him when he was down. Now that Liang Jincheng had stumbled badly, although he didn’t show it on his face, he felt relieved inside.

Qiao Xi felt he paid too much attention to others’ family affairs and made no comments.

Qiao Jianliang coming here, besides seeing her and chatting about random things, seemed to have other matters to discuss, but ultimately couldn’t open his mouth. He was strange lately, probably hiding something. Qiao Xi pretended not to understand, continuing her own business.

The Zhou mother and son had been much quieter recently, busy with Zhou Lin’s study abroad. For her son to attend university securely, Zhou Meihe took great pains, using every method available, fearing her son would miss any opportunity.

For ordinary people, the only way to enter university was the college entrance examination (Gaokao), but for those with money and connections, it wasn’t too difficult.

Zhou Meihe whispered in Qiao Jianliang’s ear, hinting openly and secretly for him to help—basically asking for money, a large sum. Qiao Jianliang wasn’t a petty or stingy man, but this time he played deaf. Reaching this point, if Zhou Lin still couldn’t get admitted, what was the point of going abroad? Just stay home.

Because of this, Zhou Meihe was suffocated with grievance, grinding her teeth in anger when talking about it with Zhou Jiaqi.

Zhou Jiaqi asked pointedly, “Uncle wouldn’t really leave all the family assets to Qiao Xi, right?”

Zhou Meihe’s face instantly turned terrible. Before marriage, she had signed an agreement with Qiao Jianliang, clearly separating their assets. The wealthier people were, the more brains they had, separating these things clearly to prevent future changes. When getting married, Zhou Meihe was willing; even if she couldn’t get the meat, she could drink some soup. But after entering the Qiao family and figuring out Qiao Jianliang’s bottom line, plus Qiao Jianliang treating the mother and son decently, her thoughts changed.

Who doesn’t love money?

Some people aren’t born bad or malicious, but in this vast world, few can maintain their original intentions under temptation.

When Zhou Meihe married into the Qiao family, Qiao Xi had given face and called her “Auntie,” and Zhou Meihe had thought about living peacefully, treating her biological son and stepdaughter equally.

Who knew? Such a family was destined not to live a quiet life.

“Whether he gives it to her or not, it’s still early,” Zhou Meihe said through gritted teeth, her face full of unwillingness.

**

Just having heard Chen Shuo’s name, Qiao Xi saw the person himself the next evening.

The school season arrived, and a pile of things pressed breathlessly. Tang Yi called Qiao Xi out to play whenever she was free. They ate around Qijing Street and met Wan San and the others.

Wan San had sharp eyes, shouting first, “Hey, here, here, Qiao Xi!”

Qin Si was among them. She had returned to City S to personally send the Qin parents back. Tonight she was finally free, coming out to gather with a group of friends. Originally planned to eat near the university town, someone suggested Qijing Street, so they came.

Tang Yi pulled Qiao Xi over.

Qiao Xi greeted everyone. When it was Qin Si’s turn, before she could speak, the other party raised her eyebrows and asked first, “Running around with an injured leg?”

“Where’s the injured leg? Just bumped my knee; it’s scabbed and healed,” Qiao Xi said.

The bump was too severe; the scab hadn’t completely fallen off, leaving a small patch. The scar wasn’t obvious, but it would take time to recover completely invisible.

Qin Si looked down. According to her usual nature, she would likely mock Qiao Xi for falling while walking. Surprisingly, she said nothing today.

Strange.

Wan San was observant, suggesting that since they met, they should have a couple of drinks together. When Qin Si returned last time, they had planned to go out and play anyway.

Qiao Xi hesitated, unsure whether to go. Unexpectedly, Tang Yi was excited, agreeing immediately, taking her arm and following the crowd.

“Qiao Xi’s friend, right? Seen you many times before,” someone said to Tang Yi, actively closing the distance.

Integrating relationships required this—chatting more to get familiar and avoid awkward silence. Wan San and the others spoke a sentence or two each, making Qiao Xi and Tang Yi the center, making the two extremely uncomfortable, unable to back out last minute. Qin Si walked at the end of the line. Wan San turned his head and raised his eyebrows at her, smiling mischievously.

Looking at Qiao Xi walking in front, Qin Si glanced at him, too lazy to respond.

The group went to a bar—coincidentally, Zhuang Qiyang’s.

Zhuang Qiyang was a hands-off boss, coming over only when free, otherwise never appearing. He wasn’t seen tonight; maybe he didn’t come.

Located in an area with decent foot traffic, the bar business was booming. Many young men and women came here for entertainment. Even in the corridors, people were hugging intimately, passions hard to extinguish.

Controls were strict now; bars weren’t that chaotic. Moreover, Zhuang Qiyang wasn’t a pushover and wouldn’t let others mess around on his turf. The general environment was passable, not particularly chaotic. Tang Yi rarely came to such places, looking around curiously. The group asked for a booth. Qin Si treated generously, everyone cheering to have fun.

Qiao Xi didn’t have much interest in these things, just following everyone.

Wan San took good care of her. His girlfriend watched from the side, surprisingly not jealous, even helping to look after Qiao Xi.

This made Qiao Xi very uncomfortable, feeling these two were overly enthusiastic towards her. She found a seat on the edge. Tang Yi followed to sit together. Before she could sit down, Wan San’s girlfriend suddenly asked to switch with Tang Yi because Wan San was next to Tang Yi.

Since the couple wanted to be together, she definitely had to yield. Tang Yi moved to sit on the other side without a word.

Qin Si went to the bar counter. When she returned, the seats were almost all taken. Wan San’s girlfriend hurriedly asked Wan San to move over, moving herself too, making a space for Qin Si.

With many people urging each other to drink, the atmosphere heated up after a few glasses.

Qiao Xi wore a skirt today, not long, accentuating her exquisite waistline. Coupled with a cold and beautiful face, she attracted a lot of attention. Some were eager to come over, but seeing the crowd here, they were too embarrassed.

The bar was noisy, music deafening. People inside were dizzy from drinking too much, high and crazy. Qin Si spoke to Qiao Xi, but unfortunately, her voice was drowned out by the music and noise. Qiao Xi couldn’t hear clearly, covering one ear and leaning over. “What did you say?”

Qin Si leaned in.

Fu Bei, coming out with Zhuang Qiyang, saw this scene. Qin Si was almost gathering Qiao Xi into her arms, speaking nearly against Qiao Xi’s ear—intimate and lingering, full of ambiguity.