Coveted for a Long Time 42

Chapter 42

The bedside lamp was truly too bright, illuminating this corner of the bed with absolute clarity. Every undercurrent was laid bare. Ambiguous heat permeated the air, transforming into an invisible ribbon that wrapped from chest to ankle, leaving no spot untouched.

Light rain drifted down, blurring the glass window. Water stains gathered on the surface before slowly sliding down. A light touch, and one would be stained with water.

This season was gloomy and cold. Accompanied by intermittent rain, the wind grew stronger, making the trees downstairs in the complex sway gently. Branches and leaves, coated with fine rain, layered over each other. When swaying violently, water droplets caught between leaves flowed down the slender branches—soaking, dampening.

The dim yellow streetlights shone, casting swaying shadows of tree branches. The ground was muddy, wet to the point of flooding.

The sky was heavy and black, not even showing the shape of a cloud. The night was thick and boundless; sky and earth met in one place, inseparable. Darkness devoured whiteness, as if thirsty for too long, not letting go of a single bit, allowing no escape.

Jiang City on a rainy night was quiet and silent. Everything vanished in this prolonged rain. The dense raindrops fell harder and harder, the sound of rain ceaseless. The bed was a bit messy. Qiao Xi, already devoid of strength, lay limply on the thick, soft pillow. She couldn’t find a landing point, like the trees swaying in the wind downstairs. The hibiscus flower on her back seemed to bloom more and more vibrantly, fiery and passionate, twisting again and again.

Her black hair became a bit messy, some falling on her smooth, jade-like back, some brushing past her fair neck to drape over her arm. The contrast between porcelain-white skin and ink-black hair made her complexion appear even fairer.

She moved her waist, hips slightly raised, flat and firm lower abdomen tightened. Her chin tilted up slightly, drawing a beautiful curve. Her hands gripped the bedsheet tightly. Dense raindrops, like bean-sized beads, fell incessantly, increasingly wild and unrestrained, invading this silent land.

The dim, heavy light downstairs seemed ready to be extinguished by the wind and rain at any moment, precarious, starkly different from the brightness in the room.

The light was truly too dazzling; Qiao Xi was very unaccustomed to it. After a long time, she finally raised her hand to turn off the lamp, but was stopped.

“Don’t turn it off…”

It rained, but there was no thunder or lightning. Water vapor condensed in the air, creating a misty expanse. Looking out from the window, the distant scenery was invisible, only hazy, misty water vapor.

Withdrawing her hand, she curled her fingers involuntarily. After a while, Qiao Xi closed her eyes. She could still feel the overly bright light in front of her, but it was much more bearable.

Her jawline was distinct, neck line soft and beautiful. As soon as she tilted her head up, her red lips parted gently, incredibly beautiful. Her fair, smooth skin made her look like a ripe fruit just peeled from its shell—full and firm, her whole being exuding a sweet aura.

The sound of rain by her ear never ceased, accompanied by dense breathing, as if falling onto her heart, magnified infinitely. Qiao Xi was disturbed by these sounds, unable to find peace.

Before long, the rain gradually lessened, slowly coming to a stop, leaving behind a mess and disorder everywhere—everything was wet.

The twelfth floor was high, so the sound of rain hitting the ground couldn’t be heard. A sudden gust of wind blew, causing the rain-soaked trees to shake and tremble uncontrollably. Water droplets fell heavily from between the leaves, soaking the earth.

Heaven and earth gradually returned to peace. A touch of white appeared in the distance, separating the merged sky and earth once again.

The light in the room was turned off at this moment, so dark that nothing could be seen.

A feeling of emptiness arose in Qiao Xi’s heart; after passion receded, there was only void and silence. She stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, her eyes listless for a long time. The phone rang again, the screen lighting up suddenly, particularly piercing in the silent night. She turned her head slightly. The first thing she saw wasn’t the phone, but Fu Bei lying on her side next to her.

This person was looking straight at her. When she tried to turn over to get the phone, Fu Bei hugged her around the waist, leaning in to kiss.

Before was before; Qiao Xi let her kiss when she was willing. Now that she wasn’t, she wouldn’t allow it. She turned her head to dodge, but was a step too late. Thin lips still brushed the corner of her mouth, bringing a cool wetness.

“Move over a bit.” Qiao Xi pushed Fu Bei away, completely unappreciative.

Fu Bei held onto her, refusing to let go, even allowing half of Qiao Xi’s body to press on her. Qiao Xi hesitated for a moment, conflicted for a second or two, but still propped herself up to grab the phone.

“So late; who’s looking for you?” Fu Bei asked, pretending not to have seen anything earlier.

Unlocking the screen, it was all from Qin Si. Thought it might be something urgent late at night, but it turned out to be useless messages asking if she wanted to go to Little Buddha Mountain to see snow after winter arrived. Qiao Xi sat up halfway, looking down at Fu Bei. Sitting just like that, she replied to the messages first, then said, “Nothing urgent.”

Answering irrelevantly, avoiding the question directly, unwilling to tell the other party.

Putting down the phone, feeling cold, she burrowed into the quilt and lay down. Fu Bei wanted to hug her but was pushed away.

“Don’t touch me; uncomfortable.”

After all that, what harm would a hug do? Whether it was truly uncomfortable, only she knew in her heart. Turning her back once it was over, flipping faster than turning a page in a book.

Fu Bei acted as if she didn’t understand, hooking the person into her arms with considerable force, pressing her palm firmly against the small of her back, controlling her. Qiao Xi struggled uncomfortably but was pressed down again, almost her entire body tightly pressed against the other, fitting seamlessly together.

Clearly intentional; didn’t know what medicine she took wrong.

Qiao Xi frowned, then held back, not arguing with her. She stopped moving. After a long while, feeling the other’s hand climbing up, she grabbed it, remembering her proper business, and asked, “Do you know about the Zhou family’s matter?”

Although the Zhou and Qiao families hadn’t had many business dealings in the past two years, Zhou Meihe had married into the Qiao family after all. If the Zhou family really got into trouble, it would more or less implicate Qiao Jianliang. And when the time came, it would be impossible to ignore it completely and stay out of it, given their marriage. Qiao Xi couldn’t control Qiao Jianliang and the others, but she wouldn’t allow the Zhou family’s fire to burn the Qiao family, not even a bit. She certainly wouldn’t sit still and wait for death. She didn’t understand the twists and turns of the business world, but Fu Bei did.

Doing this wasn’t about using her or not, just asking. Besides, Fu Bei was the one who reminded her about this matter in the first place.

No matter how heartless Qiao Xi was, she was clear-headed about some things.

Fu Bei wasn’t surprised by this question at all, as if expecting it.

“I know.”

“Who did they pull strings with?”

Asking so directly, skipping all the circumlocution. If others were present, such words couldn’t be spoken carelessly. Strictly speaking, the Zhou family didn’t exactly pull strings. If the higher-ups really wanted to make an example of the Zhou family, there was no way to save the situation. Elder Zhou just sent someone to test the waters, daring not do anything else. Now that the higher-ups’ intentions were unclear, who dared to act rashly? Anyway, they were keeping extremely low-key now, minimizing their presence and waiting slowly.

Fu Bei paused, her slender fingers stroking Qiao Xi’s slightly protruding shoulder blade. The touch was faint and looming. Qiao Xi felt uncomfortable and burrowed into her embrace evasively, whispering a light rebuke: “Keep your hands to yourself.”

She didn’t say that just now; truly distinguishing clearly.

“Didn’t pull strings, just asked someone to inquire,” Fu Bei replied, knowing everything clearly.

Peace temporarily descended between the two. Moments ago, they were in a stalemate like ice in the dead of winter; now, lying together discussing matters was simply harmonious. Qiao Xi’s nature destined her not to bow her head; she was too proud, making everyone uncomfortable. But there was still a line in her heart, and Fu Bei touched that line, easing their relationship for now.

The Qiao family wasn’t Qiao Xi’s weakness, but it could be considered a soft spot in her heart. She couldn’t sit by and watch, especially since Qiao Jianliang had fallen so hard back then and now had to be cautious in everything he did in business.

“What do they mean over there? Will they single out the Zhou family?” Qiao Xi wondered. Pressing on her arm was very uncomfortable, sore after a long time. Her body felt a bit bloated and weak now. After lying like this for a while, she lay on top of Fu Bei without scruples.

She really knew how to enjoy herself, not caring about the other person’s feelings at all, pressing her whole body on her as if she had no bones. Fu Bei frowned, lowering her head, almost touching Qiao Xi’s chin. Qiao Xi had always lacked self-awareness, pulling the quilt to wrap herself.

“Shouldn’t be. No such plan for now.”

Qiao Xi raised an eyebrow, thinking that if they really singled them out, she would call to remind Qiao Jianliang. Now it wasn’t necessary.

“What about your uncle? Any moves these past two days? Did he help the Zhou family?”

Fu Bei pursed her thin lips, knowing what she was after tonight. Remaining silent for a long time, her palm on Qiao Xi’s thin back, she finally said, “He’s busy with his own company’s affairs, can’t attend to the Zhou family. Why?”

Qiao Xi moved her straight, slender legs. “Nothing, just asking.”

Her body was warm, only slightly better than just now. It was like this all year round; hugging her in winter was like holding a natural heater, comfortable and warm even on such a gloomy and cold night. Fu Bei fumbled, rubbing her cheek against Qiao Xi’s sensitive neck, her hand moving down. Qiao Xi was too sensitive, dodging immediately unable to bear it, trembling uncontrollably.

“Ticklish…” She shrank back. “Don’t touch…”

Fu Bei pressed closer, leaning into her neck, kissing up along her jawline. Qiao Xi tilted her chin up, then quickly dodged again, not allowing her to continue. Fu Bei embraced her, allowing no retreat. Perhaps an uncontrollable anxiety in her heart was at work, especially thinking of Qiao Xi’s current attitude, her grip tightened.

Half accepting, half resisting, Qiao Xi finally blocked Fu Bei’s other wandering hand. Unexpectedly, the other party had anticipated this, interlacing fingers with her while she blocked, holding on tight and refusing to let go. Qiao Xi pulled but couldn’t break free.

“Qiao Xi.”

“Mmh.”

“Is that all?” Fu Bei asked.

Qiao Xi disliked being shackled like this, not knowing what she wanted to do, so she replied without thinking, “That’s all.”

For a moment, Fu Bei stiffened, probably not expecting her to be so heartless. No matter how intimate they were before, even with Qiao Xi initiating the kiss, she thought today would be different. But no; Qiao Xi now sought her out only when there was something, never without reason.

To put it bluntly, tonight was just to ask about these matters; the rest was just incidental. Qiao Xi seemed not to care at all, truly heartless. Before, she could do it easily; now she could do it without any qualms, as if as long as she was happy and willing, it didn’t matter whether there was care or sincerity.

Immediately, she returned to normal.

Hugging this heartless one tightly, Fu Bei leaned in to kiss her temple. Remembering Qin Si, she rubbed Qiao Xi somewhat forcefully, wanting to move over to find Qiao Xi’s lips.

“Are you free this weekend?” she asked softly.

Knowing what she wanted to do, Qiao Xi shrank further into the quilt, deliberately preventing contact. “What for?”

“I booked a restaurant. Let’s have a meal together, okay?” Fu Bei let go of her hand, touching the side of her face and clamping her chin, not letting her dodge anymore.

Qiao Xi refused directly: “No time.”

Unfortunately, refusing verbally couldn’t avoid the ensuing kiss. Fu Bei restrained her forcefully, leaving almost no room for resistance. Qiao Xi gave a muffled sound, got angry, struggled a couple of times, then raised her hand to pound on Fu Bei’s shoulder. However, the other party remained unmoved, ruthlessly claiming the kiss deeply.

The rain outside stopped completely. The washed world was exceptionally fresh. Coolness spread in the dark night. The distant lights were dim and lonely. At this time of night, all the households in the complex had turned off their lights.

A night of silence until dawn.

When waking up, a certain person hadn’t left. This was a first; Qiao Xi thought she would leave on her own. Moving slightly, she touched the warm body beside her.

Clothes were scattered messily on the floor, dropped at some unknown time. Their intimate apparel landed together. Opening her eyes, Qiao Xi saw it, instantly feeling something was weird. Turning her head, she found Fu Bei was already awake.

“Morning.”

Qiao Xi didn’t make a sound, pressing her red lips into a thin line, not even glancing at her, only asking, “Why haven’t you left yet? No class today?”

Fu Bei hugged her from behind. “Only in the afternoon.”

It was light. From the bed, one could see the mist-covered glass. Light shone in from outside. There was still no sun today; it should be a cloudy day.

Qiao Xi felt lazy, not planning to get up immediately. She lay on her side with her back to Fu Bei, closing her eyes, ignoring the person behind her.

But soon, a moist warmth came from the back of her neck.

**

Fu Bei didn’t leave the residential complex until 1:00 PM. Qiao Xi didn’t ask her to stay for lunch, nor did she say a single word of retention. Having class in the afternoon, she had to return to school.

Jiang City after rain was fresh and natural, filled with water vapor everywhere. This time was the lunch break, and the Jiang University campus was empty and silent. After returning to school, the first thing she did was find Director Qiu.

There was another guest in Director Qiu’s office.

At the moment of encounter, Qin Si sharply caught sight of the faint bruise on the side of Fu Bei’s collarbone.