Chapter 46
Unlike before, only the small lamp was on in the bathroom this time. The orange light filled the entire bathroom, warm and comfortable. The light wasn’t bright enough; when the hot water released steam, the dim yellow became the most captivating color, shining on tender skin, dyeing the whole body with a layer of enticing honey.
Hot water from the showerhead hit her smooth, round shoulders, instantly wetting most of her back. The water flowed slowly down from her shoulders, over her spine, then her perky, firm buttocks, long, straight legs, exquisite ankles… As the damp cold season just arrived, being wrapped in warmth was exceptionally comfortable.
Standing under the flowing water, Qiao Xi endured the wash of hot water, lifting her swan neck, her smooth chin slightly raised, red lips parting gently.
Swirling misty white steam obscured her vision, gathering above. Hot water flowed from her shoulders to her chest, slowly falling into the cleavage. The stream suddenly diverted, splashing onto the floor along her curvaceous figure, some hitting the white wall tiles.
The dim light dyed the steam orange, blurring everything. Especially the hibiscus tattoo on her lower back—under the watering, it appeared so lush and vibrant, blooming almost to the point of withering, breathtakingly red and beautiful, inviting one to pluck it.
Qiao Xi was like this flower, blossoming under the soak of water. Warmth scurried about, enveloping the surroundings, scorching will and self-control, sinking bit by bit.
After washing, she turned off the hot water.
The warm orange hue and misty steam wore down one’s willpower. The mirror was covered in water droplets. Qiao Xi braced her hands on the icy countertop. Looking up, she saw a silhouette in the mirror so blurred the figure was indistinguishable. The mirror surface was smooth; condensed water droplets suddenly slid down, leaving behind crooked wet trails.
She caught her breath, involuntarily tightening her lower abdomen and leaning back slightly.
Inadvertently raising her hand, she wiped a streak through the mist on the mirror. The clean surface immediately reflected the scene before the mirror with absolute clarity.
Lowering her eyes and seeing the reflection, Qiao Xi couldn’t help her ears turning red, but she made no other move.
The bathroom floor was still wet. Stepping on it barefoot felt icy cold, as did the countertop under her hands. Yet she didn’t feel cold at all. A warmth flowed through her body, getting hotter and hotter, leaving her unable to find release.
The trees downstairs in the complex rustled softly against the night wind, tender leaves wrapping tightly around branches, holding on relentlessly.
It was still early. The streets in the distance were bustling with people coming and going. The lights there were brighter than in this corner; the city’s feasting and revelry thrived at night, never ceasing.
By the time they returned to the room, it was already 11:30. Qiao Xi lay weakly on the bed, too tired even to dry her hair. Fu Bei sat at the head of the bed and dried it for her. She closed her eyes lazily, enjoying it. Tired of lying prone, she turned over to lie flat.
Wrapped only in a bath towel, she lazily lifted her waist, turning towards Fu Bei. Remembering the news report, she asked, “Did you see the news?”
Knowing she was asking about the Zhou family, Fu Bei hummed. “Saw it. The storm has just passed.”
Her hair dried, Qiao Xi didn’t say thanks but sat up on her own. Watching Fu Bei tidy up beside her, she suddenly raised her foot and lightly stepped on the other’s instep, doing it on purpose. “Hey, did the Zhou family offend someone? Why so unlucky this time? The internet was full of rumors based on shadows two days ago, and searching today shows nothing. Must have spent a lot of money to suppress it.”
Pausing, Fu Bei put the hairdryer back in place and came over to sit next to her. Seeing her retract her leg and sit curled up, her dark eyes shrank. She pulled a corner of the quilt to cover her, but Qiao Xi felt uncomfortable and kicked it off.
Fu Bei said, “Maybe posted by a rival; not very clear.”
Qiao Xi raised an eyebrow, not delving deeper. After all, truth and falsehood on the internet were hard to distinguish; many rumors spread before were never heard of again. Thinking for a moment, she sighed with emotion, “Trouble everywhere lately; not peaceful.”
She wore nothing underneath, and the bath towel wasn’t tied securely. Moving a couple of times made it loose, hanging on her body. Fu Bei reached out to help tie it. She leaned against the headboard motionless. Just as the other party was about to withdraw her hand, she suddenly leaned closer. Fu Bei paused instantly, the fingers holding the corner of the bath towel curling slightly.
Fu Bei had done many things for her in the past, but always with deadly seriousness. No matter how she reacted, this person remained unmoved, always treating her from the perspective of an elder, maintaining distance. But now it was different; the reaction was naturally different.
In this season, the south had already started to turn cold. The weather was gloomy and cool, and it was late at night; wearing only a bath towel was definitely cold. Qiao Xi acted as if she couldn’t feel it, leaning nonchalantly against the headboard, staring straight at the other party.
Fu Bei lowered her eyes. The next moment, she tied the bath towel properly. Feeling the softness against her fingertips again, she didn’t pull away this time.
“What have you been busy with these past two days?” she asked in a low voice, carrying the unique weary hoarseness after a shower.
“In the shop, just the usual.” Qiao Xi said, blinking, looking at the other party with an innocent face. She must be in a good mood today. Not only did she allow all of Fu Bei’s actions, but now she was intentionally or unintentionally hooking her, like a lazy, gluttonous cat—just fed, retracting all sharp claws, casually seeking comfort.
A rare moment of warmth. Since returning to the country, the two rarely had such peaceful times. Before, they were either in a cold war or doing other things, lacking communication. Fu Bei’s expression shifted slightly. Whether moved or something else, her face softened. Moving closer, she half-knelt in front of Qiao Xi.
Thinking she was going to do something, Qiao Xi subconsciously dodged, only to have her ankle grabbed and her leg placed on the other’s lap.
Fu Bei’s movements were very light, cool fingertips touching her slender calf, lifting her eyes. “Sore?”
Qiao Xi didn’t react for a moment, not understanding the meaning of this sentence. Feeling a bit ticklish, she curled her small, round toes, retreating back, saying uncomfortably, “A bit ticklish; don’t touch.”
Only then did Qiao Xi realize, her face suddenly heating up. Ultimately unaccustomed, she awkwardly tried to move away, but with one ankle held, she couldn’t get far.
The force was moderate; the kneading was indeed quite comfortable. After itching for a while, she got used to it. Unconsciously biting her lower lip, she endured it in the end, letting this person massage her. Her legs were indeed a bit sore. Their interaction recently had been excessive and unrestrained. Qiao Xi never thought about these things; anyway, once out of bed, she did what she had to do. Now that the other party did this, it put her in a dilemma.
Struggling for a minute or two, she finally succumbed to comfort. The kneading was truly pleasant. So she carelessly extended her smooth, white foot forward, resting it on the other’s lower abdomen, enjoying this preferential treatment.
Getting a massage from a dignified Jiang University professor was acceptable.
Qiao Xi opened her eyes, looking down at those long, distinct hands with slender knuckles and neatly trimmed, clean nails, then looked up at the other party.
Fu Bei was also scrutinizing her.
“What are you looking at me for?” She raised an eyebrow. Clearly looking at the other person herself, but asking as if only Fu Bei was looking at her.
Fu Bei lowered her long eyes, kneading with downcast eyes for a while, then suddenly asked, “Has Qin Si come to find you again these past two days?”
Back to Qin Si again.
Qiao Xi frowned, not understanding why she kept asking about Qin Si. However, she suddenly remembered that day in the shop when Qin Si pressed her shoulder and said those words, inexplicably asking, “How about I come over to help you? Don’t want to work in the university town anymore anyway. You don’t have anyone helping here; hard to work alone. I’m alone too; why not partner up?”
Qin Si originally had others helping in her shop, but she was never stable. The others found better places and left. For a long time, Qiao Xi helped her there. The two worked together tacitly, actually quite friendly. But ultimately unsuitable to work together; Qin Si was too willful. Qiao Xi didn’t want to find trouble for herself, so she politely refused.
Finally, Qin Si asked the same thing: “Has that person come to find you recently?”
Qiao Xi was stunned. “Which one?”
Qin Si’s gaze was intriguing, saying lukewarmly, “You know which one.”
Fu Bei didn’t answer, just applying a little more force with her hand, moving up a bit. Qiao Xi froze, red lips slightly parted, uncontrollably grabbing the bedsheet, back straightening. But she endured it, calming her mind, and replied, “Came yesterday, helped out a bit.”
“Helped with what?”
“Whatever could be done,” Qiao Xi said grumpily, feeling she asked too many questions. Maybe some thought in her heart was at work; Qin Si’s recent actions were too overstepping, making her uncomfortable. So when Fu Bei kept mentioning this person, she felt a bit repulsed, unwilling to talk about it more.
However, to Fu Bei, it looked different. Pursing her thin lips, her hand paused for a moment then continued. Silent for a while, she ultimately did nothing.
Fu Bei switched the light to a softer one, moved closer, and suddenly grabbed her hand. Qiao Xi shrank back, only to be grabbed again.
“Qiao Xi…” This person insisted on leaning in, hugging her waist. Qiao Xi’s struggles were useless. The attitude was relatively firm but also considerate, not making Qiao Xi uncomfortable enough to reject too much. “Tell me about these past few years, okay?”
Speaking nicely, coaxing patiently, lowering her stance very low so as not to provoke anger.
Unfortunately, Qiao Xi wouldn’t relax because of a coaxing sentence. She allowed the hug but spoke stiffly: “Tell you what?”
“Anything.” Fu Bei said softly, wrapping both her hands, leaning in to kiss the side of her face intimately. Pausing for a long time, she moved down, planting dragonfly-like kisses on the side of her neck and shoulder.
The movements were too gentle, unbelievably mild. Qiao Xi’s heart tightened, hands held, not knowing how to respond. If this person treated her coldly, she could still be tough. But facing this now, her throat choked, unable to speak.
Fu Bei seemed to have sensed it early on. Thinking for a moment, she raised her hand to stroke the side of her neck, leaning in to seal her lips. Qiao Xi struggled, the bath towel loosening, and this person completely encircled her waist.
