Coveted for a Long Time 74

Chapter 74

This person’s tone was flat, as if speaking of something incredibly ordinary.

They had only just stabilized, and suddenly jumping to the step of meeting the parents left Qiao Xi at a loss. Stunned for a good while, she didn’t know how to answer. Speechless for a long time, she pursed her red lips, looking out the car window with an unnatural expression.

“Oh.”

This was an agreement.

Except for the old lady, no one else in the Fu family particularly liked Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi knew this in her heart. Calm on the surface, she was actually uncertain.

Fu Bei saw through her thoughts. Afraid she would be too anxious, she didn’t chat much, only saying it was just a simple meal.

This simple meal left Qiao Xi anxious for a week.

On the day of departure to Cijing Town, she got up early to wash and put on makeup. She tried on several dresses, barely settling on a generous and plain white midi slim-fit dress. Daring not apply heavy makeup, she looked relatively elegant and simple.

Fu Bei watched, corners of her lips lifting, saying nothing.

Before going out, Fu Bei called Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi tilted her head. “Hmm?”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’m not.”

With a smile in her eyes, Fu Bei leaned in to kiss her cheek. Qiao Xi was a bit shy, muttering, “Don’t ruin the makeup.”

“Didn’t.” Fu Bei led her out, closing the door. “Looks very good.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes curved in a smile, but she was still somewhat nervous, not talking much along the way. Although her relationship with Fu Bei hadn’t been explicitly stated, reaching this point meant silence spoke louder than words; both tacitly acknowledged each other’s status. Moreover, Qiao Xi knew about Fu Bei meeting Qiao Jianliang alone several times. She thought the day to face the Fu family was still far away. Who knew it would come so soon? She was a bit flustered.

Fu Bei was particularly serious about this relationship, aiming for the end from the start. Although Father Fu initiated this meeting, she had secretly facilitated it. Grandpa Fu and Liang Yuzhi definitely wouldn’t accept them like this for now, but Father Fu was different. He had always been neutral and wouldn’t oppose too much. Even if he disapproved in his heart, he would be respectful verbally. Fu Bei didn’t intend to force family approval, just wanting to give this relationship an explanation.

Cijing Town was even livelier than the last visit. Bustling tourists filled the streets; tour guides led groups around with loudspeakers. This season had the highest tourist flow, and they caught it right on time.

Because Grandpa Fu was firm and didn’t accept this much, they couldn’t go to the old family courtyard. Father Fu was thoughtful, finding the best local restaurant and arranging accommodation, personally waiting for them at the town entrance.

Qiao Xi was originally quite apprehensive. Arriving at the place, before she could speak, Father Fu greeted her first, his face very kind. “Little Xi.”

She was a bit embarrassed, replying softly, “Uncle.”

Father Fu glanced at Fu Bei beside her. A flash of helplessness crossed his face but went unnoticed by Qiao Xi. He composed himself and said, “Just wondering when you’d arrive, and here you are. Still early for lunch; I’ll take you to your accommodation first, then we’ll go to the restaurant to eat later.”

Qiao Xi hummed, probably not expecting Father Fu’s attitude to be so gentle. Before coming, she was prepared for a fight, thinking Grandpa Fu would come out to discipline them. It turned out so smooth.

She glanced at Fu Bei. Fu Bei actually took her hand at this moment, disregarding Father Fu’s presence.

Stunned, fearing it would look bad if Father Fu saw, she wanted to break free. However, Fu Bei gripped tightly, giving her no chance to escape, and said softly, “Let’s go; almost there.”

The accommodation was an elegant homestay. Father Fu had booked the whole place; for the next two days, they would be the only guests. Father Fu helped them with their luggage, not putting on airs throughout the process, trying to be peaceful, initiating conversation with Qiao Xi from time to time, asking about her recent situation.

The overly kind attitude made Qiao Xi extremely constrained. The uneasiness of meeting the parents lingered, making her exceptionally reserved even while eating.

Actually, Father Fu hadn’t completely accepted their relationship. But having known clearly for years, struggling for so long, there was still no way. Fu Bei liked girls. Even if he broke them up, there would be other girls in the future. It was all the same, no difference.

Before coming, Fu Bei made it very clear: just bringing the person back for a look. If not accepted, then forget it.

Now the Fu family was in a mess; he had no mood for break-up games. Even if he did, Fu Bei wouldn’t listen, possibly making the family relationship even stiffer. Moreover, Fu Bei bringing Qiao Xi back meant she still cared about this family. No matter what, the Fu family members still held weight in her heart.

Father Fu had a scale in his heart, weighing things clearly. Helpless, he took care of Qiao Xi at the dinner table and asked about her future plans.

Qiao Xi hesitated, debating whether to say pretty words. Finally, she told the truth: “When my dad can take over the company, I’ll go back to opening the tattoo parlor. I have no talent for business; can’t manage the company well.”

“Still at Qijing Street?” Father Fu asked, seemingly not surprised.

“Should be.” Qiao Xi nodded.

“That’s good.” Father Fu said. Looking at Fu Bei, mumbling for a long time, he continued, “Do something you like; every profession produces its own leading authority.”

The exchange was relatively pleasant, without any friction. Qiao Xi keenly noticed a momentary disappointment in Father Fu’s expression, probably regretting Fu Bei’s choice to be a university teacher instead of inheriting the family business. She pretended not to see. Until dark, when Father Fu left, and she lay in bed after showering with Fu Bei, she asked, “Why did you choose to be a university teacher?”

Fu Bei was drying her hair. Hearing this, she paused, thinking carefully. “Wanted a quieter life.”

“Just that?”

“Mmh.”

“Students are so noisy; where is it quiet?” Qiao Xi was amused, then thought of the last time she went to Jiang University to watch her class, feeling these two words didn’t fit at all.

Fu Bei sat on the edge of the bed, drying her hair for her in passing. “Quieter than doing business.”

That was true. Qiao Xi hadn’t been at the company long, yet she was overwhelmed daily by various trivial tasks, having to deal with those old slickers on the board, socializing, entertaining. Meeting partners who habitually wrangled or were shamelessly roguish made it even more annoying.

Everything has its gains and losses. Appearing to dominate the business world, but secretly experiencing so many disgusting things—groping isn’t even the worst. Qiao Xi had seen too much these days and was quite repulsed by it.

“Going to be a teacher forever?” She tilted her head and asked. Having just taken a hot shower, her lips were rosy, skin fair and clean, looking like she had just been peeled from a shell, emitting a faint scent of shower gel.

Fu Bei sniffed gently by her ear, touching the small earlobe. “As long as I can.”

She had just officially resumed her post; the future was still unknown. If things at school really didn’t go smoothly, she might have to find another way out.

Qiao Xi could understand this. Sensitively dodging, she was embraced by the other party before she could escape.

“Don’t move; I’ll dry your hair right away.”

She had no choice but to stay still.

These days, the interaction between the two became increasingly tender. Even simple hair drying revealed affection. Fu Bei was a person who didn’t show emotions, always doing more than she said. Because they had to meet Father Fu again the next day, they didn’t dare indulge that night, cuddling for a while and sleeping early.

Grandpa Fu knew they had come, and knew Father Fu went out to meet them. He was so angry he couldn’t speak. As soon as Father Fu entered the house, he scolded him violently.

Scolding wasn’t enough to relieve his anger; he almost smashed things in agitation. Fortunately, the helper at home stopped him. He was so emotional his chest hurt, groaning in discomfort repeatedly.

However, it was useless. Father Fu remained silent, letting him scold and vent, still going out early the next morning as usual.

“Won’t be satisfied until you anger me to death; just anger me to death!” Grandpa Fu scolded while stomping his cane. Unfortunately, by the time he finished scolding, the person was gone.

Father Fu wouldn’t mention these things in front of the two juniors, acting thoroughly and appropriately. On the day of leaving Cijing Town, he sent Qiao Xi and Fu Bei off, even asking Qiao Xi to bring back some local specialties. Just after seeing them off, Grandpa Fu arrived, his face very ugly. The old man didn’t even scold anymore, directly giving him a hit with the cane.

“Did I let you come?!” Grandpa Fu’s tone was stiff, almost blowing his beard and staring.

The hit wasn’t hard. Father Fu didn’t fuss, going over to support him. “Alright, alright, going back now.”

Grandpa Fu walked ahead on his own. After two steps, he suddenly looked back. However, the busy street no longer had a trace of that car; nothing could be seen.

**

On the other side, Qiao Jianliang accidentally learned about the trip to Cijing Town to see Father Fu. He wasn’t happy, asking a few veiled questions. Knowing they didn’t even enter the door and the Fu family elders didn’t follow the etiquette of home visits, he felt increasingly uncomfortable.

The Fu family’s attitude was too poor, showing no sincerity in his eyes. Consequently, he wasn’t as welcoming to Fu Bei. Twice when Fu Bei came over, he didn’t even give her a cup of water.

But later he restrained himself, feeling he went too far. The Fu family was the Fu family, and Fu Bei was Fu Bei, so he stopped doing such petty things.

During the National Day holiday in early October, neither Qiao Xi nor Fu Bei traveled. They stayed in the residential complex for two days, then took turns caring for Qiao Jianliang. Qiao Jianliang recovered exceptionally well, expected to return to the company next year. Although unable to do high-intensity work at first, at least there was hope. Qiao Xi was happy about his good recovery, looking forward every day to ending this dull and boring workplace life quickly.

At the hospital, Zhou Lin’s condition had long stabilized, but there was no sign of waking up. He still had feelings. One day, Zhou Meihe was guarding by the bed, crying and talking to him, reflecting on and regretting her past actions. Zhou Lin actually shed tears too. Zhou Meihe was extremely excited then, thinking he was about to wake up, but it was joy in vain.

During these days, Zhou Meihe lost a lot of weight, looking very haggard, her face even paler than Zhou Lin’s.

Qiao Xi would visit the hospital when free, but wouldn’t show too much concern; just checking in was enough.

Zhou Meihe wiped her tears unexpectedly, saying to her, “Thank you for coming often.”

However, Qiao Xi didn’t feel much emotion, nor would she change anything because of this.

It was Qiao Jianliang who felt bad, after all, they were a couple. Even if he didn’t have deep feelings for his stepson, thinking that the child was only in his teens, he couldn’t help feeling pity and regret.

Of course, no one knew what Zhou Lin had done before; otherwise, Qiao Xi would have acted differently and wouldn’t have come to the hospital to visit.

**

Since drifting apart, Qiao Xi had barely seen Zhao Shihuan again. However, Fu Bei met Zhao Shihuan at an alumni gathering.

Zhao Shihuan wasn’t a Jiang University alumna, but she donated a lot to Jiang University this year, so she was specially invited as a guest. Fu Bei was one of the receptionists. The good friends who grew up together were no longer like before when they met again. They couldn’t even squeeze out a few polite words; there was nothing to say.

Indeed, one was galloping in the business world, riding high, while the other withdrew from disputes, focusing on research and education. They had long lost contact and were no longer people of the same world.

Zhao Shihuan extended her hand to Fu Bei first, calling out, “Professor Fu.”

Actively creating distance, drawing a clear line.

Fu Bei was expressionless, responding lukewarmly, “President Zhao.”

To outsiders, it looked harmonious and friendly, a memorable scene. But only the two involved knew the taste of it.

Later at the dinner, Zhao Shihuan took advantage of a moment when no one was around to walk up to Fu Bei and asked seemingly inadvertently in a voice only the two could hear, “How is Qiao Qiao lately?”

Fu Bei didn’t even lift her eyes, saying lightly, “Just like that.”

Before, they were friends, and some words and actions wouldn’t be brought to the surface. Now it was different. However, Zhao Shihuan only asked. After chatting for a while, she actively whispered, “If you need help in the future, you can come to me.”

Whether these words were sincere or just polite formality, Fu Bei didn’t delve into it. But for a long time afterward, she never contacted Zhao Shihuan again, and Zhao Shihuan didn’t appear. They were originally friends, but unfortunately, Qiao Xi and the collusion case stood between them. They could never be as close as years ago. Besides, their friendship had gradually faded years ago.

Fu Bei didn’t tell Qiao Xi about this, not mentioning Zhao Shihuan’s name at all.

That night, her possessiveness was particularly strong, doing it several times, kissing Qiao Xi repeatedly, not even leaving Qiao Xi a gap to speak.

**

Qiao Xi also had matters to resolve on her side, but they happened later. It was late in the twelfth lunar month when every household was preparing for the New Year. Qin Si, who had been away for a long time, started sending her messages every few days and ordered bouquets to be delivered to her home.

Receiving flowers the first time, Qiao Xi didn’t care much. After all, Tang Yi would buy her flowers during holidays too; sending flowers wasn’t a big deal between good friends.

However, after receiving them a second time, she didn’t quite understand this behavior, always feeling it wasn’t right. But Qin Si didn’t say it directly, and her performance and way of speaking on the phone weren’t strange. Qiao Xi wasn’t a narcissistic person, nor could she ask directly. She only euphemistically asked the other party to stop sending them, saying it wasn’t necessary.

Qin Si didn’t listen, continuing to send them every day without fail.

Fu Bei knew the truth, her face getting uglier day by day. She wouldn’t lose her temper at Qiao Xi; after all, Qiao Xi was also helpless. But being far away, she couldn’t do anything about Qin Si. She could only take the flowers out and throw them in the trash can with a dark face, replacing them with ones she bought herself.

Usually so proper, now so competitive. Qiao Xi said helplessly, “I don’t accept her flowers anyway; stop buying them every day.”

Fu Bei asked back, “Don’t like flowers?”

She did the same thing earlier.

“No.” Qiao Xi shook her head. “Too many. One or two bouquets are enough; too many just sit there and wither.”

Fu Bei listened and stopped sending them.

But just stopped sending flowers. Not long after, perhaps stimulated by Qin Si’s pestering energy, she switched to sending some special “small gifts.”

Receiving a small gift for the first time on the night of the twenty-ninth, Qiao Xi’s ears turned red, shrinking under the quilt. This person became even more improper, thin lips moving almost to kiss Qiao Xi’s earlobe, saying in a slightly weary voice, “For tomorrow night…”

The next night was New Year’s Eve.

Qiao Xi didn’t respond, lying stiffly under the quilt for a long time.

She didn’t sleep much that night, suffering insomnia. Consequently, when returning to the compound for the festival the next day, she had dark circles under her eyes.

This year’s New Year’s Eve passed more smoothly than last year. The two even went to the central square of Qijing Street to count down with many Jiang City people, returning home only in the early hours of the morning.

As soon as they entered the house, Fu Bei leaned over to kiss Qiao Xi first, kissing while moving towards the bedroom.