Coveted for a Long Time 12

Chapter 12

Back then, the weather was just as drizzly as this. The sky was shrouded in a thin layer of mist, and at five or six o’clock, it was so dark it seemed like night had fallen. The rain pattered down, and the school gate was jammed to a standstill.

Many parents were blocking the way outside, so the cars couldn’t leave for the time being.

As soon as class ended, Zhao Shihuan rushed out to grab the front passenger seat, wanting to sit with Qiao Xi. She had long noticed something was off with the kid and wanted to take this opportunity to smooth things over. However, she waited for a long time, but no one came.

The Qiao family’s driver entered the school with an umbrella to pick up Qiao Xi. After getting her into the car, he specifically came over to greet them, respectfully informing them that he would be picking up and dropping off Qiao Xi from now on, so the Fu family’s car didn’t need to wait. The driver was quite eloquent, his words polished and inoffensive.

Fu Bei only glanced at the Qiao family’s car. The child sat in the back seat of the other vehicle, turning her face away from them. Obscured by the car window and the misty rain, her expression was unclear.

Zhao Shihuan bluntly asked the Qiao family’s driver, “We were all together before; why do you suddenly have to pick her up separately?”

The driver was just doing his job for money; how would he know why? The boss said to come, so he came. Fu Bei didn’t make things difficult for him and said calmly, “Understood. Let’s drive back first.”

The driver left immediately. Zhao Shihuan wasn’t very happy; the snacks she hadn’t managed to give out before were still in her bag, and she failed to give them out today as well.

Different ages have different kinds of stubbornness. A child of a few years doesn’t understand right or wrong, humility, or anything like that; they only understand who treats them well and who doesn’t. Qiao Xi had a conflict with Zhou Jiaqi, so anyone who was nice to Zhou Jiaqi was being bad to her—the logic was that simple. As for Fu Bei and Zhao Shihuan, they had reached a sensible age and viewed things more comprehensively. After all, they had watched Zhou Jiaqi grow up too, so they couldn’t just ignore her. In their eyes, children’s quarrels were just trivial squabbles not worth mentioning.

The two cars arrived at the compound one after another. Qiao Xi got out first and was led home by the driver.

The sky was now as dark as a gaping abyss, and the rain continued to drift down. Fu Bei frowned but ultimately held back.

On a whim, the old lady made a large batch of handmade pastries and insisted they be sent to the Qiao family even though it was late at night.

“It’s still raining outside. Let’s go tomorrow,” Fu Bei said, brushing the water off her clothes.

But the old lady insisted on the trip. “You haven’t changed your shoes yet anyway. Go deliver them first; Little Xi happens to be home.”

She had no choice but to go. There were puddles on the road, and although the distance wasn’t far, her shoes were soaked by the time she reached the opposite side.

The Qiao couple hadn’t returned yet. The lights were on in the living room, but only the cooking auntie was on the first floor. The auntie knew Fu Bei, so she greeted her politely upon seeing her and asked, “Are you looking for Miss Qiao? Her clothes got wet in the rain, so she went upstairs to change. Please sit and wait for a moment.”

The TV in the living room was on, playing commercials. The auntie brought over two cups of hot drinks, acting thoughtfully and generously.

Qiao Xi had changed into dark green overalls and came downstairs barefoot. She was used to running wild in the North District and often ran around the house without shoes. Having lived in the compound for some time, the food was good, and she had gained some weight, looking even chubbier than before. Seeing Fu Bei sitting on her sofa, she dodged slightly, seeming embarrassed to be seen barefoot, and ran to the entrance to put on shoes.

After putting on her shoes, she came over and sat down, but she didn’t greet Fu Bei.

Fu Bei spoke first, pushing the handmade pastries over. “Grandma gave these to you.”

Qiao Xi was awkward but didn’t reach out to take them, only replying sullenly, “Thank you.”

It seemed she didn’t intend to engage further. She really held a grudge; it had been so long, and she was still angry.

Fu Bei didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she tactlessly continued to sit there and asked, “What happened today?”

The question was incredibly direct, without beating around the bush. Qiao Xi’s lips moved, but she didn’t tell the truth. Actually, she cared a lot about the Zhou Jiaqi incident. Being scolded the first time and ignored the second time, she was bound to throw a tantrum. Since the people around her didn’t care about her, she wouldn’t explain and would just sulk. Ultimately, she was too young, her childish nature too heavy.

“Are you angry?” Fu Bei scooted closer, almost touching her.

Qiao Xi shrank away, lowering her head to avoid eye contact, her hands unconsciously pulling at the sofa cover.

Fu Bei raised her hand, but before she could touch her, the child suddenly dodged.

The rain grew heavier, soon falling in a steady patter. The auntie finished cooking and was just about to ask Fu Bei if she wanted to stay for dinner, but when she came out, the person was already gone, leaving only Qiao Xi sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Children are the type to be happy with just a piece of candy; they soften up as soon as someone bows their head slightly. Although she still didn’t take the Fu family’s car, within two days, she went to the Fu house to find the old lady. Sometimes she deliberately ran out of the practice room to wander around downstairs, pretending to walk away when she encountered Fu Bei.

“You can go downstairs to watch TV. There are snacks on the coffee table; go eat some,” the old lady said. She saw everything but didn’t say it outright; everyone understood.

Qiao Xi ran downstairs from time to time. Not only the old lady but even the two senior disciples noticed. No one thought much of it; both children were young, just one was a bit less sensible. Qiao Xi didn’t go but stayed in the practice room, saying evasively, “I’ll just stay here. Don’t want to go downstairs.”

This made everyone laugh. Didn’t want to go downstairs? She had gone down four or five times in one afternoon; her heart wasn’t here at all.

During calligraphy class, the child intentionally or unintentionally squeezed onto the same table to practice writing. The teacher, Li Xunian, saw this but turned a blind eye, pretending not to know.

“Fu Bei,” Qiao Xi finally initiated conversation, shamelessly squeezing closer and putting her book on the table. “I can’t write this character; it’s too hard.”

The child had a faint scent and a soft body. As she spoke, she leaned in close. Fu Bei glanced down, then withdrew her gaze, her face calm and expressionless as she taught her attentively.

“To write, you need to calm your mind and be serious.”

Qiao Xi nodded like pounding garlic. “Mmh, I know.”

She agreed quickly enough, but the teaching went in one ear and out the other, forgotten as soon as it was spoken.

The next day, Zhao Shihuan came to the Fu house with a pile of food, shamelessly insisting on getting close to Qiao Xi. This person had always been a rogue, pulling Qiao Xi by the collar and not letting her leave. Finally, she even lifted the person onto the sofa to sit, saying without self-awareness, “Qiao Qiao, how long has it been since you talked to me? Where did I offend you?”

“You didn’t.” Qiao Xi was extremely uncomfortable. This person almost completely encircled her, making it hard to breathe.

Zhao Shihuan had a mischievous streak. Seeing Qiao Xi’s face turn red from holding her breath, she finally let go, pushing the food in front of her and saying shamelessly, “Good that I didn’t. Here, eat this. Brought it specially for you.”

Saying this, she tore open the packaging and put it directly into Qiao Xi’s hand.

Qiao Xi hadn’t wanted to pay attention to this person, but the other party was too “enthusiastic,” calling her “Qiao Qiao” one moment and intimately calling her “kid” the next, deliberately blocking her way and trapping her in the corner of the sofa. In the end, she had to sit with her.

Fu Bei sat opposite them without saying a word, watching Zhao Shihuan feed her, but her brow remained furrowed.

For a period after that, Zhao Shihuan became very close to Qiao Xi, even visiting the Qiao house twice. It was unclear why, but she quite liked Qiao Xi. Perhaps because the children in their circle were all spoiled and overly “sensible” at a young age, lacking that purity.

Children like to be coaxed. Originally, she still held a grudge, but after a few times, it vanished like smoke, and she became good friends with Zhao Shihuan. Zhao Shihuan had high emotional intelligence and was a smooth talker. Knowing there was a rift to be filled, she beat around the bush asking Qiao Xi why she had quarreled with Zhou Jiaqi. Her words were simply pleasant to hear. A while ago, she had painstakingly coaxed Zhou Jiaqi, yet today she asked without any burden, “Did you not get along with Jiaqi?”

At first, Qiao Xi remained silent, tugging at the corner of her shirt and glancing at Fu Bei.

Zhao Shihuan patted her back and coaxed, “It’s okay, just say it.”

After a long while, Qiao Xi said in a muffled voice, “She pulled my skirt first and deliberately threw my pencil case on the floor…”

Whether others believed it or not, the child felt truly wronged in her heart. All along, no one had asked why, nor had anyone cared to say a word. Having arrived at the compound not long ago, she didn’t have any close friends. When conflicts arose, she had no support or comfort. As she spoke, the corners of her eyes were red, her voice low and weak, afraid no one would believe her.

Zhao Shihuan was stunned at first, then turned her head to look at Fu Bei.

Fu Bei rarely pursed her thin lips so tightly, but in the end, she didn’t say anything in front of Zhao Shihuan.

In the evening, the Qiao couple worked overtime and didn’t come back for dinner. The old lady took charge and kept Qiao Xi for dinner. Zhao Shihuan was also there; she wasn’t polite at all, acting as if she were in her own home and ordering people around. Qiao Xi wanted to sit next to Fu Bei but was pulled to the other side.

“Qiao Qiao, sit with me. We’re both guests; sitting on one side is just right.” Her mouth was too glib; she could say anything.

This made the old lady laugh heartily, chiding, “You’re the only one who can talk like that, never serious all day long.”

Qiao Xi obeyed and went to sit with her.

Fu Bei’s face was calm, but her voice was cold and hard. “Let’s eat.”

Everyone hurriedly took their seats, and the lively meal began. After eating, Zhao Shihuan left first. Before leaving, she rubbed the back of Qiao Xi’s head. Qiao Xi swatted her hand away. “You messed up my hair.”

Zhao Shihuan didn’t mind, scoffing, “Only a few years old, and already vain.”

Her tone was somewhat doting. After speaking, her hand itched to rub it twice more. This person was really asking for it. Walking two steps away, she turned back to tease the child: “Qiao Qiao, aren’t you going to see me off?”

Qiao Xi sat still and replied, “It’s not like you don’t know the way.”

A house with many children is always warmer, especially during such happy times. Even Nanny Chen was amused. while laughing and cleaning up the mess on the table, Nanny Chen inadvertently glanced at Fu Bei on the side.

Fu Bei hadn’t smiled once; instead, she wore a look of two parts solemnity and gloom.