Coveted for a Long Time 17

Chapter 17

The next day, Qiao Jianliang came to pick her up. Qiao Xi’s fever had initially broken, but a low fever returned this morning, leaving her listless. She leaned limply on Qiao Jianliang’s shoulder, but before leaving, she didn’t forget to say goodbye to the old lady, looking at Fu Bei with reluctance.

When a child suffers from illness, the Qiao couple naturally felt heartache. Because of this, they had an argument behind Qiao Xi’s back, shirking responsibility. Though not explicitly stated, every word was an accusation against the other for failing in their duty.

There is a kind of couple in this world who can only live an ordinary life. Once they deviate from their original track, their former mutual support turns into mutual disgust. The feelings between Mother Qiao and Qiao Jianliang had cracked from the day they moved out of the North District. Their marriage was doomed to collapse long ago; it was just that at this time, neither was willing to admit it, using the child as an excuse and pretext.

Qiao Xi was terribly thirsty in her room on the second floor but had no strength to call out. Waking up in a daze, she wanted to go downstairs to pour herself water, but upon reaching the staircase, she heard the couple arguing in the living room.

She hid behind the wall, listening silently for a few minutes, then returned to her room pretending not to know anything. She only went down later when the auntie called for dinner.

The couple barely maintained their composure, not quarreling in front of the child. As soon as Qiao Xi came down, they reined in all their emotions and expressed concern with solicitous questions.

Mother Qiao was thoughtful. Acknowledging the Fu family’s favor, she brought gifts over to thank them two days later.

“We’ve been a bit busy lately. Thanks to you all; I really don’t know what to say. Our Little Xi is rowdy and caused you trouble.”

The old lady had many dissatisfactions with the Qiao couple, but she never said a word to their faces, speaking kindly and benevolently: “Little Xi is well-behaved and sensible; she’s a good child.”

While the adults chatted, Qiao Xi stood behind Mother Qiao, head lowered and silent. No one paid much attention, as she was usually like this when parents were present. But upon closer observation, one would find her staring at the ground, distracted and clearly preoccupied with something unhappy.

Fu Bei was walking with Grandpa Fu in the back garden. Seeing the Qiao mother and daughter upon entering, Grandpa Fu spoke politely for a bit. Qiao Xi was very polite and called out dutifully, “Grandpa Fu.”

She still wasn’t used to addressing Fu Bei. Children’s habits are often like this; considering peers not much different, refusing to acknowledge the age gap. Clingy but unwilling to address her properly, as if calling her “Sister” would create distance.

Mother Qiao smiled, pulled Qiao Xi to stand in front, and teased, “Why aren’t you calling her Sister? You run here every day, and now you’re suddenly shy?”

Adults rarely consider a child’s thoughts, though their words are smooth.

Qiao Xi still didn’t speak, only looking up at Fu Bei.

It was approaching noon, and the old lady wanted them to stay for lunch. But Mother Qiao declined directly, never truly considering the child’s wishes from beginning to end. After a round of tactful and pretty words, she left with Qiao Xi.

Mother Qiao’s way of handling things was intriguing. The Fu family members couldn’t say much. Nanny Chen glanced at the old lady and stood still without seeing them off. After the mother and daughter walked far away, the old lady muttered softly, “That child is obedient, but this mother…”

Grandpa Fu, with sharp ears, heard it and said with an ambiguous attitude, “Every family has its own way of teaching; it’s other people’s business.”

This made the old lady unhappy, and she cast a disdainful glance at him. Grandpa Fu knew when to yield and quickly changed the subject. Only Fu Bei remained silent on the side.

Next door at the Qiao house, Qiao Jianliang was away at work. Mother Qiao had planned to eat at home, but less than two minutes after entering, she left hurriedly after a phone call, not even having time to coax Qiao Xi with a sentence. She was gone until dark.

At night, the Qiao house was as deserted as ever.

Qiao Xi ate early and returned to her room, clinging to the balcony to look at the Fu house opposite. Lights were on both upstairs and downstairs at the Fu house. Fu Bei’s room was also bright, but the curtains blocked the view inside.

Her room door wasn’t closed. From downstairs, the sound of the couple’s argument drifted up from time to time. It was unknown what they were quarreling about, but the noise seemed exceptionally sharp and piercing in the silent night.

Qiao Xi stood on the balcony for a long time. Tired, she returned to her room, closed the curtains, shut the door, and locked it. The room’s soundproofing was decent, shutting out the quarreling.

That night was just like today—quiet, lonely, the empty room feeling a bit oppressive. Qiao Xi fell asleep amidst memories, unsure when exactly she drifted off. The quilt only covered her up to her waist, and she woke up cold in the latter half of the night as the sky just began to lighten.

She had been thinking about the past often lately, as if possessed. Her temples throbbed, and her throat was very dry—most likely from the chill. Fortunately, she hadn’t caught a cold. Getting up to drink a glass of hot water made her feel barely better.

In the afternoon, Qiao Jianliang called to ask if she would attend Grandpa Fu’s seventieth birthday on Monday.

Qiao Xi rarely spoke to him so softly. “I’ll go. Might arrive a bit late.”

Qiao Jianliang asked, “Bought a gift?”

Opening the curtains to let in some sunlight, she said, “Bought it.”

Seeing her so conscientious this time, Qiao Jianliang was quite satisfied. He chatted happily about family matters for a while, then hesitated for a moment before carefully saying, “Little Bei said she met you at the tea house yesterday, and you were with Tang Yi.”

The sunlight was intense. Qiao Xi squinted and hummed, “Went for a stroll over there.”

“It’s good to go out for a walk; don’t always coop yourself up in the house,” Qiao Jianliang said. After a long pause, he continued to probe, “Little Bei asked me for your number. I know you two have grown apart these past few years, but she just came back to the country. Thinking about how close you used to be, I gave it to her…”

Qiao Xi listened silently as Qiao Jianliang rambled on. He knew there was a problem between his daughter and Fu Bei, though he wasn’t clear on what exactly it was, but he knew Qiao Xi certainly wouldn’t be happy about giving her number to Fu Bei. Given the relationship between the two families, since Fu Bei asked, he couldn’t refuse. Qiao Jianliang felt caught in a dilemma; giving it made it hard to explain to Qiao Xi, hence this call.

After a long while, Qiao Xi didn’t respond to these words, nor did she utter a word of blame. Finally, she hung up calmly.

Ever since the couple divorced, the original family of three had become like this. Qiao Jianliang wouldn’t visit unless he needed something, always bringing some trouble. Mother Qiao was invisible all year round, striving to be a career woman.

She had always been superfluous. In the past, she would be pushed back and forth; now, no one wanted to waste the energy to push her.

**

Monday was overcast, cooler than usual.

This time, Qiao Xi didn’t act out. She obediently wore a formal dress to go out, grooming herself from head to toe. The aqua-blue midi dress complemented her waistline, perfectly outlining her curves without being frivolous. The understated luxury of the design actually gave her a sense of high-class elegance.

The Qiao family’s driver was waiting downstairs early in the morning. Qiao Jianliang had arranged everything; Qiao Xi just had to dress up and get in the car.

The banquet wasn’t held at the compound but at a private villa in the southern suburbs. The environment was elegant and quiet, with a direct road leading up, making access convenient. The Fu family handled things properly this time, and Qiao Xi gave them face. Upon entering, she presented her gift first, then exchanged pleasantries with Grandpa Fu with proper etiquette.

Grandpa Fu was happy today, smiling broadly. Other members of the Fu family followed behind to welcome guests. Fu Bei was there too, inevitably taking a few extra looks when she saw Qiao Xi approaching.

Qiao Xi knew how to play along. Greeting acquaintances as she met them, when she stood in front of Fu Bei, she called out in front of everyone, “Sister Fu.”

Zhou Jiaqi was present at the time, left out in the crowd. Seeing Qiao Xi perform so well today, the smile on her face almost cracked.

It had been like this since childhood. Clearly, she was the one who understood etiquette and propriety better, doing everything perfectly in every aspect, yet she couldn’t get the favor she deserved. When the old lady was alive, she pampered Qiao Xi, helping her with everything. Now that the old lady was gone, no one from the families seemed to regard Zhou Jiaqi any higher; Qiao Xi remained the one in the spotlight.

The more she secretly compared, the more she loved to compete.

Fu Bei’s thin lips moved, wanting to respond, but ultimately she just nodded.

Since Qiao Xi was giving so much face, Grandpa Fu was certainly satisfied, chatting casually for a bit.

During the chat, Fu Bei took two steps in this direction.

Another batch of guests arrived at the villa. Grandpa Fu and the others had to go welcome them. Just as they were about to go over, that group came in first.

Walking at the very front of the crowd was the spirited Elder Zhao, now walking with a cane after not being seen for a few years. Beside Elder Zhao was a tall woman in a small suit. She looked the same as before, just with a bit more mature charm. As soon as she entered, she spotted Qiao Xi. Approaching and ignoring everyone else, she curved her lips into a smile and teased, “Qiao Qiao, long time no see.”