Coveted for a Long Time 22

Chapter 22

The mixer wasn’t the traditional kind with singing, dancing, drinking, and eating; on the contrary, it was quite dull. The host introduced the representatives and leaders of each school one by one, then called out the names of several esteemed teachers, such as academic heavyweights from Jiang University, prestigious old professors, and talents among the new teachers, including Fu Bei.

As the representative of Jiang University, Qiu Yinong spoke with natural grace and poise, earning rounds of applause.

Coincidentally, Qiao Xi, as the second usher to appear, was responsible for holding the placard for Jiang University next to Qiu Yinong while she spoke. She didn’t look at Fu Bei in the audience, her posture and demeanor like a mannequin. She was about the same height as Qiu Yinong, both strikingly beautiful. One wore a long dress, the other a cheongsam. Standing together, they attracted a lot of attention.

Tang Yi stood at the hall entrance, grinning up at the stage, incredibly satisfied. The professor in charge repeatedly praised her for finding the right person. Qiao Xi usually looked languid, but once on stage, her temperament shone through. Her figure was graceful, with a slender waist and long legs, curvaceous and impressive. Wearing the cheongsam, she looked elegant with a touch of mature sexiness, full of the charm of an oriental woman.

Photos of Qiao Xi and Qiu Yinong were snapped as material for this mixer, to be uploaded to the University of Science and Technology’s official website for publicity later. Tang Yi showed the photos to Qiao Xi and asked, “Can we use this? If you’re unwilling, I’ll switch to another one.”

“Not using the leaders’?”

Publicity for such formal occasions was particular about photo selection; hierarchy was especially important.

“The leaders’ will definitely be put first,” Tang Yi said, flipping through other photos. “Yours will be put at the back. Having a great beauty can attract views.”

Qiao Xi was amused. “Up to you.”

On stage, Fu Bei was speaking. This person was always serious and meticulous in public. She spoke unhurriedly, every word clear, but not formulaic like the leaders.

Someone couldn’t help but whisper praise: “Truly worthy of being a directly hired professor. Every word is a gem; can’t pick out a single fault.”

The man beside him chimed in, “Teacher Qiu spoke well too. Jiang University’s lineup is impressive; all excellent.”

Qiao Xi glanced sideways out of the corner of her eye toward the stage. The person was almost finished speaking. She silently slipped out the back door to get some fresh air. After standing for two minutes, calculating the time, she headed backstage; she still had to go on stage for a group photo after it ended.

Just as she arrived backstage, Fu Bei finished speaking and came down, returning to Qiu Yinong’s side. Qiu Yinong smiled gently, leaning in to whisper something as Fu Bei sat down. Fu Bei nodded after listening and glanced at the stage.

Teaching is a sacred and noble profession, but those present were basically peers. For everyone, the mixer was professional networking. After the event procedure ended and the group photo was taken, no one left the hall. Everyone stood in groups of two or three to communicate and discuss.

Tang Yi was taken by her professor to meet other teachers, intentionally helping her out.

The girls in the etiquette team and the hosts were smart, seizing the opportunity to communicate with the teachers. School was still relatively pure; once stepping into society, such good things were rare. Entering a company meant competition and cooperative relationships; few people would selflessly help you solve problems like teachers.

Qiao Xi stayed backstage waiting, playing with her phone in boredom.

Backstage was just a room with the door open and no air conditioning. It was stifling hot. After sitting there for a while longer, it became unbearable, so she went out for some air.

The University of Science and Technology was quiet at night. The air was filled with the smell of decaying fallen leaves. The streetlights flickered weakly. Outside and inside were simply two different worlds.

She walked towards the hall entrance, stepping on the light, with the endless long night behind her.

To avoid disturbing Tang Yi, she could only find a secluded, uninhabited place outside to wait.

Inside the hall, voices were incessant.

Fu Bei was talking with a group of professor-level people. The Dean of the Mathematics Department of Jiang University was also there, an amiable and shrewd little old man. The Dean seemed to value Fu Bei quite a bit, helping to introduce acquaintances, with Qiu Yinong following behind.

This kind of interaction was actually very boring, but participation was mandatory. She was somewhat distracted during the conversation, constantly glancing at the stage, intentionally or unintentionally.

When there were fewer people around, Qiu Yinong asked curiously, “What is Professor Fu looking for?”

Imperceptibly composing her expression, Fu Bei said calmly, “Nothing.”

Qiu Yinong smiled gently, her beautiful face adding two points of glamorous radiance, and asked amiably, “Director Qiu is here too, across the way. Want to go over and chat?”

She definitely had to go; even if she didn’t, Director Qiu would come over here. The so-called mixer was about selective communication. People with titles were the center of the venue, chatting about everything from academics to industry anecdotes—anything goes.

As time grew late, the mixer was winding down. People in the hall began to leave in groups.

Fu Bei walked at the back, accompanied by a group of teachers from the Jiang University Mathematics Department, Qiu Yinong naturally among them. The two walked side by side. Qiu Yinong’s appearance perfectly fit the gentle grace of the Jiangnan water towns. Unlike Qiao Xi’s unrestrained wildness, she exuded the elegance of someone well-read, gentle and refined, fitting her name perfectly.

The group seemed to have plans and walked together.

Walking past the low bushes beside the activity center, Qiu Yinong suddenly asked, “Is Professor Fu free on Monday?”

At this moment, Qiao Xi happened to be behind the bushes, hidden in the dark, lightless shadows, unnoticed by these people. She heard this sentence perfectly, but the familiar figure walked further and further away, and she couldn’t hear the person’s answer.

The high-temperature night was stifling. The heat flowing in the air pressed uncomfortably on people.

Going to the dressing room to change clothes and remove makeup, then finding people in the hall, Tang Yi was still talking to teachers from the college. Everything went smoothly.

“Thought I was just here to do odd jobs; didn’t expect to meet Teacher Zhang,” Tang Yi said happily. When she took the postgraduate entrance exam, she wanted to choose this teacher, but unfortunately, her score met the national line but not the department line. She greatly admired the highly respected Teacher Zhang, so getting to know him tonight through her own professor’s introduction naturally made her excited and happy.

Qiao Xi tucked her hair behind her ear. “What did you chat about?”

“Just chatting,” Tang Yi said, the smile on her face deep. “Teacher Zhang asked if I plan to pursue a PhD. If there’s a chance, I can choose Jiang City University of Technology. I’d like to, but we’ll see then.”

“Learning is endless. Getting a PhD is quite good; the development space will be broader in the future.”

“Then I’ll spend all my time before thirty studying.”

Qiao Xi teased, “You win some, you lose some.”

The night breeze suddenly blew, refreshing against their faces. Tang Yi walked slowly holding her arm, discussing whether a PhD was worth it. After all, youth is especially important in a lifetime.

It was late, so the two went outside the university town to eat coconut chicken. Hot soup was suitable for hot weather, refreshing and cooling.

Since it was nearing midnight, Tang Yi asked Qiao Xi to stay overnight at her apartment. Before returning to her room, she couldn’t help asking, “Are you a bit tired?”

Qiao Xi had just finished showering and was drying her hair. Not hearing clearly, she gave a puzzled hum.

Tang Yi misunderstood, thinking it was an affirmative answer. After considering for a moment, she said, “Feel like you’re distracted tonight. Is something on your mind, or what’s wrong?”

She was always meticulous and sensitive to others’ emotional changes.

Qiao Xi paused, shaking the dry towel while asking back, “Am I?”

Tang Yi raised an eyebrow, not saying it explicitly.

“Just a lot of things going on lately, running around all day,” Qiao Xi said, draping the towel over her shoulder.

In the latter half of the night, the high temperature gradually dropped, becoming slightly cooler. The sky was covered by layers of dark clouds, but it never rained. The room was most stifling at times like this.

Even with the air conditioner set to 26°C, Qiao Xi in the guest room pushed the quilt down to her waist, sleeping deeply. That night she dreamed, the scenes bizarre and ever-changing, floating uncertainly. Fine sweat broke out on her body; her smooth back and soft, fair chest were all sweaty and slightly damp.

Early the next morning, the sky was clear and cloudless for miles.

There wasn’t much going on at the shop, so Qiao Xi leisurely ate lunch at Tang Yi’s place before leaving.

Around four or five in the afternoon, a light rain suddenly arrived. The sky above Jiang City was dark and heavy, covered with dense clouds rolling like tides. It didn’t rain for long, but the sun didn’t come out again afterwards. The clouds layered in the sky didn’t disperse, making the streets gloomy and dim.

Due to the sudden rain, there were suddenly fewer pedestrians on the street, with cars passing by occasionally.

It was at this time that Fu Bei came to Qijing Street again, finding the vicinity of the tattoo parlor. She didn’t get out of the car, nor did she open the window, parking under the banyan tree diagonally opposite the tattoo parlor.

At the entrance of the tattoo parlor, accumulated rainwater dripped tick-tock. Zhao Shihuan was right there, having arrived two minutes earlier.

Qiao Xi was surprised by her arrival but welcomed her in anyway.

The tiled floor was slippery. Not standing firm, she accidentally almost fell.

Zhao Shihuan steadily supported her thin back. Once she was steady, she subtly withdrew her hand.

“Watch your step, don’t fall.”

**

Watching from afar, Fu Bei narrowed her long eyes. Her gaze was indifferent, floating with a thin layer of detachment, her face expressionless.