Coveted for a Long Time 31

Chapter 31

In the warm palm, the slender fingers twitched, helpless against the tight grip, unable to break free.

She didn’t understand what distance meant; unwilling to let go, she held on tight. Fu Bei didn’t look at her, eyes lowered, the hand holding the pen clenched tight, knuckles turning slightly white from the force. On the clean A4 paper, a crooked line of varying thickness and weight was drawn—very short, not even as long as a finger.

“I want to eat with you later, at the cafeteria,” Qiao Xi continued softly. It wasn’t a question but a statement, certain that the other party wouldn’t refuse.

Fu Bei didn’t make a sound, tacitly agreeing.

Qiao Xi smiled but didn’t let go, resting her head on her arm facing that way, as if what she was doing was the most ordinary thing, without the slightest impropriety.

But eventually, inadvertently, the other party broke free, withdrawing her hand abruptly. Her face remained normal as she listened to the professor’s lecture, pretending nothing had just happened.

Qiao Xi, tactless, leaned closer and took out the ruler, placing it by Fu Bei’s hand, asking deliberately, “Okay?”

Fu Bei took the ruler and gave a hum of acknowledgment.

Because she was whispering with Fu Bei, the sharp-eyed professor spotted them. The professor directly called Fu Bei up to solve a problem and derive formulas. Room 306 was a large lecture hall with over a hundred students from four classes attending together. Many students looked over in unison. Those close to Fu Bei noticed Qiao Xi and whispered secretly amongst themselves.

As soon as the bell rang, someone came over to ask, “Fu Bei, who is this?”

Everyone could tell Qiao Xi wasn’t old enough to be a university student; curiosity was bursting. Qiao Xi was growing fast, like a tender willow in spring—thin and tall, full of youthful vigor. Her face was outstandingly beautiful, the most eye-catching even in a crowd. Her temperament was the polar opposite of Fu Bei’s.

Fu Bei said truthfully, “Neighbor.”

The classmates smiled, praising Qiao Xi’s looks.

“It’s mealtime. Little sister, want to come eat with us?”

Qiao Xi was about to agree, but Fu Bei spoke first: “I’m taking her to eat outside. Next time.”

The classmates said no more. People in the classroom were heading out, and they left too.

Qiao Xi followed beside Fu Bei. Thinking they were really going to eat outside, she went over to hold Fu Bei’s arm to avoid being separated by the crowd, asking, “Where outside?”

“Don’t want to go to the cafeteria anymore?” Fu Bei asked back.

She was stunned, not reacting to these twists and turns. This person just told others they were eating outside, but now said cafeteria.

“Didn’t you say outside? I’ll go wherever you go.”

Fu Bei stopped, leading her to stand by the stairs, avoiding the crowd. In the hot weather, with so many people gathered together, the smell of sweat was particularly strong. Fu Bei was somewhat germophobic and frowned slightly. Waiting for the crowd to thin, she led her to another less crowded stairwell, asking, “Which cafeteria do you want to go to?”

This person’s mind was truly hard to guess; her words were unreliable.

Qiao Xi said, “I want to eat dry pot.”

Dry pot was only available in Cafeteria Two, on the east side of the school, far from Teaching Building 1. There was a campus shuttle bus, taking about ten minutes. It was just after class in the afternoon, and many students were lining up. By the time they squeezed onto the bus, there were no seats left. It was extremely crowded, pushing and shoving, making it hard even to turn around.

As soon as she got on, Qiao Xi was squeezed to the side, separated from Fu Bei.

An indescribable smell permeated the bus, nauseating to smell. Qiao Xi felt suffocated but braced herself to move through the crowd with difficulty, squeezing to stand in front of Fu Bei. Surrounded by people, unable to reach the handrails, she hesitated, then held onto Fu Bei’s arm.

“How much longer?” The bus ride was torture; she really disliked it. Being so close, she could smell the scent on Fu Bei just by leaning in slightly—a faint herbal note, indistinguishable but very pleasant.

Probably dizzy from the smell in the bus, she leaned closer, almost resting her head on Fu Bei’s shoulder.

Fu Bei stiffened, intending to move away, but there were too many people on the bus to move at all.

Behind Qiao Xi were several tall and sturdy boys, excitedly discussing knowledge points from class and semester paper topics. The bus was noisy with people, but their voices were the loudest. Boys loved sports, and some didn’t pay much attention to hygiene, changing clothes only every three or four days in the summer heat. The smell on them was naturally strong. Qiao Xi burrowed straight towards Fu Bei like a child.

The bus stopped once at the Shaw Teaching Building. While people were getting off and space temporarily opened up, Fu Bei subtly put her arm around Qiao Xi, switching places with her.

“A few minutes. Bear with it.”

The boys were still talking and laughing. Qiao Xi was stunned, suddenly clutching a bit of fabric at the cuff of Fu Bei’s short sleeve. Blocked by people all around, she couldn’t see the specific scene outside, only a corner of swaying trees and hurried figures. She pursed her lips, her heart tight and a little sour, as if brushed lightly by a soft crow feather. Her chest itched uncontrollably, but she couldn’t scratch it, unable to say what exactly was wrong.

The bus moved too slowly, unable to leave the teaching building area for a long time.

There were still many people on the bus, squeezing back and forth. At the next stop, pushed by someone unknown and losing her balance, Qiao Xi stumbled into Fu Bei. Because she was lost in thought just now, she subconsciously raised her hands and hugged Fu Bei, right at the waist.

Fu Bei lived a disciplined and strict life, insisting on going to the gym twice a week. Her waist was thin and firm, the spinal line distinct, palpable at a touch. Qiao Xi had always lacked self-awareness. Not only did she not move away immediately, but she also pretended to stroke it inadvertently.

Pressed together, she clearly felt Fu Bei stiffen her waist, inhaling slightly, her chest rising and falling gently.

The change was subtle, but still noticed.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes, refusing to let go no matter what. Taking advantage of people getting on the bus in front, she hugged the person tighter. Her small movements were both bold and cautious, disguised with cleverness, as if she were holding the other person for fear of falling again.

The little girl was almost pressing her whole self into Fu Bei’s embrace. Fu Bei pushed her gently, but couldn’t push her away. She acted as if she hadn’t noticed the push at all, one arm gripping tightly, refusing to budge.

In the end, she just let it be.

Fortunately, the air conditioning was on in the bus; otherwise, hugging like this would be sweltering.

When the bus turned, it swayed. Qiao Xi lost her balance and stumbled into Fu Bei’s arms, accidentally touching something soft.

Both were stunned for a moment, perhaps not expecting such an accident. Fu Bei remained relatively calm, her thin lips moving, but ultimately saying nothing. Qiao Xi, however, suddenly blushed, feeling her cheeks burn intensely. She didn’t dare look up, preventing Fu Bei from seeing the change in her.

Even so, she still didn’t let go.

The ten-minute ride felt incredibly long. Getting off at Cafeteria Two, people on the bus scrambled to leave. Qiao Xi finally let go of her hand, walking ahead with a calm face. From the drop-off point to the cafeteria entrance, she never looked back once.

Fu Bei followed closely behind. The scorching sun in the sky was intense, blindingly bright.

Cafeteria Two specialized in various regional dishes. Quite a few students came here to eat, but mostly in pairs or groups; rarely did anyone come alone. They ordered two small pots, one with ribs and one with shrimp. The cafeteria service was thoughtful, providing disposable gloves when serving the dishes.

The portions were generous; one pot would have been enough for two people, but Qiao Xi insisted on ordering both.

“Can you eat this much?”

“No.” Answering instantly, how shameless.

Fu Bei went to get soup. Returning, she put on disposable gloves and peeled shrimp unhurriedly. She didn’t ask why Qiao Xi suddenly came to find her. Actually, thinking about it, she could guess—given the situation at the Qiao family, what else could it be? Silently peeling a shrimp, she didn’t eat it herself, nor did she give it to Qiao Xi, but put it back into the small iron pot.

The little girl opposite moved quite fast. Raising her hand, she picked up the peeled shrimp tail with her chopsticks and put it into her own bowl.

“If you can’t eat it, order less next time.”

This person always liked to lecture, treating Qiao Xi like a child of a few years old. In the past, Qiao Xi would definitely have retorted, but hearing the words “next time,” she instantly fell silent, nodding obediently instead.

Perhaps realizing her words were a bit off, Fu Bei didn’t continue.

The biggest difference between high school and university lies in time management. In high school, one has to rush even for meals, but in university, one can eat slowly without any hurry. Qiao Xi ate almost the entire pot of shrimp. Halfway through, she finally realized she should put on gloves and peel them herself. By the time most people in Cafeteria Two had dispersed, she was slowly gnawing on ribs.

She had originally come to find someone to relieve her bad mood, but she didn’t mention a word about her family matters. Instead, while eating, she asked, “Fu Bei, does studying math mean doing problems every day?”

Fu Bei said, “Freshman and sophomore years focus more on theory.”

“What do you learn later?”

“Many things.”

Qiao Xi gave an “Oh.” She was only in high school and didn’t have much concept of university majors. However, after that class just now, it felt no different from high school classes.

The meal lasted nearly an hour. After eating, it was almost time to go to the teaching building to wait for the evening class. Fu Bei walked her to Youth Lake and told Qiao Xi to go out by herself and take a taxi home.

Qiao Xi wasn’t happy, saying sullenly, “I don’t want to go back. Nothing to do at home.”

Fu Bei wouldn’t indulge her. “It’s too late; Uncle Qiao will worry about you. Go back early.”

This person wouldn’t show excessive concern for Qiao Xi. Regardless of whether Qiao Xi was willing to leave, she calculated the time and went to the Shaw Teaching Building for class.

At sunset, there were many people around Youth Lake. Qiao Xi found an empty bench and sat watching others feed the fish. Fu Bei walked to the main entrance of the Shaw Teaching Building, looked back, and seeing the person still there refusing to leave, she frowned. Ultimately, she didn’t return, walking upstairs to the classroom.

However, Qiao Xi still didn’t leave. She bought a cup of bubble tea and waited outside the classroom.

As soon as the bell rang, students filed out of the classroom. Fu Bei walked at the back. Coming out and seeing her, she was instantly stunned.

“Fu Bei—” The little girl was thick-skinned, stepping forward in two or three strides.

More than half the bubble tea was gone. Purchases at Jiang University couldn’t be made with cash, and mobile payments weren’t widespread back then. It was unknown how she managed to buy it. Fu Bei’s thin lips moved. Just as she was about to speak, Qiao Xi stuffed something into her hand—her campus card, taken away at some unknown time.

Qiao Xi lied without hesitation, her face not red and heart not skipping a beat as she said, “You forgot to take it. You were in class, so I couldn’t come in directly. Had to wait until class ended to give it back.”

Buying bubble tea meant swiping Fu Bei’s campus card. She had brazenly entered the classroom in the afternoon, yet claimed to be too embarrassed to enter in the evening—who would believe that?

Fu Bei took the card and said calmly, “I’ll walk you out to catch a car.”

It seemed she was determined to make Qiao Xi go back.

Qiao Xi refused. “I can walk myself; don’t need you to send me off.”

Clearly lying; as if she would walk herself. Fu Bei knew her too well. She had been like this since childhood, saying she would do this and that, but actually doing none of it. As long as she was unwilling, no amount of forcing by others would work.

“Then I’ll call Uncle Qiao and ask him to pick you up,” Fu Bei said, leading the person downstairs while taking out her phone.

Qiao Xi seized the opportunity to snatch it. “Don’t call!”

Guessing what might have happened at the Qiao family today, Fu Bei wouldn’t really call. Once downstairs, regardless of how the little girl fussed, she still led her out of the school.

Qiao Xi followed sullenly behind, sulking. Walking along, she stuffed Fu Bei’s phone into her own pocket, posturing that if she were really driven away tonight, she wouldn’t return the phone. Unfortunately, this trick didn’t work on Fu Bei, who still insisted on sending her off.

They went to the front gate of Jiang City University.

At that time, there were many stalls outside the front gate, mostly selling snacks, followed by trinkets and accessories—cheap earrings and necklaces costing a few or a dozen yuan. Because there were too many stalls, cars couldn’t drive in, so they had to walk further.

Qiao Xi’s spoiled temper flared up. She stopped walking, planting herself in front of a jewelry stall, saying recklessly, “I’m not leaving. Do whatever you want.”

The street was bustling, full of students out strolling at night. People constantly walked past them. Fu Bei was patient, only asking calmly, “Where will you sleep if you don’t go back?”

Deliberately provoking her, Qiao Xi said toughly, “Sleep on the street.”

Fu Bei didn’t speak.

Qiao Xi added, “Even if I sleep on the street, I won’t go back.”

She had become increasingly reckless in recent years. As a child, she was sensible and obedient, behaving well in everything. With age, she became a bit extreme, not caring much about the feelings of those around her. But it was still okay; she wouldn’t cause too much trouble and still had a sense of propriety.

Over the years, the Qiao family’s reputation in the compound wasn’t particularly good. Qiao Xi had been somewhat withdrawn since childhood, only favored by the old lady among the elders. Growing up and acting without scruples, she naturally didn’t win the favor of other adults.

Fu Bei stared at her fixedly, perhaps not knowing what to say or how to comfort her. After all, she was a big girl now; she understood many principles. What could be said? Mentioning those things would undoubtedly be reopening wounds.

Ultimately, the Qiao couple was at fault first. If they couldn’t live together, why make the child suffer?

After a long time, Fu Bei said helplessly, “Qiao Xi, don’t be so willful.”

Her voice was very low and light, without a hint of accusation, nor was it lecturing. It was the truth. Not going home in the middle of the night had no meaning; the one suffering would ultimately be herself. Willfulness came with a price she had to pay herself.

Qiao Xi didn’t answer immediately, looking down at the dusty ground. After a while, she whispered, “I’m not…”

The little girl lowered her eyes, never looking at Fu Bei once, her whole being drooping. She just wanted to find someone to rely on, not intending to be willful. Knowing running away from home was meaningless, she just came to find Fu Bei.

She herself couldn’t figure out why she came here today; she just did.

It wasn’t even 9:30 PM yet. Qiao Jianliang had called her at six. She lied saying she was at a classmate’s house and wouldn’t return tonight. Neither Qiao Jianliang nor Mother Qiao asked further, nor did they care which classmate’s house it was.

Qiao Xi had never brought a classmate home. Such a clumsy, easily debunked excuse, yet the couple believed it.

Pulling the person under the banyan tree on the side, where there was a place to sit.

“Let’s talk, okay?” Fu Bei asked in a low voice, bending down slightly.

Qiao Xi buried her head, motionless for a long time, not saying a word. After a long while, she finally nodded.

Wondering if she was crying, Fu Bei hesitated for a moment but still lifted her face. Seeing the little girl was just depressed, she let go immediately.

“Did they quarrel again?”

“Mmh.”

“Scolded you?”

Qiao Xi shook her head. “No.”

The Fu family knew the couple’s virtues well, so it wasn’t appropriate to judge too much. After a moment of silence, Fu Bei raised her hand to help tidy the messy hair on her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.

“Don’t be too sad.”

Unable to say comforting words, just this one sentence.

Qiao Xi gave a hum, moving her lips. several times words were about to come out but were swallowed back. Finally, only two words came out—”I won’t.”

Various sounds rose and fell around them, incongruous with this spot. Fu Bei considered for a moment, just about to speak, when she was suddenly hugged, her embrace warm.