Coveted for a Long Time 33

Chapter 33

Jiang City entered a period of unpredictable weather—sunny mornings, cloudy afternoons, alternating between sunshine and gloom.

Middle and high schools had long started classes, and university students had mostly returned to campus. Office workers repeated their daily routines. High-rise buildings, heavy traffic—the endless Qijing Street remained prosperous and noisy. A large shopping mall had opened not far from the tattoo parlor, with many big brands moving in, bringing huge foot traffic to the area.

Around three or four in the afternoon, having nothing to do, Qiao Xi went to the new mall alone. It had just opened, offering various big discounts, so she could buy suitable things if she saw any.

There was a flower shop in the mall lobby, selling roses, baby’s breath, daffodils… everything one could want. The flower shop staff were familiar faces; she had seen them a few times and recognized them.

There were branded clothing stores on the third floor. She casually browsed two shops but unexpectedly ran into people who shouldn’t have been there in the second one—Fu Bei and Qiu Yinong.

Qiao Xi had entered first and was originally trying on clothes in the fitting room. Just as she was about to open the door and come out, she heard the chatter between the salesguide and Qiu Yinong outside. Having held the placard at the University of Science and Technology, she had a deep impression of this person’s voice. At first, she wasn’t sure, but then she heard Qiu Yinong ask with a smile, “Teacher Fu, what do you think of this one?”

Inside the fitting room, Qiao Xi froze instantly, her hand stiff on the doorknob.

“Suits you very well,” that person replied softly.

A peaceful and bland conversation, yet not lacking the ambiguity unique to adults.

Perhaps Qiao Xi was biased, but the tightness in her heart lingered. She pursed her red lips, waiting until the two paid and left the store before coming out.

The salesguide was guarding the fitting room door, dutiful and responsible. Seeing her open the door, she asked considerately, “Miss Qiao, do the clothes fit? Would you like to come out and look in the mirror?”

Handing all the chosen clothes to the salesguide, she said with a calm expression, “Wrap them all up, thank you.”

Taking them all—the salesguide was a bit surprised. After all, Qiao Xi dressed ordinarily and had stayed in the fitting room for so long; she thought she wouldn’t buy anything. So, smiling broadly, she quickly packed the clothes and politely saw Qiao Xi out.

The sky was gloomy, and suddenly, a torrential downpour started. She hadn’t felt it inside the mall, but reaching the entrance, she found crowds gathered in the beverage shop at the door. The rain was too heavy to walk even with an umbrella.

A message suddenly came on her phone. It was from Qin Si, saying she would come over tonight and buy food, telling Qiao Xi to wait.

Her tone still brooked no refusal, not even asking if Qiao Xi had time.

Qiao Xi followed the crowd into the beverage shop to buy a drink and kill time. While queuing, she replied to the message. However, before she could type two words, Qin Si asked: [Where are you? Shop or home?]

Raining so heavily, she wouldn’t be coming now, right… Qiao Xi frowned, deleted the typed words, and replied: [Outside. Will go back to the shop later when the rain stops.]

Qin Si: [Went out for something?]

Qiao Xi: [A mall opened nearby; came to take a look.]

The interface showed the other party was typing, but no message came through for a long time. Qin Si ended up saying nothing. This person was truly strange; ever since she went away once, she seemed different everywhere. Originally a straightforward and decisive person, now she was indecisive and unsettled, her intentions unclear.

Qiao Xi didn’t have the energy to care about this. Putting her phone in her pocket, she ordered a latte at the counter.

The beverage shops on the first floor of this mall were all completely open-concept to facilitate customer flow. Just after paying, she inadvertently glanced across and suddenly saw two people coming out of a similar coffee shop opposite.

Fu Bei was carrying two cups of coffee, handing one to Qiu Yinong as they walked, stopping at the mall’s main entrance.

The rain was too heavy to leave.

Qiu Yinong was dignified and elegant, paying attention to her demeanor even when drinking coffee. Today she wore an apricot vintage midi dress paired with nude heels, looking exceptionally intellectual and graceful. Fu Bei, on the other hand, wore a casual dark gray blazer with a simple light gray V-neck top underneath, tucked into dress pants. She wasn’t wearing the jacket, draping it casually over her arm—relaxed yet mature.

As they chatted, Qiu Yinong smiled and moved closer to Fu Bei.

When people chat, subconscious body language doesn’t lie. Leaning closer, raising a hand to touch hair as a cover, uncontrollable smiles at the corners of the mouth… Standing together, they matched well, each with their own characteristics, worthy of being the “Twin Beauties of Jiang University.”

A long line formed in the beverage shop, blocking Qiao Xi from view, so she wouldn’t be noticed. She dressed ordinarily and wore no makeup; even with outstanding looks, she wouldn’t stand out too much in a crowd.

The counter called “Number 67” twice before she realized it was her cup and went through the line to get it.

The staff’s service attitude was thoughtful, asking with a smile, “To go?”

Her throat tightened, and she shook her head. “No, drinking here.”

The staff looked around and said apologetically, “There are many customers today; no seats left. Shall I pack it for you?”

Qiao Xi didn’t want to go out, insisting, “Just give it to me directly. I’ll stand for a while and leave when the rain stops.”

The staff tactfully said no more; saying more would be blatantly chasing her away.

The rain didn’t let up, falling endlessly, splashing on the ground with a clatter. The continuous sound was annoying. The latte had ice, chilling her from mouth to stomach. Coupled with the cold weather, Qiao Xi shrank her shoulders, standing behind a large pillar where she wouldn’t be discovered.

Sometimes looking up, she saw the main entrance. The two stood side by side, backs to this side, chatting about something unknown.

The phone screen suddenly lit up; it was Qin Si again.

[Something came up today; coming over later.]

Locking the screen, Qiao Xi clicked into WeChat.

[Okay.]

The other party replied quickly this time: [Arriving before seven; let’s eat together then.]

Looking at this message, Qiao Xi was puzzled. It was almost 5:10 now; seven o’clock didn’t count as late. She thought she meant nine or ten. Thinking for a moment, she replied: [Mmh, should be about time for the rain to stop.]

The chat interface was quiet. Qin Si might really be busy, not replying a single word.

After waiting for a while with no movement, Qiao Xi turned off the phone screen. Involuntarily, she looked towards the main entrance. When she saw the scene in the distance, her slender white fingers unconsciously tightened around the paper cup.

Condensation formed on the cup due to the temperature difference—icy cold, wetting her hand.

In the distance, Qiu Yinong was bumped by someone next to her, accidentally spilling some coffee on the ground and getting stains on her hand, though fortunately not on her dress. The accident was too sudden and unexpected. She stepped back subconsciously, unsteady in her high heels, almost falling. Fortunately, Fu Bei supported her in time, preventing a stumble.

From Qiao Xi’s angle, it looked like Fu Bei was holding Qiu Yinong’s waist.

Still shaken, Qiu Yinong grabbed Fu Bei’s forearm, letting go only after standing firm. The passerby who bumped into her apologized profusely, very embarrassed. She waved her hand, saying softly, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Fu Bei handed a tissue to Qiu Yinong. “Wipe it off.”

Realizing the coffee stains on her hand were still dripping, Qiu Yinong hurriedly wiped them with the tissue.

The mall cleaning staff dealt with the coffee on the ground. The person who bumped into her kept apologizing. Qiu Yinong was generous and tolerant, even comforting the other party. Once the person left, she smiled and said to Fu Bei beside her, “Everyone’s anxious on rainy days; easy for this to happen.”

Fu Bei didn’t respond. After a while, seeing her touch the back of her hand uncomfortably, guessing the coffee was sticky, she reminded, “Restroom is over there.”

Qiu Yinong went gracefully to the restroom.

Expressionless, Qiao Xi took a big gulp of her latte, cold from mouth to stomach, her other hand hanging down, standing idly.

Perhaps sensing a gaze, Fu Bei looked this way by instinct. But blocked by the large pillar, she didn’t see the person behind it.

The heavy rain came and went quickly, ending in less than half an hour. The crowd gathered at the mall entrance gradually dispersed. Fu Bei and Qiu Yinong also left. Only then did Qiao Xi come out from behind the pillar. Not that she was afraid of being seen, but she was unwilling to create more entanglements, as if she cared very much.

Fine mist still floated in the sky. The streetlights were on, but the distance looked gray. The air was filled with the fresh scent of being washed by heavy rain.

She returned to the shop carrying shopping bags. Walking against the mist all the way, her body felt chilly.

Just after the heavy rain, the noisy Qijing Street quieted down, with pedestrians walking sparsely on the street.

Wiping her hair with a dry towel, before she could catch her breath, the staff from the mall flower shop arrived, delivering bright red tulips today.

“Please sign for it, just sign here,” the flower shop staff said enthusiastically.

Seeing such a large bouquet of beautiful flowers, Qiao Xi didn’t feel much fluctuation inside, saying lightly, “Trouble for you.”

The flower shop staff smiled. “Did you go to the mall this afternoon? Seemed like I saw you walking past our shop.”

Qiao Xi hummed.

“Shopping or meeting friends?”

“Shopping.”

Just chatting casually. After signing and taking the receipt, the flower shop staff said, “Hope you like them. Goodbye.”

Holding the tulips, there wasn’t a trace of joy on Qiao Xi’s face. She only figured out who sent the flowers last night. Before, she would use them to decorate the shop, but now she felt somewhat repulsed.

Without a second glance, she threw the flowers directly onto the table. Saying threw, it was no different from smashing. The flowers were delicate; hitting the table with a slap, several petals fell off directly, almost rolling down, finally stopping at a corner of the table.

Today the sky darkened faster than usual. Before long, when the lights on this street were mostly lit, Qijing Street returned to normal. Qin Si said she would arrive before seven, but she arrived at six-something, carrying a pile of Cantonese dishes.

Qin Si was really something; saying eat together meant eating like this, not even finding a restaurant.

But it saved time, and with water everywhere, going out to eat was troublesome too.

Entering the door, she asked Qiao Xi, “What did you do at the mall?”

Qiao Xi helped take the things and set the table. “Bought stuff.”

“With friends?” Qin Si asked. While saying this, she subtly looked at the various flowers placed in the shop, some almost withered, not yet thrown away.

Qiao Xi didn’t pay much attention, replying, “Went by myself. Bought two autumn outfits.”

Qin Si’s expression softened slightly. Realizing she asked too much, she tactfully stopped probing. She pretended not to see those flowers, nor mention them. After all, she could guess whether the sender was important; if Qiao Xi really cared about the person, she would definitely take the flowers home.

She bought quite a few dishes, mostly fitting Qiao Xi’s taste. Qiao Xi liked light Cantonese cuisine, never getting tired of it. Taking a sip of hot soup first, she asked, “What made you think of coming over?”

The master and apprentice didn’t have deep contact. Even back in the university town, Qin Si rarely sought Qiao Xi out actively, let alone visiting. Basically, it was Qiao Xi going to her shop. Occasionally, when the phone couldn’t get through and luck was bad, she would only find out the person wasn’t there upon arrival. Qin Si often ran outside without telling anyone, sometimes gone for four or five days or even half a month. Gradually, Qiao Xi got used to it.

Qin Si paused, her tone strange.

“Why, not welcome here?”

Qiao Xi ate a mouthful of food. “No, just asking. Feel like you’ve changed a bit lately.”

Qin Si didn’t make a sound. Taking her soup bowl to refill it, she handed it back. Qiao Xi instinctively reached out to take it. She was holding the bottom of the bowl, but at that moment, the other party suddenly lowered her hand. Seemingly a coincidence, she accidentally touched the back of the other’s hand.

Qin Si knew her sexual orientation long ago. Accidentally touching shouldn’t be a big problem, but it felt a bit uncomfortable. Stunned, her fingers curled back evasively.

Qin Si was somewhat impatient. “What are you dazing for? Bowl’s right in front of you, don’t know to take it?”

For no reason, Qiao Xi minded a bit. Although Qin Si never mentioned it, she vaguely felt Qin Si’s sexual orientation might be the same as hers. This person had many male friends but never had ambiguity with anyone, and she had never seen a female friend around her.

Also being a girl, Qiao Xi had no problem interacting with Tang Yi and the others, never feeling uncomfortable. It wasn’t like this with Qin Si before either, only this time was different. After struggling for a moment, she accepted the soup bowl, observing Qin Si secretly for a while. But Qin Si was normal, no different from usual.

Perhaps she was overthinking.

Qin Si said, “A friend booked a full back tattoo next Monday. Come help me if you have time.”

Qiao Xi nodded.

Wind picked up on the street, blowing fiercely. After eating, Qin Si didn’t stay long and left. Coming over specifically seemed just to ask Qiao Xi to help on Monday. Actually, she could have just informed her on WeChat; no need for a special trip.

Qiao Xi watched her drive away, took out the leftover soup and food to throw away, and upon returning, saw the bright red tulips. Remembering the scene of hiding from the rain in the mall this afternoon, she unhesitatingly gathered all the previously received flowers and carried them out to throw away.

Too many flowers to hold, almost completely blocking her view. The wet road was slippery. She walked carefully, threw all the bouquets into the trash can, and returned the way she came.

The sidewalk had many puddles and was uneven. Approaching the shop entrance, a passing vehicle suddenly honked. Startled while distracted, she stumbled and fell. At the same time, her body reflexively leaned back, resulting in an uncoordinated fall.

The weather was sunny in the morning, not cold at all. She was wearing capri pants. Her exposed arms and knees scraped against the rough ground, burning with pain. Qiao Xi took a moment, sucking in a breath of cold air before climbing up.

Arms were okay, fine. Knees were miserable, a patch of crimson, blood beads seeping out. She gritted her teeth, hissed, and dragged her leg into the shop. Going into the restroom to rinse briefly first, she changed into clean clothes before coming out to treat the abrasions.

The shop had disinfection supplies; no need to go out and buy.

Fu Bei arrived at this time. Before entering, she saw her resting a white leg on a low stool, applying alcohol to herself.

After all, she fell because she went out to throw flowers, and she was already angry. Discovering her entry, Qiao Xi said grumpily, “What are you doing here again!”

Alcohol stung the wound. After speaking, she flinched.

Fu Bei frowned. “How did this happen?”

The area around her right knee was truly tragic. The cotton swabs used for wiping were dyed red; a large abrasion looked quite scary. Qiao Xi didn’t want to pay attention to this person, lowering her head to treat the wound herself. She had been afraid of pain since childhood. Never been so unlucky, falling like this just walking—simply infuriating.

Turning her body away, unwilling to face the other party.

Fu Bei suddenly grabbed her hand, squatted down on her own, took the cotton swab from her hand, and said, “Not cleaned thoroughly. Don’t move.”

Wearing high heels, she couldn’t squat properly, having to half-kneel. She was patient now, but unfortunately, Qiao Xi didn’t accept it. Kicking lightly, unwilling to let her do it, she said, “Who asked for your help—”

Just rinsed in the restroom, not even wearing shoes, her feet and legs wet, showing no mercy.