Coveted for a Long Time 35

Chapter 35

The stalemate finally ended with a sudden flash of light. The lights were turned on, illuminating the entire living room. The raindrops falling incessantly outside the window were vaguely visible, the outside world blurred by the rain, even its outlines worn away.

The rainy night was chilly, thoroughly washing away the stifling heat left by the scorching summer, leaving only desolation and silence.

The quietest one was Fu Bei. One moment she was in a resolute standoff with Qiao Xi, and the next she had returned to normal, calm and self-possessed beyond belief, as if nothing had just happened.

Because Qiao Xi had walked a few steps, the coagulated abrasion was pulled, and the wound oozed blood again.

Taking off her high heels, Fu Bei lifted Qiao Xi onto the sofa. Barefoot, she half-knelt in front of Qiao Xi, silently helping to treat the wound. This person had always been like this—paranoid yet gentle, never doing anything excessive, but never retreating an inch, silently stubborn.

The light fell on her, revealing her silhouette clearly, even strands of hair visible. Her black hair was damp with rain, and there were wet stains on the back of her gray blazer. She bent her body but wouldn’t bow her head or lower her knees, guarding her final bottom line.

Words had reached this point, yet Qiao Xi didn’t understand what she was persisting in, or perhaps avoiding.

“Don’t get the wound wet. I’ll bring scar removal medicine tomorrow; it should heal in a few days,” Fu Bei said, her voice as steady as ever.

Qiao Xi remained unmoved, staring straight at her. “Is this avoidance?”

Fu Bei was very calm. “No.”

“Then what does it mean?”

This person didn’t answer.

Qiao Xi was straightforward, doing as she pleased, disliking convoluted schemes. Fu Bei was not entirely so; sometimes decisive, sometimes the opposite. When facing Qiao Xi, it was mostly the opposite, just like now.

Never direct.

Silence was infuriating, yet perhaps another way out.

After returning to the country, Qiao Xi sought her out, leading to all of this now. Whether good or bad, it proved this path was viable.

Fu Bei was restrained and enduring. Perhaps even God was creating an opportunity, pouring water down endlessly without stopping. The rain was too heavy, so she stayed here for the night.

Maybe considering how much the other party helped her tonight, Qiao Xi didn’t object when she didn’t leave. Qiao Xi washed up and went to sleep in her room, while Fu Bei slept in the living room; there wasn’t even a guest room to choose from.

Qiao Xi slept too lightly, her thoughts messy all night. Tossing and turning in a daze in the middle of the night, she accidentally rubbed her scraped knee and almost woke up from the pain.

The living room light stayed on all night, bright enough to dazzle the eyes.

Not wanting to be in a stalemate with the other party, Qiao Xi simply didn’t want to engage. Let her be; ignore everything.

Around 3:00 AM, there was movement in the living room. Unfortunately, Qiao Xi was already fast asleep, lying in bed without any reaction. Her sleep was restless. In the latter half of the night, she dreamed intermittently. She dreamed something squeezed into the quilt, slowly pressing on her. She tried hard to open her eyes to see but couldn’t. Finally, tired, she compromised and let the other party do as they pleased.

That person actually did nothing but hug her gently.

The scene in the dream changed, becoming the second time she was intimate with Fu Bei. Afterwards, she lay half-reclined, exhausted, her back to Fu Bei, her smooth back completely bare, a corner of the quilt draped over her perky, round buttocks.

Every time, she wouldn’t help Fu Bei at all, only enjoying the other’s efforts without giving a single bit in return. Fu Bei pressed against her back, hugging Qiao Xi like this, indulging these behaviors. The scorching breath on her neck was dense, seemingly drilling into her limbs and bones along her spine, the itch gnawing at her.

Fu Bei pressed the softest curve on her body, touching her slow, strong heartbeat.

When Qiao Xi opened her eyes, Fu Bei looked down from above just like that, grabbing her slender ankle, lowering her body…

There was no clear feeling in the dream, but because it had actually happened, it was extraordinarily profound. When the first ray of sunlight shone through the unblocked glass window, Qiao Xi woke up abruptly.

She was alone in bed. The one who should have been in the living room had left at some unknown time. Only unlike the previous times, this time there was a bouquet of fresh daisies with yellow centers and white petals on the coffee table.

Never repeating, she was really getting addicted to sending flowers.

Qiao Xi felt a sense of powerlessness, feeling like last night was nothing. Once the rain stopped and dawn broke, everything returned to normal. Washing up and preparing to leave, she intended to take the daisies on the coffee table out to throw away. But upon approaching, she suddenly remembered she had once given such a bouquet to Fu Bei, and a myriad of feelings surged instantly.

That night at the hotel, she slept deeply in the first half of the night but was restless in her sleep. Sleeping, she kicked off her own quilt and burrowed into Fu Bei’s.

The latter half of the night was cooler, and with the air conditioner on, it was a bit cold. She almost slept on top of Fu Bei. Because the air conditioner blew towards the bed, she didn’t sleep soundly in the latter half of the night. Half-awake, she pulled the corner of the quilt and clung tightly to Fu Bei.

Fu Bei was always a light sleeper, but no matter how Qiao Xi tossed and turned, she never moved.

Inadvertently, while fumbling under the quilt, Qiao Xi accidentally touched something soft. She wasn’t fully asleep to begin with, and this made her heart tremble. She woke up, freezing stiff, her hand still on the spot just now, daring not move an inch for fear of waking Fu Bei.

Teenage years are the time for shaping complete concepts—ignorant and confused. She had played intimately with girls her age before, even showered together, but she never had this feeling.

Qiao Xi’s heart tightened, her throat dry, her body stiff as a straight wooden stick.

Her stiff fingers curled but didn’t move away. Her face burned red; she could feel her cheeks hot, her head dizzy like a pot of mush.

Too despicable, and inappropriate.

She should take her hand away quickly, shrink to the side, and pretend nothing happened. But her brain didn’t obey, as if frozen, solidified in place unable to move.

After a long time, she lifted her head slightly.

Perhaps because the distance was too close, or perhaps because of distracting thoughts, Qiao Xi felt Fu Bei’s thin, long, even breathing gently landing on her lips, ticklish and slightly hot. The dense, warm breath lingered between her lips and teeth, entering her body with her uneven inhalation, spreading everywhere, enveloping every part.

The streetlights didn’t rest, casting sparse light here. By the faint light, Qiao Xi stared blankly at the person below. She always knew Fu Bei was good-looking, with a face of extreme aesthetic beauty, the focus of the crowd wherever she went. This person’s beauty wasn’t vulgar; cold and otherworldly, meant to be viewed from afar, yet making her want to get close.

Qiao Xi didn’t understand what liking meant yet. Her adolescence was no different from others, bound by heavy academic burdens, having no time or energy to explore feelings, let alone knowing what heart-pounding meant.

Her heart pounded in her chest, almost jumping out.

She moved her hand away but didn’t know where to put it. Dazed, she propped herself up, looking down at the sleeping Fu Bei.

The other’s lips were thin, slightly parted, breathing steady and even. Qiao Xi lowered herself slightly, their long hair tangling together, inseparable. She finally stopped at Fu Bei’s lips, going no further. Her eyes and face were full of confusion, carrying an abnormal flush, wanting to figure out what exactly the feeling in her heart was, but daring not act rashly.

From waking up in shock to this moment, the time was short, but for her, it was exceptionally long. After struggling for a moment, she moved away gently and lay down, sleeping on her side next to Fu Bei.

Having done so much, perhaps because she was careful enough, she luckily didn’t wake this person up.

Staring at the boundless night view outside the window, Qiao Xi had no sleepiness, her thoughts more complicated than the heavy snow of that winter years ago.

Time passed quickly. The horizon turned fish-belly white, and soon it was dawn.

Qiao Xi got up first, obediently going into the bathroom to put on the bra and other clothes hanging on the rack. Hearing movement outside, she knew Fu Bei was up too. Whether overly constrained or what, she felt extremely uncomfortable, especially thinking that Fu Bei had hung these clothes up for her; she was simply dying of shame.

Finishing up and going out, she didn’t dare look at Fu Bei, squatting down to put on her shoes.

Fu Bei was also reticent. Coming out after washing up in the bathroom, she asked, “What do you want for breakfast?”

Her voice was low, carrying the unique hoarseness after waking up, and upon careful listening, a hint of fatigue.

Qiao Xi didn’t delve into these, only feeling her head buzzing. Thinking about what she did at night, blood rushed to her head, face red and ears hot, heart pounding, almost breathless. Fortunately, she had her back to Fu Bei; otherwise, she really couldn’t explain.

She pursed her lips. After a good while, she stammered, “Wh-whatever…”

No confidence at all.

Fu Bei moved quickly, tidying up simply and waiting at the door. Qiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief, too embarrassed to face this person. She dawdled for a long time before slowly going out. Along the way, she didn’t look at Fu Bei once, dodging and walking in front. When Fu Bei went to return the room card, she stood at the stairwell.

The employee operated slowly, taking a long time.

Qiao Xi waited impatiently and looked back, only to crash straight into Fu Bei’s deep eyes.

As if her thoughts were seen through, she immediately stiffened her back. However, the next instant, Fu Bei naturally looked away, as if she hadn’t been looking at her just now but merely sweeping her gaze past.

Qiao Xi pinched the corner of her shirt hard, awkward and uncomfortable.

When Fu Bei came over, she still walked in front, saying as she walked, “I want noodles, from that shop at the front gate.”

The front gate was far from here; they had to walk around.

“There’s a noodle shop downstairs; tastes about the same,” Fu Bei said.

Qiao Xi had her own little plan, insisting, “Don’t want this one; want to go to the front gate.”

Deliberately wasting time, unsure if she was unwilling to go back or wanted to stay here longer.

Fu Bei took her to the front gate for noodles anyway. Qiao Xi was particularly slow; it was past nine when she finished. Then taking a taxi to send her back, it was almost ten when they arrived at the compound.

Coincidentally, the old lady was going out for a walk. Seeing them return, she kindly asked Qiao Xi if she wanted to stay for lunch.

Those two from the Qiao family weren’t in again today, having gone out early without even calling to ask about their daughter, let alone waiting at home.

Usually, Qiao Xi would decline, but today she hesitated. After a moment, she actually agreed.

The old lady said happily, “Then come over early. Your Uncle Fu is here today too.”

Qiao Xi nodded. Fu Bei beside her remained silent throughout.

A girl’s feelings are like rain in June or July, coming without warning and hastily, one shower after another, unpredictable when the next heavy rain will come. Qiao Xi wasn’t in a rush to figure out the feelings in her heart, following her instincts and quietly approaching the other party. In terms of feelings, she was as ignorant as a blank sheet of paper untouched by ink, harboring longing and probing step by step.

Fu Bei was an immovable rock, giving no response to any probing.

One was only fifteen or sixteen, inexperienced and understanding nothing; the other was an adult, knowing only herself whether she understood or not.

Qiao Xi took all silence as tacit approval, her girlish thoughts ready to burst out.

Once, Fu Bei hosted a competition. Learning about it from the old lady, Qiao Xi sneaked over on the day of the competition, even buying a bouquet of daisies. Mixing in with the students, she entered and sat foolishly in the front row.

Seeing her come, even Fu Bei was stunned for a moment.

The front row was for contestants. Holding a bouquet of flowers and sitting there was exceptionally eye-catching. Yet she had no self-awareness whatsoever. Seeing Fu Bei, her eyes curved in a smile, like fireworks in March, suddenly blossoming brilliantly.

Fu Bei wore a light gray long dress, co-hosting with a reasonably handsome boy. Her appearance was too outstanding, her figure tall. Wearing high heels, she looked even taller than the boy.

Qiao Xi sat there quietly without self-awareness, and no one chased her away. Certain special feelings were at work, lingering. She constantly glanced at Fu Bei’s chest, intentional or not, hugging a large bouquet of daisies, hands gripping tightly, palms sweating.

She felt a bit shy, thinking this was wrong; only perverts looked at people like this. At this age, equivalent to half an adult, after struggling for a while, she understood everything.

Thoughts too shy to speak of were like floods and beasts, yet also like warm sunshine—frightening, yet yearning.

Qiao Xi didn’t pay attention to that competition, not even knowing what was being competed. From beginning to end, she stared at the light gray figure on stage, her gaze fixed there.

After the competition ended, she was too embarrassed to go up and give the flowers. Sitting helplessly in her original seat, she quietly waited for Fu Bei to come over. However, when Fu Bei came, she got nervous again, almost burying herself in the daisy bouquet. Her eyes dodged, her face burning as if on fire. Not knowing if she was blushing, she only sensed Fu Bei standing in front of her.

“Why did you come?” Fu Bei asked, her words calm and indifferent, unlike Qiao Xi, who looked like she had been caught with a shameful secret.

Qiao Xi barely calmed down, her excuse exceptionally clumsy: “Nothing to do, came to watch the competition.”

Fu Bei actually believed it.

She held the daisies, clearly bought to give, but dared not take them out. At that time, she didn’t even understand if she liked this person; just passing a flower shop, thinking they looked nice, she bought them.

As for whether to give them, she hadn’t decided yet.

Fu Bei asked, “Who are the flowers for?”

She panicked suddenly, subconsciously wanting to explain but unable to say anything coherent. Hugging the bouquet tighter, even her ears were burning. Finally, she stammered, “No-no one!”

The language of daisies is purity, innocence, and anxious, cautious secret love.

They went to eat at Cafeteria Two. After eating, Qiao Xi deliberately left first, not taking the initiative to pick up the flowers. Then the daisies ended up in Fu Bei’s hands.

She didn’t ask for them, and Fu Bei didn’t return them.

Precisely speaking, there was no chance to return them because she hurriedly found an excuse and ran, just to give the flowers away completely.

Youthful love is cautious, humble into the dust.

The daisies on the coffee table were fresh, just like the bouquet she gave back then. Qiao Xi lowered her eyes and ultimately didn’t throw them away.

Jiang City after heavy rain was washed clean, the air fresh and filled with vitality and vigor. The sky was clean and blue, sparsely dotted with a few white clouds.

Friday was the old lady’s birthday. Although the old lady had passed away, the Fu family still went to the cemetery to pay respects together. Even the Liang family sent people.

Qiao Xi definitely had to go, just unwilling to be with these people. To avoid bumping into them, she specially chose to go at 4:00 PM. Unexpectedly, her luck was bad, bumping into the group before they left.

Liang Jincheng was among them.

As the youngest of the Liang family’s generation, Liang Jincheng was only thirty-nine this year, much younger than Liang Yuzhi and the others. He looked quite talented, nose is nose and eyes are eyes—not ugly, even handsome.

When the old lady was alive, she greatly disliked this person, even saying to his face not to let him enter the Fu family’s door. So at that time, Liang Jincheng rarely appeared in the Fu family. Qiao Xi only knew Fu Bei had a biological uncle much later.

Strange today; they actually let him come to visit the grave together.

Liang Jincheng respectfully offered incense to the old lady, saying, “Coming uninvited; please don’t blame me, old lady.”

Fu Bei and Father Fu stood aside, their attitudes indifferent. Grandpa Fu was also expressionless. Only Liang Yuzhi looked after her own brother. But for Liang Jincheng to come today, Grandpa Fu must have approved; as for the reason, it was unclear.

When Qiao Xi arrived, she happened to catch Liang Jincheng finishing offering incense. She felt she came at the wrong time. The whole family looked at her with strange expressions, freezing.

Seeing her, Liang Jincheng might not have recognized who she was at first glance. It took him a while to react. He was the first to greet her, familiarly and kindly saying, “Come here, come here.”

Qiao Xi frowned immediately, unclear what this was about.

Before she could move, Fu Bei stood in front of her, looking coldly at Liang Jincheng.

Liang Jincheng just smiled, stepping aside unconcernedly.

Liang Yuzhi was unhappy about this, displeasure surging on her brow. Unknown who she had an issue with, but fortunately, she didn’t show her emotions too obviously.

Qiao Xi wasn’t willing to please these people, but she still greeted them in turn. Father Fu was the kindest; Liang Yuzhi responded lukewarmly; Grandpa Fu didn’t even open his mouth.

She didn’t care; didn’t concern her much anyway.

However, Fu Bei looked at Grandpa Fu and suddenly called out too.

“Grandpa—”

Her voice was very low, neither humble nor arrogant.

Liang Yuzhi’s face instantly became unpleasant.