Coveted for a Long Time 50

Chapter 50

The shirt had already slid down to her arms, hanging loosely. Qiao Xi turned a deaf ear to the doorbell, twisting her waist and pressing against Fu Bei’s body, completing this proactive kiss nonetheless.

Fu Bei had originally stopped her hand movements, but now, stirred by emotion and unable to resist the provocation, she held Qiao Xi and rubbed her gently.

Knowing who was outside the door, Fu Bei wasn’t in a rush, instead complying with Qiao Xi. While kissing, Qiao Xi couldn’t help but make other moves, stroking her neck, shoulders, or earlobes, then the side of her face—always restless and mischievous. Fu Bei, enticed, swallowed, the force of her hands gradually increasing.

The kiss lasted for a while before ending, and they separated. Qiao Xi’s lips were tinged with a slight ruddiness, glowing with a sweet, fresh luster, quite alluring. Her thick lashes lowered, she half-knelt, looking down at Fu Bei, her fingers scraping faintly against the side of Fu Bei’s neck.

Fu Bei also parted her thin lips, looking up to meet her gaze. At such close range, their breaths entangled, feeling each other’s slightly scorching aura and subtle changes. She leaned in to kiss the side of Qiao Xi’s neck and chin, then her cheek and earlobe. Qiao Xi didn’t resist at all; instead, she closed her eyes, her breath hitching and slowly deepening, involuntarily drawing closer to this person.

Qiao Xi lay in Fu Bei’s arms, rubbing her cheek against her neck like an obedient, fawning cat, complying with the other party, seeking comfort and solace. Fu Bei pecked her cheek lightly, holding her waist, seemingly not planning to open the door, her hand slowly moving down to continue. It was Qiao Xi who came back to her senses first and stopped it.

The doorbell rang again, probably impatiently, pressed twice in succession, followed by a knock-knock-knock on the door.

“Is it Auntie?” Qiao Xi asked in a low voice, straightening her waist. While buttoning the shirt one by one, she habitually raised her hand to tousle her hair halfway through. The scenery of mountains and rivers was boundless, trembling slightly.

Fu Bei helped button the rest, leaving the last two open, her gaze lowered. “Probably.”

Feeling too tight and uncomfortable, Qiao Xi mischievously unbuttoned one, stood up from her lap, stepping directly onto the floor barefoot. While bending down to pick up the thin blanket, she said, “Go open the door for her first; might be something urgent.”

“It’s nothing,” Fu Bei said. She could guess what Liang Yuzhi was here for; it was the same every time, never visiting without a reason.

“Go first; we’ll talk later,” Qiao Xi replied.

After saying that, without waiting for Fu Bei to speak, she walked towards the room holding the thin blanket. Her figure was thin and slender. Under the outline of the white shirt, her curves were fully revealed. The fabric wasn’t thick, and under the natural light, the scenery inside was faintly visible. The waist that could be grasped with one hand and the round, perky buttocks were particularly eye-catching. Turning sideways, it was another undulating temptation.

Such a Qiao Xi looked exceptionally attractive, like a deadly poppy—beautiful on the outside, swaying and seductive.

Only when the room door was closed did Fu Bei withdraw her gaze.

Knowing someone was in the house, Liang Yuzhi waited outside very irritably, calling again repeatedly. Fu Bei frowned, tinged with displeasure. Without tidying up the living room, she went straight to open the door, completely unconcerned about being found out, or perhaps not caring.

The living room wasn’t neat and clean as usual; instead, it was a bit messy. It hadn’t been cleaned since last night; even the sofa cover was wrinkled.

As soon as the door opened, Liang Yuzhi asked unhappily, “Didn’t open the door for ages; what were you doing inside?”

Expecting her reaction, Fu Bei said lukewarmly, “Nothing.”

Liang Yuzhi calmed herself down, carrying her bag inside, nagging, “You don’t answer calls, don’t respond to knocks. Your dad messaged you last night, and you didn’t reply. Don’t know what you’re doing all day. Didn’t you say you’d come home this weekend? Why didn’t you? Your grandpa talks about it all day, insisting on coming over to see…”

She was usually an elegant and polite person, but sometimes when her temper flared, she couldn’t help nagging a bit more. Especially thinking about Fu Bei’s recent behavior and attitude, she felt angry. Parents always have a bit of a desire for control; when things don’t go their way too often, they feel doubly frustrated. Liang Yuzhi hadn’t been in a good mood lately, so she easily got angry at slight setbacks. However, she was still moderate, not going overboard. Just as she was about to stop, she suddenly noticed various signs in the living room. Her face instantly fell, her expression growing cold.

Fu Bei was always disciplined and never let her living space become messy. Even at home, she wouldn’t tolerate the slightest disorder. But now, the living room wasn’t its usual self. A jacket and bag that didn’t belong to her hung on the coat rack behind the door. Two cups of water were casually placed on the table. A pair of slippers by the sofa were scattered east and west. A cigarette box and a computer were on the coffee table, the cigarettes inside all shaken out and scattered haphazardly.

All Qiao Xi’s masterpiece. The cigarettes were originally in the drawer in the room, taken out by her out of curiosity. The cigarette box was entirely gilded, but the cigarettes inside were black, slender and luxurious. The smell wasn’t unpleasant, and Qiao Xi rather liked it. So she lazily lay prone on the coffee table, shaking all the cigarettes out to play with.

A box of ten cigarettes; one smoked, nine left. Qiao Xi didn’t smoke, but she mimicked the posture, holding a cigarette in her mouth, supporting herself on the coffee table with both hands, arching her back so her shirt only covered up to the tops of her thighs. She tilted her head, lifting her eyelids, red lips biting the cigarette lightly, staring straight at Fu Bei, who was working on the side.

Fu Bei had originally planned to let her be, but changed her mind at that moment to go hug her. Unfortunately, before she could do anything, Liang Yuzhi arrived.

Seeing the pile of cigarettes on the coffee table, Liang Yuzhi couldn’t say another word. Looking around, seeing the closed bedroom door, the hand holding her bag clenched tightly, knuckles turning white from the force. She turned back to look at Fu Bei. Thinking of what might have happened, her lips trembled uncontrollably.

Whether in the past or now, no matter how appropriate Liang Yuzhi acted in front of outsiders, even speaking softly to Qiao Xi, deep down, she couldn’t accept it.

She resented Qiao Xi, feeling that without her, Fu Bei wouldn’t have become like this, the Fu family wouldn’t have had so many issues, and a perfectly good family wouldn’t have reached this point of mutual coldness.

Fu Bei grew up under her nose, fine before, sensible and obedient. Who would have thought she would become so rebellious later? The Fu family wanted Fu Bei to inherit the family business, but she insisted on returning to Jiang University to teach. Everyone knew why. Liang Yuzhi couldn’t figure out how it turned out like this.

She didn’t even know why the two got entangled again. She knew all of Fu Bei’s movements after returning to the country and actually knew they were in contact long ago, but she never expected it had reached this stage.

Glancing at the closed bedroom door and the mess in the living room, Liang Yuzhi suppressed the anger in her heart. Remembering she had other matters, she tried hard to calm down, pretending nothing was wrong, and asked lightly, “Why is it so messy? No time to clean up? Not going to school today?”

“No class today; don’t need to go,” Fu Bei said.

“Not going just because there’s no class? Not doing research?” Liang Yuzhi’s tone was dissatisfied, intentionally venting her anger.

A university professor’s duty wasn’t just teaching, but also research and publishing papers. Every item was very important. Teaching was a basic duty, while research results were the standard for measuring level. Naturally, the greater the contribution to academia, the more impressive. Fu Bei staying at home instead of going to school really dissatisfied Liang Yuzhi.

Fu Bei had her own arrangements and didn’t answer. She put the cigarettes on the coffee table back into the box, including the one Qiao Xi had bitten.

Her attitude annoyed Liang Yuzhi, deliberately not responding.

Liang Yuzhi almost wore her displeasure on her face. “Told you last time not to smoke. Imitating your dad’s bad habits every day; simply won’t listen no matter what.”

With someone hiding in the room, Fu Bei didn’t want to argue, only saying perfunctorily, “Didn’t smoke.”

One cigarette missing from the box—a blatant lie. Liang Yuzhi was choked into silence, her expression changing repeatedly. Ultimately, she held it in, sitting on the sofa, her chest aching with suppressed frustration.

In Liang Yuzhi’s heart, there was no overnight hatred between mother and daughter. She had already put the matter with Second Master Tan behind her. Coming to find Fu Bei again, she lectured her thoroughly, but unfortunately, Fu Bei still didn’t welcome her.

“A friend visited you?” Liang Yuzhi asked, pretending not to know.

Fu Bei couldn’t be bothered to explain, giving a hum of acknowledgment.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while. Liang Yuzhi explained her purpose, saying there was a dinner party this week that Fu Bei must attend. The dinner was hosted by the Liang family, inviting prominent figures. Liang Yuzhi had selfish motives: firstly, she genuinely considered Fu Bei’s interests, wanting her to socialize with these people; secondly, she wanted Fu Bei to boost the occasion. After all, the Fu family only had this one heir. Combined with Father Fu, they were no less influential than Grandpa Fu. It was a win-win situation no matter how you looked at it.

Qiao Xi was in the bedroom, standing right behind the door. At first, she could hear Liang Yuzhi loudly scolding Fu Bei, but later she couldn’t hear anything.

Playing on her phone in bed for ten minutes, Liang Yuzhi still hadn’t left, and was even coming this way.

Hearing the movement, Qiao Xi didn’t care much at first. But sensing someone right outside the door, her heart skipped a beat. She thought she wouldn’t be nervous, but she still stiffened her back, motionless, not even daring to turn over. The soundproofing of the house was actually quite good; even if she moved, she wouldn’t be heard. But she just didn’t dare move. Liang Yuzhi and Fu Bei were talking right outside the door.

She had entered too hurriedly and forgotten to lock the door.

Liang Yuzhi got closer and closer, even turning her body, seemingly wanting to open the door.

Annoyed for a moment, Qiao Xi planned to get up quickly. However, the two outside walked away again; Fu Bei led Liang Yuzhi away.

Liang Yuzhi stayed here for quite a while, knowing perfectly well who else was here, yet pretending nothing happened. Only before leaving did she ask, “Still in contact with Little Xi lately?”

When asking this, she scrutinized Fu Bei’s expression, thinking she could see something different. But Fu Bei’s expression was indifferent as she replied, “Rarely.”

Liang Yuzhi could barely squeeze out a smile. A few years ago, she could still handle Fu Bei, but now she had absolutely no way, unable to control anything. She didn’t know with what mood she stayed here for so long. Even back in the car, her hands were icy cold.

In the bedroom, Qiao Xi waited a long time before opening the door.

Fu Bei was waiting in the living room.

Qiao Xi asked, “Did Auntie know?”

“No,” Fu Bei said, pulling her to sit down. “Left a while ago.”

Qiao Xi didn’t leave until dark, not staying overnight.

**

After leaving this time, Qiao Xi didn’t look for Fu Bei for a long while. Instead, she returned to the compound frequently, not to quarrel with Zhou Meihe, but to ask Qiao Jianliang some things.

She was secretly investigating that matter herself. Some things were like bamboo shoots after rain; once watered, they popped up one by one. Qi Bingrui had worked under Grandpa Fu in his early years, receiving much help from the Fu family. Even when he started his own business, the startup capital was sponsored by the Fu family. Although the venture didn’t succeed, later, with Father Fu’s introduction, Qi Bingrui entered Jiang City Zhihe Computer System Co., Ltd. With Grandpa Fu’s strong support and various help, he climbed up step by step, taking many years to reach his current position.

It was worth mentioning that Zhihe Company’s acquisition of Azure Fox back then wasn’t a wise move; it didn’t help the company’s development much. After all, Azure Fox was a small player at the time, focusing on search, news, video, and mini-games. Zhihe Company already occupied a certain position on the internet, having these business lines long ago, with momentum far exceeding Azure Fox.

She also found out that for more than a year afterward, the remaining few companies of the Qiao family were constantly suppressed, dragging on with their last breath. Qiao Jianliang’s liquidity was difficult to support both the real estate project and the operation of several companies simultaneously. He was almost gritting his teeth to persist. Later, having no other way, and with the higher-ups pressing hard repeatedly, when the Zhou family made a move, Qiao Jianliang painfully cut his losses, handing over the real estate project. Only then did the situation improve bit by bit.

Qiao Xi couldn’t figure it out. If Qi Bingrui was really pulling strings, or if the old man was plotting against the Qiao family, why acquire Azure Fox at a not-low price in the end? And what did it have to do with Zhou Qun and Liang Jincheng? And who was suppressing the Qiao family behind the scenes?

She didn’t ask Qiao Jianliang, nor did she seek anyone’s help, investigating quietly.

During the same period, Liang Yuzhi was exceptionally attentive to Fu Bei. Probably realizing she couldn’t do anything to Fu Bei, she found a roundabout way, going to the university town area every few days.

One night, Qiao Xi stayed over at Fu Bei’s place. The two were doing it on the sofa with the lights off when Liang Yuzhi came to the door.

Qiao Xi wanted to stop and hide in the bedroom, but was held by the waist and had her mouth covered. In the silent night, she hugged the back of Fu Bei’s neck, her face burning uncontrollably.

Neither knew when the person outside left. Afterwards, Fu Bei brushed away the hair on Qiao Xi’s chest, leaning down to find her lips, stroking her sensitive neck.

“Not afraid of being discovered?” Qiao Xi asked, raising her hand to stroke the side of Fu Bei’s face.

Fu Bei didn’t answer, asking back in a low voice, “What have you been doing lately? Why can’t I find you?”

Went to Qijing Street three times, missing her every time. Twice back to the Qiao family, once to Tang Yi’s place. When did she become so busy? She was always home before.

“Nothing much.” Qiao Xi avoided answering, very perfunctory. Propping herself up to block this person’s lips, unwilling to talk more, “Nothing to do at the shop, so wandering around.”

She didn’t give Fu Bei a chance to speak, clinging to her shoulders and kissing. Slowly, using clever force to pin the person down. Fu Bei knew she wasn’t telling the truth but went along with it.

Meeting Liang Yuzhi again was at a gathering. Qiao Xi usually disliked such occasions the most, but hearing Qi Bingrui would attend, she thought about it and went.