Coveted for a Long Time 53

Chapter 53

The lights in the living room were never turned on. Illuminated by the silvery moonlight, the two reached the hallway and the bedroom door. Opening the door but not entering, it was dim and gloomy here, light unable to penetrate at all.

Blue and black skirts intertwined, blending indistinguishably.

The zipper was pulled all the way down. Qiao Xi made no sound, her waist held tight. After a while, her breathing gradually became unsteady. Her hands rested on the other’s shoulders, her back pressed against the cold wall, but her heart burned fiercely. Her black hair fell loosely over her chest, highlighting her fair, smooth skin. Her high heels had long been kicked off at the entrance, leaving her barefoot. Not as tall as Fu Bei, she could only stand on tiptoe slightly to reach.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes to look at the person in front of her, unconsciously biting her lower lip. Looking up, she saw soft white moonlight spilling into the corner, the brightness there starkly different from the heavy darkness and secrecy here.

In the heavy darkness and secrecy, wildfires burned hot, restless and lurking, almost breaking through shackles. The fire spread from top to bottom, devouring, sweeping everything in.

The light was dim, vision unclear, making sensations exceptionally vivid.

After a while, she said in an unsteady voice, “Why do you keep asking about Sister Huan? What’s wrong?”

So many times already. She didn’t think Zhao Shihuan had any ideas about her; they barely interacted. Fu Bei’s reaction was too big—just over a few jars of candy.

Although she thought this, another indescribable feeling arose spontaneously—sour, swelling, filling her warmly and fully. She hadn’t completely opened up to Fu Bei; grudges remained. The problem between them wasn’t solved, just a stalemate, tugging and refusing to let go. She hadn’t shown much emotion, or perhaps it had truly faded, but Fu Bei seemed increasingly addicted, taking the fake for real despite knowing better.

Thinking of this, she raised her hand, no longer touching the other party.

Fu Bei sensed it but showed no reaction. After a long while, she said, “Nothing…”

Over these days, they had deepened their connection significantly, yet never once opened their hearts to talk. Sometimes Fu Bei wanted to talk, but Qiao Xi turned a deaf ear and avoided it. Just like now, they could have talked openly, but in the end, met with silence.

The long skirt was too cumbersome, bound at the waist, neither up nor down. Qiao Xi ignored it, her gaze lingering on Fu Bei’s face, as if trying to see through this person. Unfortunately, Fu Bei’s expression remained unchanged. Instead, she held Qiao Xi’s hips with one hand, leaning in to kiss the corner of her lips.

Qiao Xi’s gaze gradually unfocused, her knuckles curling, finally embracing this person’s back.

Until entering the room to lie down, resting on Fu Bei, she pondered for a while, weighing her words before saying, “Zhou Qun has been in contact with your uncle a lot recently; seems like they have a business cooperation.”

Speaking relatively euphemistically and roundaboutly, not directly mentioning Liang Jincheng helping Zhou Qun.

Of course, Fu Bei knew without being told. Liang Jincheng’s every move was under surveillance; she had learned this news long ago, much earlier than Qiao Xi.

“Always had cooperation.” Fu Bei said, her fingertips brushing lightly over Qiao Xi’s earlobe like a dragonfly touching water. “Weren’t they close before? It was because of Zhou Qun.”

Thought it was related to the Zhou family, but it turned out to be Zhou Qun. As for why Zhou Lin was involved, presumably Liang Jincheng wanted to win over Zhou Lin first to get close to Zhou Qun. After all, they were family, sharing a surname. Had to find an excuse to get closer; fake affection is still affection.

Qiao Xi figured this out, her dislike for Liang Jincheng deepening. Thinking of Liang Jincheng kicking the Qiao family when they were down, her heart became even more complicated. Entangled endlessly until now.

But there was one thing she couldn’t figure out—

“Why is your uncle getting close to Zhou Qun?”

Previously, Liang Jincheng interacted most with Qiao Jianliang, helping out with whatever he did. At that time, Qiao Jianliang truly believed it, thinking he met a good person. Who knew he would stumble badly later? Looking back now, the so-called kindness was actually ill-intentions, plotting something. Liang Jincheng was unscrupulous, cruel, and greedy; he wouldn’t be good to others for no reason. Targeting Zhou Qun now, he was probably brewing a big move.

Zhou Qun was also naive, really not afraid of being stabbed in the back halfway. What kind of person was Liang Jincheng? Let friends die but not himself; if something happened, he would push those around him out first.

There were plenty like Liang Jincheng in the business world—protecting themselves, not good things in secret, putting interests first in everything, sometimes destroying others for petty profits. But business is survival of the fittest; talking about loyalty doesn’t last long. Yet such people lived the most unrestrained and stable lives.

Qiao Xi understood the principles.

She looked down at Fu Bei, feeling uncomfortable between her legs, and moved.

Both were still wearing their long dresses, especially Fu Bei. Although having just experienced that, not a strand was out of place. Qiao Xi’s dress was a mess. Being handmade, the fabric was delicate and couldn’t withstand tossing. Now it looked terrible, bunched up wrinkled on her chest, looking like it would fall off with a single movement.

“The matter with Second Master Tan isn’t over yet. He’s restricted everywhere now. Zhou Qun has developed well in the past two years; should be wanting to gather forces.” Fu Bei explained.

Liang Jincheng kicked a steel plate last time. Given Second Master Tan’s temper, if Liang Jincheng dared to make any small moves, he would definitely settle new and old scores together. Now Liang Jincheng knew his situation and dared not act rashly, but he was still unwilling to give up and restless. Gathering a few more people now would make things easier in the future, right?

This fit his usual style—restless and unpeaceful.

Qiao Xi raised an eyebrow, finding it both reasonable and surprising. “Auntie isn’t helping him anymore?”

She had put in so much effort before. Now it seemed she stopped helping; otherwise, it wouldn’t have come to the point of wooing Zhou Qun. Qiao Xi was curious, asking as soon as the thought crossed her mind, forgetting the person beneath her was Liang Jincheng’s niece—real relatives. Once the words were out, she felt a bit inappropriate, asking too privately. What did others’ family affairs have to do with her? Seemed like meddling too much, reaching too far, almost unable to hide her thoughts.

Immediately, she added, “Didn’t she ask you to find Second Master Tan a while ago? Not afraid of trouble?”

Fu Bei scrutinized her. The old Qiao Xi never cared about these things, completely unconcerned. Recently, she asked about these intentionally or unintentionally, as if verifying and confirming something. Even the last visit here wasn’t for anything else; every time, the conversation turned to these matters.

Vaguely guessing she might know a bit of the inside story, Fu Bei didn’t respond. Her palm on the small of Qiao Xi’s back, scraping gently with her fingertips twice, she replied, “Already helped. Now he relies on himself.”

The Fu family could help once but not forever. Liang Yuzhi was nostalgic, reluctant to see Liang Jincheng suffer. After all, he was her kin; decades of blood ties couldn’t be completely severed. Last time, learning Liang Jincheng caused a big disaster, she immediately helped pull him up, even involving Fu Bei and Father Fu. This made Grandpa Fu very dissatisfied, especially knowing Fu Bei went to find Second Master Tan, scolding the couple thoroughly.

Grandpa Fu had issued an ultimatum: whoever dared to help Liang Jincheng again would get out. If trouble came knocking, he would definitely place righteousness above family loyalty. For this reason, no one in the Fu family would help Liang Jincheng now; he could only rely on himself.

Qiao Xi didn’t know this, thinking these words were just Fu Bei’s opinion. Fu Bei didn’t have a good relationship with this uncle; dissatisfaction was normal. She lowered her eyes to examine Fu Bei, wanting to find flaws on this person’s face, but found nothing. Instead, she crashed straight into the other’s dark eyes.

The white light of the bedside lamp illuminated their figures. Under the light, starry blue sank into black, almost merging into one.

That gaze was too direct and scorching, undercurrents of desire surging, meaning unclear, staring straight, yet somewhat intriguing.

Qiao Xi avoided contact, lowering her eyelids, staring at the slightly rising and falling white softness of the other’s chest.

The deep V was too flamboyant, containing restrained temptation, faintly visible. She looked away unnaturally, staring at the pure white bedsheet.

But Fu Bei hugged her lying on her side, gathering the person into her arms, thin lips moving, almost whispering in her ear: “Qiao Xi…”

Slightly wet and hot breath brushed past her earlobe, a bit ticklish. After a long while, Qiao Xi responded with a hum as faint as a mosquito.

Her voice carried a slight weary hoarseness, throat tight, probably understanding.

Fu Bei said, “Take a shower first.”

She didn’t make a sound.

The other party kissed her earlobe, hot. “Hmm?”

Qiao Xi tightened her palm, fingertips touching this person’s collar. When the other party got closer, she logically did what she didn’t dare do tonight.

Wind picked up outside, blowing the tree leaves rustling, falling constantly.

Gathered clouds covered the round, white moon, wrapping that full orb completely, plunging heaven and earth into temporary darkness instantly. The university town at this time was already silent; not many houses even had lights on.

Leaves remaining on the trees clamped tightly onto thin branches, swaying and fluttering, ready to fall at any moment. The wind grew slightly stronger, blowing the slender branches shaking incessantly. The leaves stuck tighter to the branches, clamping relentlessly to resist the night wind.

**

The next day was rainy and overcast. The temperature in Jiang City dropped again, significantly. The cold could be felt just from the gray sky. Hazy, misty water vapor blocked the distant view, making specific shapes unclear.

There were still things to do at the shop. Qiao Xi didn’t stay here too long, getting up at noon to drink a bowl of porridge before leaving. The evening gown had been ravaged beyond recognition, not to mention getting wet in the bathroom; it couldn’t be worn again. Qiao Xi found a set of Fu Bei’s clothes to make do and left directly.

The clothes didn’t fit, slightly loose, but at a glance, they had a unique flavor. The same outfit looked proper on Fu Bei, but slightly modified on her, it appeared lazy and sexy.

She really knew how to pick, having a unique eye, picking the most valuable set at once.

In the afternoon, Qiao Xi stayed at the shop, tattooing a customer. The customer had low tolerance, groaning in pain over a small pattern. A grown man thundering without rain—the scene was quite comical.

Qin Si came once. Upon entering, she saw Qiao Xi wearing clothes that didn’t match her usual style. Stunned at first, her face darkened immediately. Formal wear with slippers, hair tied up casually—no matter how one looked at it, these ill-fitting clothes didn’t look like her own matching, but someone else’s. Then thinking of a certain person…

“Why are you here?” Qiao Xi spoke first, glancing once then withdrawing her gaze, continuing to work seriously.

“Can’t come if nothing’s wrong?” Qin Si’s tone was ambiguous, finding a stool to sit aside.

Hearing her tone was off, Qiao Xi stopped her hand movements but didn’t look up. “Who provoked you, so fierce?”

Qin Si ignored her, helping to tidy up the shop on her own. Unprecedentedly diligent for the first time—this person wouldn’t even lift a finger in her own shop, yet now so kind-hearted; the sun truly rose from the west.

Even more outrageous, unknown what madness possessed her, Qin Si seemed like a different person. Going to Qiao Xi’s place at night, she even went into the kitchen to help cook. Knowing her for so long, Qiao Xi didn’t even know she could cook. Thinking back to her place before, Qin Si wouldn’t even wash a bowl; life depended entirely on the helper auntie.

“What exactly is wrong with you today? Weird as hell.” Qiao Xi asked. No matter how careless, she sensed something wrong.

Although Qin Si had been strange since returning from her trip, nothing compared to today’s weirdness. Being fierce before barely fit her usual nature; Qiao Xi was used to it and felt it was okay. Now suddenly becoming so gentle and considerate made people extremely uncomfortable.

Qin Si washed vegetables with her back turned, her expression changing repeatedly. Finally indifferent, the corners of her mouth twitched, but she couldn’t say a word. Turning off the tap, she swirled her hand in the basin full of water for half a circle before saying, “Really? Where is it weird?”

Qiao Xi couldn’t put it into words. Moving her lips, she finally replied, “Feels a little bit.”

Qin Si scooped up the washed vegetables to drain. “Thinking this and that all day; I think you’re just bored.”

Qiao Xi was amused, raising an eyebrow.

But soon, she froze suddenly. Qin Si hugged her from behind.

Actually, not really hugging. She just wasn’t wearing an apron, and Qin Si grabbed one in passing. According to her usual style, she should have handed it over directly. Unexpectedly, she helped put it on.

Maybe it was Qiao Xi’s illusion, feeling Qin Si almost pressing against her back. The movements were also very slow. One hand wrapped around intimately from behind, seemingly inadvertently touching her waist and abdomen. The scent of perfume hit her, as if to envelop her. At the same time, Qin Si lowered her head. Naturally, thin, hot breath landed on Qiao Xi’s fair neck.

Subconsciously, Qiao Xi froze, daring not move an inch, even her breathing stopping, dazed by this sudden action.

Too surprised, her senses slowed down. In reality, it was only three to five seconds.

Before Qiao Xi could recover, Qin Si had tied the apron and stepped back half a pace.

“Cooking without tying this; not afraid of getting dirty.”

Same tone as always.

Qiao Xi’s throat choked, not knowing how to answer. Even though the other party had let go, everything just now was too sudden. She couldn’t cope for a long time. After a while, she gave a hum.

Qin Si acted naturally, as if it was just a very ordinary action, making Qiao Xi seem like she was overthinking. In the time that followed, she didn’t cross the line at all.

Maybe subconsciously not wanting to get involved in overly complicated relationships, Qiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she must have misunderstood.

Until finishing the meal, the two chatted about irrelevant things. As if adding a necessary purpose for this visit, Qin Si said Wan San was getting engaged to his girlfriend on Sunday and asked Qiao Xi to go with her.

Qiao Xi naturally agreed, thinking Wan San had specially come to visit her last time.

Then a phone call interrupted the two. Qiao Jianliang calling, but the speaker wasn’t him, but Zhou Lin—Qiao Jianliang was sick.