Coveted for a Long Time 63

Chapter 63

Winter in Jiang City grew colder. The trees lining the streets were completely bare, leaving only the evergreens still vibrant. The sky remained a dull gray, empty as far as the eye could see. Layers upon layers of high-rise buildings stood like a dense forest, crowded and packed.

Qiao Xi and Zhao Shihuan’s relationship ended silently. Unlike childhood, the adult world didn’t require a fierce argument to separate; a single phone call was enough, no need for debate or explanation.

Zhao Shihuan’s position was different from Qiao Xi’s, so her considerations naturally differed. She had always been this way, never changing, always standing unwaveringly in the most correct position.

When they were little, a rift could be mended with two candies or a bit of time. But not anymore.

Children eventually stop listening to adults. Besides, Zhao Shihuan was just a peer. Qiao Xi was an independent thinker with her own choices; she couldn’t be a canary trapped in a cage named protection forever.

Zhao Shihuan came to the hospital to see Qiao Jianliang once, hoping to ease the relationship, but failed. She was too thorough in everything, considering everyone without bias, always. But this time, it didn’t work. Qiao Xi didn’t even look at her directly, staying with Qiao Jianliang for a while before leaving with her bag.

The other party followed, seemingly surprised by the current situation, which exceeded expectations. Qiao Xi’s attitude made her inexplicably panicked.

“Qiao Qiao!”

But Qiao Xi never looked back.

Zhao Shihuan didn’t pester her, watching the car drive out of sight. There had been moments of heart-pounding, hesitation, and doubt, but ultimately she never took a step forward, not even expressing her feelings. She was a traveler walking thousands of miles, occasionally stopping to admire the scenery but never staying for any view, moving straight towards the destination.

Qiao Xi and Zhao Shihuan were like the sea and the sky—appearing connected from afar, indistinguishable, but actually separated by thousands of miles, never deeply intersecting.

Qiao Jianliang could see there was a problem between the two young people but turned a blind eye, asking no questions. His primary task now was to rest and recuperate. Getting out of bed meant more than half a year of rehabilitation and training. Cerebral hemorrhage brought many problems; even walking was difficult.

In these short two days, the situation in Jiang City changed quietly.

Rumors spread that the higher-ups would soon make big moves to rectify the subordinates and clean up the atmosphere. As for who the higher-ups and subordinates were, there was no specific information. For a moment, those with guilty consciences panicked.

Banding together, cleansing—everyone was anxious.

But nothing changed afterward; everything remained as usual, as if the previous rumors were just baseless gossip. Before long, some people’s suspended hearts landed, calming down.

Qiao Xi didn’t pay much attention to these, completing her duties at the company to the best of her ability. During this period, she also did a charity event. Of course, all this was a cover. Her personality was too stubborn and unyielding, still not giving up. Simply annoying to the extreme—the more she was forbidden, the more she wanted to do it, insisting on touching things she couldn’t bear.

When living in the compound, elders commented on her like this: too serious, not smooth, knowing nothing about social conduct, bound to suffer a big loss one day.

A child’s stubbornness is called cute, and someone might coax them. But an adult being stubbornly unclear is called being ignorant of the times. In this society, right and wrong aren’t that important. Standing opposite the majority is annoying, especially when she lacked the ability to contend with the opposition.

On Saturday, Qiao Xi met Fu Bei. Originally planned for a coffee shop, they went to the university town apartment to avoid attention.

Qiao Xi thought this person would act like Zhao Shihuan, doing things under the banner of “for your own good.” But she didn’t.

Fu Bei made her a cup of coffee, sitting face to face for a casual chat, revealing some information to Qiao Xi in her words.

Qiao Xi was silent for a long time, then asked, “Why didn’t you stop me from investigating?”

Fu Bei said, “I didn’t cut off the clues.”

Since Qiao Xi started looking into these matters, the people behind the scenes had reacted. Initially, they didn’t act because they thought she couldn’t stir up much trouble. As the investigation deepened, those people acted quickly. However, to keep a low profile at such a critical moment, they handled it secretly, not alerting the snake, and ignoring Qiao Xi for the time being.

Touching someone’s cake requires double repayment; otherwise, bad luck follows. It was just luck that she caught this timing; otherwise, the Qiao family would definitely be besieged on all sides.

But even so, Qiao Xi remained resolute.

In a life of decades, one must be impulsive a few times. Last time it was for the person in front of her; this time it was for herself. She wasn’t that noble; her purpose wasn’t lofty at all. Just unwilling to accept her family being played like fools, wanting an eye for an eye.

Having experienced so much this year, and with their relationship still not eased, Fu Bei finally didn’t advise or stop her this time. Wanting to say “act according to your ability,” she stopped herself, asking about Qiao Jianliang’s condition instead.

The conversation, which should have been tense, was surprisingly peaceful, only sparking a small fire at the end.

Qiao Xi asked without beating around the bush, “Did you intervene in these matters?”

Fu Bei answered crisply, “Yes.”

“Which side?”

This person was stunned, then her expression shifted, a look hard to describe appearing on her face. After a long time, she said, “Which side do you want me to be on?”

In this smokeless war, the Qiao family wasn’t even qualified to enter, just an inconspicuous minor character. How Fu Bei took sides didn’t really matter; everyone was maximizing benefits. The so-called struggle was just seizing benefits.

Qiao Xi lifted her eyelids, also speaking euphemistically but with obvious direction. She asked, if there was a group of thieves who stole things that didn’t belong to them, would this group receive corresponding punishment?

A group of thieves, not one. Bluntly put, asking if Liang Jincheng and his group would receive due punishment. This group naturally included everyone involved, including Liang Yuzhi, who might have participated.

This was an especially difficult choice. Whatever Fu Bei chose would leave scars. One side was justice and love; the other was family and kinship. Moreover, choosing the former would inevitably implicate the Fu family to some extent. She didn’t answer immediately, asking softly, “What do you think?”

Qiao Xi said firmly, “Judge as it should be judged. People must be responsible for their actions.”

Fu Bei lowered her long eyes, saying nothing, refilling her coffee, not stating her choice.

Actually, her stance had long been clear.

**

The remaining days were like bare trees, lifeless. The sun shone high every day in Jiang City, the weather warm, but a low pressure loomed over the city amidst the undercurrents. Under the usual prosperity, filth spread.

Chinese people believe in a new atmosphere for the New Year, so this year’s matters generally aren’t left for the next. The end of the year is always the most festive and lively, yet the most unstable period.

Let the outside world be chaotic; Qiao Xi remained immovable as a mountain. She no longer cared about others, focusing on running the company, much more restrained than before. Not really afraid or heeding anyone’s advice, but having her own plans.

As for the meaning of Fu Bei’s words and her plans, she stopped dwelling on them, ignoring everything and doing her own thing secretly.

Qin Si often went to the hospital, mostly sitting for a while and leaving, occasionally lingering for half a day waiting for Qiao Xi. She suddenly became gentle and introverted, losing her usual arrogant arrogance, even cooking personally and bringing food over.

“Your friend is quite nice, good-hearted,” Qiao Jianliang commented.

However, Qiao Xi knew Qin Si’s personality. Hearing it, she let it pass without saying much.

Qin Si intentionally pried into Qiao Xi’s life, probably wanting to integrate, but her efforts were futile. Qiao Xi was a stone that couldn’t be warmed, giving no response no matter what. Or rather, never treating her actions as pursuit, viewing them normally.

Qin Si was annoyed by this but couldn’t lower her face. A sentence was like a thorn stuck in her throat—slightly painful, yet daring not pull it out, feeling its existence every time she swallowed.

She knew Qiao Xi and Fu Bei were still in contact, and clearer that the two had a rift recently. Fu Bei rarely appeared, and Qiao Xi never actively mentioned this person, only reluctantly replying with a sentence or two when Qiao Jianliang mentioned her occasionally.

“Planning to travel for New Year?” Qin Si asked, clearly having other plans.

This question was asked long ago; Qiao Xi’s answer remained unchanged. “No.”

Qin Si still didn’t give up. “You’ve been so tired this year. Go out for a walk to relax; combine work and rest.”

“Still have things to do; no time,” Qiao Xi replied. With a pile of troublesome matters, where would she find time to travel?

Qin Si asked, “What things?”

Qiao Xi used Qiao Jianliang as an excuse, and the other party stopped asking.

Actually, it wasn’t entirely an excuse; part of her energy really had to be on Qiao Jianliang, as he hadn’t recovered yet.

Once the situation stabilized, Qiao Jianliang was officially discharged to recuperate at home. He had mobility issues; walking became a big problem. Sitting in a wheelchair was uncoordinated, and carrying him on the back didn’t work, so he could only be lifted to the second floor.

Lying in the hospital bed, he looked fine to outsiders. Unexpectedly, it was so serious, reaching the point where lifting a leg was difficult—no different from being disabled.

Actually, the doctor had informed them before discharge that these conditions were sequelae, requiring long-term training and recuperation to recover slowly. It would be a very long process requiring patience, and the extent of recovery was unknown.

Qiao Jianliang knew his condition long ago and was mentally prepared for a protracted war. With doctors and nurses caring for him in the hospital, he was ambitious. However, two days home and he was discouraged. On the second night, Qiao Xi and the Zhou mother and son weren’t home. He accidentally fell out of bed, face down, unable to get up. Discovered by the caregiver half an hour later, wearing too little in winter, he was frozen purple, face swollen with a large bruise.

He was so cold he almost lost sensation, suffering quite a bit.

The caregiver didn’t mean it, thinking he would lie peacefully to rest. Working downstairs at the time, thinking of preparing some hot food for him to eat when he woke up, who knew he would fall out of bed?

Actually, Qiao Jianliang could have shouted loudly, but he didn’t; his pride wouldn’t allow it. He tried many times to get up, but just couldn’t—useless.

Zhou Meihe came home first, almost choking with anger. Catching the caregiver, she threw a tantrum, not caring about Qiao Jianliang first.

Knowing she couldn’t afford to offend rich people and afraid of paying compensation or salary deduction, the caregiver apologized profusely, bowing and scraping, almost kneeling to beg for mercy.

Qiao Jianliang couldn’t stand it, scolding, “Enough! Is there no end?”

Yelled at for no reason, Zhou Meihe inevitably felt aggrieved. Thinking of the grievances she suffered these days, thinking she only got angry out of heartache for Qiao Jianliang, and thinking of many old grudges, her eyes reddened immediately, making a scene with Qiao Jianliang for the first time.

Actually, she was the one making a scene. Qiao Jianliang, a patient, had no energy to argue. This night was very sad—willing but powerless, physically and mentally exhausted.

Guilty, the caregiver asked tentatively, “Mr. Qiao, should I call Miss Qiao?”

Qiao Jianliang stopped her. “Don’t disturb her.”

There were many things at the company, work piling up like a mountain. Qiao Xi was busy off her feet. By the time she was free to return to the Qiao house, it was the afternoon of the next day. At that time, only Qiao Jianliang and the caregiver were at the Qiao house again.

Scolded yesterday, the caregiver was trembling with fear, thinking she would experience it again, but didn’t.

Seeing the injury on Qiao Jianliang’s face, Qiao Xi was stunned, her throat dry. Before she could ask, Qiao Jianliang said first, “I fell myself yesterday.”

His figure was decadent, whole person dispirited, mentality changing overnight. Qiao Xi’s heart blocked, unable to say a word.

Living a life, the most pitiful things are illness and death. Sometimes illness is harder to endure than death; the heavy pain brought by a disease is far heavier than parting.

Qiao Xi stood in place, lips moving before speaking, then boiled an egg to remove the bruise for Qiao Jianliang.

“I’ll call later to have them send another caregiver over. Take turns working; one caregiver can’t handle it,” she said.

Qiao Jianliang didn’t make a sound, his figure lonely. The mental distress brought by disease is far greater than physical pain. Frustration is hardest to bear and easier to destroy a person’s mentality.

This incident brought many changes to Qiao Jianliang, or perhaps he remembered a bit more. When Qiao Xi came again, he suddenly asked, “Last time you mentioned the document in the safe, have you seen it?”

Qiao Xi was caught off guard, reacting after a long while, nodding. “Mmh.”

Qiao Jianliang didn’t continue, instead asking Qiao Xi to help him up, walking a short distance with difficulty.

**

In mid-December, something inconclusive happened.

—A company under the Zhou family was sealed up; specific reason unknown.

Those who had relaxed instantly sounded the alarm, scared out of their wits, thinking the sky was changing. However, within three days, everything returned to normal; the Zhou family was unscathed.

Everyone’s hearts landed, going to the Zhou family for verification one after another. Unfortunately, the Zhou family kept their mouths shut, absolutely not mentioning this.

Qiao Xi wasn’t well-informed enough. By the time she paid attention to this, another thing happened. The game Zhou Qun invested in was taken offline again due to the same problem as last time—too much negative impact, needing rectification again. Being the second time getting hit, it wasn’t as easy as the last time.

This wasn’t considered unlucky; unluckier was the sudden wave of boycotting plagiarism online. With the copyright wind blowing strong these two years, netizens loved following the trend most. Led by a rhythm, they spontaneously formed a boycott army, spamming related topics everywhere. For a while, scolding Zhou Qun’s game company became a trend. Truth and falsehood in the online world didn’t matter; netizens only vented without verifying. Just following the flow, scolding with all their might.

Zhou Qun was caught off guard; buying internet water army was useless.

First the Zhou family suffered a blow, then Zhou Qun’s company was attacked from both sides. Discerning people could see this wave wasn’t over; more things would happen. So within a few days, people with close ties to the Zhou family tucked their tails, afraid of being implicated.

Qiao Xi wasn’t interested in watching the show. Her target wasn’t the Zhou family for now, nor did she have the energy to care who was manipulating behind the scenes.

When work at the company was mostly done, doing what should be done, she went to see someone alone, then returned to the Qiao house to accompany Qiao Jianliang for a few days.

With such a big thing happening to the Zhou family, Zhou Meihe and her son went back to her maiden home for a while. Qiao Xi stayed to take care of Qiao Jianliang. The father and daughter lived peacefully for two days, and Qiao Jianliang was quite satisfied.

“It’s nice being quiet like this; more free.”

Qiao Xi said, “If you want, I can find a place for you to stay for a while.”

Qiao Jianliang didn’t respond, unknown if willing or not.

**

The Zhou family’s matter wasn’t over yet when Zhou Meihe received a call—from Qiao Xi.

As soon as the company started the annual leave, Qiao Xi took Qiao Jianliang away from the compound, destination unknown.