Coveted for a Long Time 68

Chapter 68

A phone call wasn’t warm, just a superficial conversation without any substantial content. Both sides suppressed themselves, trying not to attach too much importance to this contact.

Hanging up the phone, Qiao Xi stayed alone in her room for more than half an hour before washing up and going out. she hadn’t mentioned Fu Bei or the Fu family in front of outsiders, not even to Qiao Jianliang or Tang Yi, treating this as a secret.

Calls from the unfamiliar number became more frequent. At first, it was once a week, then almost every day. Sometimes busy with company matters, she had no time to answer, only calling back at night.

Separated for a long time, saying a word to the other party was a luxury.

Until the second half of the year, all matters in Jiang City proceeded methodically. The collusion case between officials and businessmen faded completely, no longer receiving attention. The Zhao family rose abruptly, and the Chen family also climbed step by step with this wind. Several potential rising star companies in the business world ascended. The government re-planned, shifting Jiang City’s development focus to electronic information and manufacturing, adopting a clustered investment promotion development idea, aiming for high-quality development.

To balance the company, Qiao Xi had to pay more attention to policies. The companies under the Qiao family developed okay overall, neither outstanding nor lagging, quite standard.

During this time, some enterprises fell silently, while others soared into the sky. Policy changes brought a series of impacts, but overall positive. The quality of life for ordinary people in Jiang City was growing day by day.

In the sunny August, Tang Yi often ran to the compound, looking for Qiao Xi every day. She was about to start her third year of graduate school. Originally planning to find a job or stay at the school, after struggling and weighing for a long time, she decided to take the doctoral entrance exam and continue studying, with the future goal of returning to the University of Science and Technology to teach.

Tang Yi had a bright and boundless future, valued by professors. She planned to take the exam for Jiang University, working desperately hard.

Qiao Xi couldn’t help her much. All she could do was help introduce a few famous teachers and send food and drinks from time to time. Friendship doesn’t need words; it’s all shown in actions.

Tang Yi didn’t know about the Fu family’s affairs, nor was she aware that Fu Bei had temporarily left Jiang University. Sometimes she would actively talk about this person. Belatedly, she finally discovered Fu Bei wasn’t at Jiang University.

“I heard from others that Professor Fu was sent out for study. Estimated to take a year or so to return.”

Qiao Xi didn’t explain, glancing seemingly inadvertently at the empty house opposite, giving a hum.

Tang Yi regretted it, unable to figure out why. Thinking Fu Bei had just arrived at Jiang University, at a critical moment for career development, clearly valued by the profession and the school, why suddenly sent out for study? She sighed with emotion, saying it was a pity.

“Left just half a year after joining. Don’t know what it’ll be like when she comes back. Can’t understand what Jiang University means; isn’t this delaying people?” She didn’t know the truth, unaware this was an excuse to protect someone, the result of Fu Bei’s negotiation with Jiang University.

Qiao Xi knew these things but offered no opinion.

The tattoo parlor hadn’t opened for a long time. At first, Qiao Xi would go over when free, but later rarely went, not even to Qijing Street. The shop had long collected dust. The landlord called to inquire, thinking something happened to Qiao Xi. Learning she was fine and wanted to continue renting, the landlord stopped asking.

Qiao Xi thought about buying the shop front for convenience, but the landlord wouldn’t sell. She wouldn’t stay in the company forever; the business world didn’t suit her after all. Disliking the pretense, opening a tattoo parlor herself was quite good, doing what she wanted.

After Qiao Jianliang’s health improved, he gradually helped handle some simple work. His current physical condition was far from healthy; normal work in the short term was unlikely. Cerebral hemorrhage brought a series of irreversible sequelae, such as difficulty walking, slightly unclear speech, and many minor problems.

Since the accident, the stepbrother Zhou Lin’s presence in this family became lower and lower. This kid became increasingly silent, like a mute who couldn’t speak. People eventually grow with time. Unknown if he figured it out or couldn’t figure it out, he changed, no longer showing emotions like before. The whole person became deep and introverted, young but looking extremely shrewd.

The matter of Qiao Jianliang falling ill rotted in his stomach. If he didn’t say, no one would know.

Although Qiao Xi was suspicious last time, seeing nothing happen until now, she turned the page and didn’t delve deeper. After all, blended families are harder to manage. As long as Zhou Lin and Zhou Meihe didn’t deliberately cause trouble, she wouldn’t care.

Zhou Lin’s study abroad plan had been finalized, the school contacted long ago. He barely made it to Canada relying on his specialty. The school was decent, not wasting Zhou Meihe’s running around for these two or three years.

Before leaving, he had a conflict with Zhou Meihe again. On the day of departure, Qiao Jianliang couldn’t stand it and asked Qiao Xi to send him off alone.

Because of a momentary thought, a life was almost lost. Whether Zhou Lin felt shame or regret for his past actions, no one knew. But before boarding the plane, realizing Zhou Meihe didn’t come to see him off and only Qiao Xi was there, this tall and sturdy boy couldn’t help but redden his eyes.

Zhou Meihe hit him, scolded him, and treated him badly. But in his heart, she was ultimately his mother, the relative with the strongest blood tie, an unbreakable bond. Because of yesterday’s quarrel, now that he was going abroad, Zhou Meihe was truly cruel enough not to come send him off…

He gritted his teeth, holding back his silence.

Perhaps Qiao Xi was feeling generous, considering he was only in his teens. She finally spoke calmly.

“When you get there… study hard.”

She didn’t like the Zhou mother and son at all, even loathed them. But this didn’t contradict her sudden softness at this moment. After all, even the most hateful people have moments of extreme pitifulness, evoking pity and sighs.

Zhou Lin kept his head down, silent. After a long time, he replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito, “Thank you.”

Qiao Xi reined in her kindness, not caring too much.

The farewell was simple and distant. When the time came, he checked his ticket and boarded the plane, flying into the boundless azure sky.

In everyone’s eyes, this was just a temporary separation. No one could have foreseen the sudden accident more than a month later, and Zhou Meihe certainly didn’t expect what she had missed.

Sometimes things come full circle. Back then, when Qiao Jianliang fell ill, Zhou Lin deliberately delayed time to harm him. As a result, retribution came swiftly, turning 360 degrees back to himself.

Qiao Xi didn’t get involved in the conflict between the Zhou mother and son, focusing on her own work. When talking to Fu Bei at night, she only mentioned it casually, and Fu Bei didn’t pay attention to these things either.

**

The turning point appeared in late August.

Qiao Xi represented the company at a fundraising event. Representatives from various companies were present one by one. The formation was quite grand; basically, all the prominent people in Jiang City came.

She just came to go through the motions, not expecting anything, let alone meeting Fu Bei here.

The storm had completely passed during this period. She thought the Fu family would take at least another half a year to return. Unexpectedly, she saw this person tonight. The other party hadn’t mentioned a word on the phone, deliberately hiding it—simply a big surprise and shock.

Many people present were surprised Fu Bei would appear. No one dared to strike up a conversation, unwilling even to share a drink, afraid of getting involved.

Fu Bei didn’t interact much with these people either, keeping her peripheral vision on the red figure not far away all night—Qiao Xi was dressed beautifully and eye-catchingly tonight, simply dazzling in a big red dress, attracting many gazes and scrutiny.

Qiao Xi exchanged a look with this person, her hand holding the wine glass tightening slightly. While talking to others, she also secretly sized up that side.

The fundraising lasted for two hours. Afterward, most people didn’t leave, continuing to socialize in the venue, chatting with CEOs they knew. Fu Bei left first, looking directly at Qiao Xi before leaving. Qiao Xi understood, dawdling for ten minutes before going out with others, leaving the rest to Secretary Chen.

Fu Bei hadn’t gone far. Seeing a flash of red appear at the main gate, she walked unhurriedly towards the parking spot.

The parking spot was relatively hidden and not easy to find. Qiao Xi walked very slowly, taking a long time to follow.

Once in the car, neither spoke first. The engine started, heading towards Qijing Street, to Qiao Xi’s apartment.

Although no one lived here, Qiao Xi had asked a housekeeping company to clean it not long ago, so it wasn’t messy; on the contrary, it was very clean. Entering the door, they didn’t turn on the light first.

Words seemed too weak at such a time, useless. Only actions could express one ten-thousandth of what was in their hearts. As soon as Qiao Xi closed the door, she was hugged tightly by the other party. Fu Bei held her hips, leading her to the sofa. She wanted to speak, but before she could open her mouth, her red lips were blocked.

A long-lost feeling invaded, like thousands of threads tangling, binding people circle by circle, making the heart palpitate fiercely. Qiao Xi’s fingertips curled uncontrollably. Facing this person’s dominance, she compromised from the inside out for the first time, silently accepting it.

A kiss seemed to suck all her breath away, plundering every breath wantonly, never retreating, nor allowing any retreat.

Qiao Xi raised her hands to cling to Fu Bei’s back, kicked off her high heels abruptly, and knelt directly on this person’s lap. After kissing for a while, she turned passive into active.

Her hands roamed and stroked Fu Bei’s neck and shoulders, feeling this person’s overly thin body. She had really lost a lot of weight during this time; touching her felt like touching bones. Her heart felt indescribable, blocked. All emotions turned into action, kissing the other’s lips.

The red long dress clung to her body, outlining her curvaceous figure perfectly. Because of excitement, Qiao Xi’s breathing was a bit unsteady, her chest heaving a few times. She moved her hand to the side of the other’s neck, actively pressing against Fu Bei, delivering herself to this person.

Fu Bei just protected her silently.

The moon tonight was particularly round and bright, silvery white and clean. Hazy moonlight shone into this corner through the glass window.

Love is a surging tide, tumbling repeatedly, devouring will and concentration, dragging the two of them in, soaking them in the tide of love.

After the kiss, in the interval of separation, Qiao Xi couldn’t help stroking Fu Bei’s distinct face and smooth chin.

Fu Bei leaned in to peck her lips lightly, whispering, “Qiao Xi…”

Her tone carried a thick lingering meaning, a bit of restrained eagerness, and unrestrained gentleness.

Qiao Xi leaned down, almost cheek to cheek with her.

“Mmh.”

Fu Bei clamped her slender waist and called again, “Qiao Xi—”

Qiao Xi responded again.

Fu Bei pressed against her lips at this moment, whispering as if murmuring, “Qiao Qiao.”

Calling her this way for the first time. Unlike those people, this call was extremely light and slow, containing too many complex and indescribable emotions. Such a long separation, the previous unease, combined with the current regaining of what was lost—intense and enchanting.

Qiao Xi paused, opening her lips to respond.

The moon hid in the clouds, and the living room darkened briefly. Even though they were so close, almost seamlessly pressed together, they still couldn’t see each other clearly. Night can best amplify human emotions, magnifying seven points of feeling to twelve, triggering all dormant and hidden heat.

Feeling the warmth and moisture of the wind by her ear, Qiao Xi half-closed her eyes.

The joy of reunion after a long separation, snuggling against each other.

The red dress retreated, falling to the floor.

…

Qiao Xi leaned on Fu Bei’s shoulder and asked, “Leaving tomorrow?”

The storm had just passed; the Fu family shouldn’t return so quickly, with many messes still unresolved.

She finally admitted she couldn’t bear to part. When not seeing her, she could still be calm and self-possessed, enduring calmly. But once seeing her, it was like water soaking into soil, inseparable. Ultimately unwilling for the other party to leave again, she deliberated for a long time before asking.

Fu Bei didn’t answer. After a while, she turned her head to plant a kiss on her throat, saying in a low voice, “Not leaving; staying.”

Qiao Xi felt ticklish, shrinking her neck. The feeling at this moment was indescribable—happy or what? Anyway, her heart felt hot and swollen. She hugged the other party tighter, lifting her waist. The hibiscus flower on her lower back was passionate and bright, blooming under the illumination of the white moonlight. With Qiao Xi’s inadvertent twisting, the bright red and moving stamens and petals also moved gently, demonstrating the owner’s pleasure.

The two necks intertwined, hugging in one place, pressing tightly against each other, enjoying the moment of reunion.

Returning to the room, hugging and lying down, after calming down for a long time, Qiao Xi asked again, “What do you plan to do next?”

The Fu family’s company had shrunk greatly now, far less than before. Qiao Xi didn’t know about the school side, unclear about Fu Bei’s future plans.

Hot weather; cool air conditioning blowing, exceptionally comfortable.

After asking, she scooted closer, lying on her side against Fu Bei’s arm. She carried a faint fragrance, very pleasant. Fu Bei turned her head, looking down at her, also turning on her side, then gathering the person into her arms.

“Stay for a while first; return to school when the term starts.”

Even though the current Fu family suffered a blow, a lean camel is bigger than a horse; it wouldn’t be too bad no matter how bad it got. Even doing nothing now, the substantial family assets accumulated before were enough for the whole big family to live on. Moreover, the Fu family hadn’t reached the point of complete decline yet. After business contraction, Father Fu was more than enough to handle it alone. Fu Bei was unwilling to get involved in the Fu family’s affairs anymore, planning to go solo in the future.

No need to guess; Qiao Xi knew her return to school must not have been easy, certainly experiencing some twists and turns. After such a big event, smooth sailing in the future would be hard to talk about.

She pondered for a long time, tilting her head to rest on this person’s chest. “Then going back to the apartment to live?”

Fu Bei hummed. Can’t return to the compound swaggering now, and didn’t want to go back either. Only she from the Fu family had returned; had to keep a low profile. After speaking, she sought Qiao Xi’s lips, simultaneously finding Qiao Xi’s hand to hold, kneading it gently with little force, placing the slender hand on herself.

“Go in two days.” This person said in a low voice, meaningful.

Qiao Xi didn’t understand at first. When her fingertips touched the other’s cool skin, she suddenly understood.

Fu Bei lifted her onto herself, lips brushing against her earlobe…