Chapter 69
The moonlight fell on the other side of the building, unable to shine into the room. It was originally pitch black here, but soon the light was turned on, soft white light illuminating the entire room clearly.
In August, even in the latter half of the night, it was extremely stifling. Heat flowed in the air, unable to be calmed even by the cool air conditioning, disturbing people’s peace.
Qiao Xi lay with her back to the soft light, eyelids half-drooping, following the rhythm of Fu Bei’s breathing. Both were plated with a layer of halo, looking soft and intimate.
Fu Bei propped herself up, catching her breath, leaning in to find her red lips. Qiao Xi accepted it naturally. The dense kiss closed the distance, binding and communicating their feelings, allowing them to feel each other’s needs and existence more deeply.
…
It wasn’t until past 2:00 AM that the two fell asleep.
Qiao Xi was hugged by Fu Bei from behind, waist hooked, pressed together.
The scorching temperature dropped, gradually becoming cool. Sleeping with the air conditioner on was even more comfortable. Both had been living under high pressure recently, nerves tense all the time. Finally relaxing, their whole beings loosened up.
Qiao Xi had informed Secretary Chen earlier that she wouldn’t go to the company in the morning, leaving all matters to the two secretaries, using the excuse of urgent business to go in the afternoon. Secretary Chen wouldn’t ask more, just following instructions.
The curtains were drawn before sleeping. Double layers of thick fabric blocked everything outside, making time indistinguishable inside the room. As time passed, it was bright daylight outside, but still dark inside. The two people on the bed remained motionless.
Sleeping groggily until ten o’clock, Qiao Xi woke up, but not completely. She only moved her body, then closed her eyes to sleep again.
In the half-dream state, time felt very slow. Similarly, sensations became sluggish yet clear. In the haze, sensing a warm, moist touch on the back of her neck, Qiao Xi stiffened, then moved. Feeling the person behind kiss her again, her breath hitched briefly, then she involuntarily leaned into the other’s embrace.
At this moment, Fu Bei embraced her slender, firm waist. Dense kisses fell on the back of her neck one after another, moving down to kiss her fair, smooth shoulder.
Qiao Xi still kept her eyes closed, but her consciousness was much clearer than before. She lifted her hips, scooting back further, almost seamlessly pressing against Fu Bei. She enjoyed such kisses, being cared for gently, fully immersed. Every part of her body trembled slightly with palpitations, a warm sense of satisfaction filling her heart.
Understanding she liked this, Fu Bei kissed her shoulder again, then pressed her moist lips to her earlobe, whispering in a slightly weary voice, “Morning…”
Such a peaceful and intimate moment, even warmer than back then. Probably having experienced so much, those things that could be let go or not were no longer problems. Those estrangements and contradictions all dissipated, mentioned by no one.
Thinking carefully, having experienced so much, past events had happened and couldn’t be changed, set in stone long ago. Those involved back then had received their retribution. Even Qiao Jianliang let it go; it was time to let these things pass. Qiao Xi used to have many unwillingness and anger, but over the past half year or so, they were all worn away by lonely time. Occasionally she thought of the old lady, remembering the phone call the old lady asked her to make the day before she passed away—a regret hard to mend.
Qiao Xi opened her eyes. Darkness was everywhere she looked, only warmth behind her. Greedy for this temperature, she turned her upper body sideways, saying to the vaguely visible figure, “Morning.”
Fu Bei captured her lips accurately, stopping after a taste.
“Going to the company in the afternoon?” This person asked, hand moving up, lingering below the collarbone for a while, unhurriedly touching Qiao Xi’s neck, stroking her throat gently, then moving up to clamp Qiao Xi’s chin.
Although a relatively dominant action, it was done gently and delicately, without force, more like hooking Qiao Xi’s chin.
Qiao Xi turned her head sideways, dodging it.
“Mmh, still have things to handle. There’s a dinner party tonight.”
Fu Bei originally wanted to kiss her again. Seeing her dodge, she didn’t persist. Withdrawing her hand into the quilt, moving slowly downwards, she deliberately lowered her voice, speaking extremely slowly: “With whom?”
Intentionally creating an ambiguous heat.
Faint scorching breath brushed past her earlobe, a bit ticklish, with an indescribable special feeling. Too late to dodge, sensing this person’s next move, Qiao Xi suddenly froze, uncontrollably grabbing the corner of the quilt, calming herself: “Boss of Cheng Yi.”
Someone Fu Bei knew.
Going to discuss cooperation this time, a simple contact. As for whether it would succeed, that was for later. Qiao Xi had always been Buddhist about doing business, doing her best. If it really didn’t work out, then forget it. Being servile wasn’t interesting. If they had no intention to cooperate, doing these things would mostly be in vain anyway.
“He’s not bad, quite nice,” Fu Bei kissed the side of her neck and said.
Qiao Xi involuntarily wanted to lean back further. Unfortunately, they were already pressed together, as close as could be, without a gap. She could only lean against Fu Bei’s chest, head slightly raised, half propping herself up and half resting on Fu Bei’s shoulder, lingering on the other’s temperature.
Fu Bei told her some things about the boss of Cheng Yi, teaching her what to do. For example, this boss had upright character and was always generous to partners. The only flaw was loving alcohol. Satisfying his appetite was equivalent to half success.
Actually, the business world is a social field. Half depends on company strength, half on the manager. Knowing how to conduct oneself is very important.
Qiao Xi listened, responding occasionally. Such a scene was truly weird—actions so intimate, yet the topic discussed simply too proper.
When the quilt fell, she turned back to kiss Fu Bei, blocking the other’s lips, temporarily stopping this strange scene.
After it ended, she rested for more than half an hour while Fu Bei went out to get food. By the time she tidied up and went out, it was almost one o’clock.
Secretary Chen called twice around 11:30, probably wanting to remind her to go to the company early. However, she wasn’t free then and didn’t answer at all. Getting in the car, she called back.
The dedicated Secretary Chen had already finished lunch and lunch break, answering the phone immediately when it rang.
Qiao Xi was preparing to start the car. Hearing the connection, her brain short-circuited, and she actively explained, “Delayed by something in the morning; didn’t catch the call.”
Her voice was a bit low and hoarse, sounding like she caught a cold. After all, exposed to the air conditioner from last night until now, barely covered by a quilt, equivalent to blowing cold wind for most of the time.
Secretary Chen on the other end thought she wasn’t feeling well, considerately asking a few caring questions. Qiao Xi knew the truth, feeling her face heat up instead. Too embarrassed to explain, she went along with Secretary Chen’s words.
Arriving at the company around 1:40, officially starting the busy life.
Remembering Fu Bei’s reminder last night, as soon as she entered the company, Qiao Xi asked Secretary Chen to go to the compound to get two bottles of good wine, to bring to the dinner tonight. Secretary Chen was quite surprised by Qiao Xi’s sudden change, but did it immediately.
With the help of two bottles of good wine, the dinner at night couldn’t be smoother. The boss of Cheng Yi had a straightforward personality and was indeed upright, unlike the greasy and disgusting Boss Lu before. He spoke and acted sincerely, calling a spade a spade, not engaging in hypocrisy.
Looking like this, it would definitely work.
Qiao Xi was deliberating how to mention finalizing the contract, but unexpectedly, the boss of Cheng Yi mentioned it first, simply straightforward to the extreme. Qiao Xi was surprised and delighted, certainly happy, repeatedly toasting the other party two glasses with the staff.
The boss of Cheng Yi toasted back cheerfully, mentioning Li Xunian in his words.
It turned out Li Xunian also contributed to this cooperation. He was the one building bridges in the middle, helping introduce Boss Ji last time, and pulling the boss of Cheng Yi over this time.
Qiao Xi knew gratitude. On the way back, she hurriedly called Li Xunian, thinking of setting a time to visit him. After all, he helped so much. Unexpectedly, Li Xunian told her directly that this matter was brokered by Fu Bei; he was just the middleman. He told Qiao Xi to thank Fu Bei, saying he was going abroad in two days and probably wouldn’t return until next year.
Li Xunian was always straightforward, not beating around the bush at all. He always valued Fu Bei. Even when the Fu family had trouble, it didn’t change. He was just a writer, not getting involved in those irrelevant things.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips, thanking him repeatedly.
City neon lights flickered. The streets were as bustling as usual, feasting and revelry, prosperous everywhere.
She originally planned to go to the compound first then return to the residential complex. Now changing her mind, she bought a bag of food to go back.
Fu Bei wouldn’t leave these two days; she knew.
Entering the complex gate, she could see the lights on in her apartment. Qiao Xi carried the food upstairs, opened the door and entered. Fu Bei was curled up on the sofa typing on the computer, looking like she was working on a report or thesis. This person worked seriously. Knowing she was back, she asked while looking seriously at the computer screen, “How did the talk go?”
“Okay.” Qiao Xi put down the things. “Eaten yet?”
“Ate.” Fu Bei said. She seemed quite busy, her hands never stopping. But no matter how busy, she still spared some energy for Qiao Xi. After a while, she looked up at Qiao Xi.
Being this busy meant urgent matters. Qiao Xi didn’t disturb her, going into the kitchen silently to make a late-night snack. Staying inside for nearly an hour before coming out with food, by then Fu Bei was almost done.
Sitting over, she asked, “Did you negotiate the Cheng Yi side?”
Asking directly if she had something to say, not hiding it.
Fu Bei didn’t equivocate either, humming. “Teacher Li said the boss of Cheng Yi was looking for a partner recently, so I asked him to connect him to your family.”
Seeing her admit so quickly, Qiao Xi didn’t say anything. Glancing at the computer screen, sure enough, she was working on a thesis. Actually, it wasn’t hard to guess why Fu Bei would help with all her might—nothing more than compensation. The Fu family caused the Qiao family to be like that back then; now helping out when possible was just lending a hand.
Qiao Xi felt quite complicated inside. At this juncture, the other party still wanted to help her… Silent for a long time, she still didn’t make a sound. Waiting for Fu Bei to finish, she served the late-night snack to her.
Reconciliation couldn’t be complete all at once; rifts from the past couldn’t be repaired overnight. It all came step by step, changing during interaction—first accepting, then savoring carefully.
After Fu Bei finished eating, Qiao Xi cleared the dishes to wash.
“I’ll go.” Fu Bei said.
Qiao Xi didn’t let her. “You busy yourself; finish work first.”
Fu Bei followed into the kitchen anyway. While Qiao Xi was washing dishes, she hugged the person from behind. Qiao Xi was stunned but didn’t stop her, continuing to wash dishes.
Just two bowls, but washed very slowly, movements sluggish.
Fu Bei suddenly pressed against her neck. “Second Master Tan said you went to find him.”
Qiao Xi paused, but wasn’t very surprised she would know this. Nodding immediately, she didn’t speak.
When she went to find Second Master Tan and handed over the evidence, the deal made wasn’t to do anything to Liang Jincheng or the Fu family, but to ask not to drive the Fu family to extinction. “Drive to extinction” wasn’t quite appropriate; actually, it was euphemistically telling Second Master Tan not to involve others. Speaking more bluntly, it was not to implicate Fu Bei.
Speaking so harshly during the rift, but ultimately soft-hearted and reluctant to let go. If so many years of feelings could really be put down simply, she wouldn’t have entangled with Fu Bei again, nor would these things have happened.
People often love to say one thing but mean another, unwilling to admit that obsession in their hearts. However, actions are always the most sincere.
With the situation developing beyond control, no matter how calm Qiao Xi appeared on the surface, she was scared deep down. Under implication, who could get good results? One person commits a crime, the whole family suffers; escaping wasn’t that easy. Hitting Liang Jincheng, she didn’t regret a bit, but she was just afraid.
Second Master Tan told Fu Bei all these things, hiding nothing.
Fu Bei wrapped her hands around Qiao Xi’s waist, planting a dragonfly-like kiss on that sensitive, tender earlobe. Qiao Xi held the bowl with porcelain-white hands, stiff and unmoving, letting the water wash over.
**
After the fundraising event, news of Fu Bei’s return to Jiang City had long spread to all major families. Many people were secretly observing the situation, thinking the Fu family was about to regroup. There were also those watching the show, wishing the Fu family would collapse completely.
Unfortunately, everyone’s wish failed. For a long time, Fu Bei didn’t attend any gatherings again, rarely seen even in public.
Qiao Xi still ran between two ends, visiting Qiao Jianliang when free. However, due to busy work and rushing back to the apartment, visits to the compound became fewer and fewer.
Qiao Jianliang wasn’t stupid. Hearing news about Fu Bei long ago, how could he not guess these things? He just pretended ignorance, not mentioning a word. Only when Qiao Xi hurriedly came and left again, he asked, “What have you been busy with lately?”
Father and daughter rarely communicated. Qiao Xi didn’t notice Qiao Jianliang had discovered clues. While packing things, she said, “Just those things. Just signed a contract with Cheng Yi; new products launching in a few days, currently in the preparation stage.”
She wasn’t cut out for business, but with the assistance of two capable secretaries, she could still sit firmly in the leader’s seat. Not outstanding, but not causing trouble either; quite passable. Thinking Qiao Jianliang was asking about the company, she answered without thinking.
Qiao Jianliang choked, unable to say it directly.
He didn’t care about his daughter’s growth before. When he realized something was wrong later, the Qiao family had changes, and Fu Bei went abroad. Watching his daughter’s transformation over these years, this unqualified father really didn’t know what to say or do. Perhaps guilt was at work, so he had no face to stop Qiao Xi’s affairs. However, seeing it like this now, his heart felt weird, a bit unable to accept, a bit conflicted.
Qiao Xi was completely unaware of his change. Before leaving, she reminded him to take medicine, saying she would come again tomorrow.
Qiao Jianliang sighed, swallowing the words back into his stomach.
Qiao Xi came once the next day, leaving after less than half an hour. Afterward was the weekend; no work, time to relax.
It was Saturday afternoon. Tang Yi called at noon saying she would pass by later to borrow a dress for an important gathering in a few days. Qiao Xi naturally agreed readily.
As a result, Tang Yi was delayed on the road, not arriving until past two. Qiao Xi called her; the phone was off. Probably ran out of battery while outside. Qiao Xi didn’t mind much, finding several sets suitable for Tang Yi and putting them on the living room sofa. When the person arrived, it would save time; just choose directly.
After choosing, she sent a WeChat message to Tang Yi, telling her to open the door and come in directly upon arrival, thinking the other party would see it when turning the phone on.
Having no time to come over for a while before, Qiao Xi gave Tang Yi a key here, asking her to help check occasionally when free.
She never thought an “accident” would happen.
When Tang Yi arrived, it was already past six in the evening, sunset. At that time, someone was forcefully holding her in the room, pressing her against the cold wall.
