Coveted for a Long Time 70p2

Chapter 70 p2

Tang Yi wasn’t tall, shorter than Qiao Xi, so she could only choose midi skirts. Picking and choosing, she finally settled on a black dress. Bags for dresses were ready on the coffee table. She took one casually. Just bending down, she suddenly seemed to hear a noise.

Suppressed, restrained, a bit of painful struggle, low.

Tang Yi was simple-natured. In her twenties, let alone intimate contact, she hadn’t even dated. She had buried herself in books these years, devoted to learning, understanding none of this, nor thinking in that direction. She only stopped her hand movements in surprise, pricking up her ears to listen again, but heard nothing.

Thinking she was hallucinating for a moment, she thought maybe it was the neighbors or something, so she ignored it.

Packing up, she didn’t linger, leaving with the bag.

Hearing the sound, Qiao Xi’s suspended heart landed, relaxing.

Fu Bei caught her momentary relaxed expression, corners of her lips lifting slightly, pecking her lips. “Afraid of being discovered?”

Just kissed a few times, slightly intimate, haven’t really done anything yet, and Qiao Xi was guilty like this—unlike her usual self at all. Her cheeks were hot now, showing an abnormal flush, chest heaving uncontrollably from excitement and unease, breathing two notches heavier.

Thinking of the scene just now, her face was still hot, embarrassed. But stubborn verbally, pursing her red lips, refusing to admit: “No.”

Fu Bei lifted her onto the table, grabbing her ankles, lowering her body.

The expression on this person’s face was meaningful, dark eyes hiding many meanings, clearly having seen through Qiao Xi’s thoughts and ideas long ago. Just now was clearly intentional.

Qiao Xi suddenly felt thin-skinned, feeling played. Gritting her back teeth silently, wanting to defend herself with a couple of sentences, but the other party’s next action left her speechless.

The setting sun hid into the high-rise buildings at some point. The golden glow on the horizon disappeared bit by bit. The sky gradually turned azure blue. As it darkened, black began to occupy the entire sky.

Evening wind blew, lifting a corner of the curtain, but it fell quickly. All movements here were secret, undiscovered.

Past nine o’clock, after showering and preparing to leave the room, Qiao Xi called Tang Yi back, explaining she went out for something in the afternoon.

Tang Yi really believed it, suspecting nothing, telling her she took a black dress, and saying she would treat Qiao Xi to dinner next week when both were free.

At that time, Fu Bei was dressing on the side. Hearing Qiao Xi lying without blushing or skipping a beat, she raised her eyebrows, glancing over. Meeting this person’s probing gaze, Qiao Xi turned sideways, avoiding eye contact.

But Fu Bei didn’t spare her, going over to hug her from behind.

Just showered, both dressed lightly. Through thin fabric, Qiao Xi clearly felt the other’s curves, presence simply impossible to ignore. But still on the phone, she was embarrassed to show it, only pretending to be calm answering the call.

Tang Yi spoke on the phone; someone whispered in her ear: “What do you want for dinner?”

Qiao Xi dared not answer, ignoring her, turning to answer Tang Yi’s question. Tang Yi didn’t notice anything wrong at all, happy about the dress fitting, chattering to Qiao Xi about the gathering she was going to, then talking about her recent plans.

On this side, Fu Bei wasn’t anxious for an answer. Qiao Xi didn’t respond, so she leaned in to kiss Qiao Xi’s earlobe and neck, hands not behaving either.

Just showered, Qiao Xi was sensitive. Plus standing under the air conditioner blowing cold wind, the warmth behind her couldn’t be ignored. She gripped the phone tightly, trying to steady her tone, barely managing to cope.

“Want porridge, or soup?” Fu Bei parted her thin lips, asking in a suppressed voice again.

Tang Yi on the other end couldn’t hear her speaking nearby, but Qiao Xi felt it intensely. These actions were too torturous; never experienced before, she couldn’t bear it for a moment, her tone suddenly becoming a bit deep and hoarse.

Tang Yi was warm-hearted, asking with concern, “What’s wrong? Did you catch a cold?”

Qiao Xi denied awkwardly, “No, went out in the afternoon and sweated all over, just showered, throat a bit blocked.”

She turned back to glare at Fu Bei, thinking she could bluff the other party. Unfortunately, the redness at the corners of her eyes and moist lips made this expression look somewhat seductive, like a coquettish complaint, meaning refusal yet welcoming.

Fu Bei rested her chin on her shoulder, acting as if to kiss, but didn’t ultimately. Hands hugging her lower abdomen position, after a while, restlessly teasing Qiao Xi, dexterous fingers hooking the hem of her clothes.

Afraid she would continue, Qiao Xi hurriedly grabbed this person’s presumptuous hand, ears burning, steadying her mind to answer Tang Yi. She really wanted to hang up immediately, but Tang Yi talked incessantly, showing no intention of hanging up. After all, Qiao Xi was a busy person now, unlike before when she could find Tang Yi to catch up and eat anytime; talking long on the phone wasn’t strange.

Qiao Xi couldn’t hang up easily, nor push the person behind away, only holding the phone standing still, coping dryly.

“Soup, okay?” Fu Bei asked again. Qiao Xi grabbed her wrist; she broke free, reversely grabbing Qiao Xi’s hand with both hands, kneading gently.

Qiao Xi naturally didn’t answer, but the looming hot breath by her ear made her very uncomfortable. Shrinking back, wanting to dodge, unfortunately futile, unable to escape no matter what.

Fu Bei suddenly held her middle finger, rubbing it, force a bit heavy.

For no reason, Qiao Xi’s throat tightened, pulling away hurriedly. But held in the other’s arms, unable to make large movements, she couldn’t break free. When she provoked Fu Bei back then, her face was thicker than a city wall, chasing relentlessly. Now she retreated constantly, like a frightened cat, dodging left and right.

Fu Bei didn’t let go, pressing against her face, seductively saying, “Qiao Qiao, speak…”

Qiao Xi lost her balance instantly, mind blank, blurting out: “Let go first.”

As soon as the words were out, before Fu Bei could respond, Tang Yi on the other end was confused. “Let go?”

Qiao Xi felt like her tail was caught, immediately wanting to equivocate. Unexpectedly, Tang Yi asked immediately, “Aren’t you at home? Why is someone next to you?”

She reacted quickly, defending, “No one; watching TV. Just reached an important moment; got excited and said it.”

Tang Yi, foolishly, believed it again, even asking, “What show?”

Qiao Xi choked, randomly naming a recently popular romance drama, barely muddling through.

The call lasted more than half an hour before ending. Once the floodgates opened, it couldn’t stop. Fu Bei said she would cook but didn’t go. At first intending to tease Qiao Xi, gradually it changed. Hand stroking the hibiscus tattoo constantly, moving down gradually. The moment Qiao Xi hung up, she let go completely.

Dinner that day was takeout—corn porridge and yam soup, plus a few side dishes. Hot weather suited light food.

Living together was just like that; love and longing were intense. Neither was the type to say mushy words, especially Qiao Xi. Perhaps not yet adapted to this relationship, somewhat reserved. Instead, the usually introverted Fu Bei became the dominant one between them.

But people change bit by bit. Before, Qiao Xi was used to working at the company. She was a novice; at the company, she could ask two secretaries for guidance and help. Leaving the company, she was clueless. Now she brought work home, getting off work early. Where she didn’t understand, she asked Fu Bei for advice, just like when she took exercise books to the Fu house to find the other party for tutoring back then.

The next weekend, Qiao Xi left Fu Bei alone at home, going to the university town to find Tang Yi for dinner.

This meal was Tang Yi’s treat, going to a newly opened Western restaurant, eating and chatting. At first, the chat went smoothly, until Tang Yi sharply spotted a bruise near the collarbone on the side of Qiao Xi’s neck. Secretly surprised; she knew nothing, always thinking Qiao Xi was perpetually single like herself.

Tang Yi was too straightforward. Drinking a sip of red wine to calm her shock, unable to hold back words, she asked, “Qiao Qiao, you have a partner?”

Qiao Xi was stunned. “Huh?”

Tang Yi pointed to her collarbone position, asking curiously, “When did it happen? Jiang City local?”

That was left by someone this morning. Qiao Xi saw it when changing clothes to go out, thinking she covered it strictly and wouldn’t be discovered. Unexpectedly, exposed before finishing the meal.

Regarding her relationship with Fu Bei, she could tell Tang Yi now. But somehow, maybe subconsciously feeling it wasn’t time yet, nor wanting to reveal Fu Bei’s whereabouts at this time, she blathered: “What are you thinking? Just an allergy; woke up like this in the morning.”

Tang Yi didn’t believe it this time. “Shouldn’t allergies be large patches? You just have a bit.”

Qiao Xi immediately said, “It is a large patch; just covered by clothes, can’t see.”

Tang Yi was skeptical but still concerned. “Seen a doctor? Taken medicine?”

“Took it.”

Barely muddled through.

After eating, went shopping. Then it wasn’t so easy. The Western restaurant was close to the residential complex. Tang Yi thought of resting at Qiao Xi’s place tonight. How could Qiao Xi let her go? So she lied about returning to the compound tonight, using Qiao Jianliang as a shield.

Tang Yi was understanding, not saying much, taking a taxi back to the university town herself, not letting Qiao Xi send her.

Coincidentally free on Monday, Tang Yi visited the Qiao family to see Qiao Jianliang, casually mentioning Qiao Xi’s allergy and bruises. Qiao Jianliang’s face was colorful—red then white, white then red. Tang Yi thought he was unwell, asking with concern, “Uncle, what’s wrong? Feeling unwell?”

Qiao Jianliang choked speechless.

When Qiao Xi returned to the compound again, Qiao Jianliang swallowed words on the tip of his tongue several times. Finally unable to hold back, he asked, “Have you been in close contact with Little Bei recently?”

Qiao Xi denied subconsciously: “No.”

Answering too fast, appearing guilty instead.

Qiao Jianliang fell silent.

Mixed feelings in his heart, more complex than tangled hemp thread. Thinking about it tasted bad. Actually knowing clearly what was going on, yet holding back from asking directly.

Actually, over these years, Fu Bei treated him decently. Every time they met, she would at least greet him politely. He also knew Fu Bei helped the family company, and the inside story of those grudges—all clear. He didn’t have much opinion on Fu Bei, just feeling prickly inside. Thinking about it felt wrong, hard to accept, but no choice.

At his age, Qiao Xi was his only seedling. If he really stopped it, this seedling might break right there, possibly resenting him for a lifetime. Moreover, let alone the future, they weren’t close even now—simply mixed flavors.

Therefore, still didn’t say a word.

**

The turn of August and September was the hottest season of the year in Jiang City. The temperature was so high that leaves on roadside trees curled from the sun.

This day, Qiao Xi was processing documents. Resting for half an hour amidst fatigue, scrolling through Weibo casually, she suddenly clicked into a gossip super topic. Not interested in such tearing and fighting matters, intending to exit directly, she inadvertently glanced and suddenly saw a photo of one of the subjects, perking up instantly.

It was actually Zhou Jiaqi!

After Zhou Qun’s accident, the Zhou family’s foundation wasn’t as thick as the Fu family’s. Suffering repeated blows, it was hard to rise again. Now no one dared to pay attention to them; simply miserable. No wonder Zhou Meihe didn’t mention her maiden family at home.

With the Zhou family failing overall, Zhou family members certainly weren’t doing well, especially Zhou Jiaqi. Elders couldn’t even take care of themselves; where would they find energy and time for her? Accustomed to luxury, unable to bear hardship, with no money in hand, she listened to a female friend’s instigation, packaging herself as an internet celebrity from a wealthy family, doing purchasing agency selling big brand bags and cosmetics—mixing real and fake.

Nowadays, being an internet celebrity wasn’t easy either; competition was fierce. Opponents seized leverage to mess with her. Now exposed, the whole internet was digging up her background, and cheated customers were gathering funds to sue her.

It happened too suddenly. Watching it, Qiao Xi couldn’t help sighing. Although she indeed disliked Zhou Jiaqi, she really didn’t expect Zhou Jiaqi to have such a destitute day.

This woman really had no IQ all along, daring to sell fakes blatantly—brain flooded.

Returning home at night, Qiao Xi mentioned this to Fu Bei casually.

Fu Bei wasn’t surprised at all, giving a lukewarm hum.

Such a cold reaction puzzled Qiao Xi. “Weren’t you quite good with her? Why don’t you care at all?”

From childhood to adulthood, Zhou Jiaqi loved to run to Fu Bei to curry favor. As soon as Fu Bei returned to the country, she clung to her. Counting as a playmate growing up together, the reaction was indeed too calm.

Fu Bei didn’t even lift her head. “Care about what?”

“Isn’t there a lawsuit? If established, it means jail time. You used to be so good to her; not caring now?” Qiao Xi said, tone weird. Probably thinking of Fu Bei and Zhou Jiaqi being so close back then, her expression wasn’t very pleasant either, somewhat awkward.

Fu Bei keenly caught the deep meaning in the words, frowning.