Chapter 73
The woman on the sofa wore a dark blue dress, looking the same as when she left years ago. Nearly fifty, yet without even wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, showing how well she had maintained herself over the years; her life must have been comfortable and happy.
A cup of hot tea sat in front of her, a small portion already drunk. Seeing Qiao Xi enter, she smiled and stood up.
“Little Xi, you’re back.”
Qiao Xi hadn’t seen Mother Qiao for too long, so she didn’t respond, showing no reaction at all. After all, Mother Qiao left just like that years ago, settling in Italy less than a year after the divorce, barely calling twice.
Those ten years the couple wasted on each other were the hardest for Qiao Xi. Every recollection brought back only hysterical scolding, reprimands, and indifference. Those past words that stabbed the heart left only indelible marks. A person’s growth period is only a dozen years, and spending most of it in fierce quarrels wasn’t a good memory. So after their divorce, Qiao Xi wasn’t even sad, let alone actively missing Mother Qiao.
This mother, who once pointed at her head scolding “Why are you so dead set like Qiao Jianliang,” took the property divided after the divorce and lived freely abroad for several years. Finally remembering she had a daughter, she “discovered her conscience” and came back to take a look.
Of course, others couldn’t criticize Mother Qiao’s lifestyle; it was all her choice.
Qiao Xi reined in her emotions, giving a lukewarm hum, not greeting her.
Mother Qiao’s face froze for a moment, awkward and at a loss. Probably not expecting this reaction from Qiao Xi. Coming back wasn’t easy; she went to the compound as soon as she got off the plane, and came here after learning Qiao Xi was here. Who knew Qiao Xi wouldn’t appreciate it at all?
Qiao Xi couldn’t be blamed. When discussing custody during the divorce, she breathed a sigh of relief when Qiao Jianliang said he wanted the daughter, going abroad without any nostalgia. Coming back this time was just to fulfill the responsibility of being a mother.
Qiao Xi knew her well and could guess without thinking.
In the end, it was Fu Bei who smoothed things over.
Mother Qiao wasn’t happy about this. Fu Bei lived in Qiao Xi’s house, and many things were in pairs. How could she not see their relationship? Now her biological daughter ignored her, and Fu Bei’s attitude wasn’t enthusiastic, overly perfunctory, making her very uncomfortable.
Having wandered around European and American countries these years, she learned a bit of Western culture, elevating her ideological realm to a higher level. She highly advocated so-called freedom, not thinking she was wrong at all. Instead, she was dissatisfied with her daughter’s attitude, but couldn’t say some words.
The three went to a Western restaurant for dinner. During the meal, Mother Qiao asked a few questions from time to time, like what Qiao Xi was doing, future plans, and even asked if there were plans to go abroad.
“If you have plans in this regard, Mom can help you. You’re still young; studying abroad is just right. The University of Science and Technology isn’t a particularly good school. I discussed with your dad years ago to let you study abroad, but he wouldn’t listen. How good it is to study abroad now; every family’s child looks forward to going out.”
It was almost always Mother Qiao singing a monologue. Qiao Xi was exceptionally silent. Fu Bei responded occasionally to prevent awkward silence.
Mother Qiao wanted to talk to Qiao Xi alone, hinting to Fu Bei several times openly and secretly. Fu Bei observed Qiao Xi’s expression subtly. Seeing Qiao Xi had no objection, she excused herself to the restroom, leaving space for the mother and daughter alone.
The mother and daughter chatted sporadically for a while. Mother Qiao suddenly sighed and asked, “Little Xi, do you resent me?”
Qiao Xi didn’t even look up, eating a small piece of steak, chewing slowly. “No, never resented.”
After speaking, she looked up at Mother Qiao, saying lightly, “Don’t overthink it.”
Mother Qiao’s face changed repeatedly. Qiao Xi’s reaction was too indifferent. If she really resented, it would mean she still cared about this mother. But her expression revealed she truly didn’t resent, even didn’t care—truly hurtful. Mother Qiao still had a heart, leaving a small place for her daughter, otherwise she wouldn’t have come back. She knew she gave up Qiao Xi. Coming back this time, she probably wanted to make some compensation in her heart. Who knew Qiao Xi had stopped caring long ago?
The atmosphere stagnated for a moment; no one spoke.
Finally, Mother Qiao broke the deadlock, chatting about irrelevant topics.
However, until the end, this meeting broke up unhappily. Mother Qiao didn’t understand her daughter at all, actually asking directly about the relationship between Qiao Xi and Fu Bei. Her tone was too stiff, clearly disapproving of the two being together, probably wanting to interfere. Unfortunately, Qiao Xi turned a deaf ear. Leaving the Western restaurant, she didn’t even offer to send her back to the hotel, leaving with Fu Bei on her own.
After so many years, Mother Qiao’s elder habits hadn’t changed, thinking her daughter was still that little child back then.
Because of Qiao Xi and Fu Bei’s matter, Mother Qiao quarreled with Qiao Jianliang again. Not a big noisy fight, but an argument. Mother Qiao believed Qiao Xi being like this now was because Qiao Jianliang was irresponsible to the daughter and didn’t teach her well, regretting not fighting for custody.
Qiao Jianliang was so angry his blood pressure soared. No matter how much he disliked Fu Bei recently, he wasn’t willing to hear such remarks. He didn’t speak too harshly, just asked Mother Qiao to leave.
Mother Qiao left the compound wiping tears. The situation that should have been harmonious ended up very stiff.
But Qiao Xi wasn’t affected much by this. Feeling slightly down for one night, she returned to her old self afterward. Fu Bei was worried about her but wouldn’t actively mention these things.
However, this didn’t mean Qiao Xi wouldn’t be annoyed, especially with Mother Qiao running over here every few days. Perhaps wanting to divert attention and not be so upset, she was very proactive these days. Sometimes waking up suddenly in the latter half of the night, she would hug Fu Bei tightly for a round.
After passion, she would be tired, relaxing a lot. Panting, she lay prone on Fu Bei motionless, moving her jade-like long legs only when uncomfortable.
Fu Bei turned her head to kiss her sweaty neck, asking in a low voice, “Want to take a shower?”
Qiao Xi’s voice was weary, very tired, lazily nesting on top, pressing her cheek against this person’s chin, saying softly, “Don’t want to.”
“Very tired?”
“A little.” She had no strength, unwilling to even lift a finger.
Fu Bei turned her head to kiss again. “I’ll help you; you lie down for a while.”
Qiao Xi didn’t refuse, closing her eyes wearily, napping for two minutes. When Fu Bei came out with hot water and sat by the bed to help wipe her down, she didn’t get up either, only lifting her waist occasionally following the other’s movements. Finally, she turned over to lie prone, resting her head on her arms.
The night scenery these days wasn’t good. The sky was dark and closed every night, without a single star, oppressive and dull. Only the small bedside lamp was on in the room; the light wasn’t bright enough, somewhat dim. Fu Bei’s movements were gentle. After pouring the water, she leaned down to plant a kiss on the heart of the flower tattoo, giving enough comfort, lying on her side. “Want to talk to me?”
Qiao Xi paused, unsure if it was for the extremely gentle kiss just now or for this sentence.
After a long while, she turned to look at the other party. “Talk about what?”
Fu Bei didn’t point it out directly. “What you’re thinking about.”
“I’m not thinking about anything.” Qiao Xi denied, propping herself up halfway. “Just don’t want to talk much right now.”
Blatantly lying; looking nothing like not wanting to talk. Fu Bei didn’t expose her. Leaning in to brush against the corner of her lips, a hum escaped her throat. Raising her hand, she stroked her neck and collarbone lightly as a crow’s feather.
Just finished, Qiao Xi was sensitive. Her thick lashes trembled, but she didn’t shrink away, instead moving closer, pressing tightly against the other party. Fu Bei’s gentle offensive moved her. Getting close, she involuntarily leaned in to seek a kiss, red lips opening and closing, hands hooking Fu Bei’s waist, endlessly seeking this warm feeling, wanting more comfort.
Fu Bei picked her up, placing her on her lap, comforting her unease with dense, tender kisses.
“Fu Bei…” Qiao Xi called the other’s name while kissing, voice very low, fingers weaving through Fu Bei’s soft hair, her whole person trying to fit onto her, snuggling.
Fu Bei kissed even more tenderly, patting Qiao Xi’s back to comfort. Feeling Qiao Xi’s emotions calmed a lot and gradually settled, she leaned close to Qiao Xi’s ear and whispered a very ambiguous sentence.
Qiao Xi shook her head. “Don’t…”
She just hugged Qiao Xi properly, patting Qiao Xi’s shoulder soothingly. “Okay.”
Qiao Xi lay on her to calm down for a long time, thoughts drifting. Only after a good while did she say calmly, “Actually, I knew they divorced long ago. Got the divorce certificate before I graduated, each having a new partner.”
Seeing that Italian man send Mother Qiao back to the compound back then, she knew. Moreover, she had sensed it earlier, clear about everything, just not saying it.
Fu Bei didn’t interrupt her, listening quietly while brushing away the messy hair tangled on her chest.
“She left, and that’s that; nothing much.” Qiao Xi continued, pausing for a moment. “Coming back to see me now is indeed out of good intentions, but I don’t want to see her.”
Saying this, she lowered her eyes to look at Fu Bei, red lips slightly parted. After hesitating for a moment, she added, “Not resenting her for leaving, just don’t want to see her.”
Since she decided to leave back then and could be cruel enough, now that everyone was fine, why come back? Acting as if wanting to make amends, as if not accepting was wrong. Not everyone in this world needs amends. Qiao Xi neither resented nor hated. Now everyone had new lives; the past was no longer important. Unwilling to have entanglements again, each living well was enough. Engaging in such sentimental drama was really unnecessary.
Fu Bei could understand this reasoning, touching the side of Qiao Xi’s face with her fingertips. “I know; it’s okay.”
Qiao Xi said, “She came to the company to find me today; I didn’t see her.”
Mother Qiao was so heartless back then, wishing to leave Jiang City immediately. Now clinging back, Qiao Xi really didn’t want the drama of reconciliation, only feeling Mother Qiao’s behavior brought her a lot of trouble.
Fu Bei understood everything, comforting her, then saying, “She’s leaving the day after tomorrow. Bear with it.”
The two chatted openly for a long time, occasionally talking about the past. Sharing with someone made it much easier; Qiao Xi wasn’t as anxious anymore.
**
Mother Qiao still had some self-awareness. Since not seeing Qiao Xi at the company, she tactfully stopped disturbing her. The day before leaving, she visited Qiao Jianliang once. The former couple talked relatively calmly, eventually turning to Qiao Xi and Fu Bei.
Changing concepts wasn’t easy, but Qiao Jianliang was firm. His words implied that Qiao Xi was grown up; an adult had her own decisions. They hadn’t managed the child much when she was young; now they had even less right to interfere, and couldn’t interfere anyway.
Mother Qiao said, “She’s just impulsive; will regret it one day.”
“Talk about regret when she regrets.” Qiao Jianliang replied. “Anyway, it’s her own business; don’t meddle.”
This sentence annoyed Mother Qiao. She glanced sideways at Qiao Jianliang, mocking, “You’re the good person now, and I’m the evil one.”
Qiao Jianliang didn’t make a sound.
Actually, no one is absolutely bad, just having different standpoints on a certain matter. Mother Qiao wasn’t bad either, just too stubborn in her thinking. However, after leaving the compound, she didn’t look for Qiao Xi again but invited Fu Bei to dinner alone that night.
Fu Bei told Qiao Xi about this. Qiao Xi had no objection, so she went. After meeting, they didn’t talk about anything substantial, just testing the waters, trying Fu Bei’s attitude.
The next day, Mother Qiao went to the airport alone, coming alone and leaving alone.
Both knew Qiao Jianliang’s attitude. Fu Bei visited the compound when free, drinking tea and chatting with him. Qiao Jianliang put on airs, not as amiable as before. He used to praise Fu Bei often, but now the more he looked, the less pleasing she was, always feeling a bit dissatisfied everywhere.
“You’re living with Little Xi now?” Qiao Jianliang asked dryly, face stern, looking very opinionated about this.
Fu Bei didn’t hide it at all, nodding properly. “Lived for a while.”
Incredibly honest, making Qiao Jianliang’s face turn green then white. How could Qiao Jianliang not understand young people’s affairs? He was really embarrassed to say it explicitly, speaking roundaboutly, meaning not to mess around. They were still young; if making any major decisions, must discuss with elders. He didn’t make things difficult for Fu Bei from start to finish, but didn’t let Fu Bei pour tea for him either. All in all, not fully accepted yet; still had to see Fu Bei’s future performance.
Qiao Jianliang was never a qualified father, but he did this matter well in his life, not making a big scene to break up the couple like elders in other families, respecting his daughter reasonably well.
Naturally, after knowing this, Qiao Xi’s relationship with Qiao Jianliang improved by leaps and bounds. Father and daughter would eat together or go for a walk from time to time. Although separated by a Zhou Meihe, the impact wasn’t big. Qiao Xi understood some principles too. No matter how rotten and unworthy Zhou Meihe seemed to her, she was the wife Qiao Jianliang chose himself, surely having other merits. As long as Qiao Jianliang could get along with her and live harmoniously, that was enough.
Zhou Meihe was particularly well-behaved recently. Maybe the Zhou family’s downfall sobered her up completely. She finally started siding with Qiao Jianliang in everything, no longer as mean as before in dealing with people, and actively cut ties with those in the Zhou family who wanted to cling to the Qiao family. Her brain suddenly worked, and she even treated Qiao Xi better.
When Mother Qiao came to the house, although unhappy, she said nothing, taking care of Qiao Jianliang with all her might.
Up to this point, everything was developing in a good direction. The real change also arrived quietly at this time.
—Zhou Lin had an accident.
Studying abroad, he met many rich second-generation friends. Without adults around to restrain him, he ganged up with these people to eat, drink, and play all day, throwing studies to the horizon long ago. On the weekend, the group agreed to go surfing. Originally playing happily, he fell into the water and had an accident. When rescued, he was breathing out more than in. Because of being in the water too long, even though successfully rescued later, his brain suffered damage due to prolonged hypoxia, becoming a vegetable. Whether he could wake up in the future was unknown; maybe he could only lie in bed for the rest of his life.
Zhou Meihe fainted directly after hearing this news. After waking up, she fainted again from excessive emotion. She kept crying, regretting. Clearly soft-hearted when beating and scolding the child, now heartbroken to death. However, regret was useless.
If Zhou Meihe had been slightly better to this son growing up, maybe Zhou Lin wouldn’t have become this kind of person now. Perhaps many things could have been avoided, having a different life trajectory, maybe no accident would have happened… Unfortunately, there are no ifs.
Now she had to swallow all the consequences and bitterness herself.
Qiao Xi went to Canada personally to bring the person back. She also handled all follow-up matters. Zhou Meihe washed her face with tears daily, crying until her eyes swelled like walnuts.
Fu Bei visited the hospital once, picking up Qiao Xi in passing.
On the way back, Fu Bei asked, “Want to go to Cijing Town next week?”
Qiao Xi was stunned. “What for?”
“My dad wants to meet you.”
