Coveted for a Long Time 75

Chapter 75

On New Year’s Eve, lights blazed brightly; every household was lit up. The noisy crowd in the distance had not yet dispersed, bustling with people coming and going. Red lanterns were everywhere, even hanging downstairs in the residential complex.

As the excitement gradually faded, what remained was silence and tranquility. The cold winter night breeze blew gently, raging outside the glass window but unable to enter the room. The curtains in the room were drawn, bright inside. The phone on the bedside table lit up from time to time, blessing messages arriving one after another.

Qiao Xi habitually reached for the phone but was caught by Fu Bei.

Fu Bei leaned close to her face, whispering, “Happy Spring Festival…”

Qiao Xi had to respond to this person.

The small gift had been opened. The light dimmed suddenly. Here, one could faintly hear the slight sound of the night wind whistling outside.

Although the air conditioner had been on for a long time, it was still a bit cold. Qiao Xi couldn’t help hugging Fu Bei tightly to draw warmth. Her black eyes were listless, her gaze beginning to unfocus. She lifted her slender, smooth neck, probably a bit tired, and lay prone on Fu Bei’s shoulder.

Fu Bei turned her head to kiss her temple, asking in a suppressed voice, “Do you like it?”

Qiao Xi buried her face in the crook of her neck, not speaking.

The hibiscus flower bloomed beautifully and stunningly, exceptionally dazzling under the soft white light. The flower branches swayed, fiery red petals trembling, beautiful enough to make one unable to look away.

When the wind outside almost stopped, Qiao Xi finally whispered, “Happy Spring Festival.”

At this time last year, everyone was having a hard time. But this year, everything has concluded, returning to the normal track. This relationship didn’t come easily; persisting for so many years, separated for five years, coming together was truly not easy. There is still a long road ahead, and they will walk it hand in hand.

Moved, feeling her emotions, Fu Bei patted her back comfortingly, seeking her lips.

Qiao Xi smiled, dodging. “Why always kissing?”

“Don’t move.” Fu Bei said, raising her hand to pinch her chin, insisting on pecking her rosy lips before letting go, asking deliberately, “You don’t like it?”

Qiao Xi said one thing but meant another. “Don’t like it.”

“Really?”

She didn’t make a sound.

Fu Bei leaned in and kissed her again, blocking her lips, punishing her for saying one thing and doing another.

Having just experienced it once, Qiao Xi’s cheeks were still red, hot from shyness. Her skin was cool white and tender, smooth as fine jade, delicate and fair. She was a bit constrained, but accepted all the other party’s tenderness and sweetness one by one. Although not very proactive, she clearly accepted these.

A kiss, warm and lasting, inseparable. The two were still immersed in the afterglow of intense love, at the peak of affection.

Qiao Xi nestled on Fu Bei’s shoulder, welcoming the arrival of the New Year amidst the lights of thousands of homes.

Many people celebrated all night tonight, mostly large family gatherings. The two of them snuggled in this small world, giving each other infinite warmth.

Around past two, the two nestled in bed looking at their phones together. Fu Bei gathered Qiao Xi into her arms. Qiao Xi clicked open messages one by one, replying to each. She sent quite a few red envelopes in the company group, and finally sent one to Fu Bei separately.

Fu Bei was amused, cheek to cheek with her, saying gently, “I should be the one sending to you.”

Qiao Xi turned back to kiss the side of this person’s face. “Then send me one; I’m still waiting.”

Actually prepared long ago. Fu Bei loosely encircled her waist, resting her chin on her shoulder. “The red envelope is on the coffee table in the living room; get it when you get up tomorrow morning.”

Qiao Xi was stunned, not expecting she really prepared one. A cash red envelope was always more thoughtful than sending one on the phone. Moreover, Fu Bei prepared more than just a red envelope. Qiao Xi was naturally happy, sitting up straight, the corners of her mouth lifting while looking at her phone.

“Oh.” She replied proudly, saying nothing else.

Fu Bei helped tuck the loose hair on her forehead behind her ear, pulling the quilt higher to cover her up to her armpits, hugging Qiao Xi from behind, her hands never leaving. Qiao Xi lowered her eyes, staring at the raised quilt for two seconds, her ears hot. Finally, she looked at the phone screen, pretending not to feel anything, continuing to reply to messages.

New Year represents the passing of old things and the quiet arrival of new times.

On the first day of the New Year, Fu Bei got up to cook dumplings, while Qiao Xi nestled on the living room sofa opening red envelopes. There was more than one red envelope, making up for those missed years together. The amount of money inside corresponded exactly to Qiao Xi’s age each year. There was also a small gift box on the coffee table, the real New Year gift—a pair of earrings.

Qiao Xi also prepared a New Year gift for Fu Bei—a tattoo design she designed herself, also a passionate and beautiful poinsettia, two shades deeper than the hibiscus flower.

Although different flower species, tattoo designs are often processed and modified compared to real flowers, endowed with the tattoo artist’s unique style. From a distance, the two tattoo designs looked very similar, like twin flowers, blooming passionately, high-profile and unrestrained—one wild, one flamboyant.

“How is it?” she asked, eyes curved in a smile.

This work was designed with great care. To match her own tattoo, she started working on it two months ago. Moreover, to prevent Fu Bei from discovering it and keep the surprise for the end, she could only work on it during free time at the company every day—tired but happy. Love is mutual. Fu Bei was good to her, so she would respond. Maybe she couldn’t do earth-shattering big things, but doing her best was good enough.

Fu Bei hadn’t expected her to put so much thought into it. A smile touched her brow as she asked, “When do you plan to tattoo it on me?”

“In a while,” Qiao Xi said. “Lots of things at the company just after New Year. Once this busy period passes, it’ll be fine. When my dad goes back, I’ll be liberated.”

Over the past year or so, Qiao Jianliang’s recovery treatment had been very smooth. Coupled with careful care at home, he could have worked long ago. Qiao Xi only continued to hold the fort because she was worried his body couldn’t take it. Regarding leaving the company soon, Qiao Xi was happier than anyone. The three-point line workplace life was tiring, making her almost forget what her original life was like.

The two ate dumplings unhurriedly, departing for the compound at eight to visit Qiao Jianliang at the Qiao house. Zhou Meihe was also there. Not having gone to the hospital to guard Zhou Lin yet today, on this festive day, she actually greeted the two actively, stuffing red envelopes as soon as they arrived.

Zhou Meihe treated people with a smiling face, so Qiao Xi wouldn’t be too cold either, politely stuffing a red envelope back—for Zhou Lin.

Qiao Xi never expected to live with the mother and son in the future, nor was she willing. After all, as an adult, leave a line in everything. Anyway, interact however appropriate; just won’t cling. Fu Bei stood by her side from beginning to end, relatively respectful to Zhou Meihe considering she was an elder, but with a cold, very distant attitude.

Zhou Meihe knew the score in her heart, and Qiao Jianliang saw it too. The four got along reasonably harmoniously.

In the afternoon, Fu Bei called Father Fu but didn’t call Liang Yuzhi.

The mother-daughter relationship had long dropped to freezing point because of the previous incident. Liang Yuzhi was forced to go abroad to avoid the limelight, a mandatory requirement from Grandpa Fu. The Fu family’s tribulation was entirely her credit. The other Fu family members didn’t blame Fu Bei. After all, the big shot Liang Jincheng clung to in officialdom had been targeted long ago. After the fall, a bunch of people were implicated. If Fu Bei hadn’t connected with Second Master Tan and cooperated actively, how could the Fu family escape so easily? Even if nothing happened then, problems would arise later due to policy suppression and so on. Grandpa Fu blamed Liang Yuzhi, sometimes scolding himself and Father Fu when too angry—a perfectly good family made restless every day.

Liang Yuzhi didn’t call Fu Bei either, only calling Grandpa Fu to greet him thoughtfully, euphemistically expressing her desire to return to the country for a visit.

During the New Year, she angered Grandpa Fu into scolding directly: “Caused a pile of messes not yet resolved; I haven’t even wiped your ass clean yet. Come back? Come back for what? Want to drink the wind?”

Scolded so hard Liang Yuzhi dared not respond.

Fu Bei didn’t know these things. However, later, Father Fu transferred a sum of money to her, noting it was for her and Qiao Xi. This naturally made Qiao Xi very happy; elders giving red envelopes was also a form of recognition.

“Can keep it for later, our joint fund,” she said, immediately planning for this money. Before the first stroke of the character ‘eight’ was written, she was already considering living together in the future.

Fu Bei raised the corners of her mouth imperceptibly. “Okay.”

“Deposit what my dad gave too; save a bit more.”

“Whatever you say.”

Everything was in sync. Leaving the Qiao house after dinner, the two went out holding hands. Qiao Jianliang stood on the second-floor balcony watching them off. Turning around, he saw Zhou Meihe not far away, her eyes revealing grievance and complaint, probably dissatisfied with Qiao Jianliang’s differential treatment, being too good and tolerant to Qiao Xi.

Qiao Jianliang found it hard to be caught in the middle. After deliberating for a long time, he said gently, “Let’s go; I’ll accompany you to the hospital to see Little Lin.”

Only then did Zhou Meihe’s face look better.

**

Everyone had a happy and lively time during the day of the Spring Festival, but it wasn’t so harmonious at night.

Qin Si sent a long string of messages to Qiao Xi. Considering Fu Bei, Qiao Xi didn’t reply. Now realizing Qin Si’s feelings belatedly, she silently distanced herself. Qin Si seemed unable to sense her coldness and distance, continuing to send messages perseveringly.

In the past, this person helped her a lot and even taught her tattooing. Qiao Xi certainly wouldn’t block or blacklist the other party. After thinking for a long time, she replied symbolically with a couple of sentences and invited the other party for a meal when free after returning to Jiang City, thinking of clarifying things then to avoid entanglement.

However, since she replied to the message, Qin Si didn’t make a sound again.

Until nearly midnight, Qiao Xi and Fu Bei were intimate on the bay window. Just as they planned to go to bed, the phone rang.

—Qin Si calling.

Their phones were placed aside. As soon as the screen lit up, Fu Bei glimpsed the contact name on it, ultimately a bit unhappy and minding it, though not showing it.

Qiao Xi was conscious, sliding her finger on the screen to hang up immediately, pretending nothing happened. Unfortunately, just a few seconds after hanging up, Qin Si called again. Qiao Xi hung up again, but the other party continued.

The sudden disturbance interrupted the originally warm atmosphere. Fu Bei’s emotions were obviously exposed—frowning, impatience climbing into her eyes, annoyed seeing the contact name on the phone screen. The air stagnated slightly, undercurrents flowing. She held back, her eyes deepening, bottomless black.

She wouldn’t be angry at Qiao Xi, simply disliking Qin Si. She had experienced this person’s methods long ago. At that time, Qin Si almost buckled Qiao Xi in her arms, her hostility towards Fu Bei obvious, the behavior shown unscrupulous. Qin Si’s possessiveness towards Qiao Xi was no less than Fu Bei’s, even more paranoid. Clearly knowing Qiao Xi’s feelings, she still persisted until now, never willing to let go. Her liking was sometimes exposed, sometimes hidden deep, making her unfathomable.

Seeing Fu Bei’s face, Qiao Xi hurriedly hung up again, wanting to set the phone to silent. Who knew in her haste, she clicked answer instead.

Helpless, she had to brace herself and answer.

She turned her head to observe Fu Bei’s expression, bit her lower lip, and then spoke: “What is it?”

On the other end, Qin Si had just returned to her room when free, leaning her arm on the balcony. “Can’t call you if nothing’s wrong?”

From Qiao Xi’s stiff language, one could guess who was nearby; it sounded inconvenient to talk. But Qin Si was tactless. Not only did she have no intention of hanging up actively, but she added, “Qiao Qiao, it’s New Year today; so distant.”

Her tone carried teasing, improper, and had other meanings. Probably intentional, not for Qiao Xi to hear, but for the one beside her.

As long as they were close, the words of the person on the other end could still be heard. Fu Bei heard it, her face instantly looking unpleasant. Qin Si’s provocative meaning was too obvious.

Qiao Xi equivocated with a couple of sentences. However, Qin Si suddenly stopped her, saying there was something urgent, sounding quite important. She stopped the action of hanging up. But before she could ask, the person behind suddenly pressed over, pinning her against the bay window.

The coldness of the wall hit instantly, stimulating her to inhale slightly, breath hitching. Subconsciously wanting to shrink away, this action of retreating while half-kneeling played right into someone’s hands. Sensing the other’s warm body temperature and extremely ambiguous actions, the string in her mind snapped abruptly, so she didn’t hear much of what Qin Si was saying on the other end.

She wanted to stop Fu Bei, but her hands were pinned back against the edge of the bay window by the other party. The chilly feeling was impossible to ignore, like sharp thorns pricking the skin, and those thorns were dipped in poison that made one dizzy and hot, acting quickly, leaving her unable to parry.

Enduring it, wanting to hang up.

On the other side, Qin Si said, “I’m returning to Jiang City next week. Qiao Qiao, it’s agreed; come out for a meal.”

This sentence was also heard by Fu Bei.

Qiao Xi dared not respond, hanging up abruptly, fingertips trembling.

Fu Bei clasped the person in her arms, pressing, “What meal with her?”

Qiao Xi neither denied nor admitted.

“Asking you.”

“No… relationship anyway…” Qiao Xi said intermittently.

“Then why go?” Fu Bei was truly ignited by Qin Si’s arrogance. Knowing Qiao Xi didn’t have that meaning and couldn’t possibly have anything with Qin Si, she just minded. Dissatisfied no matter how Qiao Xi answered, but still measured. No matter how pressing verbally, she still considered the person in her arms.

The two usually got along plainly and warmly; only this time was different. But occasional small “misunderstandings” could be fun, adding fuel to the fire of feelings.

Qiao Xi didn’t have an easy night. She didn’t get up on the morning of the second day, and the following days were similar.

Fu Bei was very proper and upright outside, meticulous at school, able to suppress students well. But at home, she was another way, even more so recently.

When feelings ran deep, she would press her thin lips to Qiao Xi’s ear, inducing in a low voice: “Call me…”

Qiao Xi would comply. “Fu Bei—”

However, it didn’t work. This person didn’t want this, tormenting even harder.

Only later did she call it right.

“Sister…”

Fu Bei kissed her temple, chin, down to her neck gently, movements tender and slow. “Call again.”

“Sister…”

Meeting for the first time that year, nothing had happened yet, everything at the starting point. Qiao Xi hid timidly behind Qiao Jianliang, staring at her unblinkingly, eyes full of innocence and expectation, calling just like this.

Going round and round, they still came together.

A new start, a new year, smooth and successful—couldn’t be better.

**

On the eighth, Qin Si returned to Jiang City from City S. The first thing after getting off the plane was calling Qiao Xi. At that time, Qiao Xi was in a meeting at the company, having no time to pay attention, so she could only hang up directly.

This busy period lasted more than an hour. After the meeting, it was almost time to get off work. Fu Bei was busy at school today and couldn’t come. Qiao Xi planned to go back first. Weighing and struggling for a while, she called Qin Si back while going downstairs.

The call wasn’t answered, hung up directly. When she took the elevator to the ground floor, a familiar figure stood not far away.

It was Qin Si.