Coveted for a Long Time 77

Chapter 77

Fu Bei’s possessiveness was particularly strong tonight, much more intense than usual. Qiao Xi couldn’t bear it, unable to find a place to land.

When everything was over, resting in bed, this person still asked about Qin Si. Qiao Xi caught her breath, moved her body, turning to lie on her, resting her head on the other’s chest. “She went back to City S; should have boarded the plane by now.”

Fu Bei gently stroked the hibiscus tattoo. Silent for a long time, after thinking it through, she leaned in to kiss Qiao Xi’s temple. Qiao Xi propped herself up slightly, letting the kiss land on the side of her face.

The two chatted about this topic for two or three minutes, but there was really nothing to say. Anyway, it was resolved and wouldn’t happen again. Fu Bei’s hands weren’t well-behaved. Before long, she leaned close to Qiao Xi’s ear and said, “Lost weight recently.”

A simple sentence diverted the topic, not continuing.

Qiao Xi blinked, looking down at the other party. “Really?”

“Yes, waist is thinner by a circle.”

Qiao Xi smiled. Feeling ticklish, she suddenly shrank down, fussing a bit, then suddenly went further down.

Fu Bei froze instantly, breath hitching. Then she showed no reaction. The heavy night struck like a flooding tide, rolling and churning, sweeping away the mud and sand, leaving only dark traces.

They didn’t sleep until past 2:00 AM. Before sleeping, Qiao Xi lay on Fu Bei’s shoulder, leaning in to kiss, whispering, “Goodnight.”

Fu Bei responded, deepening this gentle kiss. After separating, she also whispered, “Goodnight.”

Everything calmed down, followed by a plain life. Qiao Xi went to work at the company every day, Fu Bei went to school. In their spare time, they traveled around Jiang City—to the riverside, ancient towns, climbing mountains, wading through water, camping. Life was simply comfortable.

Occasionally, when free, they would go back to visit Qiao Jianliang and also visit Cijing Town. Qiao Xi’s relationship with Qiao Jianliang remained the same, more distant than ordinary father and daughter, without warm and intimate gestures. Every visit was just eating and chatting, leaving when it was about time. After all, it wasn’t great in the early years; how could it become close all of a sudden? Fu Bei and the Fu family were the same—what it was before, it was now. Liang Yuzhi disliked them, Grandpa Fu was still angry, and only Father Fu occasionally cared about them.

During this period, Mother Qiao called once. Qiao Xi couldn’t chat with her, ending in silence eventually.

After the divorce, Mother Qiao lived a very free life—rich, single, every day either red wine and gourmet food or spa, traveling everywhere. The Italian boyfriend from before had long broken up. Over these years abroad, she changed several boyfriends in their twenties, no longer the gentle appearance of the past. But everyone has their own way of living; nothing to criticize. Not married, not a mistress—how Mother Qiao wanted to live was her freedom.

Reaching a certain age, people want stability, want to reconcile with the past, and do things they think they should do. Mother Qiao finally had the awareness of being a mother, treating her daughter as another emotional sustenance.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Qiao Xi didn’t care about this at all, not really accepting her overtures.

In early May of this year, Qiao Jianliang, recovering well, returned to the company and began taking over relevant work. Because it was still in the handover stage and worried his body couldn’t take it, Qiao Xi didn’t step down immediately, continuing to help at the company for about half a month.

Until the end of May, completely liberated.

Able to unload the burden from her shoulders, Qiao Xi was certainly happy, planning non-stop to reopen the shop. Unfortunately, before she could be happy for two days, the landlord called, refusing to rent the shop to her anymore, wanting to terminate the contract unilaterally.

After all, not opening for a year, no matter how much rent was given, wouldn’t work; it would seriously affect future leasing. Knowing she was a rich second generation not short of money, the landlord spoke euphemistically. Anyway, parting on good terms. Qiao Xi was reasonable, promising to move out after finding a new shop. The landlord gave ten days.

The new shop was found by Fu Bei, near the university town. To be precise, she bought it directly. On the busiest commercial street around the university town, near a bar with good foot traffic, and very close to the apartment.

At that time, Qiao Xi didn’t ask Fu Bei for help, still hesitating where to move the new shop. As a result, Fu Bei took over the matter. This person had selfish motives, doing it on purpose, just wanting Qiao Xi to be closer to her.

But this was indeed convenient. The frequency and time of their meetings increased. Sometimes Qiao Xi went to Jiang University, sometimes Fu Bei came to the shop. The distance was too close, unlike before when they could only meet at night.

Renovating the new shop took a relatively long time. By the time it officially opened, it was already July, the beginning of the hot season of the year.

The first customer of the new shop was Fu Bei. Both were free on the weekend. Staying in the apartment all day Saturday, they came to the shop for a tattoo the next day. Qiao Xi hadn’t practiced for too long, afraid her skills were rusty. Before this, she secretly practiced countless times. This tattoo design was the one she designed with the most care and satisfaction, spending a lot of time. Actually, she had been looking forward to it for a long time.

Early in the morning, the two went to the shop.

“Might be quite painful, and take a long time.” Before starting, Qiao Xi reminded. Compared to Fu Bei’s calmness, she was the nervous one.

Fu Bei was amused, preparing herself. The shop door was closed, lights bright inside, only the two of them. Tattooing is a relatively private job, especially since the location Fu Bei wanted was on the upper right of her chest. She wore a gray linen cardigan today, very casual style, also suitable for tattooing. Unbuttoning the top buttons and sitting down, she lifted her eyes to look at Qiao Xi. “Very nervous?”

“A little bit.” Qiao Xi said. “Haven’t tattooed for a long time.”

The two chatted back and forth. Once slightly relaxed, they started. Qiao Xi was always serious about tattooing. Once started, she immersed herself. Even while talking, it wouldn’t affect her hand movements.

Fu Bei could tolerate pain quite well, never frowning from beginning to end. Among the customers Qiao Xi met before, some cried from pain, even quitting halfway. There were all kinds, but rarely one like her.

Tattooing is delicate work, testing the tattoo artist’s skills greatly. Later on, Qiao Xi stopped talking much, and Fu Bei stopped speaking too. Because the shop door was closed tightly, unable to see outside, they didn’t go out for lunch either, making do with bread. Resting for more than half an hour, they continued.

The bright red, passionate petals of the tattoo bloomed lushly on the chest and collarbone, while the twisted branches extended downwards, reaching the soft rise and fall.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes, pursing her lips.

Ordinary people usually chose to tattoo on arms and chest, or back and ankles, rarely choosing relatively private places. When she designed this tattoo pattern, she considered whether to just cover that twisted scar or tattoo a slightly larger pattern. Later, she chose the latter.

“Dietary restrictions afterwards; no spicy food. Can’t use shower gel when bathing. Scabbing will be annoying too.” Qiao Xi said, pressing gently with her fingertips, tattooing bit by bit.

Fu Bei finally had a reaction at this time. Unknown if from pain or what, there was restraint between her brows, and her dark eyes changed, like ripples on calm water.

Outside, the fiery sun was scorching, shining directly on the ground. Roadside leaves were shiny from the sun. Affected by the weather, even with the air conditioner on inside, the air was dry and restless, with faint heat flowing.

Looking down for too long, tired, throat dry, Qiao Xi stopped twice involuntarily, drinking water on the side both times. She didn’t look up at Fu Bei, keeping her head down and eyes lowered. Only her ear tips were scarlet, her whole person uncomfortable. Clearly intimate so many times, yet she couldn’t control it now. The warm touch on her fingertips made her heart palpitate, as if touching something hot, roasting and burning her whole person.

It was Fu Bei who broke this almost stagnant silence, asking in a low voice, “Want to go to City H for fun in a while?”

Summer vacation started in July; work was much easier. Traveling was certain. Originally Qiao Xi was choosing the place, but she had been busy recently and hadn’t decided where to go.

Qiao Xi lowered her eyes, humming. “Sure.”

After speaking, remembering something, she added, “Have to wait until the tattoo scabs fall off. Can’t go this month; next month.”

Fu Bei nodded. When Qiao Xi looked up to rest from tiredness, she propped herself up and moved her upper body. The cardigan slipped, half-covering the scenery inside, revealing only a small part of the shapely form, looking infinitely charming.

This person’s other side in private had always been sexy and mature, full of charm. Clearly having an ascetic face, but actions were not, every gesture a faint temptation, yet done so properly.

“Look good?” She lifted her eyelids, staring straight at Qiao Xi.

Unknown if asking if the tattoo looked good or something else looked good. While speaking, she leaned forward slightly.

Qiao Xi looked down, then pursed her lips unnaturally, cheeks slightly hot, saying dryly, “It’s okay.”

Holding her hand, Fu Bei helped rub it. “Rest a while if tired, then continue.”

Qiao Xi pulled her hand away, subconsciously picking up the cup to drink water again, shaking her head. “Not tired.”

Unexpectedly, just putting down the water cup, Fu Bei suddenly grabbed her right hand again, slowly moving up…

**

During the summer vacation, most students went home; few stayed at school. There were few people on the streets. Coupled with the hot weather and this area basically only opening at night, it was even more deserted. Qiao Xi went to the restroom to wash her face, disinfected, and continued. The tattoo couldn’t be finished in one day; had to be done in sessions, lasting intermittently for about five or six days.

Doing this job was still tiring, but very satisfying once the result came out. The poinsettia spread down from the chest, growing along the curvaceous body lines. The flower branches twisted obliquely, bending towards the private place. Unlike the delicate wildness of Qiao Xi’s hibiscus tattoo, this tattoo revealed fire and flamboyance everywhere. Yet suppressed by Fu Bei’s cold temperament, it faintly gave a feeling of being viewable only from afar, very hooking.

Especially in summer, to maintain breathability, Fu Bei basically only wore white shirts, unbuttoning the top buttons, half-hidden half-visible.

Qiao Xi wasn’t in a rush to promote the new shop and do business. Afraid of heat, she stayed in the apartment every day, conceiving new patterns when free, and helping Fu Bei care for the tattoo.

After all, being a professor, teaching and educating people while setting an example, this tattoo basically couldn’t be exposed during work in the future. If not considering this point, Qiao Xi would have designed the tattoo pattern higher up; covering the collarbone would look better.

In mid-August, Tang Yi came from her hometown, calling Qiao Xi out for a celebratory meal. She successfully passed the Jiang University exam and would start her PhD at Jiang University in September.

Sometimes fate is just coincidental. Her doctoral supervisor was a male professor in his fifties, surnamed Xu, who had a very good relationship with Fu Bei. Qiao Xi had met him a few times. Professor Xu was very kind, without airs. Hearing Fu Bei “inadvertently” mention Tang Yi, he was a bit surprised. Professor Xu’s evaluation of Tang Yi was: down-to-earth, diligent, and very creative—a talent worth molding.

During the meal, Qiao Xi relayed these words to Tang Yi. Tang Yi was stunned, puzzled: “Qiao Qiao, how do you know Professor Xu?”

Qiao Xi choked, struggling for a moment, honestly saying, “Met before.”

Saying this made Tang Yi even more curious, asking a heap of questions like pouring beans.

Leaving the dinner table, Qiao Xi told Tang Yi the truth, but didn’t mention Fu Bei’s name for now, euphemistically saying she found a partner, female, currently cohabiting, the other party teaching at Jiang University.

Actually, without saying the name, Tang Yi could guess who it was. Simply shocked. Not surprised by Qiao Xi’s sexual orientation, but not expecting Qiao Xi’s girlfriend to be Fu Bei. She thought the two had nothing to do with each other, never discovering clues before.

However, since this meal, Tang Yi was too embarrassed to disturb Qiao Xi for the next few days. Until one day she had to find Qiao Xi to borrow a car, bracing herself to go. Coincidentally, Fu Bei was home then. She waited at the door for almost ten minutes before Qiao Xi came to open it. Tang Yi didn’t even go in, truly a bit embarrassed.

Qiao Xi closed the door, returning to the room. Seeing someone leaning against the headboard wearing a thin shirt loosely, long, slender white legs curled up, a cigarette between fingertips, corners of eyes slightly red, carrying the weariness after the aftermath.

The cigarette wasn’t lit, nor intended to be smoked. Seeing the person enter, Fu Bei put it down immediately, asking in a slightly hoarse voice, “Left?”

Qiao Xi looked at this person “complainingly.” Thinking of how she wasn’t allowed to go out just now, resulting in being discovered by Tang Yi—simply too awkward.

“Mmh, she still has things to do.”

Fu Bei wasn’t self-conscious at all, even chuckling lightly.

Qiao Xi was a bit annoyed, face reddening uncontrollably.

Two days later, Qiao Xi treated Tang Yi to dinner. Tang Yi had never dated either, knowing nothing about relationships, not knowing how to talk about these things. But finally, she said quite affirmatively, “Actually, Professor Fu matches you quite well; very suitable.”

Qiao Xi smiled.

**

In the last five days of August, Qiao Xi and Fu Bei traveled to City H. The sun was as scorching as ever, blindingly bright. They dared not go out during the day, only going out at dusk and night.

Qiao Xi used to think she didn’t like running around. Now she found this quite nice too. Being young, enjoying the most beautiful scenery, loving the best person, indulging in life to the fullest.

City H faced the sea; there was a sea area for surfing. Qiao Xi didn’t know how, so Fu Bei taught her. Of course, surfing wasn’t easy to learn, hard to control balance. But every time Qiao Xi fell into the water, Fu Bei would go over immediately. At sunset, golden afterglow covered this sea. In the distance were boundless waves; behind was the beach. The two sat side by side on the beach in bikinis, gazing at this beautiful scenery.

Brilliant glow fell on them, plating a layer of golden halo. Both beautiful with good figures, they attracted many peeping and scrutinizing gazes. Neither cared, watching the scenery quietly.

“Quite beautiful…” Qiao Xi supported herself with hands behind her back, sighing with emotion. After speaking, she looked at Fu Bei.

From her angle, she saw Fu Bei’s distinct profile, looking exceptionally soft under the afterglow.

Fu Bei turned her head, looking at her quietly.

Looking at each other for a while, they separated again. Qiao Xi’s eyes curved, smiling.

When the setting sun completely fell below the sea level, the sky gradually turned into a lonely blue, and fewer people remained on the beach. They still sat in place. As if telepathic, almost at the same time, both turned their heads towards each other. Fu Bei leaned over to kiss Qiao Xi first.

Qiao Xi accepted, saying indistinctly, “Love you…”

Fu Bei raised her hand directly to hold the back of her head, pressing the person towards herself.