Coveted for a Long Time 81

Chapter 81: Extra 2

Wedding preparations entered an intense phase, with everything proceeding methodically. After the National Day holiday, the two rushed to various places to take wedding photos. A wedding happens only once; not only them, but both sets of parents took it very seriously. The wedding was planned to be very grand, but they didn’t intend to invite many guests. The invitations were handwritten by Fu Bei, while Qiao Xi was responsible for the wedding favors.

Tang Yi and Zhuang Qiyang came over to help from time to time. Tang Yi came more often; after all, she was friends with Qiao Xi, and Fu Bei, loving the house and its crow, had helped her quite a bit recently.

Days flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was the end of the year again.

Due to the upcoming wedding, Qiao Xi and Fu Bei often ran to the compound, sometimes to the Qiao family, sometimes to the Fu family. Qiao Jianliang and Father Fu were quite attentive to this, even discussing wedding banquet matters together in their spare time. Grandpa Fu was still the same, just nagging a lot more recently.

However, everyone was subtly changing for the better. One afternoon, Qiao Xi went to the Fu house alone to pick up something. Only Grandpa Fu was there. Afraid the old man would be dissatisfied with her and lose his temper, she planned to grab her things and leave. Unexpectedly, she was stopped just as she went downstairs.

Grandpa Fu leaned on his cane, walking a bit unsteadily. He handed her a palm-sized wooden box, saying stiffly, “Nianci left it for you; take it.”

Nianci was the old lady’s name.

The wooden box contained the Fu family’s heirloom bracelet. Originally, it should have been given to Liang Yuzhi, but the Fu and Liang families had an unpleasant fallout back then, and Liang Yuzhi was arrogant and disrespectful to elders when she was young, so the old lady didn’t give it. Because of this, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had never been good. The old lady originally intended to give it to Fu Bei later, passing it down. But now that Qiao Xi was marrying Fu Bei, it should be given to Qiao Xi. Grandpa Fu wouldn’t admit it verbally, using the old lady as an excuse.

Qiao Xi was stunned for a moment, accepting the wooden box. “Thank you.”

She wanted to say something more, but Grandpa Fu turned and walked away, his hunched figure heading towards the door, probably unwilling to converse.

Returning to the apartment and hearing Fu Bei explain the bracelet’s origin, Qiao Xi understood Grandpa Fu’s meaning perfectly. Actually, he decided to give the bracelet to Qiao Xi himself. The old lady had passed away for so many years; how could she have foreseen the wedding? She was quite moved but pretended not to know, continuing as usual.

A bracelet couldn’t improve the existing relationship; it was still the same.

Jiang City’s winter this year wasn’t as cold as previous years—no rain, no snow, sunny every day, always warm.

Qiao Xi ran to the mall often, having many things to buy every day. Once, she met Wan San and the others.

Wan San’s wife was already pregnant, walking with a big belly and needing Wan San’s support. Wan San smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits, overjoyed, wishing he could hold his wife in the palm of his hand. Not remembering when they last met, meeting again felt like the other party had changed a lot. Wan San used to be improper, a bit lackadaisical, speaking and acting impulsively. Now he was gentle and peaceful, that hostility gone. Seeing Qiao Xi, he greeted her cheerfully and proactively.

“Haven’t seen you for so long; here to buy things?”

Qiao Xi nodded. “Yes, buying some random things. You guys?”

“Just strolling around.” Wan San laughed heartily.

Everyone chatted amiably for a few minutes.

Wan San and the others had more or less noticed Qin Si’s feelings back then, just never exposing them. When Qin Si first left Jiang City, the group privately blamed Qiao Xi, attributing Qin Si’s departure to her, feeling dissatisfied. But now they didn’t think so, able to talk and laugh.

Inadvertently glancing at the ring on Qiao Xi’s hand, Wan San was silent for a moment, then returned to normal, asking kindly, “Getting married?”

Qiao Xi hummed.

“When?”

“Sixth day of the first lunar month.”

“Really fast,” Wan San sighed with emotion. “Holding the banquet on Qijing Street?”

Qiao Xi said, “Going to City H.”

She didn’t propose inviting Wan San and the others, nor did she discuss this matter much. After a few sentences, Wan San tactfully stopped asking. Before parting, Wan San mentioned a couple of sentences about Qin Si intentionally or unintentionally, speaking very euphemistically. The gist was that Qin Si fell and got injured while skiing in Japan. If the fall had been slightly off, it might have led to high paraplegia. She was now recuperating in the hospital.

Qiao Xi didn’t respond to a single word, her attitude already obvious. Wan San just smiled, finally blessing sincerely, “Must be harmonious and beautiful.”

The group walked away.

Two days after this, a text message came from a strange number, containing just four words: Happy Wedding.

Guessing who sent it, Qiao Xi hesitated for a moment, then deleted the message without replying. Lying in bed at night, she chatted with Fu Bei for a while, then confessed voluntarily. Actually, a text message was dispensable; not saying it was fine too, but she said it anyway.

Fu Bei didn’t react much, not continuing this topic.

This person had become increasingly gentle recently. When passion ran deep, she hugged Qiao Xi tightly, whispering that sentence: “I love you.”

Speaking while stroking Qiao Xi’s back.

Qiao Xi never got tired of hearing this love talk, accepting it all every time. However, she acted quite calm on her face, always putting on a front, often whispering calmly on the surface, “Mmh…”

It rained early the next morning, pattering endlessly.

Raindrops beat against the window constantly; the sound was loud. The two woke up at this time. Amidst sleepiness, Qiao Xi struggled for a long time before turning sideways to face Fu Bei, smiling and saying, “Morning—”

Fu Bei reached out to touch her chin.

Qiao Xi dodged deliberately, fussing for a while, then continuing to tease Fu Bei, playing tricks on the other party when bored. She would pretend to stop, then suddenly hug Fu Bei.

“Don’t move, don’t move,” Fu Bei said, kissing her cheek. “Hug for a while.”

Qiao Xi turned her head. “I want to take a shower.”

Fu Bei didn’t let go. “Go later.”

“A bit uncomfortable.”

Fu Bei’s eyes deepened by two shades. “Go together.”

The water in the bathroom ran continuously, echoing the ceaseless rain outside the window.

When the rain almost stopped, the two came out, returning to bed for a nap. Approaching noon, the sun emerged from the thick clouds, casting dazzling sunlight.

It was at this time that Fu Bei received a call from Liang Yuzhi.

Disregarding Grandpa Fu’s opposition, Liang Yuzhi found the right time to return from abroad. The first thing after landing was calling Fu Bei. She was furious, questioning why Fu Bei didn’t discuss the marriage with her, her voice sharp and piercing. Staying abroad alone for too long, coupled with the family’s coldness and indifference, changed Liang Yuzhi a lot. She blamed Fu Bei, and now she was even more annoyed. The marriage was the fuse, completely igniting the resentment and anger in her heart.

She asked Fu Bei to meet her at the hotel, daring not return to the compound for now. Didn’t have the guts, always unwilling to face it.

Fu Bei looked indifferent, saying unhurriedly, “That’s it; hanging up.”

Liang Yuzhi was so angry she almost smashed her phone, but still believed her daughter would come to see her. Unfortunately, the one who went to the hotel to find her was Father Fu.

The originally relatively loving and harmonious couple almost made a scene in the hotel, arguing fiercely over the marriage, each sticking to their own version and accusing each other. That night, Liang Yuzhi returned to the compound. Once inside the house, the couple dared not make a scene anymore. Later, Liang Yuzhi was restless, always wanting to go find Fu Bei, but failed every time—either stopped by Father Fu or finding no one there.

As for why no one could be found, it was because Qiao Xi and Fu Bei moved away. The two bought a second-hand small building with a courtyard in the suburbs. They planned to come and stay for a while during winter and summer vacations in the future. The suburbs were quieter than the city, with fresher air and convenient living, suitable for two people together.

Qiao Xi didn’t know about Liang Yuzhi making a scene. She only knew Liang Yuzhi returned to the country. Father Fu called a few times, telling them to stay outside longer, treating it as relaxation and adjustment, getting ready for the wedding.

When Qiao Xi and Fu Bei returned to the city, the Fu family was no longer noisy.

—Liang Yuzhi went back to her maiden home in a huff, but returned dejectedly not long after. Grandpa Fu’s attitude was unclear, and now Father Fu was shouldering the burden of the Fu family, so she couldn’t say anything more.

The current Liang family was long dying, fallen to the point where no one dared to help. Collapsing like a landslide overnight, simply miserable. Before Liang Yuzhi even entered the door, the Liang family asked her for help. Irritable, she spoke two unpleasant sentences with a very aggressive tone. The Liang family scolded her for being heartless, an ungrateful wretch, raised for nothing all these years, not even helping with this small favor. Liang Yuzhi wasn’t stupid. Knowing she went there just to suffer anger, she left without even sitting down.

She disliked Qiao Xi but dared not show it too much.

Fu Bei ignored Liang Yuzhi completely, coming over if there was something, not coming if there wasn’t. This estranged and cold attitude made Liang Yuzhi cry secretly many times, unable to accept it.

Maybe the Liang family’s changes made Liang Yuzhi understand what reality meant. She gradually quieted down. The low mood made her lose a lot of weight in a short time, looking very haggard. In the end, only Father Fu cared, doing ideological work on her.

But it wasn’t much use. On the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month, Liang Yuzhi went abroad. She didn’t want to attend Fu Bei’s wedding, and knew Fu Bei didn’t want her to go either.

Approaching the New Year, Jiang City was bustling with excitement, joyous everywhere.

This New Year passed exceptionally slowly because of the expectation in the heart, looking forward to the sixth day every day. Qiao Xi and Fu Bei, along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, arrived in City H on the fourth to prepare first. Tang Yi, Zhuang Qiyang, and others were naturally among the bridesmaid and groomsman group. The group of young people was extremely excited, playing and making noise all the way from Jiang City.

Someone kept bringing the two of them up for teasing and joking, but not excessively. Qiao Xi laughed countless times.

But on the fifth day, unknown what happened, her heart suddenly felt empty. Maybe too excited, maybe a bit helpless and hesitant because of the marriage, Qiao Xi wasn’t in the right state all day.

This is a normal reaction. Some people even develop fear because of this. The significance of marriage is too great; unable to adapt immediately, it’s inevitable to feel lost and empty.

No one noticed Qiao Xi’s change except Fu Bei.

When everyone went out for a walk, Fu Bei took Qiao Xi to the room, gathering her into her arms and asking in a low voice, “What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”

Qiao Xi shook her head. “Nothing.”

She looked up slightly at Fu Bei, pursed her lips, and said honestly, “Just a bit… I can’t describe the feeling. Not quite real, floating.”

“Worried?” Fu Bei patted her back soothingly.

“Not really,” Qiao Xi said. She couldn’t explain clearly. Thinking for a while, she suddenly hugged Fu Bei.

The two stayed alone in the room for a long time, chatting sporadically. Fu Bei spoke gently, comforting Qiao Xi. Being together, what’s important isn’t the ceremony, but the hearts that can touch each other. Life is a long, steady stream, and feelings are every drop of water in it.

That night, the two broke custom. In the middle of the night, Fu Bei avoided others and sneaked into Qiao Xi’s room, accompanying Qiao Xi through the long night before the wedding. They were sleepless almost all night, talking a lot. Although there was no substantive content, it was enough to calm Qiao Xi down.

Fu Bei said, “I’ll accompany you from now on.”

Qiao Xi smiled, turning sideways to face this person. Pondering for a long time, she teased, “Four or five more hours and we’ll be officially announced.”

Four or five more hours and their wedding would begin.

Fu Bei leaned in to kiss her, saying while kissing, “Mmh, almost there.”

**

The wedding wasn’t complicated. Everything was kept simple, without complex and lengthy etiquette and forms. Confessing to each other, taking vows, exchanging rings, and finally having a couple of drinks with friends and family. There were only three tables of guests. Everyone was happy, and the blessings were sincere, not those fake polite words going through the motions.

Qiao Xi was originally a bit nervous and lost, but under the sincere blessings of each guest, she suddenly felt relieved of a heavy burden.

Qiao Jianliang said to her alone, “Live well in the future.”

Perhaps touched in a soft spot in her heart, Qiao Xi felt sour inside, only nodding.

Qiao Jianliang’s two marriages weren’t great, especially the first one. “Live well”—this was his only hope for Qiao Xi and Fu Bei.

At sunset, everyone went to the beach for a stroll. The seaside in winter was freezing cold. Qiao Xi snuggled in Fu Bei’s arms. While everyone wasn’t paying attention, she secretly kissed her chin.

Both smiled.

The biggest change brought by marriage should be in the mode of getting along and life. It seemed that from this day on, everything was different. More justified now, all those previous scruples were gone. Before, always thinking this was wrong and that was wrong, should be more restrained; now it was completely different.

When going out, Fu Bei always held Qiao Xi’s hand. Like all lovers in the world, they enjoyed and cherished this relationship without worries, becoming an indispensable part of each other’s lives.

They announced their married status to the outside world, hiding nothing, nor deliberately covering up because of trouble.

The news blew past like a breeze.

Approaching the start of the school term, Jiang University sent a supplementary gift to Fu Bei—a handwritten congratulatory message, congratulating the two on their marriage. As an institution of higher learning, Jiang University has always had profound heritage and strong inclusivity, which is the fundamental driving force for its vigorous development over the years.

In March, Qiao Xi and Fu Bei, adhering to the principle of low profile, did two big things in the name of the Qiao family company. First, donating five million each to Jiang University and the University of Science and Technology. Second, establishing a foundation to help poor children. The money was paid by the two of them together—settlement allowances given by parents on both sides during the wedding. Thinking they wouldn’t need so much money in the future, they simply donated it, doing something meaningful at least.

The year Fu Bei turned thirty-five, the two did a third big thing together.