Chapter 83: Extra 4
Little Qiao An, at a little over two years old, didn’t understand the concept of a wife or what those words meant, nor would she obey because of them. Her big, dark eyes stared at Fu Bei in confusion for a while, then she held back for a long time before drawling, “Oh—”
Children grow quickly and are extremely malleable. After living in a good environment for a while, her originally shy and timid personality slowly changed, gradually becoming cheerful.
Qiao Xi and Fu Bei took the child back to the compound once or twice a week to visit Qiao Jianliang and the Fu family. Qiao Jianliang adored the little dumpling, but couldn’t show it too obviously in front of Zhou Meihe. Little Qiao An was also very close to him, calling out “Grandpa” before even entering the gate, making Qiao Jianliang grin from ear to ear.
After so many years, the guilt in Qiao Jianliang’s heart hadn’t dissipated. Now that his daughter was a mother, his feelings were even more mixed. He treated Little Qiao An very well, occasionally taking the child to stay for a day or two, caring for her personally, giving the young couple time alone—probably making up for his neglect of Qiao Xi in another way.
Qiao Xi saw everything and understood everything. Though she didn’t say it, her heart softened more and more.
As for Zhou Meihe, she hadn’t caused any trouble in recent years, truly settling down to live life. Caring for her vegetative son in bed for years had changed her a lot, smoothing her sharp edges. She was no longer so hostile towards Qiao Xi and would help Qiao Jianliang take care of the child.
Two years ago, Mother Qiao returned to the country to visit Qiao Xi. Not finding her on Qijing Street, she went to the compound, running into Zhou Meihe who was home alone. When the two women met, sparks flew. Perhaps feeling Mother Qiao was a threat and fearing Qiao Xi would get mixed up with her, Zhou Meihe’s attitude towards Qiao Xi changed from then on.
Qiao Xi found it amusing but didn’t get involved. Her interaction with Zhou Meihe remained the same—well water not violating river water, each living their own lives, with little communication.
Returning to the compound this time, Qiao Jianliang, as usual, carried the child around the backyard, asking Qiao Xi, “Has An’an gained weight again? Getting heavier; almost can’t hold her.”
Qiao Xi and Fu Bei fed the child very well, especially with food. Little Qiao An wasn’t picky, eating whatever was given. When she first arrived, she was thin as a bamboo pole; now she was chubby all over, extremely cute.
“Gained over two pounds; just weighed yesterday.” Qiao Xi said, pinching Little Qiao An’s fair, tender cheek. The little dumpling didn’t dodge resistantly but leaned her face closer.
Such warmth made Qiao Jianliang beam with joy. Holding Little Qiao An, he coaxed and walked around, teasing that she would become a little fatty if she gained more weight. Little Qiao An looked serious, saying sternly, “An’an not fat.”
Amusing Qiao Jianliang into constant laughter.
Qiao Xi watched from the side. Later, Qiao Jianliang looked up at her, eyes a bit red, expression shifting slightly.
Actually, many years ago, he had also experienced such tenderness. At that time, the Qiao family hadn’t made their fortune yet. He was just an ordinary man with little education, but he married a university graduate wife. He wished he could hold Mother Qiao in the palm of his hand to protect her. The couple was so sweet back then, simply beautiful like a dream. Later, Mother Qiao gave birth to Qiao Xi, and the family of three lived even more harmoniously. He used to carry Qiao Xi around like this every day, showing off his daughter like a treasure to everyone he met. It was just a pity; somehow it changed, bit by bit becoming completely different.
Qiao Xi had treated him well these years, doing everything she should, never holding a grudge, still very nostalgic. Now the big family lived relatively happily. Qiao Jianliang just sighed with emotion, unable to describe the taste in his heart.
Qiao Xi was stunned but ultimately stood still.
In the afternoon, the family went to the hospital to visit Zhou Lin.
The doctor said Zhou Lin’s condition was quite good, but didn’t mention when he could wake up, or even the possibility of waking up. Everyone understood; maybe he would never wake up. Zhou Lin, lying in the hospital bed for so many years, was almost twenty-seven. Peers at this age were mostly married with children; some children could even buy soy sauce. Zhou Meihe kept shedding tears, very sad.
Qiao Xi glanced at Fu Bei; neither made a sound.
On the way back, Fu Bei mentioned Zhuang Qiyang. Zhuang Qiyang had recently got a girlfriend, the kind aiming for marriage. He used to be free and easy, never serious, but now he changed completely, becoming a caring, warm man.
“Didn’t he go abroad? When did he come back?” Qiao Xi asked.
“Two days ago,” Fu Bei said. “Met his girlfriend while traveling abroad. Brought her back to meet the parents this time; quite serious.”
Qiao Xi sighed with emotion, “Not easy. Thought he would stay single to the end.”
Zhuang Qiyang used to hide everywhere to avoid marriage pressure from his family, making everyone around think he was also homosexual. But he turned out fine. After a few years, at thirty-five or thirty-six, he found a girlfriend himself.
The next evening, Zhuang Qiyang brought his girlfriend to their home. She was a mixed-race beauty, two years younger than Zhuang Qiyang, cheerful and enthusiastic, with ancestral roots in Jiang City.
During the visit, to ease the atmosphere, Qiao Xi praised the mixed-race beauty a couple of times, saying she was tall and beautiful. The mixed-race beauty was a bit shy but definitely happy to be praised, the smile never leaving her face.
Little Qiao An stared blankly at the mixed-race beauty, then at Fu Bei, puffing out her cheeks.
Later, Qiao Xi went to the balcony to collect clothes. Returning, she saw Little Qiao An nuzzling her small face against Fu Bei incessantly, mouth sweet as honey, fawningly saying, “Mama beautiful…”
So clever at such a young age.
Qiao Xi raised the corner of her mouth slightly, not knowing what to say.
**
Father Fu ran over here often, mainly to see the child. He treated Little Qiao An as blood kin, giving everything she should have. Little Qiao An liked him relatively well. Sometimes at the compound, she would run to the house next door while Qiao Jianliang wasn’t looking, going to find Father Fu.
Occasionally, Grandpa Fu would come too. Still tough-mouthed, he only admitted coming to visit Little Qiao An, staying until dark after dinner every time before leaving. Qiao Xi wouldn’t argue with a stubborn old man. When he came, she treated him well, but wouldn’t be too proactive.
The twists and turns between adults were roundabout, knowing not to affect the child. Little Qiao An knew nothing about the past. Every time she saw Grandpa Fu, she would pounce over grinning, shouting “Great-Grandpa.”
Grandpa Fu sometimes took Little Qiao An out for a walk, playing chess or drinking tea.
With the help of the older generation, raising the child wasn’t too troublesome. After all, she was the only one in both families. As time passed, Little Qiao An lived with the young couple less and less, being picked up to the compound every few days, staying at the Qiao house today and the Fu house tomorrow.
Approaching autumn, Qiao Xi took Little Qiao An to buy clothes. Coincidentally, Fu Bei had a meeting that day and no time to accompany them.
The mall didn’t have much foot traffic, appearing somewhat empty. Little Qiao An was very excited, insisting on walking herself, refusing to be carried, and wanting to hold Qiao Xi’s hand. The mother and daughter met Zhao Shihuan at the escalator entrance on the third floor.
Zhao Shihuan held a baby in her arms. On her left was a woman with a somewhat bloated figure. Perhaps afraid of catching a cold from the wind, the woman wore a hat and mask, covering herself tightly.
Qiao Xi hadn’t seen Zhao Shihuan for a long time, having lost contact long ago. She heard last year that Zhao Shihuan came out publicly, then quickly married a wealthy young lady and now had a child. After all, the current Zhao family was big and powerful, and the young lady’s family was also impressive. Business marriage tied interests together; there would always be unsatisfactory parts. Bumps and contradictions were inevitable at the beginning.
Their affairs weren’t a secret in the circle. Qiao Xi offered no comment on this. Since they met, she still had to greet her.
Qiao Xi taught Little Qiao An, “An’an, call Auntie.”
Little Qiao An twisted her small body, calling milkily, “Hello, Auntie.”
Zhao Shihuan said, “Long time no see.”
The young lady didn’t speak from beginning to end, faint impatience on her face, reluctantly pulling Zhao Shihuan’s clothes while the two chatted. Zhao Shihuan seemed not to notice, talking while attending to the baby in her arms, completely ignoring the young lady.
Qiao Xi was observant, consciously stopping the conversation, excusing herself with something to do and leaving first. Walking a distance, she looked back.
Not far away, the young lady was throwing a tantrum, wanting to pull Zhao Shihuan’s arm—maybe wanting to hold it, maybe venting dissatisfaction. The baby in Zhao Shihuan’s arms was crying and fussing. Zhao Shihuan endured without exploding, ignoring the young lady, walking straight ahead while patting the baby’s back to coax.
Zhao Shihuan definitely had no feelings for Qiao Xi long ago; otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to the family marriage. Coming out wasn’t easy back then; the Zhao family almost turned upside down, making a huge scene. Helpless against her firm attitude, the Zhao family had no choice but to let her be, later finding her a well-matched woman. Zhao Shihuan and the young lady didn’t have deep feelings and couldn’t get along well, just making do with life.
Such an ending made people sigh. In her youth, Zhao Shihuan was so unrestrained; no one in the entire compound was more free and easy than her. Everyone thought she would definitely become a model of living freely, but unexpectedly, she became the most tightly bound one.
However, the current Zhao family was one of the best in Jiang City. Coupled with strong marriage alliances, their status was hard to shake. From another perspective, Zhao Shihuan was undoubtedly the most successful among everyone.
Qiao Xi turned back, walking into the children’s clothing store.
**
In the period when autumn leaves covered the ground, Zhuang Qiyang rushed to get married, unable to wait a moment. He and the mixed-race beauty didn’t like formalities, unceremoniously getting the certificate first, then treating friends and relatives to dinner.
Also at this time, after repeated promotions, Fu Bei was promoted to Vice Dean this time.
Being a Vice Dean in her thirties wasn’t rare. As long as ability was strong enough, promotion was sooner or later. Fu Bei had contributed a lot to Jiang University over these years, achieving fruitful results herself. She was like a fish in water in the workplace, doing very well.
The Fu family was naturally happy about this. After hearing the news, Grandpa Fu even had a couple of drinks that night.
Fu Bei herself didn’t feel much, still focusing on the family. Marriage is a hurdle. Being together, some grow colder, some sweeter. Her feelings with Qiao Xi remained the same.
That night, Little Qiao An was sent to the compound for two days. In the latter half of the night, Qiao Xi slept groggily, hazily thinking she was dreaming. When warmth hit her, she felt something was wrong. Fu Bei blocked her lips.
