Coveted for a Long Time 85

Chapter 85: Extra 6

Like a retreating tide, life eventually returns to tranquility. The past always drifts further away, each taking a separate path. From then on, bridges return to bridges, roads to roads, irrelevant to each other, all becoming passersby in each other’s lives.

The Spring Festival was celebrated by several families together—the Qiao family, the Fu family, Tang Yi, Zhuang Qiyang, and the others. A lively group, everyone loved teasing Little Qiao An, revolving around the child.

Little Qiao An was well-behaved and sweet-mouthed, receiving many red envelopes. Too obedient and sensible, she gave all the red envelopes to Qiao Xi to save. Qiao Jianliang watched from the side, amused, laughing, “Just like when you were little; saving money in the card as soon as you got it.”

Qiao Xi was stunned, having forgotten these things. After a while, with a smile on her lips, her eyes curved.

Some things were indeed cared about terribly at the time, but after the wash of time, they would eventually dissipate—not only towards Qiao Jianliang but also others.

That day, the group took photos in the Qiao family’s backyard as a souvenir.

After the Lantern Festival, Little Qiao An officially started school, attending the kindergarten’s junior class. Qiao Xi and Fu Bei sent her to kindergarten together. Before entering, Little Qiao An hugged and kissed their cheeks reluctantly, asking them to pick her up early in the afternoon.

“I know,” Qiao Xi laughed. “Saying this all the way, said it many times already. Definitely coming to pick you up.”

Little Qiao An puffed out her cheeks, saying milkily, “Afraid you’ll forget.”

Qiao Xi glanced at Fu Bei, then coaxed her with a couple of sentences before taking her inside. The teachers had learned about their family situation long ago, being very respectful from start to finish. Such an attitude reassured the couple; they were worried Little Qiao An would be discriminated against before.

Education and the general environment have always been big issues, inevitably bringing some unpleasantness.

Walking a distance, Qiao Xi looked back. Seeing Little Qiao An holding the teacher’s hand and staring straight here, she couldn’t bear it, feeling a bit reluctant after all.

Fu Bei suddenly held her hand, squeezing it soothingly.

Before long, Little Qiao An had a conflict with other children in kindergarten. She was quite clever, solving grievances herself. When others scolded her for having no dad, she went to the teacher to resolve it. The teacher’s stance certainly couldn’t be biased. Qiao Xi was worried she would be bullied at first, but the little dumpling was smart and alert, knowing how to protect herself.

Occasionally, when the little dumpling felt too wronged, she would secretly complain to Fu Bei. Fu Bei was quite good at comforting children. Although never preaching any big principles, she would take the child out to relax and play.

The mother and daughter tacitly didn’t tell Qiao Xi these miscellaneous things, afraid Qiao Xi would be angry. But Qiao Xi could guess a bit, just didn’t ask. The family of three lived a harmonious, stable, and happy life.

**

March, the season of warm spring and blooming flowers again.

Business at the tattoo parlor was still lukewarm. Qiao Xi had always been Buddhist, doing everything unhurriedly, not promoting her works online, not participating in any tattoo-related competitions, not even advertising—extremely low-key. However, at this time, a customer posted a full-back tattoo done in her shop online. The picture was reposted by a famous tattoo studio in the circle, suddenly becoming a bit popular.

Some wanted to poach her; some offered high prices to buy her designs. For a moment, all kinds of offers came.

Qiao Xi refused them one by one, clearly stating she had no such intentions.

After this, another thing happened—Zhou Lin woke up.

After so many years, everyone thought the possibility of him waking up was very low. Even Zhou Meihe had given up hope. Yet he woke up just at this time. He was twenty-seven this year, having lain in the hospital bed for nearly nine whole years, long emaciated and unrecognizable.

Learning he woke up, everyone went to the hospital to visit. Zhou Meihe cried breathlessly; bystanders couldn’t bear to watch.

Qiao Xi and the others went too. Little Qiao An stared blankly, obediently saying to Zhou Lin, “Little Uncle, you woke up. I’m An’an; do you know me?”

Qiao Jianliang often brought Little Qiao An over, telling her many times that Little Uncle was lying in the hospital bed and she should talk to him more so he would know her when he woke up. Children are simple. Every time she came here, she would cling to the bedside chattering a lot, encouraging Zhou Lin to wake up.

Although vegetative patients can’t wake up, some can still hear the words of people around them.

Zhou Lin’s eyes reddened instantly.

One day later, when Zhou Lin had recovered enough, he confessed all the wrong things he had done before to Qiao Jianliang in private, sincerely admitting his mistakes. Qiao Jianliang turned the page lightly, telling him, “The road ahead is still long; past things are no longer important.”

Qiao Xi indeed didn’t like the Zhou mother and son much, but wouldn’t show it too much. Especially after having Little Qiao An at home, she never said a word related, not even pulling a long face. After all, the twists and turns between adults shouldn’t involve children.

In the summer of this year, Zhou Jiaqi, who was universally condemned for selling fake goods, returned to visit Zhou Lin. Back then, she went in for three years. After coming out, she behaved much better, going abroad to avoid the limelight. Now she was doing quite well abroad. She was no longer as brainless as before, leaving quickly after returning once.

Qiao Xi heard from others that Zhou Jiaqi got married five years ago. Her husband was a foreigner, and the couple had a child. Life was passable. Even if not comparable to the glorious days back then, it was still freer than ordinary people.

But just hearsay. Qiao Xi didn’t pay much attention to these; as long as it had nothing to do with herself, she ignored it all.

One afternoon later, Liang Yuzhi came over, saying she came to see Little Qiao An. Coinciding with Fu Bei’s meeting at school, Qiao Xi kept her for dinner. Apart from that, nothing else happened.

At night, Qiao Xi told Fu Bei everything in detail. Fu Bei showed no reaction.

While packing clothes, Qiao Xi said seemingly inadvertently, “Should go back to the compound this weekend. My dad called yesterday to ask; didn’t go back last week. If free, I’ll tell them in advance. An’an has been mentioning ‘Great-Grandpa’ these past two days; probably missing people too.”

These words were very euphemistic, not direct at all, but the meaning was obvious.

Fu Bei paused. After a long while, she gave a hum, saying, “Okay, wait until these two busy days are over.”

Some words don’t need to be said too directly; being direct is meaningless, lacking that flavor.

Taking a step back opens up the sky and ocean; that’s just how it is.

In the scorching August, Mother Qiao, far away abroad, returned with her little boyfriend once, specifically to visit Little Qiao An. She learned about her granddaughter’s existence on the phone. Actually, she had wanted to return to Jiang City to have a look long ago but couldn’t save face. This time was better than the last; at least she ate two meals at Qiao Xi’s place, and recognizing relatives went smoothly.

Ultimately, Qiao Xi didn’t want to present a bad side to the child, so she tacitly allowed it.

When Mother Qiao left, she secretly wiped away tears—perhaps moved, perhaps for some other reason.

Qiao Xi didn’t go to the airport to see her off.

**

Can’t remember exactly when, but one morning, Qiao Xi sent Little Qiao An to kindergarten alone. Waiting for a red light on the way back, she inadvertently saw familiar figures not far away.

Meeting Zhao Shihuan and her wealthy wife again. This time the two didn’t bring the child out. The wealthy young lady was dressed more exquisitely and beautifully than last time. The only constant was that they were still in conflict.

The young lady pushed Zhao Shihuan angrily, saying something angrily, and even cried. Wiping tears while walking forward, she stumbled and almost fell. But Zhao Shihuan caught her quickly with sharp eyes and hands. She wouldn’t let Zhao Shihuan touch her, even kicking the other party once. But seemingly unbearable, she didn’t kick hard.

The young lady walked in front; Zhao Shihuan followed behind all the time.

Qiao Xi couldn’t continue watching. The green light turned on, and she drove away gradually.

Life has all kinds of forms; there are endings and beginnings.

Jiang City developed rapidly in recent years. The government’s planning back then was too powerful; foresight exchanged for today’s more prosperous situation, a level higher than before. Local development is often comprehensive, reflected not only in all walks of life but also in people’s livelihood. Everyone’s life was quite good.

On the weekend, Qiao Xi and Fu Bei invited a group of friends to play at the suburban villa, also calling Father Fu and the others, organizing a lively gathering. Tang Yi and the others definitely came too.

The villa was still the same, scenery beautiful, mountains layering in the distance.

Usually everyone was busy with work; gathering together wasn’t easy. Tang Yi kept teasing Little Qiao An, making her giggle. Qiao Xi watched from the side, going to help Fu Bei barbecue after a while.

Fu Bei grabbed a can of drink casually, pulling the ring open with one hand and handing it to her.

Qiao Xi took it, asking, “Roasting for so long; hot?”

Fu Bei shook her head. “Not hot.”

Qiao Xi drank a sip of the cold drink, then started helping. Zhuang Qiyang on the side saw it and teased deliberately, “Your relationship is getting better and better; stuck together like glue.”

Fu Bei just glanced at him.

Around dusk, the golden sun fell to the other side of the mountain, hanging obliquely in the sky. Afterglow sprinkled here, everything golden yellow. Qiao Xi handed Little Qiao An to Tang Yi to watch, going to the second floor with Fu Bei to watch the sunset scenery.

The mountain wind was gentle, blowing in gusts. Qiao Xi supported herself on the railing with both hands, looking down. Seeing the swimming pool, she suddenly remembered Fu Bei bringing her here alone years ago. Looking at the brilliant golden yellow in the distance, light reflecting in her eyes, she suddenly smiled.

Fu Bei asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Corners of Qiao Xi’s mouth still curved, replying, “Thought of something.”

“What thing?”

She didn’t say, only moving closer to the other party, leaning gently.

Fu Bei turned her head. After a long time, she covered Qiao Xi’s hand with hers, then leaned in. Qiao Xi didn’t move, only trembling her eyelashes when feeling the wet, hot breath at the corner of her lips. This kiss was simple, gone with a light touch.

Downstairs, Little Qiao An inadvertently glimpsed this scene, immediately covering her eyes with both hands shyly, amusing Tang Yi almost to laughter.

No one went up to disturb them; everyone stayed below.

The setting sun gradually moved lower, hiding bit by bit behind the other side of the mountain. The dazzling brilliant glow faded slowly until completely gone, the sky turning into a clear expanse.

“Fu Bei.” Qiao Xi called softly.

“Mmh.” The other party responded, turning her head to look over.

Qiao Xi grabbed her hand back tightly, clasping it with slight force.

The gentle mountain wind was still blowing. Mountains were sparse; a glance revealed boundlessness. The clear sky was gradually tainted by black. The thick night descended, devouring everything completely. The distance was pitch black.

The villa lights turned on suddenly, piercing the quiet darkness.

By tomorrow, it would be a new beginning.

Coveted for a Long Time – END