Chapter 9
“Just making conversation. She’s one of the favored few; how could she have anything to do with us?”
Direct appointments weren’t rare nowadays, but becoming a professor at twenty-seven was definitely exceptional. Across the country, anyone sitting in such a position at such a young age was undoubtedly elite talent, someone who had made significant academic contributions and was a key target for national cultivation. Their starting point was a finish line ordinary people couldn’t reach in a lifetime of effort.
Fu Bei had only been employed for two days and hadn’t even officially started teaching, yet the forums of Jiang University and several neighboring universities were already blowing up. Whatever information could be found had been dug up completely. Jiang University even trended slightly online because of this, serving as a wave of publicity for this year’s admissions. Fu Bei had a background in mathematics, and returning to her alma mater to teach in the same field had students buzzing. Although the school hadn’t released specific arrangements yet, the students were already unable to contain themselves, excitedly preparing to attend her classes just to catch a glimpse of her.
Tang Yi wasn’t clear about the entanglement between Qiao Xi and Fu Bei. Over the years, she had never heard Qiao Xi mention these things. She was actually quite curious about Fu Bei, hence the chattering.
“If you’re so envious, then work harder and strive to become a lecturer in the future,” Qiao Xi interrupted.
Teaching Assistant and Lecturer were professional titles. Above them were Associate Professor and Professor. A Professor could apply to become a Doctoral Supervisor, but that wasn’t a title in itself. The level above that was Academician, the highest academic title representing lifelong honor. As the lowest rank, Teaching Assistants generally weren’t qualified to give lectures and could only do auxiliary teaching work. They were still far from being Lecturers.
Tang Yi smiled and took a sip of cold water. “Whether I can stay is a problem in itself. Even if I stay, moving up a level is as hard as ascending to heaven. Maybe I’ll have to switch to administration later.”
To put it bluntly, without sufficient academic qualifications and achievements, the education industry was tough to navigate.
Qiao Xi understood this. She picked up a piece of sushi for her with her chopsticks, steering away from the depressing topic for now.
After dinner, they strolled through a nearby mall, buying whatever caught their eye. Qiao Xi bought Tang Yi a formal outfit, essentially returning the favor for the meal just now. There was really no need for such politeness between her and Tang Yi, but thinking that Tang Yi hadn’t truly started working yet and was strapped for cash—likely not even having decent clothes for her upcoming project—she took the opportunity to gift her a set.
Tang Yi accepted happily, carefree as always.
Both were beautiful, drawing many eyes as they walked through the mall.
Across from the second floor of the mall, Fu Bei stood quietly behind a glass window, looking at the other side. She was originally accompanying Mother Fu shopping, not expecting to see Qiao Xi.
When they were together, Qiao Xi was prickly all over. Even during intimacy, she was guarded, refusing to let go of her grudges. On the surface, she was docile, but she spoke the harshest words. Like a bright red rose, she seduced you, but if you reached out to pick her, you were bound to be pricked until you bled.
Now with her friend, she appeared very approachable, even smiling occasionally.
Her bright red long dress, fine waist, and beautiful face were captivating.
Mother Fu, Liang Yuzhi, had taken a fancy to a new bag and planned to ask for Fu Bei’s opinion. Turning back, she saw her daughter staring straight outside. Qiao Xi and Tang Yi had long walked away, so Liang Yuzhi didn’t know what she was looking at. She tugged at Fu Bei’s arm and said dissatisfiedly, “You finally came back, yet you’re distracted all evening while shopping with me. You’re really ‘sincere’.”
Fu Bei didn’t explain. She handed the new bag to the salesguide and said, “I’ll pay for you.”
Liang Yuzhi smiled with gratification, not saying anything more.
Leaving the shop, Liang Yuzhi asked, “How are things at the school?”
Fu Bei’s expression remained normal. “Fairly smooth. No major problems.”
“The workplace isn’t like when you were studying. Keep your wits about you and be smart. Stabilize your position first; ignore other things for now.”
“I know.”
Liang Yuzhi chuckled. “That’s the good thing about you; you never make us worry.”
Fu Bei didn’t reply. They weren’t intimate like a typical mother and daughter; they didn’t link arms while walking, and even maintained a certain distance, as if something separated them. There was none of the warmth expected between family members.
Seeming to think of something, Liang Yuzhi suddenly asked, “Have you seen Qiao Xi?”
Fu Bei replied indifferently, “Saw her at the banquet.”
She mentioned absolutely nothing about private matters, let alone the fact that they had already been intimate. Her tone revealed a cold detachment, implying unfamiliarity.
Liang Yuzhi walked a distance with her bag and added, “She often visits the old lady. I’ve run into her a few times, and she even treated me to a meal once. That girl has had a good heart since childhood; she’s quite nice.”
Fu Bei’s expression didn’t change. “So you went?”
“No,” Liang Yuzhi said, her expression instantly becoming more restrained. Glancing at her daughter out of the corner of her eye, she continued, “I had a meeting that afternoon. Didn’t have time.”
After a long while, Fu Bei responded, “Mmh.”
Her tone was extremely cold, revealing a trace of impatience, perfunctory and annoyed. However, this emotion was hidden deep, and Liang Yuzhi didn’t pick up on it. Liang Yuzhi was very pleased with her new bag and was clearly in a good mood. Walking to the elevator, she asked deliberately, “After you went abroad, did Qiao Xi contact you again?”
Many people were waiting at the elevator entrance in groups of two or three. Some looked down at their phones; others chatted. Fu Bei’s expression was wooden. Only after the elevator doors opened and they entered did she reply lukewarmly, “Couldn’t be reached.”
Not “yes” or “no.” Four simple words, yet the meaning was entirely different.
After going abroad, she was the one who could never reach Qiao Xi again.
Liang Yuzhi was stunned and instantly fell silent.
**
The bustling Qijing Street was brightly lit and dazzling as soon as night fell. The shops on both sides of the street were all open, only the residential area was less crowded and quieter.
The purely black Maybach was parked downstairs for most of the night, but the light in the north-facing room on the twelfth floor never turned on. The room remained dark. In the usual parking spot, the red Jeep was missing.
Qiao Xi was nowhere to be seen even in the early hours of the morning; she hadn’t returned all night.
She had gone to Tang Yi’s place and stayed there for the night.
In the driver’s seat of the Maybach, the window was down. Fu Bei sat inside. The night outside was pitch-black like ink, with dazzling lights of various colors in the distance. The cigarette between her fingers was slender, its ember flickering uncertainly, burning down bit by bit. She carried a faint weariness, her deep black eyes holding emotions that were hard to define.
Looking away to elsewhere, there was nothing but the night, again and again.
The location of the apartment was truly well-chosen. In the distance was the bustling street of feasting and revelry, lively all night long, yet here it was quiet and deserted, far from the disturbances.
Fu Bei leaned back against the seat somewhat wearily. Her long index finger tapped the cigarette, shaking off the ash. She closed her eyes in exhaustion, suddenly recalling the scene from the previous night.
Qiao Xi had leaned in her embrace, fine sweat glistening on her smooth, fair neck and collarbone—wanton and flamboyant. Sometimes she would curve the corners of her lips, but the smile never reached her eyes, always maintaining a sense of alienation. Fu Bei looked at her, and when Qiao Xi got annoyed by the staring, she covered Fu Bei’s eyes with one hand, her red lips parting slightly: “Don’t look. I don’t like it.”
Occasionally, Qiao Xi would stiffen her back, tilting her neck slightly, hugging her tightly, and would even rest obediently on her body to rest.
But such moments were few, exceedingly rare.
Qiao Xi was unwilling to have more contact, stopping just there.
Extinguishing the cigarette, Fu Bei opened her eyes to look into the distance of the residential complex. The winding path stretched far into the thick night. The night wind blew gently, and the dim streetlights cast only weak illumination.
After 1:00 AM, the Maybach drove out of the complex, disappearing into the stream of traffic on the still brightly lit street.
**
The new shop was quiet for about a week. After enduring the most frustrating days, it welcomed its first real customer on Monday. The negotiation was very pleasant; all matters were finalized within an hour. Qiao Xi was very responsible. She chatted with the customer for more than half an hour first to confirm that he could get a tattoo and to gauge his intent before signing the contract and collecting a deposit of five hundred.
Tattoos weren’t cheap, generally charged by the hour, sometimes by the size of the design. The preliminary composition and preparation also required a lot of effort. Collecting a deposit was to prevent the customer from breaking the contract and wasting the preliminary work.
To celebrate, she was treating Tang Yi to dinner tonight.
Tang Yi had to attend an exchange meeting in the afternoon to help out with odd jobs and show her face. She said on the phone, “If you’re free, come pick me up. I’m at the first floor of the Jiang University Academic Hall. I might not finish until around nine o’clock, so just come a bit later.”
Going to Jiang University… Qiao Xi hesitated for a moment but agreed: “I’ll wait outside at eight-thirty.”
Tang Yi chuckled, repeatedly praising her loyalty. Tang Yi didn’t have a car, so getting around outside the campus was a hassle. Having someone pick her up was definitely much more convenient.
Staying in the shop until 7:30, Qiao Xi leisurely drove to Jiang City University.
She was already very familiar with this place, having visited many times before. The Academic Hall was right next to the library, closest to the back gate of the school. The security guards at the back gate had long since changed; the two uncles from before used to know her. After paying the parking fee, she drove slowly toward the Academic Hall. The exchange meeting hadn’t ended yet; the hall was packed with people, so she waited outside.
Every floor of the library next door was brightly lit, with students coming in and out from time to time. To the left was a grove of plane trees with stone tables and stools. Although the streetlights were dim, there were still many students whispering recitations or practicing foreign languages and discussing topics.
The sky had turned completely dark. Tonight, the stars and moon were boundless, the sky densely packed with bright spots, ethereal and silent.
Qiao Xi sat in the car playing with her phone for a while, then got out to walk around casually.
University exchange meetings were overly formalized, the content always the same few things. Leaders pontificated on stage; once they started talking, they couldn’t stop, speaking for ages without getting to any main point—all pleasant-sounding empty words. Fu Bei used the excuse of getting some fresh air to step out. Just as she walked out the back door and looked up, she saw a familiar figure standing under the streetlights in the plane tree grove.
Qiao Xi couldn’t stand still, pacing back and forth.
She used to be like this when she came to Jiang University to find Fu Bei, pacing restlessly for ages. Knowing perfectly well that Fu Bei still had classes, she insisted on waiting outside, sometimes for half a day.
Fu Bei didn’t go over. Hidden in the shadows, she watched that side, her eyes dark and heavy, her expression obscure and distant.
