Chapter 90 : Good Taste

As autumn arrived, the weather gradually cooled down, but the trees remained lush and green. Liang Qingqing had been dealing with the village chief and the team leader in the living room, answering their questions about the fight. She had almost worn a smile off her face before finally seeing them off.

Once they disappeared through the gate, Liang Qingqing dropped her smile and glared at Yanxing and Chu Qi, who sat on opposite sides, each sulking and refusing to acknowledge the other. When she glared at them, they both instinctively touched their noses to hide their embarrassment.

“It would have been fine if we had just settled things with words. There was no need for physical fighting,” Ma Xiuzhi said, pouring a cup of water and trying to smooth things over with a smile. “It’s not good to hurt feelings.”

“Auntie is right,” Yanxing agreed, nodding. Whether he took the advice to heart was another matter entirely.

Chu Qi snorted inwardly, feeling that revenge for the stolen fiancée was not something to be settled with mere peace. Even though he and Liang Qingqing had no future together, he couldn’t just let Yanxing get away with feeling triumphant. He forced a smile and said to Ma Xiuzhi, “Auntie, you’re absolutely right. I will certainly avoid getting into fights in the future.”

“By the way, after we parted ways at the hospital, I’ve been thinking about how Qingqing likes sweet and sour ribs. I happened to pass by the state-owned restaurant and specially packed a portion for her.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuzhi’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected Chu Qi to be so considerate towards her daughter, bringing a special gift of sweet and sour ribs.

Could this be Liang Qingqing’s romantic entanglement? It wasn’t surprising at all that they fought.

Thinking of this, Ma Xiuzhi glanced instinctively towards Liang Qingqing, who shook her head in silence. Liang Qingqing was feeling both pained and speechless. She knew Chu Qi had feelings for her, but she hadn’t expected them to last this long.

This was not a good thing. She really didn’t want to be involved in a melodramatic scenario where good friends compete over a woman!

“But since you’re so kind and brought all this, I also brought some egg cakes and other treats. I hope you like them,” Chu Qi said, handing over the items.

Every word Chu Qi spoke made Yanxing’s expression darker, and the more displeased Yanxing looked, the happier Chu Qi seemed, creating a sharp contrast between them.

“Why the formality? It’s enough that you came. There’s no need to bring anything,” Liang Qingqing said with a forced smile, waving her hand. She felt as if Chu Qi’s offerings were a hot potato whether to accept them or not was a dilemma.

As she finished speaking, Chu Qi shyly bit his lip and said, “Miss Qingqing is right, I shouldn’t have been so polite.”

His words added a hint of ambiguity to the situation, and Liang Qingqing found it increasingly difficult to smile.

This man didn’t just like her, he seemed to hold a grudge against her!

No, his behavior seemed deliberately aimed at irritating Yanxing even more.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was. Since Chu Qi showed no respect for her, she didn’t need to show him any courtesy. She coldly huffed and said, “I’ve thought about it, and since we’re not very familiar with each other, let’s continue to keep our distance in the future.”

After saying that, she took Ma Xiuzhi’s arm and headed outside, saying, “You two brothers have a good talk. We’ll not disturb you any longer.”

“Miss Qingqing, I…” Chu Qi’s face went pale for a moment. Realizing she must have figured something out, he pressed his lips together, about to follow her, but was stopped by someone blocking his path.

Yanxing stared at Chu Qi, his jawline taut and his eyes glinting with coldness. Anyone familiar with him would know that his mood was at its worst.

“Do you still have the nerve to give me attitude? You’re using underhanded tactics against a brother and can’t even face fair competition?” Chu Qi was equally upset, his pent-up anger exploding, but he kept his voice low, mindful of being in someone else’s home.

“It’s precisely because we’re brothers that I don’t want to engage in this so-called competition with you,” Yanxing replied, also lowering his voice. He turned around, sat down on a chair, took a large gulp of water, and then looked up with a neutral tone, “She can only be your sister-in-law.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Qi looked at Yanxing in surprise. Understanding the implied meaning behind his words, his anger subsided somewhat. Indeed, if it came to competing, they could no longer be considered brothers. But even so, Yanxing’s decision without consulting him first was utterly shameless.

“Pah! I’d say she can only be your sister-in-law too!”

Yanxing’s eyes darkened instantly. “The old lady from your family has been to the hospital several times this year. If you really don’t want to go back, that transfer order can be rescinded.”

“I wasn’t aware of this,” Chu Qi’s face turned pale. Forgetting the argument with Yanxing, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked urgently, “Is it something serious?”

“The old lady is getting on in years, and minor ailments are frequent, but don’t worry, it’s not anything major,” Yanxing said truthfully. “I didn’t tell you to avoid causing you worry. Don’t you understand the principle that distant water can’t put out a nearby fire?”

The atmosphere fell into silence. After a long pause, Chu Qi broke the silence, “When’s the wedding?”

“The earliest will be before the end of the year.”

The house needs to settle for a while before moving in. Additionally, Qingqing will be starting a new job in the provincial capital, so she won’t be free for the next month or two. Yanxing also has matters to handle and needs to catch up with Qingqing, so considering everything, the end of the year is the most suitable time.

“I won’t be able to attend your wedding. The next time you bring sister-in-law to the capital, I’ll host a meal for you,” Chu Qi said, looking at Yanxing with a complex expression before sighing slowly.

In any case, he would have to return to the capital eventually, and Yanxing’s actions had merely expedited the process. Furthermore, with the old lady’s health condition, Chu Qi was now eager to return, and he had to thank Yanxing for “interfering,” which allowed him to visit her sooner.

By mentioning the “wedding wine” and “sister-in-law,” Chu Qi attempted to smooth over the tension between them.

Yanxing raised his cup, and Chu Qi did the same. Their glasses clinked with a crisp sound, and after drinking, they were considered to have reconciled.

However, Chu Qi had overestimated Yanxing’s sensitivity. Before he could even put down his cup, he heard a soft, lingering remark, “Find a sister-in-law soon. Don’t keep thinking about someone you shouldn’t.”

“…”

“By the way, I’ll make sure to finish that sweet and sour ribs for your sister-in-law. It was kind of you to take the trouble to bring them.”

The emphasis on “take the trouble” and the half-smiling expression conveyed an unspeakable chill.

Seeing this, Chu Qi suddenly regretted letting Yanxing get away with his plan so easily.

The military district stipulated that one had to stay overnight outside, so Chu Qi had to leave without even having time to eat. Before leaving, he specifically found Liang Qingqing to apologize for what had just happened, and wished them a happy marriage.

Never hit a smiling person. Although I don’t know how Fan Yanxing and Chu Qi shook hands and made peace, Chu Qi has taken the initiative now. Chu Qi has a strong background and a bright future. Let’s just treat it as a good relationship for the future.

After seeing Chu Qi off, Liang Qingqing went to find Yanxing to ask about the reason for their fight. At first, Yanxing was hesitant and unwilling to reveal the truth. It wasn’t until she pretended to be angry that he finally confessed everything.

Liang Qingqing was utterly speechless and once again profoundly realized Yanxing’s ability to be jealous. Not only did his jealousy show on his face, but he also resorted to underhanded tactics behind the scenes!

“At that time, your attitude was unclear, and I was scared, so I…” Yanxing lowered his eyes, his long lashes trembling, making him appear deeply unsettled. Despite being a tall man over six feet, he now stood before her like a well-behaved puppy, looking pitiful and particularly endearing.

Liang Qingqing was most susceptible to this kind of charm. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but reach out and pat his lower back, comforting him, “I didn’t say anything. Chu Qi doesn’t mind, so why should I?”

Yanxing took a step forward, pulling her into his arms. From her viewpoint, he slowly curled the corners of his lips into a smile, then quickly restrained himself. He slightly pulled back to look directly at her.

“Let’s get married by the end of the year, okay?”

“Okay.”

Almost as soon as she responded, her lips were kissed. His breathing was particularly heavy. Before she could react, her chin was pinched by a warm big hand, and then the kiss was deepened.

Her head gradually felt dizzy and she leaned against the table. Her hands weakly clung to his thin waist, her slender fingertips grasping the thin fabric, trying to find a suitable support point.

Her lips were soft and sweet, and his tongue easily navigated past her teeth to find hers. His long arm reached out, grabbing a towel from the wooden rack. He meticulously dried his fingers and then lifted the hem of her clothes, sliding his hand inside.

The waves of unfamiliar yet familiar sensations gradually overwhelmed her senses. Having not experienced such intimacy in a long time, Liang Qingqing couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. Before she could make another sound, he silenced her with a kiss, and the room fell into silence.

In the midst of their intensity, he knew exactly how to balance the pressure, alternating between gentle and intense. It wasn’t long before she was overwhelmed, her eyes glistening with tears, creating a scene of ambiguous allure.

Just like his clean white fingertips not long after.

Liang Qingqing blinked her teary eyes, unable to look directly. She buried her head in his chest, breathing deeply to calm the flush on her face. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She bit her lip and whispered seductively in his ear, “How about before I go to the provincial city, we…”

Even just his fingers had been so enjoyable, what if it were something else…

Her gaze subtly shifted to the already prominent area, and her hand, still holding his earlobe, tightened slightly.

Liang Qingqing’s unspoken intentions were clear to Fan Yanxing. His breath, which had slightly eased, grew heavier again. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed twice, and the veins on his neck added to the irresistible allure, making it hard for her to look away.

He captured her hand, which had been playing with his earlobe, and gently rubbed it in his palm, then said with a light laugh, “Let’s save it for the wedding night.”

She visibly showed her disappointment.

Seeing this, Fan Yanxing, not in the best of moods, gave her a playful swat on the rear. Being so close to where they had just been intimate made her shiver, and she leaned closer to him, tilting her head up and scolding, “Fan Yanxing, are you doing this on purpose?”

“Be good, just get used to it first. Otherwise, I’m afraid you might not handle it well.”