0006 006 The wind sways, the flowers sway, the trees sway
During the hour-long drive, Qi Shuyao dozed off on his lap for what seemed like an eternity. When she opened her eyes again, Han Ma and the housekeeper were figuring out how to carry them out. She immediately jumped up, broke free from his hot hands, and almost hit her head in the process. She scrambled out, ripped off the annoying big bow and threw it aside, and took a deep breath of fresh air.
The driver also got out of the car and together with the others tried to lift Qi Yu out. They had never seen the gentleman drunk before, and he was so uncooperative after drinking. Just as they were about to use brute force, he suddenly opened his eyes and waved towards Qi Shuyao.
So the housekeeper quickly beckoned her over.
"Miss, come quickly and help hold Daddy's hand. It's getting late, he should go upstairs and rest."
When that little hand finally grasped his palm, Qi Yu opened his eyes and got out of the car with only the driver's help. He held his daughter's hand tightly and half-pulled her upstairs. After circling around the stairwell, they actually headed towards the study.
"Go to sleep. You can't work if you're not fully awake."
Qi Shuyao pulled hard on his arm, but was still dragged into the study. The sofa inside was piled with documents, so she could only help him sit in the chair. The study was pitch black, and she couldn't find the light switch while being dragged around. She could only lean against the table, feeling too tired to lift her head.
After a while, someone finally brought up the hangover soup, but went straight to Qi Yu's bedroom, which was also pitch black. She could vaguely hear Liu Ma calling for the master and mistress.
"Aunt Liu, this is the study."
She called out towards the door, and a maid heard her and quickly ran over to turn on the light. She saw that the moment the light came on, the master and mistress simultaneously raised their free hands to shield each other's eyes. Liu Ma's footsteps sounded behind them, and she also stepped aside.
Qi Shuyao pushed away the large hand in front of her and moved aside to make room for her, but the bowl of medicine was handed directly to her eyes.
"Miss, please feed the gentleman. I still have bone broth simmering in the pot; he can't be left unattended."
“Hey, Aunt Liu…”
She watched Liu Ma's retreating figure as she ran to check on the fire. The little girl who had come to turn on the lights earlier was nowhere to be seen. Qi Shuyao forcefully shook her tightly clenched left hand, then helplessly leaned over and brought the medicine to Qi Yu's lips.
She had no idea what the hangover soup was made of, and the bowl in her hand smelled of Chinese medicine, so it couldn't possibly taste good. She waited for Qi Yu to open his mouth and then poured it all down his throat, waiting for him to slowly sober up.
The rain in Yangcheng felt much heavier than in Jingyang, and the sweltering air cooled down instantly. After turning off the air conditioner, Qi Shuyao pushed open the small window behind the man. The smell of rain mixed with the grass and earth drifted in, along with the quiet sound of the summer night wind. Finally, the noisy voices of the men in Qi Yu's mind were pushed out. He opened his bloodshot eyes, and his tightly clenched hands relaxed a lot.
Qi Shuyao finally freed her hand. She picked up a hardboard folder and fanned it vigorously near Qi Yu's head a few times to help him wake up faster.
As she got closer, she noticed that the blush on his face had somehow spread to his neck and even into his collar. It was sticky with sweat and felt very uncomfortable. The girl stared blankly at that patch of skin when suddenly a large hand reached up. The skin on his neck made it look even whiter. Long, slender fingers tore open the already crumpled tie and threw it on the ground. Two or three buttons on his collar were also undone, revealing a large area of skin.
Qi Yu is a person who pays great attention to his image. He has many servants at home and is always dressed neatly. The last time Qi Shuyao saw him with so much skin exposed was many years ago when he was giving her a bath.
He must have already noticed that she was staring at him. Qi Shuyao lowered her head and shuffled out from behind the table, lifting her skirt that was hanging on the ground as she tried to run away.
Where to?
His voice was fully awake, carrying an irresistible pressure that made Qi Shuyao stop in her tracks, straightening her back without turning around.
"Go back to the house."
“Sit down. You used to love playing in my study.”
The conversation was strange; it didn't sound like a father and daughter, but rather like former lovers unexpectedly reuniting.
"That was before," she muttered softly again.
"Sit down first, and stay with me for a while longer." His voice suddenly softened, but he straightened up and picked up the documents beside him.
"Stop watching and go to bed early."
She finally let down her skirt and turned around. She hadn't run more than two steps before, and now she was standing right under the ceiling, next to the other side of the table, with one hand resting on the edge of the table.
Qi Yu stared at that hand for a long time. There were still red marks on the skin from when he had clenched it tightly. It was obvious that he had made those marks.
But the marks he left on her went far beyond these, from the inside out, from her life to her studies, to her eating, drinking and having fun.
He suddenly grabbed her small hand and forcefully pulled her towards him without saying a word. Qi Shuyao's eyes widened, but she obediently walked over. Perhaps she had been wearing high heels for too long, because as soon as the girl staggered to his side, her ankle twisted and she fell down.
Qi Yu seemed to have anticipated this, and he raised his other arm to catch her body, holding her firmly in his arms and placing her on his lap.
Her slender waist clung to his shirt, the large bow at the waist of her skirt had been torn off, and the thin fabric clung tightly to her sensitive waist skin. The openwork design allowed his fingers to touch her skin, which felt smooth and slightly cool in contrast to his burning fingertips. His shirt fabric was also thin, and when she pressed it down, the shape of his muscles was clearly outlined, clinging tightly to her soft flesh, with even the veins under his skin throbbing excitedly.
They had embraced like this countless times. The little girl, like a little dumpling, would snuggle into the man's arms and wouldn't come out. Whether he was working, resting, or cooking, he held her year after year. Then, on some very ordinary day, his daughter suddenly became distant from him, like two strangers.
He hadn't held her in a long time. The little girl's whole body was still soft, but it didn't feel the same as when she was little. Especially around her waist and abdomen, all he could feel were the obvious ribs. Her once round little belly had long since shrunk and was now flat.
So it turns out he hasn't touched her in so long?
A familiar yet unfamiliar large hand groped around her waist, a spot that was always ticklish for Qi Shuyao. She wanted to pull away in discomfort, but dared not twist her body too much. Her cheeks flushed red, but she raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
"My Yaoyao has grown up..."
"dad……"
Qi Shuyao's seemingly deliberate reminder of his status did not extinguish the man's passion. Before speaking, he raised the arm that was supporting her, lifting her upper body. Her V-neck halter-neck dress also revealed a large expanse of her chest. Qi Yu stared at the tense little face on that fair skin, and suddenly smiled.
"Why are you so distant with Dad? Have you forgotten that you always said you only liked Dad and only loved Dad when you were little? Now you avoid Dad when you see him."
Was it premeditated, or just a drunken outburst? Was he truly sober? Would he remember after tonight? It seemed no one cared anymore. Qi Shuyao tightened her arms around his neck, hugging him even tighter in response, burying her head in his chest. She could hear muffled, aggrieved sounds coming from above her head.
"Yaoyao has grown up and is no longer close to me. She doesn't come over to hug me anymore."
"Why aren't you hugging me?"
The father and daughter were both aggrieved, hugging each other and accusing one another. Qi Yu brushed aside the hair that was draped over her back, and placed his hot palm directly on her back, pressing her into his arms. Qi Shuyao raised her head and rested her chin on his neck. This time, her lips pressed firmly against his skin, leaving a clear lip print.
The skin that was touched by his kiss suddenly felt like it was on fire. He looked down and saw the girl in his arms pressed intimately against him, her eyes sparkling brightly, with water droplets clinging to her eyelashes. Ignoring the makeup still on her face and eyes, he kissed those beautiful big eyes directly.
It tasted salty, and a little sour, sticking to his lips. The more he kissed, the more droplets appeared, until his entire chin was covered in it.
"Don't cry, Yao Yao, don't cry."
"You didn't even hug me, you ignored me, and you even had everyone around me telling me that when you grow up you should stay away from your dad..."
Qi Shuyao cried harder and harder, tears streaming down her face. She trembled all over, but clenched her little fists and pounded on Qi Yu's shoulders. The blows made a dull thud on his broad chest, but the person being hit was still laughing happily.
He pulled her little head out of his arms, looked at her tear-streaked face, and no words could describe his satisfaction. He unconsciously leaned his head towards her, stopped directly opposite her, and then tilted his head to kiss her cheek.
Her little face was chubby and soft, and smelled sweet. Once you touched it, you didn't want to let go. Qi Yu put that soft piece of flesh in his mouth and deliberately bit it hard to attract her attention.
"My baby's face is still so soft and cute. Please don't let him/her go on a diet anymore."
"No, I haven't lost weight."
"Yes, our Yao Yao was born a fairy."
The little girl's face flushed red instantly. She sniffed, buried her face in his arms, and pretended to be dead.
The countless holes in Qi Yu's heart were finally filled. He hugged his darling in his arms, pulled her legs up and hid them in his embrace, and kissed the skin on the side of her neck. He couldn't stop smiling.
“You can come to see Dad whenever you want from now on. You can go anywhere in the house as you please. Why are you being so reserved now?”
"Okay, I understand."
Qi Shuyao, nestled in his arms, secretly opened her eyes and looked out the window over his shoulder. The night was already very deep, with only an irregular moon hanging in the sky. The only sound was the wind, blowing through the unseen, silent courtyard. The leaves were swaying, the flowers were beckoning, and her heart was trembling.
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