Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 91

Qiao Bo’er fiddled with the car’s audio system, and soon her favorite song, “So Long,” began to play.

Ling Xi held the steering wheel with one hand, the other resting on the back of Qiao Bo’er’s hand, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

The melody was still melancholic and lingering, the lyrics few, but this time they tugged at the heartstrings of both women.

“Till we say hello hello, It’s shimmer my love, It’s shimmer my love……”

To Qiao Bo’er’s surprise, Ling Xi could hum the lyrics without missing a single word. Qiao Bo’er turned back in astonishment: “How do you know that…”

The countdown timer for the red light at the intersection paused them.

Ling Xi took the opportunity to lean in and bestow a kiss: “I have a signed CD of this album, It’s Better to Move to the Ship Bottom Star. Do you really like it? I’ll give it to you.”

“Of course, I find it surprising. A song I love, sung by the person I love—the romance and surprise are doubled. It turns out happiness doesn’t require money or deliberate satisfaction.”

Qiao Bo’er’s sentiment was met with Ling Xi’s agreement. She was savoring the current tranquility.

Happiness erupted in the small space with an intense sense of comfort, slowly and persistently entering both their hearts on this autumnal afternoon.

“I sincerely invite Miss Qiao Bo’er to enjoy the fleeting romance of the universe with me, to witness the city’s clamor together, and to let our passion for each other never fade.”

Ling Xi extended her hand. Qiao Bo’er’s lips curled into a satisfied smile: “I’d be delighted…”

Driving into the villa garden, it looked different from the late-night visit before. Scaffolding was erected around the entire villa, and the garden was in disarray.

It seemed Qiao Bo’er intended to completely overhaul the entire house.

She led Ling Xi by the hand, navigating through the barriers toward the living room.

Ling Xi asked, puzzled, “Why the sudden renovation? Though I didn’t see the whole place clearly last time, wasn’t it quite new? No matter how much money you have, you shouldn’t just waste it.”

Hearing Ling Xi worry about the money, Qiao Bo’er was more certain than ever that her ‘bad guy’ was strapped for cash. She smiled and didn’t elaborate.

Ling Xi curiously surveyed the luxurious interior of the house, then recalled the area covered in the backyard. She wondered, “What exactly is under the tarp in the backyard?”

“It’s a secret…”

“Aha! Everything’s a little secret! You have too many secrets!” Ling Xi whined, trying to walk toward the backyard, but Qiao Bo’er stopped her: “No, it’s not time to reveal the secret yet.”

“Then why did you bring me here? To watch the construction? That’s a very unique kind of romance.”

Ling Xi teased with a strained smile. Qiao Bo’er wasn’t annoyed. She wrapped her arms around Ling Xi’s waist and explained softly, “In the future, this will be our home. Once we’re married and have a baby, and maybe a dog, the house will be lively…

When our friends come to visit, it won’t be too crowded. I brought you here to say that, while it’s still being renovated, why don’t we imagine what kind of interior design style you’d like?

After all, it’s our love nest, so of course, I want to hear your opinion…”

Ling Xi sat on the sofa, pulling Qiao Bo’er to sit on her lap. She embraced her waist and pondered for a moment: “Mmm… actually, the house doesn’t need to be too big. Like I said last time, a small house where I can immediately find you when I miss you, instead of playing hide-and-seek in a big house.

Otherwise, with countless rooms separating us, I’ll miss you, feel anxious, get worried, and be afraid.

I don’t need a big house, nor a luxurious car. As long as you are by my side, and I can see you all the time, I’ll be perfectly content.

I’m not a greedy careerist. All I want is your love—the more you can give me, the better. Money, well, enough is enough.”

Hearing Ling Xi’s heartfelt words, Qiao Bo’er’s eyes radiated gentle light. She caressed Ling Xi’s cheek and sighed with difficulty: “Ling Xi, life is fleeting, only a few decades. What should I do to make you happier? I want to give you all the beautiful things, but you make me feel poor—so poor that all I have is money.”

“Silly! All I want is to have you at sunset and for every meal. I want to talk lots and lots of silly nonsense with you. I want to argue with you, and then shamelessly try to coax and comfort you.

I have fears too, for example… I’m afraid you won’t be able to stand the future’s monotony, a life of slow and steady flow. But that’s what life is like—it eventually returns to peace. Are you willing to live a simple, clear-as-water life with me?”

“Of course, I am! I don’t want anyone else but you. I’ve worked so hard all this way, wasn’t it just to spend the rest of my life with you?”

Qiao Bo’er extended her beautiful, slender hand. Ling Xi understood the cue, pretending to rummage through her bag for a long time. She used her thumb to mimic the shape of a ring, slowly sliding it onto Qiao Bo’er’s ring finger: “Let’s get married.”

“No, you still haven’t successfully pursued me…”

“Tsk, the mood was all set, and you ruined it again! What a mood-killer!”

“I’m waiting for you. Waiting for you to give me an utterly stunning proposal. I’ve already given you the theme of time reversal, but you’re not showing any effort. What am I supposed to do?”

“Just you wait. I will give you an utterly stunning time reversal someday!”

“Oh, so confident?”

“Who told Miss Qiao Bo’er to have such good taste, reserving my life twenty years ago? Naturally, I won’t let down your expectations.”

“Ling Xi, you are so good!”

“My Bo’er is better than me…”

The crisp, clear autumn days always bring a sense of forgotten melancholy, especially during the slanting sunlight of the afternoon.

“That’s all for today’s class. The research report on Jinwen (bronze inscriptions) and seal carving is due next week. Students who fail to submit their assignments on time will directly impact their final semester credits, so don’t be lazy.”

Ling Xi stood by the podium assigning homework. Although she looked relaxed and at ease, her words elicited groans from the students.

She smiled and turned to her desk to tidy up her textbooks and lesson plans. A dazzling figure at the door caught the students’ attention.

“The beautiful mixed-race woman is here to pick up Vice Professor Ling again.”

“What exactly is their relationship?”

“Ship them! Everyone, ship this CP!”

Hearing the students’ chattering gossip, Ling Xi followed their gaze to the doorway.

Qiao Bo’er’s tall figure leaned against the hallway. She wore a stylish wide-brimmed hat and vintage sunglasses, which made her already high-fashion face appear even colder and more striking.

Their eyes met. Even through the sunglasses, the gaze was thick with affection.

Ling Xi’s lips couldn’t help but curve into a mischievous smile. She sighed softly: “It seems the homework I assigned you all was too little.”

Hearing the ‘smiling tiger’ professor’s threat, the students vanished in the blink of an eye.

Once the classroom was empty of students, Qiao Bo’er slowly walked in.

Sitting in a chair, she took off her sunglasses, her eyes full of undisguised admiration: “Professor Ling, how about I come back next semester as your visiting student? I suddenly really want to listen to your lectures…”

Ling Xi, holding her textbooks, walked up to her. Leaning across the desk, she kissed Qiao Bo’er’s brow, then immediately refused: “Don’t! If you were here, would I still have the mind to teach?”

“But you look so charming while teaching. I suspect you have more than just Yao Miao as a little fan…”

“I definitely have more than one…” Ling Xi intentionally teased Qiao Bo’er, but before she could get upset, she quickly added: “Counting you, that makes two fans…”

“Ling Xixi!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore… Why did you suddenly decide to come to the university?”

“Jia Tai Group is providing a free sponsorship for the renovation of the sports field at Xuan University, and the project is nearing completion. Your big boss invited me over for a visit. After discussing business, I just stopped by to pick you up from work.”

Seeing Qiao Bo’er in her role as a generous big boss, Ling Xi gave a thumbs up: “I still remember how Miss Qiao, the Sugar Daddy, was coercing and tempting me in the corridor.”

“What, are you starting to hold a grudge now?” Qiao Bo’er said with a smile, linking her arm through Ling Xi’s.

The two walked out of the classroom intimately, openly accepting the students’ gossipy glances.

Strolling along the tree-lined avenue, the wind rustled, dropping a golden shower of plane tree leaves.

Ling Xi stood in front of Qiao Bo’er and adjusted the scarf around her neck: “It’s still early. How about we stroll around campus?”

“Since Vice Professor Ling has phrased the date so elegantly, I’ll reluctantly agree…”

Reaching the central fountain on campus, a feeling of being in a different era washed over them. Ling Xi laced her fingers with Qiao Bo’er’s and walked toward the ivy-covered corridor.

Finding a spot to sit, Ling Xi took out a Bluetooth earphone and put it in Qiao Bo’er’s ear: “Listen to some music. Just sitting here for a while feels really nice.”

“Ling Xi.”

Ling Xi was about to open the music app. Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s soft call, Ling Xi playfully stretched her neck and made a silly face at her: “What can I do for you, Miss Qiao, the Sugar Daddy?”

Qiao Bo’er looked distressed but still disclosed her plan to return to Fiesole: “Tomorrow… Chu Xi, Qu Ye, and I have to go back to Fiesole. What should I do? I don’t want to be separated from you.”

Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s sudden departure, Ling Xi was stunned. But she quickly and understandingly offered comfort: “There’s no help for it, it’s work. You have to go sooner or later.”

“But this business trip might take a while. What if I miss you?”

“Will you be gone for a long time?”

“At least a month. It’s going to be so hard. I wish I were Doraemon. I’d shrink you down and put you in my bag, taking you everywhere I go…”

What a lovely Qiao Bo’er. Ling Xi played with her fingers and chuckled: “Then I wish I were Doraemon. I’d use the Anywhere Door to secretly bring you back…”

“But you still haven’t told me what to do when I miss you?”

“Let’s write letters. ‘Paper is short, love is long.’ Turning sweet words into text is a very romantic thing.”

“Will you write me love letters using Zhongshan Seal Script?” Qiao Bo’er asked curiously. Ling Xi was ten thousand times willing: “Of course, I can. I’m just afraid my student, Qiao, won’t recognize all the characters.”

“Then one letter every day, no skipping!”

“As you command! I promise the sweet talk won’t repeat during the day, and I’ll sneak into your dreams at night. A 24-hour magical attack, making you feel like I’m by your side at all times.”

“Naughty…” Qiao Bo’er playfully chastised her in a whisper, reluctantly rubbing Ling Xi’s ear.

After a short moment of tenderness, Ling Xi checked the time and invited: “Let’s go home. I’ll help you pack your luggage. From now on, we can’t be apart. We’ll be cheesy until the very last second—not a moment to waste!”

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