hot fire

two

Afterwards, the days were as usual, when the cold snap came, it became colder; when the cold snap went away, it was rare to get warm again.

The happiness of winter is that when the cold is unbearable, someone can hug him for warmth; on sunny days, someone can lazily read a book and bask in the sun together.

In a blink of an eye, half of December is over.

"What are you going to do on vacation tomorrow?" Xi asked Qi while getting into the quilt.

"I don't know, we'll talk about tomorrow, but there seems to be something left to do now..." Qi leaned forward, biting Xi's neck lightly.

"Bad cat." Xi complained softly.

Qi always knows what Xi wants and likes, and easily takes away Xi's reason in an instant, and Xi also likes the stimulation that Qi causes in her body.Xi knows that she can be herself in front of Qi without any pretense, and her desire does not need to be concealed, without words, and tacit understanding guides it to flow between the bodies.

Xi's phone rang at this moment.

"Don't worry about it." Xi's movements didn't stop.

"Pick it up, the person who will call at this time is not an ordinary person." Qi stopped and urged Xi to answer the phone.

Reluctantly, Xi got up, grabbed the robe beside the bed and put it on, picked up the mobile phone on the table, opened the door and left the room.

Qi didn't know why she did that, Xi didn't care anymore, why did she push Xi away from her?

Is it a form of protest?Qi asked himself.

Will Xi know about her protest again?Qi suddenly felt that he was so stupid, like a wayward child, but he didn't know what he was being wayward.

Qi looked at Xi who was talking on the phone on the balcony. From the back, Xi seemed to be trembling slightly with excitement.She walked out of the house tremblingly, and hugged her gently from behind Xi, Xi did not resist, but leaned on Qi relaxedly.

Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why are you so persistent? My appearance is just to embarrass him..." Xi said to the person on the other end of the phone.

"I'vetoldyoubefore, and still, Ihave three daystodecide. (I said it before, and I still have three days.)" Then Xi said again.

After a few seconds, Xi hung up the phone.

"Are you okay?" Qi could still feel Xi's trembling.

"Hold me." Xi turned around, closed her eyes and leaned against Qi.

Qi hugged her tightly until Xi's emotions calmed down.

"It's so cold." Xi looked at Qi and squeezed out a forced smile.

"Go into the house." Qi pulled Xi back into the house.

The two entered the bed together, but neither of them continued the previous "activity".

Just snuggle tightly and feel each other's warmth.

"Little cat," Xi said after a while of silence, "Can you accompany me to England during Chinese New Year?" Xi looked at Qi and asked.

For the first time, Qi felt that Xi was asking her for help.

"Okay." Qi nodded and agreed without asking further questions.

"The person who just called is my second brother." Xi continued.

This is the first time Xi has mentioned her family.But the tone revealed pain.

Qi held Xi's hand, waiting for her to continue.

"Actually, I am British. A British who was expelled from the family was regarded as a shame to the family, so I stayed in Taiwan." Xi said, her voice was flat.

Qi was a little bit shocked. Such an excellent Xi was actually regarded as a "shame" by his family?It was so serious that she was kicked out of the house... She really didn't understand.

"My grandfather is British. He is a well-known business family in the UK. When he was sent to work in Taiwan, he met his grandmother. He married despite his family's opposition and gave birth to his father. Dad was sent back to the UK by his grandfather when he was ten years old. , received education, and then returned to Taiwan to work after finishing his master’s degree in the UK, just like his grandfather. After that, the story of my grandfather repeated itself on my father. My father married my mother despite my grandfather’s objection. Two years later, my mother gave birth to my eldest brother, probably because he was a boy. , so grandpa accepted. The second brother was born when the eldest brother was three years old. Grandpa was even more happy. Since then, he has loved his mother more. Then the eldest brother and the second brother were sent back to England by their father when they were ten years old. I am far from the second brother. Twelve years old, it was an "accident" of my parents, and also a girl, my parents, grandpa, grandma, brother, everyone loved me like a baby. At that time, my father was still working in Taiwan, and they wanted to keep me in Taiwan. So I never went back to the UK. After graduation, my eldest brother also came back to Taiwan to work with his father for a while. When I was admitted to university at the age of eighteen, my grandfather asked my eldest brother to return to the UK and my second brother to come to Taiwan, and decided to leave Taiwan. I handed over my company to my second brother, and my parents went back to the UK to pick up his retirement job. At that time, I decided to stay in Taiwan to study medical school, so I only went back for more than two months. It was the first time I went back to the UK as an adult. Only then did I know what the so-called "high society" is all about." Xi was helpless, and Qi could feel that Xi was eager to lose this "identity".

"To put it bluntly, you don't have many choices in your life. Who to be friends with, date with, and even marry are all decided. That's when I found out that my sister-in-law is the daughter of a noble family. The eldest brother knew that he was going to marry that girl in the future when he was eighteen years old. Fortunately, although it was a family marriage, they both fell in love with each other shortly after they met, so for the eldest brother, he was happy to accept such an arrangement. As for the two Brother, he doesn’t like the girl that his grandfather appointed him, and he doesn’t accept his arrangement as obediently as the eldest brother, so the second brother gave up Oxford and Cambridge, and went to the United States to study Yale. Grandpa was furious! You know, typical Many British elderly people don’t like America, even if Yale doesn’t lose to Oxford and Cambridge. But the second brother ignored his grandfather’s objections, and my father also acquiesced in doing so, because my father was the same way back then, and my second brother is very similar to my father.” Xi said The expression on the second brother's face was relaxed.

"Second brother stayed in the United States for more than ten years. After finishing his Ph.D., he brought his beloved girl back. It was the girl who called in the car last time. Kate, my second sister-in-law, also went to study in the United States from Taiwan. Grandpa probably drove the second brother back to Taiwan. For him, returning to Taiwan is a kind of expulsion; but for the second brother, it is something he could only wish for. If he must take over the family business, then he has only one request-he must wait In Taiwan, it is actually far away from the UK. In this way, the second brother and the others returned to Taiwan, and my grandfather wanted me to go back to the UK, but I insisted on finishing medical school in Taiwan, so he had to agree to let me go back to Taiwan with the second brother and the others. But when I returned to England that time, I also met the man my grandfather appointed me to marry in the future. Hehe, I was engaged before!" Xi said with a forced smile.

"That boy is five years older than me, and I don't feel like a lover when we get along with him. I just think he is my third brother, but I know he likes me. He even came to Taiwan to stay in my fifth year. One year, in order to understand my life in Taiwan. But I don’t like him at all. What I didn’t let my family know is that I have discovered that I like girls since I was in high school, and I have dated several partners one after another. I never tell the other party about my family, as long as someone asks, I say that my family is in the UK, and I insist on studying in Taiwan... In fact, this is true. I have always avoided facing the marriage after graduating from university, Or maybe it was because I didn't meet anyone who made me have the courage to resist. In short, until the eve of my medical school graduation, my parents and that man came to Taiwan and said that they would take me back to the UK after attending my graduation ceremony... I Knowing that when I go back to the UK, I must get married. I will marry the man who I only think of as my brother, so I try to resist and procrastinate... I stay in the dormitory during the holidays, and I can stay in the hospital as late as the internship. ..." Xi's words reminded Qi that she could always stay in the hospital as late as she wanted before, but what Qi escaped was the loneliness of being alone, before she met Xi.

"It was Kate who first found out that something was wrong with me. I have always been close to her. She loved me more than my second brother. At that time, I told her that I like girls. I don't want to, and I can't marry the person my grandfather found for me. , Kate supported me very much, but she didn't dare to encourage me to rebel against Grandpa, we all know Grandpa's authority too well, and we all know the consequences of rebellion... But in the end, I still have a showdown with them." Xi said this, as if Use up all your energy.

"Thank you." Qi kissed Xi's forehead distressedly. At this moment, she realized that for her, having no family is regret and loneliness; but for Xi, having a family is heavy and painful.

"Dad was furious. Of course, so was Grandpa. They gave me two choices: go back to England to get married, they can pretend nothing happened, and I am still their beloved Dawn Sheffield; or I will never step into the door of Sheffield's house again. I fend for myself in Taiwan alone. I chose the latter. They left Taiwan overnight. They even asked my second brother to return to the UK, a week later than them. Fortunately, my second brother who loved me was returning to the UK. Before, I bought this house with Kate without telling my family, saying that at least there is still a place to live, and before leaving, my second brother gave me all the movable and immovable properties registered in Kate’s name in Taiwan that were not known by my family. Me, if you want me to take good care of myself, he will find a way to let me go home again... That was all when I was 25 years old, the year I graduated from medical school. Silently, it has been ten years, so fast..." Xi said After finishing, he relaxed in Qi's arms as if he was relieved from a heavy burden.

"Xi, do you blame them? Your family." Qi asked after listening.

"You know, many things that you think are unforgivable, when they happen to family members, those unforgivable feelings will disappear silently, this is family affection. Do I blame them? They give me everything, even if they want You can take it back with confidence...Besides, this is my own choice...Maybe Dad was a little cruel, but the second brother and Kate, they didn't let me really have nothing. I have no right to blame any of them. " Qi could feel that Xi had thought about the question she asked.

Or, someone had asked her before.

"So, your second brother called to ask you to go back to England?" Qi asked again.

"Well, Kate called that day, saying that Dad was willing to let me go back to England. But I said I had to think about it, and it would be a shame for them if I went back, Whatashame! Yes. Even five years ago, when grandpa passed away, they didn’t want me to go back, I don’t know why they want me back all of a sudden...” Xi’s words revealed fear.

"Perhaps your father is getting old too, and you are their beloved daughter after all. Ten years should be enough." Qi hugged Xi and said.

"I don't know...Kate said that Dad really wanted to see me, but he couldn't let go of his dignity...Second brother also said that they want me to go back, even if they bring girls back..."

"So, you want me to go back with you?" Qi asked.

"Little cat, who else can I take besides you?" Xi raised her head to look at her with complicated emotions in her eyes.

"I will go back with you." Qi said firmly.

Qi knew that she would be willing to be used as a shield by Xi, or as an accomplice acting on occasion.

The person who can let Xi talk so much, let Xi tell her past so frankly and categorically, even if it still doesn't get into Xi's heart, even if Xi still doesn't love her, Qi can be sure that she is the one who is closest to Xi people.

For her, that's enough.

Xi gave Qi a safe haven and warmth. When Xi needed someone to accompany her and face her fears together, Qi would also be that person, standing in front of Xi when necessary, and protecting her from harm.

"Xi, I will go back with you. No matter what happens, I will accompany you." Qi looked at Xi and said again seriously.

"I know." When Xi said this, the helplessness in her heart was strengthened because of Qi's firmness.

Xi leaned against Qi's chest, quietly listening to Qi's heartbeat.Although she always said that Qi is a kitten, she actually understands that she needs Qi. Perhaps, the degree of need is as much as Qi needs her, or even more... It's just that she can't promise anything, because promises will only Be the beginning of a lie...

"Xi," Qi suddenly said when Xi was about to fall asleep.

"Huh?" Xi responded sleepily.

"I know why you are so upright, because you are also a mixed race!" Qi said as if he had suddenly realized.

Xi stared blankly at Qi's bright smile, and after a few seconds, "Little cat, I will really be defeated by you." Xi said.

"I'm serious! I found out after thinking about it carefully. In fact, you can see that you are not purely Taiwanese..." Qi stared at Xi carefully as if he had discovered a new continent.

"Okay, kitty, I'm going to bed, I'm so tired." Xi grabbed Qi's hand, wrapped it around herself, leaned on Qi, and was seriously going to sleep.

"Good night, cat." Qi lightly pecked Xi's lips.

"Good night, kitty," Xi said, and fell asleep.

"What? Are you going to England for Chinese New Year?" Emily's fuss reappeared.

"You really hate it, do you have to shout so loudly?" Qi sat across from her.

Xi was going to stay in the hospital on duty today, so she was caught by Emily to eat with her. In fact, Emily's gossip addiction broke out again.

"The more you play, the better you are! Last year I went to Australia, and then I went to the UK, where will I go after that? You have traveled around the world!" Emily was even more excited than Qi.

"You...forget it." Qi looked at the people in front of her. Of course, she didn't know that their going to England was not fun at all. What they had to face was many frightening unknowns.

"You two are stable like this, right? It's sweet to commute together every day." Emily deliberately teased her.

"I don't know either...Anyway, that's it, it's good." Qi said.

"What is it like? You like her, she likes you... wait, don't tell me that you don't know if she likes you or not..." Emily suddenly looked at Qi seriously.

"Well, to be honest, I don't know." Qi admitted very simply.

"Qi! Are you kidding? You are already living together, and then you tell me that you don't know if she likes you or not? Then what is your relationship?"

"Hey, I don't know. It's hard to explain. Don't ask!" Qi said impatiently. She knew that the question Emily asked was also a question she cared about, but she couldn't ask Xi for confirmation.

"Qi, are you happy?" Emily continued to ask.

"Well, I think I'm happy." Kei replied honestly.

"You are really... Sure enough, women will become stupid when they encounter love." Emily said helplessly.

"Is this love? Maybe..." Qi knew that he still loved Xi, just like she did before she went abroad many years ago.

To a certain extent, Xi does treat Qi in the same way as a lover. If we look at the three elements of love proposed by psychologists, they are more like each other. There is no commitment, only passion and intimacy... What is this? Not love?

"Oh, I think you are hopeless..." Emily looked at Qi with a headache.

"How should we define the feeling of lack of 'commitment'?" Kei looked at Emily and asked.

"You use Sternberg's love triangle theory to look at it? There is no commitment, only intimacy and passion, that is romantic love, passionate love, you only care about what is happening in front of you, and you don't care what the outcome will be. That's it." Emily replied. .

"Well, that's it." Kei concluded.

"In my opinion, it will be painful when it ends...and you like her so much, it's a bitter love, you." Emily's words were full of helplessness.

"Yes, I fell in love with it, and there is no reason to leave..." Qi said with his hand on his chin.

"Hey, if one day, senior sister falls in love with another person, what should you do?" Emily asked another question that Qi had been avoiding all along.

"I don't know." Qi shrugged.

Qi knows that this is not impossible. There are always many people around Xi who are waiting to be "seen" by her, but now Xi seems to be invisible... But now she doesn't want to think about it.

Besides, when things really happened, thinking about it now would be in vain.

"Qi, please, you have to know how to protect yourself. If you like someone, it doesn't mean you have to give yourself to the other person without reservation. Learn to strike a balance between giving and keeping, and the relationship will last. Think about what she gave you, Among those, which ones do you really need? Also, is there anything you really need that she didn't give or didn't want to give..." Qi knew that Emily's concern for her was sincere, but she and The relationship between Xi and Xi may not be understood by anyone other than the two of them.

Xi gave Qi everything, except promises.

Qi knows that "promise" is a shadow in Xi's heart, a shadow that Xi does not want to face.If this is the case, what she wanted to ask was not why Xi didn't face it; but, what was the shadow itself?

In the end, Qi just smiled and accepted Emily's concern, she knew what she was doing.Maybe.

After Xi asked Qi to go back to England with her that day, Xi didn't mention this matter for a long time.It's been so long that even Qi has almost forgotten about it. The busyness of the hospital is really scary.

Xi∣Qi, pass me your basic information, Kate is going to book a plane ticket.

It wasn't until Xi's line appeared on Qi's phone that Qi suddenly remembered what happened that night.

Although she knew that Xi must be serious and determined to take her back to England for the New Year, but when the time was getting closer, she flinched.

Oddly, Qi didn't text Xi back immediately.

Then Emily appeared at the door of Qi's office, smiling and waving to her.

"Why are you here?!" Qi asked in surprise, at this time...

"Senior sister wants me to tell you, hurry back to her line. She seems to be in a hurry!" Emily said.

"Hmm..." Qi pulled Emily to a corner where there were few people.

"What's the important thing? If it's not important, she definitely won't ask me to come to you." Emily started gossiping again.

"She wants me to send her the information. She wants to book a plane ticket to England." Qi took out his mobile phone and read the text message again.

"Then why don't you pass it on? Hurry up and pass it on!" Emily urged Qi.

"I forgot in a hurry..." Qi replied quickly as he said.

"So busy, so busy that you forget to reply to her text message?" Emily raised her eyebrows and asked.

Qi knew that he couldn't hide it from Emily, so he sighed.

"Ki, don't keep wronging yourself, okay?" Emily said.

Qi nodded.Is this wronging yourself?She actually wanted to ask Xi, what name would she use to take her back?But at the same time, she was also afraid that after asking, she would lose Xi again, and she didn't want to experience that pain again.

"Okay, I'm going back to work, and you're going to go back soon." After Qi finished speaking, he went back to the office.

Emily looked at Qi's back, if this was Qi's choice, then she could only support and respect.

"Qi, do you have something to tell me?" After returning home that day, Xi looked at Qi and asked.

"Huh? Why did you ask that suddenly?" Qi wondered how Xi knew.

"You haven't read it for a long time, Emily told you that you forgot...it's not like you." Qi didn't expect, Xi noticed these details.

"I..." Qi didn't know how to answer.

"Little cat, don't be nervous, I will ask you, which means I am ready to accept any questions from you." Xi seemed to know Qi's uneasiness.

"I... I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to go back to England with you." After taking a deep breath, Qi expressed her concerns and hesitation.

"Why do you say that?"

"It feels a bit strange..." Qi still didn't dare to ask Xi in what capacity he wanted to take her back.

"Little cat," Xi gently put her hands on Qi's cheeks, "Not only you need me, but I also need you."

Qi felt Xi's exclusive warmth from Xi's palm.

"I need you to accompany me back, it will give me the courage to face my family." Xi said looking into Qi's eyes.

"I see." Qi nodded, she knew that to Xi, what she said just now was, to some extent, already a confession.

"Thank you." Xi said, leaning on Qi with confidence.

"I will accompany you, no matter what you face there." Qi knows that even in helpless and fearful situations, Xi will always ask herself to be strong, and Xi regards being strong as the only choice.

That night, they were like two cats, clinging to each other, feeling each other's presence, and regained their courage.