After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 15
Back at the company, as soon as Fan Qingyu pulled out her office chair, Bella came in and bent slightly:
“President Fan, are you still planning to attend the party tonight?”
Fan Qingyu leaned sideways, propping her chin with one hand, and replied as if it were only natural:
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Bella unintentionally glanced at Jing Xiao. Just as she was about to say more, Fan Qingyu shot her a warning glare. Bella lowered her head and quietly exited the office.
Jing Xiao noticed Bella’s glance and guessed it probably had something to do with her. She casually asked:
“What party?”
Fan Qingyu shook her head, evading:
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? If it’s really nothing, would you be hiding it from me?” Jing Xiao felt a bad premonition.
“Tell me.”
Fan Qingyu sighed and forced herself to explain:
“The Jiang family’s youngest son just returned from North America. He’s not that young anymore, so…”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Jing Xiao instantly understood the implication. She strode over in two long steps, clutching Fan Qingyu’s shoulders tightly, half sorrowful and half angry:
“Fan Qingyu, you already have me.”
Fan Qingyu struggled but couldn’t break free. She clenched her teeth in pain:
“You’re hurting me—let go.”
Jing Xiao took a deep breath. Forcing down her grief and anger, she loosened her grip little by little. Still, five bright red marks remained on Fan Qingyu’s shoulders. Jing Xiao’s fingers had turned white, and the strands of hair at her forehead were tousled by the air conditioning. For a moment, she looked utterly haggard.
Fan Qingyu rubbed her shoulder helplessly:
“I can’t just snub the Jiang family, and besides, many people from the circle will be there. Don’t worry, I’ll make things clear.”
Jing Xiao clenched her fists tight, her dark pupils devoid of any ripples. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, only stared at Fan Qingyu’s chest as if wanting to ask whether she even had a heart.
Fan Qingyu raised her head. Her heart sank into Jing Xiao’s lifeless gaze, a suffocating grip clutching at her throat, making it hard to breathe. Her heartbeat quickened, chest aching. She took Jing Xiao’s cold, dry hand and said:
“How about… you come with me?”
Jing Xiao’s mood eased slightly. She held Fan Qingyu’s hand in return, rubbing it against her face, her voice hoarse and carrying a trace of grievance:
“Xiao Yu… can’t you not go?”
Seeing there was room to negotiate, Fan Qingyu stroked her head and explained earnestly:
“Xiao Xiao, I honestly don’t want to go. But this welcome banquet will have many business partners I normally can’t reach. I don’t want to miss the opportunity. You can understand, right?”
Jing Xiao’s heart felt bitter, but she forced herself to stay calm:
“How is this any different from a giant matchmaking event? You know the real purpose of the banquet.”
Fan Qingyu touched her nose to cover her guilt:
“That’s why I said I’d take you with me.”
With things already at this point, any further arguing would only seem unreasonable. Jing Xiao exhaled a long breath, trying to convince herself to understand Fan Qingyu. She pulled out a forced, ugly smile:
“Fine.”
Fan Qingyu returned to work.
Jing Xiao crossed her legs. Fan Qingyu was a shrewd businesswoman who didn’t want to miss even the smallest chance of profit. Jing Xiao realized she wasn’t deliberately trying to engage with anyone—it was just that those people could bring her benefits.
First it was Pei Lü, now it was the Jiang family’s young master. Jing Xiao’s thoughts spiraled endlessly.
She didn’t like it, but since Fan Qingyu clearly valued this cruise party, she couldn’t say much.
By the time the work was finished, the booked stylists had already arrived.
Both the stylist and the makeup artist were leaders in the industry, notoriously difficult to book unless you had the right connections. That Fan Qingyu managed to invite both at once showed just how wide her network was. Sarah brewed some tea, watching them chatting cheerfully, and quietly left the room.
The makeup artist examined Fan Qingyu’s face:
“My dear, it seems you’ve been neglecting your skincare lately.”
Fan Qingyu responded naturally:
“You’re right, I’ve just been too busy.”
Jing Xiao’s gums ached at that “my dear.” It made her whole body uncomfortable.
The makeup artist then turned to Jing Xiao, generously complimenting:
“This young lady has very good skin condition.”
Jing Xiao didn’t reply, only gave a polite nod.
After a few pleasantries, they began their work. The stylist, having finished preparing the gown, came over to Jing Xiao for a chat:
“I was worried the dress I brought wouldn’t suit you. But clearly, I worried too much.”
Jing Xiao responded politely:
“Is that so? Thank you.”
On the rack hung two gowns: a light-blue tasseled gauzy evening dress, and a fiery red off-shoulder mermaid gown with ruffles and a high slit. Both were custom-made.
Fan Qingyu finished her skincare and changed into one of them.
The stylist’s earlier concern wasn’t unfounded—the blue gown had been custom-made for Fan Qingyu in advance, naturally matching her temperament and looks. Jing Xiao’s dress, however, had been a rushed, last-minute measurement order. The stylist had worried the whole way here, but upon seeing Jing Xiao’s fair skin, tall figure, and strikingly alluring features, she instantly relaxed.
They worked efficiently. Once Fan Qingyu’s base makeup and facial shaping were done, the stylist went to fix her hair. The process was long. Jing Xiao leaned back on the sofa and, before she knew it, actually fell asleep.
Catching sight of her dozing, Fan Qingyu stopped the brow pencil just before it touched her face. Under the curious looks of the two professionals, she smiled apologetically, lifted her skirt, and quickly went to the lounge.
She came back with a blanket, covering Jing Xiao with it, muttering softly:
“Such a grown-up, and you’re not afraid of catching a cold.”
The makeup artist’s eyes lit up:
“You and your wife really do have such a loving relationship.”
Fan Qingyu smiled:
“Thank you. Let’s continue.”
Because of the little interlude, the makeup artist sped up her work.
Fan Qingyu’s hair was styled into a lamb-curl bun, with a few strands left loose to frame her face, the rest gathered neatly at the back. Her makeup leaned towards light, low-saturation tones. The pale-blue gown accentuated her noble, icy elegance. From head to toe, she looked like a true ice queen.
Once she was finished, she tapped her heels against the floor to wake Jing Xiao. Still groggy, Jing Xiao blinked until her vision focused fully on Fan Qingyu. Her eyes lit up as she slipped her arms around Fan Qingyu’s slender waist:
“You’ve killed me with your beauty.”
But alas, not dressed up for her.
Jing Xiao forced her emotions down and ignored the thought.
The makeup artist patted the still-warm chair:
“Miss Jing, your turn.”
Jing Xiao’s gown was vivid in color, so her makeup was equally bold—fiery red lips, sharp winged eyeliner, paired with voluminous wavy curls. She looked like a femme fatale, breathtaking enough to steal anyone’s gaze.
Fan Qingyu clapped her hands in delight, leaning close to whisper in her ear:
“Xiao Xiao, you’re so beautiful—I want to kiss you.”
Jing Xiao raised her brow, glancing at the two professionals behind. The timing really couldn’t be better: the makeup artist was tidying her kit, while the stylist was idly chatting nearby. In a flash, Jing Xiao stole a kiss on Fan Qingyu’s lips.
Through the light layer of makeup, she noticed Fan Qingyu’s cheeks flush. Fan Qingyu lightly punched her shoulder:
“You actually kissed me!”
Jing Xiao licked the corner of her lips with satisfaction:
“Didn’t you say so yourself?”
Her lipstick today was bold and left a faint print on Fan Qingyu’s mouth. Fan Qingyu pressed her lips together, smudging the color.
Making sure the two hadn’t seen, Fan Qingyu lowered her gaze. She noticed the faint veins across Jing Xiao’s foot and her delicate, slender ankles, perfectly fitting in one hand.
Squatting down, Fan Qingyu gently massaged her ankle, concerned:
“Xiao Xiao, are you used to walking in heels?”
The stilettos were at least seven centimeters. Jing Xiao wanted to say that not only heels, but even gowns were unfamiliar to her. She had never had much posture training—her life had always favored comfort and simplicity. That’s why she preferred shirts, suits, or casual long skirts with light makeup.
Looking at her reflection, she murmured with parted red lips:
“I look a bit like an evil supporting actress.”
“How could that be? You look just like the heroine.” Fan Qingyu cupped her face.
Something still felt missing—until her eyes landed on the roses by the window.
Placed there that morning, the roses were still beaded with dew, their fiery crimson matching Jing Xiao’s look perfectly.
On a whim, Fan Qingyu snipped one and tucked it behind Jing Xiao’s ear. The rose instantly elevated her aura, her makeup and styling now flawless.
Before leaving, the makeup artist double-checked both of their looks. Staring at Fan Qingyu’s lips, she frowned:
“Wait, is this the shade I used on you earlier?”
Fan Qingyu froze. Her face flushed again. Her lipstick was supposed to be a pale shade, but it had darkened after picking up Jing Xiao’s color during that kiss.
That kiss—hurried and soft—lingered in her memory, electrifying her whole body.
The makeup artist, puzzled, turned to the stylist:
“Didn’t I apply this color earlier?”
The stylist thought a moment:
“Doesn’t seem so.”
“How odd.” The makeup artist pushed Fan Qingyu back into the chair, opening her kit again with an embarrassed smile:
“Miss Fan, this shade doesn’t match your look. May I fix it for you?”
Fan Qingyu cleared her throat, awkwardly shifting her toes inside her heels:
“…Fix it.”
The makeup artist carefully wiped off her lips with a remover pad, then reapplied with a disposable brush, muttering to herself:
“Strange. Your makeup only works with light tones. How could I make such a rookie mistake?”
The stylist glanced at Jing Xiao’s lips, where the shade was uneven. She chuckled knowingly, exchanging a glance with Jing Xiao. Jing Xiao nodded, confirming the guess. She pressed a “shh” gesture, and the stylist replied with an “OK,” instantly understanding.
Still troubled, the makeup artist sighed:
“Maybe your lipstick changes color.”
“Impossible, I must have picked up the wrong one,” she muttered again, examining her tools. “No… I used this same gloss just now. Miss Fan, do you remember?”
As the person involved, Fan Qingyu flushed crimson, her toes digging into her shoes. She cleared her throat and answered solemnly:
“…I don’t remember.”
“Alright, I must have been careless,” the makeup artist concluded.
Once Fan Qingyu’s makeup was fixed, she packed up—only to pause again:
“Miss Jing, your lip color also looks off.”
At this point, the reason should’ve been obvious. But the makeup artist was too innocent, smacking her head in regret:
“My skills must be slipping, making two rookie mistakes in one day.”
The stylist doubled over laughing.
The makeup artist glared at her:
“What are you laughing at? You’re so annoying.”
Sarah knocked on the door:
“President Fan, it’s time to go.”
The stylist ruffled the makeup artist’s hair:
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed. I’ll buy you cake later.”
The makeup artist pouted:
“That’s more like it.”
Hearing the reminder outside, both knew it was time. After some quick goodbyes, the two professionals left together.
Sarah called again, louder this time:
“President Fan, it’s time to go.”
“I know.” Fan Qingyu didn’t dare upset Jing Xiao further. Instead of pulling her up, she extended a cautious hand:
“Xiao Xiao, you’ll come with me, right?”
Jing Xiao couldn’t be more unwilling, but her makeup and outfit were already done—it’d be too awkward to back out now. She placed her hand in Fan Qingyu’s and rose with her help.
She forgot about the heels and shifted her weight forward, stumbling a few steps. Luckily, Fan Qingyu had been ready and caught her firmly.
Holding her by the arm, Fan Qingyu sighed in relief:
“Careful.”
“I’ll try.” The shoes were light enough, so as long as Jing Xiao walked slowly, she could manage. She linked her arm with Fan Qingyu’s, trying her best to look elegant.
But things didn’t go as planned. She walked stiffly, legs straight, resembling a clown goose-stepping in heels.
Fan Qingyu whispered:
“You don’t have to force it—just walk normally.”
From the lounge to the office door was only a short distance, but Jing Xiao nearly wanted to fold her heels in half out of frustration.
Support After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
