After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 17

Jing Xiao also wanted to leave a deeply memorable kiss here. She placed her hand in advance on Fan Qingyu’s nape.
“I want to kiss too.”

Fan Qingyu smiled as she pulled her hand away.
“Don’t press the back of my head.”

“No, you’ll dodge.” Jing Xiao refused with her words, but loosened her grip anyway, her hand sliding gently down to Fan Qingyu’s slender waist, caressing the curve of her back. “Unless you pinky promise me.”

Fan Qingyu’s smile deepened.
“Such a grown woman, acting childish.”

Jing Xiao rubbed her nose against hers, dragging her tone out playfully, as if acting spoiled.
“You have to pinky promise me.”

“Fine, fine, fine, I’ll pinky promise.” Fan Qingyu hooked her little finger with hers, muttering,
“Xiaoxiao, you’re really funny today.”

Jing Xiao quickly took the upper hand, her words sounding more like teasing.
“Whoever breaks the promise is a puppy.”

Fan Qingyu’s hand moved downward, giving a cheeky smack to her bottom.
“Don’t forget why we’re here.”

“What a coincidence, sis, you two are here too!”

Fan Baoying led a group of girlfriends onto the deck, shining a flashlight dramatically toward them. Instantly, all the girls behind her froze in shock. One of the more blunt ones even pointed at Fan Qingyu and asked,
“President Fan, what are you doing?”

The lips that were about to meet separated instantly. Fan Qingyu pulled to a sharp stop, accidentally biting the soft flesh inside her mouth. Pain shot through her, and with it came the faint taste of blood. She frowned, glaring at Fan Baoying.

Jing Xiao also felt awkward, curling her toes in embarrassment. Then she quickly retreated behind Fan Qingyu and slipped her shoes back on.

Fan Qingyu knew there was no way to cover it up, so she said helplessly,
“What are we doing? Didn’t you already see?”

Fan Baoying bit her lip, looking pitiful.
“Sorry, sis, I misspoke again.”

Fan Qingyu continued calmly.
“As long as you know.”

But the stalemate wasn’t a solution. Fan Qingyu felt a headache coming on. She knew perfectly well that Fan Baoying was doing it on purpose, but with so many people present she couldn’t lash out. She rubbed her temples and changed the subject.
“Fan Baoying, why are you here?”

“It was too noisy over there. We wanted some fresh air. I didn’t expect to run into you and Sister Xiaoxiao here.”

What a dazzlingly staged “coincidence.” Fan Qingyu rolled her eyes secretly.

“Fine. Hope you enjoy yourselves.” She didn’t bother engaging further and started to lead Jing Xiao away.

They hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Fan Baoying raised her voice.
“Sis, why do you always leave as soon as I come? Do you really hate me that much?”

Fan Qingyu was speechless. Anyone could see exactly what was happening, yet Fan Baoying had to say it out loud, clearly trying to embarrass her.

Jing Xiao quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
“I’m a bit thirsty. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, in that case, I’ll come with you. I’m thirsty too.” Fan Baoying blinked and waved her friends off.

Her girlfriends, still dazzled by her surface charm, tried to stop her.
“Baoying, stay with us.”

Fan Baoying beamed at them.
“It’s fine. I’ll keep my sister company.”

The friends looked even more confused, their eyes flicking between the three, but no words followed. With that, Fan Baoying resolutely followed behind Jing Xiao, chattering non-stop.
“Sister Xiaoxiao, do you know what kind of party this is today?”

As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Fan Qingyu.
“Some parties aren’t really suitable for bringing family along.”

Jing Xiao naturally avoided the hand Fan Baoying was about to extend toward her. Instead, she took Fan Qingyu’s hand, answering warmly,
“As long as your sister is happy, how could I not know?”

Fan Baoying lowered her head.
“Sorry, I…”

Fan Qingyu had long grown tired of this affected little phrase. With no elders around, she finally retorted bluntly.
“Then stop saying it. If you know you’ve said something wrong, just shut your mouth.”

Fan Baoying obediently fell silent—for the time being.

Jing Xiao quietly gave a thumbs-up.
“Nicely done.”

Fan Qingyu sighed.
“I can’t scold her too much either. Just enough to make a point.”

Balloons and roses littered the floor, while at the center of the cruise ship a golden statue gleamed under the flashing lights. The pounding music drove Jiang Shiyue and a group of women into a frenzy, his behavior utterly disregarding the dignity of a wealthy heir.

Fan Qingyu, amused, slipped into the crowd, tapping him on the shoulder. Her words were polite but mocking.
“Mr. Jiang, you should show some restraint.”

Reminded, Jiang Shiyue remembered the real purpose of the party. He cleared his throat, stiffened his posture, and forced a laugh.
“My mistake, I’ve neglected my distinguished guests. President Fan, what will you do now?”

Fan Qingyu tilted her chin slightly.
“Go try the wine.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself.”

Once out of the crowd, Jiang Shiyue noticeably calmed down.

The two wives passed by together, Jing Xiao’s heart beating to the rhythm of the music. Glancing back at the shadow trailing them, she grew increasingly annoyed, raising her voice.
“Fan Baoying, if you’ve got nothing better to do, leave. I want to be alone with your sister.”

Fan Qingyu chuckled secretly. Since Jing Xiao had spoken up, Baoying could hardly cling on.

Leaving the noisy crowd, they reached the long table of wine where it was quieter. Fan Qingyu smiled, scanning the selection before picking up a glass. She took a sip first.
“Xiaoxiao, try the white wine. It’s pretty good.”

“I don’t think it tastes nice.” Fan Baoying butted in, showing no intention of leaving. She picked up a brightly colored fruit wine instead.
“Sister Xiaoxiao, try this one.”

Jing Xiao ignored her and tasted the white wine. She squinted in delight.
“It really is good. My wife knows me best.”

Unable to join in their conversation, Fan Baoying forcefully shoved the fruit wine toward Fan Qingyu.
“Sis, I think this one is delicious.”

Fan Qingyu raised the glass to her nose, inhaled—and instantly set it down.

Lowering her voice in false grievance, Fan Baoying insisted,
“Sis, this one’s really good. You should try it.”

“I’m allergic to cherries. Fan Baoying, you really should leave now.”

Still shameless, she turned to Jing Xiao.
“Then… Sister Xiaoxiao, you try it?”

“Fan Baoying.” Fan Qingyu’s patience finally snapped. She slammed the glass heavily on the table, her words gritted through her teeth.
“Don’t you have a wife of your own?”

Fan Baoying froze, caught off guard. Tears welled in her voice.
“I don’t have a wife. I like men.”

Fan Qingyu and Jing Xiao exchanged a glance, both seeing exasperation in each other’s eyes. Fan Qingyu knew Baoying had always liked to snatch whatever was hers. She’d turned a blind eye before, but this time it crossed a line. Her voice was icy.
“Fan Baoying, do you know who makes the decisions in the Fan family now?”

Jing Xiao could see that Fan Qingyu was truly angry—angry because of her. Her own mood lifted, unable to hide the joy on her face as she quietly savored Fan Qingyu’s reaction.

Was this… jealousy?
Probably.

Jing Xiao couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Fan Qingyu heard it and shot her a dark look. Jing Xiao quickly stifled her smile, though her gaze was still full of affection. Fan Qingyu’s expression just now had been oddly endearing—equal parts cute and stubborn. Not a good look, perhaps, but utterly captivating to Jing Xiao.

Getting no answer, Fan Qingyu pressed again.
“Didn’t you hear me? Do you know who calls the shots in the Fan family now?”

Fan Baoying’s shoulders trembled, as if struck by terrible injustice.
“I know. You do.”

Her voice shrank to almost nothing. Not wanting to publicly scold her further, Fan Qingyu rubbed her forehead.
“Forget it. Just mind your place and get on with yourself.”

Realizing she wouldn’t win by lingering, Fan Baoying finally slunk off.

After she left, Jing Xiao placed her hands on Fan Qingyu’s shoulders from behind, murmuring warmly.
“Alright now, my dear wife, don’t waste your breath on a silly girl.”

Fan Qingyu exhaled deeply, trying to control her emotions.
“I know. If I really did, she wouldn’t even be standing here.”

Jing Xiao offered her favorite wine to her lips.
“True enough. Baoying’s just spoiled, always wanting to steal what’s yours.”

Fan Qingyu corrected her.
“It used to be things. Now it’s people.”

“Exactly. But I’m not interested in people like her.” Jing Xiao coaxed.

Fan Qingyu deliberately asked,
“Then who are you interested in?”

“I’m interested in someone beautiful, with a great figure, capable, who loves to pout at me.” Jing Xiao leaned in and kissed her.
“For example, Fan Qingyu.”

Fan Qingyu’s ears flushed red. The earlier displeasure melted away, and she scolded lightly.
“You’re shameless with that slick tongue of yours.”

“If it makes you happy, then it’s not shameless,” Jing Xiao replied. “But I want to know—what kind of person are you interested in?”

Fan Qingyu swallowed hard. She couldn’t bring herself to lie to Jing Xiao. After fumbling for words, she still couldn’t form a complete sentence.

Jing Xiao’s smile froze. She understood all too well what that meant.
“You mean that seriously?” she asked sadly.

Fan Qingyu sighed softly.
“Xiaoxiao, to be honest, you used to be too stiff, too wooden. I teased you for fun, you know that.”

By the end, she cleared her throat to mask her embarrassment.

In wealthy families, marriages were often for interests, not love. Two people without affection living together was common. Fan Qingyu had only agreed to the engagement because she didn’t want to marry someone she didn’t love. And since Jing Xiao had poured her heart into her, she hadn’t wanted to let her down. Of course, she had developed genuine affection as well.

Jing Xiao signaled her to continue.

Fan Qingyu braced herself.
“Then one day, I realized—you’d changed.”

Jing Xiao already guessed the answer.
“When?”

“When you started acting like a normal lover,” Fan Qingyu replied.

Jing Xiao’s lips parted slightly. From those words alone, she knew—Fan Qingyu liked her, not the former Jing Xiao.

Yet for some reason, her heart clenched, as if something had just been released.

She nodded. After all, this body was hers now. Compared to Fan Qingyu saying she liked her from the beginning, she selfishly preferred that Fan Qingyu liked her as a whole, just as she was.

Jing Xiao smiled serenely.
“I understand.”

Fan Qingyu was surprised.
“You’re not upset?”

“I would have been.” Jing Xiao forced a casual tone, though a little guilty.
“But as long as you like me, that’s all that matters.”

Fan Qingyu changed the subject, her eyes full of hope for the future.
“When will you take me to your grandmother’s cabin? I want to see your old photo albums and phone. You said they’re full of memories, but you’ve never let me look.”

Jing Xiao knew only fragments of memories, vaguely recalling such a cabin. For some reason, an inexplicable sense of dread rose within her, as though there was something in that cabin that Fan Qingyu must never see.

Support After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It