After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 19

With the guests’ permission, the waiter said no more, gave a slight bow, and went into the kitchen.

Jing Xiao clearly caught the waiter’s earlier facial expression. Pairing red wine with homestyle dishes did indeed seem unreasonable. Resting her chin in her palm, she sought Fan Qingyu’s opinion:

“Xiaoyu, don’t you think this is strange?”

Fan Qingyu, out of habit, scalded her tableware with hot water, then did the same for Jing Xiao’s:

“I don’t think so. As long as you like it.”

When the process was finished, droplets clung to Jing Xiao’s utensils. She chuckled:

“We’re a bit slow to react, aren’t we?”

Fan Qingyu’s brows were like rolling mountain ridges—serious and calm—but whenever Jing Xiao spoke, ripples would appear in that stillness. She encouraged her to go on:

“How so?”

Jing Xiao asked sincerely:

“Do you think we’re in the honeymoon phase now?”

“It really does feel like that.” Fan Qingyu thought for a moment, then voiced her true concern. “I’m a little afraid. After the honeymoon comes the ordinary, and then—because of conflicts—people drift apart. That’s how most relationships end.”

Fan Qingyu was usually composed and in control, but at this moment, her brows furrowed. After sighing long and low at the state of human relationships, she couldn’t help projecting it onto herself, and her face grew heavier with worry.

Jing Xiao asked:

“So, are your feelings for me just like most people’s—nothing more than a passing thrill?”

Fan Qingyu carefully organized her thoughts, then shook her head:

“No. My heart—after deep reflection and genuine emotion—it belongs to you, and that’s real.”

“I know.” Jing Xiao’s voice softened.

Fan Qingyu was about to continue, but Jing Xiao reached out and pressed a finger lightly against her lips.

The soft, heated touch was like an electric current running through her body. Jing Xiao savored the thrill at her fingertips and whispered:

“Shh. I feel the same way about you. That’s why we don’t need to think about the things other people worry about.”

Fan Qingyu accepted her words.

The restaurant specialized in freshly cooked dishes. After a bit of poetic and leisurely conversation, the waiter finally returned, carrying plate after plate of delicacies.

Though the dishes looked plain, their flavor was extraordinary. Fan Qingyu’s eyes lit up instantly, breaking her lifelong principle of never having more than three dishes in one meal.

The aroma filled the air. Jing Xiao slowly poured two glasses of red wine, took a sip, and picked up a dish near her to taste:

“Xiaoyu, I don’t feel that tired right now. Do you still want to go to the water park?”

Fan Qingyu swallowed her bite and said expectantly:

“Yes.”

But when Jing Xiao didn’t react, her voice grew smaller:

“Or… let’s stick to the plan. We can go back and rest first.”

“Dummy.” Jing Xiao smiled. “I was just wondering if I brought you a swimsuit.”

“I did. I knew there was a water park here.” Fan Qingyu cupped her face in both hands. Under the soft overhead lighting, her features were softened, and all the light seemed to gather in her eyes. With sparkling pupils, she made her request:

“I’m worried we won’t have enough time tomorrow. I want to go tonight.”

The water park was open-air. The surrounding lights were dim, so the starry sky above could be clearly seen. The rowdy crowd had already gone. Wearing a lace swimsuit, Fan Qingyu cheerfully climbed the giant slide in the center of the park.

She waved at Jing Xiao:

“Xiaoxiao!”

Jing Xiao, dressed in shirt and trousers, leaned back slightly in her seat. She didn’t take her eyes off her and said:

“I’m here.”

Fan Qingyu gave a perfect eight-tooth smile, then leapt down from the slide entrance. Her gleeful shout echoed through the water park as her figure streaked through the transparent tube, leaving only a splash of water in her wake.

All her life, Fan Qingyu had been strictly restrained, always maintaining a mature, practiced exterior. But people like that often had an unspoiled child within—one they showed only to those dearest to them.

Jing Xiao felt fortunate that she was that person.

Her phone vibrated faintly. Jing Xiao raised a brow in surprise. This wasn’t the phone’s default notification but a custom set alert. For some reason, unease welled up in her. She irritably pulled out a cigarette.

The buzzing continued relentlessly. Thinking it must be something urgent, she checked her screen.

The contact marked Xu Jia had sent over a dozen messages.

Xu Jia?

Jing Xiao accidentally backed out of the chat, only to find that Xu Jia’s conversation window had disappeared.

Suspicious, she thought her phone had malfunctioned. Exiting and reopening the app, she confirmed that indeed there was no trace of Xu Jia. This looked like the work of someone who had deliberately set it up. She tapped the search bar and found Xu Jia again under “hidden contacts.”

Her restored fragments of the original host’s memory vaguely included a person named Xu Jia.

What kind of person was she? And for what reason did the original host erase her presence while secretly staying in touch?

A bad premonition gripped Jing Xiao. She cautiously replied with a single question mark.

Xu Jia responded instantly, with an absurd message:

[Who are you?]

Jing Xiao typed rapidly: [Who else could I be?]

Xu Jia: [Oh, Xiaoxiao-jie?]

Jing Xiao: [Mm.]

Even through the screen, Jing Xiao could sense Xu Jia’s sigh of relief.

Xu Jia: [Xiaoxiao-jie, I’ve got everything ready here. Can we go ahead with the plan?]

Jing Xiao’s pupils contracted sharply. She lifted her gaze toward Fan Qingyu, then back down at the phone. A stabbing pain clenched her chest. She realized the “plan” had something to do with Fan Qingyu.

Jing Xiao tread carefully: [It’s ready? Tell me the details.]

Xu Jia: [Plans can’t keep up with changes. I won’t say for now. Xiaoxiao-jie, how’s the Fan family’s overseas listing? Has Fan Qingyu agreed to marry you yet?]

Two heavy questions dropped at once. Jing Xiao was shaken. She didn’t understand what dealings the original host had with Xu Jia, or why Xu Jia was probing Fan Qingyu.

Cautiously, she replied: [It’ll take more time.]

After a long pause, Xu Jia answered: [She still hasn’t agreed? That woman is tough.]

Jing Xiao had no desire to discuss her lover with outsiders. She took screenshots of the conversation, slipped her phone back into her pocket, and returned her attention to the cigarette.

The filter was damp from her lips. Just as she was about to light it, her phone rang. A strange number. A wave of dread swept over her.

She answered, flicked her lighter, and the flame kissed the cigarette. The other end stayed silent. Inhaling a deep drag, nicotine smoothed her nerves.

Impatient, she asked:

“Who is this?”

“It’s me. Xu Jia.”

Just as she expected.

Jing Xiao tapped the ash off and replied coolly:

“Mm. What is it?”

Xu Jia sounded incredulous:

“Xiaoxiao-jie, you’re smoking again? You—”

At that moment, the giant slide emptied with a splash. Fan Qingyu resurfaced, black hair flinging droplets into the air. Under the dim lights, her delicate nose and lips gleamed, her pale legs stretched elegantly as she swam toward Jing Xiao.

Without hesitation, she climbed onto the ledge, half her body pressing against Jing Xiao. With her wet nose brushing her cheek, she murmured gently:

“Xiaoxiao, you’re smoking again. Are you unhappy?”

“Not really.” Jing Xiao felt a pang of guilt. She flipped the phone face-down, then wrapped her arm around Fan Qingyu’s waist. “Careful. Don’t slip.”

“I won’t.” Fan Qingyu slipped back into the pool. She sniffled, coughed lightly, then asked again:

“Are you unhappy?”

Jing Xiao couldn’t explain the frustration. She shook her head:

“No.”

“Alright. But I don’t like that smell.” Fan Qingyu’s gaze shimmered, carrying a hint of pleading.

“You’ll be up on the slide again soon—you won’t smell it.”

“I want to kiss you,” Fan Qingyu said seriously, “but I don’t like that smell.”

Her righteous tone made Jing Xiao laugh:

“Anyone listening would think you were pledging allegiance to a party, not asking for a kiss.”

She stubbed out the cigarette.

“Fine, I won’t smoke. Go have fun.”

Fan Qingyu leaned over and planted a firm kiss on her cheek. Her eyes lingered on the bent cigarette butt, lost in thought:

“Xiaoxiao, why did you start smoking again?”

“Not sure. Maybe the pressure’s too much.”

“What pressure could you have?” Fan Qingyu teased.

Silence fell between them. Then Fan Qingyu realized her mistake. Subconsciously, she thought Jing Xiao—without a job, without the nuisance of socializing at business banquets, living carefree—shouldn’t have any worries.

But she hadn’t forgotten that Jing Xiao had given up everything for her. Even if Jing Xiao said she didn’t mind, who could completely let go of years of hard work?

Panicked, Fan Qingyu blurted:

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”

Jing Xiao truly hadn’t taken it to heart. She understood her own current state of mind—it was just like the susceptibility period in her original world.

She needed either release or comfort.

Before, without a suitable Omega, she had chosen release. Now, with the one she loved at her side, she wanted to try comfort instead.

She waved dismissively:

“It’s fine. I understand.”

“No, it isn’t.” Fan Qingyu’s apology was full of sincerity. “Xiaoxiao, I know how hard these years have been for you. I know your patience, your suffering. I spoke without thinking—please forgive me.”

“I really don’t mind.” Jing Xiao hadn’t expected the usually high-and-mighty Miss Fan to bow her head so quickly. She stroked her cheek gently. “But if you insist… then hold me more tonight, okay?”

“Just holding you?” Fan Qingyu pressed her palm over Jing Xiao’s, rubbing lightly. “Isn’t there anything else you want?”

“I want to cuddle.”

“I understand.” Fan Qingyu put away her playful tone. She climbed out of the pool and wrung out her wet hair.

“I’ll go wash up. Wait here for me, we’ll head back together.”

She left decisively, and Jing Xiao swallowed the words that would have urged her to play a little longer.

The call was still connected. When Fan Qingyu was finally out of earshot, Jing Xiao’s smile faded. Standing by the glass wall, she stared at the river with dim eyes, lit another cigarette, and said flatly:

“Well?”

Xu Jia audibly exhaled in relief:

“Xiaoxiao-jie, Fan Qingyu can’t hear us now, right?”

Jing Xiao rubbed her temples in frustration and lowered her voice:

“She can’t. Spit it out.”

Xu Jia said:

“I want to move the plan forward. The Fan family’s overseas dealings are close to wrapping up.”

Spoken aloud, her words carried even stronger undertones of scheming. Jing Xiao couldn’t fathom it—how could the original host, so deeply in love, collude with someone to plot against Fan Qingyu?

There were too many unanswered questions. Unable to sort them out, she stalled for time:

“Forget it. We need to be steady. No rushing.”

“You sound like you’re protecting Fan Qingyu,” Xu Jia shot back sharply.

Despite the heat, a chill of sweat ran down Jing Xiao’s back.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Xu Jia laughed lightly:

“Just kidding. Besides, there’s no turning back for you, darling.”

The earlier words Jing Xiao could endure, but hearing “darling” made her skin crawl. Goosebumps rose across her arms.

“Talk properly.”

Xu Jia sighed:

“Fine. But don’t forget what you promised me.”

“Xiaoxiao, who are you on the phone with?”

Fan Qingyu’s voice came suddenly from behind. Jing Xiao nearly jumped out of her skin. She quickly hung up.

“No one. A telemarketer.”

Fan Qingyu frowned in displeasure:

“You’re still smoking.”

Realizing this was her only concern, Jing Xiao let out a silent sigh of relief. She stubbed out the cigarette, held her hand, and said:

“I only took a few drags. Don’t be mad.”

“Alright. I won’t argue with you today.”

On the deck, young bodies brushed past each other in play. Fan Qingyu glanced once, then turned away.

“Xiaoxiao, something’s off with you today.”

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