After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 24

Jing Xiao said, “Go ahead.”

“Prepare yourself mentally first. Don’t get too agitated.”

Amidst the surrounding noise, the fine hairs at Jing Xiao’s hairline were damp with sweat. She knew that what was coming would likely be negative. She asked first, “Did you see the photos I sent you?”

Fan Qingyu forced a smile. “I saw them. Very nice. When did you learn boxing?”

Jing Xiao looked out the window. A few birds were perched noisily on the branches. She pushed the window closed, cutting off all distractions. “I learned before. Too bad you didn’t see it in person.”

Fan Qingyu was now back in the office. She made herself a cup of tea; the boiling water filled the cup with a gurgle, the tightly curled tea leaves unfurling and releasing a fragrant aroma. Leaning back in her office chair, she rested her head on one hand and sighed regretfully, “Maybe there will be a chance later. I definitely want to see it.”

Before a match, it wasn’t good to drink too much water, but Jing Xiao felt parched and couldn’t help taking a few sips of mineral water. “You don’t look well today. You don’t even look like yourself, Xiao Yu.”

Fan Qingyu was startled, as if only just noticing her appearance. Proud by nature and extremely concerned with her image, she rarely displayed vulnerability. Finally realizing this, she took out a small mirror she always carried and applied lipstick to her lower lip.

Pressing her lips together, she spread the red color with her fingertips, dabbing a bit on her cheeks to improve her complexion. “How about now?”

“Still not quite right.” Fan Qingyu lacked vitality, and Jing Xiao didn’t emphasize it further, instead turning her attention elsewhere. “How’s the company doing?”

Fan Qingyu couldn’t immediately come up with an answer. After a long pause, she said, “Short on money, short on opportunities, troublesome.”

“Alright. Are you coming back for dinner tonight?” Jing Xiao asked knowingly. “By the way, what did you want to tell me?”

“I’m not coming back tonight.” Fan Qingyu could only shake her head slightly. The atmosphere lightened a bit, but she didn’t want to say anything that might upset Jing Xiao. “I’ll talk later. You… just stay safe at home…”

Jing Xiao already had a premonition. She interrupted, “Mm, I’m free tonight. I can pick you up for dinner.”

Fan Qingyu froze for a moment, then forced a smile and declined politely. “No need to trouble yourself, Xiao Xiao. You stay home and rest.”

Jing Xiao’s eyes sharpened. She mercilessly called out the truth: “Do you really mean you want me to rest, or are you afraid I’ll cause a scene?”

Fan Qingyu fell silent, too guilty to speak.

Jing Xiao frowned, her eyes reddening from her own insistence. “You can discuss things with me. At least don’t hide them.”

Fan Qingyu sighed, finally revealing the truth. “Sorry, I need to talk with Pei Lu longer tonight. I’m afraid it will upset you.”

Jing Xiao had already guessed, but hearing it directly from Fan Qingyu’s mouth still made her chest ache. As a lover, she felt possessive and wanted to warn Fan Qingyu to maintain distance from others.

But given the current crisis, she was willing to empathize with Fan Qingyu and just hoped for honesty between them. Bitterly, she asked, “Why couldn’t you just tell me directly?”

Fan Qingyu said, “I was afraid you’d be unhappy.”

“Was it really just that you didn’t want me to be upset? Or were you afraid I’d make you avoid Pei Lu?” Jing Xiao pressed further.

Fan Qingyu hesitated, then admitted, “Both. Stop asking.”

“What am I not allowed to ask?” Jing Xiao’s impatience made her feel ridiculous. “Fan Qingyu, in your heart, do I even have the right to know you?”

Fan Qingyu replied calmly, as if speaking about dinner plans rather than debating emotions: “You do, but it’s unnecessary.”

Jing Xiao was struck dumb. “Why unnecessary?”

“Xiao Xiao, you know me. Business and emotions shouldn’t mix.” Fan Qingyu spoke like a seasoned elder teaching a junior.

Jing Xiao smiled bitterly. “So you have to compare me to your business methods?”

Fan Qingyu rubbed her forehead. “That’s not what I mean. I just hope you understand me.”

Jing Xiao pressed on. “So you think me keeping you away from Pei Lu is unreasonable?”

Fan Qingyu didn’t answer, implying agreement. She was stubborn, always sticking to her principles, never changing for anyone.

From an outsider’s perspective, Jing Xiao combining business and emotions was indeed unwise. Yet Fan Qingyu, her partner, didn’t empathize, judging her from an external viewpoint. Jing Xiao felt a pang of sorrow, her throat choking: “Is that really how you think of me?”

Fan Qingyu finally felt something was off. She shook her head. “No. I just want you to know what matters most.”

Jing Xiao asked further, “If you think emotions and business shouldn’t mix, why talk about what matters most?”

Fan Qingyu could only accept responsibility for a mistake she made, unwilling to negotiate the conflict. Calm as ever, she said, “Calm down. I have things to do. I’ll hang up first and talk to you tomorrow night.”

Jing Xiao smiled bitterly. “Talk to me tomorrow night about what?”

Before she could finish, Fan Qingyu hung up. Jing Xiao stared at the screen as it went dark, her eyes stinging as tears fell.

So Fan Qingyu hadn’t changed at all; she was the same as before.

Why did she have to disappoint Jing Xiao again?

Some issues were easy to fix, yet Fan Qingyu refused to compromise, unwilling to make concessions for her. Jing Xiao didn’t understand how magnanimous Fan Qingyu thought she was, always forgiving the same mistakes.

All she wanted was attitude.

Ouyang Fei, quick in movement, familiar, slung an arm around her shoulder. “Xiao Xiao, you’ve been talking with your wife forever. Such a lovely relationship.”

Jing Xiao hurriedly wiped her tears but couldn’t hide them completely. Ouyang Fei noticed immediately. “Why are you crying?”

“Nothing.” Jing Xiao took a deep breath, her sore throat finally easing. She closed her eyes and pushed all thoughts aside, stepping decisively onto the ring.

She fought fiercely, releasing all the grievances bottled up in her heart. With each clash of power, she regained her composure. She was Jing Xiao, a brilliant young entrepreneur, a top Alpha guarding her empire. She shouldn’t let anyone dim her shine, especially someone who didn’t place her at the center.

A sudden punch caught her off guard. Her nose ran, mixing blood and saliva. Another move hit, and Jing Xiao staggered and fell. The shock brought her back to reality: she shouldn’t let love cloud her judgment.

Yet a voice inside urged her to cherish Fan Qingyu, not to part. Even though Fan Qingyu was unpredictable, she was still mesmerizing. But Jing Xiao realized this wasn’t what she wanted.

She wanted stability, a healthy and proper relationship.

Blood in her mouth, metallic taste filling her senses, she gagged. Both physically and mentally shaken, she was helped up by several professionals.

Ouyang Fei asked concernedly, “Are you okay? Want to go back?”

“I’m not going back. Rest a bit, then I’ll fight a few more rounds.”

Ouyang Fei crouched beside her. “What happened? Why were you crying just now?”

Jing Xiao didn’t know how to explain and simply said, “Hard to say.”

The boxing coach bowed deeply. “I took advantage of a momentary lapse.”

Jing Xiao knew her distraction caused her loss. The coach, while highly skilled, still had the gentlemanly demeanor one would expect. Cleaning the blood from her face, she said, “Underestimating the opponent is my mistake, not yours.”

The coach smiled. “I admire your spirit, Miss Jing. Another round?”

She agreed, first tending to her nosebleed.

Ouyang Fei guessed the reason. “Why did the video with Fan Qingyu make you like this? Because of her?”

Jing Xiao was a bit embarrassed but didn’t hide it. “Yes, because of her.”

If it was because of Fan Qingyu, Ouyang Fei understood. She knelt beside Jing Xiao. “You should’ve known years ago. Fan Qingyu is like this—greedy, caring little for feelings. That’s why you chose her back then.”

Jing Xiao buried her face, trying to hide her embarrassment. “I know, but I didn’t expect that now, I still can’t figure out what I truly mean to her.”

Ouyang Fei tried to console her. “She’s always been like that. I understood, so I didn’t act like you.”

Jing Xiao didn’t continue the topic, instead asking, “By the way, do you remember Xu Jia?”

Since Ouyang Fei only remembered the name, Jing Xiao guessed it was someone they had known since childhood. If so, there should be memories remaining.

Ouyang Fei recalled for a moment. “Xu Jia? Of course. We met at a summer camp as kids, and later were neighbors for a few years. Why?”

Jing Xiao felt relieved she guessed right and continued, “What do you think my relationship with her is like?”

“Relationship…” Ouyang Fei rubbed her chin. “Hard to say. I didn’t stay at your grandmother’s, but it seemed okay. You kept mentioning her after coming back.”

“I see.” Jing Xiao nodded thoughtfully.

Ouyang Fei tapped her arm. “Why bring her up now? Are you still in touch?”

“Yes. She invited me to meet up when I have time.”

People’s novelty wears off after a year. The original Jing Xiao probably acted rashly, cutting ties with her family for Fan Qingyu. Later, realizing Fan Qingyu offered little in return, she collaborated with Xu Jia to scheme against Fan Qingyu.

She hadn’t considered the consequences: the Fan family could fall into serious trouble, and Fan Qingyu’s fate was at stake.

Yet Jing Xiao could hardly believe it—someone so infatuated turned out to be merely a mercenary.

This was Jing Xiao’s conjecture. She couldn’t conclude prematurely and decided to proceed carefully, planning to meet Xu Jia first before making decisions.

She leaned toward using this situation to regain control over the Fan family and then make excuses that her past actions were only for realism in the plan.

If it was truly the original Jing Xiao’s doing, she needed to destroy the evidence.

Jing Xiao felt irritated. For now, the most pressing matter was her relationship with Fan Qingyu. She was torn, unsure whether to continue or let go.

In any case, she would wait to see Fan Qingyu in person tomorrow.

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