After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 25

Jing Xiao stepped onto the ring once again. Ouyang Fei’s eyes widened, afraid that something might happen to her again. At the referee’s signal, the match officially began.

The person in charge was very confident in Jing Xiao’s abilities and reassured her: “Ouyang Fei, don’t worry. Your friend is very capable.”

“No, she’s not herself today,” Ouyang Fei said.

Jing Xiao returned to her initial state, but the boxing coach was not one to be easily fooled. Toward the later stage, she began to feel a little fatigued. Taking advantage of a moment of carelessness from the coach, she found an opening and barely won the match.

After stepping down from the ring, her sports vest was completely soaked with sweat, and she looked utterly exhausted.

Ouyang Fei waved off the approaching staff and coaches and said to Jing Xiao, “Alright, you’re not in the best condition. Let’s leave it for next time.”

Jing Xiao didn’t refuse. She said a brief goodbye to the two of them, draped a dry towel over her shoulders, and trudged toward the locker room. Just as she was about to leave, the boxing coach stopped her: “Miss Jing, next time please be sure to come for a proper rematch.”

Jing Xiao bumped fists with him: “Sure.”

Once again sitting in Ouyang Fei’s car, Jing Xiao still couldn’t get used to the strawberry perfume scent. She rolled down the window and for a moment didn’t even know where to go.

She wanted to see Fan Qingyu now, to ask her what she should do.

Ouyang Fei didn’t mention the heartbreak. She patted Jing Xiao’s shoulder and suggested, “It’s getting late. I’ll take you to eat something.”

“I don’t want to eat,” Jing Xiao closed her eyes. “I want to go home and sleep.”

“You should eat a little; otherwise, your stomach will hurt.” Not giving her a chance to refuse, Ouyang Fei made a sharp turn and stopped in front of a Western restaurant. She swiftly got out and opened the car door. “I know you like Western food. It’s on me, don’t be shy.”

Jing Xiao gave a bitter smile. She ate Western food with Fan Qingyu every day, yet Ouyang Fei thought she liked it too. It was both sad and funny. She said nothing and thanked Ouyang Fei, following her into the restaurant.

The wind chime on the door jingled, and Ouyang Fei paused, laughing awkwardly as she glanced back. “Let’s change to another place. This one isn’t good.”

The warm yellow light was clear, the solid wooden tables and chairs were expensive, the hygiene was impeccable, and the decoration elegant—hardly fitting the description of “not good.”

Jing Xiao squeezed through and froze in place as she saw Fan Qingyu sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window. Her eyes were downcast, the ends of her hair twirled by the fingers of Pei Lu sitting opposite her.

Jing Xiao’s body felt like lead; she couldn’t move, her shoulders trembling slightly, and she wanted nothing more than to go up and tear Pei Lu apart.

Ouyang Fei was startled by Jing Xiao’s expression. Having seen her martial arts skills earlier, she feared Jing Xiao might lose control and cause an accident. She quickly grabbed her arm: “Calm down. Let’s go somewhere else. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Jing Xiao didn’t move, her throat feeling blocked by cotton. She could feel her heart pounding violently, her breath halting for a moment.

Pei Lu helped Fan Qingyu tidy her hair, and they seemed to be sharing something amusing. Fan Qingyu laughed, her whole body trembling with joy.

While some rejoiced, others suffered. Pei Lu and Fan Qingyu sat facing each other, acting extremely intimate, as if they were the couple. Jing Xiao was struck hard, her hands and feet turning icy, unable to move.

She stood there for quite some time, drawing the curious gaze of many around. Ouyang Fei called her several times before finally pushing her: “Xiao Xiao, let’s go somewhere else for dinner. Come on.”

Jing Xiao felt all the blood drain from her. She was overwhelmed with frustration and despair over Fan Qingyu’s unclear relationship with another woman. She wanted to confront them, to smash every plate on the table, to end the relationship decisively.

But she couldn’t. Her upbringing told her to always give Fan Qingyu dignity and respect.

She exhaled deeply and accepted Ouyang Fei’s suggestion: “Fine, let’s just find a street stall or something.”

Jing Xiao was completely rational, but she had a premonition that if she didn’t leave, she might truly lose control.

“What are you walking away for?” Pei Lu tilted her head slightly, a brilliant smile on her face, her voice loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear. “Jing Xiao, what a coincidence. You’re here too.”

Jing Xiao pressed her lips together and cast her a sharp glance. Pei Lu only smiled more provocatively.

At this point, leaving would seem too restrained. Jing Xiao laughed bitterly, waving her hand nonchalantly: “Long time no see, Pei Lu.”

When she said the last two words, she unconsciously gritted her teeth as if she wanted to crush Pei Lu.

Pei Lu casually called over a waiter: “Waiter, another set of cutlery, please.”

The people in the restaurant thought it was just friends meeting and ignored them, only Fan Qingyu knew that a storm was about to unfold.

Fan Qingyu had applied delicate makeup and changed into a beige silk cheongsam. Her hair was neatly pinned, exuding elegance and grace. She seemed slightly guilty and cut a piece of steak for Jing Xiao: “Have you eaten?”

Jing Xiao avoided it, shaking her head: “No, I don’t have an appetite.”

“Alright.” Fan Qingyu handed her a backup menu from under the table: “Take a look and order whatever you want.”

Jing Xiao forced down her anger, clenched the menu with two fingers, and her tone carried a sharp edge: “I said, I don’t have an appetite.”

Fan Qingyu had never seen her like this and was momentarily speechless. Her breathing quickened, and she hurriedly put away the tableware in front of Jing Xiao and told the waiter to prepare another same dish.

Jing Xiao glared and repeated: “I don’t have an appetite.”

The waiter didn’t know what to do and asked Fan Qingyu for help: “Miss, so do you want this dish or not?”

Fan Qingyu ignored Jing Xiao: “Yes, prepare it.”

After the waiter left, Fan Qingyu personally poured a glass of red wine for Jing Xiao. After the afternoon’s quarrel, their relationship was extremely delicate. Jing Xiao said nothing and silently pushed the wine in front of her.

Jing Xiao cast a cold glance at the wine, still rippling slightly, and said in a detached tone: “Sorry, I just boxed this afternoon. I don’t feel like drinking now.”

Fan Qingyu awkwardly drank it all herself, murmuring: “Actually, it tastes pretty good. I like it.”

Jing Xiao ignored her and listened to the restaurant’s cello music, commenting: “Not good. Lacks emotion. Better to play from the speaker.”

Fan Qingyu replied: “I agree.”

She thought the atmosphere had improved. Her eyes showed a fleeting look of pleading: “Let’s talk about this tomorrow, alright?”

Jing Xiao still ignored her.

This time, Jing Xiao was unusually resolute. Her attitude was different from past quarrels, as if she truly wanted to cut off their bond. Fan Qingyu was shocked and shook her head.

No, Jing Xiao would never leave her.

Jing Xiao couldn’t bear to leave her.

The Western restaurant was efficient. The waiter quickly brought a dish identical to Fan Qingyu’s. Jing Xiao gripped the table tightly. Despite Fan Qingyu’s repeated urging, she still didn’t move: “She’s here, I can’t eat.”

Fan Qingyu knew that “she” referred to Pei Lu. She wasn’t a patient person and lowered her voice: “I can’t make her leave. Having a meal together isn’t a big deal.”

Jing Xiao picked up her fork and slammed it onto the plate. The soup splashed onto the table: “It’s not a big deal for you, but it’s different for me.”

Fan Qingyu, afraid Pei Lu would hear, lowered her voice further but added a scolding tone: “How is it different? I haven’t done anything with her.”

Jing Xiao stood her ground: “Do we have to wait until you do something outrageous for me to react like this?”

The tension was unbearable. Jing Xiao felt something missing. She looked up and saw Ouyang Fei standing near the entrance, head bowed, unable to look forward, stuck between leaving or staying.

Pei Lu had noticed her, keeping her attention on Ouyang Fei, eyes unblinking, afraid to miss any of her movements.

Ouyang Fei couldn’t hold it any longer. She glanced up briefly and happened to meet Pei Lu’s sly gaze.

Pei Lu stood up, stepped over to Ouyang Fei in high heels, and Ouyang Fei, like a child caught doing something wrong, lowered her head further, only able to look at Pei Lu’s slender, fair legs and her black matte high heels.

Pei Lu lifted Ouyang Fei’s chin: “Isn’t this my little dog? Who are you with?”

Ouyang Fei’s breath caught. Her voice trembled: “Sister, I’m with… I…”

Pei Lu’s fingertips gently pressed over Ouyang Fei’s lips, her face calm with a faint smile. She turned neatly and extended her hand: “I’m not blind. Since you’re here, let’s have a meal together.”

Just after sitting down, Pei Lu crossed her legs and acted familiar: “Xiao Xiao, why aren’t you eating?”

Fan Qingyu quickly answered: “She doesn’t have an appetite.”

Jing Xiao laughed in anger, her rationality completely collapsing. She no longer cared about Fan Qingyu’s feelings, her tone sharp: “You know whether I have an appetite or not.”

Fan Qingyu frowned: “Anything can be said at home. I’m begging you.”

Fan Qingyu looked stunning in her elegant outfit, like a carefully painted beauty. Beautiful, yes, but with a cold temperament.

Jing Xiao couldn’t tolerate Fan Qingyu’s indifference. She felt aggrieved, unable to imagine how indifferent Fan Qingyu could be, how little she cared whether Jing Xiao would firmly choose her again.

Jing Xiao’s emotional collapse, the tears in public, and her dwindling expectations for Fan Qingyu seemed like a joke. She laughed through her tears, took the glass of red wine beside Fan Qingyu, and filled it.

She lifted the glass in a mock toast. The thick, crimson liquid hadn’t even been swallowed before it ran down her face and into her collar.

Red wine was meant to be savored in small amounts, not for drowning sorrows. Jing Xiao’s throat stung. She put down the glass and wiped her face hard. Fan Qingyu was dumbfounded. Jing Xiao secretly rejoiced that she finally saw Fan Qingyu’s expression change because of her.

Fan Qingyu, confused, asked: “What are you doing?”

Jing Xiao said casually: “Nothing, just trying to gather courage.”

Fan Qingyu was about to speak, but Jing Xiao interrupted her.

Jing Xiao held Fan Qingyu’s hand on the table. It was delicate and fair. She had always loved holding it and feeling its contours. She looked for a while, then grabbed Pei Lu’s wrist and placed her hand over Fan Qingyu’s hand.

Fan Qingyu couldn’t believe it. She pulled her hand back and angrily slammed the table: “Jing Xiao, what are you doing?”

Jing Xiao feigned indifference, still wearing a casual smile, but her eyes were filled with tears: “I said, you two can be together.”

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