After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 26

“You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t speak carelessly,” Fan Qingyu said lightly, a hint of reproach in her eyes as she glanced at Jing Xiao, then smiled and apologized to Pei Lu, “Don’t mind her, she’s had a bit too much to drink.”

Pei Lu remained expressionless, quietly eating the pasta in front of her.

All around them, conversations flowed happily, but their table was unnaturally silent.

Jing xiao was very dissatisfied with Fan Qingyu’s words. Her eyes were bloodshot, her head dizzy and heavy, and she could barely support herself with her hands, barely keeping from collapsing. “I’m telling the truth—I’m very clear-headed,” she said.

Earlier, the noise from her throwing the dishes had been loud enough that a few drops of dark brown soup splattered onto Fan Qingyu’s chest. Jing xiao took out a napkin to wipe it off, only making the stain worse, and irritably said, “You call this being clear-headed?”

Jing xiao felt dizzy, unable to tell if she was actually sober. All she knew was that Fan Qingyu had caused her so much pain, had made her suffer so many grievances, and she no longer wanted to be with her.

“By the way,” Pei Lu said, throwing a coquettish glance at Fan Qingyu, “I heard there’s a fireworks display in the suburban open space tonight. Do you want to go see it?”

Fan Qingyu smiled, “I’m fine with anything.”

“I’m going too. I have something I want to ask you,” Jing xiao added immediately. She couldn’t let her negative emotions control her; she wanted answers quickly, then she could move on, let go, or accept it.

Fan Qingyu flatly refused: “I’ll have the driver take you home. I said, we’ll talk about it tomorrow if there’s something you need.”

Jing xiao grabbed Fan Qingyu’s wrist. Unlike her usual gentle touch, she used all her strength, refusing to give in until she got what she wanted. “No, I need to settle this tonight.”

Pain shot through her, and Fan Qingyu pried her hand away. Her slender wrist was marked with red and white impressions, highly noticeable. Fan Qingyu was stunned, unable to believe Jing xiao would go so far, her lips trembling as she asked, “Settle what?”

Jing xiao clapped her hands and shrugged carelessly: “We’ll talk tonight. Of course, if you have enough patience, you can wait until tomorrow.”

Curiosity sparked in Pei Lu, who had noticed the subtle tension between the two. Pretending to be understanding, she said, “Let’s go together. It’s more lively with more people; I don’t mind.”

Jing xiao scoffed, rolling her eyes: “Stop pretending to be the nice guy.”

Pei Lu smiled slyly: “I’m not pretending. I genuinely invited you.”

Ouyang Fei asked cautiously, “Sister, can I come too?”

Jing xiao seemed truly drunk, blurting out everything on her mind: “She said it’d be lively with more people, so why not bring you along?”

Fan Qingyu, fearing Jing xiao might say something inappropriate, quickly put down her utensils and stood: “I’ve eaten enough. Shall we leave now?”

Early autumn had set in, the temperature slightly cooler. Streets were crowded, even the roads were jammed. Everyone had drunk a bit, except Ouyang Fei, who abstained and took on the role of driver, occasionally checking on Jing xiao and Fan Qingyu through the rearview mirror.

Jing xiao remained silent, staring out the window. All the grievances twisted inside her were somewhat softened by the night. Fan Qingyu pretended to focus on the road, but her peripheral vision lingered on Jing xiao. She seemed to be waiting for something, yet it never came.

The cool wind brushed Jing xiao’s face; she was almost sober now. She looked down at her fingers and casually remarked, “Fan Qingyu, it seems I haven’t cut my nails in a long time.”

Fan Qingyu blushed, awkwardly clearing her throat: “And…?”

She had expected Jing xiao to digest all her grievances and eventually lower herself to reconcile, as had happened countless times before. She felt a slight relief at the thought.

Fan Qingyu did care for Jing xiao; in fact, she wanted to be with her forever. But old habits die hard. Proud and practical by nature, she could not change overnight.

Ignoring intimacy, Jing xiao looked out the window: “Then, don’t you think something’s missing from my hand?”

This unexpected comment completely confused Fan Qingyu, who stammered, “What are you talking about?”

Jing xiao ignored her.

Fan Qingyu looked stunning tonight. Her qipao had a keyhole neckline with a thread of gold running through it, the collarbone section made of sheer fabric, and a pearl hanging at the center. Embroidery ran from the hips to the hem, exquisitely crafted by a master. The waist was cleverly designed with a butterfly motif, accentuating her figure. Her hair was styled in a fluffy bun, obviously professionally done.

Seeing Fan Qingyu’s mesmerizing face, Jing xiao carefully tore her gaze away.

Fan Qingyu tilted her head, smiling coyly, “Why are you staring at me?”

She knew that whenever she made that expression, Jing xiao’s anger would fade.

Jing xiao genuinely complimented her: “The clothes are nice, the workmanship is good, the style is great.”

Fan Qingyu smiled faintly: “I had it custom-made. It took a long time, but I like it, so it was worth the wait.”

“Fits your temperament.”

Fan Qingyu nodded slightly: “So?”

Jing xiao deliberately didn’t give her the answer she wanted: “Which shop did you get it from? I want to buy one as a gift.”

“Who are you giving it to?” Fan Qingyu couldn’t believe her ears, leaning closer urgently.

Jing xiao, enjoying the little revenge, replied: “To an ordinary friend.”

Fan Qingyu opened her mouth, struggling to organize her words: “Why would you give something I like to someone else?”

“Why not?” Jing xiao said casually. “You’re not paying for it anyway.”

Fan Qingyu was speechless. Her mind froze, her tone calm but tinged with a little grievance: “I’d be unhappy about that…”

Hearing this, Fan Qingyu paused for a moment. Jing xiao would also be unhappy being treated like this. She silently reflected—maybe she had overstepped.

She and Pei Lu had seemingly crossed a line.

But after all, she was doing it for the Fan family. She couldn’t let personal feelings interfere with the company’s future. Shaking off her momentary guilt, Fan Qingyu continued.

Pei Lu interjected at the right moment: “By the way, I heard that Xiao Xiao’s sister recently developed a new product for a company. I’m interested.”

Jing xiao clenched her fists, barely restraining herself. If Pei Lu continued, she might actually strike her.

Jing xiao was now officially regarded as the discarded child of the Jing family. Years of her hard work had been effortlessly taken over by a half-sibling, who received praise for using her own plans. And Pei Lu even used this to provoke her.

Fan Qingyu remained silent. Jing xiao inhaled deeply, enduring for the last time.

If she couldn’t get the answer she wanted tonight, it would be the last time she admired Fan Qingyu or made any concessions.

The thought of potentially separating stabbed her heart, as if chunks were being torn away.

Lively crowds surrounded them. Cars were packed along the roads. Ouyang Fei drove them into a nearby parking lot: “We’re late, it’s impossible to move quickly. I know a shortcut nearby.”

“You seem to love fun,” Pei Lu said as she got out of the car.

“No, I just like being in the crowd,” Ouyang Fei hurriedly explained.

Jing xiao followed Fan Qingyu and noticed she was wearing high heels. Every step left its mark in the dense night. Jing xiao instinctively worried whether walking far in heels would hurt her.

Snapping back to reality, Jing xiao wanted to slap herself. She had resolved to leave, yet still cared about Fan Qingyu’s comfort.

They all had different thoughts, no common topic, and remained silent. After turning a corner, Jing xiao noticed the wildflowers along the path, faintly colored even at night.

She thought that if there were no quarrels, they would have walked hand in hand along this quaint path, laughing and chatting.

The moon shone bright in the sky, the air faintly scented with grass. Jing xiao stretched lazily: “Fan Qingyu.”

Fan Qingyu was secretly delighted but pretended to be indifferent.

Jing xiao straightened her posture and said seriously: “Hurry up. I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?” Fan Qingyu moved closer, side by side. “Go ahead. They can’t hear us.”

Jing xiao insisted: “No, let’s talk up ahead.”

Fan Qingyu’s curiosity was piqued. She unconsciously quickened her pace. After leading Ouyang Fei far ahead, she panted slightly, a thin layer of sweat forming at her nose: “What is it?”

“The same old question.” Jing xiao kicked a stone on the roadside. It rolled a few times and disappeared into the path. She gathered all her courage and asked, seemingly casually: “Qingyu, do you really not want to marry me?”

This proposal was a sudden impulse at the table. She couldn’t bear to give up her long-cultivated feelings. She lowered her bottom line once more, thinking that if Fan Qingyu agreed, she could step back and they could live happily. If not, their love-hate entanglement would officially end, and this hastily-made proposal would be just a conclusion.

She pulled out a handwoven ring from her pocket, made of dried willow twigs tied with seasonal leaves, with a small white daisy at the center emitting a faint fragrance.

Her body went cold, palms sweaty. She gripped the ring tightly, her arms trembling: “If you’re willing, I’ll properly propose to you later.”

The ring was simple but far from careless.

Fan Qingyu remained unmoved. She still felt it wasn’t the right time for marriage, declining: “You know the situation with the Fan family. I really can’t focus on anything else right now.”

Jing xiao didn’t want to hear excuses, cutting her off: “I only care about one thing. Do you want to marry me or not?”

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