After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 27

Fan Qingyu, as always, said: “Let’s talk about it later, I need time.”

“I understand.” The answer was expected. The heavy stone in Jing Xiao’s heart finally settled, and the cold sweat in her palms completely disappeared.

Fan Qingyu thought she would throw a tantrum like last time and had already prepared ways to coax her. But Jing Xiao, unexpectedly calm, simply exhaled and stood in place, waiting for the two behind them without the slightest sense of crisis.

Jing Xiao slipped the ring onto her finger. The size fit perfectly, as if it had been tailor-made. She said softly, “The ring fits well. Now there’s nothing missing on my hand anymore.”

Fan Qingyu glanced at her finger. The vine ring wrapped tightly against her skin without the slightest gap. “Indeed.”

The land stretched wide, lush green plants everywhere. With no heavy industry in the outskirts, the stars above shone clear and bright. At the far edge of the fields, a wooden bridge stretched downward. It was a pastoral spring scene, refreshing and delightful.

Looking up at the stars, Jing Xiao thought of how many times she had fantasized about sharing a peaceful moment like this with Fan Qingyu—only to realize it was finally happening at the brink of their separation.

She let go of all grudges and reached for Fan Qingyu’s hand, just as she usually did. Her hand was cold, so Jing Xiao cupped both hands around it and rubbed gently. “Next time we go out at night, remember to bring a jacket.”

Fan Qingyu, thinking they had reconciled, smiled with curved eyes. “Then you bring it for me, Xiaoxiao, okay?”

The unconscious reliance and coquettishness struck deep into Jing Xiao’s heart. It hurt, and she quickly withdrew her hold, afraid she’d grow soft again—because this side of Fan Qingyu was truly mesmerizing. “There probably won’t be a next time. You should take care of yourself.”

Fan Qingyu hooked her arm around Jing Xiao’s and swayed it. The golden threads on her chest glowed faintly in the night. “Why won’t there be a next time? Don’t say such dampening things.”

Her scent filled the air, faint plum blossoms lingering in the nose. But instead of favoring it as before, Jing Xiao now felt only a trace of desolation in it.

Fan Qingyu raised her hand. “Xiaoxiao, smell this—my hand cream today. It’s gardenia.”

Jing Xiao took a light sniff and gave a brief comment: “Mm, fragrant.”

Fan Qingyu stuck her tongue out. “Don’t be upset.”

“I’m happy.” Across the river, the surface shimmered with ripples. Jing Xiao thought: in the future, if she ever smelled plum or gardenia again, the first person she’d remember would surely be Fan Qingyu.

All around, small stalls sold drinks, sodas, and summer snacks. Normally, Fan Qingyu would have turned her nose up at such things, but tonight she bought two cups of watermelon juice and iced glutinous dumplings, just to cheer Jing Xiao up.

See? Fan Qingyu could give way. She knew exactly what Jing Xiao wanted, how to please her. The problem was she simply chose not to, always assuming a little concession was enough to satisfy her.

Jing Xiao took the watermelon juice. The square ice cubes clinked against the glass. Adjusting the straw, she took a sip. The sweetness was refreshing. Even the picky Fan Qingyu nodded in approval. “Pretty good.”

Time came, and the organizers fired several loud salutes, signaling the start of the spectacle. The noisy crowd suddenly hushed.

Fan Qingyu looked up, her smile blooming like a flower. “Xiaoxiao, it’s my first time here. I heard if you make a wish under lots of fireworks, it will come true.”

Jing Xiao knew it was just a saying, but still followed along. “Is that so? What wish would you make?”

Fan Qingyu covered her lips with a laugh. “Why do you need to ask that?” ★

Jing Xiao tilted her head. “Because I want to know if your wish has me in it.”

Before Fan Qingyu could answer, fireworks exploded in the distance—red and green, bold and sparse—marking the opening of the festival amid cheers.

Whatever Fan Qingyu said next, Jing Xiao didn’t catch it, nor did she want to.

Golden tassel-like fireworks bloomed in the sky, like scenes from an anime. Seeing Jing Xiao no longer respond, Fan Qingyu focused on the display.

The sky burst with colors, fireworks outshining the stars. The blaze lit up Jing Xiao’s face. In her hand was chilled watermelon juice, beside her stood her lover, and before her bloomed breathtaking fireworks. It should have been a perfect moment—but joy never came. She sighed, the sound lost to the thick night.

A tug pulled at her sleeve. Fan Qingyu pointed toward a wooden stand. “Xiaoxiao, let’s go there.”

The stand was old and poorly kept, so not many people stood on it. Jing Xiao didn’t dwell on it and nodded, squeezing through the crowd with her.

Fan Qingyu rubbed her ears, complaining, “It’s so loud here, my ears hurt.”

Jing Xiao’s eyes lingered on her pearl earrings. She lit a cigarette, smoke blurring her face. Fan Qingyu frowned, instinctively stepping away, but didn’t stop her—only reminded: “Too much is bad for your health. Don’t smoke next time.”

For the first time, Jing Xiao smoked an entire cigarette in front of Fan Qingyu. She stepped onto the stand, the stairs creaking beneath her feet, the boards clearly hollow. She didn’t care, brushing a dusty railing and covering her hand with grime.

Dodging Fan Qingyu’s hand, she said, “My hand’s dirty. I won’t hold yours now.”

“Alright.”

Several youths sat in a circle by a small bonfire. Jing Xiao stood at the edge, watching the fireworks. Smoke from the fire stung her eyes, bringing unbidden tears. “Can you come home with me tonight?” she asked.

Fan Qingyu hesitated. “I’m afraid not. I have to return to the company and work on a proposal.”

Jing Xiao studied her delicate makeup. “Then why did you come out tonight at all?”

Fan Qingyu fell silent. Pei Lü had promised her a business deal, and she’d rushed here without a second thought—ignoring Jing Xiao in the process. “For the company. Honestly, I didn’t want to come.”

Jing Xiao sighed. “That qipao you’re wearing—I’ve never seen it before.”

“It just arrived this afternoon. I put it on. Don’t overthink it.”

Cupping her face, Jing Xiao turned and asked seriously, “If one day I were gone, would you be sad?”

“What nonsense.” Fan Qingyu pushed her hard, misunderstanding her meaning. “You’ll be healthy, you mustn’t say things like that.”

Jing Xiao chuckled, showing her first genuine smile of the night. “Of course I’ll be healthy. I mean, if one day I leave you—would you be sad?”

Her tone wasn’t playful. But Fan Qingyu instinctively dismissed it as childish sulking. She was so sure Jing Xiao could never walk away from her. “Don’t say silly things like that, so childish.”

“Alright, I won’t. Don’t be mad.” Yet even now, Fan Qingyu thought she was only acting up. Jing Xiao’s smile faded. She opened her hands. The ring had already yellowed.

She knew plants would quickly oxidize once cut, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so fast. The dried leaves pricked her skin red. She took off the ring—

—and flung it far from the stand.

The sky brimmed with fireworks, no gaps left. Fan Qingyu’s eyes gleamed with expectation. “Xiaoxiao, let’s have fireworks like these at our wedding, okay?”

“Then are you willing to marry me now?”

Fan Qingyu smiled and shook her head. “Xiaoxiao, I truly need to ask you for more time.”

“Alright.” Jing Xiao’s expression betrayed nothing. Instead, she asked, “Tell me, do merchants in this world always put profit first?”

Fan Qingyu, herself a businesswoman, spoke with certainty. “Of course. Friendships can be hurt, but reason mustn’t be clouded by emotions.”

Jing Xiao murmured thoughtfully, “I see. I understand.”

Why bring up a wedding yet refuse to marry? Jing Xiao couldn’t make sense of Fan Qingyu’s mind. All she knew was that her own patience had run dry.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Ouyang Fei—she had snapped a photo of them earlier. In the picture, Jing Xiao stood tall, wavy hair falling behind her shoulders. Fan Qingyu, in her qipao, slender waist outlined, smiled brightly at her.

They looked like a couple madly in love.

The splendid fireworks stretched for miles, as if lit just for them.

Jing Xiao stared at the photo for a long time, hesitating between delete and save. At last, she chose the latter.

Forget it. She was leaving soon anyway. Better to keep a memory.

Ouyang Fei: [You two made up? That fast? I knew it.]

“This photo’s so pretty. Did Ouyang Fei take it?” Fan Qingyu asked with a grin, opening their chat. “Send it to me, I really like it.”

Jing Xiao locked her phone. For some reason, she wanted this memory to be hers alone. She made up an excuse. “I’ll send it later at home. Too noisy here.”

From below, Fan Qingyu spotted Pei Lü. Their eyes met. With only a quick word to Jing Xiao, she hurried down.

Jing Xiao lit another cigarette. At a time like this, Fan Qingyu still chose Pei Lü.

Her plan to leave with a final memory fell apart. She pulled out her phone and typed: [I want to return to the Jing family.]

She could see it clearly: Fan Qingyu and Pei Lü weren’t crossing lines, but it still upset her. Whatever Pei Lü said made Fan Qingyu’s eyes sparkle. She bowed her head again and again.

Probably some benefit promised.

“Xiaoxiao, were you serious about that message?” Ouyang Fei appeared behind her. Pei Lü had just noticed she wasn’t at Fan Qingyu’s side.

Dark shadows lingered under Jing Xiao’s eyes. She curved her lips. “As serious as it gets.”

Ouyang Fei gaped. “Then what about Fan Qingyu?”

Jing Xiao wore indifference. “Whatever happens, happens. It has nothing to do with me.”

As they came down the stand, Fan Qingyu approached with a smile. “Xiaoxiao, they’ve got jasmine soy milk over there. Want to try?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Why so polite with me?” Fan Qingyu had already bought some. She handed it over, then muttered, “It’s really noisy here. I’m heading back to the company. See you tomorrow night.”

Jing Xiao’s gaze deepened, as though she was looking past Fan Qingyu at someone else entirely. “Fan Qingyu, we don’t have time anymore.”

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