After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 29

The atmosphere was heavy, yet Jing Xiao felt oddly delighted. Her hair was half-dry, with some tangles at the ends. She fetched a comb from the bathroom and slowly worked through them.

Fan Qingyu didn’t know what to do. Her hands clutched tightly at the hem of her clothes, pressing neat fabric into wrinkled folds. She tried to change the subject:
“Don’t like this food? I’ll make you something else.”

Without even lifting her head, Jing Xiao mercilessly said:
“Fan Qingyu, it seems like you’re only nice to me when you feel threatened.”

Fan Qingyu’s voice trembled with guilt:
“No, I just… I mean—”

Before she could finish, Jing Xiao stood up, slammed the lid on the porcelain teapot, and said casually:
“I’m going back to the Jing family.”

Both Ouyang Fei and Fan Qingyu froze in disbelief, staring at her. Fan Qingyu couldn’t believe her ears. What was even more ridiculous was that she preferred to think she was dreaming rather than accept Jing Xiao’s decisiveness.

She pinched the back of her hand hard. Her fair skin instantly showed two glaring red marks.

Fan Qingyu wanted to speak but stopped. She had no right to stop Jing Xiao from going home, nor could she restrict her freedom. Back then, Jing Xiao had left the Jing family for her. Now that she spoke of returning, the meaning was obvious. Only now did Fan Qingyu realize that when Jing Xiao had said “break up,” she had meant it.

Her face turned ashen, her mind a whirl of chaos, her whole being overwhelmed with pain. Her last line of defense broke. She swayed as if she’d collapse any second.
“You really want to break up?”

Ouyang Fei, stunned, forgot even to swallow the pear in her mouth. It got stuck in her throat, making her cough violently. Even so, she managed to choke out:
“What happened? Why don’t I know about this?”

The two women’s roles had completely reversed from usual.

Jing Xiao leaned back against the sofa, one leg crossed lazily over the other. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warming her as she continued combing her hair, half-squinting in leisure.
“Otherwise? Did you think I was joking?”

The back-to-back questions left Fan Qingyu speechless. The next second, she actually collapsed, her lower back hitting the edge of the coffee table. Tears welled up from the pain, but more than pain, she was desperate for an answer.
“Why?”

“Why?” Jing Xiao repeated several times, then finally chose to spare her some dignity.
“You know better than anyone why. I don’t need to spell it out.”

Fan Qingyu’s reason completely unraveled. She crawled up from the floor and braced her hands against both sides of the sofa, blocking Jing Xiao’s way. Her eyes were bloodshot, her body trembling as if she wouldn’t stop until she had the truth.

The past indeed wasn’t glorious—but it was past. Jing Xiao pushed her lightly.
“I don’t want to say it. Leave.”

Fan Qingyu remained, veins standing out on her arms from the force of holding on.
“Even if we break up, you owe me an explanation.”

Jing Xiao shot back:
“An explanation? Haven’t I been good enough to you?”

She felt no guilt. Whether it was the original body or herself now, both had been loyal and devoted. But unlike the original, she wasn’t indecisive. If things had to be cut off, they had to be cut off cleanly.

Fan Qingyu’s lips trembled. She drew several deep breaths, trying to steady herself.
“Why exactly do you want to break up with me?”

The endless circling around the same question irritated Jing Xiao. She tilted Fan Qingyu’s chin with a finger.
“I’ll tell you why. But you, sit over there first.”

Realizing her loss of composure, Fan Qingyu slowly withdrew her hands and sat down on the sofa opposite her.

The scene was too explosive. Though Ouyang Fei was intensely curious, she respected Jing Xiao. Clearing her throat, she said:
“I’ll go get the takeout. You two talk.”

The spacious living room belonged to just the two of them again. Jing Xiao sighed, like a wanderer recounting someone else’s tale. She merged her own and the original body’s memories:
“It’s strange. At the start, I fell for you at first sight. I wanted nothing more than to be with you. I gave up my status, my wealth, my power—bet everything just to be with you.”

Mentioning the past made Fan Qingyu feel guilty. After a long silence, she managed only three words:
“I understand.”

Jing Xiao continued:
“But after all these years, all I got was you entangled with others. You couldn’t give me a future, not even a title. My decision wasn’t some whim.”

Fan Qingyu’s thoughts short-circuited. She protested:
“I gave you a title.”

Jing Xiao couldn’t be bothered with such excuses.
“A girlfriend is the cheapest relationship in our circle—you know that. A tree that hasn’t bloomed in four years—what’s the point of waiting any longer?”

Reality pressed in on Fan Qingyu. Her voice quivered:
“Is it because of Pei Lü?”

“Yes. But not just because of her.”

With that, Jing Xiao finally dialed the number she had been holding back for so long.

After the busy tone, the call connected quickly. Feeling awkward, she muttered:
“Dad.”

“Well, well. Which big shot finally remembered to call me?”

Jing Xiao went on the offensive:
“I want to come home.”

The man’s voice erupted into a near roar. He scolded her harshly, then said with bitter disappointment:
“I told you from the start that girl from the Fan family wasn’t right for you. You wouldn’t listen. Now you’ve learned the hard way?”

Jing Xiao respectfully admitted fault:
“I was young and foolish back then. Please don’t anger yourself.”

She was, after all, his legitimate daughter. He couldn’t truly abandon her.
“So you’re serious this time? I won’t let my daughter make the same stupid mistake twice.”

“I’ve thought it through,” Jing Xiao answered firmly.

Her humility softened him. After a pause, he moved to a quieter place.
“Come home tonight. Let’s see what your grandfather says.”

“Alright, Father.”

“Your sister is running the company now. Work with her, get familiar with the business. Don’t let me down.”

Jing Xiao waited until her father hung up before ending the call herself.

She had deliberately put the phone on speaker. Fan Qingyu had heard everything.

Jing Xiao’s mood was light.
“My mind’s made up. I’m going home today. Do as you please.”

That was the end. Jing Xiao knew Fan Qingyu’s pride wouldn’t allow her to keep humiliating herself. She turned to leave, but Fan Qingyu grabbed at her clothes.
“Don’t break up. Please.”

“No,” Jing Xiao replied without hesitation.

Fan Qingyu tried again:
“We can talk. Once I’m done with work, I’ll marry you. How about that?”

Jing Xiao’s patience had run dry. Love confessed at the edge of parting was worthless. She didn’t want vows born of panic. She pried Fan Qingyu’s hands away without mercy.
“Get out. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

“You want me gone? You don’t ever want to see me?” Fan Qingyu couldn’t believe it. Her voice shook. “Say that again.”

Looking at her pitiful expression, Jing Xiao couldn’t bring herself to be harsher.
“Go back. I don’t plan to continue with you for now.”

Fan Qingyu finally broke down, tears spilling freely. She sobbed:
“Say it properly. Make me give up completely.”

“What do you mean, ‘say it properly’?”

Choking, she said:
“Say it: Fan Qingyu, let’s break up.”

Jing Xiao’s lips curled into a mocking smile. She leaned down close, her patience completely gone.
“You don’t get to make demands. You’re my ex.”

“I’m not your ex.” Fan Qingyu shook her head desperately, trying to patch things.
“We’re still engaged.”

“I’ll give you closure,” Jing Xiao said coldly.
“Our engagement—consider it void.”

Leaving Ouyang Fei’s place, Fan Qingyu couldn’t accept the thought of facing life alone. She knew this was her fault—she had no right to blame Jing Xiao.

She was devastated. When she tried sending Jing Xiao a message, all she got back was a glaring red exclamation mark and a friend verification request. She had never imagined Jing Xiao could be so ruthless.

She used to think people sobbing their hearts out at breakups were pathetic. Now that it was her turn, she finally understood. Losing someone you truly loved felt no different than losing family.

For the first time in her life, Fan Qingyu regretted.

Why hadn’t she cherished Jing Xiao? Why hadn’t she given her a rightful place, or even many happy days?

Jing Xiao wasn’t a tool for her convenience. She shouldn’t have expected everything from Jing Xiao while giving so little in return. They were lovers—supposed to face life together, not one forever lowering herself for the other.

Fan Qingyu berated herself. She shouldn’t have stayed entangled with Pei Lü, shouldn’t have blamed Jing Xiao for being unreasonable.

Now, it was too late.

She squatted on the roadside, sobbing uncontrollably, her face buried in her knees. Her muffled cries, like a frightened little animal, went on and on.

“Hey, stop crying.”

She looked up to see Ouyang Fei’s uncomfortable face.

Sniffling, she tried to sound normal:
“Did Xiao ask you to come?”

“Of course not.” Ouyang Fei squatted beside her with a sigh.
“Fan Qingyu, are you regretting this?”

Fan Qingyu silently admitted it.

“Everyone’s seen how much Jing Xiao gave you these years. Seems like you were the only one who didn’t notice. You two should cool off for now. Jing Xiao isn’t heartless—if she sees you’ve changed, maybe you’ll still have a chance.”

Fan Qingyu knew Ouyang Fei was only comforting her, but it still made her feel a little better. She muttered:
“Do we really still have a chance?”

“That depends on her,” Ouyang Fei said honestly.
“I can’t decide for her.”

Tear-streaked, Fan Qingyu asked:
“Then what should I do?”

“Fix your family’s mess first,” Ouyang Fei patted her shoulder, “then win her back.”

Jing Xiao had said she was returning to the Jing family.

Fan Qingyu’s temples throbbed. Though her company’s situation had slightly improved, she still couldn’t uncover the mastermind. Even so, she tried to carve out time to be with Jing Xiao.

But whether Jing Xiao wanted to see her was a mystery.

She clung to Ouyang Fei’s words like a final lifeline.
“I understand.”

Jing Xiao wanted to break off their engagement. Fan Qingyu still refused to believe it, convinced Jing Xiao was only blinded by anger. She wouldn’t really end things.

Yet the reality was undeniable. She had to face it.

Fan Qingyu had lived her whole life from a lofty height. The momentary humility and self-reflection born of grief faded. She straightened her back.

She was Fan Qingyu.

She shouldn’t care about love.

Support After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It