After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 3

Fan Qingyu quickly returned to normal. She had clearly felt the slight tremor of the shoulder behind her just now, and she patted Jing Xiao’s head to comfort her. Soon, both of their gazes were once again absorbed by the movie.

Fan Qingyu hadn’t done any homework on this film beforehand. The longer she watched, the more irritated she became. The female lead gave up resources for the male lead, constantly engaged in petty rivalry with the second female. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, she turned off the TV, full of pent-up frustration.

Jing Xiao lowered her head and asked, “Why aren’t you watching anymore?”

“I don’t like watching women fighting over men,” Fan Qingyu sighed, silently lamenting that the ‘love-brained’ setup had ruined the entire movie. She kicked off the thin blanket covering her as if venting her displeasure.

Jing Xiao felt the same way. In an apocalypse, when even a single wild vegetable could cause dozens to fight to the death, leaving resources for the male lead was sheer stupidity. By the later part, the female lead had been forced into unreasonable idiocy, completely unlike the calm and clever person she had been earlier.

After venting her complaints, Fan Qingyu glanced at the time, reached for the travel bag hanging on the coat rack, slung it over her shoulder, and said: “Let’s head out.”

The elevator descended, soon arriving at the first floor. Whether by coincidence or on purpose, Fan Qingyu’s mother was waiting at the entrance. She only greeted them once she saw the two coming down before getting in the car.

From the mini-fridge in the back seat, Fan Qingyu pulled out a soda. Her slender, fair fingers wrapped around the bottle, while the other hand popped the tab. She straightened her back, lifted her elbow, and took small sips.

It wasn’t a holiday, and at around three in the afternoon, the highway was pleasantly clear. Thinking of Fan Qingyu’s mother’s faintly wary demeanor, Jing Xiao probed, “Your mother…”

“Relax, our family remembers all the good you’ve done.” Fan Qingyu smiled sincerely, patted Jing Xiao’s hand, and then pressed the soda she had just drunk from against her lips.

Jing Xiao’s heart skipped—did this count as an indirect kiss?

The private beach booking came with first-class service. A few staff members fawned over them with endless questions. Fan Qingyu waved them away and headed straight for the changing room.

The pale-yellow camisole hugged her curves perfectly, and her delicate butterfly-shaped shoulder blades flexed as she moved. Jing Xiao’s eyes widened, unable to stop herself from swallowing.

“What are you still standing there for?” Fan Qingyu tucked a stray lock of hair out of her camisole strap. Noticing Jing Xiao’s clothes untouched, she nudged her with an elbow.

The changing room’s air-conditioning was strong, but Jing Xiao’s cheeks burned. She turned slightly away, unbuttoning her shirt one by one. Then, sneaking a glance back, she accidentally met Qingyu’s curious gaze.

“You’re blushing?” Fan Qingyu teased.

“No.” Jing Xiao took off her shirt and changed into the swimsuit she had prepared earlier.

The seaside heat pressed down like a wave. Jing Xiao shielded her eyes from the glaring sun and moved forward, but Fan Qingyu stopped her, rubbing sunscreen between her palms. “You’ll get sunburned. Come here, let me put this on you.”

The beachfront cabana faced north-south, with a small outdoor deck for resting. Once Jing Xiao finished applying sunscreen, she was about to ask Fan Qingyu if she needed help when Fan Qingyu simply lay down on her stomach.

Her two pale, flawless legs stretched out toward Jing Xiao. “Please~.”

Jing Xiao’s face flared red. She licked her dry lips before placing her hand on Fan Qingyu’s smooth, firm calves—soft and springy, skin like fine porcelain.

As Jing Xiao’s hand wandered up her legs, Fan Qingyu noticed something off. Propping her chin in one hand, she looked back with a mischievous smile. “Jing Xiao, did you forget to actually use sunscreen?”

Jing Xiao couldn’t admit that it was the irresistible feel of her calves that had made her linger. She gave a dry laugh and admitted her mistake.

With confirmation, Fan Qingyu’s bright smile grew even more radiant. She kicked off her sandals, brushing the top of Jing Xiao’s shoulder with her foot. “So clumsy—you finally slipped up.”

Usually so mature and steady, even lecturing her at times, Jing Xiao had made a blunder today. The more Fan Qingyu laughed, the happier she became. The sea breeze tousled her hair, her brows and eyes relaxed into playful charm. Jing Xiao couldn’t look away.

“Come on, hurry up before it’s too late,” Fan Qingyu urged between giggles.

Shaking off distracting thoughts, Jing Xiao quickly finished applying sunscreen. Fan Qingyu raised the floral parasol and, pressing close to her arm, walked with her to the beach chairs.

But Jing Xiao felt restless. More than lounging in the shade with the breeze, she wanted to dive into the ocean. Her energy was always strong—she began warming up the moment they reached the chairs.

Fan Qingyu lay down leisurely, sipping coconut water through a straw. “You’re really eager today.”

“Am I?” Jing Xiao kept stretching.

Sitting up, Fan Qingyu noticed her thighs seemed to have a faint layer of dry skin. Frowning, she realized she’d neglected moisturizing lately. “My legs are a bit dry.”

Jing Xiao smirked, having roughly figured out Fan Qingyu’s spoiled personality after just a day together. Half teasing, half flirting, she said: “But inside, they’re plenty moist.”

The words slipped out as Jing Xiao walked into the surf. The waves lapped at her ankles, cool and refreshing as she waded deeper.

Fan Qingyu’s face instantly burned scarlet. Pouting, she playfully threatened: “Tonight you’re not allowed to sleep in the same bed as me!”

Whether Jing Xiao heard or not was unclear, but she only licked her lips lightly, drinking her coconut water in leisure. The sea sparkled under the sun, and she felt so relaxed she nearly dozed off.

“Ding-dong.”

Her phone notification shattered the peace. Fearing it was something important, Fan Qingyu hesitated, then turned the brightness up and opened it.

When she saw the sender, her head throbbed.

[Pei Lu: Little Yu-yu, I heard you booked out the whole East City beach today, how elegant of you~]

[Pei Lu: How could you bear to give yourself a vacation? Rare chance—are you with your wife?]

Pei Lu was heir to one of the Fan family’s partner companies. Their industries were deeply tied, and she had been hopelessly infatuated with Fan Qingyu for years, openly showing her affection. But then Jing Xiao had swooped in, sealing an engagement and constantly staying at Fan Qingyu’s side to prevent any interference.

Fan Qingyu couldn’t outright cut ties with Pei Lu, so she pretended ignorance to maintain appearances. Pei Lu never gave up—whenever the three crossed paths, she would always find subtle ways to touch Fan Qingyu and slip in suggestive remarks.

Fan Qingyu rubbed her temples.

[Fan Qingyu: Yes, I’m with Jing Xiao now.]

Anyone sensible would know better than to disturb a couple’s outing. But Pei Lu feigned obliviousness.

[Pei Lu: I see. Haven’t seen you two in a while—I kind of miss you. Perfect timing, I have a project to discuss.]

Fan Qingyu sighed, but before she could reply, another message arrived.

[Pei Lu: I’m heading over now. Wait for me, Little Yu-yu~~~]

The three wavy tildes were exactly her style. Fan Qingyu shuddered, covered in goosebumps, but couldn’t bring herself to reject her outright. She tossed the phone aside.

By the time Jing Xiao emerged from the sea, water streamed down her hair and cheeks, glistening. She brushed her bangs back, revealing her smooth forehead, and noticed Qingyu’s troubled look. “What’s wrong?”

They had argued many times before because of Pei Lu. The two women never got along, and Fan Qingyu didn’t know how to start. After hesitating, she said softly: “Don’t be upset.”

“What reason do I have to be upset?” Jing Xiao finished her watermelon juice calmly. “Just tell me directly.”

Fan Qingyu admitted: “Pei Lu is coming.”

At first, Jing Xiao looked blank. She didn’t know anyone here and kept her face neutral, but inside, she was already piecing things together.

Fan Qingyu’s tone carried tension, as if giving her advance warning. If it were just a normal friend, there’d be no need. Jing Xiao guessed it must be someone she disliked. But afraid of slipping up, she said nothing, simply dove back into the sea with an expressionless face.

Fan Qingyu sighed. She must be angry. Rushing after her, she pleaded: “There’s really nothing between us—don’t misunderstand.”

Silence was her only reply.

Knowing Pei Lu always followed through on her words, Fan Qingyu stopped chasing, returning instead to the dressing room to fetch a shawl.

When she came back, Jing Xiao frowned. “Why the shawl? Extra sun protection?”

“Pei Lu will be here any moment,” Fan Qingyu repeated, adjusting the ribbons to cover the ambiguous marks on her chest. They were mostly hidden, though a closer look might reveal them.

Jing Xiao acted too calm, which made Fan Qingyu uneasy. “You’re not mad?”

She wanted to be—but lacking context, she played it cool. “If someone’s coming, I can’t stop them.”

Fan Qingyu read a deeper meaning, assuming she was suppressing her anger. Flustered, she explained: “You know how important the cooperation between our families is. I can’t afford to fall out with her.”

Hearing this, Jing Xiao understood the situation better. Fan Qingyu’s words made it clear: this woman was a source of conflict between them. Yet Fan Qingyu, as a businesswoman, valued partnerships too much to risk them just for her lover’s sense of security.

It was just like the original Jing Xiao—she couldn’t stand her partner being pursued by someone else. But in the end, it all depended on Fan Qingyu’s own stance. No one else could solve it for her.

Without responding, Jing Xiao stood up. “I’ve finished my juice. I’ll go get another.”

She left briskly. Fan Qingyu didn’t chase, only lay back down.

Pei Lu soon arrived, wearing a daring swimsuit. From afar, she called out sweetly: “Little Yu-yu, I’m here!”

Her singsong tone practically echoed with those mental tildes. Fan Qingyu nearly choked, goosebumps all over again.

Pei Lu plopped down beside her, unwrapping a spare set of cutlery to help herself to the fruit platter. “So, where’s your wife?”

Fan Qingyu lifted her eyes lazily, replying coldly: “Went to get juice. Might take a while.”

“Juice?” Pei Lu smirked, pleased to have annoyed Jing Xiao. Dropping her utensils, she remarked, “Wearing a shawl in this heat?”

Fan Qingyu choked again, refusing to answer. “So, what was that project you wanted to discuss?”

“First, order me a juice too,” Pei Lu said into the intercom. The staff quickly delivered several glasses of watermelon juice. Clinking hers against Fan Qingyu’s coconut, she grinned. “You should learn to relax when you’re relaxing. Talking business all the time isn’t healthy.”

Fan Qingyu clicked her tongue, clearly displeased. “You’d better actually have a reason.”

Laughing, Pei Lu finally got serious. “I was joking. I really wanted your opinion about Old Wu. He’s planning to resign. What do you think?”

Fan Qingyu thought for a moment, replying solemnly: “Try to keep him. Raise his salary and benefits. He’s close to retirement, and constant changes would be hard on him.”

“I agree,” Pei Lu nodded. “He’s holding onto several big clients. By the way, North City’s land project is up for debate—whether to go digital storefronts or stick with traditional.”

As they spoke, Jing Xiao returned. Her hair was mostly dry, proof she had taken a long walk. Her hands were empty.

Fan Qingyu handed her a juice. Jing Xiao downed it in one go.

Pei Lu gave her a once-over. “You could’ve just asked the staff for juice. Why bother going yourself? Unless… you knew I’d be here?”

On the surface, the words sounded harmless, but underneath, they dripped with insinuation.

Jing Xiao ignored her, shooting her a cool glance. “None of your business.”

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