After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 31

The balcony faced east. Jing Xiao wanted to go bask in the sun. The temperature had dropped significantly recently, and a gentle breeze hinted at the arrival of autumn. In the center of the balcony was a round table with exquisite tea sets. Jing Xiao casually picked a tin of tea from the shelf. Boiling water poured over the leaves, which unfurled and released waves of fragrance.

The balcony was perfectly secluded. Fan Qingyu sat beside her without hesitation. Aside from the tea set, the fruit plate held plenty of fresh fruit. Fan Qingyu picked up a misshapen orange.

Jing Xiao’s lips turned red from the hot tea. She put down the cup. “Any progress on your company’s situation?”

“Not yet. The other party is too meticulous.” Peeling the orange piece by piece, revealing the translucent pulp inside, Fan Qingyu placed it next to Jing Xiao. “Want some?”

Besides wanting to subtly check on Fan Qingyu, Jing Xiao also wanted to know whether this matter had anything to do with Xu Jia. She didn’t refuse and popped a piece of fruit into her mouth.

Seeing her eat it, Fan Qingyu hurriedly said, “I’ll peel another one for you.”

After a while, the tea had cooled enough to drink. Jing Xiao said, “No, I don’t want any more.”

Fan Qingyu’s expression darkened as she looked at the orange peels in the trash, but she quickly brightened again. “Xiao Xiao, will you be staying home tonight?”

Jing Xiao had just returned, so she naturally followed Jing Lao’s arrangements. Rather than truly resting, these past days felt like a soft form of confinement to temper her temper. If she went out, she might risk losing all authority.

Jing Xiao understood and, having no other plans, replied truthfully, “No.”

Fan Qingyu’s mouth was dry. She brewed herself some tea and, almost casually, asked, “There’s a new movie out recently. Want to watch it?”

After the handover, Jing Xiao would be busier than ever, so she declined politely, “I don’t want to go to the cinema.”

Fan Qingyu stood, gently opening the sliding door, pointing at the TV inside. “You can watch it on TV too. I think you’ll like it.”

Today she wore perfume—a faint, subtle scent, like lavender laundry detergent—that Jing Xiao liked. She leaned closer to smell it. Hearing Fan Qingyu’s words, she grew slightly interested. “What’s the movie about?”

Each word struck Jing Xiao’s curiosity directly. Fan Qingyu replied, “A woman who has suffered domestic abuse for years takes revenge.”

Noticing Jing Xiao’s reaction, Fan Qingyu smiled, her eyes curved with anticipation. “Do you like my perfume today?”

“Yes.” Jing Xiao blurted out, then awkwardly cleared her throat and went inside to turn on the TV.

Fan Qingyu’s lips curved into a faint crescent, revealing eight neat teeth. Her eyes glistened, with her upper lashes covering the curved lower lashes.

Jing Xiao pretended not to notice her sly delight.

The movie was very popular. As soon as the TV turned on, a large movie poster appeared. Jing Xiao asked, “Is this it?”

Fan Qingyu: “Yes.”

A golden dragon coiled against a greenish glow. Fan Qingyu sat at the edge of the bed while Jing Xiao deliberately kept her distance. Jing Xiao’s outfit was extremely sharp: a white cotton shirt, perfectly draped black trousers, and a tailored female blazer, giving her an inexplicably elite aura.

Her hair, now straight with a slight fluffy curve, reached her waist, exuding the air of a powerful executive.

This attire captivated Fan Qingyu. She couldn’t look away and smiled, “Xiao Xiao, why are you dressed like this at home?”

Jing Xiao said, “Even at home, you need to dress formally—who knows what might happen tonight.”

The first half of the movie was cliché and frustrating: the protagonist was abused by her husband and mother-in-law, and looked down upon by everyone until another character appeared, giving her courage to start anew.

Fan Qingyu’s inner clothing was a bit scratchy. She shifted slightly and lightly pursed her lips. “Xiao Xiao, I’m thirsty.”

Jing Xiao didn’t look away. “There’s soda in the fridge. Get it yourself.”

Fan Qingyu opened the fridge. Besides soda, there was juice and alcohol. Her skin was irritated from the clothes, her senses heightened. She bit her lip and eventually took several bottles of fruit wine and two cans of beer.

By the time the female protagonist turned the tables on her abusive husband, Jing Xiao was completely absorbed and didn’t notice Fan Qingyu downing two bottles of fruit wine, preparing for a third.

Fan Qingyu rarely drank alcohol. The fruit wine’s alcohol content wasn’t low. She started feeling dizzy, spilling some on her collar. She opened another bottle and forced herself to drink half in one go.

The progress bar moved forward. Fan Qingyu, drunk, lost all awareness.

When the bottle opener dropped, Jing Xiao noticed the empty bottles by her feet in alarm. “Fan Qingyu, why did you come to my house to drink?”

Fan Qingyu’s cheeks were flushed from the heat. From her ears to her earlobes, a delicate blush spread. Her pearl earrings looked like flower centers, irresistible to bite. Her brows were naturally green, and her eyes were like water-colored apricots—a beautiful woman inebriated.

Jing Xiao didn’t maintain the same harsh attitude as before. She let Fan Qingyu lie on the bed while murmuring, “If you want to drink, drink at home. Why come to my house?”

Fan Qingyu’s gaze was hazy, strands of hair scattered. Her breathing carried an indescribable sensuality. “Stay with me.”

Jing Xiao rejected firmly: “I don’t drink. Get up. If you want to stay with me, don’t vomit on my bed.”

Fan Qingyu turned her head, voice soft. “Who cares about staying with you?”

Jing Xiao noticed the blush spreading across her neck. She swallowed and had the impulse to kiss her, but Fan Qingyu’s words were irritating, and her desire vanished instantly.

Now, the contrast was stark: one was irrational and intoxicated, the other sharp in a suit. Jing Xiao pinched her earlobe—hot and soft.

She smirked. “Fan, I don’t have time to play mind games. If you don’t care about staying with me, I’ll have someone take you home.”

Fan Qingyu’s eyes filled with tears as if realizing her predicament. Her skin was hot and rosy, responding to Jing Xiao’s words, perhaps repenting her previous mistakes. Tears fell, warm, wetting Jing Xiao’s hand. “I was wrong. I really was wrong.”

Jing Xiao handed her a cup of warm water and helped her drink. “Wrong about what?”

Fan Qingyu pouted, fiddling with her fingers, her usual calm demeanor gone. “I shouldn’t have made you unhappy.”

Jing Xiao teasingly asked, “And then?”

Fan Qingyu hesitated. Her already flushed face grew redder. She loosened her bitten lip, lips glossy with moisture. Her voice grew smaller. “I came to apologize today.”

Jing Xiao laughed. “Oh, that’s why you climbed through the window.”

Fan Qingyu’s finger lightly brushed Jing Xiao’s hand. Jing Xiao felt a tickle and even enjoyed the touch. Seeing no resistance, Fan Qingyu put her whole hand over hers.

Jing Xiao, not wanting to argue with a drunk person, briefly let go of past grievances. “How do you plan to apologize?”

Today, Fan Qingyu wore a long mink coat, loosely buttoned. She slid it open.

Jing Xiao stopped her. “Hot? Don’t take off your clothes in front of me.”

Fan Qingyu shook her head slightly, lips parted. She was too weak to speak much, but her actions were determined. The buttons slowly undone, the coat fell on the bed. Jing Xiao stared.

She had been drinking. Her skin was fair and rosy. Underneath, a layered pure white lace dress extended almost to the hips, with crisscross ribbons at the waist and semi-transparent lace at the skirt.

Heat surged through Jing Xiao. She cursed under her breath.

Fan Qingyu curled her fingers to cover herself, tearing at the too-short skirt, as if that would hide her from Jing Xiao.

Jing Xiao blushed. “You wore this to see me today?”

“Yes. Do you like it?” Fan Qingyu tried to sit up, intending to wrap her arms around Jing Xiao’s neck.

“I like it. Fits my taste.” Jing Xiao didn’t respond to her action. She lightly pulled a strap. Unexpectedly, it was so elastic it snapped back, leaving a red mark on Fan Qingyu’s shoulder.

Fan Qingyu’s eyes glistened, full of desire. “Then… can I…”

Jing Xiao couldn’t believe Fan Qingyu dressed like this to please her. She still had feelings for her. Once she finished her own matters, she might consider continuing with Fan Qingyu.

But she disliked Fan Qingyu lowering herself for anyone—even herself.

Jing Xiao wanted to see her limits. She stroked her chin. “Beg me.”

Fan Qingyu found it difficult to speak. Her eyes darted, torn between pride and the request.

Jing Xiao patiently held her position for a long time, even showing signs of leaving.

Fan Qingyu panicked, tugged at her collar, trembling: “Please, Xiao Xiao.”

Jing Xiao felt a sense of conquest but mostly sympathy. She pulled the curtains, dimming the room, and leaned over Fan Qingyu, looking into her eyes.

Fan Qingyu begged, “After today, can you forgive me?”

Jing Xiao firmly said, “It’s impossible to forgive just because you did something good. We’re not completely out of chances. Give me time to process and forget the past. Once I settle things at home and personally, maybe we still have a chance.”

Fan Qingyu kept crying softly. “What if you meet someone better?”

Jing Xiao lowered her gaze, tracing the red mark, and replied calmly: “Then I’d try to interact, get to know them, be with them. Same for you—if you meet someone better, try it.”

“No, I don’t want that.” Fan Qingyu’s voice was hoarse. She took Jing Xiao’s hand to her face. “You’re the best. I don’t need anyone else.”

Jing Xiao sighed, her voice like clear water, calm and cold. “If only these words had come sooner. You know how moved I’d be. Late love doesn’t move me.”

Fan Qingyu sniffled. “What if you stop liking me later?”

Jing Xiao’s heart ached. She couldn’t say anything harsher. She gently pinched Fan Qingyu’s face, caressing it. “That probably won’t happen. I said probably.”

Fan Qingyu knew Jing Xiao well. “Probably” indicated she wouldn’t like anyone else. Fan Qingyu, hurt, decided she could wait.

But then she thought: what if Jing Xiao didn’t like her anymore?

Fan Qingyu’s heart sank. She staggered off the bed, opened another bottle of fruit wine, and offered it to Jing Xiao. “Drink with me.”

Jing Xiao drank it in one gulp. Her tolerance was good, and she felt no ill effects.

In the dim room, with the fresh, cool wind and the paused movie, Jing Xiao’s eyes narrowed. She wanted to sleep first.

Fan Qingyu mischievously kicked her ankle. Jing Xiao thought it was accidental and moved her leg away.

Fan Qingyu followed. She placed a hand on Jing Xiao’s collarbone. “Xiao Xiao, do I look good today?”

Jing Xiao, not wanting to seem indifferent, opened her eyes. “Yes, you have good taste.”

“I thought so too. I guess you’d like it.” Fan Qingyu, emboldened by the wine, straddled Jing Xiao.

Jing Xiao examined the outfit. “Where did you buy it?”

Fan Qingyu looked around shyly, whispering, “A store.”

Jing Xiao’s neck ached. She placed a U-shaped pillow under her head and asked, “Which store?”

Fan Qingyu hid her face. “I… won’t say.”

After a while, Fan Qingyu’s legs went numb. Jing Xiao hadn’t moved. She moved her ankles and hands, asking, “Since you like it, aren’t you going to do something?”

Jing Xiao reached to touch her thigh. “This doesn’t even feel like you.”

“But I really want you.” Fan Qingyu’s gaze was full of affection, like a mesmerizing temptress from a movie. She felt both shy and eager to get close.

“Want what?!” Jing Xiao pushed her down, then quickly moved away, lying aside with full composure. “No, not doing it.”

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