After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 32

Fan Qingyu missed her target, letting out a snort through her nose in complaint: “So insensitive.”

Jing Xiao stood up. “I don’t want to sleep in the same bed with you. You sleep here—just don’t throw up.”

It was already early autumn, and the air was slightly chilly. Fan Qingyu’s skin brushed against it, sending goosebumps across her body. Jing Xiao, spiteful with her words but honest with her actions, pulled the blanket over her.

After carefully tucking her in, Jing Xiao couldn’t bear the mess on the floor and bent down to pick everything up, putting it into the trash bin one piece at a time.

Fan Qingyu clutched the edge of the blanket. The bed linens were freshly changed, still carrying a faint scent of detergent. She silently lamented that if she had come a few days later, she might have been able to lie on the bed and be enveloped in Jing Xiao’s scent.

Her clothes were flashy but uncomfortable, pinching her skin and causing irritation. Fan Qingyu, quite drunk, boldly removed her clothes piece by piece and threw them on the floor.

The light fabric fell onto Jing Xiao’s face. At first, she didn’t react, but when she picked up the two camisoles and saw the full extent of the clothes, her mouth twitched. With a mix of gentleness and reprimand, she said, “Fan Qingyu, mind yourself!”

Fan Qingyu turned over and lazily let out a sound of acknowledgment. Not long after, she began breathing evenly and deeply. Jing Xiao lightly pushed her shoulder, confirming that she had indeed fallen asleep.

Jing Xiao, helpless, lost interest in the movie. She casually switched to the weather forecast channel, where the anchor clearly reported the next fifteen days. In two days, the city would experience a full week of continuous rain.

Jing Xiao disliked rain—she hated wet floors and the smell of muddy, rotting leaves mixed in the air.

She moved the recliner to the window, slightly opening the curtains to let in soft sunlight, then picked a book from the shelf and skimmed through it.

Everything seemed calm, yet terribly boring.

Fan Qingyu had been sleeping poorly lately and often woke up abruptly. After only a few minutes, her body shivered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

A ray of sunlight fell on Jing Xiao’s fingertips. Her brows lowered, nose high and defined, her fluffy hair cascading behind her—so beautiful it almost seemed unreal.

Fan Qingyu’s voice was hoarse. “Xiao Xiao.”

Jing Xiao flipped a page. “Awake so quickly?”

Fan Qingyu was mostly sober now and wanted to move around. She pulled the blanket aside, and as her toes touched the icy, hard floor, a shiver ran through her.

Jing Xiao glanced at her indifferently. “You’re just going down like that? Brave.”

Fan Qingyu thought Jing Xiao was reminding her to wear slippers. She looked around; aside from Jing Xiao’s slippers by the recliner, she found none. She put on the socks she had just taken off. “Don’t worry, I won’t catch a cold.”

Only after fully getting off the bed did Fan Qingyu realize what Jing Xiao meant by “brave.”

Her face flushed with shame, and she quickly crawled back into bed, wrapping herself in the blanket. The heat inside made her bite her fingers, unwilling to come out.

Jing Xiao slowly closed her book, placing it aside, and couldn’t help but laugh. She remembered Fan Qingyu’s words and tapped the slight depression in the blanket. “Your memory’s terrible. You don’t even know what you did.”

Fan Qingyu’s voice was muffled. “I know.”

The icy expression in Jing Xiao’s eyes softened. A shallow smile appeared at the corner of her eyes. “You know how you rode on top of me just now? Or that you weren’t wearing clothes?”

Fan Qingyu didn’t answer, deliberately ignoring the question.

Jing Xiao pinched her calf along its contour. “Come out soon; don’t suffocate in there.”

After a while, Fan Qingyu asked, “Are you concerned about me?”

Only then did Jing Xiao remember that they had already broken up. She half-denied, half-admitted, “I’m afraid you’ll get into trouble and blame me.”

“Alright, can I borrow some clothes?” Fan Qingyu didn’t rush. Sitting up, the blanket just covered her chest.

Jing Xiao casually rummaged and tossed her a set of pajamas.

Fan Qingyu suggested, “Do you want to finish the movie?”

Jing Xiao switched the channel back. “Might as well; I’m bored anyway.”

The second half of the movie was exciting and thrilling. Immersed in the story, Jing Xiao lost track of time. When the alarm clock ticked away during the final action scene, Fan Qingyu exclaimed, “This part is amazing! They didn’t use a stunt double!”

Jing Xiao agreed. “Indeed, very professional.”

Fan Qingyu remembered the photo Jing Xiao sent her before. “I heard from Ouyang Fei that you were good at the gym last time. Did you train before?”

Why did Ouyang Fei always spill everything?

Jing Xiao casually replied, “Self-taught, I guess.”

Fan Qingyu was suspicious but reluctantly believed her. “I want to watch you train. Can you take me next time?”

Jing Xiao rubbed her temple. “We’ll see.”

Fan Qingyu knew she had overstepped and immediately fell silent, quietly commenting on the movie while Jing Xiao occasionally chimed in.

Fan Qingyu felt that with this kind of interaction, reconciliation with Jing Xiao was imminent.

As the movie neared its end, there was a knock at the door. The person outside offered no greeting. Judging from the earlier voices, Jing Xiao was definitely awake. The doorknob slightly turned.

Jing Xiao shivered. The door wasn’t locked. It was too late to send Fan Qingyu to the balcony, and she couldn’t be caught immediately after returning.

Fan Qingyu felt inexplicably guilty. In the confusion, Jing Xiao pushed her to crawl under the blanket. Fan Qingyu’s frame was slender; Jing Xiao curled her knees, creating space. Fan Qingyu nestled between her legs, quietly listening to the sounds outside.

“Is someone in your room?” Jing Lan looked around, checking even the balcony.

Jing Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, she hadn’t sent Fan Qingyu to the balcony. She replied, “Am I not a person?”

Jing Lan turned sharply. “Who were you talking to just now?”

Jing Xiao’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Since when do I need to report every call I make?”

“Grandpa wants you to come down for dinner.” Normally, she would have stopped there, but she continued with a sarcastic tone. “Don’t know who’s so grandiose that they even need to notify people right after returning.”

Jing Xiao didn’t intend to tolerate her. Imitating Jing Lan’s tone, she said, “You were sent because Grandpa values me. You’re here because in the Jing family, you’re the only idle one.”

Jing Lan ground her teeth. “I’m just here to call you. Why overinterpret?”

Jing Xiao was unfazed. “I admit you’re better at overinterpreting than me.”

Fan Qingyu didn’t move. Her long lashes swept over Jing Xiao’s calves. Jing Xiao shivered and reached under the blanket to scratch her leg and ruffle her head in a comforting gesture.

Fan Qingyu enjoyed the touch. Her waist and spine were stiff from holding the position, but she complied, curling her neck back.

Jing Lan, furious, couldn’t understand why the usually meek softie had suddenly become articulate. She tore off her hypocritical mask and mocked, “A few years ago, you were rushing to be that woman’s dog. Now she doesn’t want you, and you scamper back?”

Fan Qingyu’s heart sank. Her body trembled slightly. In others’ eyes, Jing Xiao’s bold years were spent serving her. Although she hadn’t felt romantic affection, she had given her enough money and gifts.

Jing Xiao propped her chin. “What if I said it wasn’t that she didn’t want me?”

Jing Lan sneered, thinking Jing Xiao was still stubborn. “Who’d believe that? Fan Qingyu is indeed pretty, but only a fool like you would give up everything for her.”

Fan Qingyu, sweating under the blanket, gasped, hoping the verbal sparring would end quickly.

Jing Xiao, lazy to listen, flicked her ear and deliberately provoked Jing Lan. “Unlike you, a private daughter is always a private daughter. When I returned, wouldn’t you still have to give way?”

Jing Lan, humiliated, grabbed her collar. “Jing Xiao, just wait. One day I’ll crush you, and you won’t rise again.”

Jing Xiao patted the back of her head. “I’m looking forward to that day—if you have the ability.”

The two were too close, and Jing Lan seemed to notice something unusual. She pointed at the bulge under the blanket teasingly. “Jing Xiao, don’t tell me a woman is hiding under there.”

Jing Xiao calmly replied, “Only you could say such brainless things.”

Jing Lan was about to reach in. “Because it’s exactly something you’d do.”

Fan Qingyu’s heartbeat quickened. Jing Xiao’s hand lightly gestured for silence on her lips. The other hand grabbed Jing Lan’s wrist sharply.

“Jing Lan, my previous tolerance doesn’t mean you can act recklessly in my territory.”

“Tch, don’t tell me you’re guilty.” Jing Lan found her tricks failing and angrily slammed the door behind her.

Once she was gone, Fan Qingyu emerged from under Jing Xiao. Her clear eyes narrowed as she leaned against Jing Xiao’s leg, breathing heavily. The alcohol on her body became more noticeable after being trapped for a while.

Jing Xiao opened the window. The evening chill flowed in, refreshing the room. The setting sun dipped in the west, painting the surrounding clouds orange-red.

Fan Qingyu wore simple home clothes—long sleeves and pants, easy to move in. Two buttons had fallen off earlier, and she tidied them up, cautiously asking, “Does Jing Lan know I’m here?”

Jing Xiao, also concerned, thought over it carefully. With Jing Lan’s personality, she wouldn’t give up any chance to cause trouble. “Probably not. She just likes to pick fights.”

Jing Xiao checked herself in the mirror. Her clothes were wrinkled—she couldn’t stay like this. She picked replacement clothes from the wardrobe and turned her back.

She reminded Fan Qingyu, “Close your eyes.”

Naturally, Fan Qingyu didn’t comply, staring unblinking.

Jing Xiao’s figure had changed recently; she had slimmed down, her waist curved, and her slender arms subtly showed muscle lines. Her biceps flexed as she moved.

Fan Qingyu stared greedily, curious about how those arms would look when she boxed. Probably very powerful.

If she ever got the chance, she would definitely go to the gym to watch Jing Xiao’s grace.

Jing Xiao turned off the lights, plunging the room into darkness. She tidied the messy bedding and moved the recliner back to its original place, lowering her voice: “I’m heading down first. Stay quiet in the room, don’t turn on the lights.”

Fan Qingyu understood Jing Xiao’s concerns. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one notices.”

Jing Xiao didn’t return to her room. Having Fan Qingyu lock the door would be too conspicuous. In the hallway, a few servants who were cleaning greeted her. Jing Xiao awkwardly said, “Don’t call me ‘Miss Young Lady.’”

One servant, wiping a vase, teased: “How about ‘Miss Jing Xiao’?”

She agreed. “That’s better. Sounds less awkward.”

Today’s event was grand; almost everyone from the Jing family attended. When they saw Jing Xiao, their whispers abruptly stopped.

Jing Xiao ignored the gossip. She knew who held authority and who could restore her rights. She didn’t sit immediately but pulled out the central chair at the long table and bowed slightly. “Grandpa.”

Jing Lao didn’t make things difficult. Instead, he praised her. “After being away for several years, it seems you’ve learned a lot.”

Jing Xiao returned to her seat. “Thank you for your recognition, Grandpa.”

With Jing Lao’s attitude, no one dared to make things difficult. Everyone tacitly decided not to mention Jing Xiao’s past mistakes. Jing Lan, however, couldn’t suppress her resentment and brought up her own achievements.

“Grandpa, our new product just launched. Did you see the online reviews?”

“I saw them. You did well,” Jing Lao replied. “Those who are capable should do more. Now that your sister is back, you should guide her properly.”

Jing Xiao smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Grandpa, but I’ve already made a rough market assessment and have a good idea suitable for the group’s new project.”

Jing Lan sneered. “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Jing Xiao politely refused. “It’s not done yet. I can’t speak prematurely; it might ruin the plan if someone with ill intentions overhears.”

Jing Lao praised her. “Your reasoning and ideas are excellent. Others should learn from you.”

Jing Xiao replied, “Grandpa, you overpraise me.”

Jing Lan hadn’t expected Jing Xiao to perfectly avoid the trap she laid and even receive praise from their grandfather. She clenched her fists so tightly, she almost deformed the tableware.

The dishes were mostly delicate Western-style cuisine. Jing Xiao wasn’t interested until the later Chinese dishes arrived; then she began to eat.

Jing Lao kindly said, “After all these years, you still like home-cooked meals.”

Jing Xiao shyly replied, “Yes, Grandpa.”

Jing Lao nodded. “How’s the young lady from the Fan family treating you?”

Jing Xiao felt a pang of guilt. Fan Qingyu was just a floor away. She used her peripheral vision to glance at Jing Lan, who hadn’t noticed anything.

Thinking of the future possibilities with Fan Qingyu, she lightly replied, “Pretty good, but of course, not as tolerant as you, Grandpa.”

Jing Lao kindly assisted her with food. “At the time, I didn’t approve of your relationship mainly because our families were too different. The young lady from the Fan family is strong-willed; you’ve probably noticed in recent years.”

Jing Xiao remained silent.

Jing Lao sighed. “From now on, I only hope you focus on your career. Understand?”

Before the conversation ended, two female servants hurried down.

Jing Lan, already frustrated, finally found an outlet. “Rushing around like this, what’s the big deal?”

The two servants ignored her. One spoke: “Something’s wrong! Miss Jing Xiao, your room’s been robbed!”

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