After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 37

After several consecutive days of heavy rain, Jing Xiao woke up abruptly from sleep. She was gasping for air, her body motionless as she lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. The relentless sound of rain was unusually loud. Finally, she calmed down, propping herself up with pillows on both sides, and wrapped herself tightly in her thick pajamas as she went to wash up.

The wild wind tore at the window screens, and Jing Xiao noticed that the window was wide open, letting rain soak the expensive wool carpet. She paid no attention and went straight to the bathroom.

Between the company and home, Jing Xiao’s life was non-stop; so many worries kept her from sleeping, leaving her looking worn out—almost unrecognizable in the mirror.

For a moment, she noticed her cheekbones slightly protruding due to her recent poor mental state.

She poured a glass of water and began brushing her teeth, involuntarily recalling the night she parted from Fan Qingyu.

She remained silent, closing her eyes to hide the emotional turmoil.

Fan Qingyu’s smile had frozen, as if she had already guessed the answer. She lightly tapped her lips in self-reproach and refrained from mentioning it again.

That day, she didn’t go to Jing Xiao’s home, smiling instead and saying she didn’t know when they would meet next, wanting to save this opportunity for another time.

Jing Xiao agreed willingly. At the moment of parting, she watched helplessly as the swaying figure disappeared into the dark night. She reached out to grab her but realized Fan Qingyu had already gone.

They were like two parallel lines that would never intersect again. Even if she didn’t want to think this way, Jing Xiao had an inkling in her heart.

Sitting down at the dining table, she hadn’t yet recovered, her mind busy imagining the outcome between her and Fan Qingyu.

Would they let go of the past and reconcile, or would time gradually dilute their feelings, leaving them to go their separate ways?

To be honest, she didn’t believe someone like Fan Qingyu could patiently wait for her along an uncertain timeline.

“Xiao Xiao, Xiao Xiao…”

Old Master Jing called several times. Jing Xiao came back from her thoughts: “Sorry, Grandpa, I got lost in my thoughts just now.”

Old Master Jing lifted his chin toward the TV, showing a report on a newly launched mobile game from abroad. The game focused on adventure themes and special effects, and the reporter’s pleasant voice introduced its impact on the mainland.

He asked, “Is this what you’ve been getting into lately?”

Jing Xiao nodded.

Putting down his chopsticks, he said seriously: “There’s an interview tonight, and I’ve decided to send you to appear.”

Jing Xiao smiled brightly: “I’ll make the most of it.”

Though family elders of prestigious households were usually strict, Old Master Jing could still show indulgence within reasonable limits: “As for your request to move out, I won’t ask why. Just choose a good time.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

After leaving the Jing residence, Jing Xiao opened her phone, staring at her chat history with Fan Qingyu. They hadn’t talked for a long time, and she didn’t know how to start messaging.

Fan Qingyu had said she liked her and cared about her—so why hadn’t she sent a single greeting in the past few days? The date in the chat still showed the day before their breakup. Jing Xiao stared at the numbers for a long time, her eyes stinging.

What kind of tone should she use to invite Fan Qingyu again?

After several edits, she finally sent just one sentence:

[Are you there? I’ve moved out.]

To make it less stiff, she added a cute emoji.

The cold-heartedness was gone. Jing Xiao had to admit that only with Fan Qingyu could she be her true self, freely expressing her thoughts without restraint.

Before Fan Qingyu could reply, Xu Jia couldn’t wait any longer.

[Xiao Xiao, I miss you. If you keep ignoring me, I can’t guarantee Fan Qingyu will see anything.]

Jing Xiao, annoyed, replied: [Say what you want quickly.]

Xu Jia cleverly continued: [I just arrived here. I’m not very familiar with the place. Can I stay at your place for a few days?]

Jing Xiao replied firmly: [I’ll get you a hotel.]

No further response came. Xu Jia logged off. Jing Xiao knew there was no room for negotiation and understood what Xu Jia would do next. She could only postpone meeting her.

Her eyes were sore, her mind muddled. The past few days’ work had drained all her energy, and she simply couldn’t face two irreconcilable people at the same time.

From that night’s conversation, she understood the reason behind everything. The confidential files from the Fan family had been previously obtained by the original owner, who colluded with Xu Jia to stage an incident to ruin the Fan family.

Jing Xiao realized things were gradually slipping out of her control. Even though she had a rough idea before, confirming the truth left her incredulous.

So the former lover really could act selfishly enough to harm his fiancée.

The original owner had willingly given up the inheritance, yet had persistently pursued Fan Qingyu. They were finally engaged, only for the original owner to feel internally unbalanced and conspire with others to ruin Fan Qingyu—leaving her to clean up the mess.

The Jing family wasn’t exactly in good shape either. Except for the retired Old Master Jing, others still looked down on her. Before achieving great success, the family remained under Jing Lan’s control.

The original owner had been meticulous in covering tracks. Apart from Xu Jia, no evidence could be obtained elsewhere. Now, Xu Jia probably sensed that Jing Xiao no longer wished to continue the game, so she stopped pretending, expressing her affection obsessively while using the evidence to threaten Jing Xiao.

Jing Xiao had to juggle work and social connections to make up for lost time. Now, she attended every high-profile event in the city.

After efficiently handling the morning tasks, she delegated finishing touches to her secretary and rushed to today’s banquet hall.

At such events, it was customary to enter in pairs: one to handle matters or drinks, the other to show respect to the host. Her previous companion couldn’t make it, so facing unfamiliar faces made her uneasy. As they approached the venue, she reminded her companion to keep proper decorum.

The banquet was hosted by Mr. Brown from the U.S., aimed at selecting suitable business partners. Soft music played in the background. Mr. Brown hadn’t yet appeared. Jing Xiao picked up a glass of wine and skillfully mingled.

She paused, noticing a familiar figure at the edge of a long table—standing apart, exuding a calm yet gentle aura, like a recluse indifferent to worldly affairs.

Rubbing her eyes, she realized it was Fan Qingyu. Her chest ached, followed by a flood of longing as she finally saw the person she had been thinking about day and night.

She whispered: “Fan Qingyu?”

The bony shoulders trembled slightly. Fan Qingyu seemed to adjust her expression, then slowly turned and walked steadily toward Jing Xiao.

Without excess words, Fan Qingyu lightly clinked her wine glass with Jing Xiao’s, and the wine touched her lips. She spoke politely but with measured warmth: “Good afternoon, President Jing.”

Jing Xiao froze, unsure how to respond. Seeing Fan Qingyu, her mind went blank; all rehearsed words and reason collapsed, leaving only the desire to find a quiet corner to talk.

Fan Qingyu chuckled softly: “Just kidding, Xiao Xiao. Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“Me neither.” Jing Xiao lowered her eyes, changing Fan Qingyu’s wine glass for her, putting on the familiar mask of strangers.

Despite heavy makeup, Fan Qingyu’s fatigue was visible. She accepted the wine graciously, then explained why she hadn’t contacted Jing Xiao: “Pei Lu handed over the order to me. Things have improved at my family’s company, and after what you said at the press conference, Grandpa had me back at work the past few days. I’ve been busy.”

Hearing Pei Lu’s name, Jing Xiao felt no reaction, strangely calm.

She seemed to have forgotten the past with Pei Lu and Fan Qingyu, perhaps assuming Fan Qingyu had changed, or because Ou Yangfei flaunted how Pei Lu treated her daily.

Instead, she shifted focus to another topic—Fan Qingyu’s grandfather.

It seemed he wasn’t as supportive of Fan Qingyu as he appeared.

If things went poorly, he would sacrifice Fan Qingyu to close gaps. Once the crisis passed, Fan Qingyu could bring in profits, and he’d restore her position immediately.

Noticing Jing Xiao’s silence, Fan Qingyu thought she might have misunderstood and quickly waved her hand: “Don’t worry, Pei Lu and I have no involvement. The order was given to me because their technical capability wasn’t sufficient. I swapped it with another small order from my family.”

Jing Xiao’s face lit up. She hadn’t expected Fan Qingyu to actively explain, showing she still cared. She gently said: “You don’t look well—take care of yourself.”

Fan Qingyu thanked her and said generously: “I’ve calmed down these past few days and thought it through. I owe you for before.”

With hundreds of eyes on them, Jing Xiao couldn’t respond directly. She smiled calmly, showing white teeth: “Let bygones be bygones. No need to mention it.”

Fan Qingyu tightened her grip, her eyelashes fluttering. She changed the topic: “How have you been recently?”

Jing Xiao’s brows lifted slightly, then she smiled: “Which aspect are you referring to?”

“Though a bit forward, I want to know everything about you.” Fan Qingyu shrugged casually, counting on her fingers playfully: “Your work, appetite, sleep, mood…”

Jing Xiao replied calmly: “Not forward at all. But to be honest, none of those are great.”

“Really? What a coincidence, I’m not doing well either,” Fan Qingyu said with a self-deprecating smile. “Actually, this isn’t a coincidence. I knew you’d be here, so I used some connections to come.”

So that explained it. Jing Xiao smiled—she liked Fan Qingyu being straightforward and wanted to know about her efforts, to feel her care.

“Oh, how’s your company?” Jing Xiao asked, slightly uneasy, but quickly masked it with a smile.

Fan Qingyu, perceptive as ever, noticed Jing Xiao’s discomfort and stepped closer: “You seem really concerned about my recent accident.”

“Yes, it did consume a lot of your effort.” Jing Xiao felt inexplicably guilty but kept her expression neutral.

“Thanks for caring. It’s almost over, everything’s fine.” Fan Qingyu relaxed.

“Congratulations, Ms. Fan.” Jing Xiao raised her glass.

Fan Qingyu smiled without dimming, lashes shading her eyes. “Xiao Xiao, don’t be so formal with me.”

In such a formal setting, it was hard to relax. Jing Xiao tried to appear casual and joked: “Have you been following financial news?”

“Of course. They photographed you very well,” Fan Qingyu complimented, then glanced at Jing Xiao’s companion: “Your friend is also very pretty.”

The companion, understanding decorum, moved aside, letting Jing Xiao and Fan Qingyu converse freely. Fan Qingyu’s eyes briefly showed a hint of displeasure.

Seeing no one else around, Jing Xiao softened her tone: “Did you come alone?”

“Yes.” Fan Qingyu didn’t want to dwell on the topic. Looking out the window, she asked: “I just saw your message—you’re moving to the suburban villa?”

“Yes, it’s closer to the company.” Jing Xiao couldn’t openly admit it was to honor Fan Qingyu’s promise. She said politely: “When are you free to come by?”

Fan Qingyu cupped her face, eyes smiling with infinite affection: “I’ll be free after a while. When will you move in?”

“Tonight, after work.” Jing Xiao didn’t feel comfortable staying at the old Jing residence. Living under her father’s disdain and having to watch out for Jing Lan was exhausting; living alone was simpler.

Fan Qingyu’s eyes and smile radiated endless warmth: “I’ll give you a surprise tonight, okay?”

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