After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 40

Xu Jia covered her mouth, a mix of being flattered and a hint of sarcasm in her voice: “Fan Qingyu, you flatter me too much. I would like to, but… Xiaoxiao really adores you.”

Xu Jia’s innuendo was too obvious. Fan Qingyu’s eyes were bloodshot; she was blocked speechless, only able to clench her lower lip in frustration. Her shoulders trembled slightly, expressing both anger and helplessness.

Jing Xiao found herself in a difficult position, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

She hated cowards. At a moment like this, she should defend the person she loved. Resolutely, she glared at Xu Jia fiercely and shouted: “Shut up! If you keep talking nonsense, get out!”

Xu Jia was incredulous: “You’re talking to me like this?”

Jing Xiao’s attitude relieved Fan Qingyu a little, but she really didn’t want to waste time on petty rivalries. She gathered the scattered items on the floor, ignoring the argument, and left Jing Xiao’s house without a word.

The rain outside intensified, and Fan Qingyu ran straight into it without any protection, leaving splashes of muddy water behind.

“Wait!” Jing Xiao hurriedly grabbed the umbrella under the shoe cabinet, intending to chase after her, but her wrist was gripped tightly.

Xu Jia, unwilling to give up, said, “I said we should get along, not that you could abandon me to chase after Fan Qingyu.”

Jing Xiao had no time for her words. She used all her strength to pry free, but before she could open the umbrella, both of them disappeared into the rain.

Xu Jia panted heavily, jealousy surging in her eyes. She muttered repeatedly, almost frantically: “You asked for this!”

Fan Qingyu was wearing mid-heeled shoes, not ideal for running, but Jing Xiao quickly caught up to her, gasping: “You run fast.”

Fan Qingyu didn’t respond and strode forward with determination.

“Hey, stop walking, come here.”

Jing Xiao grabbed her shoulders. Fan Qingyu’s back pressed against her chest. The black umbrella, not particularly large from a distance, managed to cover them both. Rainwater streamed down its edges. Fan Qingyu, inexplicably comforted, stopped moving.

Feeling warm breath on her neck, Fan Qingyu turned to face Jing Xiao. Her eyes were frosty, a mist obscuring her true emotions.

Jing Xiao’s breathing gradually steadied. She furrowed her brows, her explanation seeming weak and pale: “It’s really not what you think.”

“I did act impulsively just now,” Fan Qingyu loosened her clenched fists. Cold wind slipped through her sleeves, causing her to shiver. She said firmly: “But I don’t want to play jealousy games.”

Jing Xiao stepped aside, shielding her from the wind: “I really have nothing to do with her. Can you trust me this time?”

The ice in Fan Qingyu’s eyes melted: “I only want to wait for you properly.”

If everything were to start over, she was willing to wait for Jing Xiao to adjust her emotions and handle everything. She would only wait properly for a devoted Jing Xiao. If Jing Xiao found someone better, Fan Qingyu would choose to step back voluntarily, rather than be one of someone’s uncertain options. She hated being deceived after a promise.

Fan Qingyu’s beige coat was soaked, wrinkled and misshapen. Jing Xiao, worried she might catch a cold, anxiously said: “Let’s go back first. We’ll talk properly.”

Fan Qingyu wanted to, but after enduring long periods without contact, she had come in the rain with groceries and daily necessities, expecting the reunion to rekindle their bond. Instead, she saw Jing Xiao looking guilty and a woman full of hostility.

Fan Qingyu’s emotions surged. Her demeanor was calm and composed, reminiscent of her peak business days. She asked: “Give me a clear answer—can you be only with me from now on?”

Jing Xiao didn’t hesitate: “Yes.”

Fan Qingyu looked unconvinced. Jing Xiao, unable to prove it otherwise, extended her hand, straight and firm: “Pinky promise, only with you.”

Fan Qingyu’s hands, neglected without hand cream for a long time, had become rough. Jing Xiao’s little finger brushed her palm slightly.

Fan Qingyu complied, though she knew such childish gestures meant little. It was just… reassuring.

A pinky promise—the simplest proof of sincerity.

Jing Xiao held her hands: “Let’s go back first.”

“I don’t really want to go back.” Fan Qingyu lowered her head, recalling Xu Jia’s arrogant attitude, and asked anxiously: “You really have nothing to do with her?”

Jing Xiao, seeing no better solution, used the simplest, most blunt method. She raised four fingers firmly: “I swear I have nothing to do with her, or may heaven—”

Fan Qingyu hurriedly covered her mouth: “No nonsense.”

The rain had lessened slightly. The area was deserted. Luckily, there was an unattended convenience store nearby. Jing Xiao went in and bought a bottle of hot milk for Fan Qingyu.

The warm, milky scent triggered gagging. Fan Qingyu’s long-neglected stomach ached, and she crouched, hugging her knees, folding her petite frame into a ball.

In her flustered state, Jing Xiao accidentally loosened her grip, spilling the milk, filling the air with the sharp smell. Fan Qingyu’s throat burned; she rushed to the trash can and vomited.

Jing Xiao, wary, brought another cup of hot water.

Fan Qingyu, now extremely thin, had prominent bones on her hands and back—almost alarming from Jing Xiao’s perspective.

She sipped the water in small amounts, finally feeling better, and then picked a bag of bread from the vending machine.

Gradually, she felt a little relief.

Jing Xiao worried about her health: “Let’s go home.”

Fan Qingyu still refused: “I don’t want to go to your place now.”

“My place, your place… it’s all the same. You’re a co-owner there too.” Jing Xiao’s tone was frustrated: “Give me some time. After we reconcile, I’ll add your name to the property deed.”

Fan Qingyu’s expression was complex. Her smile faint, uncertain whether Jing Xiao’s words were childish or mocking: “I don’t want to go home and deal with a stranger’s attitude.”

Jing Xiao negotiated: “I’ll make sure she stays in her room and doesn’t come out.”

Fan Qingyu shook her head.

“Then at least find somewhere to shelter from the rain.”

Not wanting to trouble Fan Qingyu, Jing Xiao agreed. They decided to stay at a nearby hotel for the night, with the condition of no dividing lines or separate rooms.

The hotel belonged to Ouyang Fei’s family. Jing Xiao used her card to check in without payment. She opened the hallway door, shaking the black umbrella, and pushed the hotel room door: “Go in and shower. Warm up. Don’t just stand there.”

Warm air poured out from the small crack in the door. Fan Qingyu, possibly frozen, didn’t move, waiting until Jing Xiao had put away the umbrella to react.

“Why aren’t you going in?” Jing Xiao pushed her. Fan Qingyu stepped steadily inside.

The warm air enveloped her, relieving her stiffened hands. Jing Xiao helped her take off the coat, stored the umbrella, and turned on the shower: “Quick, shower. Stop standing there.”

Fan Qingyu felt like a puppet, stripped, standing under cold water first. Her low body temperature made her shiver, goosebumps rising.

She rubbed her face harshly as the hot water gradually came out, the fragrance of shower gel filling the small room. She gagged again.

Jing Xiao, hearing the sounds inside, worriedly asked: “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Fan Qingyu wiped her mouth.

Her body was delicate; even familiar scents like hot milk and shower gel made her uncomfortable.

Unable to endure, she quickly finished the shower, drying herself as if done.

Jing Xiao guessed Fan Qingyu’s home situation must be poor, or she wouldn’t be in such a state. Carefully, she asked: “Is it because of family matters?”

“Something like that.” Fan Qingyu, barefoot, felt the cold floor, seemingly numb, and drank a cup of hot water as if everyday life was trivial: “I’m no longer my grandfather’s primary heir.”

Jing Xiao’s heart sank: “How could this happen?”

Fan Qingyu dried her hair, her dark eyes hinting: “You’re not completely innocent.” She sighed: “It’s okay. It’s my own doing.”

Emotional decisions are a business no-no. She didn’t blame her grandfather, only herself for wanting to protect Jing Xiao despite knowing the truth.

The hotel’s loose pajamas, Jing Xiao tied her belt: “What do you want to eat?”

Fan Qingyu, expecting Jing Xiao’s cooking, lost all appetite after the afternoon’s ordeal. She shook her head and turned onto the bed.

Jing Xiao ordered soup noodles and desserts from the hotel’s website.

Fan Qingyu, drowsy, just responded with a quiet “hm.”

“It’s so early, will you be able to sleep tonight?” Jing Xiao said, pulling the curtains to block any outside light.

Fan Qingyu folded her pillow, covering her ears: “I can’t sleep at night. I’ll sleep during the day if I’m tired.”

Jing Xiao remained silent and played soothing music on a Bluetooth speaker.

After ordering, she showered quickly and put on her pajamas. The bathroom heat had mostly dissipated, so she quickly rinsed and prepared to sleep.

Opening the bathroom door, she noticed Fan Qingyu’s wet clothes in the hamper. The hotel had no detergent. After being soaked in rain, the clothes’ texture would deteriorate. Jing Xiao smiled faintly and washed them one by one.

Pulling back the covers, sharing the bed with her ex-girlfriend felt awkward. She pressed her lips together, the cool air rushing in. Fan Qingyu murmured in dissatisfaction.

Finally, Jing Xiao lay down. The bed was cold, Fan Qingyu’s body temperature low. Unable to hug her directly, Jing Xiao used her back to touch Fan Qingyu’s.

In her sleep, Fan Qingyu sensed the warmth above her and instinctively snuggled closer.

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