After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 41

The room was overly quiet. Jing Xiao could hear her steady heartbeat and feel her body heat, which made her feel secure, yet she didn’t fall asleep. She nervously scrolled through her phone.

Xu Jia’s threatening messages kept coming, but Jing Xiao pretended not to see them, letting them disappear into the system settings. Her expression was grave, unsure whether Xu Jia’s claim that “I’ll make sure Fan Qingyu sees it by tomorrow” was true or not.

The hotel had called in advance, and Jing Xiao instructed the staff to leave the meal cart at the door. Fan Qingyu was sleeping soundly by her side, and Jing Xiao didn’t want to disturb her. She estimated that Fan Qingyu wouldn’t wake up for a while, so she told the front desk to send another identical meal in two hours.

The clear soup noodles had a savory, flavorful broth; the dessert was soft, sweet but not cloying. Jing Xiao ate almost everything and then began studying the recent stock market situation.

The few stocks she held had minimal returns. Jing Xiao tapped her knuckles on the table rhythmically, thinking for a while but decided not to sell.

Fan Qingyu turned over in her sleep. When she noticed the surroundings were empty, she sat up with a start and met Jing Xiao’s eyes across the desk.

Jing Xiao pushed up her protective glasses and jokingly asked, “Did you have a nightmare?”

Fan Qingyu, slow to realize, rubbed her throbbing temples. “Mm… I dreamed that Grandpa gave up on me.”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen,” Jing Xiao comforted her, then contacted the front desk to send the meal early. Thinking of the Fan family situation, she asked, somewhat confused, “Did your grandfather really give up on you just because of this?”

Fan Qingyu’s gaze was intense, as if she could see through Jing Xiao’s heart at a glance. She turned away and tidied her messy clothes in the mirror. “No. You should know our Fan family despises sentimentality.”

Jing Xiao said, “I see… so it was because of me?”

“Partly. But not entirely.” Fan Qingyu tightened her waist belt just as the hotel brought another meal. She placed the clear soup noodles and dessert on the table and began eating in small bites.

Jing Xiao couldn’t fathom her meaning and decided not to press.

A window separated the room from the raging storm outside, creating a peaceful, warm atmosphere indoors, with a faint aroma of incense lingering.

Suddenly, the secretary called. Jing Xiao exited the stock page, squinting as she leaned back in her chair. “Go ahead.”

Anji had been Jing Xiao’s secretary from the start, and though they had parted ways for a few years, their coordination was still seamless. She typed quickly: “Little Jing, someone stole your cooperation deal for next week.”

“What deal?” Jing Xiao sat upright, her mind flashing to the cooperation about to be finalized.

Anji worried: “It’s with Director Li. Their offer was just a bit higher. I suspect someone from Little Jing’s side is involved.”

Since it wasn’t a critical business negotiation with Mr. Brown, Jing Xiao relaxed and leaned back. “Forget it. Director Li’s deal isn’t valuable. We can use it to teach a lesson. I’ll find out who’s on my side; no need to ask more.”

Jing Xiao remained calm because she had anticipated Jing Lan taking Director Li’s cooperation. Jing Lan had people around her, just as Jing Xiao had people around her—this was merely a test of whose abilities were superior. They just needed to identify the infiltrator.

Using an insignificant deal to divert attention while securing a stable and highly valuable negotiation—that’s how Jing Xiao distinguished what mattered.

After all, to gain something, you must be willing to give something up.

Meanwhile, she had already begun to suspect who Jing Lan had planted around her.

Fan Qingyu methodically finished the noodles. Her slender, fair fingers held the fork, delicately twirling the perfectly shaped cream on top of the cake. After a while, she had only eaten the cherry on top.

Jing Xiao suggested, “You could try it; the cake tastes pretty good.”

For some reason, after Jing Xiao’s praise, Fan Qingyu lost her appetite, pushed the cake aside, and poured herself a cup of steaming black tea.

The two of them tacitly remained silent. Outside, the wind howled and clouds swirled, yet indoors, it was warm and comfortable—a rare pleasure. This tranquility was shattered when Fan Qingyu received an unfamiliar message. She furrowed her brows and slammed the table in frustration.

Jing Xiao was startled by the commotion. “What’s wrong?”

Fan Qingyu shook her phone, a mix of anger and confusion. “Someone said they know the truth behind my family’s crisis this time.”

Jing Xiao’s heart tightened, and her breathing became rapid. She leaned toward Fan Qingyu, her voice slightly unsteady: “What are you going to do?”

Fan Qingyu looked at her and asked, “If it were you, what would you do?”

For some reason, Jing Xiao sensed a trace of disappointment in Fan Qingyu’s eyes. The feeling vanished almost instantly, so quickly that Jing Xiao nearly thought she had imagined it. She forced a smile: “If it were me, I’d probably call them and find out.”

“That makes sense.” Fan Qingyu agreed, copied the number, and hovered her finger over the dial button, looking hesitant.

Jing Xiao, overly anxious, trembled all over. Her breathing was chaotic, and her heart felt like it would leap into her throat. She swallowed hard.

The room was eerily silent, making every swallow sound loud. Jing Xiao had a premonition that perhaps Fan Qingyu already knew something.

She quickly convinced herself otherwise. Based on her understanding of Fan Qingyu, if she knew the truth, she would have questioned her relentlessly and severed contact in sorrow without listening to any explanation.

Fan Qingyu lifted her eyes, as if holding a storm behind them. She half-smiled: “Xiao Xiao, you really look nervous.”

Jing Xiao patted her chest: “Just curious. You’d better call them back.”

Fan Qingyu pursed her lips, sighed wryly, and exited the call. She blocked Xu Jia’s number: “I won’t believe such a stupid scam. Maybe the number was leaked recently; anyone could get it.”

“Maybe… Should we change your number?” Jing Xiao tried to shift the topic, unaware of Fan Qingyu’s heartache, as she busied herself tidying the messy table.

“Yes, it’s time to change my number.”

Jing Xiao spent the night restless, staring at the faintly glowing nightlight by the bed. Exhausted, she had no desire to sleep, only occasionally dozing briefly when her eyes ached, otherwise keeping them wide open.

It felt as if she were waiting for some judgment.

With her by her side, Fan Qingyu slept more soundly than usual. In her dreams, she replayed scenarios of Jing Xiao’s betrayal and scheming, but her love for Jing Xiao smoothed everything over, as if nothing had happened.

If Jing Xiao looked back, she would surely see that Fan Qingyu’s brows never really relaxed.

The next morning, Fan Qingyu woke early. She cleared her throat, opened the bedside water bottle, and drank deeply, then called the hotel to request breakfast.

Jing Xiao seemed to have been waiting. She propped herself on the pillow, still with toothpaste foam on her lips, and hurriedly stepped out of the bathroom. “How did you sleep last night?”

“Okay. At least I slept a full night.” Fan Qingyu’s gaze scanned Jing Xiao’s slightly dark under-eye circles. She asked knowingly, “And you?”

Jing Xiao shook her head. “Not well.”

“Still worried about that person at home?” Fan Qingyu, seemingly enjoying this hotel’s black tea, took out a tea bag and brewed a cup while casually asking.

Jing Xiao laughed awkwardly: “No, I’m not worried about her doing anything.”

“You don’t seem like someone who doesn’t care.” Fan Qingyu saw the tea slowly turn reddish. “Your relationship with her doesn’t look good.”

Jing Xiao’s words were half-truth: “We got along well as kids.”

_

The hot tea seemed to extinguish an unnameable anger. Fan Qingyu calmly asked, “When are you going back?”

“Maybe…—” She hadn’t finished speaking when she frowned, grabbed her coat from the chair, and said, “I have to leave now.”

Fan Qingyu stopped her: “Can’t we have breakfast together first?”

Jing Xiao, putting on her coat, reached for the door handle. “It’s a bit urgent now. Next time, maybe?”

Fan Qingyu stretched lazily. Her tone was soft, but she didn’t yield: “Fine, then I’ll go with you to check out.”

“You’re coming too?” Jing Xiao was momentarily stunned. She now fully understood Xu Jia’s nature. She had planned to deal with destroying evidence today, and having Fan Qingyu present would complicate matters.

Fan Qingyu crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “You said yesterday I’m the lady of your house. I want to send you back now.”

Jing Xiao had no choice but to accept. Near the door, the staff pushed the meal cart outside. Fan Qingyu handed a waffle to Jing Xiao.

Fan Jia’s driver had already arrived to pick them up. Fan Qingyu waved, and the driver, briefly surprised at seeing Jing Xiao, quickly composed himself and nodded.

The driver, likely pre-instructed, drove toward Jing Xiao’s house. It was still raining heavily. Upon arrival, Fan Qingyu got out first and held an umbrella for Jing Xiao.

For the first time, Jing Xiao felt the road to her home was so difficult. Her hands trembled as she opened the door.

Xu Jia had already prepared breakfast, smiling brightly. “Looks like I guessed right. Xiao Xiao, you’re back just in time. Let’s eat together.”

Jing Xiao frowned. Xu Jia was wearing an apron Fan Qingyu had used before. She tore the loose bow ties from the back and hung the apron on the kitchen rack. “Don’t touch my things.”

Xu Jia acted as if nothing had happened: “Alright, I’ll be careful next time.”

Fan Qingyu took her usual seat and gently said, “Xiao Xiao, the flowers on your desk have withered. Shall we go buy some this afternoon?”

“I’m here,” Jing Xiao hurriedly responded, moving toward the door, but Xu Jia blocked her path. She impatiently brushed away Xu Jia’s hand.

Xu Jia smirked: “I guess Fan Qingyu saw my little surprise yesterday. What do you think?”

Jing Xiao’s expression turned cold. “Don’t try anything. I can’t guarantee what I’ll do.”

Xu Jia frowned: “Too bad she blocked me.”

Jing Xiao remained silent. “I’m warning you one last time. Don’t act recklessly.”

“I know your temper, Xiao Xiao. You’re definitely not easy to mess with.” Xu Jia shrugged, casually flipping a fried egg with the spatula. “But before that… I just can’t help showing Fan Qingyu what I want to.”

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