After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 43

Staring at the card with delicate handwriting, she felt as if she could see Fan Qingyu carefully writing down how much she valued her. Jing Xiao tucked the card into the pocket inside her coat lining, then held the roses and compared them to the vase. “I like them, but these flowers aren’t suitable for the dining table.”

Fan Qingyu curled her fingers and took out a few flowers to put in the vase. “The others can go elsewhere in the house.”

Looking at the roses bathed in soft light, Jing Xiao said wistfully, “Sometimes I think… if I were an ordinary person, I’d like to open a flower shop, grow flowers, prune them, nothing too burdensome.”

“Actually, every profession has its difficulties,” Fan Qingyu said this calmly, which caught Jing Xiao by surprise.

Lately, due to repeated setbacks, and having no one to pave the way or help secretly, Fan Qingyu had faced quite a bit of coldness. But this was typical for most young people entering the workplace; after three to five years of perseverance, once they secured a position in the higher ranks of a company, the road would become easier.

Fan Qingyu shook her head. “I’m just talking… I can’t really open a flower shop.”

“I’ll go put the flowers away first; you wait here.”

Fan Qingyu actually wanted to follow upstairs to see if her presence lingered, but deep down, she already had an answer. It was better, like Schrödinger’s cat, to leave herself a bit of hope.

The spacious living room was left with only Fan Qingyu. Everywhere bore traces of Xu Jia’s life. She felt suffocated, almost wishing she could burn everything to erase it.

Jing Xiao wouldn’t allow casual acquaintances to stay at her home. Her attitude toward Xu Jia was probably not very friendly. Fan Qingyu couldn’t understand exactly what the relationship between Jing Xiao and Xu Jia was. From what she saw, cohabitation didn’t seem impossible.

Fan Qingyu stepped into the kitchen. That scarf was the one she had worn last time. Jing Xiao was thorough and hadn’t dirtied the apron.

But the tiny oil stains on the apron told her it had been used by someone else.

The most suffocating things are often these small details in life, constantly reminding her that there was another person in Jing Xiao’s house.

After Jing Xiao placed the flowers, Fan Qingyu took a bottle of mineral water from the kitchen. Jing Xiao opened the cap for her and suggested, “Do you want to go to the concert this afternoon? I’ve booked tickets.”

“No, I have to go home now,” Fan Qingyu declined. Today Fan Shusheng had sent a message specifically reminding her to return before dark. But the main reason for her leaving early was seeing Xu Jia, which upset her—there were many unpleasant factors in play.

Jing Xiao stood in front of the door, blocking her way, insisting, “Weren’t you going to spend more time with me?”

Fan Qingyu showed no expression. After considering carefully, she hid the truth of her departure and said softly, “Grandpa wants me back early; he said there’s something to discuss.”

Jing Xiao forced a smile and opened the door a crack. Outside, the wind and heavy rain swept in, drenching the room. She picked up the umbrella from the ground. “I’ll walk you out.”

After all, Fan Qingyu was just an ordinary person. She was willing to trust Jing Xiao, but too many things weighed on her, and she needed a break. “I’ll come see you in a few days.”

“A few days probably won’t work,” Jing Xiao hadn’t forgotten her deal with Xu Jia, casually invented an excuse, “I might be on a business trip in a few days. You know my cooperation with Mr. Brown is very important.”

“No problem. If I have time, I can come find you abroad,” Fan Qingyu was understanding. She had plenty of free time in the short term, and a change of environment could be refreshing.

Jing Xiao had nothing to say. Refusing again would seem guilty, so she changed approach and nodded, “If I’m too busy at work, I might neglect you. Better to wait until I have some free time—”

“Don’t worry, I’m not that petty,” Fan Qingyu stretched lazily, unwilling to stay any longer. “Just take me home first.”

Since she had decided to leave suddenly, Fan Qingyu couldn’t contact her driver. Jing Xiao offered to drive her. She drove steadily, reminding Fan Qingyu to sit properly at each turn—overly considerate.

The clouds were dense and dark. Fan Qingyu rested her chin on her hand, staring blankly out the window. “I hate the rain.”

Jing Xiao couldn’t tell if there was a hidden meaning. She reminded her again, “Sit properly. We’re about to turn.”

“You look unhappy.” The fourth time Fan Qingyu looked at her, Jing Xiao’s eyes remained unfocused, her mouth downturned, keeping her previous posture.

Fan Qingyu felt her inner tension reach a limit. She sighed and finally spoke the truth: “Next time we meet, I hope you deal with the other person in your house.”

Her eyes burned as she spoke, realizing she was feeling wronged.

Jing Xiao pursed her lips. She too wanted to quickly get Xu Jia out, but the so-called “next time” had to be at least two weeks later. “I understand.”

The journey passed quickly in silence. Approaching the Fan residence, Jing Xiao unlocked the gate in advance and placed the black umbrella in Fan Qingyu’s lap, reminding her, “Eat more at home, and sleep well.”

Fan Qingyu didn’t even bother with appearances. “I have no appetite, no mood.”

Jing Xiao stepped down, and the black car stopped at the manor gate. Fan Qingyu was incredulous and quickly opened the umbrella to get out. “Grandpa, why are you here?”

Jing Xiao thought since they had come, she might as well greet the elder. She pressed the car window and smiled politely. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Fan Shusheng nodded kindly and waved at the maid. “The rain is heavy now. Xiao Jing, why don’t you come in for tea first?”

Jing Xiao felt extremely awkward. She and Fan Qingyu had broken up, and returning to their shared home made her uncomfortable. But the elder’s invitation was reasonable, so she nodded. “Your kindness is appreciated.”

Stepping again onto the land she once knew best, Jing Xiao looked up at the top-floor room where Fan Qingyu stayed. So many nights, people in the garden looked at Fan Qingyu’s room the same way, teasing Jing Xiao for staying behind for her.

The reception hall on the first floor had only a few scattered servants, making it feel vast and empty. Fan Shusheng sat on the sofa, gesturing for the maid to serve tea.

Fan Qingyu sat across from Jing Xiao, asking the question Jing Xiao had also been thinking: “Grandpa, why are you at my house today?”

“Word reached me that you haven’t been doing well these days, so I came to check on you.” Fan Shusheng knew they had broken up, lifting his hand slightly, “And I saw you with Xiao Jing immediately upon arrival.”

Fan Qingyu didn’t know how to explain, only saying, “She was just sending me home on the way.”

“That makes it even more reason to thank her properly. Stay for lunch, Xiao Jing.” Before Jing Xiao could reply, Fan Shusheng shifted the topic. “Recently, the company has been turbulent. The Pei family orders have recovered a lot. Next month, you’ll take a position at the branch. Once things stabilize, you can return.”

Fan Qingyu agreed. She no longer ignored Jing Xiao as before and asked seriously, “Is there anything you want to eat?”

Jing Xiao felt uncomfortable. “I’m not picky.”

Fan Qingyu knew she wouldn’t state her preference, so she turned toward the kitchen. “Make some home-cooked dishes.”

Fan Shusheng gave an impression of inscrutable kindness. He seemed amiable, yet there was something in his gaze. Raising his chin, he said to Fan Qingyu, “Why not peel an apple for Xiao Jing?”

“I didn’t think of it.” Fan Qingyu tapped her head, hurried to the kitchen to wash her hands.

Though Fan Qingyu’s spirit had been low recently, Jing Xiao understood Fan Shusheng’s subtle test: he wanted to know whether his granddaughter, seemingly aloof and delicate, still cared for Jing Xiao.

After washing her hands, Fan Qingyu picked the largest, reddest apple from the fruit tray on the coffee table.

Fan Shusheng remained calm, silently watching the news. Jing Xiao, seeing this, guessed that Fan Qingyu would likely leave earlier than planned.

In truth, she didn’t want to leave either. She hated being threatened and felt uneasy seeing Xu Jia, yet was helpless.

Jing Xiao’s greatest worry was whether Xu Jia would honor her word. She feared that in two weeks, Xu Jia might suddenly betray her and make even more unreasonable demands.

“Xiao Jing, Xiao Jing?”

Jing Xiao hurriedly took the apple Fan Qingyu offered. She slipped, and the apple rolled across the floor. She apologized repeatedly and picked it up, about to wash it.

“It’s okay. I’ll peel another one for you.” Fan Qingyu noticed her wandering eyes and casually grabbed another apple, seemingly nonchalantly asking, “What are you thinking about?”

Jing Xiao could only set the apple aside. She roughly rubbed her face with both hands and forced herself to concentrate. “Nothing, just thinking about work.”

The noon news had ended. Fan Shusheng hummed, “Xiao Jing, the rain’s been heavy lately.”

“Yes, it won’t stop for a while,” Jing Xiao replied, looking at the large raindrops rippling the ground.

Fan Shusheng said, “I don’t plan to leave tonight. Why don’t you stay as well?”

Fan Qingyu quickly tugged at Fan Shusheng’s clothes, slightly complaining, “Grandpa.”

Fan Shusheng shifted to being a tactful elder, explaining his earlier remark: “The rain is heavy. It’s not safe for you to go alone. I’ve checked the weather. Tomorrow it’ll be lighter. Why not leave then?”

Jing Xiao didn’t know whether Fan Shusheng was trying to match her with Fan Qingyu or had other intentions. Her sixth sense told her she couldn’t stay tonight. She declined politely, “Thank you for your kindness, but I must return to the company to handle things tonight.”

Fan Shusheng flexibly responded, clearly with a purpose: “Your company isn’t far from here. I can have the driver pick you up later.”

Jing Xiao realized his intent wasn’t just to bring her closer to Fan Qingyu. She shook her head. “No, my father expects me back tonight.”

Fan Shusheng finally stopped insisting.

Fan Qingyu didn’t understand his motive either. She looked at Fan Shusheng with questions in her eyes, almost startled by the seriousness in his gaze, and hurriedly changed the topic: “By the way, Grandpa, I received several boxes of ginseng today. They’ve already been sent to your home.”

Jing Xiao felt something was off. Fan Shusheng’s unusual behavior certainly had a purpose, though she couldn’t figure it out. Pointing outside, she said, “The rain has lightened. I should head back now and not trouble you further, Grandpa.”

Honestly, Fan Qingyu also felt Fan Shusheng wasn’t acting normally today. She nodded on her own initiative. “Be safe.”

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