After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 44

After Jing Xiao left, Fan Shusheng’s smile disappeared. He lightly stroked his beard, his eyes full of sharpness. His cane hit the floor, and his commanding voice followed: “Fan Qingyu.”

Grandpa rarely used her full name. Fan Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she dared not show any negligence, hurriedly supporting his arm: “Grandpa.”

Fan Shusheng stared at the direction Jing Xiao had gone, unable to regain his composure for a long while. His chest heaved violently. When his emotions finally calmed a little, he spoke without any more hints, full of anger: “You’re covering for her.”

Fan Qingyu felt as if her heart had dropped into an ice cellar. Her mind went blank, and she clenched her fists tightly, forcing a smile: “Grandpa, I don’t understand what you mean.”

Fan Shusheng snorted and slowly entered the elevator with his cane. “You are my carefully chosen primary heir. I won’t allow my heir to act out of emotion. From now on, you can serve as a senior executive at the branch office. If you don’t achieve anything significant, then that will be your position for the future.”

“Grandpa…” Fan Qingyu’s voice trembled, seemingly pleading. The branch office was mostly filled with mid- and lower-level employees approaching retirement. There was hardly any opportunity for significant achievements or career advancement.

She had spent years climbing tirelessly, only to be destroyed in an instant.

Fan Shusheng had always spoiled Fan Qingyu. His verdict was actually lenient. If it were someone else, he would have investigated the matter thoroughly and might have expelled her from the Fan family along with her position.

The fact that Fan Shusheng did not investigate further was already giving her face.

As the elevator doors closed and he disappeared from sight, Fan Qingyu’s legs went weak. She no longer had the energy to maintain her image and slid down to the ground in a kneeling position.

A mix of emotions churned inside her. She should have known that Grandpa would never let this matter go. He had given her many chances before, but she had clung to a mindset of luck. Today, with Grandpa’s private warning, Fan Qingyu understood that she had missed the position she had worked so hard to achieve.

Today was Fan Shusheng’s final ultimatum: she had to choose between her career and her one true love.

Fan Qingyu curled up in a corner, feeling lonely and helpless. Even now, she still couldn’t figure out why Jing Xiao would betray her.

She loved her so much that she couldn’t extricate herself, but she didn’t know how helpless she would feel when everything eventually came to light.

Her heart ached with pain from lack of oxygen. She took a deep breath, wanting to call Bell to continue investigating.

Fan Qingyu had seen similar plots on TV. She had once been frustrated at why the protagonist was so indecisive for the sake of a lover. Now that it was happening to her, she understood that it was more than just words.

A person who was normally cold-hearted but fell in love wholeheartedly often suffered fatal blows.

Her career and the love of her life—she only had one chance at each. Fan Qingyu knew that any choice would entail great sacrifice. She turned off her phone and buried her head in her knees.

During her first week at the branch office, Fan Qingyu truly found nothing meaningful to do. The greatest pleasure was finishing the few tasks she had and then checking financial news on her computer.

Occasionally, she could see Jing Xiao.

Jing Xiao looked radiant and articulate, completely like a different person. The project she had proposed last time had already entered the preparation stage, led by Jing Xiao to guide the development team into a new field.

She had recently snatched several high-quality orders and collaborations from Jing Lan, who was consciously promoting her. At the Jing family, she was at the peak.

Fan Qingyu stroked the familiar face on her screen. She was now in a mess and had no courage to reminisce about the past.

She wanted to see her.

But what reason could she give?

Fan Qingyu leaned back in her boss chair, pondering for half an hour, finally mustering the courage to open the chat page the two of them had recently re-added.

The rain had stopped earlier, and she no longer had to worry about getting her pants wet while walking.

Jing Xiao sat in her car, her eyes tightly shut. One hand massaged her tired eyes. She had lost track of time and, feeling exhausted, asked, “How much longer?”

The person she asked was sitting beside her, Xu Jia, who had changed into new attire from head to toe—luxury brand high fashion, practically screaming “I’ve climbed into wealth.”

Xu Jia was a clever woman. She knew Jing Xiao wouldn’t quickly transfer her feelings to someone else, so she intended to squeeze every bit of value she could over these two weeks, mainly in material terms.

Xu Jia wore a pigeon-egg-sized limited-edition ring on her hand. “Don’t worry, Xiao Xiao, just one more week.”

Jing Xiao’s patience had reached its limit. She had been busy with company work during the day, and in her free time, Xu Jia continued to manipulate her. She wished she could grab her by the neck and stop this unreasonable trade.

Seeing the time, it was nearly five in the afternoon.

Xu Jia chattered incessantly, complaining about Jing Xiao’s coldness toward her. Jing Xiao finally punched the glass in frustration, suppressing her anger: “Shut up.”

Xu Jia, knowing when to stop, fell silent.

“Buzz buzz—”

Fan Qingyu’s message arrived again. Jing Xiao immediately dropped all her worries, her mood brightening.

[About the concert you mentioned last time, I’ve booked two tickets. When are you free?]

Jing Xiao replied instantly: [I’m free tonight. Let’s go together.]

Xu Jia looked at the screen playfully, clearing her throat.

“What’s up? Lost your voice?” Jing Xiao flipped her phone upside down on her lap, feeling irritated by Xu Jia’s presence.

“I want to come too, Xiao Xiao.” Xu Jia tried to loop her arm around Jing Xiao, but Jing Xiao cleverly avoided it. Xu Jia didn’t get upset and just threw a flirtatious glance.

“Do you know you’re annoying?”

“Drive me to the Vienna Concert Hall,” Jing Xiao said.

The driver understood and turned onto another road. Jing Xiao got out efficiently. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the driver locked the car again.

The previous performance at the Vienna Concert Hall had not yet ended. Beautiful notes flowed out as she waited in the lobby and ordered a cup of black tea.

It wasn’t the same flavor as the tea she had at the hotel last time, which Fan Qingyu probably wouldn’t like. She set down the cup and silently watched the entrance.

Fan Qingyu took her time arriving. Jing Xiao took a moment to return two calls. In the display case at the counter were all kinds of souvenirs. In the center was a music box full of classical charm, spinning gracefully. She was captivated.

She felt Fan Qingyu would like it and immediately bought it.

As night fell, the anticipation in her eyes surged. A slender figure walked toward her, still adjusting her hair while looking at her dark-screened phone.

“Xiao Xiao.”

Fan Qingyu’s voice was soft and quiet. Jing Xiao shivered as her long-silent heart and blood began to surge. Her first thought was that Fan Qingyu must have suffered some grievance, which explained why she no longer sounded proud and overbearing.

Jing Xiao smiled as she approached, handing over the music box: “Long time no see.”

Fan Qingyu looked slightly awkward. Her hands brushed along her clothes. She smiled apologetically: “Sorry, I didn’t prepare a gift for you. You thought of everything.”

Fan Qingyu was supposed to be proud and imperious, not apologetic over a missing gift. Jing Xiao softened her tone as well: “Where have you been recently?”

Fan Qingyu shook her head self-deprecatingly: “Nothing significant… just a minor leadership position at the branch office.”

Jing Xiao was incredulous: “The branch office? Why?”

Fan Qingyu’s eyes were no longer bright. She avoided the topic regretfully: “Don’t ask. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“There’s nothing I can do to—” Jing Xiao gestured frantically but couldn’t find the right words.

Fan Qingyu lowered her gaze, resigned by recent setbacks: “At the branch office, there’s almost no chance of achieving anything significant. It’s nearly impossible.”

Jing Xiao didn’t agree. After things settled, she planned to help Fan Qingyu recover. She placed a carefully wrapped gift box into Fan Qingyu’s hands. Their hands touched. Jing Xiao frowned slightly: “Why are your hands so cold?”

“I’m not sure, maybe just the temperature difference,” Fan Qingyu said, bringing her hands close to her lips to warm them, but it didn’t help.

Fan Qingyu was dressed too lightly. Jing Xiao didn’t want to remove her own coat in public, so she gently tugged at Fan Qingyu’s sleeve and led her into the concert hall.

Fan Qingyu’s seat was in the last row, secluded and unnoticed. Jing Xiao, glancing around, removed her coat and draped it over Fan Qingyu’s shoulders: “It’s too cold. Wear my coat.”

“I’ll be fine in a while,” Fan Qingyu refused and adjusted her seat, leaning back.

Jing Xiao awkwardly placed the coat on her lap. Fan Qingyu’s mood seemed low, but the last-row seat wouldn’t disturb anyone, so they started chatting quietly.

Fan Qingyu appeared listless and couldn’t summon interest in anything. She looked at Jing Xiao and still asked: “Has the one at your place left?”

Jing Xiao didn’t know how to answer. If she told the truth, Fan Qingyu would be even more dispirited. Actually, Fan Qingyu already had her answer.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain her previous strength. But it was useless: “Are you staying with her to get back at me?”

Jing Xiao denied strongly: “Just staying temporarily. Besides, I never thought of getting back at you.”

“Then why spend money on her?” Fan Qingyu opened the latest paparazzi photos and smiled wryly. “Seems like your PR isn’t doing well. They haven’t gotten rid of them yet.”

The gossip of wealthy heirs attracted the most media attention. Even though Xu Jia’s face was pixelated, Fan Qingyu recognized her figure and temperament. She wore luxury brands she couldn’t possibly afford.

All of Jing Xiao’s explanations seemed feeble, and after a long pause, she could only say: “It’s not what you think.”

Fan Qingyu watched the performance from beginning to end. The slow, low melodies stirred her mental defenses. She felt neither sadness nor anger, only a lingering loss that reminded her how much she cared about Xu Jia and Jing Xiao’s relationship.

Having said all this, Fan Qingyu pressed her lips tightly, no longer saying unnecessary words. The room’s heating was sufficient, yet her hands remained cold.

Jing Xiao touched her hand discreetly, this time without asking permission, and removed her coat to drape it over Fan Qingyu.

Fan Qingyu tugged at the collar: “Did Xu Jia wear your coat?”

Jing Xiao quickly denied it: “No, only you wore it.”

Fan Qingyu’s lips curved into a barely noticeable smile. She realized that she had finally won over Xu Jia in at least this small matter.

Fan Qingyu was startled by her own thought. When did she start loving someone she was unclear about with such intensity?

Her mind was in chaos. She didn’t know when her life had started to fall apart.

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