After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 46

“No, I’m already happy.” Fan Qingyu raised her hands high and stretched lazily over her head, her joints cracking and loosening with each stretch.

Jing Xiao continued to reassure her, “Being like this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You just need to adjust your mindset a bit.”

Fan Qingyu was unwilling to yield the results of her long efforts, but the days of scheming, flattery, and exhaustion had truly drained her. She now considered the current arrangement a form of relaxation.

Thinking this way, at least it would no longer leave her physically and mentally exhausted.

Jing Xiao blocked her way, holding one of Fan Qingyu’s cold hands firmly against her chest. Facing the light, she couldn’t see her expression clearly, but her voice was firm: “You’ll return to your original position in the future. Trust me.”

“It seems you really recognize my abilities.” Fan Qingyu’s eyes showed fatigue as she shook her head regretfully. A clever woman cannot cook without ingredients—she had no confidence in reclaiming her former position.

“If I say you can, then you can.” Jing Xiao’s gentle probing gradually continued as she placed Fan Qingyu’s hand on her neck. “This is my promise to you.”

The warm touch startled Fan Qingyu. At this moment, she had no desire to analyze Jing Xiao’s ambiguous words—she simply wanted to savor every second of the present. Jing Xiao’s lime-scented hand cream emitted a faint aroma. Curiously, Fan Qingyu asked, “The hand cream smells so different from your perfume.”

Jing Xiao smiled shyly. “I couldn’t find another one.”

Lime.

Jing Xiao disliked lime—sour, slightly bitter, dull in color, and unremarkable in scent. This hand cream belonged to her secretary. Before heading out, her palms were too dry, so she had reluctantly used it.

Fan Qingyu’s face lit up in a smile. “I like this scent.”

“I know.” Jing Xiao said, already silently planning how she would contact her tomorrow.

The river glittered in the light, ripples spreading gently. Fan Qingyu breathed in the slightly salty, briny air and sighed, “The moon is so full tonight.”

Jing Xiao’s hands were in her pockets as her gaze followed Fan Qingyu’s. She too looked at the round, bright moon and, thinking of the date, said, “Hmm, Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here.”

Fan Qingyu was surprised. She had been so lost in sadness recently that she had neglected the passage of time. In the blink of an eye, Mid-Autumn was nearly here. “It’s almost Mid-Autumn already?”

Jing Xiao had only checked the calendar this afternoon and estimated roughly: “Tomorrow.”

Fan Qingyu felt a pang of loss. Ever since her grandfather issued the ultimatum, she had rented a place on her own. In past years, she had been absorbed in work, with her family already urging her to return home for the festival. This year, there had been no word—not even a single greeting from her mother. Probably her grandfather’s doing.

Lowering her gaze, Fan Qingyu pondered what she should do.

Jing Xiao, of course, would return home for a family dinner. Once the Jing family gathered, it would probably be another stormy scene. She knew how painful loneliness could be, and Fan Qingyu would likely spend Mid-Autumn alone. Feeling reluctant to see her isolated, Jing Xiao hooked her little finger with Fan Qingyu’s: “Are you free tomorrow evening?”

Fan Qingyu feigned calm. “Yes, I’ll be back at Qin Hai Community tomorrow.”

Jing Xiao’s suspicion was confirmed. She cast a sidelong glance at Fan Qingyu, who held her clothes’ hem, expression neutral, yet a subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Qin Hai Community was an ordinary apartment building, not particularly convenient in location or transportation. Jing Xiao couldn’t believe Fan Qingyu would willingly move there.

Jing Xiao didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but she didn’t want to see Fan Qingyu lonely. She whispered gently, “I’ll come to see you tomorrow. We’ll celebrate Mid-Autumn together.”

Fan Qingyu hesitated, yet welcomed her presence: “It’s unnecessary. You can come when convenient. I’m fine on my own and plan to go to bed early.”

Fan Qingyu was talkative when happy. Jing Xiao knew that the more she resisted, the more she actually looked forward to spending the festival together. She pressed her fingertip against Fan Qingyu’s lips, cool and soft, like two petals dusted with mint powder.

Whispering, Jing Xiao said, “I want to come with you. I want to celebrate Mid-Autumn together.”

Fan Qingyu smiled softly, her expression gentle like misty rain in Jiangnan: “Thank you.”

Even at times like this, Jing Xiao considered her feelings.

After their conversation, the two had grown noticeably closer. Jing Xiao brushed against the back of Fan Qingyu’s hand, beginning Fan Qingyu’s familiar set of chattering reminders.

She continued advising her to see a Chinese medicine doctor and get some prescriptions for her health.

The midday and afternoon temperature had hovered around 15°C. Fan Qingyu’s turtleneck sweater was appropriate, yet she hadn’t anticipated the day-night temperature difference. “I wore too little today. Didn’t expect the temperature to drop so much at night.”

“Earlier in the concert hall, your hands were still cold.” Just then, a nearby crowd of students, likely just out of evening classes, moved past, stirring the air and making it less chilly.

Jing Xiao ran into a nearby store and bought a few warming patches. She handed them to Fan Qingyu: “I’ll help you get some nourishing prescriptions later.”

Unable to refuse, Fan Qingyu agreed: “To the hospital?”

“No need to worry. I’ll handle it.” Jing Xiao wrapped her arm around Fan Qingyu’s shoulders, caressing her gently. “How about hiring a cook for you?”

Fan Qingyu wasn’t picky with food but had been preoccupied lately, making her lose her appetite. The branch office’s cafeteria was fine: “The company has a canteen. I’ll eat more recently.”

Jing Xiao cautiously said, “Can I make an unreasonable request?”

Without hesitation, Fan Qingyu agreed. In her heart, every request from Jing Xiao was for her own good.

“Take a photo before each meal and another after eating.”

Fan Qingyu couldn’t help laughing. This kindergarten-style supervision of eating had returned to her life after over twenty years.

Jing Xiao was serious. “I mean it.”

Fan Qingyu, after laughing, cleared her throat. “Got it. I’ll start tomorrow.”

The light was dim. The ground looked as if it were covered with frost. Jing Xiao noticed all the streetlights on this road were broken. They walked under the moonlight alone.

Moonlight reflected on the dewy leaves, sparkling. The bright light dimmed the stars, making the sky look like a sheet of black ink.

Jing Xiao averted her eyes, feeling the brightness sting.

“It’s late. I’ll send you home.” She searched her pockets, realizing the driver had delivered the car today. She awkwardly shrugged. “I didn’t bring the keys.”

“I drove here today.” Fan Qingyu tossed the keys to Jing Xiao, stepping in the opposite direction. Her dark hair brushed Jing Xiao’s face, carrying a sweet, familiar fragrance.

Jing Xiao was immersed in the scent, momentarily frozen.

Fan Qingyu’s eyes sparkled. “If you don’t mind, drive me home in my car.”

“All right.”

Jing Xiao realized the stars were gone from the sky—they had gone into Fan Qingyu’s eyes.

Fan Qingyu’s clothing remained on her. Despite the warming patches, her hands were still cold, pressed against Jing Xiao’s.

Jing Xiao helped adjust her scarf, ensuring no wind could get in, before withdrawing her hand. Softly, she said, “You were very obedient today.”

Fan Qingyu flushed. Unused to such praise, she held Jing Xiao’s hand: “Don’t do that.”

Jing Xiao smiled. “I was rude. As compensation, I’ll grant you one request.”

Fan Qingyu tilted her head, staring at the ground. In a tiny voice, she said, “I want you to hold me.”

“Now?” A few students passed by, noticing their intimate gestures. Jing Xiao gently pinched her cheeks. “Let’s wait until we’re downstairs, okay?”

Fan Qingyu buried her face in the scarf, inhaling her scent, muffling a soft affirmation.

The way here had felt short, but now they had been walking for over half an hour without reaching the Vienna Concert Hall. Fan Qingyu’s body had weakened recently. She sat on a park bench, exhausted.

Jing Xiao pressed close to her delicate waist. “Just a little further.”

Fan Qingyu, disregarding her usual concern for cleanliness, allowed herself to be pulled into a sitting position.

Jing Xiao pursed her lips, eyes full of worry. “Give me the car keys and wait here.”

Fan Qingyu’s breath tasted slightly metallic. She braced her elbows on her thighs, coughing violently, her lungs burning painfully. She drank water, wiped her lips, shocked at how weak her body had become.

Jing Xiao’s eyes moistened. She squatted before Fan Qingyu, speaking softly as if she were a fragile treasure: “Feeling any better?”

Fan Qingyu shook her head and struggled to hand over the car keys. “Go drive.”

“Are you sick? It can’t just be your constitution.” Jing Xiao cupped her face.

Fan Qingyu sniffled. “Probably caught a chill tonight. I’ll drink some herbal tea when I get home.”

“Come, let me hold you.” Jing Xiao opened her arms.

Fan Qingyu did not hesitate, lowering herself into her embrace. The warmth and touch comforted her, and her breathing gradually steadied. “I want to hold you longer.”

Jing Xiao patted her back gently. “As long as you want.”

Fan Qingyu’s voice quivered, somewhat plaintive: “Sister.”

The single word made Jing Xiao’s entire body tremble. She held her tighter, repeating, “I’m here, I’m here.”

Fan Qingyu bit her lip, struggling to stifle her sobs, taking deep breaths until her voice steadied. Through a tearful tone, she said, “Sister, I’ve suffered so much.”

Jing Xiao’s heart ached, like the sharp taste of lime in her mouth. She felt guilty. “I know… it’s my fault I’m not capable enough.”

“It’s not your fault.” Fan Qingyu shook her head. “I know you and Xu Jia didn’t do anything, but I still feel unhappy.”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t feel happy either.” Jing Xiao comforted her from Fan Qingyu’s perspective, patiently coaxing her. “In another week, we’ll be together again. I promise you, she’ll disappear.”

Fan Qingyu thought Jing Xiao meant it literally and punched her lightly in panic. “Don’t do anything rash.”

“I won’t.” Jing Xiao brushed her nose against Fan Qingyu’s lips. “Once she’s gone, Sister will never let you suffer again.”

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