After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 54

Without much ado, Jing Xiao lifted her arm and took bitter sips of the alcohol. Her body started to warm, and one arm rested on Fan Qingyu’s shoulder, pressing against her protruding collarbone painfully.

Jing Xiao’s eyes flickered, and she frowned slightly. “Are you still planning to stay at the Aegean Sea apartment?”

Fan Qingyu’s nose stung, and she forced herself to shed tears. “I have nowhere to go.”

Jing Xiao couldn’t believe it—she never imagined Fan Qingyu’s relationship with her family had deteriorated to such a cold point that she literally couldn’t return home.

Afraid of upsetting her, Jing Xiao changed the subject. “I recently set up a stray dog shelter near the park. Do you want to go take a look when you have time?”

“Sure, I like dogs,” Fan Qingyu replied, elbows resting on her knees. “Actually, no need to change the topic. I’ve come to terms with it all.”

“That’s good,” Jing Xiao said. The chilly breeze swept through the corridor, making her shiver. Seeing Fan Qingyu in such thin clothing, she quickly closed the window and grabbed a new blanket from the cupboard, draping it over her. Without hesitation, she said, “Tomorrow I’ll take you to see a Chinese medicine doctor, get some tonic herbs to adjust your health, and hire a cook for you.”

“Aren’t you busy tomorrow?” Fan Qingyu put down the bottle and crossed her arms, pulling the blanket tighter.

“I’m not that busy. I’m not a spinning top,” Jing Xiao joked. The trip abroad was in a couple of days, and she had already arranged all matters. These last few days were her rare leisure moments. “But tomorrow we have to go to a Chinese medicine clinic in the mountains; the old master only sees patients in the morning.”

Fan Qingyu pursed her lips. Seeing that Jing Xiao had contacted such a reputable practitioner, she couldn’t take her kindness lightly. “I’ll come find you early tomorrow.”

“You’ll have to get up very early. The journey is a bit far; we’ll leave before seven,” Jing Xiao said, clapping her hands. She retrieved a pair of brand-new slippers from the bottom of the shoe cabinet and placed them under Fan Qingyu’s sofa. “Why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”

Fan Qingyu lowered her gaze. The slippers were a soft pink with a big cartoon rabbit in the middle. She slipped her feet into them and accepted Jing Xiao’s invitation. “Should I sleep in the guest room or with you?”

“You can choose,” Jing Xiao shrugged casually.

“What do you mean by that?” Fan Qingyu lightly pushed her shoulder, amused, and went upstairs without looking back. “I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

“Don’t be so stubborn,” Jing Xiao hurried after her, slowing down once beside her. “Do you want to sleep with me?”

Fan Qingyu nodded.

Jing Xiao’s eyes curved into crescent moons. People’s changes often start with small details in life. Just now, she seemed to have seen Fan Qingyu’s former self.

Jing Xiao quietly turned on the dim stair light, casting a warm yellow glow. Fan Qingyu smiled back.

A fragrant breeze suddenly swept past, and Fan Qingyu followed the scent to the window. Moonlight poured through the misty curtains, illuminating several potted roses, their colors dim in the night, buds faintly showing.

“So fragrant. Did you grow these?” Fan Qingyu bent down, sniffing the flowers closely. Her fingertips brushed the delicate petals, leaving traces of fragrance on her hands.

“Just for cultivating the mood. I didn’t really grow them myself—my maid handles everything,” Jing Xiao said, examining the roses carefully. The maid would praise them daily, hence their fine condition.

Fan Qingyu fiddled with the clustered flower buds. “They look ordinary, but I really like them.”

Jing Xiao stretched. “I’ll have someone move them to your place tomorrow. If you’re too lazy to take care of them, hire a professional.”

“No need, no need,” Fan Qingyu waved her hand. Suddenly remembering something amusing, she looked at the sky. “The stars are so bright tonight.”

“Maybe it’s because the Mid-Autumn Festival just passed. The stars are always bright around this time,” Jing Xiao replied.

“I like stars,” Fan Qingyu said.

Jing Xiao laughed and gently pinched her cheeks.

Fan Qingyu crossed her arms. “I didn’t say that. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Jing Xiao smiled softly. “I’ll do my best.”

Fan Qingyu noticed that whatever she liked, Jing Xiao would always present it to her, though the stars were just a joke.

The stars twinkled, and Jing Xiao’s room was dimly lit.

Fan Qingyu opened the wardrobe and looked for pajamas, finding a small nightdress that fit perfectly.

Jing Xiao was taller and had a bigger frame, so clothes from her wardrobe usually hung loosely on Fan Qingyu. Yet this one fit just right, surprising her. She looked at herself in the mirror, spinning around to check even the length, which matched her usual preferences.

This nightdress had evidently been kept in the wardrobe all along.

“When did you buy this?” Fan Qingyu asked.

Jing Xiao, blow-drying her hair, replied, “A long time ago.”

Fan Qingyu teased, “Why didn’t you throw it away when we broke up?”

“Why would I?” Jing Xiao murmured quietly, and Fan Qingyu didn’t catch the rest.

The soft, comfortable cotton clung to her body. She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Having just showered, her legs were still wet, leaving clear footprints on the floor. Jing Xiao pretended to scold her, placing the slippers heavily by her feet. “Why don’t you ever wear shoes? You’ll catch a cold.”

Fan Qingyu shivered, laughing awkwardly. “I just don’t like wearing them. I always forget.”

“Got it.” Jing Xiao said nonchalantly, brushing her wet hair aside. She then went online and ordered a wool carpet.

Fan Qingyu lay on the bed, sighing in comfort. “I like your mattress.”

“Well, we could—”

Before she could finish, Fan Qingyu pressed her lips to hers. “The mattress isn’t needed. The one in the apartment is new and even has a massage function.”

“Alright then.” Jing Xiao spread out her planner and whispered, “This trip isn’t just about negotiating with Mr. Brown; I also plan to study the overseas market.”

Fan Qingyu looked at the densely written pages. “This plan is long-term?”

“I’m planning a bit of leisure,” Jing Xiao smiled, flipping to the next page. “The following week is quite free. I want to travel.”

Her planner was full of details, showing her reliability. Fan Qingyu cupped her face. “Paid vacation?”

“Almost. Anyway, the company won’t pay,” Jing Xiao said, her damp hair dripping onto the pages.

Fan Qingyu went behind her, turning on the hair dryer, drying her hair bit by bit. “Be careful. Things are chaotic abroad. Don’t go out at night.”

“But I have a bad memory,” Jing Xiao chuckled. “I need someone to remind me.”

Fan Qingyu looked suspicious. “Just you? Aren’t you taking your secretary or assistants?”

Jing Xiao placed her hand on Fan Qingyu’s. “I mean, do you want to come with me?”

Fan Qingyu felt a tingle in her heart and took her hand. “Sure, I’ll go with you.”

Jing Xiao’s hair dried quickly. She turned off the lamp. “Go to sleep first. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

Sleeping together again after so long, Fan Qingyu’s heart raced. She gently touched her chest, trying to calm her fluttering heartbeat.

Hearing the steady breathing beside her, she called softly, but Jing Xiao remained still.

Fan Qingyu propped her head with her arm and kissed her cheek. “Good night.”

Her lips touched Jing Xiao’s soft face, intensifying the sensation. Pulling the blanket, she quickly fell asleep, comforted.

Yet Jing Xiao, who should have been asleep, opened her eyes and half-embraced Fan Qingyu’s waist from behind, returning the kiss. “Good night, my darling.”

Tonight, there was silence among the flowers and birds, with only the person beside her.

The next morning, Fan Qingyu was still asleep when Jing Xiao gently shook her awake. “Get up. Breakfast is downstairs.”

Fan Qingyu squinted, the curtains blocking the light. She only saw darkness, turned over, and buried her face in the pillow. “What time is it?”

Jing Xiao lifted her up. “A little past five.”

“So early?” Fan Qingyu rubbed her sore eyes, bones cracking from stretching.

Jing Xiao knew her habits and handed her a bottle of water. “The old master requested we arrive before seven.”

Fan Qingyu drank quickly and got out of bed to get dressed.

Jing Xiao helped her, reminding, “No makeup today; it’s for Chinese medicine.”

“I understand,” Fan Qingyu said. Before, she would have been confident in her appearance, but recently she had neglected self-care and lost weight, looking tired. She wore a mask and carried her bag.

Jing Xiao picked up the bag. “It’s light. What’s inside?”

“I already saw a doctor. This is the prescription to show the old master,” Fan Qingyu said, fastening the bag to prevent Jing Xiao from seeing.

Jing Xiao turned on the stair lights, reminding her to watch her step. “Alright, let’s go have breakfast.”

Breakfast was exquisite. Fan Qingyu chewed on shrimp dumplings and put barbecued pork buns into her bowl.

Seeing her enjoy the food, Jing Xiao said, “This is a new morning tea restaurant nearby. If you like, I can order another portion in a few days.”

“The taste is really good,” Fan Qingyu replied, standing to find her tea cup.

The maid handed her hot milk with a bright smile. “Miss Fan, have some milk.”

“Thank you.”

The driver and assistant waited at the door. After breakfast, Jing Xiao squatted and found a pair of sneakers. “Don’t wear small leather shoes today; the mountain paths are tough.”

Fan Qingyu was curious. “Does the old master live in the mountains?”

Jing Xiao had gone through a lot of money and connections to arrange a highly skilled, reclusive Chinese medicine doctor.

Fan Qingyu changed into the sneakers.

Jing Xiao handed her a cup of warm red date and goji berry water. “Warm up first.”

Even though it wasn’t particularly cold, Fan Qingyu’s hands were stiff and icy. Jing Xiao recalled the layers she had prepared: undershirt, thick sweater, thick coat.

The assistant, Xiao Zhang, opened the car door. “Good morning, Madam Jing.”

Jing Xiao nodded, letting Fan Qingyu get in first.

Xiao Zhang flattered her. “And this is Madam Fan, right? It’s an honor to meet you.”

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