After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 56

She teased Van Qingyu with a self-praising tone, making her smile: “Xī shenme yu?” (“What ‘treasure’?”)

“Xī Van Qingyu.” (“Treasure Van Qingyu.”)

That day, when they returned, Van Qingyu went back to the villa with Jing Xiao in tacit understanding. Several housekeepers greeted Van Qingyu with the same respect they showed Jing Xiao, which allowed her to finally relax. The crystal chandelier in the living room sparkled, casting a warm glow.

The central heating continued running inside, accompanied by a humidifier. Van Qingyu’s itchy nose felt more comfortable, and she naturally went upstairs to change into her loungewear.

Jing Xiao carried a fruit tray to Van Qingyu: “These fruits were delivered just today and have just been washed. You can start with these.”

Van Qingyu popped a Sunshine Rose grape into her mouth. The sweet, fragrant juice burst in her mouth, washing away the fatigue from the bumpy journey.

Jing Xiao entered the kitchen and methodically explained how to store and prepare the herbal medicine. Still unconvinced, she stayed in the kitchen to supervise the housekeepers’ work.

One of the housekeepers wiped her hands: “Don’t worry, the herbs are all being cooked, nothing will go wrong. You should rest first.”

A thick, black liquid bubbled in the clay pot, filling the kitchen with a faint bitter scent. Jing Xiao nodded: “Prepare dinner first, and be quick.”

The cooking staff scrambled, juggling both the herbal concoction and another medicinal dish, working frantically.

Jing Xiao strode to the living room: “Xiao Yu, are the Sunshine Rose grapes to your liking?”

Because of the distance, Van Qingyu stayed in her previous position, staring at the TV drama without turning her gaze.

Jing Xiao walked behind the sofa, catching a glimpse of Van Qingyu’s bent lower body and the fruit tray she had stretched out.

Half of the grapes were already gone, eaten with relish. Seeing Jing Xiao approaching, Van Qingyu leaned back on the sofa, her hair cascading over her shoulders, and delicately pinched a grape between two fingers, offering it to Jing Xiao’s mouth.

“Not bad, really top quality.” Jing Xiao took the grape and removed the tray. “Save some for dinner.”

Van Qingyu looked reluctant to part with it.

Jing Xiao suddenly remembered something and clapped her hands: “Durian will be delivered tomorrow morning. Do you want me to bring some for you on the plane?”

“Plane?” Van Qingyu quickly realized tomorrow was Jing Xiao’s departure day and politely refused, citing the durian’s smell. She then leisurely went upstairs to pack.

Jing Xiao swallowed the words on her lips, following behind Van Qingyu with a faint smile. She was curious to see what Van Qingyu would pack in her own home.

“Your essentials and bag are at the apartment, right? I’ll accompany you back tonight.” Jing Xiao opened the door, surprised to see that Van Qingyu had indeed packed half a suitcase, filling it with many items as if claiming them by right.

Van Qingyu looked content: “Perfect, I want to take C Brand’s classic bag.”

Jing Xiao gently pinched her cheek: “You little rascal, taking my stuff.”

Van Qingyu squirmed, dodging her hand: “I just wanted to borrow it. If we go back tonight, I won’t need it.”

Jing Xiao zipped the suitcase firmly: “Borrow or not, what’s mine is yours.”

Van Qingyu chuckled, releasing her hand: “Then why do you still call me a little rascal?”

“My mistake.” Jing Xiao’s smile widened. Looking at her reflection in the window, she realized how radiant her own smile was. Being with Van Qingyu naturally made her laugh.

Time passed, and by 6:30, Jing Xiao said: “Leave the suitcase here for now, it’s time for dinner.”

Jing Xiao had a strong sense of territory and disliked housekeepers staying overnight. Dinner was thus served early, and the staff retreated.

The huge dining room was left to the two of them. Jing Xiao first pushed a small bowl of black-boned chicken herbal soup to Van Qingyu. The chicken was tender and flavorful. Van Qingyu took a small spoonful, the bitter-sweet herbs balancing the rich chicken broth.

“Is it good?” Jing Xiao asked.

“It tastes a bit unusual, but I like it,” Van Qingyu said.

Seeing Van Qingyu adapt well, Jing Xiao relaxed: “It’s good for your health. I’ll have them made often, even as breakfast desserts.”

Van Qingyu agreed immediately, not worrying about anything—Jing Xiao wouldn’t harm her.

Jing Xiao, ignoring her own meal, kept serving Van Qingyu until the latter nearly finished.

Van Qingyu spun her chopsticks, one slipping to the floor. She took the dishes into the kitchen, propping her head by Jing Xiao: “Now it’s my turn to supervise you.”

Jing Xiao agreed three times, then methodically began eating.

Night lights flickered, and a gentle night breeze blew.

The housekeepers started clearing the table.

Van Qingyu, not wanting to change clothes, just wore Jing Xiao’s coat over her loungewear. Normally unnoticeable, the coat now carried Jing Xiao’s scent. Van Qingyu breathed it in, feeling her skin flush: “It’s just a short ride to the apartment, it’s not that dramatic.”

Jing Xiao’s words were irresistible: “I’ll find you a leather coat. It will block the wind.”

Van Qingyu, reluctant to remove Jing Xiao’s familiar coat, sneaked upstairs while Jing Xiao fetched the leather coat. Seeing her arrive at the car, Jing Xiao said: “You really want to wear this coat?”

Van Qingyu nodded.

“Fine.” Jing Xiao had a thick sweater on underneath and layered the leather coat on top.

The wind was strong tonight. The public area of the Aegean Sea apartment was nearly empty. A single leaf fell, drifting through the air before landing in Van Qingyu’s hand.

Looking up, the night sky was cloudless, stars sparse. Van Qingyu crushed the leaf: “It’s deep autumn.”

Jing Xiao, bundled in layers, looked a bit bulky. She removed her coat, ready to leave it at Van Qingyu’s apartment. Van Qingyu frowned: “That’s why I told you to wear more.”

The melancholy of autumn always brought reflection. Van Qingyu gazed at the apartment, far different from the mansion she used to live in: “A lot has changed this year.”

Jing Xiao put her arm around her, diverting the topic: “Alright, let’s grab your things. Big tasks await when we get back.”

She habitually softened her tone with Van Qingyu, knowing it worked. Van Qingyu indeed relaxed, forgetting all troubles, swiping the apartment’s door lock.

“Ding—ding—”

The elevator arrived. Van Qingyu stepped in, looking at Jing Xiao in the mirror, thinking how beautiful she looked today: the soft, white sweater softened her usually cold aura. Pink lip gloss completed her delicate look, making Van Qingyu want to hold and kiss her…

She couldn’t help but laugh, showing eight teeth.

“What are you smiling at?” Jing Xiao asked in the corridor, seeing Van Qingyu hadn’t followed. She turned back to find her giggling in the elevator.

Van Qingyu’s mischievous thoughts stopped abruptly, cheeks slightly flushed: “Nothing, just thinking.”

Jing Xiao observed: “What kind of thinking makes you blush?”

Van Qingyu hurriedly opened the door, the suitcase dragging loudly: “Not telling you.”

A faint sweet scent lingered in the air. Jing Xiao noticed the aroma from the diffuser on the coffee table, quietly snapping a picture to buy the same one later.

Van Qingyu retrieved her bag, a few sets of clothes, and necessary skincare products from an empty display cabinet. The bottles were heavy; she seemed to have neglected her skincare: “Do you think we’ll be bored on the plane?”

She was unsure if Jing Xiao would be occupied with work or discussing the business trip with her team. If so, she didn’t want to interfere.

“No, I brought some board games,” Jing Xiao looked down. “I’ve already instructed everyone. Nothing should go wrong.”

“Board games get boring after a while,” Van Qingyu said, looking at her bare nails.

Jing Xiao understood instantly and opened the bottom drawer of the vanity, stuffing a full nail kit into Van Qingyu’s bag: “The flight’s a whole day. If you’re bored, you can do your nails.”

Van Qingyu smiled: “Do you want to do them with me?”

“I don’t like frills,” Jing Xiao replied, unwilling to admire decorated nails while working, instantly squashing the idea.

“Alright.” Van Qingyu packed a few more things. Her suitcase was packed full. She patted the wrinkles out of her clothes: “Let’s go back.”

Tonight, the streets were nearly deserted. The wind was strong, and although the walk was short, their hands were numb.

On the dining table sat a bowl of black herbal medicine with a note from the housekeeper: “Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

Fearing distraction, Jing Xiao picked up the bowl, gently stirred it, and brought it to Van Qingyu’s lips: “Drink it.”

Van Qingyu turned pale and shook her head: “Not now, later.”

“The medicine’s cooling,” Jing Xiao said, pressing her lips to the bowl.

Smelling it, Van Qingyu realized it wasn’t bad but hesitated to try unfamiliar things immediately: “I’ll drink it before bed.”

Jing Xiao thought she was simply refusing, so she rubbed Van Qingyu’s scalp gently, her voice soft: “Be good, open your mouth.”

Van Qingyu blinked, adapted, and swallowed the medicine.

The tonic herbs weren’t tasty, but within Van Qingyu’s tolerance. She felt a bit shy and mumbled softly: “Could you… say that again?”

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