After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 59

That night, Jing Xiao rarely experienced insomnia. She tossed and turned, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep, and could only close her eyes to rest.

After a night passed, her head ached terribly, and her eyes were sore and swollen. Apparently, resting with closed eyes without actually sleeping was even more exhausting than staying up all night.

Fan Qingyu must have slept well, as she went downstairs early to have breakfast and also brought a portion for Jing Xiao. Facing the bland, tasteless Western-style breakfast, Jing Xiao had no appetite and was about to skip the meal.

“Hey, I made sure to have breakfast on time, and in the end, you won’t eat it yourself,” Fan Qingyu blocked her path and firmly pushed the breakfast cart in front of her.

A croissant the size of an egg, thin slices of meat and vegetables, and a few boxes of sauces she couldn’t even recognize—Jing Xiao felt that the food on the plate hardly counted as breakfast.

She was both annoyed and amused: “At least bring two sandwiches. How am I supposed to eat this?”

Fan Qingyu, who had eaten similar hotel breakfasts during her intermittent fasting days, didn’t find it too difficult to accept and reminded her: “The sandwiches are all pre-ordered by others. If you want some, tell me in advance tonight.”

Jing Xiao looked down, scanning the plate.

Hmm, seems no different from a sandwich.

She picked up her fork and resignedly said, “Fine, I’ll make do.”

“Xiao Xiao, didn’t sleep well last night? How did you get dark circles?” Fan Qingyu cupped her face, examining the faint bluish shadows under her eyes.

“Not just didn’t sleep well, I didn’t sleep at all,” Jing Xiao chewed her food, feeling her stomach churn.

After a sleepless night and having to eat this kind of food, she felt helpless.

Fan Qingyu took out a makeup bag: “Do you want to put on some makeup? You look really bad.”

Jing Xiao shook her head, too exhausted to bother: “My head hurts. I want to save my energy for the negotiations.”

“Heh, do you think I’m just decoration?” While speaking, Fan Qingyu applied moisturizer, evenly massaging it onto her face. “What style do you want?”

Jing Xiao was indifferent: “Anything’s fine. You decide.”

Historically, subordinates are always more attentive than their leaders. When Jing Xiao left the room, several subordinates were already waiting and greeted her respectfully.

The weather abroad was warm and pleasant. Fan Qingyu was elegantly made up, wearing a fresh, light-colored floral dress, graceful and charming.

Today, Jing Xiao had official business with Mr. Brown. She couldn’t accompany Fan Qingyu, so she had arranged a local private guide to take her shopping.

“Wait, shoes.” Jing Xiao squatted down and wiped the dirt off her shoes with tissue.

Fan Qingyu’s eyes curved like crescent moons: “You’re so thoughtful, sister.”

Jing Xiao, still worried: “Are you sure the guide is reliable?”

Fan Qingyu patiently reassured her: “It’s from a legitimate platform. The girl is even younger than me.”

“Alright, contact her by phone.”

At parting, Fan Qingyu held Jing Xiao’s wrist: “Be careful.”

Jing Xiao stroked her hand: “I was just going to tell you the same. If anything seems off, contact me immediately.”

“Don’t worry.”

Faced with the couple’s mutual concern, Jing Xiao’s subordinates, feeling full from the affection, coughed lightly to remind her that the driver had arrived.

Jing Xiao waved goodbye to Fan Qingyu.

Her swaying, graceful figure disappeared into the crowd. Jing Xiao’s face turned serious as she said evenly: “Let’s go.”

Perhaps it was fate, but Jing Xiao’s first negotiation with Mr. Brown went exceptionally smoothly. Both parties made concessions while protecting their core interests.

Jing Xiao mainly wanted to make a significant move to solidify her position in the Jing family, while Mr. Brown aimed to develop the domestic market, requiring a stable, established enterprise as a partner.

Jing Xiao tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table, smiling slyly and shrewdly: “If Mr. Brown is confident, I wouldn’t recommend taking a step back.”

Mr. Brown laughed heartily: “Jing Miss, whatever you say. If I step back further, where would I put my face?”

Jing Xiao poured him a cup of coffee herself: “Seems Mr. Brown is very confident.”

“Of course.”

The negotiation ended with a friendly handshake. Time passed silently. Watching the darkening sky, Jing Xiao finally released the tension she had held all day. Fatigue washed over her, and she let out a long breath.

She slapped her forehead in frustration, remembering she had meant to tell Fan Qingyu to stay in touch. The call app was silent, but Fan Qingyu had sent her the two sites she would visit today, along with the clothes she bought for her.

[I tried them on for you. I think you’ll like them.]

A size larger than usual fit Fan Qingyu perfectly. Seeing them through the screen, Jing Xiao felt a sudden warmth; surprisingly, all the clothes suited her.

[Thanks, Xiao Yu. Are you back at the hotel?]

No reply came. Jing Xiao waited a moment but still received no response.

Fan Qingyu was probably still out shopping.

“Miss Jing,” Mr. Brown patted her shoulder casually, “sorry, we couldn’t entertain you properly. Would you and your fiancée like to experience some of my country’s culture?”

“It’s our honor.”

After parting with Mr. Brown, a pleasant female voice came:

“Xiao Xiao.” Fan Qingyu appeared carrying large shopping bags, dressed in the same outfit as before, her makeup almost completely gone from sweat.

She looped one arm around Jing Xiao, supporting her chin on her shoulder. Jing Xiao, with her sore neck finally supported, closed her eyes and let out a shallow breath: “Why aren’t you wearing the new clothes to show me?”

Fan Qingyu patted her back, gently massaging her shoulders: “I bought them all for you, not for myself.”

Jing Xiao smiled more brightly, her body scent intoxicating. She couldn’t help wrapping her arms around Fan Qingyu’s waist: “I don’t need that many clothes.”

Fan Qingyu blinked, her eyes sparkling, and said seriously: “But I want to make you look beautiful.”

“Alright, then I’ll look beautiful.” Jing Xiao picked up the shopping bags: “Tomorrow I’ll take you somewhere romantic.”

“You finished your cooperation with Mr. Brown so quickly?”

Jing Xiao stopped her, tying her hair from behind: “No, it only took half a day. That guy has been regretting not entertaining us properly.”

“Where’s this romantic place?” Fan Qingyu probably had a guess.

“Secret.”

Exhausted from the day, Jing Xiao hadn’t had time to eat. After showering, she fell asleep immediately.

Jing Xiao’s phone rang. Fan Qingyu politely declined her subordinates’ dinner invitation and soon dozed off beside Jing Xiao.

A peaceful and serene night.

The next day, Jing Xiao wore the clothes Fan Qingyu bought yesterday. Holding her hand, they arrived at the pier. The breeze was gentle, mixed with moist air, and the round cobblestones along the street shone golden in the sunlight.

Both woke up early. Others hadn’t arrived yet. Fan Qingyu looked around: “Can I step on the cobblestones?”

Jing Xiao carefully observed every corner: “Of course, but be careful not to get pricked.”

Fan Qingyu’s feet hadn’t touched the ground before putting her shoes back on: “Forget it, it looks a bit dirty here.”

“Okay, let’s board the boat first.” Jing Xiao spotted Mr. Brown’s old colleague from yesterday and led her to the wooden boat.

At first, unsteady on the boat, Fan Qingyu almost fell. Fortunately, Jing Xiao stood on the deck supporting her: “Be careful, these boats aren’t very stable before departure.”

“I know.”

Amidst a sea of blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners, Jing Xiao and Fan Qingyu stood out. The captain praised them: “You are very beautiful Chinese girls.”

He then pulled two roses from his pocket.

As everyone boarded, the crew slowly rowed. The small wooden boat created ripples on the emerald water. Fan Qingyu, sitting on this simple boat for the first time, felt it had a unique charm.

She put one of the roses in the water. The cool waves flowed over her palm, refreshing her to the core. Fan Qingyu gazed at the lake, her face distorted slightly by the waves. She looked back to see Jing Xiao staring intently at her.

Their eyes met across the water. Jing Xiao couldn’t help laughing. She removed the stem of a rose and tucked the flower behind Fan Qingyu’s ear. Her skin was like jade, her eyes coquettish, her lips a soft pink, the red blush making her look even more enchanting.

Jing Xiao held her hand: “Beautiful.”

Fan Qingyu had wanted to put a flower on her as well, but the roses in her hand were already ruined.

The farther they went from the pier, the fewer people there were. On the open lake, the water sparkled. Jing Xiao felt relaxed and chatted casually with Mr. Brown.

As they approached the buildings, the water turned from green to blue. European-style buildings appeared, with narrow or semi-circular windows densely packed. Looking up, higher fences were covered with roses. The vibrant-colored houses looked like something from a comic.

Similar boats became more frequent, seemingly the main mode of transportation here.

Mr. Brown explained: “Originally, we wanted to hire a few local boats, but for convenience, we chose this one.”

Jing Xiao: “You’ve thought of everything.”

As the boat passed under a bridge, approaching the castle, Fan Qingyu excitedly asked while holding Jing Xiao’s hand: “Can I come ashore to see this place in the afternoon? I feel it could inspire a lot of research ideas.”

Jing Xiao didn’t expect sightseeing to help Fan Qingyu’s inspiration: “Sure, I’ll come with you when I’m free. How about tonight?”

Fan Qingyu looked at the blue sky. She had heard of this city before: “Probably not tonight. At night, the streets are said to be flooded.”

Mr. Brown volunteered: “Miss Fan is right. If you want to sightsee, I can take you here after the afternoon’s business is done.”

Jing Xiao didn’t decline: “Thank you.”

A clear, quick sound reached Fan Qingyu’s ears. She straightened her posture, looking around. Many people were chatting and rowing; some boats carried items. Everything seemed normal.

She grabbed Jing Xiao’s sleeve: “Did you hear a strange sound?”

Jing Xiao had been focused on Mr. Brown and hadn’t noticed her surroundings. She really hadn’t heard anything unusual.

Being alert herself, Jing Xiao observed the area carefully. Something seemed off, though she couldn’t pinpoint it. She reassured her: “Maybe you misheard. Don’t worry about it.”

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