After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 6

Closing the door, Fan Qingyu went into the small partitioned closet to find clothes for Jing Xiao. She rubbed her temple impatiently and said:
“This Fan Baoying is really like a lingering ghost—so annoying.”

From her words, Jing Xiao learned that Fan Baoying was Qingyu’s cousin. Since childhood, she had competed with Qingyu over everything. Whatever Qingyu had, Baoying insisted on having as well. Whenever she managed to snatch something away from Qingyu, she would secretly show off with smug provocation.

Fan Qingyu tossed Jing Xiao a shirt identical to her own.
“Change into this. Grandfather’s birthday gift has already been delivered in advance. You just need to make an appearance later.”

As Jing Xiao unbuttoned her clothes, she noticed how different this room was compared to Qingyu’s home. The decoration here leaned toward pink and cream tones, filled with cute little ornaments. Even the sheets were pink with teddy bears and lace trim.

“Didn’t I tell you before?” Qingyu said. “This room was arranged personally by Grandfather. I’ve lived in it since I was a child.”

At the latter part of her words, Qingyu couldn’t help but smile. She gently stroked the neatly tucked bedsheets. Because of a casual remark she made as a child about liking it, Grandfather had insisted, even now, that the servants keep it spotless under his supervision, afraid she might be displeased if anything was wrong.

Jing Xiao responded softly:
“Grandfather really loves you.”

Once dressed, it was as if the earlier commotion had never happened. Everyone was still chatting in groups. Old Master Fan, sitting in a sandalwood chair, beckoned the two of them over.

He was playing Go with a few respected elders of the family. When Jing Xiao arrived, a servant brought her tea. With his head of white hair and kindly smile, Old Master Fan said:
“Xiao Jing, try this tea I’ve kept in my collection.”

Jing Xiao took a delicate sip and praised it highly.

But then Fan Baoying squeezed her way in, clutching Old Master Fan’s arm and whining:
“Grandfather, I want to try it too.”

His expression didn’t change, but he asked curiously:
“Don’t you dislike tea? Why do you want to try it today?”

Sticking out her tongue playfully, Baoying said:
“Because Sister Xiao said it was delicious, I want to try it too.”

Jing Xiao shivered slightly and quickly distanced herself:
“It tastes fragrant to me, but it might be bitter for you. Better stick with what you usually like.”

Qingyu chuckled. Instead of addressing Baoying directly, she turned to Fan Jianshu and said:
“Second Uncle, I’ll have someone deliver some of my tea to your home later. You and my little cousin can both try it.”

Fan Jianshu forced a smile.
“Xiaoyu, you’re too considerate.”

He knew well what had just happened earlier, and now Qingyu had cleverly put him on the spot again. He wasn’t pleased. Pulling Baoying’s hand away from Old Master Fan’s arm, he said:
“Hurry up and thank your cousin.”

Baoying’s face turned dark, but she forced a bright innocent smile and said sweetly:
“Thank you, Cousin. I’ll be sure to enjoy it when I get home.”

Jing Xiao sensed the subtle undercurrents of rivalry in this family and admired Qingyu all the more, quietly sipping her tea and enjoying the show.

Of course, Qingyu noticed the malice behind Baoying’s eyes. Casually, she asked:
“By the way, Little Sister, it’s been two years since you graduated, hasn’t it? Why haven’t I seen you working at the family company?”

Baoying’s face alternated between pale and flushed. Qingyu, naturally gifted and educated under Grandfather’s watchful eye, had soared through her career—especially with Jing Xiao smoothing the way for her. Right after graduation she had already entered the upper ranks of the company and was now the acknowledged heir of the Fan family.

The Fan family valued talent over bloodline. Ordinary descendants like Baoying, with average abilities, had to start at the bottom and could never reach Qingyu’s level.

This remark of Qingyu’s was a crushing blow to Baoying’s pride. She forced a dry laugh and obediently followed Fan Jianshu away.

Jing Xiao found it entertaining, almost wanting to applaud Qingyu. When Qingyu finally sat down, there was a plate of tea cakes by the Go board. She picked one up and offered it to Jing Xiao:
“Try it. Grandfather had these specially prepared because he heard you liked them.”

Then Old Master Fan pushed the whole plate in front of Jing Xiao.
“I had these made for you. They should suit your taste.”

Jing Xiao felt overwhelmed by the kindness.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”

To show her respect, she ate half the plate in one go. Qingyu also tried a couple of pieces. They were indeed delicious—the balance of sweetness and slight bitterness created a lingering tea fragrance.

Old Master Fan, focused on his game, noticed after finishing a round that half the cakes were gone. His eyes crinkled with delight.
“Looks like Xiao Jing really likes them.”

Politely, Jing Xiao said:
“Grandfather, you’re too thoughtful.”

Patting her shoulder, Old Master Fan then praised the gift Qingyu had chosen for him:
“You two are the thoughtful ones. Knowing I love calligraphy and painting, you even brought me a piece by Master Wenzhi.”

Jing Xiao calmly accepted the compliment.

After Qingyu was about three-quarters full, she sipped more tea. Several female relatives gathered around to chat. The Go board was in the way, so Old Master Fan instructed the servants to put it away.
“No more playing. It’s rare for us all to be together.”

One elder asked curiously:
“Old Fan, who was that young girl who asked for tea just now? She seemed unfamiliar.”

Old Master Fan replied:
“A younger member of the family. Sorry to let you see that.”

Everyone soon surrounded him, while the children chirped and showed off their crafts. The atmosphere grew lively and warm. After the laughter subsided, Qingyu’s grandaunt suddenly asked:
“Xiaoyu, when are you and Xiao Jing planning to get married?”

Jing Xiao’s heart skipped—she wanted to know the answer as well. Everyone turned to look at Qingyu.

Caught off guard, Qingyu nearly spit out her tea. She hadn’t expected anyone to raise the question. Marriage right now was far too uncertain.

The Jing family had opposed their union from the start. Jing Xiao had only managed to get engaged to her by cutting ties with her family. But engagement and marriage were two different matters.

A wedding would face countless obstacles. Would the Jing family really abandon the heir they’d cultivated for over twenty years? After her fallout with them, Jing Xiao had stopped working, her wealth tied up only in a few real estate assets. Compared to Qingyu, their families were no longer a match. Was it really suitable?

“We’ll see,” Qingyu said, avoiding her grandaunt’s eyes.

Jing Xiao’s gaze dimmed. Her heart felt hollow and aching, as if a piece had been carved away. She forgot all about the earlier quarrel and placed her hand over Qingyu’s, whispering:
“Xiaoyu, have you truly never thought about it?”

Leaning close to her ear, Qingyu murmured:
“Jing Xiao, your family won’t let us be together so easily. Please give me more time.”

—

The two were so close that no one else could hear. Then Qingyu raised her voice, offering a vague reply:
“We will get married.”

Her expression, however, was one of hesitation.

Old Master Fan frowned and said bluntly:
“Xiaoyu, I trust your judgment and your way of handling things. But marriage is not something to be indecisive about. I hope you think it through carefully. You can’t have both fish and bear’s paw at once.”

Unlike many elders who spoke in circles, his words were straightforward. Families came together either for love or for interest. He knew Jing Xiao’s situation but had also seen with his own eyes her unwavering devotion to Qingyu over the years.

Though he claimed the choice was Qingyu’s, in truth, he had already made up his mind for her.

Qingyu, of course, understood. Deep down, she wanted to be with Jing Xiao forever. But marrying now would mean sacrificing many benefits. She sighed softly, turned Jing Xiao’s hand over, and slid her four fingers between hers, interlacing them tightly.

Feeling the warmth of that grip, Jing Xiao almost thought she was about to blurt out a wedding date.

But Qingyu remained as calm as ever. Her words were addressed to Jing Xiao—and to everyone around them:
“Give me some more time. We will get married.”

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