After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 64

After she said that, the venue erupted in continuous murmurs. Fan Qingyu did not stay inside but adjusted her coat and exited through a side door, then carried out a series of interviews. It wasn’t until late at night that Jing Xiao finally left the hall.

She came out through the same door Fan Qingyu had passed through. Unlike the bustling city streets, this was a quiet, secluded path.

Fan Qingyu leaned against the car, backlit by the lights, which traced a halo around her hair. She was on the phone, occasionally responding with a “yes” or “I see,” her slender figure radiating exhaustion. Seeing Jing Xiao arriving in a flurry, she beckoned her over with a finger.

Jing Xiao took her hand, gently rubbed it against her cheek, then kissed the back of it. The soft, warm touch spread through her heart as she interlaced her fingers tightly with hers.

Fan Qingyu hung up and slightly parted her red lips. “My grandfather said you should come back with me soon.”

“So soon?” It had been several months since they last formally met the family. Jing Xiao felt a twinge of nervousness and scratched her head. “My family should be ready around the same time.”

Fan Qingyu pushed her shoulders as she got into the car. “Let me know when you hear anything.”

Fan Qingyu’s previous dependence on Fan Shusheng had completely disappeared. She understood that the love and pampering she had received were only because of her value. It seemed the business tactics he used were now brought into the family.

Her studio, in just a few months, had reached the same strength as the Fan family’s enterprise. Fan Shusheng probably realized her value again. Seeing the Fan family couldn’t function without Fan Qingyu, he decided to call her back at this critical moment.

The car engine roared through the silent, deserted road. Fan Qingyu’s newly purchased car hadn’t even been perfumed yet, leaving a faint scent of leather inside.

Jing Xiao opened the window, letting in a gust of chilling wind, causing her to shiver.

Fan Qingyu casually picked up a bag from the back seat. “I brought you some clothes. Want to change?”

Jing Xiao lifted the hem of her ankle-length dress. “No, this outfit is hard to take off.”

As they drove into the glaringly lit streets, Fan Qingyu remained expressionless. Jing Xiao poked her cheek. “What’s going on with you today? You look off… upset?”

Fan Qingyu focused on driving but cast a sidelong glance. “There are two things to discuss when we get back.”

She was rarely this serious. Jing Xiao straightened instinctively and tried to recall if she had done something wrong.

Fan Qingyu’s eyes were like mirrors, instantly reading her thoughts. She gently patted Jing Xiao’s hand at a red light to reassure her. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just have some things to ask. Just answer honestly.”

Jing Xiao’s heart tightened. Memories long sealed away flared open. She swallowed, trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

Fan Qingyu’s gaze was deep. “Don’t worry, it’s a small matter.”

Time passed quickly when one’s mind was occupied. Jing Xiao only realized the journey’s length when they arrived at the Aegean Sea apartment parking lot.

“Xiao Xiao, get out.” Fan Qingyu’s voice sounded hazy in the dim lot. The interior glowed faintly from the car’s back.

Jing Xiao guessed what awaited her—and she was right. The back seat was filled with colorful flowers, fairy lights twined around a small banner: “Congratulations Jing Xiao on Your Award.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Even more surprisingly, a furry head popped out from the flowers, tongue lolling, eyes shining.

“A Samoyed?” Jing Xiao’s heart leapt. She squatted down, arms open, and the little dog, very friendly, immediately leapt into her embrace, whining softly.

The puppy had clearly just been bathed, smelling faintly sweet. Jing Xiao buried her face in its soft fur, all the day’s fatigue melting away.

“This is great. I thought you might not like it,” Fan Qingyu said, smiling as she gently pulled them apart. The Samoyed left small black paw prints on Jing Xiao’s white coat, then reluctantly went to the back seat, following her instructions.

Fan Qingyu gave the puppy a meat treat. “Mom’s busy now. Go play in the car for a while.”

The Samoyed, intelligent as it was, barked twice, then happily trotted to the back seat to eat. Its soft chewing sounds could be faintly heard.

“Do you want to see the gift I got for you?” Fan Qingyu slowly stroked her palm, like a gentle flowing stream.

Jing Xiao, still immersed in joy, eagerly nodded. “Of course I do.”

Fan Qingyu sifted through the flowers and brought out a thick gold bracelet, carved with dragon and phoenix patterns and set with small red gemstones. Without asking, she slid it onto Jing Xiao’s wrist.

Under the warm light, Jing Xiao examined it from all sides. “Fan Zong, you really went all out.”

“Not really,” Fan Qingyu replied, closing the trunk. “Hold the puppy, let’s go home.”

Jing Xiao now had her first dog and cherished it dearly. She shed her public facade and chattered to Yezi, giving him water and food, stroking his soft fur. “Eat more, get chubby.”

Yezi raised his head, barked, then dove back into his bowl.

The warm, happy scene was interrupted by a thick folder of documents.

Fan Qingyu cleaned the paw prints off Jing Xiao’s feet with a mop, tossed her slippers, and said, “Open it.”

Jing Xiao’s heart sank. Overwhelmed with surprise, she almost forgot that Fan Qingyu had things to ask her. She felt uneasy as she ran her hands over the thick papers in the kraft paper bag.

Fan Qingyu crossed her arms, expressionless. “About you… or rather, you and Xu Jia, and me.”

Past secrets resurfaced, revealed mercilessly. Jing Xiao felt her body go cold, every inch tingling.

“You already know?” she asked, struggling to maintain composure, hoping Fan Qingyu would remain understanding.

Fan Qingyu chuckled lightly. “Xiao Xiao, I’m not a fool. Open it.”

Jing Xiao trembled as she carefully unwrapped the string bindings, stealing a glance at Fan Qingyu, who nodded. “What happened in the past must be faced.”

Inside the bag were all the records of Jing Xiao and Xu Jia’s schemes—chat logs and a voice recorder.

Her lips turned pale, yet Fan Qingyu remained calm. The stark contrast made Jing Xiao think perhaps Fan Qingyu had already endured too much. She slowly bent her knees.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Fan Qingyu stopped her.

“Xiao Yu, I…” Jing Xiao clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, trembling all over, unable to explain.

Fan Qingyu shook her head and pressed a hand over her lips. “What I owe you, I’ll settle with these events, okay?”

In extreme distress, people tend to overthink. Seeing Fan Qingyu like this, Jing Xiao let out a weary smile. “I asked to separate… we finally reconciled, and now I have to pursue you again.”

Fan Qingyu’s deep gaze softened. “It’s not you bringing me back—it’s me loving you again.”

Jing Xiao’s thoughts were in chaos. “You know everything, and you’re not going to leave me?”

Fan Qingyu took out two packets of black tea, letting the hot water slowly steep it. Time had been unbearable, and Jing Xiao’s heart ached.

A delicate porcelain cup was placed in front of her. She took a small sip, voice hoarse: “Thank you.”

Fan Qingyu rested her head on one hand. “Jing Xiao, aren’t you going to tell me the truth?”

Jing Xiao was at a loss. “You already know. What truth do you want me to tell?”

Fan Qingyu crossed her legs and revealed another truth: “Jing Xiao, maybe the current you… isn’t her.”

Jing Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. She felt weak, her body collapsing onto the sofa. There were so many questions, but she couldn’t speak.

Fan Qingyu immediately understood. Jing Xiao hadn’t shown any negative emotions; she even smiled lightly. “I’m the heir of the Fan family, trained to read people since I was a child.”

Jing Xiao finally recovered. “When did you realize?”

Fan Qingyu propped her chin. “Good question. She lived with me for four years. I noticed every change. If you want a precise time… I don’t remember.”

Silence followed, long and endless. Yezi finished his food and rolled onto his back at Jing Xiao’s feet. She petted him absentmindedly.

The little dog gave her a momentary distraction. She finally found the words: “I really am not her. I don’t know why I appeared in your world, but everything about me loving you is sincere. She schemed against you; she cared nothing for you. Don’t like her anymore.”

Tears welled up in her peach blossom eyes, falling onto Yezi’s fur, giving her the air of a tragic beauty.

“You don’t have to. I was going to tell you this today anyway.” Fan Qingyu sighed, recounting her thoughts in full.

“I had no feelings for her anymore. Maybe when she schemed with others, I felt guilty for the years I was selfish. I know no one would indulge me forever.”

She felt a twinge of bitterness. “But I thought… if this erased our past, I’d accept it.”

“Her weariness in my eyes hurt me too much, so I didn’t cut ties immediately.”

“But I ended up changing for someone. That’s growth, and I’m grateful for someone who tolerates, cares, and sacrifices for me.” Fan Qingyu’s lips gently covered Jing Xiao’s eyes, licking away salty tears. “Love is miraculous. Without words, the other person feels it. I don’t know who you are, or why this happened, but I know you love me.”

Jing Xiao’s heart raced. The past unhappiness vanished. She firmly replied: “Yes, I love you. I don’t care about your past, and I don’t know why I appeared in this time and space. I only know you are the person I most want to care for.”

Both of them, tears in their eyes, embraced, like two spring waters blocked by rocks, finally flowing freely.

Fan Qingyu sniffled. “Can you pinch me?”

Jing Xiao smiled playfully but pinched her hand gently. “Why?”

“I want to know if I’m dreaming. Afraid you might disappear… I can’t leave you.” Fan Qingyu brushed aside her hair, caressing her hot earlobe. “What’s your name? Remember it? Maybe I can call you that in the future.”

“My name is Jing Xiao. I’m a general of the Yi Yi Empire,” she said jokingly, making herself laugh. “I’m kidding. I only remember Jing Xiao.”

Fan Qingyu smiled. “Okay, General Jing Xiao of the Starry Empire. I want to eat your cooking. I can help.”

“Sure! Let you taste the general’s cooking.”

In the kitchen, happiness filled the air. All worries and secrets vanished. The days ahead would be sunny and bright.

“Open wide, try it,” Jing Xiao said, offering a bite of braised pork.

Fan Qingyu tasted the tender, juicy meat. “Delicious! Not bad for a general.”

“Don’t say that, it’s awkward.” Jing Xiao tickled her. They embraced again.

Fan Qingyu smiled and kissed her lips. “Jing Xiao, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

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