After Breaking Off the Engagement, The Young Lady Deeply Regretted It - Chapter 8

Jing Xiao tugged at her loose nightgown, staring in shock at the uninvited guest who came to freeload a meal.
“So, how did you know I was back?”

Ouyang Fei’s outfit today was simple—shirt and slacks that were low-key yet carried a commanding presence. The sleeves were rolled high, showing off an expensive watch. Her hairstyle, like herself, was sharp and capable, but her demeanor and tone were surprisingly casual.
“I heard from Chen Jie yesterday that you were back. Really not nice of you, not even telling me.”

Chen Jie lived across from Jing Xiao. The long-vacant house suddenly lighting up naturally caught her attention.

“How could I not spend the night with your young ladyship?” Ouyang Fei said as she stepped toward the dining table, only to find it exactly as Jing Xiao had said—completely empty. She raised her brows in surprise.
“No way, there’s really nothing to eat?”

“I told you, I just woke up.”

The air conditioning had only just been switched on, so the living room was still stuffy. Jing Xiao poured Ouyang Fei a glass of water and had her sit on the sofa. But Ouyang Fei wasn’t concerned about food. Instead, she returned to the question Jing Xiao had ignored earlier.
“So today you’re actually willing to leave Fan Qingyu at home by herself?”

Jing Xiao didn’t know how to hide it. She bit a cigarette, handed the half-finished pack to Ouyang Fei, and spoke truthfully.
“She doesn’t want to marry me.”

^o^This^o^work^o^provided^o^by^o^

Ouyang Fei clicked her tongue in astonishment.
“Looks like this time the fight is serious. You promised her you wouldn’t smoke anymore.”

“It’s not really a big problem. It’s just that I’m in a difficult spot right now.”

“I get it. But honestly, you really need to think carefully,” Ouyang Fei said, exhaling a plume of smoke. “If it were me, I’d never give up my inheritance rights for a woman.”

Jing Xiao spoke slowly.
“Pei Lu is…”

“There it is again, Pei Lu.” Ouyang Fei tilted her head, an odd glint flashing in her eyes. Her tone noticeably shifted, filled with resentment.
“Don’t worry, leave it to me.”

Jing Xiao was curious.
“Leave it to you?”

Ouyang Fei patted her chest.
“Let me handle it. Don’t worry.”

When Fan Qingyu arrived at Jing Xiao’s villa, she couldn’t get in. Jing Xiao had no intention of coming out to meet her either. After standing at the door for a few minutes, Fan Qingyu dropped one of the grocery bags, freed a hand, and dialed Jing Xiao’s number.

“I’m here. Come open the door, I brought—”

Before she could finish, the door opened. Ouyang Fei, with an air of familiarity, had her arm around Jing Xiao’s shoulders. Beaming, she waved cheerfully at Fan Qingyu.
“Hello, remember me?”

Fan Qingyu’s gaze fixed on the arm draped around Jing Xiao. Though displeasure roiled inside her, she forced a smile.
“Ouyang Fei, long time no see.”

“So you do remember.” Ouyang Fei stepped aside to let her in.

Out of politeness, Fan Qingyu said no more, simply carried the two bags of groceries into the kitchen.

Ouyang Fei lowered her voice.
“Wait, are you serious?”

“Of course not,” Jing Xiao replied.

Fan Qingyu tied on an apron, dumped the vegetables into a basin, then glanced back at the two people on the sofa with their arms still around each other. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was upset.

Blinking quickly, she opened the tap as though making a huge sacrifice.

Ouyang Fei tapped on the glass sliding door to the kitchen and cracked it open.
“Takeout’s here.”

“Takeout?” Sure enough, the dining table was neatly laid out with several packed boxes, the food looking restaurant-grade. Fan Qingyu’s eyes lingered between the spread and the vegetables in the basin. Wordlessly, she shut off the tap.

Jing Xiao and Ouyang Fei sat on one side, while Fan Qingyu pulled out a chair on the other side. She frowned slightly, her eyes full of grievance as if silently asking, Why aren’t you sitting with me?

Ouyang Fei covered her mouth, snickering. Diligently, she scooped rice for Jing Xiao, then pretended to be considerate.
“Miss Fan, would you like me to serve you too?”

“No need.” Fan Qingyu filled only half a bowl for herself. She really didn’t have much of an appetite today. Jing Xiao didn’t seem to notice, instead savoring the dishes Ouyang Fei put on her plate.

Fan Qingyu clenched her chopsticks tightly, fighting the urge to shove Ouyang Fei aside. For whatever reason—politeness or otherwise—Jing Xiao even returned the gesture, picking up food for Ouyang Fei.

Fan Qingyu was dumbfounded. She wanted to speak but swallowed the words. She had no right to blame Jing Xiao—through all those countless provocations from Pei Lu, she had always chosen neutrality, never once making things clear to him.

A wave of guilt washed over her, imagining what Jing Xiao might have been thinking back then. But still, she couldn’t help her resentment.

All she wanted was for Jing Xiao to be good to her.

Damn this possessiveness.

Jing Xiao pointed at her own face.
“Do I have something on my face?”

“Ah, no.” Fan Qingyu snapped back to herself, quickly bowing her head over her food. But soon, she couldn’t help probing.
“You came here just to eat?”

Ouyang Fei smacked her lips—clearly, Fan Qingyu cared a lot about Jing Xiao.

She secretly laughed, kicking Jing Xiao under the table. Jing Xiao got the hint and discreetly gave her a thumbs-up. After lunch, Ouyang Fei cleared her throat.
“I have something else to do, I’ll head off. Xiao Xiao, see you tonight.”

“See you tonight,” Jing Xiao replied.

As soon as Ouyang Fei left, Fan Qingyu tugged on Jing Xiao’s sleeve.
“Can you stay with me tonight?”

“No.” Jing Xiao’s refusal was blunt and direct. Fan Qingyu, as her girlfriend, had the right to set boundaries, but only if she first cut ties with Pei Lu.

Fan Qingyu pouted pitifully.
“Alright… are you still mad at me?”

Jing Xiao hadn’t expected her to look so forlorn. She couldn’t bear to see her so dejected. Propping herself on the sofa, she leaned in so their eyes were level.
“Feeling wronged?”

Fan Qingyu looked away.
“No.”

Jing Xiao chuckled softly. She poked her own cheek.
“Give me a kiss and we’ll call it even.”

Fan Qingyu’s face turned red, her heart racing. She braced herself, shut her eyes, and leaned forward. Her lips landed softly on Jing Xiao’s cheek—only to realize a beat later that Jing Xiao had turned her head.

Her eyes flew open in shock—she was kissing Jing Xiao’s lips.

“Wha—you—” Before she could finish, Jing Xiao’s hand held her head firmly in place, sealing her lips with a deeper kiss. Jing Xiao’s other hand clamped around her waist.

Fan Qingyu struggled at first but soon melted, body softening as she surrendered to the kiss. Time dragged on. A fine sheen of sweat formed on her skin before Jing Xiao finally let go.

Fan Qingyu collapsed against the sofa, panting heavily. After a moment, she realized.
“You smoked?”

“Mm.” Jing Xiao didn’t even notice the lingering smoke on herself. She smacked her lips, grabbed Fan Qingyu’s wrist, and pulled her up.
“Come on, I’ll show you the surprise I prepared earlier.”

Fan Qingyu vaguely recalled Jing Xiao once saying she had a gift for her, but she’d brushed her off impatiently.
“You know I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not into that stuff.”

Jing Xiao had been crushed then, forced to put her plans on hold.

Fan Qingyu’s heart weighed heavier. She’d let Jing Xiao down, rejected so many of her gestures of love. Her steps grew slower as they headed upstairs. At that moment, she didn’t even want to face the so-called surprise. She knew this resistance was guilt.

They stopped at the top floor’s door. Jing Xiao handed her the key. Fan Qingyu’s hands trembled as she took it. After several deep breaths, she slowly turned the lock.

Opposite the door was a giant mirror. Sunlight streamed into the room, glaring off the white wooden floor. A barre was fixed to the left wall, and in the corner were piles of leftover renovation materials.

Fan Qingyu’s heart quivered. Words failed her.

“You said before, you liked dancing,” Jing Xiao said lightly.

As an heir, pursuing her passion couldn’t be her major. Faced with the choice between dance and finance, Fan Qingyu hadn’t hesitated to pick the latter. But she never forgot those bittersweet yet joyful days in the dance studio. She loved dancing. She never expected that Jing Xiao, who had only heard her mention it casually, would remember so deeply.

Fan Qingyu lowered her lashes.
“…I’m sorry.”

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