Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 84

The Liu family rushed to the hospital as soon as they received the news.

“Fei’er, how’s Uncle Qiao?” Liu Xinyu anxiously embraced Qiao Fei.

“He’s still being resuscitated.”

Qiao Fei’s weary face and swollen, red eyes broke her heart. Xinyu quickly let her lean on her shoulder, gently patting her back to comfort her.

“Fei’er, don’t worry. Uncle Qiao is going to be okay. You have to hang in there. Everything will get better.”

“Thank you, Xinyu. I’m really fine, just a little tired.”

Xinyu didn’t read too deeply into Qiao Fei’s words, assuming she was just exhausted. She let her rest in her arms, not noticing the silent tears slipping from Qiao Fei’s eyes.

—

In her office, Jing Xuan paced back and forth, filled with anxiety.

Qiao Fei’s sudden confrontation was bound to stir up a storm — and it certainly had. Through Gao Zhe, she had already learned that Qiao’s father had suffered a heart attack and was in emergency care. She’d immediately sent someone to the hospital to help.

But it wasn’t the right time for her to show up there in person — and she had no idea how Fei’er was holding up.

Jing Xuan’s constant pacing was almost hypnotic to Gao Zhe. “Ajing, this was inevitable sooner or later. You need to have faith in your relationship. Look at Xinyu and me — even her parents have come around.”

“Ours won’t be that easy.”

“You love her, and she loves you. That makes it easier than you think. Trust me — Fei’er is much stronger than we give her credit for.”

Was that really true?

Jing Xuan thought of Qiao Fei’s increasingly thin body and exhausted face.

No — I can’t let Fei’er bear this alone.

But I can’t see her right now either. What should I do?

She picked up her phone, then put it down. Picked it up again, then hesitated.

Just as she debated whether to call, Qiao Fei’s name appeared on the screen. Jing Xuan answered in a rush, overwhelmed with relief.

“Fei’er! How are you? How’s your father?”

Hearing the concern in her voice, Qiao Fei glanced at her father in the ICU, forced back her tears, and replied calmly, “Xuan, I’m okay. Dad’s out of danger and resting now.”

“Oh, thank goodness! Are you hurt? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Xuan, would you go to the movies with me?”

“…Right now?”

“No, tomorrow. Is tomorrow okay?”

“Of course. I’ll pick you up. Get some rest, don’t wear yourself out. I worry about you.”

When she heard Jing Xuan say “I worry about you,” Qiao Fei finally broke down. The tears she’d been holding in rushed out. She covered her mouth to muffle her sobs.

“Fei’er, are you still there?”

“I’m here. I’m okay.” She steadied her voice. “Xuan, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She hung up.

The moment the call ended, it was as if all her strength drained away. She leaned against the cold wall outside the hospital and slowly slid to the ground. Now sobbing uncontrollably, she needed to let it out. The decision she was about to make felt like tearing her own beating heart out of her chest.

“Xuan… forgive me, forgive me…”
—

The busy tone echoed in Jing Xuan’s ear. She immediately sensed something was wrong and rushed to the hospital.

Qiao’s father had already been moved to a general ward, so it wasn’t hard to find them. But Qiao’s mother was still there, so Jing Xuan stopped at a distance, scanning the room. But the person she most wanted to see was nowhere in sight.

Where did Fei’er go?

Liu Xinyu spotted her and quietly stepped out of the ward.

“Brother Jing Xuan! What are you doing here?”

“I was worried, so I came by. Also, you know you probably shouldn’t call me that anymore.”

“I know, but I still want to call you Brother Jing Xuan. You’ll always be my Brother Jing Xuan! Gosh, it sounds like a tongue-twister. Anyway, I know you’re here for Fei’er. She’s not around, but don’t worry — she just went home to rest. She’s not doing so well emotionally… Please be patient with her and take care of her.”

She rattled it all off like a string of beans. Jing Xuan was genuinely touched by her sincerity.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Fei’er. Xinyu, thank you. You’re a wonderful girl. Gao Zhe is really lucky.”

“Brother Jing Xuan, you’re too kind. You know the old saying: ‘Sincerity melts stone.’ I believe you and Fei’er will make it through too.”

“Thank you. Neither of us will give up.”

—

Jing Xuan left the hospital and went to Qiao Fei’s apartment.

The lights were off inside — she must be resting. She turned off the engine and stood by the window, gazing up, simply wanting to be a little closer to the one she loved.

“They say people in love share a telepathic bond. I believe Fei’er will sense that I’m here.”

—

The next day, the sun shone brightly, and the temperature was pleasantly warm — a beautiful day.

Qiao Fei sat in front of her mirror, carefully putting on makeup. But her heart felt like it was weighed down by a thousand bricks. She forced a smile that even scared herself. Never mind — today would be her last day with Jing Xuan. At least, she wanted to give their love a beautiful ending.

When she stepped outside, she saw a handsome prince standing in the sunlight, holding a bouquet of deep red roses, smiling radiantly at his princess.

“Baby, do you like them?”

Still the same dazzling smile. Still those tender, affectionate eyes. For a moment, Qiao Fei thought it must be a dream.Jing Xuan gallantly took her bag, opened the car door, and even leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.

Qiao Fei didn’t say a word on the drive. She just looked down at the roses in her hands — 100 of them, each bloom lush and vivid.

“Why 100?” she asked.

Jing Xuan smiled, raised her hand to her lips, and kissed it.

“Because our love will last even longer than forever.”

Qiao Fei quietly pulled her hand away, saying nothing.

On any other day, she would have been glowing with joy. But now, this romance felt like a sharp blade carving into her heart. She blinked back the sting in her nose and forced a smile.

“Thank you, Xuan.”

She smiled sweetly — and then saw that dazzling smile again on Jing Xuan’s face.

—

The movie was forgettable. Qiao Fei barely paid attention.

Only in the darkness of the theater could she dare to greedily study the man she loved. Jing Xuan — to her, she was a sweet and deadly poison that had seeped into her bones.

—

When the movie ended, so did their love.

Jing Xuan held her hand, thinking about the surprise she was about to reveal. They walked in silence for a while, then both spoke at once.

“Fei’er—”

“Xuan—”

Jing Xuan chuckled softly. “You go first.”

Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at her. Qiao Fei swallowed back the words on the tip of her tongue. Would this be too cruel?

“What’s wrong?” she asked gently when she stayed silent.

She took a deep breath. Then she said it.

“Xuan, let’s break up.”

Her smile didn’t falter. She took her hand.

“Fei’er, that’s not a funny joke. I might take it seriously.”

“I’m serious. I’ve thought about this for a long time.”

“Fei’er, I know I’ve let you down. You’ve endured a lot, but please believe me — I’ll earn your parents’ approval, I promise!”

“No, Xuan. It’s not about them.”

“Baby, now I regret letting you speak first.”

She held her hand tighter, her eyes flickering with sorrow — but it was quickly replaced with her usual light.

“Fine, we can break up… for now.”

She pulled her into her arms, locking eyes with her.

“But you’d better be careful. I will win you back.”

Her confidence only made her heart ache more. That flicker of sorrow hadn’t escaped her notice. How could she not love this Jing Xuan — always trying to shield her from the world?

“No, Xuan. It’s not what you think. It’s not about my parents. It’s me. I’m tired. Lately, I’ve lost myself in this relationship. I’ve become overly sensitive, weak… That’s not who I am anymore. And Lan Qing — she loves you so deeply. Her devotion puts me to shame.”

“What does this have to do with Qing? She’s her, you’re you. You both are people I—”

“I believe in exclusive love, Xuan. I know you’re not a player. But you already have someone as amazing as Lan Qing. Why do you still need to hold onto me too?”

She pulled away from her embrace.

“This triangle will only bring pain. If you can’t let go, then I’ll make the decision. Hate me if you must — we can’t be this selfish. I’m too tired.”

She paused and turned her head, not daring to look at her face — afraid she’d lose her resolve.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave. Take care, Xuan. Let’s not meet again.”

—

She turned and walked away.

How she wished Jing Xuan would run after her, pull her into her arms, like in the movies, and beg her not to go. And she would stay — she would.

But she didn’t. Nothing happened.

Even as the taxi drove away, she didn’t stop her.

Through the window, her figure grew smaller and smaller until she could no longer hold back. She wept uncontrollably, not caring how she looked.

She and Jing Xuan — were truly over.

—

Jing Xuan stood frozen, rooted in place, still processing her words.

Watching the taxi disappear into the distance, she slowly took her right hand from her pocket.

In her palm rested a small velvet box.

Inside it, a dazzling engagement ring waited patiently for its owner.

Jing Xuan looked up at the sky, hoping her tears would flow back into her eyes.

“Fei’er… if I had spoken first, would our ending have been different?”