You Should’ve Said Earlier that you’re Such a Little Flirt! - Chapter 50.2

Likely because the vendor had sprayed them to keep them fresh and vibrant, the petals were covered in water droplets. As she touched them, the water transferred to her fingertips.

Lin Konglu watched her out of the corner of her eye. Seeing that she didn’t look disgusted, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Though silence still reigned, at least the atmosphere had softened slightly.

Lin Konglu pulled out a tissue and carefully wrapped it around Xu Qingqiong’s finger, wiping away the water.

Still in a daze, Xu Qingqiong didn’t pull away. Their fingertips touched. Lin Konglu’s skin was warm, making Xu Qingqiong’s own fingers feel even colder by comparison.

Lin Konglu didn’t linger; she quickly withdrew her hand, crumpled the tissue, and tossed it into the small car bin.

Xu Qingqiong’s fingers curled slightly.

Then, Lin Konglu’s hand returned, gently cupping her fingers—using her own warmth to heat them. Once Xu Qingqiong’s hand felt warmer, Lin Konglu quietly withdrew, looked ahead, and started the engine.

The car drove in silence for about two hours before entering the familiar neighborhood and parking in their usual garage. They walked upstairs one after the other, opened the door, and entered the apartment.

The moment the door opened, Xu Qingqiong froze.

The room remained exactly as it was when they left this morning. They had been so full of anticipation for this date when they walked out, yet after only a brief morning away, everything seemed to have changed completely.

Lin Konglu stood nearby, looking at her with a nervous expression, as if waiting for her to speak.

Xu Qingqiong placed the bouquet on the table and said softly, “Sit down first.”

Only then did Lin Konglu walk to the sofa and sit, her hands on her knees, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xu Qingqiong, waiting for the next sentence as if on high alert.

In truth, Xu Qingqiong hadn’t fully processed the events of the last few hours; only now was she truly calming down. She had been in a daze of sorts—going to find Lin Konglu and suggesting they talk had been instinctive decisions. It was only upon returning home to this familiar space that her rationality returned, giving her room to think.

Xu Qingqiong sat on the sofa. She remained silent for a moment, her gaze lingering on the flowers as she organized her words. Finally, she looked up at Lin Konglu. “Lin Shuhai came to see me. I saw a video at his place.”

She didn’t rush to continue, but paused for a few seconds, observing Lin Konglu’s reaction. She didn’t even know what she wanted to see on Lin Konglu’s face. Confusion? Guilt? Predictability?

Perhaps when facing the unknown, one instinctively looks for the answer they desire.

Lin Konglu’s face showed no other emotion; she simply watched her intently.

Xu Qingqiong took out her phone, opened the video, and signaled for her to watch.

Although she had been caught off guard at the time, after the security guards threw Lin Shuhai out, she had managed to copy the surveillance footage to her phone before his laptop was taken.

Lin Konglu took the phone, her eyes falling on the screen. She had a premonition, but she hadn’t known exactly which clip it was.

As the video played, Lin Shuhai’s voice came from the speaker: “…Are you sure?”

Almost instantly, Lin Konglu recognized the scene.

This video was from when she had decided to go find Xu Qingqiong. She had known Xu Qingqiong was looking for someone to marry, and she knew if she missed that chance, there would never be a better time. Lin Konglu had always acted indifferent and unambitious, but on this one matter, she had shown unprecedented persistence.

Sensing her unusual attitude, Lin Shuhai had come to her office that day under the guise of work to test her.

Lin Konglu was used to him; she could give him the answers he wanted to hear without a trace of emotion on her face. Because it was so habitual, she had been panicked when she first saw the recording, but not deeply burdened. She hadn’t realized the sheer destructive power those words would have on Xu Qingqiong.

But now, seeing it from a third-party perspective… she was suddenly hit by a wave of irreparable regret.

Yes, regret.

“So,” Xu Qingqiong whispered, watching her expression closely, “can you give me an explanation?”

Lin Konglu’s throat felt dry. She wanted to explain. But looking into Xu Qingqiong’s eyes, the words wouldn’t come out.

Xu Qingqiong just watched her quietly. Her tone wasn’t an interrogation or an attack; it was even somewhat tolerant and gentle. She was simply waiting.

Time seemed to stretch.

To be honest, while Lin Konglu had been panicked earlier, she hadn’t felt a total sense of doom. Now, however, Xu Qingqiong’s gaze chilled her to the bone, as if she had been tossed naked into a blizzard.

She realized that Xu Qingqiong cared deeply about her answer.

It was precisely because she cared that she was showing such restraint and gentleness. Because the breaking of a relationship is so easy, she wouldn’t say the word “breakup” lightly. She was controlling her emotions and giving Lin Konglu a chance to communicate.

Guilt surged in Lin Konglu’s heart.

She had long ago decided that as long as Xu Qingqiong was happy, nothing else mattered. Though she had once been fixated on their past memories, she increasingly felt they weren’t that important. Not everyone needed to remember; it was enough if she did.

If she told her, wouldn’t it be a form of harm? Those past memories might not be that important to Xu Qingqiong. Life was good now; she was satisfied.

But she suddenly realized those were all excuses. Xu Qingqiong wasn’t fragile; on the contrary, she was strong. While Lin Konglu claimed to be acting in Xu Qingqiong’s best interest, wasn’t she just running away?

Deep down, even if she wouldn’t admit it, she cared immensely about why Xu Qingqiong had forgotten her. Why didn’t she remember? Did she not love her? Was she not important?

So she had kept her mouth shut, even convincing herself it didn’t matter. She was addicted to their current life and didn’t want to ruin the status quo. But by delaying until the truth was forcibly revealed, she had caused even greater harm.

If she had spoken sooner, would things be better than they are now? At least Xu Qingqiong wouldn’t have received this so-called “truth” from someone else’s perspective.

Xu Qingqiong had taught her this lesson long ago, yet what had she done? She could have confessed early; she could have spared Xu Qingqiong this pain. But she had chosen the worst possible solution.

She had so much to explain, but the words were stuck in her throat. Lin Konglu lowered her head and could only manage one phrase: “I’m sorry…”

Xu Qingqiong didn’t speak, waiting for more.

How many people can truly make one’s heart flutter in a lifetime? Xu Qingqiong hadn’t met anyone like that in her first twenty years, so she didn’t want to give up easily. That’s why she was willing to sit down and talk.

But that didn’t mean she would give Lin Konglu infinite chances. This was the only one. If she didn’t take it, then that was it.

Seeing that Lin Konglu remained silent, a flash of disappointment crossed Xu Qingqiong’s heart. What did “I’m sorry” mean? Was it a confirmation that everything said in that video was true?

They sat on the same sofa, at a distance that was neither far nor near—the typical distance of a couple in conflict. It was a “safe” distance; not as distant as strangers, but certainly not intimate. No one knew the final result: would they reconcile, or part ways here?

The prolonged silence caused Xu Qingqiong to lose her patience.

Still, she pressed on, “Is there anything else to say besides ‘I’m sorry’?”

She didn’t want an apology; she wanted an explanation. As long as Lin Konglu gave her a reasonable explanation, she would believe her, no matter what.

But Lin Konglu remained speechless, her eyelashes lowered.

Xu Qingqiong pursed her lips, feeling only a sense of loss. She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “So… is this your entire explanation?”

Lin Konglu shook her head, looking at her anxiously. “No…”

But she didn’t know how to start. She knew she just needed to speak, but when the moment came, she hesitated. They had a complex, tangled past, but Xu Qingqiong had forgotten her—would she even believe the explanation? And where should she even begin?

In those two minutes of hesitation, Xu Qingqiong’s patience finally evaporated. She pointed at the phone screen and asked the question she wanted the answer to most: “Was that your true feelings? Everything said there?”

Lin Konglu shook her head. “Of course not…”

Xu Qingqiong’s voice dropped low. Looking into her eyes, she said softly, “Then tell me. I’m listening.”

Lin Konglu’s lips moved slightly, looking at her with hesitation.

“What is there that you can’t say?” Xu Qingqiong didn’t understand the hesitation. To her, it was simple: if there’s a misunderstanding, explain it. This stuttering and hesitation… wasn’t that just a sign of a guilty conscience?

“Do you want to say it?” Xu Qingqiong looked at her deeply and took a deep breath. Her patience was gone; she had given up. She stood up, wanting to find a place to be alone. “It’s fine. If you don’t want to say it, then don’t.”

Lin Konglu looked up, standing with her. Panicked, she reached out and grabbed Xu Qingqiong’s wrist. “Sister, don’t go…”

Xu Qingqiong was in no state of mind for this; she just wanted to be alone. Lin Konglu’s attempt to hold her back was like adding fuel to the fire.

She tried to shake off Lin Konglu’s hand with annoyance, but as she turned, she froze. Xu Qingqiong looked at her face in astonishment.

The atmosphere became deathly still.

Everything was a hazy mist. Lin Konglu realized something was happening; she hastily wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand, but it was too late to hide it.

Xu Qingqiong stood frozen in place.

Lin Konglu was crying.

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