Chapter 114: The Breakup

After Wang Bingzhang and the others arrived, following his suggestion, although Xu Shu wasn’t seriously injured, we still went to a private hospital for a thorough checkup. Of course, Xu Xin dragged me along as well. While a nurse was applying ointment and bandaging my wounds, I thought about my half-day disappearance and realized I needed to inform many people.

I borrowed a phone from a bodyguard and first called my family. I didn’t say much—just enough to let them know I was fine. Apparently, they didn’t know I had an accident, and since I often stayed out late lately, it didn’t surprise them. They also knew me well enough not to worry.

My second call was to Zhuang Min, the bookstore owner. I apologized and told him about my car accident and injuries, explaining I wouldn’t be able to work today. He was genuinely concerned, asking detailed questions about my condition. After confirming I wasn’t seriously hurt, he generously told me to rest a few more days and return only when fully recovered.

I hesitated before making the third call, but finally dialed Qiu Jieqin’s number. “Hello, Jieqin!”

“Hm, you haven’t called me for two days. What have you been busy with? I tried calling you, but your phone was dead.”

“Yeah. How’s your mother? Is she feeling better?”

“Much better!”

“That’s great! Jieqin, I need to talk to you. Are you free tonight?”

“What’s the matter? Can’t you say it now?”

“Not really convenient; there are people around me.”

“All right, then I’ll wait for you at home tonight.”

“Okay, see you tonight.”

I hung up and returned the phone to the bodyguard. Soon, Xu Xin came in carrying a hot drink and a bucket of KFC chicken nuggets, smiling warmly. “Brother Tang Qian, you must be hungry. Here, eat something to fill your stomach first.”

I was famished, so I gratefully took the food and began eating. Between bites, I asked, “How’s your sister now?”

“She’s getting a scan and examination. The doctor said it’s nothing serious, just a bit of a cold.”

I nodded and then asked how they found us. Xu Xin, quick-witted and talkative, eagerly recounted the story.

At dawn, the bodyguards noticed Xu Shu hadn’t returned. They called her phone but got no answer, so they started to worry and informed Xu Xin. She tried calling me, but my phone was unreachable. She then came to my house with the bodyguards to look for me. At the door, they met Tang Ying, who was on her way to school. She revealed I hadn’t come home all night, which alarmed them.

To avoid worrying my family, Xu Xin simply said she was looking to hang out with me. Since I wasn’t there, she gave up. Then she and the bodyguards began searching the city. Finally, Wang Bingzhang, experienced and astute, reasoned based on Xu Shu’s character: if something serious had happened, she would have informed them. Since there was no contact, something must have gone wrong. He concluded the most likely scenario was a car accident.

They retraced the route, asking around, until they found tire marks and a damaged patch of grass near a sharp turn. This discovery terrified the bodyguards and Xu Xin. They rushed to the bottom of the cliff and found the mangled, burnt remains of a Lamborghini—but no sign of any bodies. That gave them a sliver of hope.

Wang Bingzhang then found many broken branches near the wreck, deducing the car must have struck trees during the fall, possibly leaving us hanging in the branches. They lowered ropes from the top of the mountain by the bend and eventually found us.

By the time I finished several pieces of chicken and drank the entire hot beverage, the food had greatly restored our strength and spirits. Xu Xin asked again how my sister and I had escaped. I gave a rough account, leaving out parts that weren’t appropriate to share.

After the bandaging, Xu Shu still didn’t appear. Although we were rescued, my mood was heavy. I couldn’t stop thinking about Xu Shu’s strange attitude after I kissed her. I guessed that, in that situation, she didn’t want to create conflict by rejecting me outright but couldn’t accept my feelings either, so she pretended ignorance and avoided the subject. Now that we were safe, she was even less willing to see me.

My heart felt heavy. I understood that even if I didn’t confess, Xu Shu must have known my feelings, which was why she refused to listen to me. If she loved me, she wouldn’t behave like that. It seemed I was merely indulging in wishful thinking, one-sided in my affection.

Feeling despondent and lifeless, I didn’t want to stay with them any longer and make myself miserable. I told Xu Xin, “Nijie, if there’s nothing else, I’m relieved. I’m really tired and sleepy now and need to rest. Please tell your sister I’m going home first. We’ll get in touch when I have time.”

Xu Xin saw I truly needed rest and didn’t stop me. I refused her offer to send me by car and went home alone. When my parents saw me return covered in bruises and bloodstains, they couldn’t help but worry and ask questions. I simply told them I had a car accident and was a little hurt but nothing serious.

After handling them, I went straight to my room and collapsed into bed. I had only slept three hours in two days and nights, plus a night of fatigue, and was utterly exhausted. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep sleep until after nine in the evening.

Remembering I was supposed to visit Qiu Jieqin, I got up immediately and called her to say I’d be a little late but on my way. After eating something hastily and changing clothes, I went to her home. I rang the doorbell, and a few seconds later, she opened the door.

Jieqin greeted me with a bright smile, but when she saw the injuries on my face and hands, her smile froze. With a hint of reproach and worry, she said, “You’ve been gone for days, and now you’re hurt again? What have you been doing these past few days?”

I gave a bitter smile, walked inside, and sat heavily on the sofa. Seeing my gloomy mood, Jieqin closed the door and poured me a glass of water.

I looked at her, words swirling in my mind but unable to find the right way to say them. She quietly placed the water on the small table next to me, then leaned against me, resting her head gently on my shoulder. I softly stroked her curly hair and sighed deeply.

Her large eyes glanced at me, and she whispered tenderly, “Feeling down? It’s okay. You’re here with me now. I’ll make you forget all your troubles.” Then she turned and knelt on the sofa, pulling my head into her embrace. Her ample chest pressed against my face, but at that moment, I felt no desire. I sighed, “Jieqin, you’re so kind.”

She held me like a child, whispering, “There, there. All your worries are gone now. Cheer up. Smile for me, and I’ll give you a kiss.” Seeing her so gentle, my nose tingled, and tears almost welled up. My heart ached—I didn’t want to hurt a woman who loved me so deeply, yet I knew I could never make her happy. My heart had already been mercilessly taken by someone else.

I hesitated for a long time, torn apart inside. I thought about not telling her the truth. After all, Xu Shu didn’t love me, and I’d never be with her. Maybe I could just live with Jieqin and make do. But deep down, I knew I could never stop missing Xu Shu. Staying with Jieqin under those circumstances felt despicable and shameless—especially since I had already coldly discarded her for another woman, Hua Jingjing, whom I claimed not to love. It was a path that would only bring misery to both of us, with no true happiness for either.

After much deliberation, I decided it was best to break up with her. Though it would hurt her deeply and she might hate me now, in the long run, it was the only responsible thing to do.

Summoning my courage, I said, “Jieqin, you’re too good for me. I don’t deserve you.”

She was stunned, lowering her head to look at me. “Why? Why say that?”

Ashamed, I looked away and whispered, “I’m sorry. I don’t deserve you anymore. Let’s break up.”

Her body trembled suddenly, and with a shaking voice she asked, “Break up? You want to break up with me?”

I didn’t dare meet her eyes and only nodded slightly. Her eyes filled with tears as she pleaded, “Why? Did I do something wrong? I’ll change, I’ll change right now, but please don’t leave me!”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried out in sorrow. My heart shattered.

I hurriedly reached out to wipe her tears. “It’s not you. You’re wonderful. It’s me who’s at fault. I’m a bastard. I’m too ashamed to be with you anymore.”

Hearing it wasn’t her fault, she calmed slightly and tilted her head. “So it’s your fault? Are you involved with another woman?”

I shook my head. “No. So why break up? Are you trying to scare me?”

I sighed and confessed, “I’ve fallen for someone else. I’m sorry.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she collapsed onto the sofa, sobbing for a long time. Then she cried out, “So you said you’re not with another woman? You heartless jerk! I hate you so much!”

I sighed, “If you hate me, take it out on me. Beat me if you want. Kill me, I won’t complain.”

She cried and shouted angrily, “Beat you? Dream on!”

She sat up abruptly, gritting her teeth. “Who do you like? Hua Jingjing? Or Cheng Jia?”

I shook my head. “Neither.”

Her eyes widened, her face twisted in anguish. “You have someone else? I never would have guessed! Tang Qian, if you don’t explain yourself today, I won’t let this go!”

Covering her face, she burst into tears. I was overwhelmed with sorrow and silently held her close.

Jieqin vented all her hurt and sadness, crying endlessly, tears and sniffles soaking my chest. After some time, her tears ran dry, and her sobs softened to quiet shudders. Seeing her calm a bit, I sighed, “Jieqin, hate me if you must, blame me if you want—I deserve it all. You’re a good woman, and I was too foolish to realize it. I’m not worthy of being with you. Just forget me.”

Her hand reached out from my embrace, gently stroking my cheek. “Who is the woman you like? Do I know her?”

“No, you don’t.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Yes.”

“Prettier than me?”

“Hmm.”

“Does she love you?”

My mood darkened, and after a long pause, I sighed, “No, she doesn’t love me at all.”

Her hand stopped moving, and she froze. Suddenly, she sat up straight, her face a mixture of shock and joy. “She doesn’t love you? Then why are you breaking up with me?”