Chapter 14: Not Just a Spur of the Moment Decision

“Qingru, someone’s looking for you outside.”

After a pause, they added, “It’s Comrade Jiang.”

A flash of irritation passed quickly through Xiao Qingru’s eyes, but she still smiled and replied to her teammate, “Thank you for letting me know.”

“You’re welcome.”

News about the two of them being engaged had already spread, so people couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her.

She had a good family background, was beautiful, and when she danced, she was the star of the stage. But even someone like her couldn’t keep a man’s loyalty. How unfortunate.

No matter how outstanding she was in other areas, in the battle of love, she had still lost to a village girl from the countryside.

With this thought, those who were envious of Xiao Qingru felt a little better.

Ignoring the strange looks from everyone, Xiao Qingru left the rehearsal room.

In the past, whenever Jiang Chuan had free time, he would come to the cultural troupe to see her. But things were different now, and he wasn’t sure if Qingru would even agree to see him.

They hadn’t seen each other for more than half a month, something that had never happened before.

Jiang Chuan missed Xiao Qingru deeply. He wanted to apologize and tell her that he didn’t want to break up or end the engagement. But every time he went to the Xiao family’s house, he couldn’t even get through the door.

With no other option, he had to come to her workplace.

As he clenched his sweaty fists, he took a deep breath and reminded himself not to waver today, he had to make up with her. If this cold war went on any longer, he would go insane!

When the girl he had been thinking about appeared before him, his eyes lit up instantly.

It was as if he had been a withered tree now revived, finally receiving a refreshing rain after a long drought.

Even without saying or doing anything, just seeing her made everything seem right.

At that moment, Jiang Chuan realized just how much Xiao Qingru truly meant to him.

His body moved faster than his mind, and he stepped forward immediately. “Qingru.”

She looked at him coldly, “Follow me.”

She turned and walked away.

Jiang Chuan scratched the back of his head. With so many people coming and going, this was indeed not a good place to talk.

He quickly followed, but kept a few steps behind her, unable to bring himself to walk along side her.

As he watched her slender, graceful figure from behind, a sense of unreality washed over him. In the past, Qingru would never turn her back on him.

It might have just been his imagination, but it seemed like she’d lost weight had her body not fully recovered?

When they reached a secluded spot, Xiao Qingru stopped, her expression unreadable as she looked at the man she had once loved.

Perhaps she had been disappointed too many times, or perhaps she had lost hope in that relationship altogether. Xiao Qingru hadn’t even thought about Jiang Chuan during this time.

If he hadn’t come looking for her, he might have simply faded from her life.

Jiang Chuan’s affectionate gaze made Xiao Qingru uncomfortable. She frowned slightly and said coldly, “If you have something to say, say it quickly. I don’t have time to waste.”

Her tone was so icy, it felt like it could cut him.

Jiang Chuan felt a pang in his heart. The last time, in the hospital, she hadn’t been this cold.

Was it too late for him to apologize now?

“I’m sorry.”

“If you came just to say meaningless words, then go. My time is valuable, and I don’t want to waste it on something that isn’t worth it.”

Xiao Qingru took a step forward, but Jiang Chuan quickly grabbed her wrist.

“Qingru, don’t go.”

“What are you doing?”

It was as if she had touched something dirty. Xiao Qingru yanked her hand away and took two steps back, her expression one of outright disgust.

Barely containing her anger, she asked, “Jiang Chuan, do you know why I agreed to see you?”

He looked at her, confused. He didn’t understand why she would see him now.

But from her attitude, it was clear that she didn’t still care about him.

Xiao Qingru continued, “Because I didn’t want to lose face.”

“Lose face?”

Jiang Chuan repeated, feeling dazed and not understanding what she meant.

“Jiang Chuan, clinging onto someone so stubbornly is really unseemly. For the sake of the fact that we grew up together, please show some dignity. You may not mind being humiliated, but I don’t want to be a laughing stock.”

The fierce look in her eyes pierced Jiang Chuan’s heart, and he muttered, “I’m not clinging to you.”

“If that’s true, then stop doing such embarrassing things. You may not care about saving face, but I do!”

“I don’t want to break up with you. Can we get back together? Qingru, I really don’t want us to end.”

Though the pain in his expression seemed genuine, Xiao Qingru wasn’t moved.

Was he hurt?

She had been hurt even more.

And not just once!

All of this was the result of his own choices, so why put on a show now?

“We can get back together. I’ll go apologize to our elders and admit my mistakes.”

“Do I need to remind you again? We’ve already broken up, and the engagement is over. We’re done!”

Every time she said it, it felt like a stab to Jiang Chuan’s heart.

But he still couldn’t let go.

“I’m sorry for what happened that day. You’re a good person I shouldn’t have blamed you.”

“Your apology means nothing to me. The only thing I want is for you to stop looking for me. From now on, let’s act like strangers.”

Jiang Chuan clenched his fists to control the surge of pain. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“Then let’s part on good terms. Don’t make me hate you.”

Hate?

Didn’t she love him?

How could she say that word so lightly?

This had to be an act she was just throwing a fit. She just needed to be coaxed.

“What do you want me to do? I’ll do anything if you’ll forgive me.”

She glanced coldly at the desperate man. “Then stop coming to the Cultural Troupe. I find it disgusting.”

As her footsteps faded, Jiang Chuan felt a gaping hole in his heart, filled with nothing but pain.

He no longer had the courage to chase after her.

He couldn’t bear her disgusted look, nor her hate.

How could he get her back?

He truly didn’t want to lose her.

As Xiao Qingru’s figure finally disappeared, Jiang Chuan felt drained, barely able to stand. He bent over, feeling the pain of seeing her disgusted gaze.

Before seeing her, he could still fool himself, thinking that she’d eventually calm down.

But now, after seeing the hatred in her eyes, he could no longer lie to himself.

So, it turned out, her decision to break up wasn’t just a moment of impulse.

She truly wanted to leave him.