Chapter 40: The Breakup

Cheng Youqing nodded, unwilling to say more. “You and An’an head back first. I’ll come find you after work later.”

“Alright!”

Shen Qingyi took An’an home, still worried about Cheng Youqing. She had only met Wang An a few times. He was certainly good-looking and pleasant enough, but there was always something about his temperament she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

On the way back, she bought a watermelon, soaked it in water when she got home, and waited for Cheng Youqing and Lu Yan to come back from work in the evening to share it.

That evening, Cheng Youqing arrived as expected, even earlier than Lu Yan. Her expression was much improved compared to the afternoon. As soon as she entered the backyard, she shared cheerfully with Shen Qingyi, “Oh, Qingyi, the whole office was talking about you and An’an this morning.”

“How did it go?” Shen Qingyi could tell from her friend’s expression that it went well.

“They said Engineer Lu is so gentle and considerate with you and An’an. They even said he ate your leftovers—was that true?” Cheng Youqing had only seen him eat An’an’s leftovers, never expected he’d eat Shen Qingyi’s too.

Shen Qingyi nodded. “Yes.”

“Impressive!” Cheng Youqing patted her on the shoulder. “No one’s talking about Lu Yan and Chen Haixia anymore. I heard she was in a bad mood all day, snapping at anyone who so much as mentioned it. Ha! And she blames people for overthinking. The whole office was gossiping the other day and she didn’t say a word.”

Shen Qingyi smiled. She had noticed that when Lu Yan entered the cafeteria, everyone’s attention shifted to An’an, and no one cared where Chen Haixia was sitting. This realization filled her with inexplicable joy. She got up and said, “Let me slice the watermelon for you.”

She lifted the watermelon from the water and took it to the kitchen. When she came out, she brought out half a plate of watermelon and called for An’an. Hearing there was watermelon, An’an darted from the living room to the backyard, grabbed two slices, and ran off.

Once they were alone, Shen Qingyi asked, “What happened with you at lunchtime?”

At this, Cheng Youqing’s expression changed again. “My mother wants me to reconsider marrying Wang An. She says we’re not suitable. It’s been two years—what’s left to consider? I’ve dated so many before, finally found one I could stand, and if this doesn’t work out, I’d rather stay single.”

Shen Qingyi, recalling Xia Guifen’s temperament, thought there must be a reason for her to bring this up after so long. “Has your mother ever said anything like this before?”

Cheng Youqing thought for a moment and shook her head. “No, she’s always just wanted me to marry as soon as possible. But Wang An keeps saying he hasn’t settled down yet, so he wants to wait.”

“Exactly, getting married is important. There’s nothing wrong with being careful about it. Besides, Aunt Xia didn’t say anything out of line. No need to be so upset about it, don’t you think?” Shen Qingyi comforted her gently.

Cheng Youqing stared at the watermelon seeds, picking at them. “She told me she went to see Wang An yesterday and saw him getting a bit too close with another woman in public. They seemed quite familiar.”

Shen Qingyi felt her blood pressure spike and her tone hardened. “Why keep a man like that around? Break up with him as soon as you can.”

“It’s not… not like that, Qingyi. It was just once, and I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” Cheng Youqing’s voice lacked conviction.

Shen Qingyi shook her head. “So you think Aunt Xia is lying? Even if nothing happened, you should’ve noticed something by now. It’s been two years. I’ve never heard you say he’s given you so much as a piece of candy or a fruit. Not just you—even when your parents have birthdays, he never visits, yet he accepts your mother’s soup without a second thought.”

“He’s just… insecure,” Cheng Youqing muttered.

Shen Qingyi couldn’t take it anymore. “Insecure, yet he accepts everything your family gives him with no guilt? I don’t even have to ask around to know he’s full of it. Break up before you get married and it’s too late.”

“Again? The girls in our compound will laugh themselves silly at me,” Cheng Youqing said gloomily.

“Are you afraid of being laughed at, or are you just reluctant to let go?” Shen Qingyi pressed.

Cheng Youqing thought for a moment. “A bit of both, I guess. Even a dog becomes dear after a while, let alone a person.”

Shen Qingyi couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Sounds like you’re not too heartbroken after all. That’s good.”

Cheng Youqing’s brows furrowed. “But I still feel unwilling.”

“Unwilling about what?”

“I put so much into this, and haven’t gotten anything back.”

Shen Qingyi understood this feeling. She walked over and gently fixed her friend’s hair. “Learning to cut your losses is a kind of gain too. And if you’re worried about being laughed at, Xia Xiyue will be here the day after tomorrow. He knows plenty of handsome, outstanding young men. How about letting him introduce you to someone? Find someone better than Wang An and see who dares to laugh at you then.”

At these words, Cheng Youqing’s face lit up. “Really?”

“Really,” Shen Qingyi nodded solemnly.

“That’s wonderful! I knew I could count on you. My mother called me a fool all day yesterday, it was awful. But you—yes! I don’t want Wang An anymore, you find me…” Cheng Youqing looped her arm through Shen Qingyi’s, half-shouting with happiness, but then her voice faded and she changed the subject. “Oh, I shouldn’t keep you from dinner. I’ll head home.”

Shen Qingyi was puzzled, let go of her, and turned around to see Lu Yan standing at the backyard gate. Who knew how much he’d overheard?

“Dinner’s ready. You and An’an take your food out first,” Shen Qingyi told Lu Yan, then grabbed the remaining half of the watermelon from the kitchen and shoved it into Cheng Youqing’s hands. “Go on, see you this weekend.”

“Alright!”

Cheng Youqing waved at Lu Yan and left with half a watermelon in her arms.

Lu Yan went to the kitchen for the dishes. Once everything was set out, the three of them sat properly at the table to eat.

“An’an, did you have fun eating at Daddy’s cafeteria today?” Lu Yan watched his son eat, growing more delighted by the minute.

“It was great! Lots of people were sneaking peeks at us.”

Lu Yan paused, an idea forming in his mind. “Want to go again tomorrow?”

“Yes! Yes!” An’an agreed without hesitation.

Shen Qingyi glanced at Lu Yan and asked cautiously, “Will it be troublesome?”

Lu Yan’s eyes glimmered with a gentle smile. “Not at all. It’s a privilege for our department, meant for entertaining family and friends. I hardly ever use it.”

Seeing his wife quietly nod, his mood soared once more.

After dinner, Lu Yan washed the dishes and returned to the room. He saw the blue hydrangea on the desk, freshly changed with water, and a stack of neatly organized manuscripts. Turning around, he noticed the new leather shoes she bought for him, quietly placed under the bed, and the clothes she had just brought in, laid out for him and An’an to wear tomorrow.

A sudden wave of happiness swept through him, but then the name Xia Xiyue popped into his mind. Why did hearing that man’s name from his wife always make him feel as though the man could do anything? And there was Cheng Youqing’s excitement, too…