Under Xie Lianqing’s gaze, Xu Qingqing muttered quietly, “Didn’t we break up before?” It wasn’t like she hadn’t dumped him before—why was he reacting so strongly now?
Of course, she didn’t dare say the last part out loud.
But Xie Lianqing was far too sharp. Xu Qingqing’s unspoken thoughts didn’t escape him. He smirked faintly and asked, “What do you think?”
Xu Qingqing didn’t understand. She was utterly confused and even wanted to ask—couldn’t they just part amicably?
Under Xie Lianqing’s stare, she suddenly found herself inexplicably recalling the past.
The history between Xu Qingqing and Xie Lianqing dated back to middle school.
Though the Xu Family was wealthy, they were still a step below the Xie Family, living half a city apart. Their only connection was Zhou Chenyu.
Xu Qingqing and Zhou Chenyu were childhood friends, and Zhou Chenyu happened to have a close friend named Xie Lianqing.
Later, Xie Lianqing took a leave of absence due to unforeseen circumstances and ended up in the same class as Xu Qingqing. By chance, they became desk mates.
Xie Lianqing was the English class representative, while Xu Qingqing’s English was abysmal, teetering on the edge of failing every exam.
After two weeks of sitting together, she extended a friendly hand—asking to copy his English homework.
In her mind, since she and Zhou Chenyu were childhood friends, and Xie Lianqing was Zhou Chenyu’s good friend, by extension, they were practically buddies too! Copying homework shouldn’t be a problem.
Did Xie Lianqing agree? Of course not.
Though he hadn’t known Xu Qingqing for long, that short time was enough for him to grasp her spoiled temperament.
Xie Lianqing was also a young master from a wealthy family, surrounded by sycophants. With a background even more impressive than hers, why would he ever stoop to being someone else’s lackey?
So while many people adored Xu Qingqing and indulged her whims, Xie Lianqing simply said coldly, “No.”
If he had just refused, it wouldn’t have been a big deal—after all, copying homework was a matter of mutual consent, and Xu Qingqing wouldn’t have taken it to heart. But the real problem was that the proud young master Xie couldn’t resist adding, “Perhaps you’re used to special treatment, but that doesn’t exist here. To me, you’re no different from anyone else.”
Xu Qingqing, holding the English homework: …??!
She was furious. At that moment, alongside her lifelong goal of dealing with her scumbag father Xu Changshan, she added a new grand ambition—she would make Xie Lianqing fall for her, then dump him!
To achieve this, the spoiled young miss Xu did something unprecedented: she became the pursuer for the first time in her life. She delivered hot water in winter, cold drinks in summer, and even wrote a few nonsensical, flowery love poems—though Zhou Chenyu was forced to ghostwrite them under duress.
That’s right. Caught between his friend and his childhood companion, Zhou Chenyu chose to betray Xie Lianqing to let Xu Qingqing vent her anger.
Finally, through Xu Qingqing’s relentless efforts and Zhou Chenyu’s meddling, the first part of her plan succeeded—she became Xie Lianqing’s beloved girlfriend!
But just as she was about to execute the second half of her plan, she realized Xie Lianqing was actually an impressive boyfriend. He was handsome, outstanding in academics, gentle in temperament, and—most importantly—he let her copy his English homework now!
After some internal struggle, Xu Qingqing decided to postpone dumping him for a few more days. After all, she had worked so hard to chase him—might as well get some use out of him (i.e., copying homework) before discarding him.
Yet before she could act, Xie Lianqing beat her to it and broke up with her first! His reason? She was too high-maintenance.
Xu Qingqing: …??!!
That was the first and only time Xu Qingqing had ever been dumped, leaving a lasting impression. Just as she was gearing up to ruin Xie Lianqing’s life, he skipped a grade and left school, later enrolling in A University, the top-ranked institution in the country.
By the time Xu Qingqing entered high school, she heard Xie Lianqing had gone abroad for studies. Years later, when he returned, she was still in college.
Not long after his return, Xie Lianqing sought to reconcile with Xu Qingqing. Driven by a mix of spite and vanity, she agreed.
—“See? You were the one who broke up with me, but now you’re crawling back!”
Xu Qingqing was immensely pleased with herself. She rubbed her hands together, ready to finally complete the second half of her long-delayed plan—dump Xie Lianqing at the perfect opportunity!
After getting back together, the high-maintenance Xu Qingqing frequently picked fights and threatened to break up, only to be coaxed back by Xie Lianqing each time. The only real breakup they’d had was the one initiated by Xie Lianqing.
So strictly speaking, Xu Qingqing had never actually dumped him.
Recalling this, she finally realized Xie Lianqing was nothing like the people she’d dealt with before. No wonder Zhou Chenyu had asked her so seriously if she was sure when he found out she was back with Xie Lianqing.
Even Aunt Xu had left her with Xie Lianqing tonight… Now that she thought about it, everyone probably assumed the two of them would eventually marry!
The realization hit Xu Qingqing like a ton of bricks, and she suddenly felt utterly defeated.
Good heavens, what had she done?
She just wanted to date someone!!
Realizing she had bitten off more than she could chew, Xu Qingqing quieted down and stopped making a fuss.
Breaking up was still on the table, but now didn’t seem like the right time…
Fine, she’d dump him in a few days.
Under Xie Lianqing’s watchful gaze, Xu Qingqing racked her brain before weakly asking, “What’s for dinner?”
Xie Lianqing: …? Her attempt at changing the subject was truly something else.
But he didn’t push further. Since Xu Qingqing had backed down, he gave her an out, taking her hand and saying calmly, “Let’s go. Dinner’s ready.”
The usually high-strung Xu Qingqing obediently followed him without another word.
Xu Qingqing was a drama queen, but the reason she’d survived this long was her ability to fold when necessary. For example, when Chairman Xu or Aunt Xu truly lost their temper, she became the picture of docility.
Entering Xie Lianqing’s home, Xu Qingqing couldn’t help but glance around. This was her first time visiting his place since they got back together.
The interior was as minimalist as she’d imagined. The apartment was close to Xie Lianqing’s company, so he usually stayed here.
After a quick look around, Xu Qingqing sat quietly on the sofa.
Xie Lianqing had already gone to prepare things for her: “There’s a new toothbrush and towels in the bathroom cabinet, bath bombs in the drawer…”
Xu Qingqing hadn’t actually planned to stay the night—she’d intended to go home. But after stealing a glance at Xie Lianqing’s expression, she wisely kept her mouth shut.
She’d endure it for now. Once she found the right opportunity, she’d dump him! That’d teach him to threaten her!
After the scare she’d had yesterday, learning truths no one else knew but being unable to share them, misunderstood by everyone and now even blackmailed…
Xu Qingqing was miserable. Xu Qingqing was aggrieved. Xu Qingqing couldn’t take it anymore.
But now, it was just her and Xie Lianqing at home. She couldn’t afford to provoke him, and the one who had left her with him was Aunt Xu, who controlled her finances… After much deliberation, Xu Qingqing realized she couldn’t mess with either of them.
She lowered her head and sent a message to Zhou Chenyu: [HELP!!]
Zhou Chenyu replied quickly: [What’s wrong?]
Xu Qingqing typed furiously: [Why did you tell me to think carefully before getting back together with Xie Lianqing?]
Zhou Chenyu, ever her sharp-tongued best friend, immediately guessed: [Want to break up? Done playing house?]
[Didn’t I warn you? I told you to think it through—Xie Lianqing isn’t like the others you’ve dated.]
Xu Qingqing feigned innocence: [Then why were you so vague? Why didn’t you just say it outright?!]
[If I had, would you have listened? Is that thing on your shoulders a head or a pumpkin?]
Xu Qingqing puffed her cheeks, sulking: [Stop scolding me! Just tell me how to fix this.]
A few seconds later, the reply came: [Not the real person.]
Xu Qingqing was furious. Of course Zhou Chenyu was unreliable. Just as she was about to call and pick a fight, Xie Lianqing emerged from the bedroom.
He held a fresh towel, standing by the door, watching her for who knew how long. "Chatting with Chenyu?"
Xu Qingqing jumped, her expression tense. Before she could speak, Xie Lianqing walked over calmly and handed her the towel, his tone unreadable. "The bath is ready. Go wash up."
Not daring to continue her nonsense with Zhou Chenyu, Xu Qingqing obediently headed to the bathroom.
On the other end, Zhou Chenyu tossed his phone onto the bed in annoyance and scoffed. He knew Xu Qingqing’s personality would land her in trouble sooner or later.
The toothbrush in the bathroom was pink—a matching set with Xie Lianqing’s. She found a loofah, her usual brand, and even dried flower petals in the drawer! When had he prepared all this?
Soaking in the bathtub, Xu Qingqing relaxed completely, her earlier anxiety fading. After a long, leisurely bath, she stepped out, drying her hair as she casually asked, "Why do you have an extra toothbrush?"
Xie Lianqing glanced at her. "Prepared for you."
Xu Qingqing crossed her arms, skeptical. "I’ve never been to your place before. Why would you have clothes and a toothbrush ready for me?"
She wouldn’t even keep her boyfriend’s clothes at her own home!
Xie Lianqing smiled. "Is it strange to prepare clothes for you? I even set up a separate room for you." His home had long been arranged with a space for Xu Qingqing, though she’d never visited.
Xu Qingqing’s attention instantly shifted. "What?" She sprang up from the couch, demanding to see "her" room.
The room was distinctly different from the others—more carefully designed, with a fresh color palette. From the curtains to the bedside lamp and even the bottles on the desk, everything matched her taste and favorite brands!
Xu Qingqing suspected the rest of the house was the work of a designer, but this room had Xie Lianqing’s personal touch.
Her vanity satisfied, the earlier dissatisfaction and unease vanished. She turned to her boyfriend, curious. "How did you know I’d come here?"
After all, this was just one of Xie Lianqing’s many residences, chosen recently for its proximity to his company. If she were to visit him, it’d more likely be at the Xie family home.
Xie Lianqing smiled but didn’t answer. He didn’t tell her that every property under his name had a room reserved for Xu Qingqing.
And Xu Qingqing, oblivious, was still fixated on breaking up.
After her bath, she sprawled on the bed, seriously considering the original plot and Bai Youlan’s system. Following the incident with Aunt Xu, she’d begun to realize this world was dangerous, hiding secrets beyond ordinary understanding.
According to the system and the storyline, Bai Youlan, as the female lead, would not only end up with the male lead but also inherit the Xu Family.
If her death was meant to pave Bai Youlan’s way, would breaking up with Xie Lianqing really change her fate?
After all, if Bai Youlan wanted the Xu Family, Xu Qingqing’s existence had to be erased…
In an instant, Xu Qingqing made her decision.
She would break up with Xie Lianqing and stop Bai Youlan from completing her mission as the female lead. Whether her death was connected or not, she wouldn’t let Bai Youlan inherit the Xu Family.
Because Bai Yaxiu and her daughter didn’t deserve it!
That night, Xu Qingqing had a dream.
She dreamed she’d successfully broken up with Xie Lianqing! Overjoyed, she went shopping, celebrating with a haul of purchases—only to turn around and see Xie Lianqing and Bai Youlan together! They even trended on social media, showered with blessings from countless people!
The most absurd part? She still died! Bai Youlan and Xie Lianqing attended her funeral, where Xie Lianqing held Bai Youlan’s hand and delivered the novel’s iconic line: "If not for her, I would never have realized how gentle, kind, and considerate you are…"
At the same time, a voice echoed from the sky, narrating like an idiot—"Bai Youlan was deeply moved, her heart swelling with gratitude toward her stepsister Xu Qingqing for making this possible…"
Xu Qingqing’s spirit hovered in the air, gaping as the two lovebirds poured their hearts out in front of her tombstone. The sheer audacity shocked her back to life.
In the dead of night, Xu Qingqing jolted awake, fuming.
She sat in bed for a few seconds, then threw off the covers and stormed out. If she couldn’t sleep, neither would that scumbag Xie Lianqing!
