After the Breakup, the Possessive Heiress Regretted It - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: She’s Still the Same

The snow didn’t stop all day. The roads were already covered in a thin white layer, with pedestrians walking slower, some slipping and nearly falling.

But Ji Wanmian didn’t notice any of that.

Because she was listening to Pei Yan talk.

Inside the café, the heating was on full blast. A thin mist fogged the windows, and soft jazz played in the background. But none of it made Ji Wanmian feel the least bit warm.

Pei Yan slowly stirred her coffee, then finally spoke.

“The ‘Niannian’ you know is called Chen Niannian. Three years ago, she was Jinyue’s girlfriend.”

Ji Wanmian clenched her fists tightly, nails digging into her palms.

This name, this relationship—she had long suspected it. But having it confirmed by someone else was still a shock.

She tried to keep her composure and asked,
“So… they broke up?”

Pei Yan smiled faintly.
“Yes. But do you know how?”

Ji Wanmian didn’t answer.

“It wasn’t mutual. Jinyue was dumped.” Pei Yan took a sip of her coffee and continued.
“Chen Niannian left without a word. One day she was still in Jinyue’s arms, the next she was gone—no message, no call. Her things were all taken. Jinyue was devastated.”

Ji Wanmian stayed silent. Her heart throbbed dully.

“You probably don’t know, but back then Jinyue didn’t even leave her room for a week. I had to fly back from overseas just to take care of her. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, just stared at the door, hoping that girl would come back.”

Pei Yan shook her head with a sigh.
“And you know what she told me during that time?” She looked at Ji Wanmian.
“She said she would never fall in love again.”

That sentence made Ji Wanmian’s breath catch in her throat.

Never fall in love again.

So… was I the exception?

Or just a substitute?

As if seeing through her, Pei Yan added,
“I’m not here to tear you apart. I just wanted to ask—do you really think someone who was once hurt so badly can love again so easily?”

Ji Wanmian bit her lip, her fingers trembling under the table.

“What exactly do you want to say?”

Pei Yan finally smiled.
“Nothing much. I just wanted you to be clear about what kind of past Jinyue carries before you decide to walk with her into the future.”

Ji Wanmian said nothing. Her mind was a mess, tangled in pain and hesitation.

Pei Yan stood up, putting on her gloves.
“You’re not a bad girl, Miss Ji. I hope you make a wise choice.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the café, leaving behind only the faint smell of coffee and a storm inside Ji Wanmian’s chest.

Ji Wanmian sat in the café for a long, long time. So long that the waiter came over to ask if she needed anything else.

She shook her head and finally stood up.

The snow outside had gotten heavier. The whole world looked pure and white, but her heart had never felt darker.

She slowly made her way back, her breath fogging the air, her hands stuffed into her coat pockets, head buried low.

When she opened the door and stepped back inside, Pei Jinyue was still sleeping on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her long hair spread across the pillow, breathing even and peaceful.

Ji Wanmian stood at the door, watching for a long time.

Finally, she walked over, crouched beside her, and whispered:
“Do you… still think of her?”

Pei Jinyue didn’t respond—still asleep.

Ji Wanmian didn’t ask again. She just reached out and gently touched her face.

The snow outside hadn’t stopped.

But her heart… hadn’t calmed either.