After the Divorce, the Heiress Omega Regretted It - Chapter 51

Thick snowflakes, as soft as goose down, danced through the air. In the residential compound, children, unbothered by the cold, ran around laughing, setting off fireworks that crackled noisily in the crisp night air.

Just beyond the wall, Qin Yiwan stood with her spirits crushed. She had barely taken a step before reaching out to steady herself against a lamppost, looking so heartbroken it seemed she could hardly stand.

Luo Yunye instinctively reached out to support her, but after a moment of hesitation, she withdrew her hand.

If she had made up her mind to draw a line between them, she couldn’t afford to let her heart waver again.

Qin Yiwan’s slender, pale fingers rested against the icy metal of the lamppost. The cold seeped into her skin and sent a chill through her body, bringing her back to her senses.

She pulled herself together, forcing her emotions back into place. It’s okay, she told herself. So what if Luo Yunye never loved her? It wasn’t like she hadn’t been unloved before. Qin Rushuang and Du Weimin had ignored her for years, and hadn’t she survived just fine on her own?

That stubborn pride at her core made her straighten up. She wiped her tears and walked toward the car, opened the door, and got in.

The heater was on inside. It was warm, but the snow melting in her hair soaked the top of her head, sending a lingering chill through her bones and making her feel even more uncomfortable.

She suddenly remembered another snowy day like this one—back when she was little, kneeling in the freezing cold in front of Qin Yiyao’s tombstone as punishment from Qin Rushuang. The cold was just as bitter then.

And now, once again abandoned, the years of suppressed grievances surged up all at once. Tears welled up uncontrollably, and she couldn’t even manage to leave with dignity. She buried her face in the steering wheel and began to sob.

Luo Yunye had sworn she wouldn’t intervene again. But as she passed by and saw Qin Yiwan hunched over the wheel, shoulders trembling with sobs, she couldn’t help but worry—was it really safe for her to drive like this?

In the end, she pulled out her phone and called Butler Lin.

“Lin Lin, come to my apartment building and pick up Miss Qin. Right now.”

Hearing the urgency in her voice, the housekeeper didn’t ask questions and quickly agreed. “Alright, I’ll head over immediately.”

Qin Yiwan cried until she was exhausted. The warmth in the car made her drowsy. Sometime later, a knock on the window startled her awake. She quickly wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and sat up straighter.

Outside the window stood Butler Lin, looking at her with worried eyes.

Qin Yiwan rolled down the window. “Why are you here?”

“I got a call from Miss Luo,” Lin explained gently. “She asked me to come pick you up. Why don’t I drive for you?”

Qin Yiwan got out and moved to the back seat. She stared out at the falling snow, her voice flat. “What was her tone like when she called you?”

“She sounded really anxious. I thought something had happened to you and rushed over.”

From the rearview mirror, Butler Lin glanced at her and cautiously added, “Miss, on the day you divorced Miss Luo, she cried her heart out too. It was like she’d lost her soul—wandered in the rain for who knows how long. When I found her, she was soaked through and had fainted, and ended up in the hospital. She was even more miserable than you are now.

I know some things can’t be undone, and it’s not about who’s right or wrong, but… if something’s in the past, maybe it’s best to let it go.”

Back then, Qin Yiwan hadn’t cared how Luo Yunye felt. She didn’t even wonder whether she was hurting. Looking back now, she was simply walking the same painful path Luo Yunye had already walked. The heartbreak she was feeling—she probably deserved it.

When she got home, she had barely stepped inside before Aiwan came trotting over, circling her once before sitting obediently in front of her. “Welcome home, Wanwan! It’s cold—make sure you stay warm.”

Her carefully composed emotions nearly unraveled again at the sight of Aiwan.

She crouched down and picked up the little dog. Even though it was just an AI robot, it looked so real, with bright, blinking eyes that sparkled with life.

Luo Yunye must’ve put a lot of thought into making Aiwan. Qin Yiwan remembered how she had kicked it the first time they met, how she kept trying to get rid of it.

Her eyes grew red. She gently wiped away a tear and whispered, “I’m sorry. I was wrong before. I won’t let you leave me again.”

“No need to apologize, Wanwan. Aiwan will stay by your side forever. I’ll never leave you.”

When Luo Yunye gave her Aiwan, had she been hoping to stay by her side forever, too?

Qin Yiwan didn’t believe Luo Yunye when she said she had never loved her. If that were true, why did she leave behind so many traces of love?

She took a deep breath and tilted her head back, willing herself not to cry. Then she carried Aiwan back to her room, letting it curl up on the sofa to sleep.

Afterward, she grabbed a change of clothes and went to take a hot bath. The heat chased away the cold clinging to her body. As she leaned back in the tub, she picked up her phone to check her messages.

Two hours earlier, Luo Yunyi had sent a text:
Do you want to go see a movie together tomorrow for New Year’s Eve?

Qin Yiwan didn’t feel like watching a movie. All she wanted was to stay holed up in her room, to shut out the world for just a little while.

I don’t want to go anywhere tomorrow. I’m really tired. Going to sleep.

The reply came almost instantly, as if Luo Yunyi had been waiting:
Then let’s go to the temple on the mountain on New Year’s Day. I heard Jingling Temple’s incense is really effective.

We’ll see.

Okay. Rest well. Good night.

Qin Yiwan didn’t respond. Instead, she opened her social feed and saw a new post from Gu Qianyue:

“Watching her in an apron, cooking in the kitchen, I suddenly understood what it feels like to want to run straight home after work. There’s her handmade meals, and the surprise fireworks she prepared—happiness became real in that moment.

A new year. A new beginning. We’ll only get better. Love you.”

Qin Yiwan scrolled through the photos, zooming in on the dishes Luo Yunye had made. Each plate was carefully arranged—meticulously crafted with care and intention.

When Luo Yunye wanted to treat someone well, she could make them feel it.

She was serious about Qianyue.

Qin Yiwan didn’t know whether she should be happy for Gu Qianyue, feel sorry for that other version of herself, or just… mourn for her own heartbreak.

Emotions tangled inside her. She set the phone aside and sank deeper into the water, trying to escape, or perhaps just clear her head.

It was just heartbreak. Not a terminal illness. The sky wasn’t falling. She’d survive this. She would get better.

******

On New Year’s Eve, Qin Rushuang and the Grandma Qin sat at the dining table, staring at a feast that had suddenly lost all taste.

In past years, no matter how busy Qin Rushuang and Du Weimin were, they always came home for the reunion dinner. That meal was the only time the family ever felt a little closer, a little warmer.

But this year, everything felt hollow.

Du Weimin was in prison. Qin Yiwan stayed locked in her room and refused to come down. No matter how many times Grandma urged someone to call her, she wouldn’t budge.

This family wasn’t well and truly broken.

Qin Rushuang ate in silence. She picked up some food and placed it in the old lady’s bowl. “Mom, eat something.”

“Rushuang,” the old woman said softly, “when I’m gone, all you’ll have left is Wanwan. I just want to see you two reconcile while I’m still alive. For all these years, you’ve avoided facing this problem. And now, the rift between you and Wanwan has only grown wider. If you don’t mend it soon, one day it’ll be beyond repair.”

Qin Rushuang knew that. She had always known. But back then, she couldn’t swallow her pride to make peace with her daughter, and even now, she had no idea how to fix things. So she chose the easiest path—she ran from it.

But now, she no longer wanted to run away. She wanted to try—really try—to mend their relationship. Yet Qin Yiwan wasn’t giving her the chance.

Her heart ached with confusion. She didn’t know whether she should shamelessly cling on and treat her well, or just let go, thinking maybe that was the kinder thing to do.

“Mom, it’s New Year’s. Let’s not talk about this. Let’s just eat.”

After dinner, Qin Rushuang brought a tray of food upstairs and knocked on Qin Yiwan’s door. Yiwan had been drifting in and out of sleep all day, her head foggy from exhaustion. She heard Qin Rushuang’s voice through the door.

She didn’t care about appearances—her hair was a mess, her clothes rumpled. She shuffled over and opened the door.

Qin Rushuang was startled by how gaunt and pale she looked. “Wanwan, are you sick? You don’t look well at all.”

“I’m fine. Not dying.”

Yiwan took the tray from her and shut the door. She stared at the food, feeling no appetite, and set it on the coffee table before lying back down and staring blankly at the ceiling.

Her thoughts wandered to that kidnapping when she was little. Maybe it would’ve been better if the kidnapper had actually stabbed her to death back then. At least she wouldn’t have to live through so much pain growing up. Or if she’d just died in that car accident—then she wouldn’t have fallen for Luo Yunye, wouldn’t have been hurt by her, and wouldn’t be left behind in such heartbreak.

She was born into a wealthy family, never knew hardship, but she had always been starved of affection. Her family bonds were weak, her friendships now fading, and love—well, she had destroyed that with her own hands.

God truly was fair. He opened the doors to privilege and riches for her, but shut every window where light could enter. Her world was left with nothing but loneliness and darkness.

******

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, Luo Yunyi called Yiwan early to invite her to Jingling Temple to offer incense.

Yiwan hadn’t planned on going with her, but Luo Yunyi mentioned that many couples would be there praying for blessings.

Clinging to a small, fragile hope that Luo Yunye might be going there with Gu Qianyu, she agreed.

The car wound up the mountain road for nearly an hour before reaching Jingling Temple. By the time they arrived, the area was already packed. They had to wait quite a while for parking, and Luo Yunyi told Yiwan to go on ahead while she handled the car.

The temple, nestled in the mountains, was usually quiet and serene. But on New Year’s Day, it buzzed with people—it almost felt like a market.

Yiwan followed the crowd inward. In the distance, she heard the crisp chime of the temple bell echoing down the slopes. As she reached the main square, incense burners were overflowing with sticks, smoke thick in the air.

She moved off to the side, and found a quieter spot. She told herself she was waiting for Luo Yunyi, but her eyes were scanning the crowd—for Luo Yunye. She didn’t know if Yunye would actually show up. But hope is a persistent thing—it made her want to look.

About ten minutes passed. Then she saw Luo Yunyi. And as fate would have it, Gu Qianyu and Luo Yunye were walking with her.

Yunyi had just parked the car and bumped into them by chance. It would’ve been rude not to say hello.

With a playful smile, she teased, “Here to pray for a stronger relationship, are we?”

“What else?” Gu Qianyu replied easily, clinging to Luo Yunye’s arm with a radiant smile. “What about you? Here alone? Or hoping for some romantic luck yourself?”

“I came with Wanwan,” Luo Yunyi replied, her eyes falling on Luo Yunye, a hint of pride in her voice.

Yunye didn’t acknowledge her—didn’t even look her way. She turned to Qianyue, “Let’s go.”

Luo Yunyi hurried ahead, worried they’d run into Yiwan first.

Qianyue found her behavior odd and shot her a glare. If there were any other entrance, she wouldn’t have walked with her at all.

Luo Yunyi spotted Yiwan from afar and waved. “Wanwan!” she called loudly.

Although the temple was crowded, most visitors were quietly reverent. Her loud call drew everyone’s eyes. Yiwan quickly pulled her scarf over her face and pretended not to know her.

Once the attention died down, Luo Yunyi walked over. Gu Qianyue, still holding Luo Yunye’s arm, said, “Let’s go say hi to Wanwan.”

She didn’t care for Yunyi, but Yiwan was still her friend. It would be rude to ignore her.

When the four of them met up, Luo Yunyi’s gaze lingered on Yiwan. Yiwan glanced at Qianyu, then at Yunye. Luo Yunye looked away, indifferent, pretending not to know them at all.

Qianyue asked casually, “Are you two here to…?”

“Pray for love,” Luo Yunyi answered first.

Yiwan didn’t deny it. She glanced at Luo Yunye and asked Qianyue, “And you?”

Qianyue turned to look at Luo Yunye with a smile. “Naturally, we’re here for the same.”

“Then let’s go together,” Qin Yiwan offered.

Qianyue couldn’t refuse, so the four of them entered the temple and knelt to draw divination sticks.

Only Qianyue drew a top-tier fortune. Yunye’s was bad. Yiwan and Yunyi both drew the worst ones.

Unconvinced, Luo Yunyi tried again. Still the worst.

Qianyue struggled not to laugh and ducked behind Luo Yunye to hide her grin.

Yiwan didn’t care about fortunes. She kept sneaking glances at Yunye. Seeing their hands still clasped, she looked away, fixing her eyes on the Marriage Tree outside. She said she wanted to go see it.

The Marriage Tree was draped in countless red ribbons, each bearing a wish. Couples were buying them, writing down their hopes, and tossing them onto the branches, praying for blessings.

Most knew their wishes might never come true, but they came to feel closer to each other, to create a memory.

Qianyue, of course, wanted to participate. She pulled Yunye along to buy ribbons.

“Let’s write our wishes separately. No peeking.”

“Alright.”

Yunye smiled and turned away to write. She didn’t really know what to wish for, but to humor Qianyue, she wrote:
May lovers find each other, stay together forever, and never part.

Qianyue, thinking only of Luo Yunye, wrote:
May all of Luo Yunye’s wishes come true.

Yiwan also wrote a wish. Luo Yunyi peeked over, and Yiwan didn’t hide it—she let her see.

Curious, Qianyue came over too. The characters were elegant and flowing. She read aloud without thinking:
“The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches. My heart longs for you, yet you do not know.”
“Wanwan, are you… secretly in love? Seriously?”

That ruled out Luo Yunyi as her crush. Qianyue felt a little pleased and teased, “Well, someone’s going to be disappointed.”

Unwilling to lose face, Luo Yunyi draped an arm around Yiwan’s shoulder with a smirk. “I know exactly how Wanwan feels about me.”

Qin Yiwan subtly pulled away, only to meet Luo Yunye’s calm, analytical gaze. She turned with a smile, “Let’s hang them up.”

Qianyue tossed hers first and told Yunye to aim for the same spot so their ribbons would hang together.

But Yunye’s ribbon landed too high, catching on an upper branch.

Yiwan and Yunyi tossed theirs too, landing far apart—miles, metaphorically. Yiwan’s ended up right next to Yunye’s.

“Let’s look around some more,” Qianyue suggested.

The four of them turned to leave.

No one noticed as the wind gently stirred the red ribbons—and the one bearing Luo Yunye’s name fluttered until it intertwined with Yiwan’s.