My Online Lover Lives Next Door (GL) - Chapter 31

Jian Fanxing had always felt content with her life. She had a home that was entirely her own, even if it was in an old neighborhood. She had a career that provided a decent income—more importantly, one she enjoyed—and it didn’t require her to work the usual nine-to-five schedule. She had a close friend who was always by her side, whether she was happy or sad. And finally, she had a girlfriend. She was lucky—she liked her girlfriend, and her girlfriend liked her back.

She had no grand ambitions. If she could live her whole life just like this, she would consider it a life well lived by the time she reached the end.

But now, Jian Fanxing realized that the life she had always thought was fulfilling might not even give her the courage to fight for a beautiful love.

If… if she were as outstanding as her sister, would she still feel the need to lower her head and avoid those scrutinizing gazes when meeting her sister’s family?

Jian Fanxing lowered her head, struggling to free her hand from He Qing’s firm grip. She quickly said, “Sister He, I’ll head back first.”

Before He Qing could even respond, Jian Fanxing turned away without looking at her, opened the door, stepped inside, and firmly shut it behind her.

“Xiao Qing, she…” He Jun frowned. He had noticed that his daughter was holding hands with someone, and the two seemed to have a close relationship. He had always known his daughter to be independent and solitary, so seeing her with a friend made him happy. Unable to help himself, he had taken a closer look.

But before he could get a good look at the person, she had already… left?

”You scared her,” He Qing said, glancing down at her now-empty hand. She lifted her head to look at her father and spoke calmly.

She opened the door and stepped inside first before turning to face He Jun. Her voice was cool and composed. “Are you coming in?”

Since He Jun had come all this way to see his daughter, there was no way he would just leave after standing at the door for a moment. He quickly stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, he instinctively began looking around. The moment he saw something he didn’t like, he couldn’t help but comment, “Xiao Qing, why did you suddenly move here? This place doesn’t look very good—it’s too old.”

He Qing didn’t respond. She simply glanced at the sofa behind He Jun and said concisely, “Sit.”

Then, she walked into the kitchen. A short while later, she returned with a glass of warm water and placed it in front of He Jun.

He Jun took a sip. He had been here for a while now, and his mouth was indeed a little dry.

Once he set the glass down, He Qing finally returned to the previous topic. “Why are you here?”

The moment He Jun was reminded of his purpose, his interest piqued. “I heard from Lu Feng that you’re on vacation. What did you do today? You never take time off—could it be that you…”

He was about to say “got a boyfriend,” but before he could finish, He Qing interrupted him.

”Mm.” Her voice was quiet, but He Jun heard it clearly.

His eyes widened slightly in disbelief. “Xiao Qing, I wasn’t even finished talking. Isn’t your answer a little too hasty?”

”No,” He Qing looked at her father and, after a brief pause, continued, “I know what you were going to say. You’re right. I have a girlfriend.”

She hadn’t planned to hide it from her father, nor had she considered what his reaction would be upon learning that his daughter was dating a woman. Regardless of his attitude, breaking up with Xing Xing was never an option.

Besides, from Xing Xing, He Qing had learned an important lesson: instead of struggling to hide the truth, it was better to be upfront from the start. If he could accept it, great. If he couldn’t… then he just couldn’t.

”Really?” He Jun abruptly stood up in excitement, taking two quick steps toward his daughter and patting her shoulder with great satisfaction. “That’s great! You finally decided to date—”

His excitement suddenly froze. His expression stiffened as he looked at He Qing with uncertainty. “Xiao Qing, did you just say… girlfriend?”

”A woman?”

He Qing: “Mm.”

Now that he had a definite answer, He Jun seemed to freeze completely. His expression shifted several times in an instant.

Seeing her father’s changing expressions, He Qing sighed internally. She stood up, met his gaze directly, and spoke. “Dad, I know you might not be able to accept that your daughter is a lesbian. I won’t force you to. You should go home and take care of yourself. As for your retirement, I’ll deposit your pension into your account every month. I’ll also continue paying the salaries of the caretakers who look after you. I… will try to appear in front of you as little as possible from now on.”

He Jun had never heard his daughter speak such a long string of words at once before. His daughter was capable—so capable, in fact, that she had already planned everything for her father’s future, ensuring that he had nothing to worry about.

However, He Jun’s face darkened with displeasure. “He Qing, did you ask for my opinion before making such a decision?”

He glared at his daughter in frustration, his tone filled with disappointment. “I admit, when I first heard that you were dating a woman, I was shocked. I’ve lived for decades, and while I’ve heard of such things before, this is the first time it’s happening in my own family. Can’t you give me some time to process it? I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’re already acting like I’m going to disown you. You ungrateful child—was all my love for you growing up wasted?”

“And also, even though I’m getting older, my mind isn’t old-fashioned. You don’t have to worry—I won’t come between you two.”

He Jun was so angry that he felt like his lungs were about to explode. After saying everything in one go, his throat felt like it was burning, but he still glared at He Qing angrily, feeling betrayed.

He Qing handed a glass of water to He Jun. After He Jun took a sip to soothe his throat, He Qing finally moved his lips and said, “Dad, thank you.”

“Thank me, my ass.” He Jun plopped down on the sofa, completely lacking the demeanor of a corporate chairman. Seeing the rare expression of emotion on his daughter’s face, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Qing, ever since your mother passed away, I’ve realized that many things in this world don’t matter—career, money… none of it is important. The most important thing in life is to live happily, to live without regrets. Otherwise, even in death, it’s full of regrets.”

“The biggest regret of my life was being too focused on work. I was so obsessed with my career that I neglected your mother. She spent decades by my side without ever truly having a happy day. Even in her final moments… she lived in constant fear because of me. I regret it so much. That’s why, Qing, I’ve let go of those obsessions. I only want you to live a happy life.”

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a man or a woman. As long as you are sure this is what you want, I won’t stop you.”

After finishing, He Jun wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes. He smiled at his daughter and said, “Qing, that girl just now—is she your girlfriend?”

“She lives right across from us? Go call her over so I can take a good look at her. I didn’t get a clear view earlier.”

Hearing this, He Qing nodded. “Dad, wait here for a bit. I’ll go get her.”

At Jian Fanxing’s home, she sat frozen on the sofa, staring blankly at the floor, her eyes unfocused.

Bang, bang, bang…

The sudden knocking on the door snapped her out of her daze. Jian Fanxing lifted her head and looked toward the door. She knew it had to be He Qing.

She’s here. Why is she here? Did her father leave? Or… is she here to break up with me because of his pressure?

Bang, bang, bang…

Three more knocks echoed. Jian Fanxing buried her head in her arms. She didn’t want to open the door. She was afraid that the moment He Qing spoke, it would be something she didn’t want to hear. Even though she knew He Qing wasn’t that kind of person… what if?

After knocking twice with no response, He Qing frowned.

Is Little Star… not home?

But she didn’t hear the sound of a door opening or closing earlier.

So… she just doesn’t want to open the door for her?!

Realizing this possibility, He Qing’s frown deepened.

She raised her hand and knocked three more times, this time adding her voice: “Little Star, open the door. I know you’re in there.”

Silence. No movement from inside. He Qing’s eyes fell on a small sticky note on the wall beside the door. Then, she spoke again: “Little Star, open the door. If you don’t, I’ll call a locksmith.”

This time, there was a reaction.

Jian Fanxing didn’t want to open the door, but she heard He Qing’s words. And she knew that He Qing always followed through on her words. If she didn’t open the door herself, He Qing would really call someone to unlock it.

So, she had no choice but to drag herself slowly toward the door.

Click. The door unlocked.

Without thinking, He Qing pushed it open. The moment she saw Jian Fanxing’s lifeless expression, her heart clenched. The girl who had been so cheerful just moments ago now looked at her with red-rimmed eyes.

“Sister, you’re here,” Jian Fanxing said weakly.

He Qing didn’t reply immediately. She stepped inside, closed the door, then gently held Jian Fanxing’s shoulders, making her look at her. In a soft voice, she asked, “Little Star, what’s wrong?”

“Did something happen that you can’t solve? It’s okay. Tell me—I’ll take care of it for you.”

He Qing’s gentle and soothing voice instantly calmed Jian Fanxing’s anxious heart. She stared at He Qing with teary eyes for a moment before suddenly throwing herself into her arms, crying, “Sister, I don’t want to break up with you. I don’t want to, I don’t want to…”

He Qing: “…”

Her brows furrowed tightly. She held Jian Fanxing close and continued to soothe her. “Okay, okay, we won’t break up. Who said I was going to break up with you? I just won you over—haven’t even had time to enjoy it yet. Who has the guts to try and take you away? I’ll deal with them.”

He Qing thought to herself: Could it be that Little Star’s parents, like my dad, just found out today that their daughter likes women, and they can’t accept it, so they’re forcing her to break up with me?

Thinking of this possibility, He Qing’s eyes darkened. She leaned close to Jian Fanxing’s ear and whispered, “Little Star, give me your parents’ phone number. I’ll talk to them… No, we’ll go see them together. I’ll convince them to let us be together.”