My Online Lover Lives Next Door (GL) - Chapter 58
For He Qing, the Jian family felt no different from her own.
When Jian Fanxing and He Qing returned, Jian’s parents and He Jun had clearly finished their discussion. Jian’s parents were peeling corn kernels while He Jun sat beside them, watching as if he were learning.
Hearing their voices, all three turned around and spoke in unison, “You’re back.”
“Xiao Qing,” He Jun said quickly, “your marriage with Fanxing has been settled. National Day is coming soon, so we’ve decided to hold the wedding then. You don’t need to worry about the other arrangements. Just find a time to go abroad and get your marriage certificate with Fanxing. By the way, have you decided which country you want to go to?”
“As for the wedding, we’ve agreed to hold it abroad as well.”
Jian Fanxing looked at her parents. Jian’s father and mother nodded at her, confirming He Jun’s words.
He Jun continued, “Xiao Qing, although we accept your relationship with Fanxing, that doesn’t mean others will. Especially in your village, where most people… might not have even heard of such a thing. They’ll think it’s absurd and say unpleasant things. So, Fanxing’s parents and I agreed—it’s best to hold the wedding abroad.”
“As for our relatives, we’ll only inform our close family. The others… we won’t tell them.” Mrs. Jian patiently explained, fearing that He Qing might take it the wrong way.
As parents, they only wanted their children to be happy. Hurtful words could wound deeply, and Jian’s parents could not bear to see their daughter suffer from them.
Hearing this, He Qing immediately understood. “Auntie, I have no objections.”
Mrs. Jian smiled with relief. “Good child.”
“Get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow, you should return to the city,” Mother Jian said. “Xiao Qing, I heard from your father that you manage a big company and are very busy. Don’t waste too much time in the countryside.”
He Qing nodded. Even though she had set aside time for this trip, it just meant she had shifted her workload earlier or later. Going back sooner would indeed be better.
“As for you, Fanxing,” Mother Jian turned to her daughter, “you used to talk about how much you love freedom. But now, you shouldn’t always just follow your own way. If you can help Xiao Qing, then help her. If not, at least take good care of her. Cook her delicious meals so she’ll have energy for work.”
Mrs. Jian knew that their family couldn’t compare to the He family in terms of wealth. So, they had to find another way to contribute. As the saying goes—if you want to capture someone’s heart, first capture their stomach!
Jian Fanxing clung to her mother’s arm, resting her face against it. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she still smiled. “Mom, don’t worry. I understand.”
“But Mom, should we transfer Xiaofeng to a school in the city? That way, you and Dad can move there and enjoy life a little.”
As usual, her suggestion was immediately rejected.
“We won’t go. Your dad and I are farmers. What would we do in the city? We’d just get restless.”
“But Xiaofeng—”
“Sis, I’m already in my final year of high school. My college entrance exam is just a few months away. Transferring now wouldn’t be good. I’m not going.” Jian Xiaofeng interrupted before she could finish.
“But if I go to university in your city, I’ll definitely come visit you and Sister He!” he added with a grin.
After everyone had finished speaking, He Jun finally voiced his own thoughts.
“Xiao Qing, you should return to the city tomorrow. I’ll stay here at Fanxing’s place for a few more days. The air is fresh, life is slower, and I feel comfortable here.”
“But your health…” He Qing frowned with concern.
“I’m in good health. Besides, I’ll only stay a few extra days. I still need to go back to help with the wedding preparations.” He Jun waved his hand dismissively, showing he was fine.
Seeing his firm attitude, He Qing gave up on persuading him.
That night, He Qing and Jian Fanxing shared a room, while He Jun stayed in Jian Xiaofeng’s room. Poor Jian Xiaofeng was kicked to the couch, but with the brand-new phone, tablet, and laptop that He Qing had bought him, he had no complaints.
When they arrived, He Qing’s car trunk was packed full of store-bought gifts. When they left, it was still packed full—but this time, with homemade cured meats, sausages, and other goods prepared by Mrs. Jian.
Sitting in the car on the way back, Jian Fanxing still felt like she was dreaming.
She turned to look at He Qing and asked uncertainly, “Sister, are we really getting married?”
He Qing: “Yes, we are.”
“But why does it feel like a dream?” Jian Fanxing murmured.
Hearing this, He Qing smirked and held her hand up to Jian Fanxing’s lips. “Then bite me and see if I feel pain.”
Jian Fanxing: “…”
Pushing He Qing’s hand away, she said, “If I have to bite someone, I should bite my own hand.”
Otherwise, how would she feel the pain?
“But I can’t bear to hurt you,” He Qing said.
…
In the end, they decided to go to Country Y to get their marriage certificate. But He Qing didn’t just want to handle the paperwork—she wanted to take Jian Fanxing on a trip, explore the country, and enjoy its romantic atmosphere.
For the next few days, He Qing was busy preparing everything.
On Monday, He Qing had just arrived at the company when Gu Xiao came in right after.
She was furious, like a hornet’s nest had been stirred.
”He Qing, do you know where Lu Yao is?“ Gu Xiao, still as straightforward as ever, got straight to the point the moment she saw He Qing.
”Lu Yao?“ He Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, stared at Gu Xiao’s angry face for a while, then shook his head. ”I don’t know.“
”You don’t know?“ Gu Xiao sneered. ”Isn’t she your girlfriend’s friend?“
”Ask your girlfriend for me.“ Gu Xiao suppressed her anger, her tone commanding.
He Qing ignored her and continued working on his documents.
They had argued many times before, but this time, Gu Xiao was the angriest.
”He Qing…“ Gu Xiao slammed her palm on He Qing’s desk, her cold eyes staring at him. ”Help me.“
He Qing looked up, meeting Gu Xiao’s icy gaze. He spoke slowly, ”Why?“
Why? Gu Xiao took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and said, ”I’m not clean anymore.“
He Qing: ”???“
Gu Xiao slumped into the chair, drained of energy. Her eyes were empty, and even her voice was weak. ”I… I was slept with by someone.“
”He Qing, I like you. But now I’m not clean anymore… Can I still like you?“ Gu Xiao covered her face with her hands, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry.
She had always been bold, doing whatever she wanted without hesitation. But when it came to her feelings for He Qing, she had always kept herself both physically and emotionally pure for him, no matter how wild she was outside. But two days ago, what she had held onto for so long was gone.
When she woke up in that person’s room, she felt like her whole world had collapsed.
Anger surged through her, and she went to the kitchen to grab a knife. But she didn’t know whether she should use it on herself or the person who had slept with her.
In the end, she decided to take that person down with her. But when she went to look for them, they were nowhere to be found.
That’s why she came to He Qing—because she knew he was Jian Fanxing’s friend.
Hearing her sobs, He Qing hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking toward Gu Xiao.
”Gu Xiao.“
Gu Xiao heard He Qing call her name and looked up. She was really crying, with clear tears hanging at the corners of her eyes.
He Qing’s eyes showed a trace of pity. Should he really tell Gu Xiao that he was going to marry Little Star at a time like this?
Seeing He Qing remain silent, Gu Xiao asked, ”What is it?“
In the end, He Qing chose to be kind. He returned to his seat, no longer focusing on his work, but looking at Gu Xiao instead. He asked, ”Do you still like me?“
”Of course.“ Gu Xiao replied. Liking He Qing was something she had always done.
”But now…“ Thinking about that night, Gu Xiao suddenly felt sad.
She felt like she wasn’t worthy of liking He Qing anymore.
”Do you really still like me?“ He Qing ignored her sudden silence and asked again.
This time, Gu Xiao didn’t answer right away. After two or three seconds, she softly replied, ”Yes.“
”Really?“ He Qing asked again.
”Really… I guess.“ When He Qing asked for the third time, Gu Xiao suddenly felt unsure.
She had always believed she liked He Qing. For so many years, she was the only person she had ever liked, and she thought she always would. But when He Qing asked her for the third time, another person’s face suddenly flashed in her mind.
The one who had yelled at her, drunk her wine, and slept with her… Lu Yao…
So, it wasn’t just her body that was no longer pure—even her love for He Qing had changed without her realizing it?
Gu Xiao’s silence confirmed He Qing’s thoughts. ”Gu Xiao, you don’t actually like me anymore, do you?“
”The reason you think you still like me is just that it’s a habit. Instead of saying you love me, it’s more like you’re used to loving me. The moment someone breaks this habit, your feelings start to waver.“
”Gu Xiao, I’m getting married. Yesterday, I met Little Star’s family. My dad was there too. They even discussed the wedding. Next week, I’m going to Country Y to marry Little Star.“ He Qing told her his plans. He didn’t have to, but he felt he should—at least to put an end to the years she had spent liking him.
”What?“ Gu Xiao looked at He Qing in disbelief. ”They… Jian Fanxing’s family agreed?“
He Qing nodded. ”They agreed.“
”But didn’t they strongly oppose it before?“ Gu Xiao still remembered when she told Jian’s mother. That woman, with her not-so-fair skin, not-so-good figure, and old-fashioned clothes, was filled with anger.