Tomorrow Will Still Love You - Chapter 14:
Pei Ning froze.
Both cars idled under the dim streetlights, and both men inside were staring at her.
For a few seconds, her brain refused to process anything. Everything just… stalled,
like a computer that had crashed.
No one had expected this scene. Ye Xicheng had no idea Xiang Yilin’s car was behind his.
Xiang Yilin thought Ye Xicheng had already left.
It took half a minute before anyone understood what was happening.
Pei Ning’s legs felt nailed to the ground.
Her hand clutched the handle of her suitcase as she looked from the car on
her right Ye Xicheng to the one on her left Xiang Yilin.
The image was hauntingly familiar. She’d dreamed of this exact moment once,
two men, two directions, and her caught in between.
But dreams end. Reality doesn’t.
Ye Xicheng pushed open his door, signaling to the driver for her keycard before stepping out.
The car behind him drove away.
Pei Ning turned, lips parting, but the words
Mr. Ye, is something wrong? stuck in her throat.
Without even glancing at the other car, Ye Xicheng walked straight toward her.
When he was close enough, she finally whispered, You called me… did you need something?
He said nothing. His eyes held hers for a long, unreadable moment,
then he took the suitcase from her hand and swiped his own access card,
opening the community gate.
He didn’t look back once.
Pei Ning stood there, dazed. How did he even have a keycard to her building?
Before she could think more, footsteps approached behind her.
Ning Ning.
It was Xiang Yilin.
He stopped a meter away, eyes heavy with things he couldn’t say.
I only came to see you, he said quietly. I didn’t plan to show up. I just… lost control.
He paused. I’m sorry. For tonight. For Hong Kong too. I didn’t mean to make things difficult.
Her voice was calm, distant. Meaningful, isn’t it?
He swallowed hard. The answer was no.
She looked up at him, her eyes clear as glass. Let me thank you first, Mr. Xiang.
Thank you for visiting my grandparents, for pretending nothing has changed.
That was… thoughtful of you.
Her tone was polite but laced with ice.
He knew what she meant. After they broke up,
he shouldn’t have gone to see her grandparents.
But every time he heard from her friends that she
still hadn’t told them the truth, guilt ate at him.
He remembered his promises to her grandmother, the warmth in those video calls,
how earnestly he’d vowed to take care of Pei Ning.
Now, every visit felt like an apology that came too late.
She went on, her words sharp but steady.
Xiang Yilin, I didn’t tell my grandparents about our breakup not because
I still have feelings for you, or because I can’t let go.
They’re old. I didn’t want them to worry. I lied to protect them.
That has nothing to do with you. My lie doesn’t affect you.
They don’t know where your family lives, who your parents are,
they don’t even have your number. But you by going there you crossed a line.
Do you realize what you’ve done? If people find out,
it won’t just be awkward it’ll be cruel. To them. To me.
He said nothing, only listened, letting her anger burn itself out.
She took a deep breath, voice trembling slightly.
My grandparents are counting their days one by one.
They’re too frail for surgery now. Every time I see them,
I just hope they’re happy enough to live a little longer.
They can’t handle any more shocks. So please leave them out of this.
The words cut him like a blade.
He finally spoke. I promised her my wife that I wouldn’t
put you in that kind of position. I meant it.
She turned her face away, watching the streetlights blur against the crowd.
Then thank her for me. But from now on, that won’t be necessary.
She looked back at him. I’m only going to say this once.
He nodded. Say it. I’ll listen.
You know me, Xiang Yilin. If there’s even a sliver of hope, I’ll fight through fire for it.
But if it’s gone then it’s gone. When I end something,
I end it completely. I respected you once. Now I just ask that you respect me too.
Her voice was low but unwavering.
He stood there, silent, accepting the punishment he’d long avoided.
When they broke up a year ago, she hadn’t cried, begged, or yelled.
Her last message had been short and sharp:
I understand. Don’t worry. You won’t hear from me again.
And she’d meant it.
Later, through a mutual friend, she returned everything he’d given her
property, investments, even the engagement ring. Every cent repaid.
Her voice pulled him back to the present.
We’re both adults, Xiang Yilin. We don’t need to drag this out.
Every story needs an ending. Forcing an ellipsis where there
should be a period it’s meaningless.
He blinked, remembering where he was not the Manhattan apartment from a year ago,
but outside Ye Xicheng’s building.
She finished calmly. HuaNing and Xiang Group still have business together.
We’ll see each other at events. Let’s make sure when we do, we can nod and move on.
She gave a polite nod. Excuse me, Mr. Xiang.
Then she turned and walked away.
Behind her, his voice broke the night. Ning Ning, I’m sorry.
She didn’t stop. Her steps were firm, unhurried, just like the day she left him.
When she disappeared past the corner, he stood still, staring into nothing.
A car horn startled him. He looked up.
His wife’s car.
Cheng Si stepped out, raising a brow as she lit an unlit cigarette between her lips.
So that’s why you changed your flight. Waiting for your darling?
He didn’t answer. Smoke drifted from his hand, cold and detached.
She toyed with the cigarette she couldn’t light. That woman lives here, doesn’t she?
Doesn’t even want to see you?
Her laugh was low and sharp. If I were her, I’d set the dogs on you.
He exhaled hard. Are you done?
She ignored the warning, voice dripping with venom. If I were her,
I’d curse you for the rest of your life. For chasing everything and ending up with nothing
love, career, all of it.
His jaw tightened. That’s why you’re not her. You could never be her.
She smiled thinly. Why would I want to be her? To end up dumped by a man like you?
She crushed the cigarette between her fingers and tossed it in a bin.
Then, halfway to the car, she turned back. Don’t forget dinner at my mother’s tomorrow.
Not happening, he muttered, slamming his car door.
His car roared away, leaving her in exhaust and silence.
Inside the community, Pei Ning stood under a tree,
breathing slowly until the rush of emotion ebbed.
She finally walked toward her building. Ye Xicheng was nowhere to be seen.
Only now did she wonder how did he get her access card?
Maybe from his secretary, for convenience?
She searched the courtyards and garden paths, but he was gone.
The elevator needed her fingerprint to activate. Only hers was registered.
He couldn’t get in.
She called him. No answer.
She tried his private number. Still nothing.
At that moment, Ye Xicheng was cleaning. The spare bedroom downstairs
had been empty for ages, he swept, wiped, aired the sheets,
then realized there were no pillows.
He went upstairs to her room.
The room smelled faintly of her perfume. He took one of her
two pillows, then paused at the bedside table.
A framed photo of her as a child smiled back at him.
He stared for a few seconds, then carried it downstairs.
There wasn’t a single trace of his belongings left in the apartment.
Maybe it was time to change that.
He checked his phone several missed calls. Instead of calling back, he dialed his mother.
Just got back from Hong Kong, he said.
Home already? she asked. Dinner with Ning Ning tonight?
No, I ordered takeout.
She chuckled. Alright, but make sure you get that hollow-stem spinach she likes.
He hesitated, then said, Mom, can you pack me a few sets of clothes?
I’ll have the driver pick them up.
Another business trip?
No. Moving back to the apartment.
There was a pause. So soon?
But her tone was pleased. Good. I’ll prepare everything.
What color shirts does Ning Ning like you in?
He sighed. Whatever. Thanks, Mom.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Pei Ning searched every path and
even checked the convenience store, thinking maybe he’d gone for cigarettes. Nothing.
Just as she was about to call him a fifth time, her phone rang.
Where are you? she asked immediately.
At home, he said. His tone was calm, unreadable.
Oh, she answered softly, realizing he must’ve gone back to his place.
What about my suitcase?
Instead of replying, he asked, You talked to Xiang Yilin?
Yes.
Good. Come up for dinner.
She blinked. Up?
You… where are you?
Upstairs, he said and hung up.