Chapter 209: Breakup

Chapter 209: Parting Ways

Hao Yanyan didn’t dare show herself. Seeing people coming out of the shop, she quickly hid inside the tailor's shop.

Ye Xiaoxiao bought some clothes for Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo. Although her parents said they didn't need them, Ye Xiaoxiao insisted on buying them.

"Your dad and I don’t need so many clothes," Miao Cuifang said, shocked by the prices. Making the clothes herself would cost far less.

And that luxurious cashmere sweater—it cost sixty or seventy yuan, feeling like daylight robbery.

Ye Xiaoxiao checked the clothes and decided they had enough to last through the winter.

"You and Dad are staying here for a while. If we wait until winter, it’ll be too late," Ye Xiaoxiao said, now referring to Ye Jianguo as "Dad."

Miao Cuifang held the newly bought clothes, still feeling heartache. How many tea-flavored eggs would she have to sell to afford this?

"If you ask me, we should just buy some cotton and make the clothes ourselves," Miao Cuifang continued.

Ye Jianguo also felt the pinch, but he had to admit that the clothes they bought for Miao Cuifang looked very nice.

He felt guilty too. It had been years since he last bought his wife nice clothes. She had worked so hard for the family all these years and deserved to dress well.

"Honey, that coat suits you very well. You couldn’t make something this stylish yourself," Ye Jianguo said.

Miao Cuifang glared at him. "I’m too old to care about trends."

Ye Xiaoxiao chimed in, "Mom, you don’t look a day over thirty."

Miao Cuifang laughed despite herself. "That’s such an exaggeration."

Ye Xiaoxiao insisted, "It’s true. I’m not lying."

As she reassured Miao Cuifang, Ye Xiaoxiao guided her parents out of the mall.

Hao Yanyan stayed hidden the whole time they were leaving.

Her heart raced.

Did Ye Xiaoxiao bring them along?

Did Ye Xiaoxiao tell them about her upcoming wedding?

"Miss? Miss!"

The old tailor called out several times, seeing that Hao Yanyan hadn’t responded for a while.

Hao Yanyan snapped back to reality. "I’ll leave now. I’ll return for the alterations once I have the fabric."

With that, she rushed away.

Hao Yanyan watched Ye Xiaoxiao’s car disappear before returning to find Zhao Hongxia.

She had to prevent Zhao Hongxia from meeting Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang!

Though Zhao Hongxia never voiced it, Hao Yanyan knew very well that the other woman looked down on her for her long years in the countryside.

"Yan Yan, why did it take so long? Did you find any clothes you liked?"

Zhao Hongxia looked at Hao Yanyan, who returned empty-handed, feeling curious.

"Auntie, let's buy something else today. I want to have my wedding dress custom-made."

"Custom-made is fine too. When the time comes, let Jianguo bring you here."

This was no big deal, and Zhao Hongxia naturally went along with Hao Yanyan's wishes.

Since they didn't buy any clothes, Zhao Hongxia didn't hesitate to fulfill her earlier promise of buying a gold bracelet.

Such things, when worn by her daughter-in-law, would also bring her face.

Zhao Hongxia took Hao Yanyan to the jewelry store to pick out jewelry.

...

After Ye Xiaoxiao sent Ye Jianguo and his wife home, she left.

As long as Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang could adapt to the environment here, it would be fine.

After Ye Xiaoxiao left, the old couple relaxed for a moment.

"We haven't collected today's eggs yet."

Miao Cuifang was still thinking about this matter.

Ye Jianguo said, "You rest, I'll go fetch them."

This was a new venture, and they couldn’t afford any delays.

The two were full of energy and drive, and nothing could stop them from pursuing their business.

Ye Xiaoxiao returned to the school district housing complex and parked her car.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she saw her roommate Wang Jiao and Fang Kaixuan.

They had talked about moving out but hadn’t said where.

"Xiao Xiao, you live here!" Wang Jiao exclaimed upon seeing Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, "Do you live here too?"

Wang Jiao replied, "We don't live here. We're visiting some friends. We live quite far from our school, a few blocks away."

As she spoke, Wang Jiao gave an annoyed look at Fang Kaixuan.

"Can't you find a place here?"

Fang Kaixuan sighed, "I’d like to, but... these are all staff housing, and no one has any extra rooms to rent."

Wang Jiao retorted, "Then how is it that Xiao Xiao can live here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao remained silent.

Fang Kaixuan said, "Sometimes you just get fortunate."

Wang Jiao pouted, "You're just coming up with excuses. I think you're just not capable."

Fang Kaixuan was naturally upset to be spoken to like that.

The two seemed on the verge of arguing again, so Ye Xiaoxiao quickly made her exit.

Wang Jiao, watching where Ye Xiaoxiao had gone, whispered to Fang Kaixuan, “Did you see that? Xiao Xiao was driving.”

Still angry, Fang Kaixuan ignored Wang Jiao and walked ahead.

Wang Jiao tossed the things in her hand to the ground. “Fang Kaixuan, go by yourself. I’m not coming.”

Fang Kaixuan turned back. “What’s your problem now?”

“You’re asking me what’s wrong? What’s with the attitude?”

Fang Kaixuan knew she was losing her temper again and could only coax her. “I was just checking which unit this is. I wasn’t paying attention—it wasn’t on purpose.”

“I think you did it on purpose!”

Passersby on either side of the courtyard gave them strange looks.

Fang Kaixuan stepped forward and picked up the things from the ground.

“We’re here to visit a friend today. Can’t you be a little more reasonable?”

On top of that, the constant arguing was wearing him out.

He really cared for Wang Jiao, but love can fade. Now, though they still shared some sweetness, the passion they had when they first got together was gone.

Fang Kaixuan’s words only made Wang Jiao angrier. “You’re calling me unreasonable, Fang Kaixuan? You’re getting worse and worse. I want to break up with you!”

Every time they fought, Wang Jiao would say this, and Fang Kaixuan would always give in.

But this time, Fang Kaixuan simply watched Wang Jiao walk away.

“Wang Jiao! If you walk away, we’re really done!”

Wang Jiao didn’t buy it, so she left without a backward glance.

It was broad daylight—she had nothing to fear.

Fang Kaixuan, carrying the items he’d picked up, turned and walked further into the compound without a second glance.

Wang Jiao only noticed Fang Kaixuan hadn’t followed her when she reached the compound gate, but she was too angry to consider how he might be feeling at that moment.

Fang Kaixuan went to his friend’s house alone.

“Why’d you come alone? Didn’t bring your girlfriend?”

One of the friends said, “No need to ask—they must’ve fought again. Honestly, Kaixuan, your girlfriend’s temper is awful. Sure, she’s pretty, but who can put up with that?”

“Stop badmouthing her. We’re done.”

Hearing this, his friends looked at him in surprise.

“Are you serious, Kaixuan? You’ve finally come to your senses?”

“Don’t listen to him brag. Probably they’ll make up in a couple of days.”

“Quick, sit down. We won’t be the bad guys. It’s best if you think it through yourself. If you really break up, buddy, I’ll introduce you to someone better.”

Fang Kaixuan had just mentioned breaking up and completely ignored his friend’s suggestion.

But seeing everyone talk about him like this, his heart ached.

Turns out, no one had high hopes for this relationship.