Starting with a Breakup: Why Is the True Heiress My Possessive Ex? - Chapter 43

The Xu family estate was far larger than Su Qingya had imagined.

Its architecture blended traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern Western design, creating an atmosphere that was both majestic and refined.

Even the entrance foyer resembled more of an exhibition hall than a reception area. Priceless-looking ornaments and antiques were displayed everywhere, dazzling the eye.

Afraid of accidentally bumping into something valuable, Su Qingya instinctively walked down the center of the path, carefully keeping her distance from every decoration.

Xu Qingshan noticed none of this.

Nor did he bother introducing the mansion.

His original plan had always been to let Xu Nian—someone the same age as Su Qingya—show her around the house.

Young people found it easier to talk to each other.

If an elder did the guiding, there would inevitably be an awkward sense of distance.

All of Xu Qingshan’s hopes for breaking the ice rested on his usually clever and lively daughter.

…Although, thinking about it now, he suddenly wasn’t entirely sure Xu Nian could handle such a responsibility.

She should be able to… right?

After passing through several winding corridors, they finally arrived at an open courtyard.

Instead of gathering in a formal living room with sofas and a television, the family had chosen to meet here amid the garden scenery.

The surroundings were peaceful and picturesque.

Flowers bloomed everywhere, and a gentle breeze carried their fragrance through the air.

It was the perfect place for lunch.

Taking a slow breath, Su Qingya felt some of the tension in her chest melt away.

Then her eyes landed on a flower bed filled with blooming lilies.

Lilies.

Her favorite flowers.

Actually, she had never cared much about flowers before.

Surviving had always taken priority over appreciating beauty.

But once, long ago, Xu Nian had casually asked her what flowers she liked.

Not wanting to think too much about it, she had simply named one at random.

Since then…

Xu Nian had given her lilies over and over again.

Eventually, what began as an offhand answer had quietly become a genuine favorite.

“These…”

For the first time since entering the estate, Su Qingya spoke first.

Xu Qingshan paused in surprise.

Following the direction of her gaze, he noticed the flower bed.

“Oh?”

“Those were planted by your sister a few years ago.”

“She insisted on digging up several ornamental plants I’d carefully cultivated just to make room for these lilies.”

“When I asked her why, she refused to tell me.”

Su Qingya fell silent.

She lowered her eyes and deliberately looked away.

“I see.”

“If you like them, I can ask your sister to transplant some for you later.”

“There’s no need.”

Xu Qingshan pursed his lips.

He could understand her refusal.

After all…

The person who had lived in Su Qingya’s place for more than ten years was none other than his adopted daughter.

Anyone would naturally have complicated feelings.

For a moment, he even questioned whether asking Xu Nian to show Su Qingya around later was truly a good idea.

But perhaps…

Sometimes difficult situations needed to be faced head-on.

After another short walk, they reached the dining area.

The servants had already arranged an impressive spread of delicacies across a large stone table in the courtyard.

Every dish looked exquisite.

Yet Su Qingya barely spared them a glance.

Instead, her attention was captured by a familiar-looking figure.

Snow-white hair cascaded down graceful shoulders.

A large fox tail swayed lazily behind her.

White fox ears twitched occasionally atop her head, adding a touch of charm to her naturally elegant appearance.

It was a beautiful white fox woman.

Looking only at her back…

Su Qingya found the sight strangely familiar.

For an instant, the image overlapped with someone else in her mind.

Xu Nian.

She blinked.

The illusion vanished.

How ridiculous.

The woman before her was clearly older and far more mature than Xu Nian.

Their figures weren’t remotely alike.

How could she have mistaken them?

She must simply miss Nian Nian too much.

To the point that she was seeing things.

Had only half a day apart really affected her this badly?

She suddenly wanted nothing more than to hear Xu Nian’s voice again.

At that moment, the fox woman sensed their arrival and turned around.

A warm smile immediately bloomed across her face.

“You’re here.”

She hurried over before anyone else could react and gently took Su Qingya’s hand.

“So you’re Qingya.”

“My poor child…”

“You’ve suffered so much all these years.”

“You’re so thin.”

“Come, sit down.”

“These are all dishes your mother personally prepared for you.”

“Try them while they’re still hot.”

Without giving Su Qingya time to object, she guided her into the seat beside her.

“Thank you… Mom.”

The moment she heard that word, Xu’s mother’s eyes lit up.

Joy overflowed from her expression.

“Good girl.”

“Eat more.”

“A healthy child should have a little more meat on her bones.”

Objectively speaking…

Su Qingya wasn’t skinny at all.

Xu Nian had never allowed that.

Ever since they met, even if Su Qingya claimed she wasn’t hungry, Xu Nian would always find excuses to make her eat.

Sometimes she would deliberately order too much food and insist she couldn’t finish it herself.

Other times she would take only a few bites before pushing the rest over.

“I’m full.”

“You eat the rest.”

It had become routine.

Recently, Su Qingya had even started trying to lose weight.

“Actually…”

“I’ve been dieting lately.”

“So… please don’t give me any more.”

She finally spoke up.

Her bowl had already been piled into a miniature mountain.

Being seated so closely beside this elegant fox woman should have made her uncomfortable.

Yet strangely enough…

Because the woman’s temperament reminded her so much of Xu Nian, she found herself unable to resist the closeness.

Instead of being offended, Xu’s mother looked at her with newfound admiration.

After losing both guardians at the age of twelve…

Six years had passed.

Even if her adoptive parents had left behind some savings, how could that money possibly have supported her through middle school and high school?

She had worked while studying.

Maintained excellent grades.

Entered one of the city’s top schools.

And somehow managed to keep herself healthy through it all.

To Xu’s mother…

That bordered on unbelievable.

The admiration in her gaze deepened.

“You must have worked incredibly hard.”

“To achieve everything you have at your age…”

“Most people simply couldn’t do it.”

Being looked at like that made Su Qingya uncomfortable.

After hesitating for a long moment, she finally decided to reveal something she had thought about countless times.

Rather than waiting until later…

It would be better to say it now.

While her parents still accepted everything she said without prejudice.

“There’s actually something I should tell you.”

“I have a girlfriend.”

“She’s helped me more than anyone else.”

“She’s taken care of me all this time.”

“If it weren’t for her…”

“I don’t think I would’ve made it this far.”

As she spoke, memories naturally surfaced.

“Wait.”

Xu Qingshan froze.

“Did I hear that correctly?”

“A girlfriend?”

“She’s… a girl?”

Su Qingya ignored his astonishment and continued quietly.

“Yes.”

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“And I love her.”

“Very, very much.”

“If I hadn’t met her…”

“I probably would’ve dropped out after junior high because I couldn’t afford school.”

“Or ended up working illegally in some black factory.”

“Or become homeless.”

“Or perhaps been trafficked somewhere and disappeared forever.”

“She completely changed my life.”

“Without her…”

“The only thing waiting for me would’ve been darkness.”

“So…”

“Whether you approve or not…”

“The person I’ll spend my future with can only be her.”

“And no one else.”

Her voice remained calm.

But every word carried unwavering sincerity.

Even a trace of apology.

Listening quietly, both Xu Qingshan and his wife felt their hearts ache.

This child had truly suffered.

Being able to meet someone who reached out and saved her…

Perhaps that really was heaven’s blessing.

The couple exchanged glances.

Then Xu’s mother took the initiative to speak.

“I approve.”

“No matter what your father says, I have the final say in this family.”

She smiled gently.

“To remain so loyal after receiving that kind of kindness…”

“I’m honestly relieved.”

“She gave you hope when your life was at its darkest.”

“So don’t ever let her down.”

“Treasure her properly.”

“And never betray those feelings.”