Chapter 3: Let's Break Up

“No.” Seeing his pathetic behavior, Luo Ning couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on him.

It had always been like this. Every time they argued because of Bo Xiangxiang, he would become impatient, insisting that he and she were just friends, while labeling her as narrow-minded, unreasonable, and willful.

Ji Xingheng stood up and looked at her. “If you still want to maintain our relationship, stop making a scene. Go back to your room, reflect on what you said today, and follow Brother Yan’s arrangements to post that on Weibo.”

Luo Ning sneered. “I did nothing wrong, so I won’t reflect on anything, and I certainly won’t be posting on Weibo. Therefore, there is no need for our relationship to continue.”

She looked up and met Ji Xingheng’s eyes, saying with absolute seriousness, “The current you is no longer worthy of my affection or my compromises. Let’s break up.”

They had grown up together, even attending school and eating together.

Whenever she was bullied as a child, he would protect her, beat up those people, and then bring her favorite snacks to coax her until she laughed through her tears.

Even though he always acted arrogant and dismissive whenever he was good to her, his eyes had always hidden care and doting.

That was why she had once liked him, relied on him, skipped grades for him, learned to cook, reined in her temper, and entered the entertainment industry.

Yet, she never expected that it would lead to the ending she experienced in her past life.

She was blacklisted by the entire internet and forced out of the entertainment industry. Bound by the power of the book, she had walked to the roof of a building against her own will. Before she couldn't stop herself from jumping, she called him, but the person who answered was Bo Xiangxiang.

So, in her moment of deepest despair and helplessness, he was by the side of Bo Xiangxiang, who had framed her and was faking an injury in the hospital.

It was certainly a scheme designed by Yan Qiuping and Bo Xiangxiang, but she could neither forgive nor let it go.

The moment she jumped off the building, as her body fell and the wind whistled in her ears, she had only one thought: if there were a next life, she would definitely never like him again.

That book only covered the plot up to her death by jumping off the building; she didn't know if the story had been canceled or if she simply couldn't access the rest.

Therefore, she didn't know how Ji Xingheng reacted when he heard the news of her death—would he be sad and heartbroken, or would he remain indifferent?

Of course, no matter the result, it no longer mattered to her.

Ji Xingheng said in disbelief, “Can you stop making a scene? Is ‘breaking up’ something you just say casually?”

It wasn't as if they hadn't argued before, but she had never mentioned breaking up.

Luo Ning said calmly, “That’s why I’m serious.”

Ji Xingheng clenched his hands into fists, his gaze fixed firmly on her. “Are you sure you want to break up with me?”

“Of course.” Luo Ning looked at him faintly, her eyes showing little fluctuation.

Meeting her gaze, which held a coldness he had never seen before, Ji Xingheng felt an indescribable panic. “You say we’re together, so we’re together; you say we break up, so we break up? On what grounds? I don’t agree.”

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow. “I’m dumping you unilaterally; do I need your consent?”

Ji Xingheng’s face darkened, and he said through gritted teeth, “Luo Ning, you said this yourself. Don’t regret it.”

Without hesitation, Luo Ning threw the door key in her hand onto the coffee table. “Let’s not have any contact from now on.”

Having said that, she didn't look at him again, turned around, and went into her room to pack.

Standing outside, Ji Xingheng’s expression was grim as he smashed his phone onto the floor, reflecting his mood, which had reached an extreme low.

Yan Qiuping never expected that Luo Ning would actually take the initiative to propose a breakup, but this was a good thing.

Originally, out of respect for Ji Xingheng, he hadn't planned to do anything to Luo Ning openly, but now he had a reason to let her know that he, as her manager, was not someone to be scolded or offended so easily.

He patted Ji Xingheng’s shoulder with a hint of feigned helplessness.

“Xingheng, Luo Ning is probably just using the breakup to get a rise out of you. Once her anger subsides, she’ll be fine. Go coax her and soften your stance.” His words sounded like comfort, but they were adding fuel to the fire.

“I did nothing wrong, why should I be the one to soften my stance first?” Although Ji Xingheng also felt this was a tactic of Luo Ning’s to retreat in order to advance, he was only helping a friend; how could he be as bad as she described?

Yet, for some reason, he felt a suffocating tightness in his chest.

He added, “Brother Yan, you should head back first.”

Yan Qiuping patted him again. “Alright, I’ll go then. I’ll help you ask the production crew for leave this afternoon.”

Ji Xingheng was indeed in no mood to film, so he nodded. “Good!”

After Yan Qiuping left, he thought for a moment, took out his phone, and called Bo Xiangxiang. Once connected, he explained the current situation.

Bo Xiangxiang pondered for a while and asked, “They really broke up? Luo Ning was actually willing to?”

Yan Qiuping replied, “This time, Luo Ning’s attitude toward both me and Xingheng was quite firm. I think she might be serious.”

He then added uncertainly, “Of course, given how much she cares about Xingheng, it’s also possible she’s trying to play a game of ‘hard to get’.”

“It’s best if they really broke up. If she’s just playing hard to get, I’ll make sure she burns herself with her own fire.” Bo Xiangxiang hadn't expected to stir up conflict between the two so easily, and a sense of superiority welled up within her.

She narrowed her eyes and said, “Luo Ning doesn't want to admit to what happened last night, but that’s not up to her.”

This was something she had designed; whether Luo Ning liked it or not, she would have to take the blame.

Yan Qiuping was a smart man and immediately guessed her meaning. “Alright, I’ll go contact people to release the news.”

Bo Xiangxiang chuckled, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness. “Thank you, Brother Yan.”

Yan Qiuping had already been won over by her; she didn't worry that he would betray her.

Inside the apartment, Luo Ning had already finished packing. She didn't have many belongings, and two large suitcases were enough to hold everything.

Dragging her suitcases out of the room, Luo Ning saw Ji Xingheng leaning against the cabinet by the front door with his arms crossed.

She quickly looked away, dragged her suitcases past him, and went to open the door.

Seeing her be so decisive, Ji Xingheng felt even more suffocated and uncomfortable.

He reached out and grabbed her arm. “This is an apartment my mom specifically bought for us. Are you really moving out?”

“Don’t go running to her later to complain that I kicked you out.”

At the time, his mother had wanted to put the apartment in Luo Ning’s name, but she had refused.

Luo Ning didn't turn her head and shook off his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to your mother myself. I won’t blame it on you.”

As for Ji Xingheng’s mother, even though they had broken up, she would still treat her as an elder; after all, the woman had truly loved and cared for her like a daughter.

“Once you walk out that door, it won’t be so easy to come back,” Ji Xingheng emphasized, pursing his lips.

Luo Ning didn't hesitate, dragging her suitcases away without looking back.

Ji Xingheng watched her resolute retreating figure, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been gouged out, causing him intense pain.

However, he didn't chase after her to reconcile. He felt that this was just Luo Ning throwing a tantrum; once her anger faded, she would regret making such a big deal out of it and would take the initiative to come back to him.

(End of chapter)