Wen Qing's heart hurt watching Jiang Yanli break-down so completely in front of her. So she gathered the other woman in her arms and let her cry some more until Yanli's tears soaked Qing's T-shirt. She could feel the other woman's broken sobs racking her small body. After what felt like hours, Yanli finally stopped crying but Qing still held her.

"I am s-sorry.." Yanli apologized, her words getting caught on the tail end of her crying spell.
 
"Never be sorry to show your emotions, Li. I understand that you have to be strong in front of your brothers because you think it's your duty to forever take care of them but you can let go with me, OK?"

"W-we just met a-and now y-you are entangled in my mess..." Yanli couldn't keep her voice from cracking.

"I was entangled the moment I laid eyes on you, pretty woman..." Qing smiled.

"Why?"
 
"Why? Hmm.. you're special Li, don't you know that?"

Yanli looked at her with wide eyes still rimmed with red after crying for so long. "Special?" She couldn't fathom that a strong, independent and beautiful woman like Qing would find her special. Nobody had ever said that to her before. Yes, Xian and Cheng always praised her but surely that was only because they were biased?

"Yes special. You're beautiful and smart. You have so much love in your heart for your brothers and your friends. Someone would have to be blind to not see it."
 
Yanli shook her head as if trying to refute the compliment.

"No. Don't do that to yourself." Qing admonished. "Just because that asshole of a boyfriend of yours couldn't appreciate your worth doesn't mean we don't see you. The real you."

Yanli blushed slightly while looking at her hands that were now entwined with Wen Qing's.

"Thank you. You're amazing, you know that?"

"I know" Qing wagged her eyebrows and laughed, making Yanli laugh along. "Now do you want to talk?"
 
Yanli just nodded so Qing went on, " start at the beginning, b"

Yanli finally took the cup of tea Qing had placed, on the coffee table and took a sip. "Ugh... it's cold"

Qing smiled. "I'll go warm it up."

"No let me do it. I need to keep my hands busy."

Qing looked like she would protest but then she just sat back as Yanli went to the kitchen to make them two more cups of tea.
 
After 5 minutes, Yanli came back with 2 steaming cups of hot tea, one of which she offered to Wen Qing. The other woman took the cup and nodded to the empty space beside her. Yanli sat down beside Qing again, and curled up her legs close to her body. She took a sip and then wrapped her hands around the cup trying to warm them from the chill that was again starting to creep in.

Then she spoke. As she recounted the events of last night in detail, tears started streaming down her face again but she kept going. She told Qing about the upcoming wedding, about how her mother had been so proud of her when she had introduced Zixuan to her. She told Qing about the shame she felt about telling her brothers the reality of her situation of that shame being the sole reason as to why she hid things or at least tried to hide things from her brothers. She emptied out all the concern, anxiety and confusion she had bottled up inside her for the 2 years she had been in a relationship with Jin Zixuan. 
 
After she had completed her story, Qing, who had been quiet all this while, looked at Yanli and asked the one question that had bothered her.

"So he is your fiance?"

"Yeah, he is.. my fiance"

"But you don't wear a ring?"

"Zixuan said the ring was very costly so it would be better if he kept it safe."
 
"How did you end up with such a pitiful man, Li?" Qing spoke not unkindly.

"He wasn't like this before but over the years, he turned possessive and cold."

Qing sighed, "Do you still love him?"

Yanli didn't know what to say, "I have only loved one man in my life, Qing. I-I don't know anymore."

"Ok, let it phrase it another way. Do you want to go back to him?"
 
Yanli thought for a while before she shook her head in the negative. "No"

"No? I thought you said..."

"I may still love him but after the news of my pregnancy, I feel like if I go back now, I will never be able to get out." Yanli paused as she took another sip of her tea. "I would also like to explore whatever it is that is growing between us."

Qing opened her mouth to say something but Yanli interrupted her. "And no, me taking this decision is not just because of what I feel for you. Even if you reject me, I will still leave him. I can't raise a child in a home where I cannot trust my own husband. My child deserves better."
 
"It's a huge responsibility, Li."

"I know. I may not be the best girlfriend or sister or daughter but... I will be the best mother."

"You're an amazing sister." Qing smiled.

"Thank you..."

"And about what you said about us, Li..." Qing placed her half empty cup on the coffee table and got up from the couch, then she proceeded to kneel in front of Yanli. "It would  make me really happy if I could be by your side..Uh.. is it OK, if I want to be part of your child's life?"
 
Suddenly Yanli started crying again. Qing got scared of her reaction. "It's OK, I don't have to be part of your child's life... I-"

Yanli wiped her face with her hands and then beamed at Qing as she held her face in her hands. "No no.. I think it's the pregnancy hormones which are bringing out the waterworks. I would love to have you with me..."

Qing was so overcome with emotions that she leaned forward and kissed Yanli. Yanli laughed into the kiss but responded in kind. They parted breathing heavily.

"So what's the plan now, Li?"

"I want to move out of Jin Zixuan's house"

"Good plan," Qing chuckled.
 
 
-----
 
Wen Qing had left Jiang Yanli alone in her room to get ready, but Yanli was procrastinating. All her confidence from half an hour ago had vanished into thin air. She was regretting all the choices she had made in her life including the drinks she had yesterday... if only... if only she knew about the baby...

No.. there is no time for regret. The only way now is forward, there's no turning back. She tried to talk some sense into herself.
She looked into the mirror, and prepared to face her nightmare, her fiance. She knew she was lucky to be loved by so many people, especially now with the new life inside of her, but she needed to do this before taking the next step. She walked out of the bedroom, to find Qing already waiting for her, with a smile on her face.
 
"How are we going?"

"You brought your car Purgatory last night, so drove you home in that."

"And your bike?"

"I asked Wangji to collect it for me. I will go get my bike back from his garage later today."

"You and Wangji are best friends, right? Umm... I had only heard about him from Xichen until I met him on that birthday party, where I met you..." She cleared her throat. "Is he a good person?"
 
"He is the best. You will see when you meet him. He's a bad boy but he's a good person Li. Why the sudden interest though?"

"Umm.. I saw the way he looks at Xian"

"Ah, I see. I didn't think you noticed that. Wei Wuxian has seemed to catch Wangji's eyes."

"Umm... Xian is perfect."

Qing laughed. "I will agree to this statement because I can see how his presence, alone, grounds Wangji. He's starting to tame the beast. That already gives him plus points in my books."
 
"If you like Wangji, I suppose I will like him too..."

"You trust my judgement that easily?"

"Yes." Yanli smiled.

Qing smiled back, holding her hand out.
"Ready?" She asked.
"No, but do I really have a choice?" Yanli grasped Qing's hand, grateful for the unwavering support.
Qing nodded, and they walked out together, side by side, to face the music.
 
 

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They reached Jin Zixuan's house around 2 in the afternoon. Yanli wanted to avoid as much conflict as possible so she had chosen to come at a time when she knew he wouldn't be home. The presence of Wen Qing beside her gave her moral support. She needed that just in case she relapsed into her old weak doubting self. 

Once inside she looked around her hands still holding on to Qing. "So many memories in this house, yet none of them were the happy kind." She muttered to herself.

She then snapped out of the regrets crowding her and forced herself to think logically. She decided to just pack and take her personal stuff, and send for the rest later.
 
She was almost done packing with Qing's help when she heard the sound of the front door being unlocked. She checked her watch, 5.30 p.m. He had sent a message to her in the morning.

Li, I won't be home for lunch. So when you're done throwing a tantrum, make sure you cook a nice dinner for us. We will talk about your problems tonight.

Qing had scoffed when Yanli had shown her the message. "Let alone apologizing, he doesn't not even care enough to look for you. Instead he wants you to cook and have dinner with him? And this is throwing a tantrum? Oh my God! What a fucking bastard!" Qing had been filled with rage after that message.
 

In hindsight, Yanli realized that Zixuan had never really cared for her. All he did was control her every action saying it was for her own good. She put the last article of clothing in her suitcase, and looked at Qing, who nodded to her. Jiang Yanli squared her shoulders as she readied herself for the upcoming confrontation.
This is gonna get ugly.
She walked out of the bedroom, and found Zixuan checking their mails, not sparing even a glance at her, before he said, "Are you done throwing a tantrum? I hope dinner's ready because I need to be out again in of couple hours" He put his mail down on the table, and when he saw Li did not answer, he raised his head.
"Are you listening, Li? I have an appointment after dinner so start serving already." When Jiang Yanli still didn't make any move to go towards the kitchen, Zixuan became furious. "Why are you standing there like an imbecile?"

"I need to talk to you." Yanli tried to start the conversation.
"I need to shower first, can we do it later? Or tomorrow? I'm really busy. If it's about the wedding, just do whatever you want to do." He waved his hand before walking towards the bathroom. He had not noticed the presence of another woman in the house so he was startled when he heard her shout at him.
"You better fucking listen to her, you asshole!" Wen Qing had had enough of his bullshit.
"And who the fuck are you? Why are you inside my house?" Zixuan retreated a few paces backward, and looked mildly annoyed.
"She's my friend, and yes, will you please listen to me for once?" Yanli spoke in a calm voice but deadly tone. With Qing's presence, she wasn't scared anymore. She had a new life to protect.
 
"Really Jiang Yanli? I treated you with so much respect and this is your retaliation? I'm so disappointed in you, I thought you were better than...this." his face shows disgust at Qing, and it made something snapped inside of Yanli.
"How dare you talk to her like that? And respect? When have you ever shown me respect? I'm not gonna put up with you anymore, Jin Zixuan."
"Oh yeah? And what you're gonna do? Leave me?" Zixuan scoffed and smirked at Yanli's exclamation.
"You are damn right, I will. I am leaving you. As of this moment, Jin Zixuan, you and I are no longer engaged." She stopped to take a breath as she continued on, "And that's my final decision." With that she turned to the bedroom and came back out with two suitcases. Wen Qing took one from her and they started walking towards the door. "I'll send someone to collect the rest of my things tomorrow." She had almost walked out completely when she stopped all of a sudden, turned back and pointed her finger at him. "Oh, and since our engagement is OFF, starting today, you may tell your family about it." She turned around again to leave, but Zixuan caught her hand.

"What do you mean you're leaving me? Calling our engagement off? Is this some kind of a joke? Do I look like a joke to you?" He held her hand in a tight grip. "Are you having an affair someone? Has this bitch, corrupted your mind? I know she is manipulating you."

"No one is manipulating me. I have just realized how stupid I have been these last two years." Her eyes looked like she would start crying any minute. Zixuan took that as a cue and pointed a finger at Wen Qing.

"Is she the one you are having an affair with? I didn't know you were a fucking lesbian, Li. How disgusting!" He spat.
"As a matter of fact, yes Zixuan, I'm seeing her starting today. And she's a way better than your sorry self. Also, you are the one having an affair and now you've the gall to put the blame on me? I can't believe you!" She yanked her hand back, hard, and started to walk out, when she heard Zixuan mutter something under his breath.

"What did you just call me? Bitch? Yes, unfortunately, that's what I was but not anymore. Since now you have another bitch to satisfy your so called needs," Yanli made air quotes with her fingers, "help yourself to as many as you want!"
"Well, let's see how Madam Yu reacts to your...stupidity." he mocked Yanli, while his eyes gave Qing a once over. "With a street rat nonetheless.." he scoffed. Before he realized it, he felt a sharp sting on his cheek, a result of Yanli slapping him.
"The hell..??" Zixuan looked shocked to his core.

Yanli herself was shocked when she realized what she had done. She had never in her life resorted to violence. Agreed it was just s slap but it was completely out of character for her. She looked at Wen Qing, eyes wide but the other woman just grinned at her. Yanli took that as an affirmation and looked back at her ex-fiance.

"You better watch your mouth, Jin Zixuan!" Jiang Yanli spoke with a quiet calm in complete contrast to the turmoil inside her head. "I can handle whatever insults you throw at me, but not her. Definitely not to her. And as for my mother, it's none of your business how I handle things. You're no more a part of my life. I hope you get that drilled into your thick skull."

Jin Zixuan was still shocked after the slap which was why he didn't utter a single word as Jiang Yanli walked out of the house holding Wen Qing's hand in hers. After stowing her luggage in the boot of the car, Yanli got in and then rolled down her windows to look at the house for the last time. A house she had called home for 2 years. "Now I only have to talk to my family and then I can leave all this behind me."

"One step at a time, b. One step at a time. Talk to your brothers first, I am sure, they will support your decision."

Jiang Yanli nodded and smiled at that. Yes, they would.
 

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