Chapter 049 The Taste of an Ice Cream Cone

Backstage at the music festival, in the lounge.

He Yunqing sat lightly against the back of his chair, his slender forefinger gently hooking a silver necklace. At the end of the necklace was a uniquely designed pendant shaped like an eustoma. The delicate little pendant swayed softly in midair with the movement of the chain, emitting a faint glow. It bore an equally unique name—“Heart’s Sprout.”

He Yunqing’s deep gaze rested quietly on the pendant, and yet, it seemed as if his thoughts were far away from it.

“Yunqing.” At some point, Irene had appeared behind him. “Are you really going to give this necklace away?”

He Yunqing didn’t turn around, simply responding with a quiet hum.

“This necklace was our mother’s first design—the best designer Tianya Jewelry ever had. Are you really going to give it to that Jiang Yao? Is she worthy?” Irene’s tone was sharp.

Their mother had passed away early, and Irene was the person closest to He Yunqing. She didn’t like Jiang Yao, and liked even less the idea of her younger brother getting so close to someone like that.

“I don’t want to hear such words again.” He Yunqing’s voice was calm.

Irene walked over to face him, a little exasperated. “Yunqing, I don’t know what’s come over you. I’ve never seen you like this. Uncle Jin’s daughter grew up with you. Isn’t she good enough? She’s so much better than that Jiang Yao in every way!”

The music festival outside was lively and bustling.

Ye Yiyi had bought several ice cream cones and stuffed one into Jiang Yao’s hand. “Yao, let’s go backstage for a bit. We can’t finish all these cones, let’s share them with the others.”

Jiang Yao took a lick of her cone, savoring the sweet flavor.

“Who are the others?” she asked.

Ye Yiyi cleared her throat awkwardly. “Alright, fine, I admit I still like He Yunqing quite a bit. Even though he doesn’t like me, and I already have a new crush, it doesn’t mean we can’t all be friends.”

Jiang Yao glanced down at the ice cream in her hand. Suddenly, she wanted to share this sweetness with He Yunqing as well.

Ye Yiyi led Jiang Yao backstage. One of the staff members happened to have worked with them previously on the drama “Stabbed Heart.” Recognizing Ye Yiyi and Jiang Yao, not only did he let them through, he even pointed out the way.

“There, Mr. He’s lounge is just over there.”

The temporary lounge wasn’t well soundproofed. As the two approached the door, preparing to knock, they heard raised voices from inside.

“Miss Jin is wonderful, but I only see her as a sister.” It was He Yunqing’s voice.

“A sister? Yunqing, are you out of your mind?” Irene’s tone was much sharper than usual.

This was a private quarrel, and Jiang Yao had no wish to eavesdrop. She tugged on Ye Yiyi, intending to leave and come back later.

“But that Jiang Yao—don’t tell me you see her as a sister too?” Irene’s hand was on her hip.

Hearing her own name, Jiang Yao froze in her tracks. Ye Yiyi also stopped, glancing from the lounge door to Jiang Yao in confusion.

“I really don’t know what kind of spell she’s cast on you!” Inside, Irene’s agitation grew. She suddenly pulled a photograph from her bag and slapped it onto the table before He Yunqing.

He Yunqing’s gaze slid over the photo, his eyes suddenly sharp. He seized the photo with one large hand, his voice cold and barely restrained, “Who told you that you could touch my things?”

In the photo was Jiang Yao, tied up in thick ropes.

“Just admit it—isn’t that Jiang Yao in this photo?” Irene pressed. “She looks so young there. Even at that age, she could pose for a photo like that. Shameless girls like her—”

“Enough!” He Yunqing’s voice cut her off sharply.

“You don’t want to hear it? You think I want to say these things? If you hadn’t been acting so strange lately, I wouldn’t bother!” Irene was now agitated. “Yunqing, don’t you think you’re being far too good to her? A woman like that isn’t worth it!”

Outside, Ye Yiyi’s cheeks flushed with anger. She was about to step in and argue with Irene when Jiang Yao pulled her back.

“Yao.” Ye Yiyi looked at her, both anxious and angry.

Jiang Yao shook her head gently, her face now pale as a sheet. She clenched her fists in silence, wanting to flee but held in place by an invisible force, compelled to keep listening.

“What I do is my own business,” He Yunqing’s tone was ice-cold. “Words like these—never bring them up again, not even if you’re my sister.”

“He Yunqing! The only reason I’m talking to you is to give her some dignity!” Irene slapped the table. “If you won’t listen, then fine. I’ll go find that woman and slap this photo in her face. Let’s see if she can still shamelessly keep seeing you!”

“Stop!” He Yunqing’s fists clenched, his entire presence radiating a chilling intensity. He forced his words through gritted teeth, barely containing his anger. “You’re not allowed to. I owe her.”

“You owe her?” Irene laughed mockingly. “You’ll say anything now, won’t you?”

“You’ve already looked into her past, haven’t you?” He Yunqing took a deep breath. “Back then, when she was abused and tried to escape, I was the one who told that man and her mother where to find her. That’s why she was caught and brought back. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have been brought back, wouldn’t have suffered so much, and that photo wouldn’t exist. Do you understand now? All of this is my fault!”

Outside, Jiang Yao felt as though she’d been struck by lightning. Her body trembled.

“Yao, let’s go. Let’s not listen anymore, please?” Ye Yiyi gently took her hand.

Jiang Yao remained rooted to the spot, silent and unmoving, as if she might dissolve into the air.

“Yao, say something, please don’t scare me…”

Jiang Yao still did not move or speak.

Inside, the conversation continued.

“What do you mean, all your fault?” Irene looked at He Yunqing in disbelief.

“At the time, she was being abused and wanted to escape. I told that man and her mother where to find her, so she was caught and brought back,” He Yunqing’s brows were furrowed tight. “If it weren’t for me, she would never have been taken back, never suffered so much, never had that photo taken. Do you understand? This is all because of me!”

“That…” Irene’s mouth fell open in shock. “How could that be?”

“I’ll always owe her. Now that fate has given me a chance to see her again, I just want to make it up to her.” In He Yunqing’s eyes, something bright glimmered.

Outside, a single tear slid slowly down Jiang Yao’s cheek.

It fell to the ground with a soft sound, shattering along with her heart, which had already been broken beyond repair.

Her ice cream had long since melted, and the sweetness was gone.

“Yao, Yao…please don’t be like this…” Ye Yiyi watched her with aching heart, gently shaking her arm.

Inside the room, the two heard the commotion outside and turned to look toward the door…