Ghost Exorciser: Is Loved By All
Chapter 574: Cheating

Chapter 574: Chapter 574: Cheating

"If you want to find out... fine," he said quietly, his voice hollow. "I’ll break off the engagement."

Rong Xue looked at him, conflicted, as though part of him hadn’t expected Qiao Jun to agree so easily.

"Thank you," Rong Xue whispered. His tone was filled with joy.

The lights in the car weren’t turned on, but Qiao Jun could see the expression on Rong Xue’s face.

Joy. Hope. Anticipation. And a hint of nervousness.

Qiao Jun nodded, though his heart felt heavier than ever.

Despite the words he had spoken, something inside him was screaming that this wasn’t right, that this wasn’t how things were supposed to be.

But in that moment, it felt like there was no other choice.

Rong Xue turned his face away, but he didn’t stop chatting,

"What do you think? Which type of flower does she like?"

Qiao Jun blinked and said in a lifeless tone,

"Rose?"

"Rose? Which color? Blue? White? Red? Yellow? I can also buy a black one...but I think that would be...a bit ominous.

Red would be more auspicious, I guess. Haha! Red roses are always exchanged between lovers...I don’t know whether she would accept it right away or not.

Jun?"

"Hm?" Qiao Jun only felt a lump in his throat. He couldn’t concentrate on anything. Hearing Rong Xue’s words, he only felt...lost.

"Can you put in some good word for me, in front of her?" Rong Xue asked with a shy smile.

"Ah? Will...she hear my words? Will my words matter to her? I am about to break her heart..." Qiao Jun muttered.

His heart was filled with emptiness.

Rong Xue was still immersed in his joy...or at least that was what he was trying to show, because the next moment he said,

"I guess, if you say good things about me and let her see my good side, she will fall for me even more quickly. You don’t want her anyway, right?

So, the best way would be to push her toward me. I will take care of her. Even if she cries, she will have me..."

Qiao Jun’s throat tightened painfully as he listened to Rong Xue’s words. Every sentence felt like a dagger twisting deeper into his chest.

He had agreed to let Yu Holea go, to step aside for his best friend, but now... now, hearing Rong Xue’s enthusiasm...he was starting to regret it.

’You can still back out!’ His heart shouted. ’Just back out and she will be yours.’

However, his mind kept on telling him that she wasn’t worthy of his affection.

The war between mind and heart continued while Qiao Jun blankly stared in the front direction.

Rong Xue’s laughter filled the car, a stark contrast to the hollow silence in Qiao Jun’s heart.

"Jun, are you listening?" Rong Xue’s voice brought him back from his spiraling thoughts.

Qiao Jun blinked, forcing himself to focus. "Yeah, I’m listening..."

But was he? Everything felt surreal, as though he were watching someone else’s life unfold in front of him.

A part of him wanted to shake Rong Xue, to scream at him to stop, to tell him that he wasn’t ready to lose Yu Holea—not like this.

Yet, the words never came.

His throat remained locked, the bitter jealousy simmering beneath the surface, but unable to break free.

"You know," Rong Xue continued, oblivious to Qiao Jun’s inner turmoil,

"I’ve been thinking about how to approach her. I don’t want to rush things, but I also don’t want to waste time.

If she still has feelings for me, I need to show her that I’m serious this time. I won’t let her slip away like I did before."

’See...see he is regretting his decision...you will too! Just do as I say. Back out.’ Qiao Jun’s heart shouted.

"Xue," Qiao Jun began quietly, his voice strained, "are you sure... are you really sure that this is what you want?"

Rong Xue turned to look at him, surprised by the question.

"Of course I am, Jun. I’ve thought about it a lot. I can’t make the same mistake twice. If there’s even a chance that Yu Holea still loves me, I’m going to fight for her."

Qiao Jun’s heart thudded painfully in his chest.

He wanted to protest, to tell Rong Xue that he couldn’t just walk in and take her back, that things weren’t that simple.

But then... he remembered his own words from moments ago, the ones that had come out of his mouth without him even fully understanding them.

"Right," Qiao Jun muttered, forcing a tight smile. "If that’s what you want, I guess... I’ll help you."

Rong Xue’s eyes lit up. "Thanks, Jun. I knew I could count on you."

Qiao Jun’s stomach twisted as Rong Xue’s words settled between them.

He should have felt relieved, right? He should have felt happy that he could support his best friend, that he was doing the right thing.

But instead, all he felt was the crushing weight of loss.

"Hey," Rong Xue said, breaking the tense silence, "what if we start by having dinner together? You, me, and Yu Holea? It’ll be casual, nothing too serious. I’ll get to see her reaction, and you can, you know, help nudge things in the right direction."

Qiao Jun hesitated.

The thought of sitting across from Yu Holea, pretending everything was normal while secretly pushing her toward Rong Xue, made him feel sick.

He didn’t know if he could do it—didn’t know if he could handle watching her fall back in love with someone else.

But he had already committed. He had already said he didn’t care.

"Yeah," Qiao Jun said quietly, forcing the words out. "That sounds like a good idea."

Rong Xue smiled, clearly excited. "Great! I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll meet in a few days, okay?"

Qiao Jun nodded, though every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, to say something—anything—that could change the course of what was about to happen.

But instead, he just sat there, feeling numb as Rong Xue happily planned the next step.

The car ride continued in silence for a few minutes, until finally, Rong Xue broke the stillness with a light chuckle.

"You know," he said, his tone playful, "you always used to be the one who gave me advice on girls. Now it feels like the tables have turned."

Qiao Jun tried to laugh, but it came out hollow, empty.

"Yeah... funny how that works."

As they pulled up to Rong Xue’s house, Qiao Jun stopped the car, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—the point of no return.

Rong Xue opened the door to leave when suddenly Qiao Jun shouted,

"Wait. I-" want to take my words back.

However before he could complete his words, Rong Xue suddenly moved and hugged Qiao Jun,

"Thank you so much bestie! Thank you for giving her to me. Really! I will never forget your contribution! You don’t know what you have given me!

I have loved Yu Holea for more than 5 years now. I never thought you would be ready to give up her for me! Thank you so much Jun!"

He loved Yu Holea...for 5 years?

Qiao Jun only felt his heart turning cold.

If he backed out now...his best friend’s heart would be shattered. All the things that Rong Xue has done for him in the past few years, started to flash in his mind.

He had sacrificed so much for him(Qiao Jun)...can’t he let Yu Holea go for his sake?

This was the first time in the past few weeks that he had seen his best friend so happy...

He(Qiao Jun) was still young, he could find someone else. Anyways he has lost his memories, and Yu Holea still somewhat likes her first crush...

If he lets her go, she might be sad at the beginning but later on...she would move on and have a healthy relationship with Rong Xue.

Rong Xue was an awesome guy. Rich, handsome, has powerful background and he is talented too.

He would be perfect for her...

Rong Xue’s voice broke Qiao Jun’s train of thought,

"Jun."

"Yes?" Qiao Jun asked in a soft voice.

"Let’s start with dinner, then you tell her, that you like someone else. If possible use some socialites from the capital, to make her(Yu Holea) stay away from you...please."

Alarm bells rang in Qiao Jun’s mind and he disagreed,

"No! I can’t...I can’t cheat on her."

Once he finished his words, Qiao Jun’s inside twisted and his heart started to turn dizzy.

Yet he resisted the urge to agree.

He can do everything but...he can’t cheat on her...Never!

Rong Xue froze for a moment, surprise flickering in his eyes before it quickly turned to confusion.

"Cheat on her? Jun, you’re not cheating—"

But Qiao Jun interrupted, his voice strained and more forceful than before,

"I can’t lie to her, Xue. I won’t hurt her like that."