After the 99th Confession, The Cold School Beauty’s Personality Collapsed - Chapter 98:

Chapter 98: I’m Going to Find Qin Luo:

“What is going on?” Ye Zhiqiu muttered, her eyebrow deeply furrowed as she saw the scene outside. The heavy traffic of Shanghai was no stranger to her, but this was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The streets were jammed, and the surrounding vehicles were almost exclusively taxis.

For a moment, a certain someone’s face flashed through her mind. Her expression stiffened as realization dawned. 

“No way…” she whispered.

Beside her, Jia Ting, lost in her own melancholy, sensed the shift in atmosphere. She asked hesitantly, “Aunt, is something wrong?”

Ye Zhiqiu hesitated. Her instincts screamed that this was no ordinary traffic jam, but she chose not to share her suspicions. Instead, she replied lightly, “It’s nothing, just heavy traffic.”

Jia Ting glanced at the clock on the dashboard. 

“The flight leaves in just over an hour.” She reminded.

“If we miss it, we can always book the next one. It’s no big deal.” Ye Zhiqiu said nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Jia Ting leaned back in her seat and turned to stare out the window, her vision blurring with unshed tears. Pain rippled through her chest as her mind drifted to memories of her time in this city.

…

Her family’s relocation to Shanghai had been prompted by her father’s job transfer. Compared to the solemn imperial capital, Shanghai exuded a dazzling brilliance, but that splendor quickly lost its charm. The bustling metropolis felt cold, devoid of warmth. Jia Ting remembered the hurried faces of strangers, the rush to grab breakfast, and the long hours stretching into late nights.

She often thought of the middle-aged man she used to see on the subway. Though only in his thirties, the lines on his face and the gray streaks in his hair told a different story. Every morning, he ate the same fast-food bread—until one day, someone bumped into him, knocking it to the floor. The man had picked up the trampled bread and wept, holding it as if it were his last thread of dignity.

That moment had left a deep impression on Jia Ting. The city attracted countless dreamers, but how many truly tasted its prosperity? For many, its vibrant neon lights were just scenery, an unreachable dream. 

To Jia Ting, the city’s only warmth came from the friends she had made at university. Beautiful, spirited, and unique, her friends had been her lifeline in this cold, impersonal world. She had imagined them standing beside her as bridesmaids on her wedding day.

But everything changed the morning she sprained her ankle during a jog. It was the first time she fell into a boy’s arms, the first time she was carried in a princess hold, and the first time someone tended to her injury with such care.

At first, she had dismissed Qin Luo as just another man, driven by fleeting desire. But over time, his unwavering kindness and persistence melted the walls around her heart. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment she started to care—whether it was after that fateful morning or during the school celebration party. All she knew was that his presence had left an indelible mark.

As they traveled together during that one-month trip, Jia Ting realized she could never forget him. For 30 days, her mind had been consumed by one thought: How wonderful it would be if this could last forever.

But “forever” was a word filled with regret. If she could turn back time, she would still choose to leave, even knowing the heartache it would bring. That one month with Qin Luo was a memory she would cherish for the rest of her life.

…

A loud tsk from Ye Zhiqiu snapped Jia Ting back to the present. 

She blinked, her thoughts scattering as she stared out the window. The taxis surrounding them crawled along at a snail’s pace, deliberately blocking their path.

It felt as though the city itself didn’t want her to leave—as if it were conspiring against her, just like the Bentley that had relentlessly pursued them the night before.

Her heart ached. She drew in a shaky breath, tears slipping down her cheeks once more. 

“You’ve been crying all night,” Ye Zhiqiu said softly, her voice tinged with helplessness.

Jia Ting choked out a response, “I know. I just… I can’t help it.”

“You’re reluctant to leave, aren’t you?”

Jia Ting nodded, her voice breaking. “Yes, Aunt. It hurts so much. I don’t want to leave him.” 

Her sobs grew louder, and soon she was crying uncontrollably in the passenger seat. Ye Zhiqiu sighed, lighting a cigarette to calm her nerves. She had already heard Jia Ting cry through the night, but seeing her niece like this tugged at her heart.

As if sensing her despair, the taxis surrounding them suddenly began to move. At first, they crept forward, but their pace gradually increased.  

Ye Zhiqiu frowned, her unease growing. This traffic jam was no coincidence. Something—or someone—was orchestrating this. But who could possibly…?

Her thoughts trailed off as she glanced at Jia Ting, who continued to weep quietly. “You’re stronger than this,” Ye Zhiqiu muttered to herself, gripping the wheel tighter. 

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, that someone was pulling the strings.

The highway that had seemed frozen moments ago was now alive with movement. Taxis flowed steadily, and private cars began appearing within Ye Zhiqiu’s line of sight. She exhaled deeply, her tension easing slightly. The scheduled flight was already missed, but it didn’t matter. 

A new ticket could always be booked.

She pressed the accelerator, and the Maserati’s engine roared to life. The car weaved through traffic with grace and speed, heading toward the airport. Despite the relief of forward motion, Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t shake the oppressive atmosphere that had been hanging over her since the night before. 

Her niece’s tears over a man—something Ye Zhiqiu had never imagined—were taking a toll on her as well. The emotional entanglement of these young lovers had unexpectedly seeped into her own heart, leaving her feeling heavy and uneasy. She exhaled a puff of smoke, parked the car, and helped Jia Ting out.

Inside the airport, they navigated the security checks, rebooked tickets, and obtained new boarding passes. This time, everything went smoothly. The next flight was set to depart in two hours. Soon, Jia Ting would leave the city and, hopefully, leave behind her pain.

“After you return home, make sure to get some rest,” Ye Zhiqiu said gently.

Jia Ting, her head lowered, remained silent. Her body moved mechanically, like a lifeless puppet being guided forward. Ye Zhiqiu didn’t press further. 

Instead, she focused on leading Jia Ting toward the lounge.

But as they walked, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly froze. A familiar figure appeared ahead of them. Though she had only met him once, his face was unforgettable. 

Qin Luo.

Even among the countless people Ye Zhiqiu had encountered, no one else carried the same magnetic presence. He was like the sun bursting through rainclouds or the bright moon amidst a sea of stars. Just one glance was enough to draw everyone’s attention and etch his image into their memory. But his striking appearance was not what concerned Ye Zhiqiu most.

No, what troubled her was that his presence meant trouble.

“You’ve got persistence, I’ll give you that,” Ye Zhiqiu muttered, forcing a wry smile. Her voice betrayed a mix of admiration and frustration as her gaze locked onto him.

Hearing her aunt’s voice, Jia Ting instinctively raised her head. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Just a few meters away, Qin Luo stood there, his expression eerily calm, a faint smile on his lips. But this smile wasn’t the warm, charming one she knew. It was cold, distant, and tinged with sorrow.

Jia Ting’s breath hitched. Her legs felt weak as she took a step back, lowering her gaze to avoid his eyes. She whispered, “No… don’t look at me like that…”

Qin Luo’s smile didn’t waver. He stepped forward, slowly closing the distance between them. His calm demeanor only made Ye Zhiqiu feel more uneasy. She wanted to intervene, to place herself between Qin Luo and her niece, but something in his bloodshot eyes made her hesitate. In the end, she stood aside, watching silently as Qin Luo stopped in front of Jia Ting.

“How I wished you wouldn’t be here,” he said softly, his tone steady yet laced with pain. “How I hoped the traffic jam might make you turn around, even if only for a moment. But you didn’t.”

Ye Zhiqiu stiffened. So the traffic jam was his doing. She looked at Qin Luo with a mix of disbelief and grudging respect.

Jia Ting kept her head down, trembling. She shook her head weakly, her voice barely audible. “No… please don’t…”

Qin Luo continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “It’s fine. This isn’t the first time. You know, you get used to losing someone after it happens enough times.” His voice remained calm, but the weight of his words was crushing. Even Ye Zhiqiu, merely an observer, could feel the anguish hidden beneath his smile.

Jia Ting bit her lip so hard it nearly bled. “Stop… please don’t say any more…”

“Don’t worry,” Qin Luo said with a dry chuckle. “I’m not here to stop you from leaving. You’re so determined to run away—why should I make you stay? I’m only here to return something.”

He extended his hand, holding out her phone. It was the same phone she had left on the boat the night before—the phone they had used together to play her favorite tune while she danced.

Jia Ting stared at the phone but didn’t move to take it. Her hands trembled, and she clutched her chest as if trying to hold herself together.

After a long silence, Qin Luo handed the phone to Ye Zhiqiu instead. “You’re her aunt, right? Please keep this for her.”

Ye Zhiqiu took the phone, her expression complicated. She watched as Qin Luo stepped back, his gaze lingering on Jia Ting one last time before he turned to leave.

“Bon voyage,” he said quietly.

As his words echoed, Jia Ting’s legs gave out. She collapsed to the floor, her tears streaming uncontrollably. Qin Luo’s departure seemed to drain the very life from her.

Ye Zhiqiu rushed to support her. She watched helplessly as Jia Ting sobbed, her eyes hollow and her body limp. For the first time, Ye Zhiqiu realized just how deeply her niece had fallen for this man.

…

Eventually, they made it to the VIP lounge. As the plane’s boarding call was announced, Ye Zhiqiu helped Jia Ting to her feet and spoke softly. “I’m leaving now. Your uncle will pick you up at the airport. Get some rest when you get home. As for everything else… we’ll figure it out later.”

Jia Ting nodded mechanically, her expression blank. Ye Zhiqiu sighed, tucking the phone into Jia Ting’s coat before leaving with a heavy heart.

A young airport staff member approached Jia Ting with a kind smile. “Miss Jia, your flight is ready. Let me assist you.” She gently helped Jia Ting to her feet.

Jia Ting allowed herself to be guided, her movements robotic. As they neared the boarding gate, she raised her head slightly, her gaze falling on the passage ahead. The familiar corridor now seemed like the gaping maw of a beast, ready to consume her whole.

As Jia Ting stood before the boarding gate, an invisible voice echoed in her mind, soft yet overwhelming, as if it came from deep within her soul:

“Once you step into that passage, it will be an abyss with no return. Even if you come back one day, perfect and unburdened, he will no longer see you. You will no longer have a place by his side.”

Jia Ting responded to that voice silently in her heart: But I have no choice.

But if that were true, what was the purpose of this painful departure? Was it to return to him later, free of all worries?

You are already by his side. Why must you leave?

I need to settle things at home first. Otherwise, we can’t truly be together.

Then why not tell him clearly?

This is my family’s burden. I don’t want to trouble him or become a weight on his shoulders. I have to handle it myself.

You don’t rely on him.

You don’t love him as much as you think.

That’s not true…

You’re a self-righteous woman.

“Shut up! Shut up!” Jia Ting screamed internally, but the voice wouldn’t stop.

Memories from the school celebration party flooded her mind. She saw Qin Luo sitting in the corner of the banquet, silently drinking from a glass. She saw him standing on stage, declaring, “I give up,” with quiet devastation. She heard him play a heartbroken melody, the sorrow of each note piercing through her heart.

In the final memory, his figure vanished. Rain poured down, and in its midst, Ji Yan’s heart-wrenching sobs filled the scene. Suddenly, Ji Yan’s face shifted and became her own—broken, yet guilty.

The voice returned, louder, crueler:

“You don’t love him at all. If you did, you wouldn’t let him suffer like this. You wouldn’t dare to look at his pain, would you?”

“You avoid him because you’re guilty. You’ve betrayed him. The wounds he healed after so much effort, you’ve reopened and salted them.”

“You are a vicious woman.”

“I’m not!” Jia Ting cried inwardly. “I’m not! I’m not! Stop it! Please, stop!”

But the voice wouldn’t stop.

…

Suddenly, a sharp shout broke through the noise of the airport:

“Shut up!”

The words rang loud and clear, creating a momentary bubble of silence in the bustling terminal. Heads turned toward the young woman supported by an airport staff member. Shocked faces watched her, confusion evident in their eyes.

The staff member, startled but composed, asked gently, “Miss, is something wrong? Is it too noisy here? Don’t worry, you’ll be boarding soon—”

“I’m not leaving,” Jia Ting murmured softly, her voice trembling.

“Excuse me? What did you say?” The staff leaned closer, confused.

Jia Ting repeated, her voice rising with each word:

“I’m not leaving. I’m not boarding the plane. I’m not going back to the capital. I’m going to find Qin Luo.”

Her words were less a declaration and more a desperate confession, as if trying to convince herself. Without waiting for the staff’s response, she pulled away from their support, her movements frantic and determined.

She fumbled for her phone, intending to call Qin Luo and tell him she wasn’t leaving. But as she turned it on, the screen remained blank—her phone was out of battery. A sense of panic swept over her as she looked around the terminal, trying to orient herself.

Finally, she turned toward the way she had come and began running. Her once-elegant demeanor was gone, replaced by a sense of desperation. Her hurried figure cut through the crowd, each step a race against time, as though she feared losing something irreplaceable if she hesitated for even a moment.

…

The staff, frozen in place, exchanged bewildered glances. Around them, onlookers quickly lost interest and returned to their own concerns. To them, Jia Ting was just another passenger—a fleeting curiosity in their busy lives.

Unbeknownst to them, that young woman had just made a life-changing decision, one that would alter her future. But for the rest of the travelers, the only thing that mattered was whether their own flights would depart on time.

…

Soon, the flight from Shanghai to the Imperial Capital roared into the skies. 

One seat in the first-class cabin remained empty, carrying with it the weight of a young girl’s unspoken goodbyes.

Part of her heart stayed behind in Shanghai, tangled with pain and longing, while another part carried the heavy determination to face what lay ahead. But for now, the vacant seat was a silent testament to her choice—a choice that had turned her back on a planned future for the hope of a love worth fighting for., and the surrounding vehicles were almost exclusively taxis.