Heartthrob, Your Image is Crumbling!

Chapter 180: The Counselor’s Breakup

"You Changjin, stunned by the abrupt breakup, asked, “Why?”Jiang Xinyi remained composed, locking eyes with him as she said, “I gave you a chance.”

“I told you before, I can’t tolerate deception.”

You Changjin’s face was a mixture of confusion and panic, the look of someone caught off guard by the end of a relationship. “I... I didn’t lie to you,” he stammered.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you’ve been hiding from me?” Jiang Xinyi’s tone was unnervingly calm, more like she was dissecting a problem than breaking up.

“I...” He thought hard, but nothing came to mind immediately.

Jiang Xinyi sighed, lifting her wine glass to sip a third of its contents before continuing. “When I was working at Zhou Yuwen’s courier station, I overheard from my colleagues that they earned only a thousand yuan a month.”

The realization struck You Changjin like a thunderclap. He had forgotten about what he had done—what he considered a kind and harmless gesture. Even now, he didn’t think it was a big deal.

Trying to salvage the situation, he scrambled, “Maybe it’s because of your qualifications. Or maybe Zhou Yuwen was looking out for you because of me.”

Jiang Xinyi rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Changjin, have we met? Do you think I’d confront you without first getting to the bottom of things?”

“This can’t be the reason we’re breaking up. I did it for your own good! Xinyi, you’d left home, didn’t have enough living expenses, and refused to accept my help. What else could I do but find a way to support you discreetly?”

His face contorted with regret and frustration. To him, his actions were a testament to his love. How could she not see that?

Jiang Xinyi replied coolly, “Did it ever occur to you to ask I refused your help?”

Every step she had taken—leaving home, avoiding large companies, choosing a low-key life—was her own decision. She was happy, studying for her master’s, working close to campus, occasionally helping out at the station, and enjoying free cucumbers from the garden. It was her chosen path, unburdened by unnecessary interference.

“Changjin, I’m someone who cuts losses quickly when I see a relationship isn’t working. And right now, I don’t think we’re suitable for each other. Breaking up is better for both of us.”

Her calm, measured tone made her words hit all the harder. To You Changjin, each sentence felt like a dagger. Desperately, he reached out to her. “Even if I was wrong this time, it’s not worth ending things over! Xinyi, we’ve been together so long. I just didn’t want you to suffer. Can’t you forgive me just this once? I’ll do better!”

Jiang Xinyi sighed and shook her head. “You still don’t understand what you did wrong. Otherwise, you wouldn’t keep insisting that you were doing it for my sake.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelFɪre.net

“You’re a good person, Changjin. I wanted to tell you this earlier, but the school called you about Chang Hao’s issue, so I waited. Over the past few days, I’ve thought a lot about it. I realized I’m not a good girlfriend. I’m too self-centered, and our relationship has always been one-sided—you giving, and me receiving. Breaking up is the right choice for both of us.”

“I don’t care about that! I don’t mind any of it! Xinyi, please don’t leave me!” His voice cracked as his eyes brimmed with tears.

But Jiang Xinyi was unmoved. “This is it, Changjin. You’ll find someone better than me. I wish you both happiness.”

She stood to leave.

“Xinyi,” he tried to call her back.

But before he could say more, she stopped him with a single sentence:

“You know my personality. Don’t make me lose respect for you.”

Her words sealed his fate.

Jiang Xinyi walked out, leaving You Changjin drowning in a cocktail of pain, regret, and humiliation.

Later, at Zhou Yuwen’s courier station, You Changjin appeared restless, pacing around before pulling Zhou Yuwen aside.

“Don’t lay off Xinyi!” You Changjin blurted.

Zhou Yuwen raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What does this mean? Not laying off Jiang Xinyi? Are you suggesting I lay off myself?”

In an instant, Lu Hui, who had overheard the conversation, developed a strong dislike for You Changjin.

"Seeing how cowardly he looks, no wonder Jiang Xinyi didn’t want him! Even for myself, I wouldn’t want him!"