I Got Together With My Mom's Nemesis - Chapter 3

Ran Xi was desperate to know Kong Lingyi’s bottom line.

She was exceptionally skilled at pushing boundaries, indulging her desires to the fullest extent of others’ tolerance.

Ran Xu had been subjected to Ran Xi’s boundary-testing countless times. When Ran Shuang was still alive, Ran Xu’s doting affection for her had known no limits. Now, however, her tolerance for Ran Xi’s whims had plummeted into negative territory.

Ran Xi stared at the teacup before her, her gaze following the slowly rising white steam. As the misty vapor dissipated, it revealed the woman’s exquisite figure in its entirety.

At a high-legged table nearby, Kong Lingyi, who had just come out from the bedroom, was wearing a dark green slip dress that clung to her curves. Her cleavage was pronounced, she wore no bra, her long hair was slightly disheveled, and she was barefoot.

Ran Xi’s eyes lingered on the woman’s calves before shifting to watch her toss her long hair. She couldn’t resist licking her lips.

She picked up the teacup and drained it in one gulp, the clatter of the cup drawing Kong Lingyi’s attention.

“There’s a clean guest room here,” Kong Lingyi said, leaning back against the table with one arm and crossing her legs as she watched Ran Xi.

In the tilt of her head and the gaze of her eyes, there was always an undisguised appraisal. The stare was direct yet not overt, like a gaze laced with intoxicating alcohol, thoroughly scrutinizing Ran Xi’s face.

“But I always sleep with my mom,” Ran Xi said, leaning against the wall and hugging her knees, trying to look pitiful.

She looked timid and innocent, her lips pressed together carefully, radiating an air of pure vulnerability.

Kong Lingyi stared at her, a smile playing on her lips. “Can you handle that?”

Ran Xi couldn’t quite grasp what she meant. She shrugged slightly and nodded.

“My mom even holds me while I sleep, sings me lullabies, and tells me bedtime stories.”

She wasn’t lying. These were all things Ran Shuang did for her.

Kong Lingyi seemed momentarily puzzled by the sudden sadness in Ran Xi’s eyes, but the emotion vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Ran Xi waited quietly for the woman’s answer.

Will this woman sleep with me tonight? Will she believe my silly stories and try to comfort me with lullabies and bedtime tales?

She wanted to find out.

“Come here.”

At Kong Lingyi’s words, Ran Xi finally stood up. Her legs were numb, making her unsteady on her feet, and she felt a wave of nausea.

The bedroom wasn’t the one Kong Lingyi had just come out of. Ran Xi found this odd, but she followed her anyway.

The room was large but sparsely furnished, not looking like it was regularly used.

Still, Ran Xi couldn’t rule out the possibility that this was simply Kong Lingyi’s minimalist style.

This woman probably didn’t like cluttered or crowded spaces.

Kong Lingyi opened the closet. “There are some pajamas in here. Take a shower first.”

“You must be exhausted after all that commotion tonight,” she said, her gaze tracing Ran Xi’s features. She patted Ran Xi’s back and led her to the bathroom.

Ran Xi felt the tenderness in the woman’s eyes, but when she looked down, her gaze fell on Kong Lingyi’s full breasts.

The contrast was striking. Ran Xi took a deep breath.

“No rush. Take your time,” Kong Lingyi said as she closed the door. “I’ll wait for you in the room.”

The bathroom had a smart bathtub, but Ran Xi decided against a soak. She hung up the pajamas and looked around.

Two purple aromatherapy diffusers sat on the vanity. She leaned in to smell them—lavender.

On the nearby shelves, toiletries were neatly arranged alongside several beautifully handcrafted soaps. Ran Xi sniffed each one; they all had delicate, soothing scents.

No wonder she sells perfumes, Ran Xi thought. She’s mastered the art of creating perfect, comforting scents throughout her home.

The shower quickly turned on, and the fatigue finally began to wash away.

A cup of hot tea sat on the table. Kong Lingyi gazed toward the bathroom, her expression calm and unreadable.

****

Kong Lingyi and Ran Xu had never gotten along ever since they were kids. They were both fiercely competitive, always in the same class and the same dorm room, but Ran Xu could never outscore Kong Lingyi.

Later, rumors spread through the school that the top students in arts and sciences were dating. One was named Ran Shuang; the other was Ran Xu. Not only did their names sound like a perfect match, but their grades were equally impressive.

The rumors drew curious students eager for gossip, only to discover that Ran Xu was always the runner-up on the honor roll.

Back then, Kong Lingyi’s personality wasn’t as composed as it is now. She couldn’t resist teasing Ran Xu occasionally.

Gossip thrives on exaggeration, and Ran Xu, insecure yet proud and desperate to save face, grew to resent Kong Lingyi even more.

All three girls were accepted into A University. However, Kong Lingyi’s family persuaded her to inherit their business. Her family had been making handmade soaps for generations, so she chose chemistry, a field that seemed a reasonable fit. Before graduating, she was already busy launching her own perfume brand.

The remaining couple, Ran Shuang and Ran Xu, studied computer science and accounting, respectively. After graduation, they joined the same large company, earning enviable salaries.

They bought a house early, adopted a child, and lived a carefree life that seemed like paradise.

But then Ran Shuang fell seriously ill. Despite spending vast sums on treatment, she couldn’t be cured and died young from lung cancer.

Borrowing money, paying it back, medical bills, selling the house…

On life’s long road, everyone’s circumstances seemed to circle back to their family’s wealth.

The rich only grew richer, while those who started with little, no matter how hard they worked, ultimately lost everything.

Kong Lingyi took a sip of her warm tea, but before she could dwell on these thoughts, the bathroom door opened.

Ran Xi had already dried her long hair. Instead of wearing pajamas, she was wrapped only in a bath towel.

She walked toward Kong Lingyi, casually tugging at the fabric across her chest.

What kind of girl did Kong Lingyi like?

Weak, pitiful, sexy, or even wanton? Ran Xi was still trying to figure it out.

“Have I kept you waiting too long?” Ran Xi asked, her right hand reaching behind her to loosen the towel.

The towel slipped open, and she waited a beat before rewrapping it, adding a soft, “I’m sorry.”

This was her double-pronged approach.

“Does the pajama size not fit?” Kong Lingyi asked first. “I can get you one of mine. Something loose would probably be a bit small for you.”

“Loose…?” Ran Xi tugged her towel looser again, then realized after a few seconds that “Loose” must be the name of Kong Lingyi’s niece.

Ran Xi wanted to follow the woman into the bedroom, but she was stopped at the door.

Kong Lingyi quickly brought out two nightgowns for her to choose from.

One was a V-neck nightgown, and the other was a spaghetti-strap nightdress, both very similar in style to what the woman was wearing.

“Is this too revealing?” Ran Xi asked, watching Kong Lingyi’s expression.

“There’s nothing more conservative.”

“…Oh.” Ran Xi took the V-neck nightgown and hurried back to the bathroom.

Out of sight, she secretly smiled.

So Kong Lingyi likes a sexy style.

Just a hint of skin is the sexiest.

A few minutes later, Ran Xi emerged wearing the nightgown, its neckline plunging to her navel.

Kong Lingyi glanced at her. “It suits you.”

Ran Xi paused, then grinned and nodded. “I think so too!”

She wanted to be bold, but she only had the heart of a leopard. Whenever she felt the neckline slipping too low, she quickly pulled it back up.

Kong Lingyi sat on the edge of the bed and beckoned to her. “Come here, child. Sleep on the inside.”

There was indeed a book on the bedside table. Ran Xi glanced at it and felt a little embarrassed.

The Ultimate Guide to Handmade Soap

Ran Xi half-lay on the edge of the bed, deliberately crawling in from the foot of the bed, her chest baring a generous expanse of skin. She moved slowly, deliberately.

When she noticed Kong Lingyi’s gaze, she feigned a start, shrinking back and adjusting her collar.

After settling into a comfortable position, she tugged a corner of the blanket over herself.

A faint jasmine scent filled her nostrils. Ran Xi swallowed, glancing sideways at Kong Lingyi.

The woman hadn’t removed her ring as she flipped through the guidebook.

Her hands are so beautiful, Ran Xi thought, not for the first time.

Slender fingers with distinct knuckles, their tips tinged a delicate pink, and faint blue veins visible on the pale backs of her hands.

As she turned the pages, the woman’s fingertips tightened on the corners, imbuing the gesture with an indescribable allure.

These hands weren’t just suited for perfumery; they were perfect for gripping a neck, for unlocking the gates of desire with irresistible force.

If I were held captive by those hands…

Ran Xi straightened her chest, as if imagining Kong Lingyi’s impatient breathing. She licked her lips, her desire to taste the woman’s fingers growing stronger.

Would they carry some unique fragrance? Or something else entirely?

Ran Xi’s tongue darted around her mouth, the wet sounds drawing Kong Lingyi’s attention.

“Mommy, aren’t you going to tell me a bedtime story?” Ran Xi’s courage grew bolder.

She rolled over, resting her head on her clasped hands, her innocent eyes blinking.

The contrast between Ran Xi’s pure expression and her revealing nightgown was striking.

Kong Lingyi shot her a disdainful look before a smile spread across her face.

“What kind of story do you want to hear?” She patted the guidebook in her hand. “I don’t have any of those fairy tales for little kids.”

“Then I want to hear… a story about when you were little.” Ran Xi’s hand crept toward Kong Lingyi’s side of the bed, her fingers brushing against the woman’s skin before quickly retracting.

Noticing Kong Lingyi’s lack of displeasure, she grew bolder, seizing the woman’s hand and pressing it against her cheek, rubbing gently.

“Did your mommy tell you stories too?” Ran Xi scooted closer. “I don’t know why, but my heart is beating so fast…”

She guided Kong Lingyi’s hand downward, pressing it firmly against herself.

Thump-thump, thump-thump. Ran Xi’s heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst from her throat.

What’s going to happen?

Would Kong Lingyi find her too young and boring in bed? Or would she be scared off by Ran Xi’s bold moves?

Ran Xi didn’t know. All she wanted was to get closer to Kong Lingyi.

The woman’s hand closed slightly but didn’t pull away. This unintentional gesture felt more like a caress, giving Ran Xi even more encouragement.

“But my mom doesn’t want me anymore,” Ran Xi said, her voice pleading and choked with sobs. “Will you kick me out tomorrow too?”

Her heart raced faster; her brain flooded with blood. Ran Xi’s head buzzed, her vision filled with the woman’s enigmatic smile.

That beautiful, alluring face was teasing her, seducing her.

The woman reached out with her other hand and gently stroked Ran Xi’s cheek.

Ran Xi took this as comfort, a silent permission.

The hand she held continued downward, exploring her proud, wet territory.

It touched…

“Ran Xi, you’ll regret this.” Kong Lingyi did nothing more than gently caress her cheek, letting Ran Xi take the lead.

“What…?” Ran Xi looked at her, confused, and leaned forward slightly.

Kong Lingyi’s fingertips felt slightly sticky, and her gaze deepened.

She rolled over, pressing Ran Xi beneath her, their faces inches apart.

Ran Xi froze under her intense stare, afraid to move.

The hand gripping her cheek tightened, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue toward her lips.

Kong Lingyi saw through her fear, having long ago deciphered her little schemes.

So easily rattled, she thought. I haven’t even done anything, and this naive little face has already turned deathly pale.

“Behave yourself, Ran Xi,” Kong Lingyi said, slapping her cheek a few times, her tone a warning.

She got up, smoothed her rumpled nightgown, and rubbed her sticky, faintly metallic-smelling fingertips together.

“Your acting is truly terrible.”

Just like her mother’s fake temper.

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