Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter 18

“Then, thanks to you.” Song Yi didn’t question its credibility.

Whatever Ling Xi said, she would believe without hesitation.

“Thank you, little koi.” Meeting Ling Xi’s bright eyes, Song Yi couldn’t help but curve her own into crescents. “Say a few more words next time?”

“Sure. I’m glad I could help.” Ling Xi flashed her a radiant smile.

Then she pressed her lips together, turning her face away slightly in embarrassment.

Had Song Yi just smiled? Ling Xi quietly replayed the image in her mind.

An ice lotus, once bloomed, could shake an entire glacier, putting all other flowers to shame.

Someone who rarely smiled even a slight curve of their lips looked breathtakingly beautiful.

Ling Xi lingered on the memory: Song Yi’s eyes crinkled like moon crescents, earrings swaying with her laughter, her heart unconsciously swaying along.

How could someone be both adorable and yet make her inexplicably nervous?

So strange.

Ling Xi didn’t dwell on the shift in her emotions, simply basking in the joy.

This carefree, weightless feeling utterly captivated her.

She was no caged bird born yearning for freedom.

Nothing was worth risking her life for, save the vast skies above.

Returning home, after exchanging greetings, Ling Xi retreated to her room.

Song Yi stared at the locked door, silent for a moment, before finally turning to her own room.

The one she loved had always been this endearing.

So much so that tonight, she couldn’t resist the urge to fetch a bottle or two of wine.

To find another excuse to knock on Ling Xi’s door.

Ling Xi organized the newly acquired cards, booted up her computer, and transferred the screenshotted quotes into her notes, humming absently.

She’d followed the forum user “Last Night’s Rain” for nearly three years now.

Every few days, they’d post beautifully crafted lines.

Had she not searched online fruitlessly, Ling Xi might’ve thought she’d found a fellow quote enthusiast.

But the poster was clearly the original author.

Reading lines like “You are the rose in full bloom amidst ten thousand stars,” Ling Xi marveled.

With such sweet words, this person must have a very loving partner.

Scrolling back revealed more of the same style though occasionally tinged with melancholy.

Ling Xi theorized: sour lines meant arguments; sweet ones signaled reconciliation.

Judging by the pattern, they’d quarreled three days ago and likely made up yesterday.

Stay happy together, she mused.

After transcribing the quotes, she closed the forum and opened her drawing software as usual.

Last night’s stream had brought new commission requests to her page.

She selected a few and got to work time to earn her keep and save for the future.

During the sketching phase, nothing felt quite right no matter how many times she adjusted.

Viewers called it perfectionism, but Ling Xi sensed dissonance.

Then she checked the layers.

Ah. There it was.

Why did every requested character’s face somehow resemble Song Yi?

Phoenix eyes paired with willow-leaf brows, nose and lips proportioned like a 3D model, flawless.

What kind of affliction was this? Did she find Song Yi’s features so ideal that she needed to draw them to feel satisfied?

Though Song Yi’s facial features were perfectly proportioned as if the goddess Nüwa had poured her heart into sculpting every inch with meticulous calculation, Ling Xi wondered if her own obsession was bordering on perversion.

With a sigh, Ling Xi erased the sketch she had drawn and searched for official reference images of the character requested by her client.

Midway through her search, a message popped up:

[October is coming. Don’t forget to pay the hospital fees.]

Ling Xi hadn’t saved the sender’s name, but only one person would remind her about payments.

She checked her dwindling balance and exhaled heavily.

She had a week left. No more outings for the next couple of days, she needed to earn enough for her mother’s medical bills first.

If things stabilized later, she’d have to visit her mother in prison as soon as possible.

The melancholy lasted only a moment before Ling Xi steeled herself.

She closed her eyes, forcibly banishing Song Yi’s flawless face the one that left no room for any other thought from her mind, then threw herself into finishing the commission.

The knock came just as Ling Xi finished a refined sketch, about to polish the details, add a watermark, and send it off for payment.

She ended her livestream, saved the file, and went to answer the door.

There stood a drenched Song Yi.

The word “drenched” usually came paired with “puppy.”

…And Ling Xi was certain the description fit.

Song Yi was soaked from head to toe, as if she’d been fished out of water like she’d been caught in a downpour somewhere.

Her hair clung to her in wet strands, droplets sliding down her body and pooling on the floor, dragging Ling Xi’s gaze back up.

A faint mist glistened on her face, occasionally beading like tears. When Song Yi blinked, a droplet rolled from her lashes and vanished into the hollow of her collarbone.

Her clothes were thoroughly soaked. The thin nightgown, now darkened by water, clung to her skin, revealing a suggestive flush beneath.

“Wh-what happened to you?” Ling Xi was baffled.

They had been indoors the whole time, and it wasn’t raining outside. Where had Song Yi gone to get herself into this state?

“I’m cold,” Song Yi murmured, shivering slightly.

“And hungry.” She lifted her gaze to Ling Xi, who was just a little taller.

Her phoenix eyes drooped pitifully, making Ling Xi’s heart clench.

“Everyone outside was mean to me. I have nowhere to go… Can you take me in?”

She inched closer, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress. “I’ll be good. I don’t eat much.”

“Please, kind soul.”

The term snapped Ling Xi to her senses.

Song Yi was drunk again.

Had she tried to shower while still dressed, then passed out from the steam before drunkenly stumbling back?

Or, even more absurdly, had she been drinking while showering?

Then again, drunkards defied logic.

Having witnessed Song Yi’s antics twice before, Ling Xi knew this well.

“Come in first.” It was past midnight, and most of the household staff were likely asleep.

Driven by some inexplicable impulse, Ling Xi didn’t question further, simply pulling Song Yi inside.

Closing the door, she noticed the puddle of water at the entrance, shimmering absurdly bright.

As Ling Xi went to fetch a towel, Song Yi trailed behind her like a soggy little shadow.

“Got caught in the rain?” Ling Xi draped a towel over Song Yi’s head.

Song Yi nodded like a pecking chick.

Ling Xi glanced at the clear night outside, her lips twitching in disbelief.

But the current Song Yi was being so docile, wiping her face obediently with the towel like a well-behaved child. Ling Xi had no choice but to give up arguing with a drunk and wrapped a bath towel around Song Yi instead.

Tonight, Song Yi seemed to be playing the role of a pitiful outcast who’d been bullied.

This drunk, who knew how long it would take to coax her back?

Before Ling Xi could think of a solution, Song Yi threw off the bath towel and started undressing without hesitation.

Ling Xi quickly grabbed her hands. “What are you doing?”

“I… I need to change. The rain made me dirty.” Song Yi’s eyes welled up with tears as if she’d been hurt, giving Ling Xi a pitiful look.

It made Ling Xi immediately let go, afraid to touch her further.

“Kind stranger, do you have spare clothes?”

Ling Xi flushed under that gaze.

She didn’t want to feel this embarrassed.

Song Yi clearly looked miserable right now like a fragile glass wind chime swaying in the breeze, on the verge of snapping or shattering.

Someone who needed gentle care.

But her current outfit was far too thin, half-undone already.

Even just the slipping shoulder strap revealed a flash of distracting pink, forcing Ling Xi to shut her eyes.

“I’ll find you something. Stop undressing.”

They were about the same height and build. A loose set should fit Song Yi.

If not, she could always raid Song Yi’s room later.

Blame it on Song Yi’s drunken orders.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Her voice was undeniably slurred with intoxication. Ling Xi fled the bathroom like an escapee, rushing to her wardrobe.

Once Ling Xi was gone, Song Yi lowered her head, the fragile act vanishing.

She hadn’t even done anything, yet Ling Xi’s reaction was stronger than yesterday.

A promising sign.

As long as she stayed awake, today wasn’t over yet.

Could this count as Ling Xi’s blessing working in her favor?

“Can you change by yourself?” Ling Xi returned with a set of slightly thicker sleepwear.

After getting drenched, Song Yi must be cold, this should be warm enough.

Song Yi nodded, brushing Ling Xi’s hand lightly as she took the clothes.

A barely noticeable touch lingered on Ling Xi’s skin.

“Thank you, kind stranger.” Song Yi sniffled.

With her drunken haze, it almost sounded like she was about to cry.

“Don’t mention it.” Ling Xi turned away stiffly, her back prickling with discomfort.

The spot where Song Yi had touched her itched unbearably.

“Um… do you have any food? I’m a little hungry.” Song Yi tugged at Ling Xi’s sleeve before she could leave.

“Yeah… I’ll get you something. Change properly and dry yourself off.” Ling Xi couldn’t take it anymore. Without looking back, she bolted.

She even shut the bathroom door behind her.

Song Yi paused for a second before letting out a soft laugh.

Thankfully, Ling Xi was kind enough to play along with her drunken act.

Otherwise, she’d have had to try a different approach.

That would’ve taken far too long.

Once they grew closer, maybe she should tease Ling Xi properly, just a little resistance, just enough to lure her in?

Song Yi peeled off the clothes she’d deliberately soaked in ice water for an hour and changed into the sleepwear Ling Xi had brought.

Warm and cozy. Though brand new, it still carried Ling Xi’s scent.

Probably from being stored with her other clothes.

Or perhaps, it was just her imagination.

Song Yi took a deep breath, wiped the water from her hair haphazardly, and left herself half-dry before opening the door and walking toward Ling Xi.

Hearing footsteps, Ling Xi turned and handed Song Yi a bowl of grapes. “The hot food is still being prepared. Make do with this for now.”

Tonight, she was the servant being pestered by a little devil. Ling Xi silently convinced herself.

“I can help,” Song Yi insisted, not leaving.

Her hands holding the fruit bowl trembled slightly, and the lingering water from her hair dripped down into her clothes.

When Ling Xi turned back, she caught sight of Song Yi’s half-open collar and the messily fastened buttons.

Suddenly, the meat in Ling Xi’s hand slipped onto the cutting board, and her face flushed red.

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