Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter 22.2

“We’re supposed to be the ones operating in the shadows. They haven’t cracked us yet, but at this rate, we’ll be exposed soon. And those six people I sent out days ago, none of them have returned. Now you’re telling me our suppliers are still stuck halfway?”

“People with pheromones are nothing but arrogant and lazy. Seems you don’t want this job anymore! Pack your things you have fifteen minutes to get out.”

Mu Jie hurled the report across the room.

With no outlet for her rage, the subordinate tremblingly gathered the documents and scurried away, head bowed.

Left alone, Mu Jie stared at the sudden surge of warnings, scratching her head raw.

Their secret lab faced imminent exposure.

Half her team had deserted, the remaining ones lazier than pigs. They still hadn’t found any leads on Ling Xi.

Every inquiry yielded nothing, Ling Xi might as well have vanished from the face of the earth. Her identity records had disappeared from the dynamic database, and no one had spotted her on the streets.

How was this possible? Three or four days had passed. Even if she were holed up in some unknown hideout, she’d have run out of supplies by now at the very least needing to shop online, if not venture out.

Mu Jie massaged her temples.

At this point in her rebirth timeline, online shopping wasn’t yet widespread. Ling Xi had no choice but to go out for supplies.

Yet she still couldn’t find any trace of her.

She was hiding too well.

The third time.

Mu Xie picked up a piece of glass, letting it pierce her skin, trying to calm herself.

This was the third time Ling Xi had escaped from her.

Her methods were far more cunning than the previous two times, leaving Mu Xie both frustrated and terrified.

Could she really lose Ling Xi for good this time?

There were still so many things she wanted to say to Ling Xi, so many things she wanted to do together.

In her past life, after dealing with the remnants of the Song family, she had spent all her remaining time beside her lover buried beneath the earth.

Mu Xie remembered sitting before that gray-black tombstone, pouring out her feelings and longing word by word, from dawn till dusk.

On one moonlit night, she could bear it no longer living without Ling Xi was unbearable. She vomited blood and died suddenly.

Only to return to the present.

Mu Xie had always believed that this second chance was a gift from the heavens.

A guiding fate that had brought Ling Xi before her once more, so they could walk hand in hand through this life.

Who would have thought Ling Xi had also been reborn? Not only had she kept it a secret, but she had also slipped away without a word.

Her unruly lover… The lessons left from the first two times she had retrieved her must have been too lenient.

Once she found her this time, how should she discipline her? And how should she love her?

Mu Xie released the glass, plucked it from her wound, and disinfected herself with alcohol.

Then she opened the fridge and retrieved the stored pheromones.

The faint fragrance of ice-brewed tea wafted out.

Mu Xie could barely catch a whiff, but that scent, so similar to Ling Xi’s, was enough to keep her from losing control.

She changed the needle, tilted her head, and pressed the syringe against her neck without hesitation, letting the needle pierce her gland.

By the time Ling Xi finished her medical checkup, it was already noon.

The results wouldn’t be ready that quickly.

Song Yi’s people had promised to send the electronic version to Ling Xi, so she left the hospital with Song Yi.

“Let’s go, I’ll accompany you shopping.” Ling Xi seemed a bit more relaxed than in the morning, her expression no longer as tense as when they had entered the hospital.

Song Yi was baffled, her curiosity nearly bursting.

But outwardly, she remained composed. “You should shop too. I owe you two sets of clothes, pick what you like and let me know.”

Oh, right. Ling Xi had nearly forgotten about that.

“Pajamas will do. If you don’t mind, I’ll pick mine first, then you can take your time shopping?”

Song Yi was hardly the type to enjoy shopping.

She just wanted a date with Ling Xi.

But Ling Xi demonstrated remarkable focus and efficiency. Once inside the mall, she ignored all distractions, heading straight for the sleepwear section and picking out two sets in under five minutes.

Under normal circumstances, Song Yi would have admired such decisiveness.

But today, she just wanted a date.

“Are you sure you don’t want to look around more? This fabric isn’t the most comfortable.”

Song Yi checked the tags, one set was 59 yuan, the other 35.

She couldn’t even spend 100 yuan on Ling Xi.

Song Yi was tempted to step in, put the two sets back, and pick something better for her.

“I usually wear this brand, it’s fine.” Ling Xi was utterly unfazed, pulling Song Yi toward the checkout.

Song Yi’s face nearly darkened.

She shoved one set back onto the shelf. “They look too similar. Let me pick something else for you.”

She had already memorized Ling Xi’s size. From now on, if she saw something she liked, she could just buy it for her.

“But…but these are just pajamas…” Ling Xi felt embarrassed as Song Yi led her toward other stores.

She had deliberately chosen affordable items. A few dozen yuan wouldn’t make her feel guilty, the two sets combined cost about the same as the one she had gifted Song Yi.

Yet Song Yi was clearly steering her toward shops she knew Ling Xi couldn’t afford.

“I’m not blind,” Song Yi gritted her teeth, playing her trump card.

Ling Xi immediately fell silent at the mention of their agreement.

Dealing with a girl this considerate borderline self-sacrificing required such tactics.

Only after entering the store and flipping through two sets did Ling Xi suddenly tug at Song Yi’s sleeve, whispering very softly,

“Since you insist on looking…then pick what you like.”

Song Yi turned her head. “You sure?”

She could feel Ling Xi’s fingers lightly gripping her sleeve, carrying a rare warmth from the autumn air, heating that spot into something ambiguous, almost burning.

It made her want to grab Ling Xi’s hand in return.

Ling Xi nodded, her face flushed. “It’s for you to see anyway.”

She thought Song Yi had a point.

Omegas naturally had more frequent heats, and managing them was more troublesome than for alphas which was why Ling Xi had agreed to sign that agreement in the first place.

She had already inconvenienced Song Yi so much, even accidentally…

She couldn’t possibly agree to something that only benefited herself.

And when Song Yi’s heat came, they would inevitably have to…

Since they’d signed the agreement, Ling Xi wouldn’t dance around it.

If Song Yi liked seeing her in certain things, she’d just give her that.

Otherwise, Ling Xiwould feel guilty, as if she had forced Song Yi into this binding arrangement like a permanent mark, tying them together.

Song Yi was already pitiful enough, caught in this accident.

The least Ling Xi could do was satisfy Song Yi’s little preferences in this regard…

Her gaze drifted subtly toward the lingerie section, wondering if she should get matching sets.

Song Yi misunderstood her glance.

Ling Xi was bolder than she’d imagined.

The shy way she hinted at those things was even cuter.

“You said it yourself.” Song Yi’s lips curled faintly.

She was no longer thinking about pajamas. Reaching back, she grasped Ling Xi’s fingers, the ones tugging her sleeve and headed straight for the lingerie section next door.

Ling Xi’s face burned hotter.

Matching sets were necessary, right?

She just didn’t know what style Song Yi preferred.

“Are you two shopping for couple sets today?”

The saleswoman, spotting potential customers and a pretty pair at that perked up immediately, approaching them with enthusiasm.

“Our new collection here features butterflies as the main motif, extremely comfortable. And this matching floral set complements it perfectly, the patterns and colors would suit you both beautifully.”

Song Yi arched a brow, barely glancing at the lingerie before shooting the saleswoman a cold look.

It made the woman swallow the rest of her pitch.

Ling Xi, however, grew unexpectedly intrigued.

At first, she had only been reminded of a client’s commission, but after a few more glances, she could already picture the lingerie on Song Yi.

It overwrote some of those recent, shameless memories.

Even though this mental version covered all the crucial areas, it sent Ling Xi’s temperature skyrocketing, her pulse racing.

“We’d like to browse on our own, thank you,” Song Yi said flatly, shooing the eager saleswoman back to her idle post.

No one refuted the remark about them being “couple items.”

Meanwhile, Song Yi finally noticed Ling Xi’s infatuated gaze.

She observed how Ling Xi’s earlobes had turned crimson to the point of looking blood-congealed, with his breathing unconsciously growing heavier, she could barely contain her smile.

From the looks of it, Ling Xi seemed quite satisfied with their passionate encounter that day.

Song Yi casually took down the matching couple’s lingerie set hanging on the rack.

The butterfly design was blue serene and elegant, yet with a hidden fiery passion, like fluttering wings dancing toward a flower.

The blossom design, naturally red, was neither gaudy nor overly bold, yet exuded enough fervor to match the rising heat of their intimate moments.

“Want to try it on?” Song Yi turned slightly, pulling Ling Xi’s hand close as she whispered by her ear.

Ling Xi shivered, her ears burning hotter as she caught sight of the daring, provocative style in Song Yi’s hands.

“Or would you rather see me wear it?”

Her breath tickled Ling Xi’s ear, now so warm it felt nearly cooked, making Ling Xi instinctively step back.

But her hand was still in Song Yi’s grasp, nearly yanking her back into her embrace.

Dizzy, Ling Xi suddenly recalled a vivid image.

Her on top, yet Song Yi holding her.

Both in their most primal, natural state, with Song Yi whispering against her ear just like this…

“Please… mark me.”

A strange itch flared in her nose, and Ling Xi abruptly covered her face.

Song Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

“So obedient.”

She led the flustered Ling Xi to the sales assistant to exchange the sets for their correct sizes.

When the shopping bag was brought over and Song Yi went to pay, she noticed Ling Xi had a nosebleed.

She moved to help, her gaze fixed intently on Ling Xi’s face deep and earnest, as if handling something precious.

“I-I can wipe it myself!” Ling Xi, cooled by the passing breeze, finally regained some clarity.

She struggled free from Song Yi’s grip, rummaging through her bag in a panic before finding tissues.

Song Yi didn’t disturb her as she cleaned up.

It was only then that Ling Xi belatedly realized the difference in their lingerie sizes.

So Song Yi was that…

No wonder she felt so soft.

Ling Xi decided she couldn’t dwell on this any longer her brain might short-circuit.

One thing she hadn’t considered was that, whether she liked it or not, wanted it or not…

Eventually, she would witness the very scene she had imagined.

After finally finishing their shopping and getting everything they needed, Ling Xi followed Song Yi to the car.

Her frazzled thoughts slowly reconnected.

Having missed the chance to process things earlier, she forgot to question the deeper meaning behind Song Yi’s earlier words and closeness.

“Um, thanks for today,” Ling Xi said, fanning herself lightly.

Noticing this, Song Yi rolled the window down slightly.

“Don’t mention it. I enjoyed myself too.” For the latter half of their outing, Song Yi hadn’t bothered hiding her amusement.

After all, her usually reserved sweetheart had been so adorably flustered, obediently agreeing to everything.

She had seized the chance to buy Ling Xi all sorts of things, her satisfaction nearly overflowing.

“And there’s no rush, we still have dinner.” Once they had their candlelit meal, today’s date would be perfectly complete.

“Dinner is out too?” Ling Xi had even forgotten what Song Yi had bought her earlier.

The breeze helped her relax slightly.

It felt like nervousness, so intense it bordered on pain, making her instinctively want to escape the source of discomfort.

Yet it also felt like joy, deeper than witnessing a grand fireworks display, pulling her irresistibly closer to Song Yi.

Ling Xi exhaled deeply, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear awkwardly.

She quietly lifted herself slightly and moved two fingers’ distance closer to Song Yi.

“You’re so kind.” A phrase to mask her awkwardness, carried by the wind to Song Yi’s ear.

Song Yi turned her head, her gaze lingering with infatuation.

Ling Xi averted her eyes briefly before steadying them, flashing Song Yi a smile.

“After all, you stayed with me.” That was just unfair.

Song Yi noticed the distance between them closing once more, her heart aching with a mix of pain and longing.

“That’s good too.” Ling Xi lowered her head. “I thought you might be really harsh.”

Song Yi raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

She did have a stern appearance, but she swore she had been trying her best to soften her expression around Ling Xi.

“Your eyes are sharp beautiful, but also aggressive. And, well, I heard from others that you’re…”

“Cold and heartless?” Song Yi finished Ling Xi’s sentence.

Ling Xi nodded.

“That’s for business.” No wonder Ling Xi had seemed so afraid of her these past few days.

Song Yi wanted to track down whoever spread rumors about her temperament and deal with them.

Born into the Song family at the pinnacle of Yanjing’s social hierarchy, she was the first in line for succession, yet many of her siblings eyed that sole position with greed.

After her mother fell seriously ill, her father proved to be anything but reliable.

She had seen through too much, too early, destined to shoulder burdens heavier than most.

To stay at the top, she had to be more decisive and ruthless than others, otherwise, she risked being dragged down, her life endangered.

Even now, she hadn’t fully secured her footing.

Many of the old shareholders still held grievances against her.

Especially since she remained unmarried, visiting temples to pray with Buddhist beads and refusing to meet potential suitors openly defying the authority of those old shareholders.

If she weren’t cold, if she weren’t ruthless, how else could she protect herself and her long-ailing mother?

“Don’t you think I’m usually quite easygoing?” She even tolerated friends like Yun Fengzhi and Ji Heng.

Ling Xi laughed. “Yeah, you’re actually really nice.”

Song Yi’s brows and eyes softened in response.

Perhaps after today, Ling Xi wouldn’t fear her anymore.

After dinner, the two walked home together.

Song Yi received a message.

It was from someone she had asked for a favor earlier, a photo attached.

In it, a woman lay in deep slumber.

Just from the features, she looked nearly identical to Ling Xi in sleep.

Frowning, Song Yi couldn’t hold back.

“There’s something I need to confess to you.”

Ling Xi’s heart tightened.

“W-what is it?”

Did she dislike her? Was she going to kick her out? Regret taking her in? End their special arrangement?

“A friend at First Hospital told me they saw you in the inpatient ward, twelfth floor.”

Song Yi spoke slowly, conflicted, but she felt it was better not to hide this.

If Ling Xi resisted, she would never pry like this again.

“Would you tell me who you visited? Was it related to Mu Xie?” Song Yi turned her head, watching Ling Xi.

Her tone carried a hint of concern.

Ling Xi exhaled in relief.

So she hadn’t managed to hide it from Song Yi after all.

“It’s nothing major. I went to see my mother. She… was in a plane crash over half a year ago. You might’ve seen it on the news, the one where the cabin caught fire? Though the pilot managed a safe landing, some passengers were injured, and my mother was among them.”

“She just happened to be hospitalized there, so I stopped by to visit.”

Ling Xi thought for a moment before adding, “It probably has nothing to do with Mu Xie.”

It was just a normal accident.

“I see…” Even though Ling Xi said so, Song Yi wouldn’t cancel today’s urgent order.

“Is it just the two of you in your family? Are you also the one paying for her hospital fees?”

Song Yi was still thinking that perhaps her family situation was quite similar to Ling Xi’s just a mother and daughter relying on each other.

Ling Xi shook her head but refused to elaborate further. “I’m the one paying.”

“October is coming. Will you be alright?” Song Yi didn’t know how much savings Ling Xi had.

But at the very least, she knew Ling Xi didn’t have a job.

Without income, no amount of savings could sustain long-term hospital payments for someone.

Or rather, if Ling Xi had that much savings, she wouldn’t have been driven to such desperation.

“Actually, it’s a bit tight but it’s fine. I can pay every two weeks.”

With that sense of familiarity, Ling Xi was practically holding nothing back from Song Yi.

This complete trust made Song Yi bold enough to ask one more question.

“You… really won’t consider a contractual marriage with me?”