Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter 26

Ling Xi’s brush trembled when she saw the donation, leaving a stray line on the canvas before she hastily erased it.

She had never received such a large donation during her livestreams before. Even when she did get tips, they were usually just thirty or fifty yuan enough for a meal.

This was the first time she had received a donation of this magnitude, and it nearly scared the life out of her.

After taking a moment to steady herself, she opened the chat and saw fans thanking the generous donor on her behalf, praising the “big spender.”

The most expensive gift on the platform cost 10,000 yuan.

Ten of those meant 100,000. Even after the platform’s cut, the remaining amount was enough for Ling Xi to slack off next month without taking commissions.

She paused her drawing and checked the donation list.

A lone ID sat at the top of the screen.

Just a string of numbers likely a newly registered throwaway account.

She opened a private chat with the user, sending a long thank-you message along with an offer for a free commission.

She hadn’t prepared any other gifts. After some thought, Ling Xi realized that even thirty of her drawings might not match the value of this donation, so she asked if there was anything specific the donor wanted.

[Donating was my choice. Why would I ask for something in return?]

The reply seemed carefully considered.

The tone felt oddly familiar.

Ling Xi read it once, then immediately suppressed the automatic voice in her head that tried to mimic Song Yi’s.

Song Yi wouldn’t know what she was doing.

And even if it were Song Yi, would she really donate this much?

Besides, if it was Song Yi, then her daily drawings of her would be exposed.

How embarrassing.

Then, lips parted slightly, capturing Ling Xi’s own.

Testing the seam of those tempting lips.

Pressing against tightly closed teeth.

“Mmm…” Ling Xi couldn’t help but let out a sound, trying to remind Song Yi.

But the lingering taste of red wine made her body tremble.

Soft, sweet!

No one could resist this sensation.

No matter how much reason or moral restraint Ling Xi had, she couldn’t bring herself to stop.

She gave up resisting, gripping Song Yi’s shoulders instead.

Cradling her head, deepening the kiss.

Indulging recklessly in Song Yi’s taste.

Savoring the softness of the woman.

“Darling…” Especially during those brief pauses to catch their breath.

Song Yi would press close to her ear, calling her “darling” in a voice as sweet and sticky as a fox spirit’s.

As if they were truly a loving, married couple.

Simply sharing an intimate moment.

So,  it was normal to want to deepen the kiss.

Normal to crave Song Yi’s embrace, her touch.

Maybe it was just a wealthy fan who had been waiting for her for a long time.

Ling Xi forced herself to accept this possibility, refusing to let unworthiness take hold.

[But I will take the commission. I’ll send the details in a couple of days.]

Ling Xi replied with an “Okay,” followed by another lengthy thank-you, before slowly returning to her livestream.

The chat’s mood had shifted entirely.

When Ling Xi left, they were still spamming “Big spender!” Now, with just a glance, she saw comments like:

[Was that the girl Yue-da always draws?]

[Ohhh, couple’s antics? More please, I need this ship!]

[Yue-da already has a sugar mommy? When will I find mine?]

Ling Xi decided to ignore them, quickly sketching out lines.

Five minutes later, she couldn’t take it anymore and finally opened a new layer.

She wrote: [“It’s just a donation from a stranger, not someone I know. I’m still single.”]

Seeing the barrage of comments still hadn’t calmed down, Ling Xi couldn’t take it anymore and shut down the livestream.

Song Yi, who was halfway up the stairs, looked at the darkened livestream screen with slight regret.

Even if she knocked on Ling Xi’s door now, she wouldn’t be able to see anything.

But her money wouldn’t be wasted.

At the very least she could commission a drawing of herself and Ling Xi together.

After Ling Xi ended the stream, Song Yi removed Yun Fengzhi from her blacklist.

However, Yun Fengzhi didn’t reply until the early hours of the morning.

He was probably on a mission before.

Song Yi stayed up late handling official business and finally saw Yun Fengzhi’s reply, immediately calling him.

“Why did you blacklist me?” Yun Fengzhi demanded as soon as he picked up.

“You should know why. Did you ever give Ling Xi Yun Danhui’s number?”

“No. She never asked me for it. Yun Danhui probably hasn’t helped her as much as I have. Why would I give it?” Song Yi found Yun Fengzhi’s question ridiculous.

Why would she create a potential love rival for herself in her free time?

“That’s strange. She shouldn’t have had any way to contact Yun Danhui. Even my colleagues who’ve met my sister don’t have her contact information.”

“Maybe there’s another possibility.” Song Yi unconsciously tapped the table.

“Mu Xie.”

Yun Fengzhi shook his head in his work-provided apartment, opening a bottle of soda. “Let me explain in detail.”

“Ling Xi approached my sister saying she had information about the Gamma serum. Do you know what information she provided?”

Song Yi thought of something and frowned involuntarily. “Mu Xie.”

It wasn’t a question.

Talking with smart people was so much easier.

Yun Fengzhi sighed inwardly. Clearly, he wasn’t smart enough, always being oppressed by his brilliant sister.

“Right. Mu Xie. I was surprised she went to my sister instead of coming directly to me. But it’s the same either way. You know our family.”

“Yes, and not just yours.” Song Yi exhaled deeply.

Her mother’s serious illness was undoubtedly related to that boringly named serum.

How did Ling Xi get involved with something so dangerous?

Because of Mu Xie?

I see.

Mu Xie’s private business was indeed related to pheromones.

The two fell into a long silence, each lost in thought.

Only when the bottle was empty did Yun Fengzhi speak again, his voice slightly slurred.

“We’ll take over investigating Mu Xie. But that’s not why I called Ling Xi asked my sister for another favor.”

“She’s looking for someone named Ling Yue. I checked this person is just a small employee at an internet giant. But I think you’ll be more interested in her other identity.”

After a moment of contemplation, Song Yi sighed.

Truthfully, Song Yi had never heard of Tianluo Pharmaceuticals either. But after searching, she realized she knew at least one of their executives.

Perhaps she could arrange a meeting.

Song Yi then looked at the list of companies that had purchased the confidential information.

They were all obscure small firms. Some couldn’t even be found in searches anymore.

On paper, they went bankrupt from losing lawsuits.

But Song Yi suspected there was more to it.

If it were that easy to uncover, Ling Xi could probably have cleared her mother’s name herself.

As Song Yi closed the case files, Ling Xi happened to finish processing the line art.

Seeing the time was about right, the two stopped their tasks, washed up, and went to bed together.

“Did you find anything or not?” It had been nearly a month.

Mu Xie was beyond anxious.

“Ling Xi’s sister?” The name made it obvious. Song Yi tightened her grip on the teacup before releasing it.

Ling Xi’s family had indeed met with misfortune.

She had failed Ling Xi, but she had to start investigating now.

How could Ling Xi alone stand against Mu Xie, who likely had deep ties to the underworld?

Song Yi immediately began typing a message to her subordinates.

But just before hitting send, she hesitated.

Once sent, she might truly become no different from Mu Xie.

Song Yi struggled to steady her trembling hands but ultimately pressed send.

So what? She only wanted what was best for Ling Xi, even if the means weren’t entirely honorable.

A suffocating grip seized her throat, as if drowning waves crashed over her head, chilling her to the bone.

Just half a year.

Those who met with accidents, those imprisoned, those who fled far from home.

A family had been torn apart just like that.

And Ling Xi still had to endure Mu Xie’s torment.

How had she managed to endure it all, remaining kind to everyone every day, appearing mostly unharmed except for the occasional weariness?

Song Yi brushed away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

Perhaps, after discovering that the “civilian” alpha connected to Mu Xie was the same person who had once been her lifeline, she shouldn’t have given up on Ling Xi.

At the very least, she should have asked more questions, paid more attention to her.

She shouldn’t have gotten angry, thinking Ling Xi had forgotten her, and decided not to seek her out either.

It seemed she had unknowingly wronged the one she loved in many ways.

“Really?” Ling Xi meant did Song Yi truly love everything she cooked? Catching the flicker in Song Yi’s eyes, her heart trembled in response.

“Why would I lie? You’re so skilled everything you make is delicious.”

Song Yi wasn’t particularly fond of food; she simply craved Ling Xi’s tenderness.

“Hmm… West Lake vinegar fish?”

The two burst into laughter together.

“If you really make it, I’d eat it even if it killed me,” Song Yi said earnestly.

Even if Ling Xi were a disaster in the kitchen, if she cooked for her, Song Yi would eat it.

“I wouldn’t do that to you, don’t worry. Let me practice a bit more, and then I’ll make you dinner.”

By the time the conversation reached this point, their food had arrived. The two ate quietly, occasionally meeting each other’s eyes and laughing.

After the meal, Song Yi escorted Ling Xi back to the villa. Ling Xi mulled it over and decided to use the free hours to sketch out the composition for her patron’s commission.

This time, Ling Xi had a legitimate reason for painting Song Yi, so she wasn’t afraid of teasing comments and turned on her livestream.

On a weekday afternoon, the stream didn’t draw many viewers.

Still, a few comments floated past.

The autumn night was cold.

But the pain of regret was even sharper, like a chilly morning drizzle, seeping into her bones.

It stabbed at Song Yi relentlessly.

Unable to bear it, she opened the door, tears still glistening in her eyes.

Yet she only dared to press herself against Ling Xi’s door, leaning on the thin barrier, thinking of all the years she had missed.

Then, slowly, she slid down.

Missing each other, then reuniting perhaps it really was a joke played by fate.

If they had never met again, she wouldn’t feel this desperate to confess.

But now, so many reasons stood between them, rendering the words unspoken.

Just like how she leaned against the door now.

Unable to bring herself to knock.

“Song Yi? Song Yi? Wake up.”

Song Yi was awakened by a voice calling her name. Opening her eyes, she saw Ling Xi kneeling beside her, one hand supporting her back.

Was it really Ling Xi?

Song Yi’s vision was still too blurry to see clearly, but the familiar presence, the scent, the voice everything felt like Ling Xi.

Wasn’t she in her own room? How could Ling Xi be here?

Song Yi thought she must still be dreaming.

Yet she couldn’t bear to let go of this impossibly vivid “dream.”

She gazed into Ling Xi’s eyes for a full minute, afraid to blink lest this beautiful illusion vanish into emptiness.

Then Song Yi reached out, her fingers lingering tenderly on Ling Xi’s cheek.

She could feel solid warmth.

So,  this wasn’t a dream?

Ling Xi seemed flustered, her eyes blinking rapidly, yet she didn’t stop Song Yi’s approach.

Encouraged, Song Yi raised herself slightly and pressed her lips against Ling Xi’s.

Ling Xi tumbled backward into Song Yi’s embrace, her breath tangling into knots under the sudden passionate kiss.

At times it grew urgent, accelerated by Song Yi’s lead.

Then at one heart-stopping moment, all breath was stolen away, oxygen siphoned through their connected lips.

Just as Ling Xi considered calling for a pause, she felt the wetness of tears at the corner of Song Yi’s eyes.

A single tear traced down Song Yi’s cheek.

Through their kiss, it found its way onto Ling Xi’s face.

Song Yi seemed heartbroken.

They’d been intimate many times before perhaps she should let Song Yi have this one moment.

Ling Xi grew still, permitting Song Yi’s advances.

She even tightened her embrace, pressing down on Song Yi without restraint.

They slid to the floor, sprawled across the hallway.

When the kiss ended, Song Yi suddenly became shy.

Her face flushed crimson as she hurriedly pushed Ling Xi away, then helped her up.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t fully awake.” Song Yi couldn’t explain her own actions.

Perhaps yesterday’s suppressed emotions had turned sour, the bitterness eroding her reason until all she knew was to move toward Ling Xi.

“It’s fine.” Ling Xi’s face burned too. Covering her cheeks at the surprising heat, she lowered her head, putting slight distance between them.

“Don’t hate me.” Regaining some composure, Song Yi noticed Ling Xi’s evasive posture. Pressing her lips together, she took two steps forward and caught hold of Ling Xi’s sleeve.

Then gave it a small tug.

“I don’t!” Ling Xi stiffened, anticipating Song Yi might lean in again.

But the expected warmth against her back never came, nor the nervous tension from the sleeve tugging. Ling Xi even felt a pang of disappointment.

Then she remembered, Song Yi shouldn’t be drunk now. Even if she’d been confused earlier, mistaking dream for reality and kissing Ling Xi by accident.

She shouldn’t be making such ambiguous moves now.

After all, Song Yi was sober.

A chill crept up Ling Xi’s back, making her shift uncomfortably.

“If you’re upset, you can kiss me back.” Song Yi had to restrain herself from embracing Ling Xi again.

“That’s not necessary.” Ling Xi glimpsed the dampness in Song Yi’s eyes and felt an itch in her heart, then fled in panic from her own thoughts.

Song Yi returned to her room, pressing fingers to her temples.

She truly must have been out of her mind to say such things aloud.

At breakfast, when Song Yi knocked on Ling Xi’s door, there was no response to her invitation.

After eating alone, Song Yi picked up her work bag. Before leaving, she cast one last look toward Ling Xi’s room.

She lingered until delay was no longer possible, then finally left home.

During a work break, Song Yi reviewed Ling Xi’s family documents again. Taking out her phone, she opened her chat history with Ling Xi.

She stared for a long while, unable to type a single word.

They went the entire day without exchanging a word.

Even after work ended, Song Yi still hadn’t seen Ling Xi.

She asked around, and Butler Zhao mentioned Ling Xi hadn’t left her room all day.

Song Yi felt uneasy and knocked on Ling Xi’s door during dinner.

“Ling Xi, you haven’t come out all day. Are you okay?” Receiving no response for a long time, Song Yi finally spoke up.

“Ling Xi, I’m worried about you. What happened this morning was just an accident.”

She took a deep breath and sighed. “I’m sorry.”

The door cracked open slightly.

Ling Xi peeked out.

“I’m not blaming you,” she said, still hiding behind the door as if unwilling to face Song Yi.

At least their eyes met.

“I just, um… feel awkward.” Not because of Song Yi, not because of that kiss.

But because of her heart, which had been restless all day and still wouldn’t calm down.

Her feelings toward Song Yi seemed genuinely strange.

The thought that Song Yi might have kissed her thinking she was someone else just like when she was drunk before made Ling Xi feel so miserable she couldn’t bring herself to do anything all day.

She had mostly just lain around, mindlessly scrolling through her phone, forcing herself not to think about Song Yi.

But the moment she let her guard down, even in sleep, Song Yi’s image filled her mind.

“I’m sorry,” Song Yi took a step back and bowed deeply.

“No, no, really! I’m not blaming you.” Ling Xi couldn’t possibly tell Song Yi the real reason she was avoiding her. It was too embarrassing, what would Song Yi think of her?

They had such a pure, platonic friendship.

And yet, she had started craving Song Yi’s body.

“I just need some time to adjust,” Ling Xi swallowed hard, finally opening the door fully and grabbing Song Yi’s arm to stop her from bowing.

“But you didn’t even want to see me earlier. You didn’t want to eat with me.” Song Yi sounded genuinely hurt.

If she had known Ling Xi would react like this, she would have stopped herself from seeking that moment of intimacy earlier.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to see you, really.” Ling Xi’s heartbeat sped up again.

She couldn’t control this strange fluttering, only knowing that every time she saw Song Yi, her heart would clench painfully yet not unpleasantly. The tightness even felt. nice.

“Then have dinner with me.” Song Yi’s hand was still in Ling Xi’s grasp.

She lowered her gaze, her eyes tinged with displeasure for the first time.

Just a little. Ling Xi wasn’t afraid of her anymore in fact, she found this side of Song Yi adorable, which only made her feel more ashamed and confused.

“I’m not really hungry.” Ling Xi had already eaten some bread earlier.

She hesitated, then took a step forward, intending to go downstairs with Song Yi.

Song Yi’s expression darkened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Seeing her pitiful look, Ling Xi’s heart softened instantly. “Fine, I’ll eat with you.”

“I don’t want to anymore. If you’ve really forgiven me, then give me a kiss back.”

Ling Xi bit her lip. She had really upset Song Yi.

“Th-that’s not appropriate, is it?” Ling Xi glanced around nervously.

She even leaned in slightly, whispering into Song Yi’s ear.

“We’re about to enter a marriage contract. Won’t we be wives soon? What’s inappropriate about it?” Song Yi frowned. “It’s not like I’d ask anyone else.”

Ling Xi hesitated, unmoving.

“If you forgive me, give me one back.” Song Yi looked on the verge of tears.

Ling Xi could already see the tears welling up in her eyes.

“Otherwise I’ll be really sad.” Song Yi blinked, her lashes damp with tears. “If you want to see me upset, you don’t have to kiss me.”

“I don’t want you to be sad.” Ling Xi shook her head.

Maybe she was bewitched. Today, Song Yi seemed a little different.

More like the drunken version of herself.

Does truth come out after drinking?

Perhaps there wasn’t much difference between the two versions of Song Yi.

They were both just Song Yi.

“Just one, okay?” Ling Xi made sure no one was around of course, Song Yi had already arranged that.

She took two steps forward, nearly backing Song Yi against the wall.

Then, as if finally mustering the courage, she pressed Song Yi’s shoulders and kissed her lips, reddened from Song Yi’s own biting.

The “sober” Song Yi wouldn’t go too far.

Ling Xi didn’t push further, and Song Yi simply closed her eyes, waiting in place.

But…

After the kiss, Ling Xi felt empty not just her lips, still warm from the touch, but her body, her heart, all hollowed out.

Her mind and body ached as if gnawed by ants, leaving behind only a dull shell.

As if she couldn’t be happy or satisfied without Song Yi.

She lowered her gaze, catching the glimmer of tears in Song Yi’s eyes, and finally gave in.

“That one didn’t count.” Ling Xi reached out, pulling Song Yi tightly into her arms this time.

Then, pressing her waist down, she gave her a deep kiss.

Song Yi loosely wrapped her arms around Ling Xi’s waist.

Ling Xi guided her, their breaths mingling, their lips tangled.

The heat of the kiss warmed both their bodies.

When they finally pulled apart, they exhaled together.

Song Yi nestled obediently into Ling Xi’s embrace, her arms still around her waist.

Ling Xi didn’t hold back either, keeping her in place.

Only now did Ling Xi finally feel grounded.

During the kiss, it was as if her soul had left her body.

It had been that ethereal, enough to make her forget the world.

“Want to eat?” Five minutes later, Song Yi finally stirred, lingering in Ling Xi’s arms a moment longer before straightening up.

“Yeah.” Ling Xi reluctantly let go.

What exactly were her feelings for Song Yi?

On the stairs, watching Song Yi’s retreating figure, Ling Xi’s ears still burned.

Even without seeing her face, she missed her hair, her delicate shoulder blades.

An answer was on the verge of breaking free.

“So, Song Yi, why were you sleeping outside my door this morning?”

After dinner, the awkwardness between them had faded, and Ling Xi finally asked the question that had been on her mind all day.

“Did you drink again before bed?”

The only explanation she could think of was that Song Yi had gotten tipsy, wanted to see her, but was too tired to knock and fell asleep outside.

Or maybe she had knocked, but it was too late, and Ling Xi was already asleep and didn’t hear.

Song Yi couldn’t tell her the real reason, so she took the out Ling Xi offered. “Just a few sips. Do I usually come find you when I’m drunk?”

“Maybe? I’m not sure.” After all, if Song Yi didn’t come, Ling Xi wouldn’t know.

“You really scared me, passed out like that outside my door.”

Ling Xi even laughed. “Should I leave my door unlocked next time so you don’t have to sleep in the hallway?”

Song Yi half-turned, lazily hugging a pillow, and raised an eyebrow at Ling Xi.

“Not afraid I’ll barge into your room at night? Who knows what I’ll do when I’m drunk.” Song Yi was already looking eager.

“You wouldn’t hurt me, at most well.” At most, something that would make her blush and her heart race.

Ling Xi’s chest burned with heat.

She seemed to genuinely be anticipating that kind of thing.

Not just a kiss.

“Plus, no thieves would break in anyway,” Ling Xi thought to herself. She didn’t have the habit of sleeping naked, so leaving the door unlocked for Song Yi seemed like a good idea.

“Up to you. It’s not like I’ll remember much anyway,” Song Yi pretended not to care, not wanting to pressure Ling Xi too much and risk pushing her away.

Ling Xi followed her lead and made her decision.

“Aren’t you going back to your room?” Song Yi asked, noticing Ling Xi’s livestream wasn’t on.

She regretted it immediately, it sounded like she was trying to kick her out.

Fortunately, Ling Xi was easygoing and didn’t take offense. “I’m keeping you company, aren’t I? I don’t have anything else to do.”

She had finished last month’s backlog of orders yesterday and received her tips. Her next batch of work wouldn’t come until mid-month unless that mysterious client sent her a request.

Song Yi patted the spot beside her. “If you’re staying, then stay properly.”

Her tone was as cool and detached as ever, as if she hadn’t been the one clinging to Ling Xi for a kiss earlier.

Ling Xi scooted closer. “What about you? No work to do?”

“Not as busy as you think. Aside from project deadlines and international meetings that require overtime, I just finish my daily workload. The end of each quarter is usually a bit busier.”

Song Yi crooked a finger at her. “But no matter how busy, I’ll still come home. Might just be late.”

“Got it,” Ling Xi said obediently, leaning her head forward.

Song Yi gently stroked the top of her head.

Ling Xi gave her a puzzled look.

She had thought Song Yi wanted her to look at something, but the phone screen was still locked.

“Just giving you a heads-up, since we’ll be living together for years to come.”

Song Yi met Ling Xi’s gaze without a hint of self-awareness, continuing to ruffle her hair.

Ling Xi lowered her head, ears turning red.

After a moment of silence, she finally snapped out of it and tilted away, freeing herself from Song Yi’s grasp.

“Y-You can stop now!” Ling Xi scrambled up, belatedly realizing Song Yi had been petting her head way too much.

She covered the top of her head and shifted away.

About ten centimeters.

Seeing Song Yi laughing uncontrollably beside her, she decided to set aside her streaming work and just watch the drama with her.

The servants, now allowed to move freely around the villa again, returned to their posts. Housekeeper Zhao passed by the living room and saw her young mistress glancing at the TV for two seconds before staring at Ling Xi for two minutes. She couldn’t bear to watch.

Especially since the look in Song Yi’s eyes was unmistakably affectionate.

If Ling Xi weren’t so dense, one look would have told her exactly how Song Yi felt.

But alas, Ling Xi was truly oblivious, engrossed in the show without sparing Song Yi a single glance.

At least they were sitting close.

Housekeeper Zhao sighed in a corner on Song Yi’s behalf.

Meanwhile, Song Yi had already pulled Ling Xi halfway into her arms, the two of them nestled together like a real couple, spending their downtime in each other’s company.

When the latest episode ended, Ling Xi suddenly realized she was practically lying in Song Yi’s embrace.

She quickly pulled away, but Song Yi said nothing, acting so naturally that Ling Xi wondered if she was overreacting.

They went upstairs, bid each other goodnight, and retreated to their respective rooms.

Just as promised, Ling Xi didn’t lock her door.

Lying in bed, Ling Xi finally noticed the message from her tipping client. After replying, she opened her email.

All the resumes she had submitted were rejected, forcing her to consider the collaboration offer sent to her streamer account’s email.

She had researched the company it was legitimate, with standard hours from 8 AM to 6 PM, weekends off, and no restrictions on the workplace.

For her current situation, this job was truly ideal. The only thing worrying her was whether she could handle it.

Ling Xi replied to the email, hoping to discuss further with the other party.

After sending it, she turned off her phone. Tomorrow, she still had to meet that mysterious person connected to Yun Fengzhi.

Gamma Serum.Ling Xi sorted through everything she remembered, confirming there were no logical gaps before closing her eyes.

At 3 AM, Ling Xi, who had gone to bed too early, woke up. She glanced beside her no one had suddenly appeared. A mix of disappointment and relief washed over her.

Just to be safe, she put on her jacket and went to the door to make sure Song Yi wasn’t lying there.

But the moment she opened it, she met Song Yi’s gaze.

Song Yi had just stepped out of his own room.