Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter 34

Song Yi was just about to explain when her phone rang again.

She had no choice but to glance at Ling Xi and answer the call.

Ling Xi pursed her lips and sat back down.

“My partner wants to talk to you—your wife’s friend,” Yun Fengzhi got straight to the point.

Song Yi had been caught making personal calls during work hours again by Tan Nijun.

“I have you on speaker,” Song Yi said pointedly.

It was both a warning and a declaration of her stance.

There was nothing in her calls that Ling Xi couldn’t hear.

“…Sister Tan. What did you need to talk to Song Yi about?”

Remembering the hostility Tan Nijun and the others had toward Song Yi, Ling Xi spoke up first.

“Ling Xi.” Tan Nijun’s voice came through, as expected.

She shot Yun Fengzhi a glare.

Why mention she was there? He could’ve just handed the phone over directly. Now Ling Xi had stepped in.

Yun Fengzhi pretended not to notice, whistling as he studied the report in his hands.

“It’s nothing urgent. I heard you ran into Mu Xie?” Tan Nijun wasn’t about to question Song Yi with Ling Xi present.

She decided to postpone her interrogation and check in on her friend instead.

“Yeah. I don’t know what she wanted, but she seemed a little unhinged, so I ran.” Ling Xi shivered at the memory.

“If you see her again, let us know. I am with the Security Bureau, after all.”

“Thank you, Sister Tan.” Even though Tan Nijun couldn’t see her, Ling Xi smiled.

Song Yi, visibly displeased, leaned into Ling Xi.

Ling Xi instinctively wrapped an arm around her, and the two clung to each other.

“How about we pick you up tonight? You must still be shaken up—no need to come alone.”

Tan Nijun had already grabbed Yun Fengzhi’s ear. He stared at her in disbelief.

“Give me her contact info later,” Tan Nijun whispered to Yun Fengzhi before Ling Xi could respond.

Yun Fengzhi didn’t dare refuse and immediately surrendered Song Yi’s details.

He didn’t want his performance points docked again this month.

Honestly, Song Yi—how could she court Ling Xi without winning over her friends first? She was just making marriage harder for herself.

If they ever had a traditional Chinese wedding, Ling Xi’s bridesmaids would give Song Yi hell.

Hiding the bride’s shoes so Song Yi couldn’t find them, setting impossible challenges to keep her from entering—Yun Fengzhi could already picture it.

He conveniently forgot that, by tradition, it would actually be Ling Xi fetching Song Yi in a traditional ceremony.

“But…” Ling Xi glanced at Song Yi in her arms. “Song Yi promised to take me.”

She was calling her “Song Yi” now.

Tan Nijun really wanted to have a word with this woman who had Ling Xi wrapped around her finger.

Damn Yun Fengzhi—the opportunity was slipping away.

“That’s too much trouble for her. Isn’t she busy with work? We’ll come get you.” Tan Nijun, taking a page from Jiang Yuyang’s book, feigned concern for Song Yi.

Ling Xi wavered slightly. “Well, okay—”

Before she could finish, Song Yi snatched the phone back.

“I’m not busy. I have plenty of time to take Ling Xi wherever she needs.”

Then she hung up.

Ling Xi stared at her for two seconds before bursting into laughter. “Song Yi, why are you so mad?”

“I’m not.” Song Yi pouted, cheeks puffing up.

“They’re just worried about me and don’t want me to trouble you.” Ling Xi reached up to stroke Song Yi’s face.

Song Yi’s puffed-up cheeks deflated. “It’s not a bother anyway. It’s not like I’m the one driving.”

“True enough.” Ling Xi suddenly found this reasoning quite sound.

“Then it’s settled—you’ll take me home.” With just a few words, Song Yi had already cheered up.

Ling Xi felt a sweet warmth in her heart, thinking Song Yi was far too easy to appease, never considering that Song Yi shouldn’t have been upset in the first place.

Song Yi pulled Ling Xi closer, deftly changing the subject to distract her from the earlier phone call. “How’s your sister doing?”

The diversion worked—Ling Xi completely forgot about the logical inconsistencies in Song Yi’s earlier words.

“She mentioned there are still some procedures to complete, plus she’s waiting for a flight. There’s only one flight to Yanjing per week, so she won’t be back until next week.”

Speaking of Ling Yue, Ling Xi no longer felt tense or anxious.

“She’s been keeping in touch with me these past few days. I’m not worried about her anymore.”

When Ling Yue returned, Ling Xi planned to discuss their mother’s situation with her.

In her previous life, she’d barely managed to gather some information—not enough to overturn the case.

With her sister back, Ling Xi would regain her anchor, no longer flailing about like a headless fly consumed by grief.

“That’s good. Want to work with me?” Song Yi stood up, extending her hand.

Ling Xi took it. “Sure. Let me check if there are any new client requests.”

“You switched to handover duty?” Song Yi raised an eyebrow. She remembered Shi Xinyu had wanted Ling Xi to model.

“Sort of. I’m still unfamiliar with the company’s style, so I can’t take on design projects directly yet. It should get better later. Speaking of which, Song-jie, your friend still wants me to model. Do you think I should try it?”

With her family away, Ling Xi occasionally treated Song Yi as an older sister, seeking her advice.

“Their company has good prospects—they’ve been expanding into international fashion recently, with high demand for both models and top-tier designers. Top designers rely on inspiration and hype, but models don’t. My advice? You’re young—you should try different things. Worst case, you can always return to design. You’ve got side gigs, and you’ve got me. Go for it.” Song Yi’s advice was remarkably balanced.

Then, leaning closer to whisper in Ling Xi’s ear, she added: “But career-wise, designers have higher ceilings. Once established, they can switch firms or open studios freely, while models decline after their prime. If your work gains recognition, I’ll take you to compete in international fashion circles.”

Ling Xi buried her face, ears burning red, eyes slightly widened.

It wasn’t just because of Song Yi’s sincere, thoughtful advice.

It was also those words: “You’ve got me. Go for it.”

Song Yi was too good.

Kind and considerate, occasionally playful—utterly endearing.

Wealthy background, stunning looks, exceptional talent, even an S-class pheromone.

So perfect it almost frightened Ling Xi.

Could she ever deserve someone like this?

Or was there truth to what Tan Nijun and others said—that Song Yi had ulterior motives?

Ling Xi couldn’t imagine what she possessed that Song Yi might want.

She refused to keep doubting Song Yi.

Yet part of her wished Song Yi did want something from her.

Anything to prevent this overwhelming kindness from becoming a source of guilt, or the fear that it might one day vanish.

“I—I’ll do my best.” Ling Xi squeezed her eyes shut before looking up at her Song-jie.

“You can definitely do it.”

Ling Xi still smiled. “Thank you.”

Song Yi didn’t press her about the midday request for a kiss.

Watching Ling Xi throw herself into work with renewed energy, Song Yi let out a sigh.

Truthfully, it didn’t matter if she didn’t do her best.

If one day she was too tired and didn’t want to push herself anymore—that was fine too.

No matter what Ling Xi was like, Song Yi would stay by her side.

But these words—Song Yi didn’t dare say them aloud.

Wouldn’t saying them be no different from a confession?

Ling Xi had just given her the “family card.”

Song Yi didn’t want to confess now only to hear a sobering, “I only see you as a sister.”

“Should I pick you up tomorrow morning?”

Ignoring the friend request on her phone, Song Yi dropped Ling Xi off at Tan Nijun’s doorstep.

“Sure. See you tomorrow, Sister Song.” Ling Xi waved.

Turning around, she found her three friends standing behind her, craning their necks to peek into the car.

“Where are your manners?” Ling Xi smacked them with the snack bag she’d brought along, exasperated by their nosiness.

“Ow, come on, don’t be stingy! We know you’ve landed a pretty older sister—can’t we even take a look?” He Qingmo, ever the troublemaker, just wanted to see Song Yi’s face.

Ling Xi rolled her eyes.

“I didn’t ‘land’ anyone.” She didn’t even know if Song Yi liked her.

It was just a feeling.

But Ling Xi also knew the biggest misconception in the world was, “Does she like me?”

“Yeah, yeah, you were the one who got landed. Got any photos? Show me. Hiding her now is pointless—won’t I see her at your wedding someday?”

“That’s not—” Ling Xi’s words caught in her throat.

She thought back. If not for Song Yi drunkenly flirting with her every night, would she have fallen for her so quickly?

Ling Xi had to admit defeat.

Song Yi didn’t even know what she was doing when drunk. It wasn’t intentional.

Ling Xi’s own resistance was just too weak.

“No photos. Never took any.” She bit her tongue and changed her answer.

“But you’ve drawn her, haven’t you? I want to see too, Xi. Your crush can’t be some ugly duckling, right?”

Jiang Yuyang’s approach was far more effective than He Qingmo’s.

“Didn’t finish them. Deleted them all. You already know that. I only deleted them because you guys kept egging me on. Reverse psychology won’t work—her beauty is objective. You’ll see her when the time comes.” With that, Ling Xi breezed past them into Tan Nijun’s house.

Before meeting Mu Xie, they’d often thrown parties or hung out at Tan Nijun’s place.

After all, it was the closest to campus, and since Tan Nijun was the oldest, they tended to cling to her.

Ling Xi was more familiar with this place than the apartment she’d rented just to avoid dragging others into her troubles.

“By the way, Yuyang, has my sister replied to you? Her work should’ve wrapped up by now.” Ling Xi redirected the heat onto Jiang Yuyang.

“Ah, I haven’t texted her again…” Jiang Yuyang immediately settled down, her expression visibly conflicted.

“That won’t do. You have to take the initiative. Text her now. Ask when she’s free for a gathering or something.”

“Since when did you become this kind of person?” Tan Nijun slung an arm around Ling Xi’s shoulders. “Are you this proactive when pursuing someone?”

Ling Xi tilted her head in thought.

She really wasn’t very proactive.

She’d never asked Song Yi out for meals or dates, never brought her fruit.

It had always been Song Yi doing those things.

Except when it came to that particular matter. Though generally speaking, it was Song Yi who initiated things.

But during the process, Ling Xi felt she was still quite proactive.

“I wasn’t,” Ling Xi said, a little frustrated.

She needed to think carefully about how to pursue Song Yi.

“If you weren’t even like that, yet you told Yu Yang to take the initiative, isn’t that just setting her up for failure?”

He Qingmo hadn’t discussed this with the other two, and her words came off as nothing but mischief.

After saying this, He Qingmo grabbed a pillow and immediately started a pillow fight with Ling Xi.

Nearby, Jiang Yuyang noticed Tan Nijing’s expression and raised an eyebrow. “You never searched for her?”

“No, I’m not that much of a creep.” Tan Nijing studied the photo of the cold beauty, lost in thought.

“Fair. If you had searched for her early on and were this wary of Song Yi, it would’ve looked like you had feelings for Xiao Xi.”

“I don’t,” Tan Nijing replied frankly.

“I have someone I like.” She and Ling Xi were just friends—at most, with a hint of obligation mixed in.

“Who? You’ve never mentioned this before.” At these words, Ling Xi and He Qingmo, who had been wrestling, abruptly stopped their play-fighting.

“You know her.” Tan Nijing’s expression remained indifferent, but her eyes burned as she stared at Ling Xi.

“It can’t be… Yun Fengzhi, right?” That was the first name that popped into Ling Xi’s mind.

Tan Nijing shrugged, tacitly confirming it.

“Wait, Tan-jie, if you like her, why are you always so strict with her?”

Ling Xi had heard from Song Yi just how much Yun Fengzhi feared Tan Nijing, the inspector.

Tan Nijing averted her gaze. It wasn’t strictness—it was frustration. Frustration at Yun Fengzhi’s decline.

Yun Fengzhi was undeniably capable. Even after months of dejection, she could still outmaneuver Tan Nijing in one move. She had the makings of a leader, even a commander.

But now, she was just wallowing in despair, clearly still wounded by that accident, unwilling to put in effort again.

Yet Tan Nijing couldn’t explain all this to outsiders.

“Not everyone expresses their affection so passionately. If I didn’t like her, I wouldn’t have fought for this position or transferred back to Yanjing.”

“You don’t like Yanjing?”

“Yanjing is chaotic, yet overly complicated. At my rank, staying here means every move is like rowing against the current, groping in the dark. I didn’t join the team just to scrape by.”

With that, Tan Nijing shook her head and unwrapped the package on the table.

“Enough of this. Today is Xiao Xi’s birthday—let’s have some cake.”

The group didn’t dwell on Tan Nijing’s words any further, happily gathering around to eat cake and dinner.

After the meal, Tan Nijing, as usual, switched the TV to karaoke mode. He Qingmo grabbed the microphone and immediately started hogging it.

“Not singing? You used to love fighting her for it,” Jiang Yuyang remarked, hugging a pillow as she sat beside Ling Xi.

“Not really in the mood anymore.” For Jiang Yuyang and the others, their last gathering had been over half a year ago.

But for Ling Xi, time had stretched into years—even lifetimes.

If not for the urgency of raising funds for her mother’s medical treatment, Ling Xi might not even have picked up a paintbrush again.

She had forced herself to relearn painting solely for her mother’s sake.

A bird caged for too long, once freed, doesn’t burst into song—it finds a corner to hide in, trembling.

After too long in silence, the heart fills only with confusion and fear, and inevitably, interest in many things fades away.

“It’s just singing. There’s only four of us here—no one will blame you if you go off-key,” Tan Nijun chimed in from beside her.

“Or, you could talk to us about Song Yi instead.”

Lingxi shot her a glare before grabbing another microphone from the coffee table.

Two songs later, Lingxi finally slipped back into her old self, visibly more relaxed and in high spirits.

After singing, they moved on to board games.

Lingxi was coaxed into drinking two glasses of wine, leaving her slightly flushed but still fairly clear-headed.

“Xiao Xi, you lost again. This time, you have to choose Truth,” Jiang Yuyang said with a fox-like grin.

Lingxi tossed the dice onto the table. “You guys are ganging up on me, and here I thought the birthday girl would get some mercy.”

“Can’t handle losing?” He Qingmo teased.

Lingxi shot her a glance. “You lost too—just wait till they make you pick Dare.”

He Qingmo immediately shrank back like a quail.

“We won’t ask for much. Just tell us about how you and Song Yi usually interact.”

Lingxi hesitated. “Why are you asking about this?”

She hadn’t forgotten what they’d said about Song Yi the last time they had dinner.

“Curiosity. Yue-jie and I haven’t spoken in half a year, Tan-jie and her crush are like sworn enemies, and Qingmo screams at 2D characters all day. You’re the closest any of us has gotten to being in a relationship. Of course we’re going to pry,” Jiang Yuyang reasoned, leaving Lingxi with no rebuttal.

“Then you all have to pick Truth later too. I’m curious as well.” Lingxi must have been a little tipsy to say that.

After all, since the incident with Mu Xie, she had been the one keeping the most secrets among her friends—she already knew most of their business.

“Fine. Just tell us how Song Yi treats you normally. Little everyday things—picking you up, meals, stuff like that.”

Lingxi took a sip of wine. “She’s really good to me.”

“…Almost too good. She’ll drive me anywhere, always saying it’s on her way and no trouble. If I’m in danger, she’s the first to help. She even handled the Mu Xie situation for me—I don’t know exactly what she did, but for over a month now, aside from today, I haven’t been harassed by him again.”

“We met by accident—I saved her, so she let me stay at her place. I figured since I was already imposing by taking a room, I should at least pay for my own food and daily necessities. But somehow, she ended up covering everything anyway.”

“She’s always been kind to me. We chat about our days, watch TV and dramas together. She even found out about my streaming account and joins me sometimes…”

It was only then that Lingxi realized just how much Song Yi had done for her—far beyond what she could ever repay.

And it wasn’t just about returning the favor for saving her life.

Alcohol made her emotions raw and overwhelming.

Lingxi fell silent, lowering her gaze as a tear slipped free.

“She’s just… so good to me…” Her cheeks flushed as the alcohol loosened the emotions she’d kept bottled up.

“Good to the point where it almost feels… strange.” She sniffled, tears clinging to her lashes.

Even the usually rowdy He Qingmo quieted down, listening intently.

“How is it strange?”

As it turned out, they didn’t even need to guide her.

Of course—Lingxi wasn’t a fool. She must have already figured it out herself.

Ling Xi shook her head. “Who would be so good to someone without reason? But I can’t figure out why. I’m so ordinary, so average… I didn’t go to a top university, it took me ages to find a job, and my pheromone level is so low. The only thing I have going for me is that I’m decent-looking. Why would Song Yi treat me so well?”

“Then do you think she might have ulterior motives?” Tan Nijun couldn’t help but speak up. “Like Mu Xie did.”

Jiang Yuyang shot her a disapproving look.

Tears welled up in Ling Xi’s eyes as she turned to Tan Nijun.

“How could that be? I can still sense whether someone harbors ill intentions. When Mu Xie first approached me, her attitude, gaze, and demeanor all made me uncomfortable. I only tolerated her because she was my senior and part of the student council, and I had no concrete evidence of her ill intentions or misconduct toward me.”

“But Song Yi is different. She’s warm and strong like the sun, pure and gentle like the moon. She truly means me no harm. On the contrary, she protects me in every way.”

“What if she’s just highly skilled at using her appearance to deceive you? Think about it, Ling Xi. She drives you everywhere—could she be tracking you, monitoring your movements? She prepares meals and supplies for you—could she be trying to lull you into complacency, making you dependent and lowering your guard? Even taking you in—could she be… imprisoning you in disguise? She holds the reins of your life in her hands.”

Tan Nijun had had a bit to drink; otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to provoke Ling Xi’s temper again.

Ling Xi was stunned by the accusations. “I… I like her. I like her so much that I’d rather she had ulterior motives.”

Even after hearing Tan Nijun’s words, Ling Xi realized she couldn’t let go of the kindness Song Yi had shown her.

“What if she’s another Mu Xie? What if she ends up hurting you, imprisoning you, controlling you? Think carefully, Ling Xi. She’s the lofty head of the Song family—far more powerful and wealthy than Mu Xie. She could control you effortlessly.”

Ling Xi lowered her head. “If that’s really the case, I’ll accept it.”

“You—” Tan Nijun was furious now.

Jiang Yuyang patted her shoulder. “Don’t think the worst. Not everyone has those twisted tendencies. Look on the bright side, Ling Xi. What if Song Yi just likes you?”

Ling Xi jerked her head up to stare at Jiang Yuyang. “What did you say?”

“I said, Song Yi might just like you. Tan-jie’s theory is too far-fetched. With Song Yi’s status, if she really wanted to do something to you, she would have acted already. She could have even snatched you away at your engagement party with Mu Xie. But she didn’t. She respects you, cares about you, and treats you well. Doesn’t that sound like affection to you?”

Jiang Yuyang had arrived early and heard about the phone call Tan Nijun made that afternoon. Song Yi’s reaction had clearly sounded like jealousy and anger. Only someone childish would hang up like that.

Even the incident with Mu Xie at noon—had Song Yi not been there, Ling Xi would have suffered. The more Jiang Yuyang analyzed it, the more convinced she became that Song Yi had feelings for Ling Xi.

Had Jiang Yuyang known about Song Yi’s drunken antics, she would have outright confirmed this conclusion and urged Ling Xi to confess the next day.

“Affection can be twisted too. Mu Xie kept claiming she liked Ling Xi, didn’t she?” Tan Nijun wasn’t buying it.

“Xiao Xi, tell us again how you and Song Yi first met.”

“I realized something was off with Mu Xie, and when I got the chance, I ran away. On the road, I encountered Song Yi, drunk and surrounded by a group of thugs. She’s an omega, and she was drunk, while I’m a capable alpha. It was only right that I couldn’t just stand by, so I called the police and went to help her.”

“Afterward, she said I’d saved her and owed me a favor. At the time, I had nowhere else to go. I knew Mu Xie would start looking for me the next day if I wasn’t at my usual place, so I begged her to take me in and help me. And she did.”

The three of them fell silent after hearing this.

“That’s strange. Didn’t she have bodyguards with her?” He Qingmo was the first to speak up, unable to hold back.

“She did. But they failed in their duty,” Ling Xi recalled.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit too convenient, like she staged the whole thing for you?”

Tan Nijun didn’t see Song Yi in a better light after hearing this. Instead, she felt Ling Xi’s words confirmed that Song Yi had ulterior motives.

“But those people were actually arrested by the police,” Ling Xi said, though she suddenly remembered Song Yi mentioning “one got away” during the phone call.

She fell silent, frowning as she pondered the implications, no longer defending Song Yi.

Even she now felt there was something off about the incident.

Meanwhile, Song Yi, left alone in the empty room, stared at the lifeless chat window, her heart aching with loneliness.

Maybe Ling Xi had just been too happy, too tired, and had forgotten about her.

She shouldn’t keep clinging to Ling Xi, as if trying to trap her by her side forever.

Ling Xi needed her own circle, her own life.

She couldn’t control Ling Xi like Mu Xie had. She only wanted what was best for her.

Yet, her possessiveness clung to her heart like dense seaweed.

She turned off her phone and let out a sigh.

Just one night without Ling Xi, and she was already falling apart.

It wasn’t Ling Xi who couldn’t live without her. It had always been her who couldn’t live without Ling Xi.

She loved Ling Xi so much, so carefully.

But in the end, she couldn’t let a moment of impulse or ugly possessiveness turn her into another Mu Xie.

Song Yi didn’t sleep all night.

She tossed and turned, clutching the pillow Ling Xi had used.

By six in the morning, she couldn’t take it anymore.

She got up, dressed, and covered the dark circles under her eyes with makeup.

Then, checking the time, she called for a car, packed a thermos with breakfast, and set out.

She was going to pick up Ling Xi.

Just to see her. Even if only for a word.

She believed the pain in her heart would ease a little.

At least enough to keep her from making a terrible mistake.

When she arrived at the address Ling Xi had given her the day before, Song Yi sat in the car for a while longer.

Only after steadying herself did she step out, breakfast in hand, and walk to the building where Ling Xi was staying.

She knocked, and within two minutes, the door opened.

Song Yi smiled, but the person she wanted to see wasn’t there.

Tan Nijun cracked the door slightly, arms crossed, staring at Song Yi, who had rushed over to claim Ling Xi.

Her eyes held a mix of confusion and reproach.