Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter 38

Then both of them fell silent.

Ling Xi hesitated, gripping Song Yi’s hand tightly.

“You go first,” she said, still a little afraid, even though in this moment, they were both thinking the same thing.

“Alright.” Song Yi had already made up her mind to confess today after hearing Ling Xi’s confession last night.

Ling Xi must like her too, right?

Seeing Ling Xi’s nervous expression, Song Yi couldn’t help but pat her head.

In just two more minutes, the person in front of her would officially be her girlfriend her true, meaningful wife.

The thought alone made Song Yi’s heart leap with joy.

“Scared?” She even had the mood to tease Ling Xi.

Ling Xi nodded, then shook her head.

“I… I’m nervous.” This was her first time confessing to someone.

Or rather, the first time she had ever fallen for anyone.

Fallen for this person who had endlessly tolerated her, silently loved her, and done so much for her.

Song Yi pulled out the flowers she had bought earlier. “What’s there to be afraid of? Don’t you already know what I want to say?”

Ling Xi covered her face. “You even prepared all this?”

“After your confession last night, I wanted to take it seriously, so I bought them.”

Song Yi looked at the bouquet, still glistening with water droplets, and held it out to Ling Xi.

“But I decided too late, so it’s still a bit rushed.”

“Still, I bought two cakes too. We can eat them together later.”

Ling Xi nodded vigorously.

“So, Ling Xi… will you say yes?” Song Yi was actually a little nervous too, to some extent.

Ling Xi took the flowers. “Why haven’t you said you like me yet?”

Song Yi pressed her lips together, about to recite the dry, rehearsed confession she had been mulling over for so long—

But then Ling Xi set the flowers aside on the table.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed Song Yi by the collar.

“Song Yi. I like you.” Ling Xi kissed her.

The taste of this kiss was something Ling Xi had experienced countless times before.

But now, with their feelings laid bare, it carried a different flavor.

Sweeter. Softer.

As the kiss deepened, Song Yi’s hands settled on Ling Xi’s body, and Ling Xi couldn’t help but pull her closer.

“Hold me tighter,” Ling Xi whispered between breaths.

Song Yi, completely at her mercy, instinctively obeyed.

“Ling Xi…” Song Yi’s eyes were already misty as she pressed against her, murmuring her name.

“Why aren’t you calling me ‘sweetheart’ anymore?”

“Mmm… sweetheart, I like you too.” Song Yi wanted to reclaim some control.

But Ling Xi, now free of all hesitation, was driven only by the fervor of first love. She gave Song Yi no chance, pressing her down and pouring out all her affection.

“I really, really like you,” Ling Xi murmured. Somehow, they ended up on the same couch they had wrecked the night before.

“Big sister… can I call you that from now on?” Ling Xi thought, since they were this close, they ought to change how they addressed each other.

“But what about your actual sister—” Song Yi gasped as Ling Xi bit her neck.

The same spot still bore marks from last night.

Old marks renewed, Song Yi clutched Ling Xi’s back tightly.

“Never mind her.” Ling Xi left new kisses over the same spots.

“At most, I’ll just call her ‘Sis Yue’ from now on.” Now that she had a new “sister,” this lovestruck fool decisively abandoned her real one.

“…I really like you.” Though clearly in pain from the bite, Song Yi’s words dripped with honey as they floated into Ling Xi’s ears, cloyingly sweet.

“Does it hurt?” Only then did Ling Xi notice how red the crescent-shaped marks she left had become.

“No. A little more.” Song Yi only held her tighter.

“Whatever you give me, I want it all…”

“Jiejie… didn’t we just do this last night? Can you handle it?” Ling Xi paused before venturing further.

“Why not?” Song Yi’s eyes shimmered with tears.

When she blinked, those teardrops reflected in Ling Xi’s gaze, making her heart itch unbearably.

So much so that Ling Xi overlooked the slight logical inconsistency in Song Yi’s words.

She simply kissed each bite mark she had left, as if to soothe them.

…

Afraid Song Yi might not endure much more, Ling Xi stopped when she felt it was enough.

Song Yi lay dazed for a moment before suddenly biting Ling Xi’s shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Xi stilled her voice, holding Song Yi gently.

“You stopped.” Song Yi’s tone sounded even more coquettish than Ling Xi’s.

“If we keep going, will you really be okay?” Ling Xi had paused because she remembered how intense they had been the night before.

“Shouldn’t we drain the pond to catch all the fish?”

Song Yi paid no heed, continuing to nibble at Ling Xi’s shoulder.

Ling Xi let her, one hand steadily stroking her back.

“Jiejie, what are we now?” Only after Song Yi finally stopped, leaving a trail of love bites on Ling Xi’s shoulder, did Ling Xi hesitantly ask.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… our relationship.” Ling Xi fidgeted.

Song Yi chuckled. “We’re already married. What do you think?”

“I’ll organize what I know and send it to you tonight.” Ling Yue had nothing more to say.

Ling Xi glanced at her, somewhat dejected.

But she didn’t press the topic further. Instead, she flopped onto the couch with Ling Yue, just like their usual weekend routine turning on the TV, chatting idly, snacking on sunflower seeds, letting the afternoon slip by.

“Have you started your streaming account yet?” Ling Xi remembered Ling Yue mentioning it earlier and asked casually.

“Not yet. My job search has been tough, so I’ll probably start in the next couple of days. As a streaming veteran, got any tips for me?” Ling Yue handed Ling Xi a jelly as a bribe.

Ling Xi clicked her tongue and took it. “What tips? I only gained traction recently myself.”

“Yeah, I watched your streams. The hype is real, you’re basically topping your category now.”

Ling Yue recalled her sister and Song Yi’s lovey-dovey broadcast, not to mention Mu Xie’s explosive final remarks.

Honestly, even as a bystander, she’d have been tempted to tune in for the drama.

“No wonder the algorithm pushed it so hard and brought in so many viewers.” Ling Xi, unaware of which streams Ling Yue had seen, didn’t feel embarrassed yet.

“I think I just got lucky. Back in college, I streamed occasionally when I was bored from drawing. It took three or four years just to scrape together over 100K followers. Getting them to drop by occasionally was a win, let alone receiving donations.”

“Ah… so are we skipping the dating phase?” Ling Xi just felt their progression was oddly fast.

Was this some kind of arranged-marriage-turned-love story?

Except the marriage and love arrived simultaneously.

“Wouldn’t it be cruel to my little darling if we didn’t skip it?”

Song Yi hooked a finger under Ling Xi’s chin, brushing lightly against her lower lip.

Ling Xi snatched a bag of chips from her hand. “Sister Yue is different from Song Yi. Sister Yue is naturally dull and lazy. If Yuyang doesn’t take the initiative, how would you have a story?”

“So the person you like is called Song Yi? Which ‘Yi’ character is it? Can I look her up?”

He Qingmo retaliated by grabbing a handful of chips from Ling Xi’s bag.

“…Why are you stealing mine when there are so many bags here? Don’t you have your own?” Ling Xi couldn’t help but laugh at He Qingmo’s mischievous antics.

He Qingmo just raised an eyebrow at her.

Ling Xi shook her head, deciding not to argue.

She opened her phone, this was the first time she’d ever searched Song Yi’s name online.

“You can find her. The ‘Song’ from Tang and Song dynasties, the ‘Yi’ meaning ripples.” Ling Xi scrolled through the results.

But then she saw an entertainment gossip headline: [“Fu Youyou, the male matriarch of the Song family, publicly berates his daughter, claiming she lacks the ability to inherit the Song legacy.”]

Song Yi picked her up, pushed her aside, casually wrapped herself in her coat, and headed upstairs.

“Fine, I’ll figure it out myself.” Ling Xi pouted slightly but obediently followed Song Yi.

Song Yi pulled her close, their bodies pressed together. “What about you? How did you end up liking me?”

She hadn’t even noticed when Ling Xi started developing feelings.

Only in the past few days, when Ling Xi’s behavior became unusually affectionate, did she realize. Ling Xi had finally fallen for her.

“I’m not exactly sure when… But after seeing those fans teasing us and my friends saying I acted strangely around you, that’s when I realized my feelings might be love.” Ling Xi followed Song Yi straight into the bathroom.

“Though I probably started liking you even earlier.” Maybe Ling Xi had been the one to fall at first sight.

“You’re joining me for a shower?” Song Yi turned on the water and glanced back at Ling Xi.

Ling Xi immediately tried to bolt, but Song Yi caught her. “You’re already here, no running away.”

“But, but—” A blush crept from her ears downward.

Ling Xi naturally looped her arms around Song Yi’s neck.

Ling Xi said they should try.

“Clarify things.” Song Yi tilted her head, studying Ling Xi. “Or go public?”

Ling Xi was still flustered. “You want everyone to know about us?”

“They don’t even know who we are. We’ve been secretly pining for each other, a mutual crush, what’s wrong with showing off a little?” Song Yi blinked.

“It’s embarrassing. Let’s just stream tonight.” If Song Yi wanted to do it, Ling Xi would gladly go along.

“I have a client call this afternoon to discuss details. Where do you want to?”

Song Yi pointed to her study. “If you don’t mind, you can use my study. It’s quiet there. I’ll step out if you need privacy.”

“Nothing I need to hide from you.” Ling Xi remembered how Song Yi always put her calls with Yun Fengzhi on speaker.

She pinched Song Yi’s cheeks. “Jiejie, jiejie, I like you so much.”

Song Yi took her hand and kissed it.

“If you’re free, can I get a meal cooked by the person I love?”

“Sure. I’ve been meaning to cook for you forever, but things kept coming up. Let’s do lunch today.” Ling Xi agreed readily.

“No rush, let’s have dessert first.” Song Yi picked up a pudding, scooped a spoonful, and held it to Ling Xi’s lips.

Ling Xi remembered how reckless they’d been while eating birthday cake yesterday.

With reddened ears, she accepted Song Yi’s feeding.

At noon, Ling Xi entered the kitchen to prepare lunch. As she worked, Song Yi pressed up against her back. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“Just sit and rest. You’ve been exhausted since yesterday. I’m making something nourishing for you.” Ling Xi had specifically researched how to brew medicinal tonics.

“…” Song Yi felt slightly insulted. “I’m not weak. I’m only twenty-seven.”

“I know. I just feel bad for you, you’ve worn yourself out so many times. It’s my fault too; I asked for too much. You need replenishment.”

Song Yi covered her face, utterly speechless.

“So… nothing I can help with?” she sighed.

What else could she do? Her beloved wife, she had no choice but to spoil her.

“Ling Xi, I want to stay with you. I don’t want to go to the living room.” She clung to Ling Xi’s back again.

“Well… then how about washing the vegetables for me?” Ling Xi pointed to the greens nearby.

“Just rinse them with water. And use this to peel the potatoes, can you do that?”

Song Yi watched Ling Xi’s demonstration. Her eyes understood.

But when she actually sat down to peel, her hands struggled. It took her a while to finish just one potato.

Ling Xi handled the other ingredients, occasionally glancing at Song Yi.

Though it was only their second day as newlyweds, this peaceful, ordinary moment gave Ling Xi the feeling of an old married couple.

Simple and steady this was the best. As she passed by Song Yi, she planted a kiss on her forehead.

Seeing Song Yi look up, grinning like a child, gazing at her with such adoration, Ling Xi’s heart swelled with joy.

The meal took over an hour to prepare.

By the time they finished, both were genuinely tired and hungry.

Song Yi had finally settled down, but when she saw Ling Xi ladling out the tonic soup for her, her face nearly burned up again.

“You drink some too.” Defiant, Song Yi served Ling Xi a bowl as well.

“You gave me so many marks your pheromones must be depleted. You’re the one who needs replenishing.”

Ling Xi’s eyes curved into crescents. “So petty, are we?”

Song Yi denied it immediately. “Not at all.”

“Then… no more food?” Ling Xi teased, pulling back the slice of meat she was about to place in Song Yi’s bowl.

“I want it!” Song Yi grabbed her chopsticks and started playfully fighting for it.

This was the first time Ling Xi had seen this adorable side of Song Yi.

Before, she had only known her as either cold as ice or gentle as water.

Now she realized, when facing someone she loved, Song Yi could be childish and endearing too.

She really, really loved her.

It was true, she had harbored this love for so long.

Ling Xi lowered her gaze.

Was that person she couldn’t remember really Song Yi?

She hoped it was. That would mean they had a past worth cherishing, a fate blessed by heaven, meeting again and again.

Yet she also hoped it wasn’t. If the one she’d forgotten truly was Song Yi… how terribly she must have wronged her.

That Song Yi could still forgive her, love her, despite it all, just thinking about it made Ling Xi’s heart ache.

After the meal, it was time to get back to work.

While waiting for a reply, Ling Xi idly reminisced about yesterday’s happiness.

Then she noticed something odd.

Song Yi, when drunk, would black out. She’d even act out while intoxicated.

Yet yesterday, not only had she been unusually well-behaved and quiet, but today she also remembered everything they’d done.

Could it be… Song Yi hadn’t been drunk at all?

Then why pretend to be intoxicated? Why play the role of her superior, acting out that “power imbalance” workplace fantasy with her?

If she had been drunk, how would Song Yi have known about her confession, her tears, and even comforted her before returning her feelings?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

If Song Yi had been pretending to be drunk, then what about all those other times she appeared intoxicated, were those also an act?

Otherwise, why not just show she was sober from the start?

A client’s call came through, cutting off Ling Xi’s train of thought. She answered and got back to work.

Unaware that she had narrowly escaped exposure, Song Yi was still contemplating whether she should keep up the drunken act after marriage.

Ling Xi’s reactions when she pretended to be drunk were always amusing.

But that was back when they hadn’t yet confessed their feelings.

Now, maybe it wasn’t necessary?

But if she stopped, wouldn’t that give the game away?

Song Yi wasn’t ready for that yet. Lost in thought, she replaced Ling Xi’s cold tea with a fresh cup.

Ling Xi poked her hand.

“Hmm?” Song Yi let out a soft hum.

Ling Xi pointed at her own cheek.

Understanding, Song Yi leaned down.

Just as she planted a kiss, Ling Xi began speaking, addressing the client’s request on the phone.

When Song Yi settled back into her seat, she was still savoring the innocent sweetness of that kiss.

That evening, Ling Xi went live.

She turned on her mic and opened her drawing canvas.

After several days without streaming, the viewership had noticeably dropped.

Most of the remaining audience were long-time fans who genuinely loved her art.

“I took on a job recently and have been working. By the time I got home, I was too tired to stream. Once things stabilize, I’ll set a regular schedule. Don’t worry about commissions. I’ll definitely finish them.”

Ling Xi answered questions one by one.

The last time she streamed, she had stubbornly denied her relationship with Song Yi.

Looking back, Song Yi must have already liked her back then why else would she have “clarified” by calling them wives?

[We’ve waited so long can we hear Moon Madam’s voice today?]

[I’m bolder. I want to hear kisses and cuddles.]

[I want to hear things the platform won’t allow.]

“What’s this ‘Moon Madam’ title?” Ling Xi asked, still focused on her drawing. Beside her, Song Yi sat with her legs crossed, reading the chat aloud.

[!! She’s here, she’s here!]

[Daily question: Did you get the marriage certificate yet? When’s the wedding? When will you turn on the camera?]

[Well, Moon’s wife is Moon Madam, right?]

“Ah, I see. We just got the certificate wore ourselves out, actually. That’s why I only have time to stream today.”

Ling Xi glanced back at Song Yi.

“Hmm?” Song Yi feigned innocence.

“Why are you telling them that?!” Ling Xi pinched Song Yi’s cheek.

As if she hadn’t seen the fans’ shameless comments.

“Wedding night, consummation. Even if I didn’t say it, they’d figure it out, right?” Song Yi deliberately tilted her face closer, letting Ling Xi pinch her.

“I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m drawing you entertain them.” Flustered by Song Yi’s words, Ling Xi didn’t dare engage further.

If this kept up, she’d end up giving the fans a live demonstration of kissing and cuddling.

The chat, meanwhile, was in chaos.

[Guessing is nothing compared to hearing it straight from the source!]

[Who’s the A and who’s the O? Or are you both A/O? So curious.]

[Kinda feel like Moon gives off bottom energy or is that just me?]

[Wedding? Wedding? Wedding?]

“The wedding’s still a ways off. We haven’t even prepared anything yet,” Song Yi replied, selectively engaging with the fans.

The live viewer count was visibly climbing.

“As for secondary genders, your Moon hasn’t said anything, so I won’t spill either.”

“I remember saying I’m an alpha, right?” Ling Xi replied without even looking up.

[Got it, so she’s a delicate top. Weak top/strong bottom forever!]

[Cute tops are still tops]

[I wanna see omega tops with alpha bottoms, who’s with me? Moon Lady’s voice is so domineering]

Song Yi watched the barrage of comments for a while, noting down those strange websites they mentioned, then started feeding Ling Xi pieces of fruit one by one.

“Why did you peel everything for me?” ing Xi couldn’t resist the skinned purple grapes.

“I had free time. You’re drawing, so it’s inconvenient for you,” Song Yi said naturally.

ing Xi accepted the feeding this time.

Song Yi glanced at what ing Xi was drawing – the commission she had requested.

The viewers immediately tattled to Song Yi: [Moon Lady, your wife’s been drawing this woman every day! Aren’t you gonna do something?]

[Yeah, she finally stopped for a while but started again today]

[Wasn’t this commissioned by that top patron sister? Or am I remembering wrong?]

“Do what? Tell her to stop drawing this and draw me instead?” Song Yi chuckled.

“But she’s already drawing you.”

[!!! Wait sis]

[I knew she was in love! Drawing someone for over a week straight? That’s definitely someone special! And she denied it before! Moon you tsundere!]

[I just realized something – would a patron really commission drawings of her own love rival? Especially couple portraits?]

Not just the fans, even Ling Xi  caught on.

“Sister!” She finally realized that top patron who kept tipping her was Song Yi all along.

“Hmm?” Song Yi was about to be exposed – though this time she chose to reveal it herself.

“You hid this from me again!” Ling Xi threw her pen aside, abandoning her drawing to throw herself into Song Yi’s arms.

“You didn’t tell me you were streaming either,” Song Yi deflected.

Ling Xi wasn’t fooled. “That’s different! You found my stream and didn’t tell me, tipped me secretly without telling me, even commissioned art under a fake account.”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, finally nibbling on Song Yi’s cheek in frustration.

Song Yi cradled Ling Xi’s head, ruffling her hair. “Didn’t want to pressure you.”

She tossed her phone away, letting the fans entertain themselves while focusing on soothing the grumpy puppy in her arms.

Those teeth were sharp – the biting actually hurt.

“Since you usually refuse to use anything I buy you…”

Song Yi whispered this right into Ling Xii’s ear.

Ling Xi puffed up her cheeks. “That’s so unfair. If the comments hadn’t noticed today, how long were you planning to hide it?”

“If I really didn’t want you to know, would I have said that?” Song Yi countered. “Think about it.”

“You could’ve just told me directly,” Ling Xi grumbled, slightly mollified.

“Should I tell you directly next time?”

“You think there’ll be a next time?” Ling Xi actually started wondering if Song Yi had other secret accounts.

“Ahem. I mean I won’t dare do it again.” Song Yi kissed Ling Xi.

The kiss was louder than her earlier whisper.

Blushing furiously, Ling Xi returned to her seat and threw her phone at Song Yi.

Glancing at the chat, she noticed it had gone completely silent during their private moment – despite the viewer count having multiplied nearly a hundredfold since the stream began.

“Why aren’t you guys talking?” Ling Xi remembered how chatty her fans usually were most of the time while she painted, they’d be chatting among themselves.

[Too scared to speak, afraid we won’t hear what you’re saying]

[Can’t you talk louder? Waaah, is there something a Captain like me isn’t allowed to hear?]

[I heard kissing sounds! I even screen-recorded it! Though I had my volume maxed out, and when Yue suddenly spoke, it scared me half to death]

[Honestly, she’s so adorable, the way her tone instantly shifts when talking to us. I can’t believe she was acting so coquettish just now!]

“Did you all hear that?” Ling Xi felt her carefully maintained image crumbling.

[Yes, yes!]

[Don’t worry, Yue-da, we’ve known how you two interact ever since your first “accidental broadcast.”]

Ling Xi nearly fainted. Her lifelong reputation!

Being called a weak top or a “kawaii 1” was one thing, she could accept that, at least she was still the “1.”

But her acting spoiled with Song Yi? That embarrassing moment, how could everyone have heard it?

Ling Xi paused her drawing, reflecting on her earlier conversation with Song Yi, hoping nothing too outrageous had slipped out.

“Come on, Yue-da can be quite domineering sometimes,” Song Yi chimed in, trying to defend her.

[The more you explain, the worse it gets.]

[Truly dominant people wouldn’t even bother arguing about this.]

[Got it, the domineering but soft alpha.]

“Jiejie!” Ling Xi snapped, then immediately covered her mouth.

“Ahem. I mean, stop talking nonsense. When have I ever been soft?”

Song Yi didn’t even need to look at the chat to know what they were saying.

With a hint of pity in her eyes, she glanced at Ling Xi and mouthed a word:

Now.

Ling Xi was furious but had no retort.

She’d have to grit her teeth and endure the title of “domineering soft top” for the rest of her streaming career.

Before she could even resume drawing, the chat suddenly flooded with a wave of hostile messages.

[Yue-da, how could you date someone?]

[Your partner sounds terrible, be careful or you’ll regret it.]

[Your fans supported you all this way, and this is how you repay us? Heartbreaking.]

Ling Xi hadn’t seen them yet, but Song Yi frowned.

Ling Xi wasn’t some internet celebrity with so-called “girlfriend fans.” Before this, their affectionate interactions had never provoked such reactions.

It reeked of paid trolls stirring trouble. But who would target Ling Xi?

The bizarre spam also alarmed genuine fans.

[What business is it of yours if she’s dating? I love hearing two sweet-voiced girls flirting. I’ll happily spend money on this CP. Who are you to object?]

[What kind of nonsense is this? Deliberate trolling? Yue-da isn’t a celebrity, and she’s never taken fan donations for promotions. At the end of the day, who she dates is none of our concern.]

Then, the account leading the charge tipped Ling Xi dozens of the most expensive gifts at once.

The celebratory notifications popping up on screen made Ling Xi pause to see what was happening.

“Did you enter the wrong stream? I didn’t build my following through fan donations, and I don’t market myself. My fans like me for my art. How is dating a betrayal to them?”

Her first sentence was still measured.

But as the account kept spamming the same copy-pasted lines, Ling Xi grew angrier, her tone sharpening.

“Or rather, how is it a betrayal to you? Are you even following me?”

And yet they tipped so much. Ling Xi felt a chill did the platform even allow refunds?

She looked at Song Yi, who also hadn’t expected things to escalate like this.

Song Yi had already connected a device, turning her phone into a workstation.

As if realizing something, she began tracing the IP.

“Hold on,” Song Yi mouthed to Ling Xi.

Ling Xi forced herself to stay calm, resisting the urge to lash out.

But when she turned back, she saw the same account now badmouthing Song Yi.

“You don’t even know her, how can you say she’s bad? Don’t you think I’d know whether she’s good or not? She drives me to and from work every day, thinks of me first for anything good, gives me gifts, watches dramas with me, even arranges her meals to wait for me. She loves me so much, she’s the best.”

[What if her kindness is just an act? She didn’t even tell you about tipping you]

“Could an act feel so genuine? Do you think I can’t tell real from fake? You’re going too far. Who are you? Trying to drive a wedge between us? I’m telling you, it’s impossible. We’re already married, how dare an outsider like you meddle!”

The other party was still typing frantically, as if the messages had been prepared in advance, just waiting to be sent.

Over a dozen different accounts were used, each with a different ID whenever Ling Xi checked. She couldn’t even report them properly.

Her fans were furious too, rallying to defend her.

Yet the person behind those accounts seemed to know Ling Xi  intimately, their words sending chills down her spine.

[Rich women are the best at deception]

[Think about how you two met, doesn’t it seem strange to you?]

[And what about your family? Why didn’t she tell you after finding out?]

“H-how do you know these things.?” Fear gripped her. The initial anger gave way to tears welling in her eyes.

[She’s a bad woman. I’m the one who truly cares about you. Don’t trust her, she wants to harm you, to exploit your pheromones and glands]

[She’s using you for an arranged marriage, deceiving her family]

[Once you’re no longer useful, she’ll dump you immediately. Everything she does for you has an ulterior motive]

“You can’t talk about her like that! I won’t allow you to.” Ling Xi gasped, fighting back tears when sudden warmth pressed against her back.

A kiss landed by her ear, and her tears finally fell.

“Don’t be angry. You’ll make yourself sick.” Song Yi patted Ling Xi’s head, gently kissing her cheeks to comfort her.

“Mmm…” Ling Xi sniffled, turning to cling to Song Yi.

“Why cry over this?” Song Yi smoothed Ling Xi’s tousled hair, stroking her back.

“Because she insulted you!” Ling Xi tightened her arms around Song Yi’s waist. “I’m so mad. How dare she say those things when she doesn’t even know you?”

Perhaps she does know you. Song Yi kept that thought to herself.

“Aren’t you angry?” Ling Xi’s voice still quivered.

“It’s not true.” Song Yi kissed the tip of her nose. “Her ranting just proves how happy we are. She’s so jealous she has to slander me.”

“That makes sense.” Gradually, Ling Xi calmed under Song Yi’s coaxing.

Once the troll stopped, the livestream chat returned to normal.

[OMG they’re so sweet! Moon, you’re usually so gentle, but you cried defending your wife!]

[She’s so in love! Doesn’t care if she’s insulted, but can’t tolerate wife being attacked instant berserk mode]

[Did anyone notice Moon’s tone changed? She was genuinely furious]

Netizens worked fast within minutes, clips of Ling Xi’s outburst and the heated chat war spread across platforms.

New viewers flooded the stream, pushing its popularity even higher than the accidental broadcast!

“Still want to continue drawing?” Song Yi observed that Ling Xi’s expression remained unruffled before settling her back into the seat.

Ling Xi nodded. “I won’t let some annoying person ruin my work.”

Returning to her own station, Song Yi relentlessly typed away, launching cyberattacks against the recently traced IP address.

The audience assumed the troll had been verbally chased off by Ling Xi.

Only Song Yi knew, how much damage could Ling Xi’s genteel rebukes, devoid of any profanity, really do?

It was her digital assault that had thrown the attacker into disarray.

If her suspicions were correct.

She’d already relayed the information to Yun Fengzhi’s team.

While she operated in the open, targeting the account’s location,

Yun Fengzhi’s squad could work covertly, following the digital trail to infiltrate their systems for potential intel.

After over an hour, the trail went cold.

Song Yi ceased her offensive with a sigh. As expected, it wasn’t that simple.

Whoever dared make public threats surely had substantial backing.

“Time for a break?” Song Yi patted Ling Xi’s head.

“Sure.” Ling Xi had already begun coloring.

Glancing at the artwork, Song Yi noticed the second figure in the duo portrait was unmistakably modeled after Ling Xi herself.

“My offer still stands,” Song Yi winked.

Ling Xi recalled Song Yi’s promise to use the drawing as her profile picture.

“Hmm? I don’t rely on this for income anyway. I stream for joy interacting with you all delights me, as does engaging with my jiejie. That’s enough. Forcing myself to chase trends would be exhausting.”

“Fried chicken? Or perhaps wontons and pan-fried dumplings?” Ling Xi hesitated while surveying the fridge’s contents.

“Whichever’s simpler. It’s just a midnight snack.”

“Prep time’s about the same for both.”

“Then fried chicken? How can I help?” Song Yi expedited the decision.

“Bread it for me? Or you could turn on the camera—not filming us, just the stove would work.” Ling Xi impulsively transformed their couple stream into a mukbang.

Song Yi obediently activated the camera, adjusting its angle toward the stovetop.

[Madame Moon, are you wife-whipped? You just said you’d never turn on the camera!]

[Honestly, just seeing Moon’s hands satisfies me. I’ve always wondered how beautiful the hands that create such art must be sobs]

“This method comes from my actual elder sister. I’ll explain it once, guaranteed delicious.” Ling Xi wanted to share Ling Yue’s fried chicken recipe.

“First brine it in saltwater.”

Song Yi stood behind her, attentively learning.

Occasionally relaying chat messages: “They’re complimenting your beautiful hands.”

“I think so too,” she added.

Ling Xi’s hands trembled momentarily at some unspoken thought.

[As we all know, lesbian hands are meant for.]

[These are 1 material, I concede you’re the dom bottom now]

Song Yi dramatically recited these comments verbatim.

Prompting a flood of “Aaaaaa the cringe!” and “I’m dying of secondhand embarrassment” in chat.

“Don’t mind them, you’re making me cringe too,” Ling Xi shook her head.

“Calling me a dom bottom?” She turned, flour-coated hands reaching to pinch Song Yi’s cheeks.

Song Yi endured the floury assault without complaint.

“What’s she doing? She’s mad, pinching my face now.”

Thereafter, Song Yi began answering chat questions directly while Ling Xi cooked.

When the chicken was done, Ling Xi took the camera to showcase the golden-brown results.

“What do food streamers usually say? ‘First bite for the fans’?” she quipped, leaning in closer.

“If any of you try my method, you’ll definitely be satisfied. Looking forward to seeing your results.” With that, Ling Xi turned off the camera.

The two sat at the dining table, ready to start their midnight snack, phones placed beside them as they secretly enjoyed watching their fans’ lamentations.

Unexpectedly, the barrage of comments suddenly filled with a stream of wild accusations.

[“You’ve never cooked for me, yet you like her so much?”]

[“How am I worse than her? She’s just a scheming, malicious woman with ulterior motives.”]

Ling Xi frowned at these inexplicable comments and handed the phone to Song Yi.

By the time Song Yi took it, the other party was already speaking with such fervor that they were nearly revealing Ling Xi’s personal information.

She sighed, then spoke up to stop them.

“Mu Xie, shut up.”