Seduced Me into a Deep Fall - Chapter32.2

With Ling Xi, Song Yi had no pride, no arrogance only caution and boundless love.

She leaned in closer. “Ling Xi, what’s really bothering you? If I upset you, at least tell me why?”

Ling Xi turned back, her nose red, eyes glistening, then blinked, and a tear rolled down.

“You promised you wouldn’t lie to me. But that the ring, the wedding dress. Why didn’t you tell me anything?”

Ling Xi met Song Yi’s slightly stunned expression and shook her head. “What am I saying.I shouldn’t be upset.”

What close relationship did she even have with Song Yi anyway?

Withholding information wasn’t technically lying. After all, she’d never actually asked Song Yi about it.

Song Yi breathed a quiet sigh of relief. If it was just about the engagement ring and wedding dress, Shi Xinyu must have let it slip.

“Xi Xi, that was meant to be a surprise.” Song Yi reached out toward Ling Xi.

“Don’t be upset. We’ll have our wedding eventually, of course you’d get these things. How could that count as hiding things?” She pulled Ling Xi into an embrace, gently wiping away her tears.

That Ling Xi could get this upset over something like this.

Rather than feeling distressed, Song Yi felt an unexpected warmth.

Only toward someone you truly care about would you be this sensitive and cautious.

Ling Xi undoubtedly cared about her.

“Was it really just a surprise?” Ling Xi’s eyes were red-rimmed and swimming with tears.

“Of course it was. These were always meant for you keeping them secret is what makes it a surprise, isn’t it?”

Ling Xi searched Song Yi’s utterly sincere gaze.

The question “Did you put your heart into it?” stuck in her throat, leaving her unsettled.

Closing her eyes to squeeze out the remaining tears, Ling Xi ultimately couldn’t bring herself to ask.

She simply hugged Song Yi tighter, burying her face against her shoulder.

Who knew love could feel this exhausting?

Ling Xi had never felt so emotionally fragile before.

Song Yi hadn’t done anything seriously wrong. She just wanted to surprise her. Why was she making such a fuss?

“Will you stay with me tonight?” After getting out of the car, Ling Xi followed closely beside Song Yi.

Song Yi linked their arms. “Of course. I’ve mostly wrapped up my work. I’ll definitely make time for you.”

“The land deal?”

“Yes. Thanks to your support, I’ve gathered enough evidence to remove Fu Youyou’s people.”

“Fu Youyou? Not a Song?” Ling Xi clearly hadn’t heard this name before.

She’d assumed Yihe Group was a family business anyone who could trouble Song Yi should be a Song family member, right?

Song Yi shrugged. “Him? well, he’s technically my father.”

Ling Xi’s eyes widened.

“Not a good man. So I don’t acknowledge him.” Song Yi offered no further explanation.

Ling Xi quietly followed her into the house.

“Song-jie. If you don’t mind, maybe I could make dinner tonight?” Still embarrassed about her earlier tantrum, Ling Xi wanted to make it up somehow.

“You’re a bit late, the cook already prepared our meal.” Song Yi patted Ling Xi’s head.

She probably realized Ling Xi was feeling awkward about what happened earlier.

Maybe it was Song Yi’s love-struck perspective.

How could someone throwing a tantrum still be this adorable?

After dinner, Ling Xi sat beside Song Yi with her phone.

Song Yi happened to be on her phone too.

She had Ling Xi’s livestream open, waiting.

But judging by Ling Xi’s current state, she might not go live tonight.

“You promised to stay with me.” Ling Xi opened her livestream.

“Mhm, I did. What do you need me to do?” Song Yi glanced over, not yet realizing this was the stream she’d been waiting for.

“Clarification.” Ling Xi adjusted her mic, turning off unnecessary functions.

She waited two minutes as her stream flooded with curious fans.

Not seeing the name she was looking for, and noticing Song Yi wasn’t on her phone either, Ling Xi grew more certain of her suspicions.

“Clarify what?” Song Yi asked knowingly.

She watched Ling Xi’s livestream interface with great interest, noticing how the moment she spoke, the chat exploded with shippers’ comments.

At the same time, the viewer count kept rising.

“We’re not dating,” Ling Xi said, holding the microphone toward Song Yi.

“You forgot to turn off the mic earlier when I came in. They all think we’re a couple.”

Ling Xi even poked Song Yi’s waist. “Don’t you think you should clarify?”

Song Yi suppressed a laugh.

The more Ling Xi tried to explain, the worse it would get.

She could already see the chat guessing they were living together.

“I should clarify,” Song Yi agreed.

Ling Xi sighed in relief.

She had thought Song Yi wouldn’t cooperate.

At the same time, she felt a pang of disappointment.

Song Yi also thought they weren’t dating. That was the truth.

So today, she shouldn’t have been upset with Song Yi over nothing.

She had just taken advantage of Song Yi’s kindness, expecting her to share everything.

Where did this possessiveness even come from?

“We’re indeed not dating.”

Song Yi deliberately paused to observe the chat’s reaction.

[Heartbroken,  I shouldn’t have believed in their chemistry based on one interaction.]

[Confused bystander here, why were you shipping them just because she called her “sister” and “sweetie”?]

[I don’t care! My newly discovered ship can’t sink!]

[I don’t care either! She clarified for her that’s love!]

[Did anyone see Yue’s sugar mommy enter the stream? Her absence means she’s alone, right?]

[Such a soothing voice. I envy Yue for hearing it daily, and I envy this girl for getting Yue to draw for her.]

Song Yi hid a smile, her tone shifting. “We’re wives.”

The chat fell silent for a moment.

Ling Xi froze, completely unprepared for Song Yi’s words.

“Your Yue and I are getting married next month.”

“W-wait, why would you say that?” Ling Xi scrambled to grab the mic from Song Yi.

“Am I wrong? You promised me. Or do you want to back out, sweetie?” Song Yi smirked.

Not only was Ling Xi’s reaction amusing, but the audience’s was too.

Some cheered wildly, fully invested in their ship.

Others demanded they turn on their cameras.

A few even said they’d rather watch them chat than see Ling Xi draw.

“I didn’t…” Ling Xi deflated instantly.

[Why does she sound so aggrieved?]

[Got it! Yue is whipped.]

Ling Xi pouted at Song Yi, clearly displeased.

She leaned in to whisper, “Song-jie,  why did you tell them that?”

Song Yi cleared her throat, reminding her the mic was still on.

“I was just telling the truth. Wife, are you rejecting me?”

“I’m not!” Ling Xi shouted before realizing she’d fallen into Song Yi’s trap. Covering her mouth, she glared.

“Then behave and call me ‘wife.'” Song Yi pulled Ling Xi into her arms, but Ling Xi turned away, refusing to engage.

Song Yi glanced down at Ling Xi’s ear and kissed it.

The sound was soft, but the mic picked it up perfectly.

Ling Xi’s ears burned red where Song Yi’s lips had touched.

She snatched the mic and ended the stream abruptly again.

Leaving behind ecstatic fans screaming over their ship.

“I’m not playing with you anymore!” Ling Xi grabbed her phone and stormed upstairs.

“No. I promised to stay with you, and I can’t go back on my word.” Song Yi hooked her arm through Ling Xi’s.

Her eyes carried a hint of alluring charm.

This only made Ling Xi even more flustered.

“I need to go work on my sketches.”

“Can’t I keep you company? I can go back to the room with you.” Song Yi stood up as well, grabbing Ling Xi’s hand.

Ling Xi couldn’t refuse her anymore. Pouting, she led Song Yi upstairs.

“Song-jie,” Ling Xi turned to look at her before entering the room.

“Did you already know about my livestream account?”

Song Yi raised an eyebrow. “Not that long ago, really.”

She stepped inside and pulled Ling Xi into her arms. “Little sweetheart. Weren’t you drawing me every day before? It’s only natural I’d find your livestream account.”

Ling Xi’s entire ear turned red. So Song Yi really did know everything!

“It’s just because you’re too good-looking.”

Ling Xi swallowed hard, tightening her arms around Song Yi in an attempt to steady herself as she defended her actions.

“Everyone appreciates beauty. It’s only natural I’d want to draw you.”

Song Yi nodded. “I’m not blaming you. It’s just,  why haven’t you been drawing me lately?”

Ling Xi tilted her head.

She had thought Song Yi was just the generous viewer who tipped her during streams.

But now, it seemed Song Yi didn’t even know what she was drawing?

“It’s because people started teasing me about it.” Ling Xi didn’t consider the possibility that Song Yi was deceiving her again. She just assumed she had guessed wrong.

“You stopped just because of teasing? That makes me sad.” Song Yi rested her head on Ling Xi’s shoulder, her voice low and slightly hoarse, unbearably alluring.

“But I can’t blame you. It just means I’m not pretty enough to leave a lasting impression, to make you unconsciously draw me.”

“Song Yi, don’t sell yourself short.” Ling Xi pushed her head away.

“I just didn’t want to be teased anymore, so I held back. If you like it, I’ll draw you again when I have time in a couple of days.”

She had only taken on a few commissions this month. With no urgent need for medical or living expenses, Ling Xi had extended her deadlines, feeling much more relaxed.

She should have time to draw Song Yi.

“We have a deal then. If you draw for me, I’ll use it as my profile picture.”

“Then I’ll make sure it’s good. For WeChat?” The moment she thought about drawing Song Yi, countless compositions flooded Ling Xi’s mind. She could draw a new one every day for a month without repeating.

“I’ll change all of them.” Song Yi let go. “Go do your work. I’ll grab a snack and catch up on some shows.”

“There’s fruit in the fridge and snacks from Butler Zhao on the coffee table.” Ling Xi returned to her desk, reminding her.

“Little sweetheart, you barely touched these snacks. Don’t you like them?” Song Yi carried an armful of snacks into the study.

“They’re a bit too sweet. I don’t eat them often.” The moment Ling Xi turned her head, Song Yi popped a grape into her mouth.

Ling Xi froze for a second before quickly turning back.

She thought about what the chat had said.

Perhaps she had realized her own feelings.

Now, even Ling Xi herself felt that the way she and Song Yi interacted was becoming more and more like a couple.

Did Song Yi actually like her?

Ling Xi’s conflicted gaze darted around.

While she was lost in her own worries, Song Yi, who seemed to be leisurely watching dramas behind her, was also pondering the same question.

If Ling Xi liked her.

Would she still be so bothered by the teasing?

Besides, it wasn’t even a rumor. They were going to get married, what was wrong with calling them a couple?

Why was she so desperate to deny it, even dragging Song Yi into it?

Unable to control her emotions, Song Yi had impulsively revealed their impending marriage earlier.

Yet even the sweetest candy tasted bitter in the mouth of someone harboring unrequited feelings.

It was hard to swallow.

Song Yi pressed pause and let out a sigh.

She opened the chat window with Butler Zhao.

[The snacks at home are terrible. Tastes awful.]

Butler Zhao first replied with a question mark. [I thought the young miss wouldn’t eat such things.]

[Ling Xi said they’re too sweet.] Though Song Yi couldn’t taste any difference herself.

[Understood. We’ll change to another brand in a couple days.]

Reading the messages, Song Yi chuckled quietly to herself.

Even her butler had been won over by Ling Xi to the point where he’d immediately promise to buy replacements upon hearing Ling Xi didn’t like them.

Between her and Ling Xi, was there any path left besides turning this contractual marriage into a real one?

No.

She needed to try even harder.

With some free time finally available, Song Yi opened the case files Yun Fengzhi had previously sent her, carefully reviewing them again.

They contained details about Qi Zhen’s case.

Song Yi first examined Qi Zhen’s personal information.

Qi Zhen, female alpha, Grade A, 53 years old.

While serving as deputy administrative director at Yanjing Tianluo Pharmaceuticals, she repeatedly leaked corporate secrets to multiple competitor companies, constituting the crime of trade secret disclosure.

As Song Yi browsed through the interrogation records, her gaze lingered on the witness section.

Ling Xi’s mother had been sentenced to seven years. Judging by the evidence, the circumstances were indeed severe.

Selling secrets to one company would’ve been bad enough, but she’d supplied multiple competitors.

There’d even been bidding wars between them, which eventually led to someone reporting her out of resentment.

Yet the trail of the illicit money was suspiciously vague.

Facing the imminent collapse of her studio, she’d already abandoned it.

Yet someone was still relentlessly pursuing her, as if she were some monstrous threat that needed to be eliminated.

She couldn’t possibly have left any clues behind.

Even during her time with Ling Xi in their previous life, Ling Xi couldn’t have known about her activities.

As for those who knew years ago, those who should die were already dead.

Those kept alive had been silenced through various means, sent away when necessary.

Who could possibly hate her this much?

Unless, someone had discovered her connection with that person?

Mu Xie had planned to lay low under an assumed identity for a while, but just then, her subordinate reported finding traces of Ling Xi online.

“You found her activity online? Show me.” Sitting in the car, Mu Xie snatched the tablet from her subordinate’s hands.

She scrolled through the entries, nearly smashing the tablet against her subordinate’s head when she saw a forum user named “Last Night’s Wind and Rain” posting the line “Hearts linked by one thread of understanding.”

“Did you even look at what you filtered out? You dare bring me ancient poetry? Do you think I don’t know her name comes from that poem?”

The subordinate didn’t dare utter a word under her scolding.

Fuming, Mu Xie continued scrolling through the tablet.

It had already exceeded the longest duration Ling Xi had ever escaped in their previous life.

What kind of outside help had Ling Xi found this time?

Initially, Mu Xie had been confident about retrieving Ling Xi.

But as days passed, Mu Xie grew increasingly fearful and impatient.

She feared Ling Xi might truly leave her for good.

Forget her, and take up with some other omega.

Perhaps even some exceptional omega with high-grade pheromones, fall in love, do those things, mark each other.

She and Ling Xi had never even marked each other.

Why should those who are guilty be allowed to?

And it’s precisely regarding marking that Mu Xie couldn’t. She was incapable.

If she tried, Ling Xi would inevitably notice her abnormality and might even grow to despise her.

Mu Xie would rather live in delusions than learn that Ling Xi was that kind of person too.

But Mu Xie was too busy, stretched too thin, and truly hadn’t managed to catch even a single strand of Ling Xi’s hair since then.

Now, with nothing else to occupy her, she naturally shifted her focus back to finding Ling Xi.

Mu Xie watched the last recorded clip.

“Boss, this is a livestream recording of a painting streamer. I think her voice is about sixty percent similar to Miss Ling Xi’s. Please give it a listen,” a subordinate said, trembling with fear.

Mu Xie shot her a glare. “I had no idea. Since when could she paint?”

“Just listen, please. This is genuinely the closest lead we’ve found recently.”

Mu Xie still pressed play.

When she heard that voice,”Good evening, patron sister” the corner of the tablet in her hand shattered under her grip.

The subordinate shivered in terror.

Ignoring the shards digging into her palm, Mu Xie slowly raised her head, her eyes a terrifying shade of red.

Found.

The next morning, Ling Xi received a call from Tan Nijun.

“What’s up, Tan-jie?”

“Free tonight? I checked my schedule. I’ll be on a mission from the 3rd to the 8th, so I wanted to celebrate your birthday early.”

“Sure, if I don’t have overtime. Let me ask my boss when I get to work.” Ling Xi checked the time, it was already November.

“No worries, even if you do. Yu Yang, Qing Mo, and I already agreed this year, we’re throwing an overnight party. So? You in?”

At the mention of an overnight stay, Ling Xi hesitated.

Her gaze drifted toward Song Yi, who was washing up nearby.