The Subtle Seduction of My Ex-Girlfriend’s Aunt - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: If You Want to Know the Answer, You Can Always…

Xia Xin’er couldn’t go in the water, and Miao Tiantian’s period had just ended, so the three of them went directly to the fifth floor. Lu Shuyang wanted to follow, but Xia Xin’er pushed her to go to the water park with the other friends.

In the process, she also managed to pull away Song Wuqi, who was talking to Tang Ran. Xia Xin’er was determined to play matchmaker for her sister and Tang Ran, but since Tang Ran and Song Wuqi were still technically dating, she had another plan for this trip: catching Song Wuqi red-handed.

She had already scouted out that Ye Xiaoyu was also at the resort. Ever since the bar fight, Xia Xin’er had a gut feeling that something was going on between Song Wuqi and her “assistant.” Once Tang Ran broke up with Song Wuqi, wouldn’t her sister finally have a chance?

Passing the elevator, Tang Ran glanced at the floor directory. Besides the buffet on the second floor, the third floor had a panoramic specialty restaurant and a bar. As the elevator rose, Tang Ran’s eyes inadvertently fell on a room on the third floor with blackout curtains drawn.

After playing in the game hall and getting a spa massage, night fell. The sun sank into the sea, and the ocean breeze carried away the day’s heat. Song Wuqi had arranged a BBQ party at the seaside restaurant for dinner.

Unsurprisingly, Tang Ran saw Ye Xiaoyu at the restaurant. As Song Wuqi’s assistant, she was the one who had organized the itinerary and gatherings. Except for Miao Tiantian and the few who knew the truth, no one thought twice about her presence.

Xia Xin’er’s eyes lit up. She was worried about finding the girl, but Ye Xiaoyu had delivered herself right to them.

Seeing Xia Xin’er staring at Ye Xiaoyu, Lu Shuyang took her hand. She knew Xin’er’s plan, but Song Wuqi was her friend after all. Her girlfriend wanted to sabotage her friend’s relationship so her own sister could move in. Lu Shuyang felt a bit guilty toward Song Wuqi for not stopping it.

Xia Xin’er huffed and glared at her. Lu Shuyang could sense something was off between Song Wuqi and Ye Xiaoyu too, but she didn’t feel right interfering in a friend’s private affairs. She had subtly warned Song Wuqi at the hospital not to cross the line, but clearly, Song Wuqi hadn’t listened.

Lu Shuyang glanced at Tang Ran. Tang Ran was laughing and chatting with Miao Tiantian, not sparing a single glance for Song Wuqi and Ye Xiaoyu who were talking nearby.

Song Wuqi was reviewing the party flow with Ye Xiaoyu. When a waiter passed by with a tray, Ye Xiaoyu naturally pulled Song Wuqi back. Her head almost rested on Song Wuqi’s shoulder, and Song Wuqi didn’t react at all, only moving slightly away after the waiter passed.

It was obvious they were so familiar with this level of physical intimacy that they didn’t even think to avoid it. Lu Shuyang sighed and made a “surrender” gesture to Xia Xin’er. Fine. She tried to stop both sides, but clearly, neither was stoppable. As for her junior, Ye Xiaoyu—she decided she wouldn’t associate with her anymore.

While Lu Shuyang was making this decision, Ye Xiaoyu peeked toward the dining table. She wasn’t looking at Lu Shuyang, but at Tang Ran. That little pull on Song Wuqi had been deliberate; she wanted Tang Ran to see their intimacy.

To her frustration, Tang Ran didn’t even look. Seeing Tang Ran’s calm demeanor, Ye Xiaoyu gripped her pen tightly.

Suddenly, Tang Ran looked up and toward them. Ye Xiaoyu’s back tensed, and she instinctively wanted to step back.

“Wuqi.” Tang Ran didn’t look at Ye Xiaoyu at all, simply waving Song Wuqi over.

“Coming!” Song Wuqi immediately smiled and stopped talking to Ye Xiaoyu, walking straight to Tang Ran.

Ye Xiaoyu’s expression froze. With just one call, Song Wuqi had left without even a glance back to finish their conversation. The pen in Ye Xiaoyu’s hand pressed harder, leaving a heavy mark on the itinerary. Xia Xin’er saw the whole thing and was overjoyed. Definitely something going on, she thought.

Halfway through the party, after watching like a hawk all night, Xia Xin’er saw Ye Xiaoyu sneakily lead Song Wuqi out of the restaurant.

“Sister Ran,” Xia Xin’er quickly sat beside Tang Ran on the sofa and hooked her arm. “I heard you can see ‘Blue Tears’ on the beach tonight. Let’s go check it out!” She pulled Tang Ran up before she could refuse.

Xia Xin’er led her toward where Song Wuqi and the other had disappeared. Zhang Bai followed dutifully at a distance. But after walking for a long time, they saw no one.

Xia Xin’er looked around and slumped her shoulders. “Why isn’t it here?”

Tang Ran, thinking she was disappointed about the bioluminescence, comforted her: “Maybe it’s not time yet.” The “Blue Tears” on Turtle Island were a natural phenomenon that usually appeared during high tide between June and September.

“Forget it, let’s head back.” The beach was too large; Xia Xin’er didn’t know where to look. Besides, the wind was getting cold, and Lu Shuyang would nag her if she found out she’d run off.

As they walked back, Tang Wanru called Tang Ran on a video call. Tang Ran told Xia Xin’er to go back first while she found a bench to take the call.

“Mommy.”

“Baby, have you eaten? Is Turtle Island fun?” Tang Wanru was a bit worried since Song Wuqi was the one who invited her daughter. “Yeah, it’s great. I’ll bring you and Mom here for a few days soon. Is Mom back yet?”

“She finished her work. Her flight is tomorrow morning. She’s a grown woman, you don’t need to worry about her getting lost.” Tang Wanru teased, then noticed Tang Ran’s flushed face. “Have you been drinking?”

“Just one small cocktail.”

“Don’t drink any more then. Are you staying with Tiantian tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t stay up too late.”

After hanging up, Tang Ran prepared to head back. As she stood, she saw a woman walk out of the restaurant.

She had short, professional hair and cold, refined features. Wearing a white knit POLO shirt and beige wide-leg pants, her simple attire exuded an air of noble elegance.

A thought popped into Tang Ran’s head. A second later, someone else walked out behind her—someone Tang Ran knew.

The short-haired woman turned to look at the person following her. Her cold eyes softened instantly into a gentle smile. She paused to wait for the other person to catch up. The two of them walked down the stairs together, chatting as they headed toward the main path.

Tang Ran’s body turned instinctively to follow them with her eyes. The evening breeze was cool, and the waves lapped gently against the sand. The yellow streetlights outlined their silhouettes, casting long, intertwined shadows over their footprints in the sand. It was a beautiful, harmonious picture.

Tang Ran gave a soft burp, a bitter taste rising in her throat. Next time, I won’t get the lime-flavored cocktail. It’s a bit too sour.

A shuttle bus slowed to a stop nearby.

“Zhixu.” The short-haired woman stopped and looked at the person across from her. “Grandfather wants me to move—either to Jiangcheng or Pengcheng.” Her soft, magnetic voice paused as she looked into Song Zhixu’s eyes. “I want to come to Jiangcheng.”

Song Zhixu met her gaze calmly. “Chen Yun, my answer hasn’t changed.”

“I see.” It was the answer Chen Yun expected. She forced a light tone. “Your eyes are too misleading. They always make me think I still have hope.” Chen Yun didn’t go online much, but she had seen a post once about an actress whose eyes were so gentle people said she looked at a potato with deep affection. Song Zhixu’s eyes were like that; when she looked at someone, it gave the illusion of being looked at with tender love.

“I’m sorry.” Song Zhixu lowered her eyes, adding a layer of deliberate distance.

Chen Yun suppressed the bitterness. “No need to see me off. I’ll see you next month at the Beijing Digital Economy Forum.”

“Chen Yun,” Song Zhixu called out.

Chen Yun turned back, her voice persistent. “I said I won’t give up. Unless you find someone you like, I won’t give up hope. That’s the first life lesson my grandfather taught me.”

“I’ve already found someone.” Song Zhixu’s gaze was like water, filled with a natural and deep affection. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for her.

Chen Yun froze, the bitterness nearly overwhelming. She took a breath and regained her composure. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m leaving.” She turned and walked away, her elegant back hiding a hint of loneliness.

From her distance, Tang Ran couldn’t hear what they said, but she could guess from their movements. She remembered what Miao Tiantian said: So many people want Song Zhixu, but none have succeeded. Watching the shuttle bus’s taillights disappear, Tang Ran shook her head with a rare bit of pity.

The next second, Song Zhixu turned around and looked directly at her.

Tang Ran froze. How did Song Zhixu find her? She didn’t remember Song Zhixu looking her way when she walked past. The bench wasn’t far from the road, but it was partially hidden by a coconut tree. Unless you were looking for her, you wouldn’t notice her. Did Song Zhixu know she was there the whole time?

Before Tang Ran could hide her surprise, Song Zhixu was standing in front of her.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose! I was sitting here first, and I didn’t hear anything!” Tang Ran blurted out.

A flash of surprise crossed Song Zhixu’s eyes, followed by a hint of searching. Tang Ran realized she had basically confessed to watching. Maybe Song Zhixu hadn’t even come over to ask about that. Tang Ran wanted to bury her head in the sand.

“You…” Tang Ran wanted to say something to break the awkwardness, but she was at a loss. She lowered her head and started digging at the sand with her foot. If I’m not embarrassed, she’s the one who’s embarrassed.

The waves glowed blue as they hit the shore. A faint scent of white tea drifted over on the breeze. The light shifted as Song Zhixu sat down on the bench beside her.

Tang Ran couldn’t pretend anymore. She was a bit annoyed. She was already being an ostrich—shouldn’t an intelligent person like Song Zhixu take the hint and leave her alone?

Tang Ran frowned and looked up, meeting Song Zhixu’s gaze.

Song Zhixu looked into her eyes and spoke softly: “The question you asked me last time… I’ve thought about it seriously.”

What? Tang Ran’s grumpy face went blank. Then she realized what question Song Zhixu meant. Her heart skipped a beat.

‘Does Little Auntie want to replace the person I’m marrying with yourself?’

The scene by the pond flashed through her mind. No. That had been a mindless, impulsive question. She hadn’t actually expected an answer. And what did she mean, “thought about it seriously”? What was the conclusion?

Thud!

To the west of the restaurant was a tall tree with a thatched-roof bar built into the branches. The lights were off since the bartender was at the party. It was very dark, and Tang Ran wouldn’t have noticed anyone if not for the sound.

Someone had kicked over a barstool. Beside the fallen stool, two figures were tangled together.

Tang Ran knew one of them too well; even in the dark, she could tell it was Song Wuqi. The other person wasn’t hard to guess. They seemed to be arguing; Song Wuqi was holding Ye Xiaoyu’s hand, explaining something, but Ye Xiaoyu shoved her away, wiped her tears, and turned to leave.

Song Wuqi stood stunned for a moment before chasing her. Ye Xiaoyu was crying and refusing to look back. Song Wuqi stepped forward and hugged her, whispering something. Ye Xiaoyu looked up, Song Wuqi nodded, wiped the tears from her face, and leaned in for a kiss.

What a pair of… No. Shameless scumbags!

Between her two lives, Tang Ran had seen their illegitimate daughter and photos of their intimacy, but this was the first time she had witnessed the affair with her own eyes. Her heart remained unmoved. She hated Song Wuqi, but she was numb to the cheating. Whether it was Ye Xiaoyu or Sun Jiaojiao later on, it didn’t affect her anymore.

A cheer from the restaurant interrupted the kiss. The two whispered for a bit longer before heading back separately. As Song Wuqi walked up the steps, the light hit her face clearly.

Song Zhixu retracted her gaze and looked at Tang Ran. Tang Ran’s expression was indifferent, as if she were watching two strangers.

“Tang Ran,” Song Zhixu called softly.

Tang Ran snapped out of it. She had actually stopped looking at them a while ago. She was just wondering: in her last life, Song Wuqi’s career had been smooth, and she had moved to the headquarters. She shouldn’t have needed to please Old Master Song with an engagement like she did now. If she was already with Ye Xiaoyu then, why didn’t she just break up with Tang Ran?

Hearing her name, Tang Ran looked at Song Zhixu. She suddenly remembered she was with her. They had just witnessed the affair together.

A bad feeling rose in her chest. Sure enough, Song Zhixu spoke: “I will talk to my father about the wedding date. You don’t need to worry about the engagement anymore.”

Tang Ran was about to speak when Song Zhixu’s phone rang. She listened for a moment and replied, “I’m coming now.”

“I have something to do. I have to go.” Song Zhixu stood up to say goodbye.

“Wait, no!” Tang Ran called out.

Song Zhixu stopped and looked down at her. Tang Ran stood up, hesitated, bit her lip, and whispered: “Can you… can you not tell Uncle Song about Song Wuqi’s affair yet?”

If she let Song Zhixu tell the Old Master now, all her endurance would be for nothing.

“Why?” Song Zhixu asked calmly.

Why? Because I’m planning something big. But she couldn’t say that. Tang Ran’s mind raced for a reason, but she came up empty. In desperation, she grabbed Song Zhixu’s wrist.

“Sister…” Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes sparkling like the stars. “I’ll let Uncle Song know myself. Can you help me hide it for just a little while?” She gestured a small amount with her fingers.

Song Zhixu stared at her. “Sister~” Tang Ran shook her arm, her voice turning into a pleading whine. “I can handle this myself…”

Before she could finish, Song Zhixu gave a very soft, “Okay.”

“Really?” Tang Ran asked, unsure.

The corners of Song Zhixu’s eyes softened. She looked down at Tang Ran’s hand and said playfully, “If I don’t agree, someone isn’t going to let me leave.”

Tang Ran’s face heated up at the tease, and she quickly let go.

The breeze was cool, but it took a while for the heat on Tang Ran’s face to fade. She stood up and accidentally stepped into the hole she had been digging with her foot, stumbling. She glared at the direction Song Zhixu had gone.

She took a couple of steps toward the restaurant and stopped. She turned her head instinctively. Neighbors are so annoying. She didn’t even finish her sentence before she left.

She had “thought about it seriously.” And? What was the result? She hadn’t told her yet!

Tang Ran reached for her phone. When she swiped the screen, two new message notifications popped up.

Next Door Neighbor: The question you asked me last time… I’ve thought about it seriously.

Next Door Neighbor: If you want to know the answer, you can always come to me.

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