Fatal Desire

Chapter 2: All the faded traces awaken

Under the eaves, the man wore an expensive smoky gray shirt, with black armbands obediently binding his strong arms, revealing his taut muscles, and rare gemstone cufflinks that gleamed with an expensive luster.

He was tall and imposing, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure even without raising his eyes.

Zhao Yansen, the eldest son of the Zhao family, one of the most prestigious families in Beijing.

He was also the man who raised her.

Just when Song Xi thought he wouldn't look over while on the phone, the other person slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze seemingly sweeping lightly in her direction.

Song Xi's heart was like a lake where a sharp pebble had been thrown in, making a loud "ding" sound.

The all-too-familiar face was deeply etched into her pupils.

All the traces of age have been awakened.

Song Xi's heart clenched, as if she had been drenched in a summer downpour.

Butler Qin assumed they didn't recognize each other and whispered a reminder, "Miss just returned to the country today."

Song Xi suddenly woke up as if from a dream, her hair brushing against her cheeks, and her bright eyes raised a sweet smile just like before.

"Brother, it's been a long time."

The girl's lips parted, uttering the term of address that was once the most intimate, but is now the most unfamiliar and distant.

Zhao Yansen tilted his head slightly, his jawline straight and sharp, his gaze falling on her fair face, calm and undisturbed.

"Ah."

His voice was languid and indifferent, sounding casual and aloof, yet it inexplicably revealed a hint of hoarseness.

It's like something's hidden.

Under the eaves, snowflakes fluttered down, shining like tiny, sparkling stars in the lamplight.

Song Xi looked up, without hiding her face, her gaze meeting his in the air.

Zhao Yansen's eyes were dark and dashing. His shirt collar was slightly open, revealing his collarbone beneath his full Adam's apple, exuding the sexual tension of a mature man.

Song Xi's fingertips, which were hanging at her sides, twitched involuntarily.

She's still so good-looking it's insane.

In an instant, Zhao Yansen calmly looked away.

She was like a transparent person, unworthy of his attention.

Butler Qin bowed slightly and inquired, "Are you staying for dinner tonight?"

The question was directed at Zhao Yansen.

The man raised his slender, bony fingers and slowly adjusted his cufflinks, seemingly listless, his tone indifferent.

"Do not stay."

After saying this, he glanced at the docile Song Xi, strode away with long strides.

As Zhao Yansen brushed past her, his tall, elegant figure cast a deep shadow over her.

Song Xi's gaze unconsciously followed the man's back until he disappeared from her sight like a fleeting, chilling breeze.

The biting wind outside the window accentuated the unique appearance of the large courtyard house.

Noble, solemn, and unapproachable.

Song Xi went upstairs to her room.

She moved into the Zhao family home with her aunt when she was eight years old and lived there for many years. Even after leaving for four years, she still remembered every detail of the place clearly.

For over a decade, Song Xi has held the Zhao family's powerful patriarch in the deepest fear and respect.

I still remember that day.

A man who only appeared in the news suddenly appeared before her eyes one day, marrying her aunt and becoming her uncle.

Song Xi found it utterly unbelievable no matter how she thought about it.

Of course, the most incredible one is Zhao Yansen.

Their reunion was remarkably peaceful, so peaceful that the memories of their passionate kisses and tumultuous embrace seemed to have vanished. They tidied the bedroom briefly.

Song Xi stood by the window, pushed open the rosewood door and window, and saw a dark black sedan driving out of the garage on the southeast side.

The four unique 7京A license plates symbolize power and wealth.

Why 7?
The car drove away.

Song Xi closed the window, sat in front of the dressing table with her phone in hand, looked at the messages for a while, and was just about to reply when the phone rang from the other end.

Qin Fanghao spoke very quickly; even across the internet, his voice sounded like dancing musical notes.

"President Xi, now that you've returned from a capitalist country where people don't recognize their own family, you should adapt to local customs and reconnect with your relatives and friends."

“Indeed.” Song Xi rested her chin on her hand and joked, “I recognized about a hundred relatives as soon as I got off the plane.”

"Who would dare to claim kinship with royalty or nobility?"

Qin Fanghao's tone was exaggerated, but it wasn't entirely unfounded.

Given the sensitive nature of the Zhao family's identity, Song Xi smiled but remained silent, avoiding any discussion.

Qin Fanghao continued, "Are you free tomorrow? I'll treat you to a welcome dinner, just the two of us and Shang Shixu."

“Okay,” Song Xi said. “Send me the location. I haven’t been back for so long, I only recognize the way home.”

After hanging up the phone, Qin Fanghao sent the location of a bar.

Nightscape Club

I stayed in the room for a while.

When Song Xi came downstairs, her aunt Song Yunyu and young master Zhao Chengyou had finished their traditional Chinese painting class and were in the living room preparing for dinner.

Upon seeing her, Song Yunyu was overjoyed and grabbed her arm, turning her around twice to check her condition repeatedly.

"You've grown taller and thinner. You probably can't get used to the food abroad, right? Why did you leave Beijing and insist on studying in America all by yourself?"

As Song Yunyu spoke, her eyes involuntarily revealed her heartache and pity.

After her parents died in a car accident when she was six years old, Song Xi lived with her aunt.

Later, her aunt married into a wealthy family, and she also achieved the ultimate leap in social class, stepping from a little-known small county town into the circle of power and wealth in Beijing.

“I video call you every month.” Song Xi smiled sweetly. “You look ten pounds heavier on camera. You’re used to how I look on screen, so you’ll definitely think I’ve lost weight in person.”

"And you still say that? You call me every month, but you never tell me you're coming back beforehand." Song Yunyu feigned anger, her tone chilling. "Do you still consider me your aunt? The child is all grown up, and I can't control him anymore."

Zhao Chengyou was dressed in an exquisite little suit, with short, slightly wavy, chestnut-colored hair that looked like that of a young nobleman at first glance.

"Mom, don't make veiled accusations." The young master frowned and spoke in a serious manner.

Then, he politely greeted Song Xi, saying, "Sister Xi."

Song Xi returned the greeting with gentle grace: "Brother Chengyou."

Seeing how well the clever girl Song Xi imitated her, Song Yunyu couldn't help but smile gently.

"You must be hungry after such a long flight. Sister Fei made your favorite dishes. Let's eat."

The two powerful and influential men in the Zhao family were busy with official duties and not at home, while the other members of the clan were scattered in various places. Therefore, the large courtyard house now only had Song Yunyu and her son Zhao Chengyou.

Song Xi's return was an unexpected surprise, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Zhao family has always been low-key, so dinner was not extravagant and was eaten quietly. Even the young master Zhao Chengyou behaved slowly and deliberately, leaving no room for criticism regarding his manners.

After the meal, Song Yunyu asked Song Xi, "Are you going back?"

"No return."

Knowing her aunt's concerns, Song Xi swallowed her dessert and said, "I've already received my graduation certificate and I plan to develop my career in China."

Song Yunyu's joy was palpable: "That's good, otherwise I'd always worry about you being alone abroad with no one to take care of you."

Finally, he asked, "Did you see your brother when you got back?"

(End of this chapter)