Fatal Desire

Chapter 22 Brotherly Love and Sisterly Respect
Song Xi looked up at the sofa in front of her, only to be suddenly met by a pair of dark eyes.

Her heart pounded, and she blinked rapidly.

"Did it wake you up?"

The crystal chandeliers shone brightly, their shimmering lights dancing in the living room, casting a soft, pale golden glow on people.

Zhao Yansen leaned back leisurely on the sofa, his dark gray shirt collar slightly open. He tilted his head and squinted at her in the dazzling light.

Their eyes met, and Song Xi added slowly, "I didn't mean to."

Zhao Yansen lazily raised his eyes: "You've already come in, and you still say it wasn't intentional."

“People make noise when they walk, they’re not floating ghosts.” Song Xi’s gaze slid from his high eyebrows to his sharp Adam’s apple as he retorted softly.

Zhao Yansen raised an eyebrow: "You think you're right for waking me up?"

"No, not at all." Song Xi looked at his handsome face with its exquisite features and sincerely apologized, "Brother, I'm sorry."

The corners of Zhao Yansen's lips curled up in a slightly amused smile: "What are you apologizing for? Explain it clearly."

I shouldn't have woken you up.

After Song Xi finished speaking, she looked up in confusion, "Why don't you go back to your room? Why are you resting here?"

"You've got quite a reach." Zhao Yansen's gaze never left the sofa, his long, slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, exuding a lazy air. "Should I ask you in advance where I'm sleeping tomorrow night?"

Song Xi readily agreed, "If it's too much trouble for you, brother, then sure."

Her eyelashes were long and curled, her nose was small and delicate, and her facial features were smooth and refined. Her peach blossom eyes were clean and bright, and when she smiled, they revealed a touch of youthful innocence, sweetness, and gentle light, giving her a sense of girlish clarity.

Zhao Yansen's gaze flickered, his expression indifferent, but his throat felt a little itchy. He reached out and grabbed a cigarette case from the coffee table, knocked one off, and bit it between his thin, sharp lips.

He tilted his head, lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke that swirled and spread, and said in a low, slightly husky voice with a hint of disdain, "Troublesome."

The man's smoking posture was natural and casual, with his arm casually resting on the sofa armrest. His muscles were smooth, firm, and toned, like a masterpiece of art.

Song Xi glanced at him discreetly, then heard him casually ask, "Have you finished all your school credits?"

"Yes." Song Xi nodded obediently, thought for a moment, and then said, "I've completed both my undergraduate and graduate courses and received my diploma."

Zhao Yansen's expression remained unchanged. He looked at her for a moment, then spoke again, his voice cold: "Where did you go last night?"

"Having dinner with friends at a restaurant."

Zhao Yansen's thin lips curled slightly: "What country's state banquet did you eat that lasted until the early hours of the morning?"

He gets angry every time I come home late without telling him in advance.

"I'll be moving out in a while," Song Xi said softly, pursing her lips.

Zhao Yansen frowned upon hearing this: "Where are you moving to?"

"I'm not sure yet. I've been asking around to find a place to live recently." Song Xi lowered her eyelashes, her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool. She was silent for a moment, then said, "It's near the company, so it'll save time and effort. It'll also be convenient to move there for experiments."

Zhao Yansen stared intently at her, but before he could speak, a cell phone rang suddenly.

Song Xi took her phone out of her bag and glanced at the caller ID, which displayed three words: Shang Shixu.

"Brother, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to my room now. It's getting late, you should get some rest too."

After saying that, she went upstairs. Zhao Yansen leaned back on the sofa, watching her slender figure, and reflected on himself for a while, wondering if he had spoken too harshly.

Song Xi returned to the bedroom, closed the door, and leaned against the door panel before finally exhaling the breath that had been stuck in her throat.

Zhao Zongting and Song Yunyu used to let her live here because Zhao Yansen was there, so the two could look after each other. But now that they've grown up and live under the same roof, Zhao Yansen doesn't want to see her.

Song Xi's situation is understandable.

In front of outsiders, they avoid giving the Zhao family any leverage, maintaining a friendly and respectful relationship; but in private, seeing each other all the time at home, it's easy for unpleasant memories to surface, making it impossible to remain calm.

Nothing.

The capital city is so big, there must be a place for her to stay.

Song Xi took two deep breaths, went into the bathroom, took a shower, turned off the lights, and went straight to bed to sleep.

She tossed and turned for half an hour, still unable to fall asleep. She picked up her phone from beside her pillow and scrolled through her feed aimlessly for half an hour before drowsiness finally crept in.

Song Xi didn't sleep well that night and even had a dream.

In her dream, she stood in front of Zhao Yansen, her head bowed like a quail, her hands twisting together, leaving shocking red marks.

The location was still the large living room, but there were many more people present: Song Yunyu, Zhao Zongting, and Zhao Chengyou, as well as all the housekeepers and servants of the courtyard.

"Song Xi." Zhao Yansen sat lazily on the sofa, his sword-like eyebrows sharp, cold and ruthless. "Back then, I told you to get as far away as possible. Are you looking for death by coming back now?"

His voice was as cold as ice as he said, "Do you think I want to see you?"

Song Yunyu, standing to the side, was in tears, asking in a plaintive voice, "Xixi, didn't you say you would never return to China in this lifetime?"

Song Xi's vocal cords seemed to have been severed, rendering her unable to speak. She could only shake her head repeatedly at Song Yunyu. Suddenly, she saw a ball of flame appear out of thin air, which then engulfed Song Yunyu with lightning speed.

"aunt!"

Song Xi woke up with a start.

The thick curtains in the bedroom blocked out all light, leaving it dark and gloomy. She groggily picked up her phone, glanced at the time, and was startled again.

I'm going to be late for the meeting!
Without her, the meeting couldn't proceed normally. Although the meeting could be postponed, this is a critical time for the company, and everyone's time is precious.

Song Xi hurriedly got up, washed up, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.

The sound of hurried footsteps suddenly rang out, and the man in the living room lifted his eyelids slightly to look in the direction of the sound.

She wore a light blue suit, looking neat and tidy. Her thick, black hair was pulled up loosely, with a few fine strands of hair falling around her ears and the ends gently brushing her chin.

The courtyard house was very large, with each side room having its own dining room and living room. Apart from breakfast, Song Xi would often go there to eat with Song Yunyu.

Time was of the essence, so Song Xi quickened her pace downstairs. When she saw the tall and upright figure, she couldn't help but recall the nightmare from last night. She paused for a moment, then continued walking.

As Song Xi passed Zhao Yansen, she politely slowed her pace and greeted him casually.
"Good morning, brother. I'm going out now."

Seeing her so anxious that she wanted to flee the famine, Zhao Yansen grabbed her wrist and suddenly pulled her back.

Caught off guard, Song Xi was pulled into his arms, pressed against the man's strong and powerful body, inevitably awakening the beautiful memories that had been dormant in the abyss.

Zhao Yansen's thin eyelids slid down, glancing at her reddened ears, his dark eyes scrutinizing her: "Aren't you going to eat breakfast?"

(End of this chapter)