Fatal Desire

Chapter 50 Falling out of favor
Song Xi took a sip of the medicinal soup, and her taste buds felt like they had grown a bitter melon, extremely bitter. She frowned and said, "Go ahead. I haven't seen my grandmother in so long."

As soon as Song Xi finished speaking, Zhao Yansen caught a glimpse of her picking up a piece of candied fruit and putting it in her mouth. Her movements were slightly hurried, but elegant and proper, and no one would criticize her.

The visit to their maternal grandparents had been planned two months in advance. Song Xi, Zhao Yansen, and Zhao Chengyou set off first, while Song Yunyu and Zhao Zongting, who were tied up with official duties, would go a day later.

The Hongqi car drove into the courtyard and stopped by the pond. Zhao Yansen and Zhao Chengyou got into the car.

Song Xi slowed down and walked straight towards the car behind. As she passed the middle car, the window rolled down, and Zhao Yansen said, "Get in."

Song Xi was still angry that he had blamed her for no reason. She paused and said politely, "I'd like to ride in one myself."

After that, continue walking forward.

Zhao Yansen watched her get into the Hongqi car behind him through the rearview mirror, then slowly withdrew his gaze, his dark eyes giving Zhao Chengyou a cold look:
"Go find your sister Ah-Xi."

Zhao Chengyou paused for two seconds, then replied, "Okay."

Song Xi had been sitting in the soft, comfortable seat for a short while when the car door opened again, and she looked over in confusion.

The young master stood in front of the car and greeted her politely, "Sister A-Xi."

Then I got on the bus.

"Weren't you with your older brother? Why did you come here?" Song Xi asked.

Zhao Chengyou answered truthfully, "My elder brother asked me to come."

Song Xi understood.

Oh, so they were kicked off the bus.

She even kicked her own brother off the bus. How heartless! Luckily, she didn't get on the bus, or she might have been abandoned halfway through the journey.

The Zhao Yansen of the past wouldn't have done that, and who knows who the Zhao Yansen of today is?
The attendants started the cars, and one after another, black Hongqi cars slowly drove away from the courtyard.

Song Xi was browsing the web on his iPad, looking at research reports written entirely in English, which described recent major events in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Zhao Chengyou was chatting with someone in French. After a while, he suddenly turned to Song Xi and asked, "Sister Xi, did you and Big Brother have a fight?"

Song Xi was slightly taken aback, then smiled and asked, "Why do you think that?"

“You used to all ride in one car, but not today.”

Song Xi explained, "There are so many cars, it doesn't matter which one you take, there's no need to squeeze together."

Zhao Chengyou had only asked the question casually when he remembered it, and didn't take it to heart, simply replying with an "Oh."

The Hongqi car was driving on the highway, closely escorted by two SUVs in front and behind, and no other car dared to approach.

Drive away from the city center without any obstruction.

After a long while, the car drove into the densely forested foothills. The road ahead was blocked and passage was prohibited. When the guard saw the license plate, he immediately removed the obstacle and gave a solemn salute.

Song Xi peered out through the glass window, where a beautiful natural landscape came into view.

The secluded mountain villa is lush and green in springtime, with a clear, emerald-green river where boats occasionally bob on the surface. Across the river, mountains stretch endlessly, and birds can be seen flying by now and then.

It is a beautiful area with excellent natural scenery on the outskirts of Beijing, with lush vegetation, clear water, and extremely fresh air.

The car drove up a steep slope, then traveled a distance on flat ground on the mountain, and entered a heavily guarded compound. After circling around several times, it finally stopped inside a magnificent building.

Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou got out of the car one after the other. She looked around and when her gaze fell on Zhao Yansen, he happened to be looking at her as well.

They made eye contact for less than a second before Song Xi looked away, still angry inside.

Even an older brother shouldn't discipline his younger sister so casually. Zhao Chengyou called out to her, "Sister A-Xi."

"They've arrived." Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou followed a middle-aged woman dressed in plain clothes through the building.

Zhao Yansen's gaze followed Song Xi's retreating figure, a barely perceptible ripple appearing in his deep black eyes.

The mountain was eerily quiet, utterly silent. A torrential rain had fallen the night before, leaving the flagstones of the path stained with deep water, yet spotless and free of any mud.

The middle-aged woman led them into a Buddhist hall, where wisps of incense smoke filled the air. The mixed scent of agarwood and sandalwood was of moderate concentration, with a gentle and calming fragrance.

Madam Xiao sat in a rosewood armchair, a string of Bodhi seed beads in her hand. Her clothes were not extravagant, but simple and elegant, and her noble bearing was what made her so special.

Mr. Xiao and Mrs. Xiao were Zhao Yansen's maternal grandparents. In terms of blood relations, they were actually not related to Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou at all.

However, Zhao Yansen accepted Song Yunyu and occasionally brought Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou to visit the two elders. Over time, the two elders also began to regard them as their granddaughters and grandsons.

"Grandmother," Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou greeted in unison.

Grandma Xiao looked up and saw the two clean and well-behaved children, and smiled as she waved them over: "Come here."

Madam Xiao saw Zhao Chengyou every now and then, so she wasn't particularly fond of him. But Song Xi, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, couldn't help but take a closer look at her.

"Zhenzhen's children have changed a lot as they grow up, and Xi'er is becoming more and more beautiful."

Song Xi smiled sweetly and said, "Grandmother hasn't changed at all over the years. She's still as beautiful as ever."

"You, your mouth is as sweet as honey," said Madam Xiao, gently pinching Song Xi's nose with a smile.

Young Master Zhao Chengyou said from the side, "Sister Axi did eat candied fruit this morning."

Grandma Xiao was happy just to see them, and they chatted away, instantly making the atmosphere lively.

Zhao Yansen stood there, hands in his pockets, looking at the three of them, grandfather, grandfather, and grandson, with an air of arrogance and languor.

“Your maternal grandfather is still fishing on the lake. He must be hungry after the journey. Let’s go to the restaurant for lunch.” After speaking to Song Xi and Zhao Chengyou, Madam Xiao solemnly turned to Zhao Yansen and said, “Sen-ge’er, you come along too.”

No matter how high-ranking and powerful Mr. Zhao was, he could not escape the fate of falling out of favor when he returned home.

Song Xi glanced back at Zhao Yansen.

The man showed no sense of loss or disappointment at being "out of favor," maintaining a relaxed and composed demeanor, and appearing both low-key and aloof wherever he went.

They can sit in a high position of power, never descending from their pedestal, or step into the vibrant world of humanity, living freely and unrestrained.

After leaving the Buddhist hall, a middle-aged man wearing glasses came over to ask Zhao Yansen for instructions, seemingly about something urgent.

"Go ahead and do what you're busy with," said Madam Xiao in a very cheerful mood. "Xi'er and You'er are here to keep me company."

Finally, the three of them arrived at the second-floor restaurant with a view. Looking out the window, they could see magnolias and the pavilion in the middle of the lake; the scenery was truly delightful.

Song Xi had little appetite. After chatting with Madam Xiao for an hour or so, she left the restaurant and went fishing by the lake.

From afar, Song Xi spotted a boat moored at the shore. The figure on the boat was blurry, and due to the dense reeds obscuring the view, he couldn't make out the details, but it was undoubtedly Old Xiao.

She cleared her throat and said in a proper manner, "Grandfather, I've come to learn how to fish from you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low, ticklish laugh filled the air.

The man's voice sounded very familiar, and Song Xi instantly realized who was on the boat.

As the ship moved, that handsome, deep-set face gradually came into her view, and Song Xi's heart sank.

(End of this chapter)