Fatal Desire

Chapter 51 Song Xi didn't want to call him brother

The man had changed his clothes at some point, now wearing a black crew-neck sweatshirt and casual pants. His bangs were gently blown by the lake breeze, as if parting the clouds to reveal the mist, and a cool breeze swept across his nonchalant black eyes.

His sharp aura remained undiminished, but it had gained a different feel.

His calm and aloof demeanor concealed a hint of cynicism.

Zhao Yansen looked up at her, a smile playing on his lips at the end of his sentence: "Who is your maternal grandfather calling?"

Song Xi didn't want to call him brother, so she silently looked around.

The large lake has an irregular shape, with winding covered bridges spanning its surface, leaving faint reflections in the clear, pure water. At the end of the lake is a vermilion-colored, ancient-style waterside pavilion, reminiscent of the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou.

The scenery and architecture together create a unique landscape of lush forests, pavilions, and towers.

Zhao Yansen leisurely observed the girl standing on the shore.

Standing at 1.66 meters tall, she possesses excellent posture and demeanor, with an upright stance and a mature yet resilient air amidst her slender figure.

She wore a simple, thin knit sweater as an inner layer, topped with a fine cardigan, paired with jeans and white sneakers. Her long, thick, black hair was tied back in a pleasing low ponytail with a blue silk scarf, the silk scarf fluttering in the wind like a freely flying blue butterfly.

She ignored him.

If there were a door between the two of them, Zhao Yansen believed that Song Xi would not only close the door, but also lock it, demonstrating to him the physical meaning of 'closing the door and not seeing'.

She often resorts to passive-aggressive tactics against him.

Song Xi couldn't find any trace of Old Xiao and was about to leave when the man on the boat suddenly strode over.

"You don't even call me 'brother' anymore?" He looked down at her face, his slow, deliberate voice tinged with a certain interest.

"Not polite."

He's already lost his temper with her, so why should she still be polite?

Song Xi gazed at the white birds skimming across the lake in the distance, not even glancing at Zhao Yansen, and said, "The pigeons aren't attached to me, so they can't call out."

This is blatantly provoking him.

A slight smile escaped Zhao Yansen's nose. He raised his hand, hooked the end of her hair with his long fingers, and tugged it lightly twice, causing Song Xi to turn her head and glare at him.

"What are you angry about?" Zhao Yansen asked patiently.

"No breath," Song Xi denied.

Zhao Yansen stared into her eyes. "That doesn't sound like it's nothing."

Song Xi pursed her lips, about to speak, when Old Xiao's voice came from behind her: "You brat, you're bullying Xi'er again."

Old Xiao was dressed simply, in casual fishing clothes, yet he couldn't hide the imposing and sharp aura he exuded. Having held a high position for decades, many things about him were ingrained and outward; even simple meals couldn't diminish his status.

This is quite different from the common practice of wealthy families where "clothes make the man" and "a saddle makes the horse."

"How could that be?" Zhao Yansen released Song Xi's hair, lazily put his hands into his pockets, his fingertips still feeling the cool, soft touch of her hair.

Song Xi greeted Grandpa Xiao politely, saying, "Grandfather."

Old Xiao glanced at Zhao Yansen and said, "Xi'er, tell your maternal grandfather, did he bully you again?"

The single word "again" carries a lot of information.

In the past, whenever Song Xi angered Zhao Yansen, she would take the initiative, lower her head, looking pitiful and helpless. Anyone who saw her would think that he was bullying her because of his age.

"No." Song Xi smiled, her voice sweet and clear. "I came to learn fishing from my maternal grandfather, and I happened to run into my brother."

Old Xiao looked at Zhao Yansen, who remained calm and composed, showing no sign of emotion.

“Go fishing with your maternal grandfather.” The usually dignified and solemn Old Master Xiao was noticeably more amiable and approachable towards his obedient junior. He personally carried the gold-inlaid silk-patterned box onto the boat, and after sitting down, he beckoned to Song Xi: “Xi’er, come here.”

"You're here!" Song Xi said with a beaming smile.

The person who had just given him a cold shoulder suddenly broke into a smile, his attitude changing so quickly it was truly remarkable.

Zhao Yansen curled his lips into a delicate, relaxed smile.

The boat docked, but not perfectly; it swayed slightly with the lake water and the breeze, and the ripples were reflected in Song Xi's eyes.

She had nearly drowned as a child and had some psychological trauma, so she hesitated on the shore for a while before jumping onto the boat.

Zhao Yansen watched Song Xi's resolute expression and clicked his tongue. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was about to jump into the sea.

Having mentally prepared himself, Song Xi took a deep breath and prepared to step onto the boat.

Suddenly, her waist tightened, and then her feet were lifted off the ground without warning as someone grabbed her waist and pulled her up.

Ignoring her exclamation, Zhao Yansen picked her up with one arm, carried her onto the boat, and gently laid her down.

"Dawdling".

By the time Song Xi came to her senses, he had already gone to help Old Xiao install his fishing gear. She lowered her eyes and patted the slightly wrinkled fabric around her waist.

Just now, the girl's lower abdomen was pressed tightly against the man's strong and powerful arm through the thin fabric of her clothes, and she could clearly feel his awe-inspiring strength and warmth.

The ship originally contained only fishing gear, Go sets, and thermos cups. However, due to Song Xi's arrival, his attendants brought freshly cut fruit.

Fishing is a mini-hunt that requires patience and skill.

Mr. Xiao handed Song Xi the custom-made SHIMANO fishing rod. Following his instructions, Song Xi prepared the bait and cast the rod. Casting requires mastering the direction and angle of the cast, trying to get the hook to the same spot as much as possible.

The large boat was securely moored in the center of the lake. After casting their lines, the three fishing rods were arranged in parallel, remarkably neat and uniform.

Old Xiao sat in the middle, his cloudy but bright eyes staring at the lake below. Zhao Yansen held his phone in one hand, his eyes lowered, seemingly texting someone, looking somewhat listless.

Song Xi sat obediently to the right of Old Xiao, holding a crystal bowl in her arms, which was filled with beautifully colored pineapples and guavas. She ate quietly.

"Get out of your third uncle's business." Old Xiao spoke slowly, his deep, hoarse voice carrying a strong sense of authority.

Although she knew he wasn't talking to her, Song Xi's heart still instinctively skipped a beat.

"It's just a change of dynasty, not worth wasting time on." Zhao Yansen's tone was calm and indifferent, as if the matter was insignificant.

Mr. Xiao nodded slightly.

The grandfather and grandson spoke as if they were in code, leaving Song Xi completely bewildered.

As she listened to their conversation and ate fruit, she suddenly saw the fishing rod twitch, and visible waves rippled across the lake. She exclaimed with delight, "Fish! There's a fish!"

Old Xiao easily pulled the fishhook out of the water, ripped off the big fish, put it in the bucket, and laughed, "Perfect, I'll make a big meal for Xi'er tonight."

"When I was studying in the United States, what I missed most was the fish that my grandfather caught," Song Xi said with a bright smile. The fish in the lake and pond were specially raised, clean and hygienic, with tender and delicious flesh that you couldn't find anywhere else.

"Then I'll catch a few more fish so you can eat your fill." Old Xiao was very kind to his filial younger generation.

"Okay," Song Xi replied with a smile.

Zhao Yansen glanced at her and said leisurely, "Song Xier."

Song Xi turned her head and looked over, her face full of confusion.

Why are you calling her that?
(End of this chapter)