Fatal Desire

Chapter 81 If he doesn't even love me, then who else can he love?
“It’s not certain yet,” Song Xi said. “My aunt had a serious illness before and has some aftereffects. I need to decide whether to leave based on her physical condition.”

"What illness? It's not serious, is it?" Fu Guanyue asked anxiously.

"It's not a serious problem. Occasionally I feel short of breath and have difficulty breathing."

Fu Guanyue hummed in agreement, not wanting to waste her time worrying.

Given Song Yunyu's status, the medical team serving her would naturally be top-notch.

After a few seconds of silence, Fu Guanyue asked, "Where are you and your brother?"

With the gurgling sound of clear spring water surrounding her, Song Xi shifted her gaze to the fountain pool and said softly, "It took me a long time to accept the fact that he doesn't love me, and now I no longer have any hope."

Song Xi's reasons for returning to China can be summarized in three points: first, her aunt; second, her work; and third, to find out if she and Zhao Yansen could get back to where they started.

As it turns out, it was impossible.

“That’s not what you said back then,” Fu Guanyue’s statement came through the receiver.

At the beginning, Fu Guanyue asked Song Xi why she was so sure that Zhao Yansen loved her.

Fu Guanyue thought she would hear specific examples, such as detailed reasons why he was very good to her or better than anyone else.

But Song Xi only replied with one sentence.

She said, "If he doesn't even love me, then who else can he love?"

In other words, Zhao Yansen either loves Song Xi or doesn't love anyone else.

At that time, Song Xi was bright and confident, full of vigor, and unconsciously carried the shadow of Zhao Yansen.

Fu Guanyue was quite surprised, but she quickly understood—Song Xi grew up with Zhao Yansen and was more or less influenced by him.

Fu Guanyue's voice sounded rather serious on the other end of the phone. Song Xi smiled and said, "Didn't you recommend me to come back? You said that I might have suffered psychological trauma because the sudden change back then was too great and I couldn't accept it. Maybe coming back to China will help me gradually get over it."

She loved so deeply that the precipitous loss made her unable to forget, which is why she came back to quit.

"You've been back for several months now, have the results been significant?" Fu Guanyue asked.

"It's quite remarkable; complete liberation is just around the corner," Song Xi said.

Her tone was slightly playful, but Fu Guanyue said in a stern voice, "I hope that after you let go, you won't become a heartless work robot anymore."

Whenever she had a moment of free time, Song Xi would think of Zhao Yansen, so much so that she dared not allow herself any free time, and was busy all day long without a break.

"Whether I let go or not, it won't interfere with my work," Song Xi said confidently. "There's a song lyric that goes something like this: being infatuated is not a sin, but forgetting is not being carefree."

Fu Guanyue laughed out loud. The two chatted for a few more minutes before reluctantly ending the call.

A traditional Chinese courtyard with a pond, a winding stream, and the faint scent of incense in the air.

Song Xi held her phone between her fingers, gazing at the clear flowing water, her pupils gradually losing focus.

Zhao Yansen will most likely marry a wife he doesn't love, and then live a respectful but distant life together.

Even if he doesn't love that person, that person could never be her.

As an adopted daughter of the Zhou family, Zhou Yilin admires Zhou Ji'an and conspires with other members of the Zhou family to sabotage the marriage between Fu Guanyue and Zhou Ji'an.

Song Xi had previously told Zhao Yansen not to find her a sister-in-law, but she was not Zhou Yilin after all. If Zhao Yansen got married, she would no longer have any contact with him.

They didn't even see him.

Not to mention causing damage.

My brother said he won't get married this year, so it should be next year. She will end her relationship with him before the end of the year.

Hopefully, she had recovered by then. Song Xi lifted the bamboo curtain and walked back.

In the secluded area, the screen is embroidered with cranes soaring high, so lifelike that looking at them brings a sense of relief.

Two more people appeared on the sofa: Jiang Shangxue and Li Shuyi.

They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation with Song Yunyu and Mrs. Jiang, and all of them had genuine smiles on their faces.

"Xixi, are you done making the call?" Song Yunyu asked Song Xi.

"It's over, nothing urgent." Song Xi walked over and sat down next to her aunt.

Li Shuyi, sitting opposite Song Xi, observed her without making a sound.

The misty blue long dress and white jade earrings and necklace were rare items that were recently auctioned off to a mysterious buyer in Hong Kong.

I heard that she and her aunt were both from the South. Upon closer inspection, she was slender and fair-skinned, with delicate features. The refined elegance of a Southern girl was faintly visible, and there was also a hint of the aloofness of a noble lady.

Mrs. Jiang handed the pastries in the white porcelain bowl to Song Xi: "Freshly baked peony flower cakes, Miss Song, please have a taste."

"Thank you." Song Xi said calmly, glancing at the peony flower cakes arranged in the shape of plum blossoms, and picked up a small piece to taste.

Crispy and sweet, with the fragrance of peonies.

Li Shuyi looked away and noticed that Song Yunyu's teacup was empty. She said gently, "Madam, let me pour you some tea."

"Thank you for your help," Song Yunyu said with a gentle smile, without stopping her.

There were many people eager to please Song Yunyu, which Song Xi was used to. She could see why Li Shuyi was so enthusiastic.

"Shuyi and you get along very well," Mrs. Jiang said with a smile.

The news that Madam Zhao had chosen the fourth daughter of the Li family as her granddaughter-in-law spread like wildfire, and Mrs. Jiang naturally heard about it as well.

Song Yunyu smiled faintly: "In terms of compatibility, Xixi and Xue'er are the most compatible. They went to the same high school and now they both run companies."

Mrs. Jiang looked at her eldest daughter, Jiang Shangxue, beside her, her eyes filled with pride, though she didn't show it outwardly. She continued with a smile, "This generation of young people are all quite good. What is Shuyi doing now?"

“I do jewelry design at my home office.” Li Shuyi picked up a magazine from the coffee table and flipped to the page on top-tier jewelry. “These pieces are my designs. If you two aunties have any questions about jewelry, you can contact me anytime.”

Mrs. Jiang was interested and asked some questions, which Li Shuyi answered patiently one by one.

The group sat on the sofa and chatted for a while. After sitting for a while, they got up and went to the exhibition area to admire the paintings.

Song Xi, holding Song Yunyu's hand, heard her aunt ask, "You and Jiang Shangxue are about the same age. She's married. Don't you have any thoughts about it?"

“Marriage isn’t a hot stock, why should I get married just because others are getting married?” Song Xi said. “Besides, even if we’re getting married, there should be an order of precedence. Shouldn’t it be my turn after my brother gets married?”

“Every time marriage is mentioned, your brother has to be pushed out to block it.” Song Yunyu smiled helplessly. “Your marriages don’t conflict, so we can deal with them together.”

As if hearing something, Li Shuyi suddenly turned around and looked over, unexpectedly meeting Song Xi's gaze.

The latter had long, delicate eyelashes, like soft willow branches brushing against spring waves. Her peach-blossom eyes had arched brows, and when she stared directly at the other person, she seemed quite affectionate.

Song Xi smiled at Li Shuyi, and Li Shuyi returned the same smile.

"Auntie, I'm going to Shanghai next week on a business trip to attend a summit," Song Xi changed the subject. "Three days."

"It's good that young people focus on their work, but they shouldn't overwork themselves," Song Yunyu earnestly advised.

Song Xi was about to speak.

A sudden commotion erupted in the gallery. She looked up and followed the gaze of the crowd toward the source of the noise.

(End of this chapter)