Fatal Desire

Chapter 82 Are you coming back tonight?
In the crowd, through the fleeting glimpses of light and shadow, two familiar tall and slender figures came into view.

Chi Wang and Meng Boyu appeared together, both dressed in haute couture suits, which amazed many people.

Everyone says that Jiang Chushuang, the youngest daughter of the Jiang family, is lucky. First, her elder sister inherited the family business, and then her brother-in-law brought his son to the opening ceremony of the gallery.

Furthermore, the mother sincerely invited Mrs. Zhao, the daughter of the wealthy and powerful, to visit.

He's a true winner in life!
Song Xi stood there with Song Yunyu, not going up to greet Chi Wang and Meng Boyu.

The aunt's status is different from that of the young masters, so she should not be too ostentatious.

Song Xi bought three paintings as a way of supporting Jiang Chushuang's business. After visiting the paintings, she planned to quietly return home with her aunt.

Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Shangxue came to see them off, also doing so quietly.

The streetlights cast a hazy glow, vaguely shrouding two slender, upright figures, like mysterious and beautiful sketches in an art gallery.

"You can message me to tell me where you want the three paintings you like delivered, and I'll arrange for someone to bring them to your door." Jiang Shangxue and Song Xi stood under the streetlights, a slight smile softening their cool expressions. "No need to settle the bill. We owe Weixian a lot thanks to you."

This refers to the story of Meng Weixian being 'exiled' and then pardoned and able to return.

Song Xi understood: "Meng Weixian is my friend. Helping him is my own choice. You don't need to feel indebted to him."

In an instant, he said, "I've taken a liking to the painting. Your sister can sell it, and we'll settle the payment promptly."

Knowing that the Zhao family never accepted gifts, Jiang Shangxue did not press the matter further and said, "I will ask Boyu to invite you and Mr. Zhao to dinner another day."

“Okay,” Song Xi said.

The Meng family was saved by the Northwest project provided by Huasong Group. When the project was signed, both parties clearly stated in black and white that Meng Weixian was required to participate in the project on the front line.

Zhao Yansen, the heir of the Zhao family, never lacks followers; if you don't obey, he'll just replace you with someone more obedient.

No one can break his rules.

Jiang Shangxue and Meng Boyu had initially given up hope, but Song Xi's appearance gave them a glimmer of hope.

Jiang Shangxue watched as Song Xi and Song Yunyu got into the Hongqi car. The driver, wearing white gloves, started the car and drove into the dark night.

While the Jiang and Meng families hold extremely high positions within their social circles, they ultimately cannot compare to the Zhao family at the top of the pyramid.

It is far from comparable.

The Hongqi car sped along the bustling streets. Inside the car, Song Xi sat next to her seat, looking down at her phone.

Song Yunyu suddenly spoke up: "Grandma's birthday is coming soon, remember to make time for her."

Old Mrs. Zhao.

When my aunt first married into the Zhao family, the old lady didn't treat her and her niece well, and the reason was self-evident—

The door is wrong and the door is wrong.

If we take Zhao Yansen's mother, the Xiao family, as the anchor point, then almost no one in the whole country could catch the eye of Old Mrs. Zhao.

Song Xi paused in her swiping of her phone screen, then replied as usual, "Okay, I'll make time for it in advance."

She turned her head, her gaze slowly passing through the car window. In the night of Beijing, the towering office buildings were brightly lit, a dazzling and prosperous sight.

It is very different from the hometown of Nancheng that I remember so deeply.

*
The galleries in the art park are bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the quiet and secluded private exhibition halls in Xicheng District.

The green flower beds on both sides of the street are quite wide, and old locust trees are planted along the roadside. The trunks are thick and the crowns spread out like umbrella ribs.

Deep in the secluded alley, with its gray walls and blue tiles, the doorway is covered with tender green moss, giving it an ancient and rustic feel.

Behind the spotlight, in the unassuming inner hall, every item on display is priceless.

Behind the screen in the exhibition hall, an archway leads directly to the backyard. The courtyard is decorated in a classical and serene style, with mountains and water features by the windows, creating an elegant atmosphere. The evening breeze rustles the pines and cypresses, and the waterside pavilion faces the window of the quiet room. Looking inside, one can vaguely see a noble and imposing man leaning casually against the back of a chair, his expression as indifferent as ever.

Old Kang picked up a miniature spring from the ebony tea table and slowly brewed tea. The tea set was exquisitely carved, and the water flowed gently with his movements.

A moment later, the aroma of tea filled the air, and Elder Kang personally poured a cup for the man opposite him: "Your target is the person behind the Yan family."

Zhao Yansen, his fingers, with their distinct knuckles, twirled his phone repeatedly. Upon hearing this, a delicate smile curved his thin lips:
"They're disobedient and an eyesore."

Old Kang's wrinkles twitched as he looked up at the young nobleman: "That man is an old friend of your third uncle."

Zhao Yansen plans to eliminate the Cao family.

The Yan family's former patron was Academician Cao; they had been in the same boat for over a decade. After their recent falling out, the Yan family began searching for a new patron. Regardless of whether the Yan family walked right into a trap, the bottom line is, Academician Cao cannot be allowed to live.

"What does this have to do with me?" Zhao Yansen leaned back in his chair, his expression cynical and cold. "It was the Xiao family who did it."

By agreeing to the dinner with Xiao Xunzhi, he first gained a favor; then, by informing him that the Yan family was attempting a power-for-sex deal, he displeased Song Xi and gained the upper hand.

Xiao Xunzhi's involvement implicated the Cha Yan family, and Zhao Yansen would secretly fuel the flames, extending the reach to Academician Cao, the Yan family's former patron. The goal was to eliminate them all at once.

What a brilliant scheme to use someone else to do the dirty work!

A new unread message popped up on my phone.

Song Xi: "Brother, are you coming back tonight?"

Zhao Yansen glanced at it and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The Xiao family is your mother's family." Old Kang picked up his teacup, took a sip of Maojian tea, and asked, "Does anyone have any objections?"

Although Mr. Xiao has long since retired, his name remains a taboo subject.

Academician Cao and Uncle Zhao are old friends; Elder Xiao had also reminded Zhao Yansen to get less involved in Uncle Zhao's affairs... This matter involves family members, and it is by no means an unrelated matter for the Zhao and Xiao families.

Zhao Yansen lowered his thin double eyelids, typing lazily and casually with one hand, and calmly said, "He wouldn't do what Xiao Xunzhi did."

Xiao Xun's surname is Xiao, and he is the eldest son of the Xiao family. He holds an important position and does good deeds to rid the people of harm. Old Master Xiao is too busy praising him to blame him.

Old Master Kang brushed away the tea foam with the lid of his teapot and smiled kindly.

Using his own family to diminish the prestige of his own family, the Crown Prince truly puts righteousness before family.

When Song Xi received Zhao Yansen's reply, she was sitting cross-legged on the U-shaped sofa in the living room, holding a snow-white Samoyed in her arms. She held her phone in one hand and stroked the soft, luxurious fur of the dog with the other.

Zhao Yansen: "Wait for me in the living room?"

In the past, no matter how late Zhao Yansen came home, Song Xi would wait for him in the living room. She would not go back to her room to sleep, no matter how late it was, and would wait for him to come home.

If she couldn't wait, she would keep waiting.

Song Xi ruffled the Samoyed's head and slowly typed: "Fine, don't come back then."

The cold words seemed somewhat dejected.

Zhao Yansen's eyes reflected those words, his aura becoming heavy and somber.

Old Kang put down his teacup: "Have you encountered any troubles?"

"My sister threw a tantrum and went home."

Zhao Yansen stood up gracefully, his fingers hooking the black suit hanging on the armrest. "You should go home early to be with your wife and children."

The secretary-general waiting at the door saw the young master stride out and immediately bowed respectfully, addressing him as "Mr. Zhao".

The man was so focused on getting home to catch Song Xi, who was lounging in the living room, that he didn't even give him a second glance.

(End of this chapter)