I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 16

Zheng Yili’s heart skipped a beat, and she inexplicably began to stammer, “Of course, I like you too.”

She tried her best to ignore the strange feeling in her chest and brushed it off with a laugh, “Back then, no one could resist your charm, sis.”

Song Yanqing chuckled and shook her head helplessly, “You guys…”

She didn’t press the topic further, and Zheng Yili secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Even though her relationship with Song Qi’an had ended, facing Song Yanqing—who had always acted as the mediator and bridge between them—still left her with a faint sense of awkwardness.

She and Song Yanqing had never been particularly close, and now that things with Song Qi’an had ended in a breakup, Zheng Yili doubted she would have many chances to see Song Yanqing again in the future—if not for the fact that the latter was currently recuperating next door.

At this thought, Zheng Yili couldn’t help but ask, “Are you planning to stay here long-term?” Pausing, she realized how blunt that sounded and quickly rephrased, “I mean… does your family agree to you living alone here?”

The more she tried to explain, the more tangled her words became. “What I’m trying to say is… I’m just worried about you.”

Her palms grew damp with nervous sweat, and she hastily averted her gaze, afraid Song Yanqing might misunderstand.

“Thank you,” Song Yanqing replied, a flicker of amusement passing through her exquisite eyes. “I don’t plan to stay here forever. Once my leg heals, I’ll be going back.”

“There’s still a lot at home that needs my help.”

Zheng Yili nodded in understanding, relieved to see Song Yanqing didn’t seem too affected. “Oh, right—last time, because of me, your hearing aid got accidentally broken. I didn’t know how to make it up to you, so I prepared a small gift.”

“It’s nothing extravagant, but I hope you’ll accept it.”

She hurried to the entryway to grab the small paper bag, then rushed back and pressed it into Song Yanqing’s hands. “Otherwise, I’d feel too guilty.”

Song Yanqing lowered her head, but her gaze didn’t immediately land on the carefully chosen gift. Instead, it lingered subtly on the spot where Zheng Yili’s fingers had just brushed against her skin.

The warmth and softness of that touch lingered, sending ripples of something unspoken across the surface of her heart.

Her eyes darkened slightly. “You shouldn’t have.”

Zheng Yili waved it off with a laugh. “Don’t be so polite, sis.” She blinked, her smile bright. “Back then, didn’t you spoil me with all kinds of nice things whenever you stepped in to smooth things over for Qi’an?”

Song Yanqing had always been incredibly generous, sending over only the finest gifts—so much so that Zheng Yili had often felt overwhelmed and hesitant to accept them.

But Song Yanqing would simply say, “It’s Qi’an’s fault in the end. As her older sister, the least I can do is apologize and make it up to you, to ease your mind.”

Unable to argue, Zheng Yili had no choice but to store the lavish presents in a dedicated storage room.

Now, that nearly 100-square-meter space was practically overflowing with Song Yanqing’s gifts.

“Yanqing, Miss Zheng—the barbecue is ready!” Aunt Wang suddenly called from outside.

Song Yanqing acknowledged her and cut the conversation short, leading Zheng Yili out of the living room to take their seats in the camping chairs set up in the yard.

Aunt Wang’s cooking was excellent. After tasting it, Zheng Yili couldn’t help but take a few more bites.

Having been so busy lately that her schedule was completely disrupted, Zheng Yili had hardly eaten properly. Now, with Aunt Wang’s cooking, the cravings in her stomach were immediately awakened.

As she ate, she praised Aunt Wang with satisfaction, her eyes—soft and affectionate—squinting in contentment, like a lazy kitten rolling over to expose its belly.

Song Yanqing wore a faint smile throughout, only speaking lightly when she caught sight of the smile on Zheng Yili’s face. “Now you finally seem a bit more like your childhood self.”

Zheng Yili paused mid-chew, a flicker of confusion flashing in her eyes before she understood Song Yanqing’s meaning.

She smiled nonchalantly. “Sister, help me prepare Auntie in advance.” Zheng Yili set down her chopsticks and spoke seriously, “Once I finish the matters at hand, let’s sit down and have a proper talk.”

Although she had already verbally called off the engagement with Song Qi’an, Madam Song had yet to be informed. To completely sever ties with Song Qi’an, Madam Song was a hurdle she would inevitably have to face.

Given Madam Song’s nature, she might scold her or even twist the truth to slander her in public, but Zheng Yili didn’t care.

To her, these things weren’t even as painful as physical suffering. After all, nothing could hurt more than the torment of her past life, when illness had ravaged her body, leaving her sleepless night after night, until the pain became unbearable—so unbearable that she would rather pull out her IV and die than continue treatment.

The girl’s expression darkened momentarily, but Song Yanqing placed a shrimp on Zheng Yili’s plate. “Alright.”

Snapped back to reality, Zheng Yili forced a smile, only to freeze when she saw the bright, tempting shrimp before her.

She glared, wondering if Song Yanqing was subtly mocking her, but the woman’s expression was perfectly calm, utterly normal.

Zheng Yili picked up the shrimp and took a bite. It was crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy—delicious, with the shell also crispy and flavorful… But just as she thought this, a faint sting suddenly pricked her tongue.

The unpeeled shrimp shell had been roasted just hard enough to prick her unexpectedly when she let her guard down.

A sour feeling welled up in Zheng Yili’s heart. If you forced something that wasn’t right, you’d only end up hurting yourself. Just like her and Song Qi’an—in her past life, he had trampled her sincerity over and over. Why hadn’t she cut her losses sooner?

Probably because she couldn’t accept it.

She and Song Qi’an had grown up together, sharing over twenty years of history from kindergarten to marriage. How could she have easily let go? Zheng Huai had passed away long ago, and later, Madam Ji had died in a car accident caused by Lin Xiaoxiao. The entire Zheng family had been reduced to just her, and back then, the only person she could rely on was Song Qi’an.

Zheng Yili lowered her gaze, suddenly finding the delicious food in her mouth tasteless.

Her mood had clearly soured. Song Yanqing noticed but didn’t call her out. Instead, she placed another shrimp on Zheng Yili’s plate—this time, thoughtfully peeled.

Zheng Yili’s eyes flickered as she stared at Song Yanqing, a puzzled expression crossing her face.

Song Yanqing smiled lightly: “Let bygones be bygones. There’s no need to dwell on them anymore.” Her tone remained even, devoid of noticeable fluctuations: “Yili, it’s time you looked ahead.”

Zheng Yili nodded in agreement. Indeed, it was time to move forward—long overdue, in fact…

“So,” Song Yanqing’s voice carried a hint of amusement as she spoke again, “would you like to try being with someone else?”

“I like you.”