I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 17

“I like you…” Zheng Yili was still smiling, but the moment she heard Song Yanqing’s confession, all expression vanished from her face in an instant.

Her hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly, fingers curling inward as she stared at the other woman in stunned silence.

Had she misheard?

Zheng Yili’s mind went completely blank, unable to process the words.

Her chest heaved violently, every muscle in her body tense with nervous energy, leaving her utterly at a loss. Aunt Wang, who had been grilling the meat, had quietly slipped away at some point, leaving Zheng Yili alone with Song Yanqing.

Being alone with Song Yanqing in such an ambiguous atmosphere made her heart pound so hard it felt like it might leap out of her throat. She wanted to pretend she hadn’t heard and brush it off, but under Song Yanqing’s intense gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to feign ignorance.

Swallowing hard, Zheng Yili forced a weak smile. “You must be joking, jie.”

Unconsciously, she had reverted to a formal address, her eyes darting around the room—anywhere but at Song Yanqing. “I can pretend I didn’t hear what you just said…”

God knew how complicated her feelings were right now. She hadn’t even resolved things with Song Qi’an, and now Song Yanqing had thrown another wrench into the mix.

In her past life, she and Song Yanqing had maintained a strictly proper relationship, keeping a respectful distance and coexisting harmoniously. Song Yanqing had even repeatedly stepped in to clean up Song Qi’an’s messes, soothing her with gentle patience.

—Wait a minute?!

Wasn’t that the problem?

No matter how kind or patient someone was, would they really spend years comforting their sister’s girlfriend in their sister’s stead—buying her gifts, humbly tending to her daily needs, accompanying her on shopping trips and outings?

Zheng Yili’s eyes widened as realization struck, her body trembling uncontrollably from the belated epiphany.

She needed to go home.

Right now, only one thought dominated her mind: she had to escape from Song Yanqing as quickly as possible and draw a clear boundary between them, just as she had with Song Qi’an.

Zheng Yili slowly steeled her resolve, but before she could act, Song Yanqing saw right through her. “You’re trying to avoid me.”

Her tone was certain, and Zheng Yili fell silent, caught.

She knew she should deny it—otherwise, Song Yanqing might stop her from leaving. She had work tomorrow, needed to oversee the editing at the company, and had to pick up Meng Sulan…

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, frustration flickering across her face.

The smile on Song Yanqing’s lips faded slightly as she suddenly picked up a bottle opener and twisted open one of the bottles Zheng Yili had brought, pouring herself a glass. “Yili, do you dislike me?”

After asking, the woman lowered her lashes calmly and took a small sip of the wine.

The drink moistened her lips, making them glisten temptingly—luscious and alluring.

Zheng Yili remained silent. Her feelings toward Song Yanqing were complicated. On one hand, she was grateful for everything the other woman had done for her in the past. On the other, she couldn’t help but harbor prejudice against her because of Song Qi’an.

If she weren’t Song Qi’an’s sister… Otherwise, every time Zheng Yili saw Song Yanqing, she couldn’t help but think of Song Qi’an and recall all the despicable acts he committed in their past life.

She couldn’t bring herself to forgive or let go.

Feeling depressed, Zheng Yili reached for the wine glass and poured herself a drink. She threw her head back and downed the alcohol in one gulp, then shook her head under its influence: “I don’t dislike you.”

“And yet I do.”

After consuming this psychological comfort, Zheng Yili’s words became more direct: “I dislike that you’re her sister. It makes me wonder if you’re just like your mother—pretending to be nice to me on the surface while secretly favoring Song Qi’an in your heart.”

“After all, bl00d runs thicker than water, doesn’t it?” Zheng Yili shrugged.

Song Yanqing nodded in silence after hearing this. Zheng Yili couldn’t read her thoughts and didn’t speak either, leaving the atmosphere icy between them.

“The king crab is here!” Aunt Wang returned with a cheerful shout, beaming as she carried out a platter of seafood. “Freshly air-flown from abroad this afternoon. You’re in for a treat, Miss Zheng.”

Zheng Yili smiled in response and took a few more sips of wine.

The strong liquor burned her throat, searing her entire stomach with its spicy intensity. Zheng Yili furrowed her brows, taking a full half-minute before her expression relaxed. Song Yanqing glanced at her. “Stop drinking. It’s bad for you.”

Song Yanqing appeared completely at ease in front of Aunt Wang, as if she hadn’t just unexpectedly shattered the thin veneer between them.

Zheng Yili silently admired Song Yanqing’s thick skin and mental fortitude, her own tense nerves gradually easing in response to the other woman’s composure.

Perhaps… Song Yanqing hadn’t meant what Zheng Yili had interpreted? After all, she had only said a couple of brief sentences before dropping the subject.

If Song Yanqing truly had feelings for her, she wouldn’t have stopped at just that.

In the end, Zheng Yili successfully convinced herself, her expression suddenly relaxing.

Aunt Wang’s cooking was indeed excellent, and Zheng Yili ate until her stomach was full. The night was beautiful—the dark blue sky dotted with countless stars, the breeze carrying the scent of roses and the tantalizing aroma of grilled food, effortlessly soothing her troubled emotions.

As it grew late, Zheng Yili stood up. “I should head back.”

“Be safe.” Song Yanqing walked her to the door. Zheng Yili thought to herself that Song Yanqing didn’t need to do this—it was just a few steps away, separated by a wall. It wasn’t like anything would happen to her in such a short distance.

But since Song Yanqing insisted, she let her be.

Aunt Wang had already gone back to the kitchen to clean up, leaving only the two of them at the empty entrance. Zheng Yili unlocked the door with her fingerprint and was about to step inside when someone gently grasped her wrist.

Zheng Yili stiffened, turning her head mechanically. “What is it?”

Her voice carried a tension and dryness she didn’t even notice herself.

“Don’t reject me entirely just because of Qi’an, okay?” Song Yanqing slowly closed the distance between them. Zheng Yili instinctively stepped back until her back pressed against the cold, unyielding metal door, leaving her no retreat. “Everything I said earlier was sincere—that I like you, too. It’s not out of pity or sympathy.”

“It’s simply because I like you. From a long, long time ago… it’s been this way.”

Song Yanqing’s sultry voice sent tingles through Zheng Yili’s ears, leaving her frozen like a statue as he trapped her in that narrow, intimate space.

They drew closer and closer until their noses nearly touched, their alcohol-laced breaths intertwining.

Zheng Yili’s mind buzzed, her control over her body slipping away.

Her lips parted slightly, her eyes stiffly shifting to look at Song Yanqing. She wanted to speak, but she found herself drowning in his deep, tender gaze—an ocean of affection.

His lips were so close that she could almost taste them. Her lashes fluttered, certain that the slightest movement would bring their mouths together.

Those plump, glistening lips, soft as jelly, inexplicably left her mouth dry and her body burning.

The charged atmosphere lingered—until a cold voice shattered it.

“Sister, what are you doing?” Song Qi’an stood a short distance away, hands in his pockets, his face dark. “Stealing someone else’s man?”