I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 27

“Shut up.” Zheng Yili couldn’t hold back, glaring fiercely at Song Yanqing with a warning look to behave.

Unfortunately, her expression held no intimidation and only amused Song Yanqing even more.

“What are you talking about? You seem so happy.” Ji Wushuang, having just hung up the phone, looked up and saw the scene, pausing in surprise before asking.

Zheng Yili quickly cut in, “Nothing, Mom.”

Ji Wushuang gave her a knowing smile but didn’t expose her. She kept staring until Zheng Yili’s expression stiffened before leisurely shifting her gaze away and casually asking, “What do you want to eat later?”

“Anything’s fine.”

Ji Wushuang nodded and made another call to reserve a table in advance.

When she finished and looked up again, she saw the two youngsters whispering together and couldn’t help shaking her head helplessly. Song Yanqing and her daughter actually made a good pair.

What a shame, though…

Her daughter had just been injured, and Song Yanqing already had someone else in her heart. It was simply a case of fate not aligning.

With no time to dwell on Ji Wushuang’s thoughts, Zheng Yili frowned at Song Yanqing, who was sticking to her like glue, and asked warily, “What do you want?”

“I missed you.” Song Yanqing’s feelings were straightforward, her words brimming with undisguised affection. But Zheng Yili’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively raised her voice, “Do you want me to hit you?”

A sharp gaze instantly landed on her. Zheng Yili’s expression faltered, her lips pressing into a tight, sullen line.

“Yili.” Ji Wushuang called her name sternly. “Is that how you talk to Yanqing?”

“Auntie, we were just joking.” Song Yanqing smoothly defused Ji Wushuang’s displeasure, her tone gentle. “It’s my fault, so please don’t scold Yili.”

Ji Wushuang, having lived for so many years, wasn’t so easily fooled. She eyed Zheng Yili suspiciously but, out of respect for Song Yanqing, didn’t press further. “Fine. If Yili dares to bully you, let me know. I’ll teach her a lesson.”

“Mom!” Zheng Yili protested indignantly. Why was her mother siding with an outsider?

Ji Wushuang smiled brightly. “Alright, alright.” She seemed in high spirits. “Once we get to the restaurant, you two go ahead and eat first. I need to meet a friend to discuss something.”

A bad feeling rose in Zheng Yili’s chest, but Ji Wushuang was decisive. The moment they arrived, she unceremoniously abandoned Zheng Yili.

Left with no choice, Zheng Yili sat down, watching her mother’s retreating figure helplessly.

The Western restaurant was lavishly decorated with an elegant ambiance. The marble table held a vase of fresh, vibrant flowers, along with an exquisite candlestick and lightly scented candles.

In the dim lighting, the flickering candlelight cast a warm, golden glow over Song Yanqing’s porcelain-like face, adding a touch of lingering tenderness.

Zheng Yili fidgeted uncomfortably. The intimate atmosphere made her increasingly uneasy around Song Yanqing.

Fortunately, her flustered state didn’t last long before it was abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of Song Qi’an.

Song Qi’an had originally come to the restaurant to meet someone and finalize the details of a collaboration to expedite the project’s progress.

Little did she expect that her random choice of restaurant would bring her such an unexpected surprise.

Song Qi’an strolled up to the two of them, her gaze first sweeping imperceptibly over Song Yanqing’s face before settling firmly on Zheng Yili’s, unblinking, her voice hoarse: “You two…”

“What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t surprising she had suspicions. Though the restaurant was perfectly normal and there was nothing inappropriate about their presence, the dim lighting, alluring flowers, and intimate candlelight at this moment still made her feel an involuntary twinge of doubt.

And an indescribable sense of unease.

Zheng Yili turned her head slightly at Song Qi’an’s presence, cursing inwardly at the bad timing, but ignored her. She leisurely picked up her wine glass and took small sips, treating Song Qi’an as if she were thin air.

Song Qi’an’s previously neutral expression darkened abruptly, her entire face becoming indistinct in the faint candlelight, as if shrouded in a cold shadow.

She stared fixedly at Zheng Yili, as if trying to bore holes through her with her gaze.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Zheng Yili shifted slightly and lowered her head completely, shutting out all of Song Qi’an’s probing.

Opposite them, an extremely faint smile flashed briefly at the corner of Song Yanqing’s eyes. She curved her lips naturally and said, “We came with Aunt Ji, but she suddenly had something to discuss with a friend, so she left us here to eat on our own.”

Song Qi’an clearly didn’t believe this. Suspicion still burned strongly in her eyes, and her voice was icy. “Is that so.”

She asked, but there was little genuine curiosity in her tone. Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched involuntarily, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.

A wave of jealousy and displeasure crept silently into her heart, as if someone had punched her hard twice, the pain searing as if her flesh were being roasted over flames.

Zheng Yili simply found her presence grating. She lifted her head, her face indifferent, her eyes frosty, her demeanor reaching the pinnacle of aloofness.

Those deep, once-affectionate eyes that had gazed at Song Qi’an with endless tenderness were now unfathomable, revealing none of her feelings or love.

Song Qi’an finally felt a flicker of panic.

She stood there with downcast eyes for a long time, as if frozen into a wax statue.

“What brings you here?” Song Yanqing didn’t continue answering Song Qi’an’s question. Casually changing the subject, she inquired about Song Qi’an’s reason for being there.

Song Qi’an snapped out of her daze slightly. “Here for a business dinner.”

Before Song Yanqing could say more, Zheng Yili, who had long grown impatient, seized the opportunity to feign innocence and ask, “Then why aren’t you going over there?”

Her expression was so guileless, as if she were merely concerned about Song Qi’an, but Song Qi’an’s heart sank abruptly at her words.

Zheng Yili’s sharp tone and the unmistakable desire to avoid her made Song Qi’an’s heart plummet into an icy abyss.

Her lips trembled slightly, wanting to speak, but Zheng Yili turned her head away pointedly, clearly unwilling to engage further.

Song Qi’an stared at her for a long moment before finally stepping back. “Enjoy your meal. I’ll be going.”

Song Yanqing nodded politely at her without another word.

Perhaps realizing she wasn’t welcome, Song Qi’an didn’t linger this time. As the sound of footsteps faded, Zheng Yili glanced casually in her direction out of the corner of her eye.

“It’s gotten so tense. Aren’t you afraid she’ll pester you later demanding an explanation?” Song Yanqing asked with a light smile.

Zheng Yili didn’t seem concerned. “Tense? I don’t think so,” she answered herself. “I thought I was being quite friendly and gentle with her.”

Her tone was clearly sharp. Song Yanqing, knowing better, didn’t press further to avoid provoking Zheng Yili’s simmering anger.

Not far away, Song Qi’an sat upright, her gaze frequently drifting toward Zheng Yili. The latter was chatting and laughing with Song Yanqing, her profile occasionally revealing a faint smile—shallow yet heart-wrenching, making Song Qi’an feel as if her heart were being tightly squeezed.

She kept staring at Zheng Yili until someone approached, forcing her to reluctantly avert her gaze. Yet moments later, she couldn’t help but look back, trying to glean more of Zheng Yili’s thoughts and emotions from her expression.

The piercing gaze from behind was impossible to ignore, and Zheng Yili was well aware of it. She ate faster, eager to leave as soon as possible. Between bites, she texted Ji Wushuang to ask when she’d return, only to receive a reply telling them to go back without her.

Zheng Yili sighed inwardly, staring at her phone in frustration. Had she known this would happen, she would have firmly refused to go out with Madam Ji today.

After quickly finishing her meal, Zheng Yili stood up. “I’m going to the restroom,” she said, leaving without waiting for Song Yanqing’s response. On the way, she stopped to pay the bill before heading to her destination.

As expected, she ran into Song Qi’an upon exiting. The latter leaned lazily against the wall, head slightly bowed, her cold expression tinged with an indescribable gloom.

Zheng Yili’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. Unwilling to engage, she tried to walk past without acknowledgment. But a hand suddenly reached out, effortlessly grasping her arm. “Lili…” Song Qi’an’s voice was soft.

Zheng Yili turned to meet her gaze, finding an unusually pitiful expression on Song Qi’an’s face. “Get to the point,” she said, her frown deepening, impatience and disgust nearly overflowing.

Song Qi’an’s fingers stiffened, her eyes dimming. “Are you still angry with me?”

“No,” Zheng Yili shook her head.

Song Qi’an’s eyes lit up with hope, but Zheng Yili’s next words dashed it instantly. “Since we’re already over, why would I be angry with you?” She spoke with genuine confusion, as if truly baffled by the question.

Song Qi’an stood frozen before finally letting out a bitter laugh. “So, you still haven’t forgiven me.”

“Xiaoxiao and I—there’s really nothing between us. I don’t have any inappropriate feelings for her,” Song Qi’an explained urgently. “If you don’t believe me—”

“Does it matter?” Zheng Yili countered impassively.

A mocking smile curled on her lips, as if laughing at Song Qi’an’s naivety and cowardice. “You claim to have no inappropriate feelings for her, but what about her? Does she feel the same way about you?”

“Song Qi’an, since things have already come to this, what’s the point of pretending innocence now?”

“Did I force the media to fabricate those rumors about you two?”

Zheng Yili had no patience left for arguments. She violently shook off Song Qi’an’s hand. “I loved you so deeply before—you were my entire world. I couldn’t see anyone else, wouldn’t tolerate anyone else. I would have given you everything good in this world, would have torn out my own heart for you.”

“You were the one who discarded me like worthless trash. No one forced you to do that.”

“Wasn’t that the truth?”

Zheng Yili had expected these words to still ache when spoken again. But perhaps the disappointments had piled too high, or perhaps she’d truly moved beyond this relationship that once defined her life—now she felt only an unprecedented calm.

Even the restless irritation in her heart had faded considerably.

Song Qi’an seemed to sense this too, her despondent expression betraying panic. She reached out to grab Zheng Yili, who deftly avoided the touch.

“I should go.” Zheng Yili took half a step back, her gaze icy. “Don’t cling to me. Don’t make me lose respect for you.”

“Lili…” Song Qi’an murmured weakly, finally realizing that if Zheng Yili walked away now, she would truly be gone forever.

She scrambled forward desperately, but Zheng Yili’s glare silenced any words.

“It ends here, Song Qi’an.”

Irritation surged anew. Zheng Yili stopped the clinging advance. “Don’t squander what little courtesy I have left for you.”

Long after Zheng Yili had left, Song Qi’an remained frozen in the corridor, paralyzed by devastation. Was it really over? No, she refused to believe it.

She wouldn’t accept it.

Song Qi’an lifted her head again, dull eyes reigniting with determination.

The confrontation with Song Qi’an had drained Zheng Yili. Returning, she found Song Yanqing already finished eating and waiting at the corridor’s end. After a moment’s surprise, Zheng Yili nodded. “Let’s go.”

Song Yanqing glanced subtly at the distant Song Qi’an. “Alright.”

In low spirits, Zheng Yili spoke little. Song Yanqing respected her silence, remaining quietly unobtrusive in the car. Such consideration finally eased Zheng Yili’s mood somewhat.

After arriving, Zheng Yili simply bid Song Yanqing “Goodnight” before entering her home.

Song Yanqing stood motionless by the car for a long while before finally turning away.

Yet barely had Zheng Yili rested when Song Qi’an suddenly barged in. “Sis, let me stay at your place for a few days.”

Song Yanqing paused, responding coolly, “Don’t you have your own home?”

Her impassive gaze studied the unusually agitated Song Qi’an, brows knitting slightly. “If you don’t return home, Mother will reprimand you.”

“I’ve already explained it to her in advance.” A faint, knowing smile tugged at Song Qi’an’s typically indifferent expression, as if he’d seen through Song Yanqing’s intentions. “The moment she heard I was here to win Lili back, she agreed without hesitation.”

“Sis, you wouldn’t be so stingy as to deny me the use of this tiny house, would you?”