I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 32

“What are you thinking about?”

Zheng Yili gave her a light smack in exasperation. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Zhou Jiaoyuan pouted, feeling utterly wronged. “I’m not talking nonsense. Song Yanqing is genuinely good-looking… Don’t even try to deny it.”

Truth be told, they had gossiped about Song Yanqing together long ago.

As a child, Song Yanqing was so exquisitely beautiful, so delicately porcelain-like, that it made the rowdy kids like them unable to look away—like hungry wolves spotting fresh meat, drooling with longing.

Song Yanqing’s beauty was non-threatening, the kind that drew people in. Even strangers who had never met her before would be instantly captivated by her unique, cool elegance.

Most of the time, Song Yanqing was quiet and reserved. But unlike her younger sister, Song Qi’an, she always wore a faint, elusive smile. This added a touch of gentle warmth to her otherwise distant and aloof demeanor.

It was a contradictory feeling—as if she were both the familiar, approachable girl next door and an untouchable, enigmatic traveler, impossible to grasp.

Even so, the group of little girls was often utterly enchanted by her, hearts fluttering wildly.

Back then, however, Song Yanqing was often in poor health, so they didn’t have many chances to interact. No matter how much they yearned, they could only watch from afar. And though they later became close friends with Song Qi’an—so close they couldn’t be closer—their relationship with Song Yanqing remained lukewarm, with no real depth.

To them, Song Yanqing was like a snow lotus atop a distant mountain peak—utterly untouchable.

Zheng Yili followed Zhou Jiaoyuan’s gaze toward Song Yanqing and sighed helplessly. “Do you really think ‘still charming in her old age’ is an appropriate way to describe someone barely in their twenties?”

Zhou Jiaoyuan froze. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

Her eyes rolled as she pondered seriously before finally concluding, “Yeah, that doesn’t seem quite right.” Propping her chin in her hands, Zhou Jiaoyuan stared dreamily at Song Yanqing. “But she looks so fragrant, so beautiful.”

“I want to be her little puppy.”

“I’m going—”

Before Zheng Yili and Feng Ying could stop her, Zhou Jiaoyuan had already fluttered toward Song Yanqing like a colorful butterfly. “Sister, do you want to join us? We’re about to take photos.”

Song Yanqing glanced at the starry-eyed girl before her, then at Zheng Yili’s complicated expression in the distance. A sudden smile bloomed on her face. “Sure.”

When the woman smiled, it was breathtakingly beautiful. Her gentle voice was like an intoxicating spell, seeping into every pore, instantly leaving Zhou Jiaoyuan dizzy and unsteady on her feet.

Staggering slightly, Zhou Jiaoyuan marveled inwardly—this person was truly God’s most perfect masterpiece.

Her bone structure was flawless, her proportions exquisite—just enough to avoid roughness or fragility. Not too sharp, not too soft, striking the perfect balance between depth and gentleness, allure and coolness. It was utterly mesmerizing, irresistibly captivating, impossible not to adore.

Zheng Yili and Feng Ying exchanged glances. “Is she serious?”

“Hard to say.”

The two shared a knowing look. When Zhou Jiaoyuan returned triumphantly with Song Yanqing in tow, she immediately crossed her arms suspiciously at their expressions. “Were you two talking about me behind my back?”

“Not yet, we wouldn’t dare.”

Zhou Jiaoyuan nodded in satisfaction with a smile, then abruptly yanked Zheng Yili and shoved her next to Song Yanqing. “Alright, let’s begin!”

Zheng Yili stiffened unconsciously as she felt the woman’s warm body heat through the thin fabric against her skin.

She instinctively wanted to move away slightly, but before she could react, Zhou Jiaoyuan leaned in with a mischievous expression. After taking a deep breath, she suddenly exclaimed with excitement, “Wow! Sister, Lili, you both smell amazing!”

Zheng Yili: “…” What an utterly shameless harassment.

Zheng Yili’s sharp glare shot over instantly. Zhou Jiaoyuan, guilty as a thief, rubbed her nose and quickly straightened up, no longer deliberately pressing against Zheng Yili.

However, due to Zhou Jiaoyuan’s sudden move, instead of distancing herself from Song Yanqing, she ended up even closer.

Nearly half of her body was now nestled into Song Yanqing’s embrace, their postures intimate and ambiguous, pressed so tightly together that not a sliver of space remained between them.

Feeling uneasy, Zheng Yili stole a glance at Song Yanqing from the corner of her eye.

Song Yanqing happened to be looking at her too, her expression as calm as ever, her gaze as tender and indulgent as usual.

Zheng Yili’s eyes felt scorched, and she hastily averted her gaze, holding her breath to avoid making any noise. Yet the pounding in her chest grew increasingly rapid and intense, like a torrential downpour stirring wave after wave of ripples across the surface of her heart.

As Zhou Jiaoyuan had said, Song Yanqing did smell wonderful.

Like being steeped in the vibrant blossoms of a garden, carrying a natural yet lingering fragrance.

The proximity allowed Zheng Yili not only to feel the warmth of their shared breaths but also to faintly hear the other’s strong, steady heartbeat—rhythmic, one beat after another.

Like a feather, lightly brushing against her tingling heart.

The shoot had long ended. Zheng Yili snapped back to reality at Zhou Jiaoyuan’s call. Jerking away and standing up abruptly, she realized her reaction was overly intense and forced a stiff smile.

Zhou Jiaoyuan sidled up again, mysteriously handing Zheng Yili her phone. “Lili, post these later too.”

“Look how perfect you and Sister look together! One like an elegant, radiant tulip, the other like a serene, gentle orchid in the snow. If Song Qi’an saw these photos, she’d definitely die of jealousy.”

Zheng Yili glanced sideways and had to explain, “I’ve already blocked her.”

“Ah?” Zhou Jiaoyuan hesitated. “What a shame. But Lin Xiaoxiao added you, didn’t she? If you can’t upset Song Qi’an, you can at least annoy Lin Xiaoxiao.”

“Even though she stole Song Qi’an from you, you still have Sister. Not everything you cherish can be taken away by her.”

That might not be true, Zheng Yili silently replied in her heart.

In her past life, Lin Xiaoxiao had taken almost everyone dear to her. Song Qi’an, Madam Ji, and even An Xian and An Chenglun—who she hadn’t liked but were supposed to be family—had all unhesitatingly sided with Lin Xiaoxiao, joining forces to push her into despair.

Their methods were truly formidable.

Zheng Yili lowered her lashes, concealing the cold glint in her eyes.

Since the day of Zheng Huai’s passing, An Xian and An Chenglun had disappeared without a trace after making their appearance. Zheng Yili couldn’t help but wonder what tactics they might employ next.

Would they go to Mrs. Ji, playing the victim and begging for shelter, just as they had in her past life? Or would they first persuade the elders in the clan to pressure her into accepting their presence?

In the end, Zheng Yili didn’t follow Zhou Jiaoyuan’s terrible suggestion to post a photo of herself and Song Yanqing.

Perhaps she had some selfishness in her too—she didn’t want that gentle, serene face to be seen by too many irrelevant strangers.

Zheng Yili exercised restraint, but Lin Xiaoxiao was different. She posted several photos of herself in the hospital, wishing for cake, her pale, sickly face flushed with happy anticipation: “Another year older! Happy birthday to me~”

Zheng Yili opened the photos and studied them carefully before ultimately finding them uninteresting and casually adding Lin Xiaoxiao to her blacklist to keep Song Qi’an company.

She was no longer the paranoid, hysterical madwoman from her past life. She no longer needed to scrutinize every little thing for evidence that Song Qi’an had fallen out of love with her or cheated.

To her, Song Qi’an was now just a slowly healing scar.

She had gritted her teeth through the initial pain and torment, and now all that remained was waiting for time to naturally fade the memory until it disappeared entirely.

Given enough time, even if Song Qi’an hugged and kissed Lin Xiaoxiao right in front of her, she would remain unmoved.

Someone nearby called out to her, “Lili, come cut the cake!”

Zheng Yili turned her head and saw Zhou Jiaoyuan, who was always bickering playfully with Feng Ying. A faint smile curled at her lips as she responded, tucking her phone away.

This was her path forward—bright and clear. Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao were not.

They would only drag her into the abyss, devour her whole, and leave not even a bone behind.

Song Qi’an also saw Lin Xiaoxiao’s social media post.

Her feelings toward Lin Xiaoxiao were complicated now. On one hand, she pitied her for her hardships and troubled family background. On the other, Zheng Yili’s undisguised hostility and dislike toward her left Song Qi’an torn.

In her mind, Lin Xiaoxiao was gentle, considerate, and sensible—always knowing her place and never making unreasonable demands in front of her. This made Song Qi’an feel at ease and comfortable.

Having navigated various social circles for years, Song Qi’an had long since seen through the greed and insatiability in people’s hearts.

Even her own mother, Shen Yun—elegant and poised in public—had a bottomless, ravenous appetite in private.

Shen Yun already possessed luxuries most people wouldn’t dare dream of, yet she still forced Song Qi’an onto the life path she had set, leaving no room for refusal.

A trace of mockery flickered in Song Qi’an’s eyes before her expression settled into heavy indifference.

Returning her attention to Lin Xiaoxiao’s post, she ultimately deigned to send a birthday greeting. At the end, she couldn’t resist adding, “Move out as soon as you recover.”

After a pause, she softened her tone slightly: “If your home really isn’t safe, you can stay at one of Ding Rui’s hotels.”

“Just mention my name for a discount.”

No matter how much she pitied Lin Xiaoxiao or sympathized with her, Song Qi’an was unwilling to make things too awkward with Zheng Yili over someone as insignificant as Lin Xiaoxiao.

In Song Qi’an’s heart, Zheng Yili was undoubtedly more important than a mere subordinate artist like Lin Xiaoxiao.

Zheng Yili was her childhood sweetheart, her closest friend since infancy, and the little savior who had always stepped forward without hesitation to protect her when her quiet, introverted nature made her a target for bullying by other children.

Zheng Yili held a unique place in Song Qi’an’s heart—one that no one else could replace, least of all Lin Xiaoxiao.

Memories of the past brought a faint smile to Song Qi’an’s face, but it soon faded, replaced by a shadow that darkened her cold, profound features.

Her heart felt as though it had been steeped in bitter herbs, filled with nothing but a sour, acrid taste.

Now that things had deteriorated to this point between them… was there even a chance for reconciliation?

Song Qi’an wasn’t sure anymore.

When Lin Xiaoxiao saw Song Qi’an’s message, her expression darkened instantly. She clenched her teeth so hard they nearly shattered, her eyes glued to her phone in disbelief.

Liang Xin noticed something was wrong and cautiously asked, “What’s wrong, Xiaoxiao? Did something happen?”

Snapped back to reality, Lin Xiaoxiao’s face turned grim. “Nothing,” she murmured, shaking her head lightly before forcing a casual smile. “Well, the cast is off now. Let’s go home.”

“But the doctor just said you should stay for observation for two more days…”

“It’s fine.” Lin Xiaoxiao took Liang Xin’s hand, gazing at her earnestly. “I’m really okay now. Don’t you think I know my own body?”

Liang Xin still disagreed. “But—”

“Enough with the ‘buts.'” Lin Xiaoxiao tapped Liang Xin’s forehead playfully. “Let’s hurry and pack up so we can go back to our own little home.”

She emphasized, “It’s been so long since I’ve been home. I really miss my own bed.”

Liang Xin finally caught on and stopped her. “Wait, Xiaoxiao—what do you mean by that? We’re staying at President Song’s place right now. Why would we suddenly pack up and leave?”

“Your place isn’t safe! What if another stalker breaks in? You’re still injured—if something happens, what then?!”

Her voice rose with agitation. “Did President Song kick you out?”

“Honestly, she knows full well what you’re going through! As your boss, it’s bad enough that she doesn’t care about you, but to take advantage of your situation just because Zhou Jiaoyuan threw a tantrum—ignoring whether you live or die—”

“Does she even have a conscience?!”

“Zhou Jiaoyuan is just some irrelevant outsider, but you’re her company’s most important artist!”

Only after Liang Xin had vented did Lin Xiaoxiao gently stop her. “That’s enough, Liang Xin. President Song was kind enough to take me in before. I’ve already overstayed my welcome at her place for so long.”

“Now that I’m recovering, it really isn’t right to keep bothering her.”

“Moreover…” Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes dimmed slightly, “I don’t want President Song and Miss Zheng to keep arguing and having conflicts because of me. If one day their disagreements become irreconcilable due to my involvement, I’d feel terribly guilty.”

Liang Xin disagreed: “What does their relationship have to do with you, Xiaoxiao? If you ask me, President Song clearly doesn’t like that Zheng Yili. Despite Zheng’s numerous hysterical outbursts, I haven’t seen any change in President Song’s attitude.”

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoxiao’s expression stiffened imperceptibly.

Unaware, Liang Xin continued venting: “Frankly, if they’re going to break up, they should just do it quickly instead of dragging you into it every time, putting you in impossible positions.”

A look of resignation crossed Lin Xiaoxiao’s face: “Let’s not interfere with President Song and Miss Zheng’s matters…”

“Liang Xin, as long as we have clear consciences and do our best, that’s enough.”

Liang Xin nodded, then voiced her indignation: “Today was supposed to be your birthday celebration. President Song is being too heartless—she could’ve at least let you finish your birthday before making you leave.”

“Of all days, why did it have to be today?” she complained bitterly, full of sympathy for Lin Xiaoxiao. “Forget it, we don’t need their pity anyway.”

“Xiaoxiao.” Liang Xin gazed at her solemnly, “You absolutely must become famous.”

“When you reach the top of the entertainment industry, no one will be able to bully you anymore. Even President Song will have to show you some respect then.”

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled faintly: “You’re always so good to me.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll never forget my original aspirations,” she said softly. “Even without President Song, I’ll climb to that highest position.”

“Yes! I’ll support you with everything I have!”

Satisfaction flickered in Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes. “Liang Xin, without you, I truly don’t know how I’d survive in this cruel, indifferent industry.”

“We’ll always stand together, always be each other’s support and strength, never betraying one another.”

“Xiaoxiao, you understand my feelings, don’t you…?”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes gleamed momentarily before she smiled. “I understand.”

As they left the hospital, sharing heartfelt words, they simultaneously saw the official statement released by Ding Rui Company’s Weibo before even reaching home: [“Regarding recent rumors about our CEO Song Qi’an and artist Lin Xiaoxiao, our company will take legal measures to protect…”]

Lin Xiaoxiao’s face instantly paled, her lips unconsciously clamping down until they hurt.

Was Song Qi’an… cutting ties with her?

No, that couldn’t be.

Her expression darkened as she clenched her fists. Song Qi’an wasn’t that kind of heartless person.

A mocking smile surfaced—could it really be that Zhou Jiaoyuan’s dramatic scene today had made Song Qi’an realize something, prompting such swift action?

Song Qi’an had always been so slow to act.

The metallic taste of bl00d spread in her mouth. Coming back to her senses, she realized she’d bitten through her lip without noticing.

As she relaxed her jaw, delayed pain surged forth, further unsettling her thoughts.

Liang Xin couldn’t comprehend the situation: “Why would the company post something like this out of nowhere? Weren’t you and President Song completely innocent to begin with?”

“With this statement out now, it just feels like they’re trying to cover up the truth. They really don’t care about your well-being at all!”

Liang Xin was seething with anger, wishing she could rush back to the company immediately to confront Song Qi’an.

Fortunately, she still had some sense left and knew that doing so would not only be pointless but might also make Song Qi’an develop an even worse impression of Lin Xiaoxiao. So, she could only swallow her anger and suppress the urge.

“I think President Song is completely bewitched by Zheng Yili! I don’t know what’s so special about her. Clearly, Xiaoxiao, you’re a hundred times more likable than Zheng Yili.”

Liang Xin muttered on and on, while Lin Xiaoxiao listened in silence, too dispirited to correct or stop her.

Yes, why did Song Qi’an like Zheng Yili so much?

She was just an ordinary person—what made her so deserving of Song Qi’an’s unwavering devotion and loyalty?

Lin Xiaoxiao slowly lowered her eyelids, concealing the coldness and calculation in her eyes. In this world, the only two things she didn’t believe in were cheap and hollow sincerity.

What did fleeting affection amount to?

Since ancient times, people who shifted their affections were as numerous as fish in a river.

She refused to believe that after all her careful planning and enduring patience, she would still lose to Zheng Yili—that rough, careless woman who was neither gentle nor considerate.

Under the reminders of Zhou Jiaoyuan and Feng Ying, Zheng Yili also saw Song Qi’an’s clarification statement. She merely smiled dismissively at it.

Such things were only meant to deceive outsiders. In private, wouldn’t things continue as usual between them?

Otherwise, in her past life, Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao wouldn’t have still ended up together after repeatedly denying their relationship, even forcing her to publicly step aside for Lin Xiaoxiao.

Zheng Yili smiled bitterly, unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer, and turned her head away to ask Song Yanqing, “Sister, where’s the gift you prepared for me?”

“Everyone else got me gifts—even Song Qi’an did. You wouldn’t be the only one without one, right?”

As she spoke, the girl’s brows lifted slightly, exuding a mix of naive charm and faint bossiness. Song Yanqing chuckled softly. “It’s too big. I had it delivered straight to your home.”

She added, “You’ll see it when you get back.”

Was this a carefully planned surprise?

Zheng Yili hesitated for a moment but didn’t press Song Yanqing further. Still, because of her actions, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation.

How long had it been since she last felt this kind of expectation?

Zheng Yili was momentarily lost in thought. It seemed that ever since Lin Xiaoxiao appeared by Song Qi’an’s side in her past life, she hadn’t felt it at all.

Once a person has something to look forward to, time slows to a crawl. When everything was finally over, Zheng Yili rushed home as fast as she could.

In the center of the living room, an enormous pink rabbit dominated her entire field of vision.

Zheng Yili froze, utterly surprised.

But soon, she dashed over to Song Yanqing’s place next door, excitedly grabbing her arm. Her eyes sparkled like starlight—bright but not piercing. “Sister, how did you know Dora the Rabbit is my favorite?!”

Song Yanqing smiled gently. “I’ve always known.”

“You told me yourself the first time we met.”

Zheng Yili was puzzled, as she had no recollection of this matter whatsoever. However, that didn’t stop her from feeling happy and satisfied at this moment. “I really like it, thank you.”

The smile in Song Yanqing’s eyes deepened. “I’m glad you like it.”

Song Qi’an stood quietly in the shadows of the corner, not daring to step out and disrupt the harmonious atmosphere outside. She rolled her eyes slightly, her gaze slowly settling on the overlapping hands of Zheng Yili and Song Yanqing.

The seamless press of skin against skin, the intimate proximity between the two, filled her with jealousy and stung her eyes like a glaring light.

Her face darkened as she felt her heart tumbling through a bed of thorns, pierced with pain from every direction, even breathing became an arduous struggle…