I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 4

“I don’t agree.”

Zheng Yili had assumed her wish would be easily granted, so when Song Qi’an responded this way, she was momentarily stunned before letting out a bitter laugh. “Your agreement doesn’t matter anyway.”

“The initial arrangement between our families was just a verbal promise. Now that we want to nullify it, a verbal notice is all that’s needed.”

Zheng Yili lifted her eyelids slightly, her gaze icy and mocking. “Or are you planning to make a grand announcement to the whole world? You might not care about your reputation, but I do.”

Her words were laced with sarcasm. Though she wasn’t making a scene as she had in the past, her cold, biting tone was just as aggressive.

Seeing that reasoning with her was futile, Song Qi’an gave up. She had never been a patient person.

“As long as you can handle my mother.”

At the mention of Song Qi’an’s mother, Zheng Yili’s brow furrowed slightly. She vividly remembered how the woman’s attitude toward her had changed drastically before and after the wedding.

Before the marriage, Madam Song had been on Zheng Yili’s side.

Whenever Zheng Yili came to her in tears, Madam Song would join her in criticizing Song Qi’an’s faults and generously offer compensation. It had led Zheng Yili to believe she was a kind, approachable elder, much like her own mother, Madam Ji.

But who could have guessed that the moment Zheng Yili married Song Qi’an, the woman’s demeanor shifted completely?

“Yili, you should try to understand Qi’an. She’s busy with work, under a lot of pressure, and often has to attend social gatherings to deal with investors after hours. It’s not easy for her, so please stop making unreasonable demands, alright?”

“I always thought you were a gentle, considerate, and sensible girl. Why have you become so jealous and unreasonable after marriage?”

“Come now, Yili. Qi’an has no choice in these matters. As her wife, you should be more accommodating.”

When Zheng Yili remained unmoved, Madam Song’s expression darkened, and she put on a stern tone. “Enough. You’ve known Qi’an for years—surely you understand what kind of person she is?”

“As a newlywed, if Qi’an prefers staying out rather than coming home, don’t you think you might bear some responsibility too?”

There were many more such harsh, biased remarks from Madam Song, always shielding Song Qi’an and shifting blame.

Zheng Yili closed her eyes, unwilling to dwell on those memories. “Fine. I’ll go speak to your mother myself.”

This response seemed to irritate Song Qi’an. She shot Zheng Yili a cold glare before abruptly leaving with Lin Xiaoxiao, not even bothering to acknowledge her own elder sister.

Lin Xiaoxiao hurried after Song Qi’an but turned back to offer Zheng Yili a hesitant consolation. “Sister, don’t worry. Qi’an is just upset right now. I’ll try to talk her around for you.”

“No need,” Zheng Yili flatly rejected her performative concern.

“Why waste your breath on her?” Song Qi’an, overhearing, grew even angrier. She stopped abruptly and tugged Lin Xiaoxiao along. “Quit dawdling. Do you still want that business deal or not?”

Caught off guard by Song Qi’an’s grip, a flicker of delight flashed in Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

But she quickly schooled her expression into one of remorse as she faced Zheng Yili. “Sister, I’m sorry…”

Song Qi’an’s strides grew longer and faster. With her height advantage, Lin Xiaoxiao could barely keep up. Eventually, she had to break into a jog, leaving Zheng Yili behind as she rushed after Song Qi’an.

Good news—those two troublemakers, Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao, have left.

Bad news—they’ve left Song Yanqing, a hearing-impaired woman, behind with her.

Zheng Yili frowned with worry.

She had called Song Qi’an over specifically to take Song Yanqing away. Yet now, Song Qi’an had casually walked off without a care, completely disregarding Yanqing’s well-being… What a despicable person.

Recalling the first words Song Qi’an had spoken to Yanqing earlier, Zheng Yili couldn’t help but cast a doubtful glance at her.

Are the two of you really as close as the rumors say?

Faced with Zheng Yili’s skepticism, Song Yanqing didn’t bother clarifying or explaining. The woman remained as indifferent as ever, acting as though she couldn’t hear and thus had nothing to do with the matter.

“It’s fine. I’ve already messaged my bodyguards,” she said. “Until they arrive, may I borrow your room for a while?”

Her tone was polite, her voice cool and composed, her expression gentle. There wasn’t a trace of hostility in her words, yet Zheng Yili felt an inexplicable twinge of guilt.

After all, it was because of her that Yanqing had been left stranded like this.

After a pause, Zheng Yili made up her mind and typed on her phone to show Yanqing: “Let me take you home.”

Song Yanqing shook her head in refusal. “You should focus on your father’s funeral arrangements first.”

Then, she added, “Once I return and get my hearing aid fixed, I’ll come back to help you. As for Qi’an…” She hesitated briefly. “She was in the wrong this time. Let me apologize on her behalf.”

“Don’t mention her.” The mere mention of Song Qi’an’s name irritated Zheng Yili, and she swiftly cut Yanqing off. “I don’t want to hear another word about her.”

“And you don’t need to trouble yourself to come back.”

Zheng Yili didn’t dare let the esteemed eldest daughter of the Song family assist her. If anything were to happen, no amount of explaining would save her.

Yet, uncharacteristically, Song Yanqing insisted. “Given the relationship between our families, someone should step forward to help at a time like this.”

Song Qi’an was too busy with work and too preoccupied with Lin Xiaoxiao, leaving only Yanqing to handle matters. At least this way, Ji Wushuang wouldn’t feel slighted.

Unable to argue, Zheng Yili eventually nodded in agreement, thinking that with Yanqing’s presence, An Xian wouldn’t dare act as arrogantly as she had in her past life.

The bodyguards arrived soon after and escorted Song Yanqing away.

Zheng Yili stood at the doorway, watching as the woman’s white dress fluttered slightly in the chilly breeze, outlining her graceful and alluring figure.

In Zheng Yili’s memories, Song Yanqing always wore simple, elegant clothing, exuding an untouchable, ethereal aura.

Though she never adorned herself with extravagant jewelry, her noble beauty was impossible to ignore.

Song Yanqing didn’t look back as she got into the car. As the vehicle started and disappeared into the horizon, Zheng Yili slowly withdrew her gaze.

In her past life, she had interacted with Yanqing many times, but they were never close.

Every time Yanqing appeared, it was only to clean up after Song Qi’an’s messes. Over time, Zheng Yili had developed a reflexive aversion to her, associating her with Qi’an.

If possible, it was better to keep her distance.

As she turned to leave, Ji Wushuang called out to Zheng Yili, “That woman just now…” She carefully observed her daughter’s expression, trying to see if she had been affected by An Xian’s words.

Zheng Yili remained composed. “Mom, she said that boy around my age is her and Dad’s child. While we can’t verify the truth of her claim yet, we should prepare for the worst.”

Her daughter’s emotions were stable, showing no signs of breaking down. But the calmer Zheng Yili appeared, the more worried Ji Wushuang became. “Don’t worry, Mom understands everything.”

“Mom, have all the lawyers who previously worked for Dad arrived?”

“Let’s go see them. If Dad didn’t leave a specific will, we should sell off some non-essential companies and convert them into cash.”

The Zheng family owned about a dozen companies, large and small. After consideration, Zheng Yili decided to sell half of them.

Neither she nor Ji Wushuang had superhuman abilities—handling any more would be overwhelming. Besides, some of the smaller companies were underperforming, and keeping them would only lead to further losses.

Rather than dragging it out, it was better to act sooner.

Ji Wushuang had no objections, her grief softening slightly. “Alright, we’ll do as Lili says.”

“Oh, Mom,” Zheng Yili lifted her gaze, “aside from the family’s Xingyue Entertainment, you can take the other companies. Your martial arts school is already stable—you can hand it over to someone else to manage…”

“No!” Before Zheng Yili could finish, Ji Wushuang firmly rejected the idea, shaking her head repeatedly. “I’m not leaving my martial arts school!”

“Lili, you’re grown up now. It’s time you learned to shoulder the family’s responsibilities.”

Zheng Yili’s eyelids twitched, and she couldn’t help but stare at her mother.

Ji Wushuang grew slightly uneasy under her gaze and subconsciously touched her nose. “I believe my brilliant, clever daughter can handle the family’s businesses.”

When Zheng Yili didn’t respond, Ji Wushuang’s eyes narrowed, and her tone shifted abruptly. “Sweetheart, if you don’t listen to your mother, well… I do know a thing or two about martial arts.”

“…Understood.”

Seeing their relationship on the verge of another breakdown, Zheng Yili reluctantly agreed with a headache.

With her past-life experience, this wasn’t particularly difficult for her.

But after meeting with the lawyers and finalizing the inheritance arrangements, Zheng Yili’s lips unconsciously tightened as she saw the news in the group chat—Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao openly flirting without restraint.

Even though she had resolved to cut all ties with Song Qi’an, the sight of him gazing tenderly at Lin Xiaoxiao still sent waves of sharp pain through her chest.

This gentle, affectionate version of Song Qi’an was something Zheng Yili had never possessed.