I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 6

When Zheng Yili was venting her anger, Song Yanqing stood there obediently, not talking back at all.

But the more she acted like this, the more uncomfortable Zheng Yili felt. She pursed her lips tightly, stared straight at the bewildered Song Yanqing for a moment, and finally turned her face away.

She knew Song Yanqing was innocent. In her past life, if it hadn’t been for Song Yanqing’s timely appearance, she might have already lost her sanity and become a madwoman.

Zheng Yili was grateful to Song Yanqing.

But because of Song Yanqing’s relationship with Song Qi’an, Zheng Yili couldn’t help but resent her by association.

Why did she have to clean up after Song Qi’an? Couldn’t she refuse? As an outsider, constantly running to comfort the other party after her sister and her sister’s girlfriend fought—didn’t she find that inappropriate?

Zheng Yili felt a suffocating tightness in her chest.

She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and finally calmed herself down. “I’m sorry, I lost my temper.”

“I shouldn’t have taken out my dissatisfaction with Song Qi’an on you.”

Song Yanqing shook her head, her expression showing no sign of anger. She turned slightly and took a gift bag from the bodyguard behind her, pulling out a jewelry box from inside. Opening it, she revealed a dazzling, exorbitantly expensive set of jewelry. “Qi’an’s way of making it up to you.”

Zheng Yili glanced at it but didn’t take it. “Is it her making it up to me, or you?”

“Unless something unexpected happened, you were the one who picked this out for me, weren’t you?”

Right now, Song Qi’an was busy dating and flirting with Lin Xiaoxiao—how could she possibly have the time to personally select a gift to apologize? That was nothing short of a fantasy.

“I did pick it,” Song Yanqing admitted without hesitation. “But it’s still Qi’an’s gesture.”

“Fine. Since it’s Song Qi’an’s gesture, you can take it back. I don’t want it.” Zheng Yili refused outright.

Song Yanqing seemed slightly disapproving. “It’s only natural to apologize when you’ve hurt someone. Besides, it’s worth eighty million.” Song Yanqing blinked at Zheng Yili, who inexplicably sensed a hint of mischief in her gaze.

Was that… just her imagination?

Zheng Yili wasn’t sure. But this lively, spirited version of Song Yanqing was far more captivating than the meek, submissive one who used to endure her scolding and absorb her bad moods.

Truth be told, Song Yanqing was stunningly beautiful.

Unlike Song Qi’an, whose sharp features and cold demeanor kept people at a distance, Song Yanqing was gentle and soft, like a benevolent spring breeze, tenderly embracing everything around her.

Though her facial features carried subtle sharp edges, her overall aura was warm and refined.

Her delicate, enchanting peach-blossom eyes always carried a faint trace of a smile. While not quite the type to look at a dog with deep affection, there was still something undeniably heart-fluttering about them.

Coupled with Song Yanqing’s preference for understated, elegant clothing, she resembled a celestial being—gentle and approachable.

Zheng Yili’s emotions grew complicated, and just then, Song Yanqing unexpectedly asked, “What are your plans from here?”

“Huh?” Zheng Yili was momentarily stunned before answering honestly, “…I’m preparing to take over the family business and carry on my grandparents’ life’s work.”

“Which industry?”

Zheng Yili didn’t understand why she was suddenly asking this. Her eyes turned slightly wary as she gave a vague reply. “Barring any surprises, probably film and entertainment.”

Song Yanqing nodded, then made a phone call right in front of Zheng Yili. “Mom, Qi’an has gone too far this time. Miss Zheng is utterly heartbroken, feeling like her heart’s being torn apart.”

“As you know, she’s already emotionally fragile after her father’s recent passing. And now, of all times, Qi’an gets entangled in scandalous rumors…”

Before Song Yanqing could finish, Madam Song already had a headache. Without hesitation, she said, “Just get whatever Yili wants for her.”

“As long as it comforts her and keeps her with Qi’an, the cost doesn’t matter.”

“Good. Then I’ll allocate some personnel from the company to her. Miss Zheng is preparing to take over her family business and currently lacks staff,” Song Yanqing said without batting an eye.

Madam Song agreed.

A few employees wouldn’t significantly impact the company. Moreover, helping Zheng Yili now would earn her goodwill—there was no reason to refuse.

After the call, Song Yanqing lowered her eyes and raised an eyebrow at Zheng Yili as if seeking praise.

The gesture was unexpectedly handsome, her deep-set eyes unintentionally exuding a roguish charm.

Zheng Yili’s heart skipped two beats in shock. Was this really happening?

Wasn’t Song Yanqing quietly stealing from Song Qi’an’s home? Realizing this, Zheng Yili’s eyelids twitched, hesitating to speak.

“Don’t worry. This is what Qi’an owes you, so you shouldn’t feel burdened.”

“If Qi’an upsets you again, you can tell us directly. Everyone except Qi’an cares about your feelings.”

The words sounded reasonable, but Zheng Yili pondered them carefully and sensed subtle hints from Song Yanqing.

She blinked, meeting Song Yanqing’s gaze to decipher any hidden meaning, but found nothing.

“Rest assured, those personnel were trained by me and have little connection to Qi’an. I called just to make it official and avoid misunderstandings.”

In the end, Zheng Yili couldn’t refuse Song Yanqing’s kindness.

With An Xian watching closely, Zheng Yili needed to secure Xingyue Entertainment quickly to prevent another takeover.

Their conversation eased much of the tension between them.

After politely assisting, Song Yanqing tactfully left without overstaying. Once she was gone, Ji Wushuang appeared immediately. “That brat Song Qi’an didn’t show up again?”

“Don’t make excuses for her, saying she’s busy with work. How could she be busier than me?”

Ji Wushuang clenched her fists. “Next time I see her, just watch how I discipline her. Yili, don’t you dare stop me!”

“Okay,” Zheng Yili nodded.

“If you try to stop me, I’ll hit you too—wait, what?” Ji Wushuang’s tone shifted abruptly as she gaped at her daughter. “What did you just say?”

Zheng Yili patiently repeated, “Go ahead and beat her up, Mom. I won’t stop you.”

“And when you’re tired, I’ll take over.”

Although Ji Wushuang found her daughter’s words rather unbelievable, she couldn’t help but laugh heartily, happily wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Well said! Truly worthy of being Ji Wushuang’s daughter!”

“Disobedient scumbags deserve to be taught a lesson with fists.”

“If fists don’t work, it just means they aren’t hard enough yet.”

Zheng Yili listened to Madam Ji’s fierce words with a smile in her eyes, feeling a warm ripple in her heart. She should have listened to her mother long ago. After all, her mother had endured ten months of pregnancy pains to bring her into this world—would she ever harm her?

It was raining on the day of Zheng Huai’s funeral, the temperature dropping to just above ten degrees.

Zheng Yili held a large black umbrella with her delicate hands, unconsciously tightening her trench coat around herself. The occasional cold raindrop brushed her face, mingling with the chilly wind to create an intensely uncomfortable sensation.

Song Yanqing wasn’t present today. Zheng Yili scanned the crowd—Song Qi’an was absent too.

A slight confusion arose in her heart. Given how frequently Song Yanqing had been visiting these past few days, it was strange for her to miss the final day. Had something happened?

Zheng Yili stood beside Ji Wushuang with lowered eyelids, her fingers tightening slightly around the umbrella handle.

It wasn’t that she particularly cared about Song Yanqing’s presence, but the situation felt odd. Combined with Song Qi’an’s less-than-respectful attitude toward Song Yanqing and the hidden hearing impairment she hadn’t noticed in her previous life, an uneasy feeling crept over her.

In the past, Song Yanqing had concealed her hearing aids so well that Zheng Yili had never noticed despite their many interactions.

Lost in thought, Zheng Yili didn’t even notice when the ceremony ended.

“Let’s go,” Ji Wushuang nudged her daughter, putting on a solemn expression.

Zheng Yili snapped back to reality, glancing around to see people already dispersing with their umbrellas, leaving only her and Ji Wushuang standing there.

Nodding, Zheng Yili quickly caught up with her mother.

The funeral decorations at home weren’t immediately taken down. Right after lunch, Ji Wushuang hurried off to her martial arts studio, leaving Zheng Yili alone. Sitting on the sofa, Zheng Yili tried sending a message to Song Yanqing.

No response.

She frowned slightly, attempting to convince herself: Maybe she’s busy?

But surely not too busy to respond all morning.

Staring blankly at her phone, she only looked up when a faint shadow fell over her. Slowly raising her eyes, Zheng Yili’s thoughts returned from their wandering.

Seeing Song Qi’an, her expression darkened involuntarily. “What are you doing here?”

Zheng Yili’s tone made no effort to hide her displeasure. Song Qi’an stood with hands in pockets, looking down at her with the usual cold expression. “Still angry?”

“No,” Zheng Yili shook her head emotionlessly, calmly countering, “My father’s already buried. You’re late.”

“Got held up with something this morning,” Song Qi’an replied, pulling a hand from her pocket to rub her temples wearily at Zheng Yili’s slightly accusatory tone.

Something more important than this?

Even though Zheng Yili was well aware of Song Qi’an’s indifference and coldness, an unusual anger flared up inside her. “Since you’ve already missed it, why bother coming at all?”

“I know you’re busy with work. If you lose a major project because of this trip, wouldn’t that make me the villain?”

Zheng Yili’s tone was laced with heavy sarcasm—so thick that even Song Qi’an, usually oblivious, couldn’t miss it.

She lowered her eyelids, her deep, expressive eyes silently studying the other woman for a moment before her brows furrowed slightly. “This is my fault. I’ll make it up to you later.”

Make it up to her? Again? Did Zheng Yili need that kind of half-hearted, patronizing compensation?

A surge of anger shot straight to her head. Zheng Yili closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths to suppress the bitter emotions churning inside her. “No need.”

She stood up from the sofa coldly, meeting Song Qi’an’s gaze head-on. “I don’t want it.”

“Drop that hypocritical act.”

“Song Qi’an, you’ve always known what I truly want was never your guilt-ridden compensation. My family is just as well-off as yours—do you really think I can’t afford the things you’re offering?”

Zheng Yili wasn’t wrong. Song Qi’an stared back, suddenly feeling as if the woman before her had become a stranger.

Her lips pressed into a tight line, her eyes filled with scrutiny and doubt.

Zheng Yili had no patience left for this conversation. As she moved past Song Qi’an to leave, the other woman easily caught her wrist. “There’s nothing between me and Lin Xiaoxiao.”

She abruptly brought up Lin Xiaoxiao. “A few months ago, the company signed her and realized she has real talent—hardworking, dedicated to honing her craft, never complains. You know, after Dingrui’s top agent took several artists and jumped ship, I needed someone to fill that gap.”

“So?” Zheng Yili countered.

Song Qi’an’s gaze drifted momentarily, confused.

“If it upsets you, I’ll have someone else mentor her.” Song Qi’an lowered her head slightly. “Once the worst of the resource competition dies down in a few months, and she’s more established in the industry—”

Zheng Yili abruptly yanked her hand free and coldly spat, “Do whatever you want.”

What was she even hoping for?

When Song Qi’an started speaking, Zheng Yili had thought, for a fleeting moment, that she had finally realized how inappropriate her actions had been. But in the end, it was just wishful thinking.

Between the company, Lin Xiaoxiao, and Zheng Yili—she would always come last in Song Qi’an’s priorities.

“I’m tired. You should go.” Zheng Yili’s tone was sharp as she dismissed her. “Unless it’s something important, don’t come looking for me again.”

With Zheng Huai’s passing, the last thread tying their families together had snapped. Combined with her complete disillusionment with Song Qi’an, Zheng Yili saw no reason for their families to maintain contact unless absolutely necessary.

Song Qi’an had pulled an all-nighter and only managed to sleep at dawn. Her head throbbed painfully now, and the growing distance in Zheng Yili’s demeanor only made it worse.

Unable to bear the coldness, she stepped in front of Zheng Yili, blocking her path with her long legs. “Lili, stop this.”

“I’m not ‘stopping’ anything. I’m perfectly calm.” Trapped, Zheng Yili had no choice but to meet her gaze seriously. “Song Qi’an, I’ve never been more clear-headed in my life.”

“In all my twenty-some years, I’ve never been this certain.”

She spoke word by word with an especially earnest tone. Song Qi’an stared at her composed expression and inexplicably felt a pang of panic, as though something important was slipping decisively through her fingers.

Song Qi’an was dazed for a moment before frowning and falling silent.

Zheng Yili felt she had already made herself perfectly clear to Song Qi’an, so there was no need to waste any more words. She stepped around him once again.

However, after taking just two steps, she slowly came to a stop. Under Song Qi’an’s flickering gaze, tinged with faint hope, she spoke again, “By the way, where’s your sister?”

“I haven’t been able to reach her all morning.”