I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 8

The next day, Song Yanqing’s people arrived at the company right on time.

There were five in total. Their previous positions included executive assistant, planning director, marketing director, head of public relations, and legal director.

No introduction was needed—just hearing their titles made it clear they were formidable figures, each holding significant resources, especially the legal director. Zheng Yili vaguely overheard from other employees’ discussions that the legal director had graduated from a prestigious foreign law school. Since their grandparents’ generation, their family had been a renowned legal powerhouse.

Moreover, during their time studying abroad, they had already established an impressive law firm, boasting an undefeated record in the industry—a legendary feat.

How had Song Yanqing managed to persuade such a heavyweight to lower themselves and join her fledgling, struggling little company?

Zheng Yili suddenly felt the world had become surreal.

The five were surprisingly easy to get along with. Despite their stellar backgrounds, they treated Zheng Yili with great respect. Occasionally, they offered constructive suggestions, always in a polite and courteous manner, never making her feel challenged or slighted.

Rubbing her temples, Zheng Yili mused that Song Yanqing’s move felt like unleashing max-level experts to dominate a beginner’s zone.

With them around, Zheng Yili felt that even if she were a good-for-nothing slacker who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, she could effortlessly be carried to success.

This feeling was unfamiliar.

The little pitiful soul, long accustomed to Song Qi’an’s cold indifference, was suddenly enveloped in wholehearted support and genuine care, as if her heart had been steeped in warm water.

Resting her fair-skinned chin on her hand, Zheng Yili frowned slightly. But this seemed a bit excessive—after all, her current relationship with Song Yanqing hadn’t yet reached the point where the latter would go to such lengths to pave the way for her.

Before she could make sense of it, her phone, placed nearby, rang. “Yili, are you done with work? Should I come pick you up?”

“No need to trouble yourself,” Zheng Yili replied, glancing at the memo on her desk. Today was the birthday of a close childhood friend, and she had to attend. “I’ll head over myself.”

The other person didn’t insist. “Alright, we’ll wait for you.”

Gathering her things, Zheng Yili grabbed her handbag and car keys and quickly made her way to the destination.

It wasn’t dinnertime yet, so everyone was singing in the adjacent private room. Zheng Yili pushed the door open and stepped inside, where the dim lighting made it hard to distinguish faces.

Even so, it didn’t stop her from immediately spotting Song Qi’an, whose sharp features stood out coldly, nor Lin Xiaoxiao, who was smiling sweetly beside her.

Her good mood shattered instantly. Nodding at those who turned to look, Zheng Yili calmly walked in.

Her arrival caused a brief awkwardness in the room, but the atmosphere soon reignited. Zheng Yili found a seat far from Song Qi’an and chatted lightly with a friend beside her.

Her friend studied her expression carefully. “Yili, don’t be upset. We already checked for you—Qi’an just sees Lin Xiaoxiao as an employee, nothing more.”

“Don’t worry, we’re all on your side. If Qi’an dares to wrong you, we’ll be the first to stand up for you.”

Zheng Yili smiled, not doubting the sincerity of those words.

In her past life, these childhood friends had truly stood by her side. Later, when the rumors between Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao grew increasingly intense, they even severed ties with Song Qi’an without regard for their past camaraderie.

A warm feeling surged through Zheng Yili’s heart, but she still said, “It’s fine. We’re already over.”

As luck would have it, a song had just ended at that moment, and the previously lively private room suddenly fell silent. Thus, Zheng Yili’s words rang out clearly, catching everyone off guard.

The air around Song Qi’an instantly turned frigid, so cold that those nearby nearly shivered.

Zheng Yili didn’t look at Song Qi’an, but she could imagine his expression—stony-faced, eyes icy with frost.

The corners of her lips curled slightly as she deliberately asked, “Why did you stop singing?”

Her friends snapped out of their daze, quickly switching the song and pushing someone forward to divert attention.

The noisy music started again, breaking the suffocating silence. A close friend gaped at Zheng Yili in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

Seeing that Zheng Yili only smiled without refuting, the friend lowered her voice in astonishment. “No way, Yili. Are you serious?”

“Just because of Lin Xiaoxiao, you’re ending things with Qi’an?” The friend couldn’t comprehend it. “But you’ve liked her for so long, and you’re about to get engaged soon.”

“Yes, just because of Lin Xiaoxiao.”

Zheng Yili’s lips twisted in self-mockery. “What does it matter how long I’ve liked her? What does it matter if we were about to get engaged? Couples break up, and marriages end in divorce.”

“Besides, we were only—”

“About to get engaged.” She emphasized.

Song Qi’an’s love was too elusive, too stingy. She no longer wanted to bang her head against a wall, wasting her warmth on his indifference.

Since Song Qi’an liked Lin Xiaoxiao and was practically inseparable from her, Zheng Yili might as well step aside and let them be.

She sincerely wished them a lifetime of happiness, a loving old age, and a house full of descendants—now that she wouldn’t be in the way.

Her heart was at peace, but Song Qi’an could no longer remain calm.

Zheng Yili could feel his cold gaze repeatedly landing on her—filled with confusion, scrutiny, and suppressed anger.

Had the setting been different, Song Qi’an would have marched over to demand an explanation.

But Zheng Yili, finally having time to meet with friends, couldn’t be bothered with him. She ate and drank freely, feeling full even before dinner officially began.

Song Qi’an’s gaze remained fixed on the woman across from him, who was laughing softly, her eyes seductive. His fingers unconsciously clenched tightly.

Sensing the tension, Lin Xiaoxiao promptly handed him a cup of warm water, speaking softly, “President Song, your stomach isn’t well. Drink less tonight.”

She pushed the cup forward gently, playing the role of the considerate, tender companion.

Others watched with disdain. Having seen through people since childhood, they easily recognized Lin Xiaoxiao’s cheap tricks.

Yet, inexplicably, Song Qi’an fell for it every time.

When his gaze shifted to Lin Xiaoxiao, the intensity in Song Qi’an’s eyes softened. He took the cup of hot water from her and drank it in one gulp before suddenly saying, “It’s getting late. You should head back first.”

“I’ll have someone drive you.”

The smile on Lin Xiaoxiao’s face instantly froze. She blinked, her eyes immediately welling up with pitiful tears. “President Song, did I do something to upset you? Please tell me, and I’ll do better next time, okay?”

“You haven’t upset me,” Song Qi’an replied, his tone still gentle. “It’s just time for you to return to your acting class.”

Hearing this reason, Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t press further. She let out a relieved sigh, her tears turning into a smile. “That’s good. I thought I’d made a mistake and that’s why you didn’t want to see me.”

Song Qi’an denied it again, and only then did Lin Xiaoxiao stand up, gracefully and politely bidding farewell to everyone.

Those close to Zheng Yili ignored her, and in the end, it was the host who, fearing the situation would become too awkward, gave a perfunctory response. Seeing this, Lin Xiaoxiao bit her lip in distress, forcing herself to remain composed as she glanced at Song Qi’an before obediently preparing to leave.

Song Qi’an observed Lin Xiaoxiao’s reaction, his gaze coolly sweeping over the group before finally settling on Zheng Yili. His throat moved slightly, as if he was about to speak. Zheng Yili, sensing his intention, crossed her arms and smirked back at him. “What, do you want me to apologize to her?”

This wasn’t the first time Song Qi’an had done something like this—Zheng Yili knew him all too well.

Before Song Qi’an could respond, the friend sitting beside Zheng Yili exploded in anger. “Song Qi’an, enough is enough! Her distress isn’t Yili’s fault!”

“Honestly, what are you doing, a man with a fiancée, getting so entangled with other women? Have you ever considered how Yili feels?”

“Yili likes you so much. How do you think it makes her feel to see you flirting with other women right in front of her?”

Zheng Yili hadn’t stopped her friend, intending to let her vent at Song Qi’an, but she hadn’t expected the conversation to circle back to her. Scratching her neck, she finally intervened. “Alright, don’t get so worked up. It’s not worth hurting yourself over.”

Her friend puffed up her cheeks like an angry pufferfish, glaring at Song Qi’an. Amusement flickered in Zheng Yili’s eyes as she soothingly patted the back of her friend’s hand.

Song Qi’an’s gaze remained fixed on Zheng Yili. “Is this what you were talking about earlier?” His deep eyes stared unblinkingly at her, his brow slightly furrowed, his voice as cold and detached as ever.

“None of your business,” Zheng Yili retorted sharply. “Do we have to report everything we talk about to you?”

“Song Qi’an, don’t overestimate your importance.”

The room fell so silent that even the sound of a heartbeat would have been audible. Song Qi’an’s icy stare was unnerving, the pressure it exuded making others shrink back.

In the past, Zheng Yili had always been docile and gentle around Song Qi’an. Even though her true nature was bold and vibrant, like a thorny red rose, she had never directed her sharp edges toward him.

Therefore, when Zheng Yili openly expressed her hostility towards Song Qi’an, everyone looked at her in disbelief.

Lin Xiaoxiao subtly took in everyone’s expressions, especially noticing Song Qi’an’s instantly darkened face. The corners of her lips curled into a faint smile before she quickly suppressed it.

“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault,” she said with a choked voice. “I made you misunderstand.”

“Actually, there’s nothing between me and President Song. Our relationship is completely innocent.”

Faced with Lin Xiaoxiao’s pitiful, tearful demeanor, Zheng Yili scoffed. “Then you should think carefully about why we don’t misunderstand anyone else—only you.”

A cold, mirthless smile hung on her lips. “I’ve known Song Qi’an for so long, yet this is the first time we’ve had such an ugly scene because of an outsider.”

“So shouldn’t both of you reflect on yourselves?”

This jab included Song Qi’an as well.

Song Qi’an’s frown deepened, his gaze growing increasingly scrutinizing. But Zheng Yili couldn’t be bothered to care. Crossing her legs, she leaned back on the sofa, staring at the hypocritical Lin Xiaoxiao and Song Qi’an, making no effort to hide her intent to kick them out. “Still not leaving?”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes reddened, and she immediately covered her face and ran out.

After she left, Zheng Yili turned to Song Qi’an with a sardonic smile. “Your beloved has been wronged. Aren’t you going to chase after her and comfort her?”

Song Qi’an stared at her deeply before standing up—but instead of leaving, his long strides carried him toward Zheng Yili.

She remained motionless, allowing him to approach. Only when he reached out, seemingly intent on pulling her out of the private room, did she struggle. “Song Qi’an, let go of me! If you think you can force me to apologize to Lin Xiaoxiao, forget it!”

Her icy glare was full of warning. “Even if I did apologize, would she dare accept it?”

Ignoring her, Song Qi’an stubbornly tried to pull her from the sofa. The others, sensing the tension, hurried over to intervene, but a single indifferent glance from Song Qi’an froze them in place.

Seeing his determination, Zheng Yili didn’t want to put her friends in an awkward position. She decisively shook off Song Qi’an’s grip and strode straight for the door.

Song Qi’an paused briefly before following with long strides, leaving the rest to exchange bewildered looks. “Is it really okay to let Yili and Qi’an leave together? Won’t something happen?”

“Probably… maybe… it’ll be fine?” someone said hesitantly. “Yili’s skills are formidable. If anything happens, it’ll probably be Qi’an who suffers, right?”

…That did make sense.

Lin Xiaoxiao was nowhere to be seen in the hallway. Zheng Yili stopped in a secluded spot, turned, and tilted her chin up to meet Song Qi’an’s gaze. “If you have something to say, hurry up.”

Her impatience was palpable. Song Qi’an’s eyes darkened as he reached out to touch her, but she deftly avoided him.

When he suddenly closed the distance, Zheng Yili caught the scent of a woman’s perfume on him. Knowing him, she was certain he would never wear something so cloyingly sweet.

There was only one explanation—Lin Xiaoxiao had deliberately left that scent on him when she got close.

Zheng Yili felt disgusted. “Don’t touch me. I don’t want a fickle woman.”

“I’m not fickle,” Song Qi’an said, unusually not immediately giving Zheng Yili a cold look or forcing her to apologize to Lin Xiaoxiao. Instead, he explained seriously, “I’ve never touched Lin Xiaoxiao.”