Seduced Me into a Deep Fall (GL , ABO) - Chapter 10
Yet it brought Ling Xi an unparalleled sense of security.
Since yesterday, whether it was helping her up when she fainted from low bl00d sugar or providing her with a place to stay, Song Yi’s presence had always signaled an improvement in her situation, a stability that no longer required worry.
Just two simple words could offer Ling Xi immense comfort.
She accepted the friend request and, looking at the pure black profile picture that perfectly matched Song Yi’s personality, even felt like smiling.
[Song Yi, do you have contact information for Manager Zhao and the others?] Ling Xi typed out each word carefully.
After sending it, she didn’t expect Song Yi to reply instantly.
Still, being able to reach someone meant she wouldn’t starve to death in this place, and that alone eased her anxiety.
Song Yi sent back a question mark, then immediately forwarded Manager Zhao’s contact details.
[I got lost in your house >~<] Ling Xi explained.
[Where are you?] On the other end of the screen, Song Yi found the situation both amusing and urgent. She wished she could rush home immediately to personally guide Ling Xi out.
Thinking about it, her house was indeed a bit maze-like.
It was Ling Xi’s first time staying there, so it was natural for her to be unfamiliar. And last night, it had been so late that Song Yi had forgotten to have someone show Ling Xi around.
Ling Xi hesitated, not wanting to disturb Song Yi, who was surely busy with work. She quickly typed:
[It’s okay, Song Yi. I’ll just ask Manager Zhao to find me. You must be swamped don’t worry about me.]
Song Yi read the message, adjusted her prayer beads, and let the lotus tassel settle neatly into her sleeve. [She might not be checking her phone. Just tell me.]
That made sense. While Ling Xi was still hesitating, Song Yi suddenly called via video.
Startled, Ling Xi fumbled, nearly dropping her phone before finally answering.
“As you can see,” Song Yi said, relieved to find Ling Xi unharmed, “I’m not busy. Tell me where you are.”
Ling Xi swallowed as she took in Song Yi’s breathtaking beauty, even from an unflattering camera angle.
“Then I’ll turn the camera around. I don’t know where, I am, I was trying to go downstairs, but after two floors, it felt wrong, and I ended up wandering around like this.”
Song Yi felt a pang of disappointment when Ling Xi disappeared from the frame but quickly refocused, helping identify the surroundings Ling Xi captured.
“I know where you are now. Turn left and go straight. Take it slow.”
Ling Xi followed her instructions, filming the rooms along the way.
“Do you see the floral archway? Push it open.”
Ling Xi obeyed and was surprised to find stairs inside.
“Is this the normal way downstairs?” she asked curiously as she descended.
“No, this is a shortcut. Once you reach the first floor, open the door, and you should find your way to the main hall.”
As she watched, Song Yi wondered if she should renovate the villa to make it less confusing for Ling Xi.
She had even noticed a faint redness at the corners of Ling Xi’s eyes, she must have been lost for a while.
While going downstairs, Ling Xi noticed Song Yi staring intently at the screen. To fill the silence, she struck up a conversation. “How did you get my contact info?”
“Asked someone.” Song Yi seemed determined to keep her answers as brief as possible, as if each extra word was exhausting.
“Mu Xie?” Ling Xi’s first thought was the person she least wanted to see yet the one who knew her best.
“No. Do you miss her?” Song Yi had her own methods; she didn’t need to ask Mu Xie.
Ling Xi quickly denied it. “No, I just thought no one else knew…”
Hearing the slight tremble in her voice, Song Yi’s expression turned serious. Had she said something wrong?
Before she could react, Ling Xi spoke again.
“I’ve found my way now. Thank you. Butler Zhao has replied to me too, so I won’t disturb you any longer. Work hard.”
Pushing open the door and seeing the familiar scenery, Ling Xi finally relaxed.
She turned the camera around, waved goodbye to Song Yi, and hung up.
Leaving Song Yi staring blankly at the black screen.
She’d forgotten to record the call.
Oh well, there would be more opportunities. She’d remember next time.
With a silent sigh, Song Yi put away her phone and returned to her busy work.
Meanwhile, Ling Xi finally found Butler Zhao, who led her to the kitchen to collect the breakfast prepared for her before returning to her room.
This was an exception, Ling Xi told herself firmly.
She was just staying here temporarily, she couldn’t possibly expect Song Yi to cover her meals too.
Starting tomorrow, she’d buy groceries and cook for herself, not troubling Song Yi’s household staff any further.
Just as she was thinking this, her phone suddenly lit up repeatedly.
Assuming it was some app sending notifications, she opened it and nearly dropped her spoon.
It was a group chat created by those friends who had been so angry they’d cut ties with her long ago, now bombarding her with messages.
[What, suddenly decided to come find us?]
[You’d better give us a proper explanation]
[Where are you? Get to the commercial street and apologize right now, or we’re deleting you]
Looking at those familiar yet long-unseen names, faces she’d nearly forgotten in the depths of memory, Ling Xi exhaled deeply, covering her face with her hands as she broke down in silent sobs.
It was as if the dark cloud that had hung over her since rebirth had finally dissipated at this moment.
She no longer had to hide from Mu Xie, nor worry about dragging her friends into trouble.
She was free.
Finishing her brunch between tears, Ling Xi opened her chat with Song Yi and carefully typed a message.
Moving as if any sudden motion might shatter this beautiful dream.
[Can I go out to meet friends?]
Hearing the special notification tone, Song Yi picked up her phone and raised an eyebrow at Ling Xi’s message.
She’d just today tracked down Ling Xi’s friends to ask for her contact information.
This girl was usually quite popular, why had she said those things earlier?
[Of course. You don’t need to ask me in future Mu Xie won’t have time to trouble you.] She’d prepared quite the surprise for Mu Xie.
She’d originally thought Mu Xie truly cherished Ling Xi.
Only due to status, family, and the order of their acquaintance had Song Yi restrained herself from competing for Ling Xi.
Who knew Mu Xie had never genuinely cared for Ling Xi? That Ling Xi didn’t even like her, and that she’d done such terrible things?
Song Yi couldn’t tolerate it.
[Okay, thank you so much!] Overwhelmed with joy, Ling Xi didn’t grasp the deeper meaning behind those words.
But it didn’t matter. With the one bank card Mu Xie hadn’t controlled in hand, she sent Song Yi a sticker and practically skipped out of the villa.
Song Yi gazed at the bowing puppy sticker on her screen, her expression softening impossibly.
“Chairman Song?” Her secretary’s quiet reminder made her wonder if she was daydreaming, startled by that look.
Song Yi turned off her phone, reverting to her previous cold demeanor, which left the already discontented shareholders seething in silence.
Ling Xi quietly boarded the subway.
No one was following her. No pair of eyes watched her from the shadows.
She could finally meet her friends normally again, endure their teasing, and properly apologize to them.
Ling Xi felt happy over such ordinary things, though she couldn’t help mocking herself for being so easily satisfied.
But honestly… it had been far too long since she last breathed fresh air outside.
Even the dull, gray sky of Beijing felt unfamiliar to her.
The faint autumn sun seemed glaringly bright.
After exiting the station, Ling Xi stared at the sky for a long while, until her eyes ached and tears spilled over. Only then did she lower her head.
And then someone slapped her shoulder hard.
“What are you looking at? Didn’t even greet me.” He Qingmo hooked an arm around Ling Xi’s neck and pulled her down.
“The weather… I didn’t even see you.” Hearing the voice she had missed for so long, Ling Xi couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“Still saying you didn’t see me? That’s an extra offense!” He Qingmo pinched Ling Xi’s cheek but felt the sudden warmth of tears.
“Alright, alright, let’s talk properly since we finally get to meet.” Jiang Yuyang pulled He Qingmo back.
Ling Xi turned to look at them, her tears flowing even more uncontrollably. She threw herself into her friends’ arms, sobbing loudly without a care for her appearance.
Meanwhile, not far from the subway entrance, Mu Xie had begun a thorough search and arrived at the commercial street.
Just as a call came through on her phone, Ling Xi sandwiched between her friends passed through the intersection.
Mu Xie seemed to sense something and lifted her head.