Seduced Me into a Deep Fall (GL , ABO) - Chapter 12

“Do you need me to do something?” Ling Xi asked hesitantly under Song Yi’s piercing gaze, not quite understanding the situation.

“You don’t know your way around. I’ll show you.” Song Yi straightened from where she had been leaning against the doorframe and lowered her hand.

The Buddhist beads clattered against the doorframe, making Ling Xi tense up involuntarily.

“I can just ask Housekeeper Zhao to give me a tour later. You must be busy, I don’t want to trouble you.” Ling Xi genuinely didn’t want to impose on Song Yi.

She had already asked Song Yi for directions in the morning, and now she’d be bothering her again for a tour in the evening.

They weren’t related in any way. At most, Song Yi was repaying a favor by giving her a place to stay and helping her deal with Mu Xie’s affairs.

She had already asked too much of Song Yi.

Ling Xi would feel bad clinging to her all day.

“She’s occupied.” Song Yi’s reply was brief and left no room for negotiation. Without another word, she closed the door and left.

She seemed slightly displeased.

Ling Xi wiped the sweat from her forehead.

For the sake of her own safety and comfort, she decided to go along.

She would try her best to memorize the layout of the villa, the rooms, the floor markers so Song Yi wouldn’t have to explain for too long.

Ling Xi quickly freshened up, changed into comfortable sleepwear, pocketed her phone, and headed downstairs.

Song Yi was still eating when she saw her and motioned for her to wait in the living room.

About five minutes later, Song Yi appeared before her.

“Are you done eating? I’m in no rush,” Ling Xi asked, glancing toward the dining table.

“Mhm.” Song Yi crooked a finger. “Follow me.”

As they walked, Ling Xi noticed very few servants around.

It seemed Housekeeper Zhao really was busy. Lost in thought, she nearly bumped into Song Yi.

Song Yi turned to look at her.

“Sorry…” Ling Xi lowered her head like a puppy who knew it had done wrong.

Song Yi glanced at her, finding it endearing.

Especially in that simple sleep dress thin enough to reveal the faint pink of her skin beneath.

She had clearly just bathed; tiny droplets of water still clung to her skin.

She looked like a freshly bloomed water lily, tempting one to pluck her.

Tonight, she had to…

“It was my fault for not paying attention.” Song Yi reached out, gently tugging at her sleeve.

The pull was just right, enough to bring Ling Xi to her side, leaving the perfect distance between them.

Any closer would have been too intimate; any farther and Ling Xi would have had to brake abruptly to avoid colliding with her.

“No need to be so nervous. Do I look that intimidating?” Song Yi even let out a soft chuckle.

It made Ling Xi feel like the bathwater had been too hot her skin was still burning.

“N-No, it’s not that. I just didn’t want to disturb you.” Ling Xi walked beside Song Yi now, stealing glances at her earrings.

The champagne-colored diamonds sparkled brilliantly, their refracted light occasionally forcing Ling Xi to look away.

Just being near Song Yi, she could catch a whiff of her refreshing, soothing fragrance.

Being alone with an omega like Song Yi was undeniably comfortable.

But after a few more glances, Ling Xi’s ears turned red, and she buried her face deeper.

“You’re not. I’m free tonight.” Song Yi paused.

“The first floor is mostly for the housekeeper, the cooks, and temporary resting areas. There are more storage rooms here.”

Her explanation was concise, so Ling Xi quickly suppressed her body’s natural reactions, pulled out her phone, and started taking notes in her memo app.

“Normally, we take this staircase to go upstairs.” Song Yi pointed to one of the identical floral-patterned staircases.

Ling Xi did her best to memorize this was the staircase located past the third room from the living room entrance.

“The basement has a game room with chess, billiards, and areas for singing and piano practice. Let me know if you need anything.”

The two went upstairs, with Song Yi mainly explaining the guest rooms on the second floor and how to access the third floor where they lived.

“You took the wrong staircase earlier. Next time, just use the one we just came up. Or if you want to go that way and get lost, feel free to contact me anytime,” Song Yi added as the tour concluded.

Ling Xi had already filled an entire page with notes. “Wouldn’t that disturb you?”

She couldn’t help feeling Song Yi’s temperament was almost too good. Where was the aloofness from the rumors? She was even allowing Ling Xi to contact her anytime yet they weren’t particularly close, were they?

“If I’m busy, I won’t answer your calls. I’ll only pick up when I’m free,” Song Yi sighed inwardly.

How could such a polite girl like Ling Xi have gotten entangled with Mu Xie? It was only today that Song Yi had learned about the series of near-obsessive pursuits Mu Xie had subjected Ling Xi to during university.

If Ling Xi asking for directions when lost counted as “disturbing,” then what should Mu Xie’s actions be called? Harassment?

“That’s good. Thank you.” Ling Xi visibly relaxed.

Song Yi observed her flushed cheeks and soft hair, ultimately resisting the urge to reach out.

They parted ways on the third floor, Ling Xi returning to her room, booting up her computer, and opening her drawing software.

During university, she’d earned considerable pocket money by taking commissions, even buying gifts for her family. She’d gained minor fame in certain circles too.

But after Mu Xie began controlling her social sphere, her online presence had vanished entirely.

This was the fastest way for Ling Xi to earn money within her capabilities.

She’d considered finding a job, but the current market was brutal employers demanded endless qualifications. As a new graduate who’d missed campus recruitment due to Mu Xie’s harassment, she’d have to compete in the general job market.

Between written tests and multiple interview rounds, she’d likely starve in Song Yi’s house before securing a position.

Better to apply for jobs while earning some living expenses first.

Ling Xi logged into her long-abandoned social account and purged her follow list. Thankfully, Mu Xie never knew about this one.

She launched the drawing software and started streaming.

Within minutes, viewers flooded her channel with comments like “The missing person returns!” Ling Xi never used voice chat, only typing to interact.

After playing a song and chatting briefly with fans via on-screen text, she began sketching. This being her comeback day, she had no pending commissions just drawing whatever she wished.

Soon, a woman took shape on the canvas graceful posture, vividly captured expression.

The comments overflowed with praise and chatter.

Then Ling Xi abruptly stopped drawing.

[Teacher, why’d you stop?]

[Can’t wait to see the finished piece! Do you know what I’ve been eating all year while you were gone?]

[Who’s this woman? Did our Yue finally get a partner?]

Ling Xi covered her face in embarrassment.

Others might not recognize it, but that figure, paired with the beaded bracelet, glasses, and imperious gaze…

How had she unconsciously started drawing Song Yi?

Ling Xi’s face burned crimson.

She gulped down a mouthful of water, forcing herself to calm down while refuting fans’ claims about her having a partner, simultaneously erasing overly distinctive features.

The Buddhist prayer beads were replaced with a jade bracelet, and the glasses were outright deleted.

Then, Song Yi’s signature long black curly hair was changed to a short style.

Surely no one would recognize her now?

Ling Xi stared at that face, growing more embarrassed the longer she looked.

In the end, she even altered the face before feeling at ease enough to continue drawing.

Past eleven, after finishing the sketch and laying down colors, Ling Xi turned off the livestream and prepared to call it a night.

Then, she heard strange noises outside her door.

Ling Xi quietly opened it. The hallway lights were still brightly lit, but no one was there. Even with the warm yellow glow, the odd clinking and clattering sounds sent a shiver down her spine.

She ultimately decided to grab her phone and head downstairs to investigate.

She firmly believed in materialism, what if there was a burglar or someone in trouble? As a healthy adult alpha, she could at least lend a hand.

Ling Xi finally found the right staircase and had barely taken two steps when she spotted a drunkard swaying unsteadily up the stairs, bottle in hand.

Two more bottles dragged at her feet, tangled strangely with her pant legs as she hauled them upstairs.

No wonder the noise had been so peculiar.

Ling Xi then got a clear look at the drunkard’s face.

Sure enough, it was Song Yi, the very person she had been obsessing over and had just painted moments ago.

“Song Yi? Are you okay? Do you need help?” Ling Xi sighed inwardly in relief and stepped forward to help her back to her room.

But Song Yi looked up, studied her for a moment, and frowned.

“Who are you?”

“…” Does she black out when drunk?

Ling Xi froze, unsure how to respond.

“Never mind, doesn’t matter. Come with me, quick.” Song Yi swayed forward after speaking.

She made a valiant effort to climb the stairs, her legs indeed moving.

But leisurely, her head ended up resting against Ling Xi’s shoulder.

“Mmm…” Song Yi let out a slightly puzzled sound.

“I’ll take you back to your room.” Ling Xi exhaled, mentally apologizing for the impropriety, and gently wrapped an arm around Song Yi’s waist to guide her up.

The moment she was lifted, Song Yi’s heartbeat quickened. If Ling Xi had been watching her face, she might have exposed the act right then.

She rather liked this direct, rough handling too.

Song Yi steadied herself, fingers clutching Ling Xi’s sleeve.

“What room? I’m going to a gala. You need to come with me to try on outfits.” The words sounded commanding.

But paired with her drunken, soft-spoken murmur, it came off like a child’s whining.

Ling Xi actually considered for a second whether Song Yi really had a gala to attend.

“You don’t even recognize me. Why should I go with you?” She decided to test her.

Song Yi tilted her head, this time fully collapsing into Ling Xi’s arms.

“Because you’re pretty.” Song Yi nodded approvingly at her own words.

“Even though I don’t actually know who you are.”

Great, definitely wasted. Those words were pure drunken delusion.

“Then let’s go to the room to try on outfits.” Last night had taught Ling Xi that reasoning with a drunk Song Yi was pointless there was no use trying.

Since she had nothing else to do, she decided to accompany this woman who had helped her so much cold-faced but warm-hearted.

At the very least, she should get this drunkard safely back to her room.

“Sure. I have plenty of clothes. You can try them on later,” Song Yi said, naturally leaning into Ling Xi and throwing her arms around her in a hug.

“This path is so hard to walk,” she even complained.

Ling Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Fine, I’ll carry you. Sigh.”

It wasn’t the first time she had carried a drunken Song Yi.

After all, Song Yi wouldn’t remember anything that happened during this time, so she could afford to be a little more casual.

Song Yi didn’t resist as Ling Xi scooped her up in a bridal carry.

She instinctively looped her arms around Ling Xi’s neck, pressing herself tightly against Ling Xi’s skin.

A sweet, milky fragrance filled her senses like shower gel, or perhaps just Ling Xi’s natural scent.

More intoxicating than any liquor. Song Yi closed her eyes, savoring the moment she could hear Ling Xi’s heartbeat, playing her role as the drunken fool.