Fatal Desire

Chapter 108 Can I still eat you?

As dusk settled, the lush greenery within the deep mansion faded in the dimming light. The palace lanterns on both sides of the corridor lit up one after another, swaying in the night breeze and casting shifting, indistinct shadows of people.

As Song Xi helped Old Madam Zhao through the corridor, the crisp sound of sandalwood prayer beads clinking together mingled with the distant, ethereal sounds of string and wind instruments.

"Did you make the enamel hibiscus jade hairpin yourself?" The old lady asked, her voice as smooth as sandalwood-infused silk as she twirled the prayer beads.

"Yes. I am grateful for Teacher Yu's guidance." Song Xi answered truthfully, her eyelashes casting dappled shadows under the lamplight.

A few steps behind, Zhao Shutang tugged at her mother Bai Huanqing's sleeve: "What jade hairpin?"

Bai Wanqing: "Your grandmother's favorite is Teacher Yu's enamel hibiscus jade hairpin. Xi'er specially went to Shanghai to learn this craft and made one for her mother."

Zhao Shutang muttered, "They certainly know how to fawn over others."

Having lived most of her life, what rare treasures hadn't she seen? Ordinary objects simply couldn't catch her eye, and winning her favor was harder than climbing to heaven.

“Xi’er has become much more mature now that she runs her own company.” Bai Huanqing gently stroked her daughter’s hand, her fingertips caressing the jade bracelet on her wrist. “You should also settle down. Now that you’ve married into the Tang family, you should live a good life.”

"You've said that a million times." Zhao Shutang frowned slightly, her red lips forming a sharp line. "The marriage between the Zhao family and the Tang family benefits the Tang family. Do you think they would dare to give me attitude?"

Bai Huanqing gazed at her daughter's proud profile and finally let out a barely audible sigh.

Stepping into the ancient and elegant hall, Song Xi stood quietly in a corner, waiting for the elders to be seated before serving tea.

She took the tea from the maid and served it to Madam Zhao with impeccable poise, appearing perfectly well-behaved and quiet.

Madam Zhao gently stirred the tea foam with her fingertips and slowly asked, "How old is Xi'er this year?"

"I'll be twenty-three after July," Song Yunyu replied with a smile, glancing at her seated niece.

She gently lifted her teacup, took a sip, and said in a calm and unhurried tone, "One year younger than Tang'er."

“Yes,” Bai Huanqing said with a smile. “In the blink of an eye, both children have grown up so much. Tang’er got married last year, and Xi’er is still studying abroad.”

Song Yunyu smiled gently and said, "This child is just like her brother; she's very career-oriented and not in a hurry to get married."

Bai Huanqing fell silent at the mention of Zhao Yansen. Between the Zhao and Xiao families, aside from a few individuals, who dared to urge him to get married?
Song Xi lowered her eyes and gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips, remaining so quiet as if she didn't exist.

The Zhao family didn't really care about her. Whether she went abroad or returned, she wasn't a true member of the Zhao family. As long as she didn't damage the Zhao family's reputation, who cared whether she lived or died?

After chatting for a while, the butler bowed and asked if dinner should be prepared. Madam Zhao nodded slightly, and the dinner was officially put on the agenda.

The men of the Zhao family were extremely busy, and they didn't appear until it was completely dark and the clock struck 19 p.m.

The old lady prefers quiet, and her birthday celebration is simply a family banquet for the three generations of her family, without any grand festivities. People from the collateral branches of the Zhao family wanted to come, but they were not allowed to.

The eldest son, Zhao Zongting, the second daughter, Zhao Jingchu, and the youngest son, Zhao Zongyin, took their seats in turn. Zhao Jingchu's husband and son work in another province and came back to Beijing specifically to celebrate their mother's birthday. Zhao Zongyin's two children were also present... Looking around, almost everyone there had the surname Zhao.

Zhao Yansen appeared after Song Xi took his seat. He was wearing a well-tailored black suit with a white shirt underneath, exuding a cold and aloof aura, like a powerful CEO who had just come from a meeting.

Zhao Chengyou stood up with a solemn expression of respect: "Big Brother."

Song Xi glanced to the side and met Zhao Yansen's gaze. The man raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

"Sen-ge'er, You-ge'er, sit down." Old Madam Zhao's face was kind, and her tone was noticeably gentler.

There were occasional whispers during the meal, but overall it was quiet. Everyone behaved with composure, and even the clinking of bowls and chopsticks was done with perfect restraint. After the meal, everyone moved to the courtyard to watch a play. The few high-ranking officials sat with the old lady for a short while before finding an excuse to get up and go to the study to discuss important matters.

The courtyard was secluded and deep, with soft grass blades densely clustered together, bathed in moonlight that gilded them with a silvery, frost-like glow.

Song Xi sat on the sandalwood chair, tilting her head slightly back. The night sky was deep, the moon not yet full, yet exceptionally bright. The shimmering moonlight shone on her, seemingly also illuminating her heart, making her radiate clarity. At this moment, even her breath became pure, her thoughts clear, untainted by any impurities.

“Aunt,” she turned her head and whispered to Song Yunyu, “I’m going to the restroom.”

Song Yunyu was talking quietly with Bai Huanqing when she heard this and nodded slightly: "Go ahead, but don't go too far."

Song Xi smiled sweetly and got up to leave her seat.

As she left the restroom and returned the way she came, a large hand suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist like an iron clamp, and yanked her away.

"what."

She was like a naive and innocent deer, crashing headfirst into a familiar yet hard chest.

Zhao Yansen kicked the door shut from the inside with a light thud.

He arrived so suddenly that Song Xi didn't even have time to react before he pinned her against the door.

Before she could react, the man's long, strong fingers had already gripped the back of her neck, the force just right, yet she couldn't break free.

Zhao Yansen lowered his head and bit her lips hard, with a hint of uncontrolled plunder, his hot breath burning between her lips and teeth.

Song Xi was stunned for a moment, then struggled, pushing against his chest with both hands, a sob escaping her throat, but her voice was crushed by his burning kiss.

"Ugh...what are you doing?"

She felt light and airy, as if she had turned into a rose-colored mist, which would evaporate in the next second due to his body heat.

Zhao Yansen smiled faintly, lowered his head, rested his head on her shoulder, and teased her in a hoarse voice, "Xixi."

His warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin behind her ear, sending a shiver through her body.

Then, deliberately adding vaguely, "Song Xi'er."

Song Xi's legs were so weak she could barely stand. She sensed that Zhao Yansen had changed a bit lately. He was both wicked and wicked.

She tried to squeeze under his arm, but his long leg blocked her way.

Zhao Yansen pinned her firmly against the door, his hand tracing her waistline, spreading like wildfire wherever it went.

Song Xi was trapped between him and the door panel, her back pressed against the cool door panel, while in front of her was the man's burning hot body.

Almost everyone is here tonight; they could be discovered at any moment if they stay here.

Her nerves were on edge, and her voice trembled slightly: "Brother..."

"Song Xi, what are you afraid of?" Zhao Yansen grasped her slender waist and whispered, "Do you think I'd eat you up?"

(End of this chapter)