Fatal Desire

Chapter 160 Two Extremes in Emotion
Just as I was deep in thought, the creaking sound of the door opening suddenly rang in my ears, like some kind of urgent bugle call.

Song Xi's eyelids twitched suddenly, and she hurriedly left.

She walked to the corner, her back pressed against the hard wall, her heart pounding wildly, feeling both nervous and afraid.

Just then, the phone in my bag vibrated.

Song Xi frantically pulled out her phone, and Zhao Yansen's name appeared on the screen.

She took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing her surging emotions, and answered the phone: "Brother."

"What's wrong with your voice?" Zhao Yansen keenly noticed the subtle difference in her voice.

Song Xi tried to make her tone sound light and forced a smile: "It's nothing. I was just about to exercise and didn't take the elevator, so I walked up the stairs. I'm a little out of breath."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Zhao Yansen didn't press for details, but simply said, "Where are you? I'll come pick you up for dinner."

"No need tonight."

Song Xi immediately chimed in, her voice deliberately rising at the end, carrying a hint of coquettishness, "I've made a promise with Qin Fanghao. I promise I'll eat on time and won't drink a drop of alcohol!"

Zhao Yansen chuckled softly and agreed.

After a few more brief words, Song Xi hung up the phone.

She leaned against the cold wall, taking deep breaths for a good seven or eight minutes until her heartbeat calmed down. Only then did she compose herself and turn to walk towards the ward.

In the ward, Song Yunyu had regained the composure Song Xi had displayed when she left. Although her face was somewhat pale, her expression was calm and her demeanor elegant, showing no trace of the argument that had just taken place.

"Xixi?"

Seeing her niece return, a look of confusion crossed her eyes. "Why are you back?"

"I think I left my bracelet behind. I'll come back and look for it." Song Xi looked at her aunt's forced calmness and felt a subtle pang of sadness and guilt.

She's such a troublesome niece, always causing her aunt so much worry and trouble.

Afraid that her aunt would notice the tears welling up in her eyes, Song Xi turned and went into the bathroom as soon as she finished speaking.

In a corner of the sink, the bright red gemstone bracelet lay quietly, strikingly conspicuous.

She picked it up, the cool metallic touch against her wrist, and slowly put it back on.

A delicate chain wrapped around her snow-white wrist; the stark contrast between red and white inexplicably stung her eyes.

Song Xi suddenly tilted her head back and blinked hard, forcing back the surging tears.

Don't cry, your eyes will be swollen, and your aunt will notice.

After spending a while in the restroom to compose herself, Song Xi came out and walked to the bedside.

Song Yunyu reached out and pulled Song Xi's hand, drawing her to sit on the edge of the bed, closer to her. She gazed at her niece, her eyes gentle yet carrying a resolute determination, and softly asked:
"Xixi, what if your aunt and uncle get divorced?"

Song Xi was taken aback and immediately asked, "Why?"

"Nothing special." Song Yunyu forced a gentle smile, but deep weariness was hidden in that smile. "Just like before, it's just the two of us, aunt and niece, living together, okay?"

Song Xi carefully observed her aunt's expression: "Have you and Uncle had a conflict? Or..." "Xi Xi, would you like to come with your aunt?"

Song Yunyu did not answer her question, but instead held her hand even tighter.

Those eyes, which were always gentle and tender, now held an unprecedented earnestness and determination.

She could compromise and back down on other matters, but when it came to her niece's lifelong happiness, even if Zhao Yansen had connections everywhere, she would never give in.

Can a train that has run out of control and derailed return to its starting point?

Song Yunyu firmly believed that as long as she was determined enough, she would definitely succeed.

Song Xi's heart sank.

She understood. She didn't dare look into her aunt's eyes, lowered her eyelashes, and focused her gaze on the back of her aunt's well-maintained but slightly pale hands.

A few seconds of silence hung in the air before she spoke in a barely audible voice, her voice strained: "So it's because of what happened between me and my brother, right?"

Song Yunyu did not deny it, but said earnestly, "Xixi, you are still young. He is not suitable for you."

Song Xi frowned, trying to argue, "But Gu Beixiao is also much older than me. My brother is only seven years older than me, and Gu Beixiao is eight years older than me. You have no problem with Gu Beixiao, so why can't you do the same with my brother?"

“It’s different.” Song Yunyu slowly explained to her niece, “Your brother has been the object of everyone’s high hopes since birth. Whether it’s the Zhao family or the Xiao family, the power will ultimately fall into his hands.”

Such a person is used to being in control and will never allow things to deviate from his plan. Let me put it this way: one of you is too idealistic, and the other is too rational. Love and family are different. Love relies on hormones and dopamine; once the passion fades, things can turn sour at any time.

Song Xi couldn't help but retort, "But you and your uncle have been loving and devoted to each other for fifteen years, and nothing has changed. Besides, I'm not that ideal, Aunt..."

“That’s the problem.” Song Yunyu interrupted her, her eyes filled with worry. “Xixi, if you were a girl who could easily let go of feelings, your aunt wouldn’t be so worried. But you’re not. You’re too attached to feelings, too invested, and extremely easy to get hurt. And how can you be sure that your feelings for Yansen are love, and not just a dependence that has developed over the years? You grew up by his side, and these feelings are too easily confused.”

Song Xi's eyes were sore and swollen, and large, hot tears fell unexpectedly onto the back of Song Yunyu's hand, leaving a small wet patch.

She kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly, not wanting her aunt to see her crying face.

“My feelings for my brother are more than just dependence. I’m very clear about it. I love him,” Song Xi said, her voice thick with nasal tone, yet exceptionally clear.

Looking at her niece's bowed head and the tears on the back of her hand, Song Yunyu felt a sharp pain in her heart, but her tone became even more resolute:
"Are you sure you truly love him? Or are you just being misled by him? People like them are masters at weaving illusions with words, manipulating others into falsehoods..."

"aunt!"

Song Xi suddenly looked up, staring directly at Song Yunyu, and said clearly, "He didn't. Zhao Yansen didn't lie to me. It was me, it was me who started pressuring him. He rejected me many times at first, but... I still like him, I like him so much. Aunt, I really love him."

Song Yunyu was stunned by the intense emotions in her niece's eyes and was momentarily speechless.

Song Yunyu trusted Zhao Yansen's character, but he was too cunning, and she worried that Song Xi would be harmed.

After all, they were complete opposites when it came to relationships. One loved passionately, while the other didn't need love at all.

However, at this moment, looking into Song Xi's eyes, Song Yunyu suddenly understood something.

Anyone who is with Song Xi will find happiness.

However, Song Xi can only be happy when she is with Zhao Yansen.