Fatal Desire

Chapter 174 Extra: Love Only
In the third year after their marriage, Morningside officially went public on NASDAQ in the United States.

Taking advantage of his business trip, Song Xi made a special detour to Florence to visit Fu Guanyue and her daughter Fu Minghui.

Florence offers a peaceful and culturally rich lifestyle. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it boasts unparalleled art and architecture.

On the lawn of the rose garden, Song Xi and Fu Guanyue lazily basked in the sun, watching Xiao Minghui and the other children play and frolic.

"Congratulations, you've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel." Fu Guanyue handed over a cup of flower tea.

Looking at the innocent and carefree Minghui, Song Xi smiled and said, "Congratulations on successfully evading the Zhou family's search and protecting your precious daughter."

“I really have to thank you and Mr. Zhao for this.” Fu Guanyue’s gaze followed her daughter’s figure tenderly. “Don’t you think I’m very willful? Insisting on having a child after the divorce.”

“Everyone has the right to make their own choices,” Song Xi said.

“I was probably selfish back then. I cared more about myself than my daughter’s feelings.” Fu Guanyue said with a hint of melancholy. “The Fu family lost power, my parents passed away, and everyone around me changed. After divorcing Zhou Ji’an, I suddenly felt that the world was so meaningless.”

The arrival of her daughter brought her back to the world.

The word "bond" sounds simple, but it is actually complex and heavy.

“At that time, I gave myself two choices: either not have the child, or never let the Zhou family know about her existence.” Fu Guanyue smiled and said, “I chose the latter.”

If the Zhou family is unaware of this, then the daughter has no relation to the Zhou family, and is certainly not some illegitimate child who has been living away from home.

Song Xi recalled what he had said to Zhao Yansen some time ago, that the Zhou family had arranged a new marriage for Zhou Ji'an.

"The Zhou family is too domineering, resorting to forced marriages!" Song Xi said indignantly.

"The Zhou and Su families are happily united, so why are you angry?" Zhao Yansen said at the time, casually feeding her a peeled nut.

Zhou Ji'an's father was a very pragmatic and snobbish man, treating his children as tools for personal gain. Zhou Ji'an enjoyed everything the Zhou family provided for him, so naturally he had to shoulder the responsibility; he could never disobey the Zhou family under any circumstances.

Even the strongest spine can be bent under the weight of absolute power and authority.

There was love between him and Fu Guanyue, but it was only love.

Over the decades, high society has been in constant flux and turmoil, with fate and personal will constantly clashing, resulting in ups and downs, and always ending in regret.

Victory or defeat, joy or sorrow, laughter or tears—who can say for sure? How long can the laughing last? When will the weeping stop? There is no fixed destiny in this world.

Listen to Fu Guanyue's words for a moment.

“Minghui is very healthy and lovely; you’ve taken good care of her.” Song Xi looked at Fu Guanyue, her tone serious. “You’ve also taken good care of yourself.”

Fu Guanyue was slightly taken aback, then a relieved smile appeared on her lips.

Song Xi tilted her head and invited, "There's a ball in Milan, would you like to come and watch?"

"No, thank you," Fu Guanyue politely declined. She had long since stopped showing up in places where acquaintances might be present.

Song Xi did not insist. As she left by car, her gaze passed through the window and fell upon the warm and peaceful rose garden.

A man of mixed Chinese and Italian descent lifted Minghui high and walked towards Fu Guanyue. The three of them laughed heartily in the sunlight.

Regret sometimes heralds a new beginning.

Hopefully, after Zhou Ji'an gets married, he'll calm down and stop his frantic search for someone.

*
Zhao Yansen adjusted his itinerary in the United States and flew to Milan to pick up Song Xi to return to Beijing together.

The night before, Song Xi attended a ball in Milan and barely slept a wink.

As she boarded the private jet, she yawned repeatedly, her eyes glistening with sleepy tears. Zhao Yansen cupped her cheek in his large hand, gently wiping away the moisture from her eyes with his fingertips: "What time did you finish last night?"

Song Xi leaned on his shoulder, closed her eyes to rest, and mumbled indistinctly, "Three in the morning, those people were too noisy."

Every time she saw him, no matter where he was, she felt at ease. Her body and nerves relaxed, and she began to drift off to sleep.

As the plane broke through the clouds and gradually stabilized, Zhao Yansen unbuckled his seatbelt and carefully carried Song Xi towards the room.

He laid her flat on the bed, and as if sensing that he was about to leave, she reached out and grabbed his hand.

Song Xi opened her hazy eyes, looked at him in a daze, and didn't say a word.

Zhao Yansen got into bed, pulled her into his arms, and whispered soothingly, "I won't leave, go to sleep."

"Mmm..." Song Xi buried her face in his chest, her breathing gradually becoming even and calm, and she fell into a deep sleep.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she groggily woke up, instinctively reaching out to feel around: "Brother?"

"I'm here." A deep response came from the quiet environment, and then the bedside reading lamp was dimmed to its lowest setting.

Zhao Yansen leaned back on the headboard, closed the file, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead: "Are you hungry?"

Song Xi shook her head.

She lay on his lap, looked up at him for a moment, then propped herself up, knelt on the bed, and kissed him.

Zhao Yansen stroked the back of her neck with his palm, his fingertips gently caressing the soft flesh of her ear, and deepened the kiss.

Song Xi slightly opened her mouth to meet his kiss. As the kiss deepened and intensified, she became increasingly aroused, and a soft moan escaped her lips.

Zhao Yansen was all too familiar with her physical reactions. He slipped his hand under her skirt and teased her with skillful finger techniques.

"Ugh." Song Xi's breathing quickened, her eyes glazed as she hooked her arms around his neck. "I want you."

Zhao Yansen pressed down on her restless legs, his eyes filled with desire, yet he still restrained himself: "No condom."

There's no way to immediately stop the flight and buy a condom while on the plane.

"Then don't." Song Xi straddled him, wrapped her legs around his waist, and rubbed against him. "Brother, let's try it."

After getting married, apart from wearing a mask, they have been taking care of their health by quitting smoking and drinking, which can be considered as thorough preparation for pregnancy.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yansen's breath hitched. He hugged her tightly and lowered his head to kiss her lips. Love once again overflowed between them, flowing into their very being with each breath, igniting a wildfire.

This kiss was completely different from the previous one; it was filled with intense passion.

He skillfully removed her clothes, laid her down on the bed, and his burning kisses traveled along her lips, chin, neck, and collarbone, all the way to...
His short, jet-black hair brushed against the skin at the base of his thigh, and Song Xi involuntarily flinched, but the man pressed his knees down, his hot breath spraying onto his sensitive spot, and he opened his lips and bit down.

In the slight turbulence of the air, everything happened too quickly, like a grand fireworks explosion in her mind.

Song Xi's consciousness was confused; the only thing she could clearly perceive was pleasure.

"Waaah..." After a short cry, she kicked her legs in despair and finally slumped down.

Zhao Yansen looked up, wiping his lips with his hand. The bulging veins on the back of his hand became even more astringent with the water. His usual sense of abstinence transformed into extreme lust at this moment.

The woman on the bed had long, smooth, black hair that was loose and flowing. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were glazed over, still recovering from the afterglow of the previous encounter.

His large, well-defined fingers gripped her waist, slowly and heavily pulling her into his arms. The weight made Song Xi tremble and involuntarily moan.

(End of this chapter)