Song Xi's heart suddenly tightened, her voice becoming hoarse, "Who... said that?"
"It's all over the grapevine. When I went home last time, I asked Grandpa, and he said it was with the Shao family. The Shao family? I've heard they have an illegitimate daughter, but given Uncle Lou's personality, how could he agree..."
Ge Baitao rambled on, completely unaware that Song Xi had already zoned out.
It wasn't until the real estate agent approached and asked, "What do you think of this place?" that Song Xi snapped back to attention. She mumbled, "It's alright," and left without looking back.
"Xixi!"
Song Xi felt a tightness in her chest. By the time Ge Baitao caught up to her, that complex sense of unease was still swirling.
Ge Baitao asked, "Xixi, are you still—"
"No!"
Song Xi interrupted her guiltily. "Come on, Baitao, we still have several more places to see!"
Ge Baitao pursed her lips and said nothing.
...
A day passed. Not only did they not find a suitable place, but Song Xi also ended up with a pile of useless rental ads.
Finding a place had been difficult lately. Either the price was too high, or the location was too remote. They finally found one, only to be stood up by the landlord, who called late at night saying it had already been rented out.
Song Xi and Ge Baitao were so infuriated they felt like spitting blood.
It was getting late, so Song Xi asked Ge Baitao to head back first.
Upon returning to her rented room, Song Xi discovered that Yi Xiaoling had also returned.
As if settling scores, Yi Xiaoling probably remembered her role being snatched for the graduation play. She stormed forward, but before she could even raise her hand, Song Xi caught her wrist.
"Song Xi, have you no shame? I haven't settled the score with you for the drama incident. Let go!"
Coincidentally, Song Xi was in a foul mood herself today, and it was a perfect time to confront her.
Song Xi coldly released her. "No, you have no shame."
Yi Xiaoling's face turned red with anger, her hair turban precariously dangling.
She spotted the small rental ads on the table and sneered, "What, want to move? Got money? Even if you stole the spotlight, you're still just a freelance model! A cheap hoe is a cheap hoe. Even if you get the chance, you won't become a phoenix!"
"And you? After becoming a mistress, have you become a phoenix?" Song Xi glanced at the bruise on Yi Xiaoling's collarbone and gave a thumbs-up. "You can tolerate that kind of temper. You're really something!"
With that, she deliberately bumped into Yi Xiaoling's shoulder.
Yi Xiaoling instinctively clutched her stomach, her face ashen. Then, she grabbed an apple from the table and threw it at Song Xi.
Song Xi didn't see it coming. The apple hit the back of her head, and a large bump quickly formed.
Yi Xiaoling said furiously, "Don't you put on airs in front of me. I know exactly what kind of person you are! Zhang Qi might have a bad temper, but he has money. The monthly allowance he gives me is more than you can earn from several jobs! Oh, and I heard you found a boyfriend. That's right, someone of your caliber is more than enough for a poor guy like him! Congratulations!"
Song Xi clutched her head, bent down to pick up the apple, and turned around.
Her gaze was strangely intimidating. Yi Xiaoling thought she wouldn't dare do anything.
But the next second, Song Xi suddenly raised her hand, her movements fierce and rapid.
Yi Xiaoling broke out in a cold sweat, her face pale with fear.
When she finally came to her senses, she realized Song Xi hadn't thrown the apple at all! It was still in her hand!
"Wasting things is shameful. Didn't your family teach you that?"
Song Xi’s eyes scanned Yi Xiaoling's figure. "But you've gotten quite fat lately, haven't you? Are you even 120 pounds?"
A woman like Yi Xiaoling, who cared so much about her appearance, would find a comment about her weight to be devastating.
She was so angry she exploded, "You're 120 pounds!!"
...
The next morning, Song Xi went to look at houses again.
She needed to find a place quickly, otherwise, who knew what would happen if she continued to live with Yi Xiaoling.
Yi Xiaoling was stimulated by Song Xi's words from the previous night.
She forced herself to use the toilet several times early in the morning. Later, she simply went to the pharmacy and bought some medicine. When she returned, she found a woman squatting downstairs, muttering to herself.
At first, she didn't pay much attention. But when she went down to throw out the trash around eleven, the woman was still there, and she was on the phone.
"Oh, what's the rush! Don't worry, Song Xi can't escape! Mom will definitely get the betrothal money back!"
Song Xi?
After the woman finished her call, Yi Xiaoling walked over intentionally. "Auntie, are you waiting for Song Xi?"
Qian Xiaoyu saw the young girl was fair and plump, and quite pretty. She thought she was Song Xi's classmate and quickly replied,
"Yes, yes! I'm her aunt. Do you know Little Xi? Where is she? I've been waiting for days and haven't seen her. Go tell her, if this is delayed any longer, her cousin's bride will run away! Then she'll be a sinner to our Song family! Her parents are watching from above!"
The woman spoke decent Mandarin and sounded anxious. In just a few sentences, Yi Xiaoling got all the information she needed.
A plan formed in her mind, and a cold smile curved her lips. "Auntie, I have an idea."