Lin Xi's mind went blank for a moment; she stood rooted to the spot. Only when she heard Duan Yiheng's reassuring voice, "The surgery was successful; Grandpa is out of danger," did Lin Xi's tense nerves finally relax.
The old man was still unconscious; there were two caregivers in the ward. Duan Yiheng gave Uncle Deng a look: "Lin Xi and I will go in and check. Stop the three people outside." Upon hearing this, Duan Zheng immediately stepped forward to enter, but was stopped by two cold-blooded bodyguards.
Duan Zheng snapped, "You dare stop me?" The bodyguards were expressionless. Although they were all bodyguards of the Duan family, they varied in their approach. These people wouldn't even listen to Duan Yiheng; they only listened to Uncle Deng. And Duan Zheng and Chen Baiwei had thoroughly offended them.
Uncle Deng didn't weigh the pros and cons; everything he did was for the old man's sake. Duan Zheng and Duan Mingxuan's concern for the old man was genuine, but it wasn't pure. Duan Yiheng was chosen as the old master's successor not only because of his abilities, but also because of his character.
Uncle Deng followed Duan Yiheng into the ward. They didn't disturb the old man, but went to a side hall. Uncle Deng said to Duan Yiheng, "The master hasn't left yet." Duan Yiheng scoffed, "He angered people to the hospital. If he's not there when Grandpa wakes up, won't people talk about him?"
Uncle Deng nodded slightly, reminding him, "I know you're angry, but the old master hasn't woken up yet." "Uncle Deng," Duan Yiheng looked at him, "I won't let this go." Uncle Deng was startled: "What are you going to do?" Duan Yiheng said:
"If we let it go lightly, won't it happen again? He made decisions about Lin Xi on his own, who did he consult?" Uncle Deng's gaze darted back and forth between Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng; one was upright, the other frank. Lin Xi said, "Uncle Deng, I just want to resolve this matter. I don't want to be forced into marriage." Uncle Deng asked, "What are your plans?" Lin Xi glanced at Duan Yiheng, a dark thought rising in her mind.
If she could use this opportunity to have Duan Yiheng use her marriage announcement with Duan Mingxuan to force Duan Zheng to leave the company, he could then temporarily assume the position of general manager and take over the group—a smooth process. To others, it would appear that Duan Zheng coveted her shares and wanted to oppose Duan Yiheng.
Duan Yiheng would feel threatened and it would be reasonable for him to unite with the shareholders to fight back. A victory for Duan Yiheng would not only increase his chances of winning but also reveal Duan Zheng's ambition and the true meaning behind his marriage announcement. She could then use this opportunity to clarify and annul the marriage.
Duan Yiheng noticed the change in Lin Xi's gaze and swallowed all his unspoken words. He looked at Uncle Deng and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. Let's wait until Grandpa wakes up." Half an hour later, the old man opened his eyes.
Lin Xi held his hand, saying nothing, tears streaming down her face. The old man blinked, his fingers twitching as if trying to comfort Lin Xi. Duan Yiheng said, "They're outside. Do you want to see them?" The old man closed his eyes again.
Uncle Deng immediately understood, turned around, and opened the door to the ward. Duan Zheng saw him and hurriedly asked, "Is the old man awake?" Uncle Deng nodded: "The old gentleman needs to rest. He wants you to go back first."
Duan Zheng didn't leave, stubbornly sitting outside all afternoon until dusk, when Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng came out of the ward together. "What did you say to your grandfather?" Duan Zheng asked immediately. Uncle Deng sighed inwardly and replied on Duan Yiheng's behalf:
"The young master didn't say anything, but personally served him for half a day." "..." Duan Yiheng ignored the others and turned to Lin Xi, saying, "It's getting late, I'll take you home." Lin Xi nodded, ignoring Duan Mingxuan's outstretched hand, and walked past him.
Duan Mingxuan felt as if he'd been slapped again. Once in the car, Lin Xi remained silent. Duan Yiheng said, "This afternoon, I sensed you had something to say." Lin Xi was surprised for a moment; she hadn't shown anything, had she? "What do you want to say?" Duan Yiheng asked.
"Uncle Duan is, after all, your father." Lin Xi looked at him. "I don't know what you think of my thoughts." Duan Yiheng scoffed lightly: "Only a loving father can have a filial son. We only share the same surname." "Then... let me tell you."
Lin Xi laid out her thoughts completely. The more Duan Yiheng listened, the more interesting his expression became. At first, it was disbelief, then admiration, and finally, just pure laughter.
It wasn't that he couldn't think of such a method, but rather that he couldn't believe Lin Xi could actually abandon that insignificant favor. And all of this… was for him! "What are you laughing at?" Lin Xi found him inexplicable. "Can you at least say something?"
Duan Yiheng tilted his head, looking into her eyes: "I taught you to be a little wicked, and you put it into practice right away. You're teachable." Lin Xi was both embarrassed and awkward: "I… I wasn't doing it for you, I was doing it for myself." "I know."
Duan Yiheng responded, "After all, you'd rather die than marry Duan Mingxuan." Lin Xi murmured, turning slightly to look out the window. Duan Yiheng raised a thick eyebrow: "Do you know what you look like?" Lin Xi turned back suspiciously, halfway back. What did she look like? Duan Yiheng's chest heaved slightly, letting out a low, short laugh: "Like someone throwing a tantrum with their boyfriend, acting like, 'I'm angry, you have to coax me.'" Lin Xi: "..." Who's angry? "I'm not angry," Lin Xi explained dryly.
Fortunately, the Imperial Seal of Tiandu was right in front of them; getting out of the car meant escaping this thrilling yet suffocating space. The car slowly came to a stop, and Lin Xi opened the door and got out. When she turned to say goodbye to Duan Yiheng, the back of the car was already empty.
A shadowy figure loomed beside her, startling her. She clutched her chest and said, "No need to see me off, I'll go up myself." Duan Yiheng said, "I haven't eaten yet." Lin Xi: "...Have the driver find you a restaurant, or go back to Sister Mei." "I forgot something."
Duan Yiheng immediately changed his mind, "My clothes are still upstairs, I'll go get them." Lin Xi: "...Should we have the driver come with you? It'll save you the trouble, Mr. Duan." Duan Yiheng: "There are underwear inside, I'm embarrassed, I'm afraid he'll see." Lin Xi:
"..." So he just casually left them in her bathroom, not afraid she'd see them, huh? Duan Yiheng knew the place well, entering the lobby of Tiandu Yuxi even faster than Lin Xi. "..." The two entered the elevator. Duan Yiheng said,
"Let's go eat first. It's been eight hours since we left the company." Lin Xi suddenly turned her head: "Did we skip work this afternoon?" "No," Duan Yiheng said, "It was an emergency outing. Qin Yang will handle it. I sent him a message." Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief:
"That's good. Do you want Chinese or Western food?" "Chinese, please," Duan Yiheng said. Lin Xi pressed the button for the Chinese restaurant floor. The restaurant wasn't crowded, and the two chose a window seat. While waiting for their food, Lin Xi subconsciously touched her face and asked Duan Yiheng:
"Why are you staring at me like that?"