"How do you know I'm looking at you if you're not looking at me?" Under the ornate crystal chandelier, Duan Yiheng sat somewhat languidly, his tone mirroring his posture. Lin Xi:
"...It's not like I'm oblivious." "I'm just curious," Duan Yiheng leaned forward, elbow on the table, "You must have thought about marrying Duan Mingxuan before, but after you stopped liking him, did you think about marrying someone else?" His gaze was too intense; Lin Xi lowered her eyes.
"No." Duan Yiheng said "Oh," and continued, "I just wanted to say, there are so many people with the surname Duan in the world, don't generalize, otherwise others will be wronged." The implication was too clear; Lin Xi pretended to be mute, and also pretended to be clueless.
The waiter rescued her just in time, reminding her that the food was being served. Lin Xi took out her phone, turned on the screen, and pretended to swipe a couple of times. The dishes were all served when the waiter suddenly brought over a screen embroidered with lotus flowers. Lin Xi called out to him:
"Why did you bring this over?" "With most of their view blocked, the shrinking space made it easy for her and Duan Yiheng to recall other things. Their past relationship was ambiguous, and everything was confined to a space with only the two of them. The waiter said,
'Couples or married couples often have this request. There was originally a screen in the middle of this aisle, but it was removed because a child bumped into it. However, other customers were not satisfied, so we had to make do with what they needed. If you don't like it, I'll move it for you.'
The waiter spoke at length, and his attitude was very polite, giving Lin Xi the feeling that she was being unreasonable. Duan Yiheng nodded slightly: 'Thank you, no need to move it.' The waiter bowed slightly: 'I wish you both a pleasant meal.'
After the waiter left, Duan Yiheng said to Lin Xi, 'Whether it's pleasant or not, I don't know, but it's definitely quiet.'" Lin Xi smiled and lowered her head to eat. When there was nothing else to do, the two of them unconsciously slowed down their eating pace.
Since Lin Xi moved out, they had to find many excuses to eat together. Lin Xi wanted to talk to him about Duan Zheng, but when she looked up and their eyes met, she silently swallowed her words.
The restaurants at Tiandu Yuxi were all quite nice, high-rise buildings with windows offering clear views of the bustling city lights. Not wanting to linger in the warm atmosphere for too long, Lin Xi broke the silence when they both looked out the window after their meal:
"Let's go, we have to go to work tomorrow." Duan Yiheng got up and went to the 23rd floor. Once inside, Lin Xi handed Duan Yiheng the clothes she had folded in the dressing room. Duan Yiheng took them, saying, "You're kicking me out without even a glass of water?"
This hospitality was indeed lacking. Lin Xi looked up and asked, "What would you like to drink?" Duan Yiheng replied without hesitation, "Pure water." Lin Xi went to the refrigerator and got him a bottle. Duan Yiheng sat down on the sofa in the living room and said,
"From the wedding announcement scandal to the covert planning, to the public opinion counterattack, and even the power shift, I didn't realize you had such big ambitions." Lin Xi sat down next to him: "I just think this is an opportunity. Even if you're suspended, you have enough time to work your way up."
Duan Yiheng nodded: "It's not easy, but there's room for maneuver. It's just that time is tight. If you add the Likang contract, the chances of success are high." "Time isn't a problem."
Lin Xi said, "I can pretend for a while, making Uncle Duan think I have no way to retaliate. If he lowers his guard, that's even better." "Their behavior is no different from proposing in public. Without knowing the other person's feelings, it's just a scoundrel's attempt at moral blackmail. Duan Zheng is taking advantage of Lin Xi's belief that she won't ignore the Duan family's reputation, acting recklessly, thinking he can force her to comply by acting first and informing her later.
She might turn a blind eye to other things, but when it comes to the rest of her life, she can't be soft-hearted, and she can't give in. She said it wasn't for Duan Yiheng, and that's not entirely untrue. She's doing it for herself! Even without Duan Yiheng, she would have done the same."
"No." Duan Yiheng refused directly, "The longer it drags on, the worse it is. I've already had Uncle Deng remove all related news, but it definitely won't be completely removed. Your identity might be exposed within the company." Lin Xi frowned:
"It's okay, things have come to this point, I didn't intend to hide it forever."
"Your identity being exposed, do you know what that means?" "Duan Yiheng asked. Lin Xi said:
"I know, it's just the different way my colleagues treat me, the anxiety from the small frictions in the past, the obsequious flattery from those I don't respect... I can handle it." Duan Yiheng curled his lips. Lin Xi: "...Why are you looking at me like that again?"
"Since you came to the company, some things have subtly changed," Duan Yiheng said, "At least, your personality is a bit more decisive." "Really?" Lin Xi was completely unaware. Duan Yiheng didn't reply, and the air suddenly fell silent again.
Lin Xi glanced at her watch and said tactfully, "Aren't you leaving?" "I'm leaving." Duan Yiheng stood up, "If I don't leave now, I'm afraid I'll be kicked out." "...Exaggerated." Lin Xi muttered to herself.
After leaving Tiandu Yuxi, Duan Yiheng made a call to Qin Yang: "Help me arrange a meeting with Zhao Hongbo, at the time he prefers." "Do you need me to accompany you?" Qin Yang replied. Duan Yiheng declined, "No need, I'll take Lin Xi."
It concerned Lin Xi; bringing her would be more convincing. The next morning, Qin Yang brought Zhao Hongbo's reply, saying, "Chairman Zhao has arranged to meet you at the Tianlu Golf Club in the eastern suburbs on Saturday. He mentioned he'll be bringing his family." Duan Yiheng raised an eyebrow. Bringing his family?
As far as he knew, Zhao Hongbo had lost his wife early and had never remarried. He only had one daughter, who was studying art abroad. Where would his family come from? Could it be… a second spring?
Duan Yiheng pondered for a moment. If she were his future wife, bringing Lin Xi would be quite nice; she could play golf and chat with him. Before leaving get off work that evening, Duan Yiheng told Lin Xi the news. Lin Xi nodded, "I understand."
"They don't yet know this lady's personality and preferences; they can only discuss it after meeting her." — On Saturday, Duan Yiheng's black Bentley pulled up on time in front of the Tian Du Yu Xi building. The moment Lin Xi emerged, Duan Yiheng's eyes lit up.
The golf lady wore an autumn/winter knit sweater with a matching skirt. She wasn't wearing an visor, but a warm knitted hat with a fluffy pom-pom on top. All in pure white, she seemed ready to bloom in the wind. Duan Yiheng's Adam's apple bobbed. He silently looked away.
Lin Xi got into the car and greeted him. Duan Yiheng responded, but remained silent afterward. On the way, Lin Xi asked a few questions about Chairman Zhao's new wife, but Duan Yiheng knew nothing. Lin Xi blinked; he hadn't even asked Qin Yang to investigate in the past two days.
Upon arriving at the club, Lin Xi was relieved he hadn't asked Qin Yang to investigate. Because the woman Chairman Zhao brought wasn't a new wife; she was clearly his beloved daughter—Zhao Yuxin.