Zhao Yuxin didn't look like an art student; she looked like a dazzling star on stage. She had long, wavy hair, and her eyes made no attempt to hide her interest in Duan Yiheng, displaying a generous and enthusiastic demeanor without any arrogance.
After exchanging greetings, Duan Yiheng and Zhao Hongbo walked side-by-side towards the golf course. At the tee box, Duan Yiheng held his club, his tall figure slender. "Mr. Duan, I've heard you're quite skilled at golf. Perhaps I could catch a glimpse of your skills today?" Duan Yiheng said with a polite smile.
"Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. I can't compare to you," Zhao Hongbo laughed heartily. Zhao Yuxin looked at the two in the distance and suddenly laughed, "Mr. Duan's height makes my dad look like a butler."
"..." Lin Xi smiled, "Mr. Zhao has a commanding presence and is a very upright person. Mr. Duan greatly admires Mr. Zhao." Zhao Yuxin smiled, accepting the compliment.
Following her gaze, Lin Xi saw the golf ball trace a perfect parabola, landing steadily in the center of the fairway. Zhao Hongbo casually remarked that Duan Yiheng and he were quite close. Zhao Yuxin looked appreciative and turned to look at Lin Xi: "You're the Duan family's adopted daughter, right? I saw your news online the other day." Whether it was from online browsing or Zhao Hongbo telling her, Lin Xi wouldn't hide it. She nodded: "Yes, I am. I'm currently Mr. Duan's secretary." "Just a secretary?" Zhao Yuxin tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing her. "Of course, just a secretary." Lin Xi's expression remained unchanged. "What do you mean by that, Miss Zhao?" "So your marriage to Duan Mingxuan is real?" Seeing that she didn't seem to be lying, Zhao Yuxin's tone became much more gossipy. Lin Xi feigned a troubled and restrained expression, and after a long pause, said, "Well, this is my private matter, Miss Zhao. Shall we talk about something else?" "Sure," Zhao Yuxin replied, seemingly easy to talk to. "Then tell me about Duan Yiheng." Lin Xi wasn't stupid; she naturally saw through Zhao Yuxin's feelings for Duan Yiheng. "You like him?" Lin Xi pressed her directly. Zhao Yuxin thought for two seconds and said, "My dad says he's very, very good, and wants me to get to know him." Lin Xi remained noncommittal: "Shouldn't you be the one to get to know him and experience things for yourself?" "But everything I have is given to me by my dad."
Zhao Yuxin said matter-of-factly, "He wouldn't harm me. If he thinks a man is good, then he is." Lin Xi was momentarily speechless, sensing a grain of truth in what might be considered "somewhat reasonable."
"I can only tell you about his work ability from a secretary's perspective," Lin Xi said. Zhao Yuxin clicked her tongue. "That's right. As a secretary, you shouldn't speak ill of your boss." Lin Xi smiled.
Zhao Yuxin was very sensible; even though she was interested in Duan Yiheng, she obediently waited to the side, not bothering him. Seeing her bored, Lin Xi offered, "Shall I play a few rounds with you?" Zhao Yuxin smiled awkwardly, "I don't know how."
"..." Lin Xi's expression remained unchanged. "Actually, I'm not very good either; I just learned it to impress people." Zhao Yuxin seemed to have found a kindred spirit and suggested, "Shall we go to a coffee shop for a while?" Lin Xi replied, "Okay."
She glanced back at Duan Yiheng. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but he happened to turn his gaze away. Lin Xi gestured to him, and Duan Yiheng nodded. Zhao Hongbo waved to his daughter, then gave the caddie a look before turning to Duan Yiheng and asking,
"What does Mr. Duan think of my daughter?" Duan Yiheng hadn't even seen what he looked like before blurting out, "Your daughter has an outstanding presence, elegant yet lively. She's about the same age as Secretary Lin, isn't she?" Zhao Hongbo's eyes softened at the mention of his daughter:
"She's 21, but still like a child." Duan Yiheng chuckled, "She really is. I'm nine years older than her, three generation gaps." Zhao Hongbo, a shrewd man, narrowed his eyes slightly: "Being older naturally has its advantages; she's more mature, more capable..." "I can handle everything."
"Chairman Zhao flatters me." Duan Yiheng became genuinely modest, not at all annoying. "If I could handle everything, I wouldn't be here to see you today." Zhao Hongbo was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "You... The weather is nice, indeed suitable for discussing serious matters."
Duan Yiheng nodded, his tone steady: "I suppose you've heard about my secretary and brother's affair. To be honest, this matter puts a lot of pressure on me." "The shareholding hasn't been transferred yet, it's normal for you to be under pressure." Zhao Hongbo understood, "Your father is indeed anxious."
To put it bluntly, his behavior is unseemly. These old guys would privately gather to complain about Duan Zheng. His eldest son was already outstanding enough to make them jealous, yet he still wanted to cause trouble all the time. They were all family, so why bother? If you don't have the ability, just stay put. Why ruin everything? If Duan Mingxuan had even half of Duan Yiheng's ability, these old guys would hesitate. The comparison between the two is utterly incomparable. "Uncle Zhao understands me best."
Duan Yiheng subtly changed his form of address. Zhao Hongbo glanced at him out of the corner of his eye: "I heard your grandfather is in the hospital." "This…" Duan Yiheng wore a "don't wash your dirty linen in public" expression, "I'm sorry you had to see this." Zhao Hongbo:
"Your dad still acts like a child. Luckily, your grandfather spoils him, but he's not without limits." Duan Yiheng continued, "After all, he's grandfather's only son. Actually, I don't want to compete with him for anything; he's my father, after all, but he… sigh, never mind."
"I know, your dad's biased." Zhao Hongbo patted his shoulder, "You treat him like a father, but he's devoted to your brother." Duan Yiheng gave a bitter smile: "Mingxuan is my brother, so naturally I won't mistreat him.
But I really can't like his mother. So many years have passed, and seeing her always reminds me of my own mother." Zhao Hongbo's wife had passed away early, so he understood Duan Yiheng's feelings.
However, he didn't immediately make any promises, but instead returned to the original topic, this time being much more direct: "Are you really not considering Yu Xin? She can't match Tan Qi's strength, but in a sense, it's a powerful combination." "Thank you for your kind offer."
Duan Yiheng politely declined, "If she's willing, she can come to our house often. I see she gets along quite well with Lin Xi. If she needs anything in the future, just let me know, and I'll do my best to help." Zhao Hongbo looked at him: "Is it for your secretary?" Duan Yiheng chuckled:
"It's all for the company. She and Duan Mingxuan are childhood sweethearts, and my dad made the decision himself. She doesn't even know why I brought her here today." Zhao Hongbo gave... He punched him in the stomach:
"You're quite the rascal, trying to ruin someone's marriage right under their noses?" Duan Yiheng feigned innocence: "I had no choice." "Actually, there really is a way."
Zhao Hongbo said, seemingly jokingly, "If your grandfather changes his mind at the last minute, you could marry her. Combine her shares with some other shareholders, and your chances of winning are much higher, since everyone values you more." Duan Yiheng, whether testing him or not, chuckled gently:
"Uncle Zhao, please don't joke with me. Grandpa dotes on her. Her shares were left to her by her parents; no one can touch them. Otherwise, it would be touching the old man's sore spot." Zhao Hongbo didn't say anything more and went to the coffee shop with Duan Yiheng.