Duan Mingxuan had no liking for Chen Jingyi; his gaze towards her was like that of trash. Chen Jingyi pretended not to notice, and after getting out of the car, she asked in a seemingly solicitous manner, "Where are you going? Shall I give you a ride?" Duan Mingxuan frowned and told her to get lost.
Chen Jingyi clenched her fists, held back, and changed her approach to Duan Mingxuan: "Lin Xi looks weak, but she's actually very stubborn at heart. You'll never win her back like this." Duan Mingxuan paused. Chen Jingyi chased after him, saying,
"Second Young Master, shall I take you home?" Duan Mingxuan turned and got into the passenger seat. —The early stages of the GKD project were completed, taking a full month. With the later-stage technical staff arriving, Lin Xi's role was no longer significant.
Her focus shifted back to Duan Yiheng. Since the charity gala in March, Duan Yiheng and Meng Huaishan had secretly investigated Duan Zheng and Ke Yu thoroughly. They could confirm Duan Zheng and Ke Yu's affair, but they couldn't find any concrete evidence.
On the contrary, it alerted the enemy, making Ke Yu wary. Duan Yiheng knew Duan Zheng would tell her he knew about their affair. Ke Yu's intelligence far surpassed Duan Zheng's; since being discovered, she remained unmoved and never saw Duan Zheng again.
Duan Yiheng was very busy; his work focus this year was on collaborating with Li Kang. He couldn't find a moment to spare, not even to glance at his secretary through the window. Lin Xi received a phone call, then went downstairs, and about ten minutes later, she knocked on Duan Yiheng's office door.
Entering, she handed Duan Yiheng an invitation: "An invitation to a photoshoot for *Extraordinary People* magazine. They hope you'll be on the cover of the next issue." Duan Yiheng didn't even glance at her, stating bluntly, "Reject it." Lin Xi: "Okay."
Two days later, Lin Xi received a phone call and reluctantly transferred the call to Duan Yiheng's office: "Ms. Lin Xiaoying, the editor-in-chief of *Extraordinary People*, wants to meet with you." Duan Yiheng's tone was light and indifferent: "Tell her I'm busy."
"I told her, she insists on seeing you," Lin Xi truthfully replied. "She's downstairs, why don't you go see her?" Duan Yiheng looked up from his pile of paperwork, his tone becoming lighter: "Give her fifteen minutes, since she shares the same surname as Lin." Lin Xi:
"..." Duan Yiheng chuckled: "Have her come up." Lin Xi returned to the reception desk, where Lin Xiaoying saw her and nodded slightly in thanks. Lin Xi brought her tea and then left the office. Less than ten minutes later, Lin Xiaoying emerged. Lin Xi put away her teacup and asked Duan Yiheng curiously, "Did you agree?" Duan Yiheng shook his head. "I said I'd give her an answer tomorrow. I have two minutes before I leave work; I need to pack up and head back to the villa." Lin Xi nodded; she was going to have dinner with her grandfather, who was being discharged from the hospital.
After a month of rest and recuperation, her grandfather's health seemed to have declined. During that month, he hadn't even seen Duan Zheng. Even without seeing him, he was fully aware of Duan Zheng's actions at the charity banquet.
Duan Zheng and Ke Yu's affair was being kept secret; Duan Yiheng, considering her grandfather's health, could only keep it a secret for now. After dinner, Lin Xi noticed Duan Yiheng seemed slightly anxious. She waited until he finished a cigarette before going to sit beside him.
The courtyard was dimly lit. Lin Xi turned her head, and only after clearly seeing Duan Yiheng's profile did she say, "You can't tell Grandpa, but you can talk to Uncle Deng first." Duan Yiheng's tightly furrowed brows relaxed:
"I've considered it, but Uncle Deng is completely subservient to Grandpa. I'm afraid if he tells Grandpa directly, it will upset him." Lin Xi comforted him:
"No, Uncle Duan's matter isn't just about a romantic entanglement; it also involves the Zheng family. Grandpa and his old friend have a deep bond, and this matter could be difficult to explain.
Uncle Deng has always been by Grandpa's side, knows his health condition, and is always attentive to his emotions. Even if he were to speak, he would choose an appropriate time, which is better than you or me being direct. And, and..." Duan Yiheng: "And what?"
"And this roundabout way makes you seem more concerned about Grandpa. I know you have a clear conscience and genuinely care for Grandpa, but if you speak directly, Grandpa might overthink it and feel that you can't tolerate Uncle Duan for even a moment."
This would make the share transfer even more distant. Duan Yiheng understood Lin Xi's meaning and, after careful consideration, decided her method was feasible. Telling Uncle Deng was equivalent to telling Grandpa that Uncle Deng was now handling all of the old man's external affairs.
Duan Yiheng looked at Lin Xi: "You're becoming more and more decisive. Why were you hesitating just now?" "I just feel like I've changed," Lin Xi lowered her head, "become a bit more scheming, even using Uncle Deng to get you to please Grandpa."
Duan Yiheng looked at her without saying a word. Lin Xi looked up, startled by his inscrutable gaze. Did he think what she was doing was wrong? After a long silence, Lin Xi forced a smile: "I'll—" "What should I do? I can't hold back anymore."
Duan Yiheng interrupted her. Lin Xi was taken aback. Can't hold back what? "I was just one step away from taking over Silver Sail, and I knew you would never mess around with me at this time." "But seeing you constantly hovering under my nose, you have no idea how much I've been holding back."
"Seeing you calculating every word you utter for me, do you know what I want to do?" Lin Xi subconsciously took a step back, but Duan Yiheng pressed on. "Don't go crazy," Lin Xi restrained herself, reminding him, "We're still at home." "I want to kiss you!"
"No, no…" The words were swallowed back down, Lin Xi's hair stood on end, and a cold sweat broke out on her back. Her attention wasn't even on their lips pressed together, but on their surroundings. Duan Yiheng was too bold! They were still in the old man's courtyard.
Lin Xi turned her head to avoid his kiss, but Duan Yiheng didn't give her any room to struggle. His rationality completely collapsed the moment he kissed her, all sensation concentrated on their grinding lips.
Lin Xi felt as if every organ in her body needed oxygen, desperately drawing it in, yet still not enough. Duan Yiheng's palms gently cradled the back of her head, his thumbs tracing an intimate line behind her ear. A jolt of electricity sent shivers down Lin Xi's spine; she was no match for him.
Her heart, which had fluttered for him time and time again, nearly leaped out of her chest. When Duan Yiheng pried open her teeth and sucked on that soft spot, Lin Xi completely lost her strength. Her hands unconsciously climbed onto Duan Yiheng's shoulders, her fingertips trembling as she gripped him tighter and tighter.
Duan Yiheng pulled her close, pressing their bodies together, savoring the long-lost sweetness and madness. Lin Xi's reason crumbled bit by bit. Between resistance and submission, her tears told her first: she wanted this man. She longed for him day and night, every moment.
Duan Yiheng tasted the saltiness of her tears, and his movements softened. Lin Xi suddenly snapped back to reality, pushing him away, her voice hoarse with tears as she accused him: "You're insane!"