The room was quiet. Duan Yiheng and Lin Xi were close enough that Duan Mingxuan's words were clearly heard. He frowned, a flicker of nervousness crossing his eyes as he looked at Lin Xi.
Duan Mingxuan was adept at exploiting Lin Xi's soft heart. "Xiao Xi, where are you? Can you see me?" Duan Yiheng subconsciously clenched his fist, suppressing the urge to interfere with Lin Xi. Lin Xi was silent for a moment, then said, "Find a hotel yourself."
"Tomorrow is my birthday," Duan Mingxuan pleaded. "Can't you just see me? At least say 'Happy Birthday'!" Duan Yiheng's heart was in his throat; he was afraid Lin Xi would go to see Duan Mingxuan. "Happy birthday."
Lin Xi stated bluntly, "I had Sister Mei pick out a gift for you. You're a grown woman, find yourself a hotel. I have things to do tomorrow, so I'll hang up now." Lin Xi hung up quickly, then quietly looked at Duan Yiheng, patting his clenched fist: "Are you going to hit me?"
Duan Yiheng laughed self-deprecatingly: "I thought you would go see him." Lin Xi sighed:
"I didn't actually want things to come to the point where we didn't want to see each other anymore. If he could just let it go, stop bothering me, and stop using those petty tricks, I could consider him family. But he's not satisfied with that, so let it be." She paused, then looked at Duan Yiheng:
"Perhaps, after I got involved with you, he and I were destined to grow further and further apart." Duan Yiheng asked her, "Do you regret it?" Lin Xi shook her head: "No regrets." Duan Yiheng put his arm around the back of her neck and kissed her forehead.
Lin Xi pushed him away, a little embarrassed. "You came to see me about something?" "Lu Tong called me."
Duan Yiheng had almost forgotten about it. "He said his elderly parents are at the farm, and he wanted to let you know in advance so you don't feel awkward. His car will pick you up from the hotel at eight tomorrow morning. He's arranged everything." Lin Xi nodded.
"Where is his farm? How long is the drive?" Duan Yiheng: "Land resources are scarce in S City. His farm is almost on the border, in the northeast. It's estimated to take two or three hours to drive there." Lin Xi was perfectly accepting. She tugged at Duan Yiheng and said,
"It's getting late. Let's rest. We'll go have fun tomorrow." Duan Yiheng obediently let her push him out. Without the tedious work, Lin Xi took a shower and slept soundly until dawn. The next day, Duan Yiheng's call woke her up.
She quickly got up and packed, taking only a backpack, since she would be staying there for two days. The bag contained only light clothing. The temperature here is generally high, though there's a temperature difference between day and night.
After having breakfast with Duan Yiheng, Lin Xi excitedly got into the car Lu Tong had sent to pick them up. They set off at 8:10, and around 10:30, the car turned onto a side road. Lin Xi rolled down the window and peered out at a patch of green.
After driving a few hundred meters, Lin Xi saw Lu Tong and Chen Li. She leaned out and waved to them. Duan Yiheng put his arm around her waist, pulled her back, and affectionately reminded her, "Aren't you afraid of falling?"
Lu Tong and Chen Li smiled at them from outside the car window. Lin Xi blushed, opened the car door, and jumped out. Duan Yiheng resignedly carried her bag.
Chen Li led Lin Xi ahead, introducing her to everything from livestock and orchards to vegetable gardens and their residence… Lin Xi took a deep breath, turned to Chen Li, and said, "You and Mr. Lu are so lucky." Chen Li chuckled:
"Just call me by my name. Calling me 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.' sounds too formal." Lin Xi replied, "You're a few years older than me, so I'll shamelessly call you 'sister.'" Chen Li readily agreed.
Upon entering the farm owner's house, Lin Xi spotted two smiling elderly people from afar. She greeted them respectfully and introduced herself. Lu Tong's parents were very easygoing. The old lady said,
"I've tidied up the rooms for you two. Put your things down first, and let Lizhi show you around." Lin Xi nodded her thanks. Lu Tong caught up from behind, gave Chen Li a wink, and the couple pushed Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng into the house. Lin Xi turned around suspiciously:
"What's wrong?" Lu Tong made a pleading gesture: "You two might have to share a room." Lin Xi was taken aback: "Your place is so big, how come you don't have any extra guest rooms?" Lu Tong said:
"I don't accept guests here, oops, I mean, I'm not in business. This is my private farm. I've put a lot of effort into this land. Look outside, chickens, ducks, and geese are quacking non-stop, and there are lots of vegetables and grains. I even have two or three warehouses.
You two can make do. Besides, when my parents found out you two were coming, I prepared a room for you, but they thought you two were a couple. Now it's too late to explain." Lin Xi's gaze fell on Chen Li, but Duan Yiheng spoke up:
"Okay, I think this bed is quite big. If it's really not enough, I'll sleep on the floor." Lu Tong grabbed Chen Li's hand and said, "Alright, you two rest for a bit." He said this, but actually, he wanted the two of them to discuss it. Lin Xi turned to Duan Yiheng and asked, "Why did you stop me just now?" Duan Yiheng said, "Lu Tong and Chen Li's relationship isn't going well. They divorced and then remarried. Chen Li was sick before, and she can't be without Lu Tong at night, so you can't sleep with Chen Li."
Lin Xi was surprised for a moment, then nodded blankly, "I understand." Duan Yiheng said, "If you mind, I'll sleep on the floor." "It's okay." Lin Xi glanced at the bed, "The bed isn't small." Besides, it wasn't the first time they'd slept together.
Duan Yiheng put their bags into the wardrobe and said, "Since we've reached an agreement, shall we go out and take a look?" Lin Xi nodded eagerly, "I really like their vegetable garden; there are so many vegetables I don't recognize." Chen Li saw her come out and waved to her, "What do you want to eat?
I'll take you to pick some." Lin Xi took the woven basket and followed behind Chen Li like a child. "Sister Li, with so many warehouses here, can you possibly eat all of this?" Chen Li chuckled upon hearing this. "The company cafeteria's logistics team comes to pick up vegetables twice a week."
Lin Xi smiled awkwardly. "How could I not have thought of that? Working at your company must be so wonderful." Chen Li explained, "Actually, my in-laws and the workers usually manage it. Look at those rows of houses in the distance; they're all local residents who work on our farm. We gave them all the day off today to welcome you. I was just worried you might feel uncomfortable with so many people." "Thank you," Lin Xi said. "It's fine with so many people; it's more lively this way." Chen Li patted her on the shoulder. "These are lettuce, romaine lettuce, and water spinach. Do you recognize them?"
Lin Xi pointed to the romaine lettuce. "I don't recognize this." Chen Li said, "Come here, I'll teach you." Lin Xi followed, like a little shadow, and the two spent an hour just choosing vegetables.
After leaving the vegetable garden, Lin Xi waved a bunch of romaine lettuce at Duan Yiheng, her smug expression making Duan Yiheng want to laugh. Suddenly, a series of "quacks" grew louder as they approached. Lin Xi turned her head and saw a flock of large white geese.
Before she could even feel a sense of wonder, one of the larger geese stretched its neck and charged aggressively towards her. "Quack...quack..." "Ah..." Lin Xi was terrified and ran away, her steps frantic. Duan Yiheng was startled and rushed over:
"Lin Xi!" As if grasping at a straw, Lin Xi instinctively jumped onto Duan Yiheng just as the goose was about to reach her legs, her legs tightly wrapped around his waist.