"You're busy dealing with Ke Yu, so I'll be busy dealing with Chen Liangyi," Lin Xi said. "I want to get her out of the company." Duan Yiheng wasn't surprised, yet he still asked:
"When did you come up with this idea?" Lin Xi replied, "I've had it for a long time. But if I had to pinpoint the exact moment I decided on it, it was right after she was promoted to manager." Chen Liangyi had originally been bought off by the Old Master; using the evidence she held, she had managed to dispel the board members' suspicions regarding the relationship between Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng.
Lin Xi was certain that Chen Liangyi had absolutely no good intentions in keeping those photos of herself and Duan Mingxuan. She was a shrewd operator, too; in the wake of that board meeting, she had led everyone in the company to believe—for a time, at least—that she was one of the Old Master's people. However, after working alongside her for a while, everyone eventually saw her true colors.
As a manager, she had a penchant for running a one-woman show—demanding absolute authority and stifling any dissent. Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng saw it clearly, as did Xu Yu; yet Xu Yu, having seemingly recognized Chen Liangyi's selfish and self-serving nature, chose to steer clear of her entirely.
But Lin Xi felt a deep, personal attachment to Yinfan Technology. Keeping Chen Liangyi around was a liability—potentially a ticking time bomb for the company—and she had to be dealt with immediately. Given her character, there was no telling when or in which project she might decide to betray them next.
Duan Yiheng understood Lin Xi's thinking. He started to say something, then held his tongue, opting instead to simply ruffle her hair. "Do you want any help?" Lin Xi gave a soft laugh. "Since you're asking that way, I assume you're actually hoping I'll handle this on my own."
"I want you to experience certain things on your own," Duan Yiheng said, his gaze tender. "Whether you succeed or fail, I'll be right there with you. The important thing is that you're willing to try. Don't be afraid—I've got your back." Lin Xi reached out, took his hand, and said:
"Didn't you tell me once that I needed to help you look after Yinfan Technology? I may never be able to fully keep pace with you, but I can at least strive to narrow the gap." Leaning back against his car, Duan Yiheng pulled Lin Xi closer into his embrace and planted a soft, gentle kiss on her forehead:
"My pace isn't meant to leave you behind; it's meant to protect you." Lin Xi's heart fluttered; she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her entire body into his embrace. Duan Yiheng's chin unconsciously brushed against the crown of her head. A few minutes later, he patted Lin Xi on the back: "Go on upstairs now."
Lin Xi stood on her tiptoes, clinging to his shoulders, and planted a quick kiss on his lips before smiling and skipping away. Duan Yiheng stood beside his car, smiling gently; only after the elevator doors had closed did he finally drive away.
Some things cannot be put into practice the moment they are discussed. Although Lin Xi had been assigned to shadow a project in the Sales Department, she was essentially there in a learning capacity. Most people in the department felt she hadn't earned her place; the only reason she was allowed to participate in the project at all was that Duan Yiheng had personally hand-picked her.
After all, they had to save face for Duan Yiheng. Chen Liangyi had done her fair share of spreading rumors about Lin Xi throughout the department—claiming she was the Duan family's adopted daughter and, naturally, free to do whatever she pleased. The implication was that even if she knew absolutely nothing, she still had the President himself to shield and support her.
Lin Xi knew there was no point in getting hung up on rumors. During her time in the Sales Department, anyone who had actually interacted or conversed with her had naturally formed their own, independent assessment of her character.
Once the project concluded, the people in the Sales Department would merely offer a polite greeting whenever they crossed paths with her. Lin Xi understood: they didn't truly welcome her presence. Her position was rather awkward; she was simultaneously Duan Yiheng's secretary and the Duan family's adopted daughter—a dual identity that made many people fear she might try to poach their credit.
When she arrived at work the next day, Lin Xi didn't head to the Sales Department; instead, she went straight to arrange a lunch date with Sun Wenxin. It had been quite a while since Sun Wenxin had last seen Lin Xi, so upon meeting, she teased, "So, Secretary Lin actually still remembers me?" Lin Xi gave an apologetic smile:
"I'm so sorry! I had to make a trip to S City a little while back. I checked my calendar this morning and realized your birthday is coming up soon. I wanted to ask you out for lunch to find out what kind of gift you'd like—otherwise, I was afraid I might end up picking something you wouldn't care for." Sun Wenxin looked momentarily taken aback:
"You actually remembered my birthday?" Lin Xi replied, "I memorized it back during our training sessions." Now it was Sun Wenxin's turn to feel a twinge of guilt:
"But I didn't give *you* a gift when *your* birthday came around." Lin Xi laughed gently:
"My birthday falls on the day right before Lunar New Year's Eve—how on earth could you have given me a gift back then? Besides, you *did* send me a 'Happy Birthday' message at the time!" Sun Wenxin felt truly embarrassed. "It's really just a small matter. As long as you remember me, that's enough; I certainly can't let you foot the bill." Lin Xi replied:
"Let me make one thing clear right off the bat: I'm not trying to show off my wealth—though I *am* actually quite well-off. So go ahead and pick whatever you like. It actually works out perfectly, because there are a few things I wanted to ask you about." "What is it?" Sun Wenxin asked. "If there's any way I can help, please don't hesitate to ask." Lin Xi inquired:
"You know Manager Chen from the Sales Department, right?" "Of course I do," Sun Wenxin replied, pointing awkwardly at Lin Xi. "The rumor around the company is that the two of you have some bad blood." Lin Xi didn't try to hide it; she simply said:
"There certainly is some bad blood. She has a capable assistant named Zhang Hanwen—do you know him?" Sun Wenxin hummed in acknowledgment. "We're from the same hometown. I've actually had dinner with him and his girlfriend before. Later on, I became quite close with his girlfriend, though I didn't see much of him."
Lin Xi beckoned Sun Wenxin closer with a hooked finger. Once they were side-by-side, Lin Xi confided a great deal to her. The more Sun Wenxin listened, the deeper her frown became. Before they parted ways, Lin Xi told her: "If you can't manage it, that's perfectly fine; I'll figure out another way. Please don't feel any pressure."
Sun Wenxin nodded. "I understand." Upon returning to her office, Lin Xi was just about to take a short break when Duan Yiheng appeared behind the smart glass partition and waved at her. Lin Xi mouthed the words: "Is something up?" With a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, Duan Yiheng mouthed back—articulating each syllable distinctly:
"I... missed... you." Blushing at his flirtation, Lin Xi immediately turned away and called him on the phone. "I'm about to take a rest." "You won't be able to get any decent rest in that cramped little space of yours. Why don't you come over to my office instead?" Duan Yiheng seemed to make it his mission to tease her at least once a day. Lin Xi turned back to glare at him:
"I think *you* should just go ahead and enjoy your rest, President Duan." Duan Yiheng finally let her off the hook. "Alright then, get some good rest. I'm holding a meeting with the heads of several departments in my office tonight—you should stay late as well." Lin Xi blinked in surprise. "Why are you holding it in *your* office?"
Duan Yiheng's office actually contained a small conference room, though it wasn't used very often. Duan Yiheng said, "This collaboration with Likang is crucial. My office offers the highest level of confidentiality, and it also provides easy access to the necessary resources and files." Lin Xi knew that Duan Yiheng's office housed the company's most critical documents; working there would allow them to review materials quickly and save time. Lin Xi asked, "Alright. Do you need me to set things up?" Duan Yiheng replied:
"Just get some food and drinks ready, and then notify security that they don't need to patrol this floor tonight." Lin Xi nodded. "Understood." She was just about to hang up when Duan Yiheng added, "We'll probably be working quite late tonight. If it gets too late to head home, just make do for the night in the lounge."
Lin Xi's heart skipped a beat. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Duan Yiheng said, "No one will know. I've actually stocked the lounge with some clothes for you." Lin Xi stammered, "...When did you do that?" Duan Yiheng chuckled. "Why are you so spooked? Do you really think I'd try to sell you off?
I just figured they might come in handy—better safe than sorry." Lin Xi retorted, "...I think *you're* the 'sorry' part I need to be safe from."