Lin Xi was sandwiched between Zhou Zheng and Duan Yiheng, her eyes darting away without daring to look away even slightly. She had no idea how Duan Yiheng knew she and Zhou Zheng were at his door.
The rooms here were supposed to be soundproof. Reaching the top floor, Lin Xi indeed saw Liang Yutong standing with Mu Shuo. However, Mu Shuo's gaze was entirely fixed on Liang Yutong. Not wanting to disturb them, Lin Xi's gaze swept around and she saw Mu Zhao.
He wasn't interested in the fireworks, sitting alone drinking. Lin Xi pointed in his direction, telling Duan Yiheng and Zhou Zheng, "They're over there." The group went over and sat down. Mu Zhao saw them and suddenly chuckled:
"You guys are really something, coming up only after the fireworks are over." Lin Xi was startled; the moment she looked up, the darkness returned to silence. Zhou Zheng smiled, "Then let's have a drink to help us sleep." Mu Zhao laughed,
"Let's go to a bar. Meng Huaishan and Zhou Li are there. This is my silly brother's dating territory." Lin Xi quickly said, "Then let's go to the bar and wait." Zhou Zheng and Duan Yiheng, like headless flies, got up and went to the bar together.
Lin Xi tugged at Mu Zhao's sleeve from behind, mouthing "I need to talk to you." Mu Zhao was taken aback. Lin Xi needed to talk to him? He glanced at Duan Yiheng's back and gave Lin Xi an "OK" sign.
"I've had too much to drink. I'll just have some juice with Lin Xi." Mu Zhao led Duan Yiheng and Zhou Zheng to Meng Huaishan and Zhou Li's table. Duan Yiheng also wanted to know Zhou Zheng's attitude, so he nodded to Mu Zhao, "Take care of him." Mu Zhao: "Don't worry."
He led Lin Xi to a quiet corner and got her and himself a glass of juice. "You startled me when you said you wanted to see me," Mu Zhao chuckled. "I bet you wanted to ask about Yi Heng." Lin Xi hummed in agreement.
"Brother Mu Zhao, could you please not tell him about our conversation tonight?" Mu Zhao: "Don't worry, I have good morals." Lin Xi couldn't tell him about her relationship with Duan Yi Heng, so she could only beat around the bush: "You know my grandfather wants my older brother and Tan Qi to marry, right?
But my brother doesn't want to, and as his secretary, my grandfather hopes I can persuade him." Mu Zhao: "Don't waste your time. He and Tan Qi are impossible." Lin Xi feigned ignorance, asking, "Why?" Mu Zhao glanced at Duan Yi Heng in the distance and said:
"He has someone he likes, and it started three years ago." Lin Xi was again... Lin Xi looked shocked. "Brother Mu Zhao, you're not kidding me, are you? Big Brother has never had any women around him." "That's because of that person; he can't say."
Mu Zhao gave Lin Xi a meaningful look. "Actually, he's done a lot for her behind the scenes." Having hit the nail on the head, Lin Xi asked, feigning gossip, "What did he do?"
If he were to be specific, Lin Xi would know he was talking about her. Mu Zhao smiled. "How would I know the specifics? I only know that when she was studying abroad, he did most things related to her safety."
"Besides that, it was about her life and studies. He did everything he could think of." Lin Xi was taken aback. Her grandfather had entrusted everything about her overseas to Duan Zheng and Chen Baiwei.
Chen Baiwei had assured her that she would arrange everything perfectly. If Duan Yiheng interfered, her safety wouldn't be guaranteed.
She remembered how difficult the first month was. During that time, she had to move to a higher-security apartment and change drivers and vehicles. The emergency contact mechanism was a collaboration between the Yinfan Group and her school's security department.
She had always assumed it was Duan Zheng's influence. Lin Xi now realized she had been living under Duan Yiheng's wing all along. Mu Zhao, oblivious to Lin Xi's subtle expression, continued:
"You know, he's so busy with work, yet he still finds time to listen to foreign reports every night when he gets home. I was lucky enough to hear it once, it was unbelievable." "What did he eat today? Who did he see? What did he do? Anyone who didn't know better would think he went to kindergarten."
"He even has the housekeeper remind him of the weather changes. I thought, 'You don't need to remind him of that, it's his job.'" "Once during a social riot, good heavens, he flew right over there, almost getting hurt himself, when a Molotov cocktail exploded at his feet."
Lin Xi slowly raised her head, her pupils trembling slightly, the aftershocks of which were fragmented into countless pieces by the dim light. She remembered, three years ago in October, the violent clashes between police and civilians, tear gas and Molotov cocktails turning the streets into a mess.
Because the riots happened right at the school gate, she remembered it very clearly. But she really hadn't expected that Duan Yiheng was among them. Lin Xi forced a smile after a long pause: "Anything else?" Mu Zhao said, "I can't even count all the details; perhaps you'll find out later."
Lin Xi nodded her thanks. The night grew deeper, and everyone looked exhausted. Lin Xi saw Duan Yiheng wave at her, indicating she could go back to sleep. Liang Yutong and Mu Shuo also arrived at the bar.
Lin Xi glanced at the time; it was already 2 AM. She and Liang Yutong went back to their room together. "I thought you weren't coming back tonight. Mu Shuo called me, so I went," Liang Yutong explained to Lin Xi. Lin Xi: "With so many people around, how could I not come back?"
Liang Yutong laughed: "You two are adults, still playing innocent love games here? Since you've already been secretly seeing each other, why not go all the way in bed? Are you afraid of the awkwardness of sitting at the same table at dinner table after you break up?" Lin Xi: "..." Liang Yutong laughed even more smugly:
"Nothing awkward, I think it's quite exciting." Lin Xi chased after her and covered her mouth: "Don't say that." She dared to say these things in the hallway, but she was too embarrassed to hear them.
How could Liang Yutong not say anything? She broke free and ran back to her room, where the two chatted for another two hours. The next day, everyone slept until the afternoon. After a simple get-together and a meal, they prepared to return home.
Zhou Zheng didn't want to miss this opportunity and stepped forward to Lin Xi, saying: "Miss Lin, let me take you home. We can go see the old man."
"..." Lin Xi could have easily refused the first part and suggested taking Duan Yiheng's car back, but the second part made it difficult to refuse. Meng Huaishan tugged at Duan Yiheng, creating an opportunity for them: "Get in the car, what are you standing there for?"
Mu Zhao and Liang Yutong, both unaware of the situation, looked at each other, then, ultimately helpless, they both slipped into the car.
Lin Xi reluctantly got into Zhou Zheng's car. Even though she couldn't see the other side through the glass, she felt incredibly uneasy. Zhou Zheng's car started first, and just as they left the club, a black Bentley sped past. Lin Xi:
"..." Since Zhou Zheng was going to visit his grandfather, Lin Xi naturally told him to go through the north gate. She had informed the nanny at the north courtyard beforehand, and the old man was very welcoming, wanting him to stay for dinner.
The younger generation was also there, and the old man then asked Lin Xi to call Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan over. Lin Xi: "..." She practically wanted to scream "Help!" All the men she had ever been involved with in her life were gathered together.