Duan Mingxuan was completely taken aback that Lin Xi had agreed; he had planned to slowly and persistently persuade her. "Damn," he chuckled, and called Yu Lang.
The call connected quickly. Duan Mingxuan excitedly exclaimed, "Wake up! I'm throwing a birthday party for Xiao Xi on the 27th, and I'm going to confess my feelings while I'm at it. Give me some ideas. Venue, flowers, wine… I want the best of everything!"
Yu Lang sat up in bed, stunned for a long time. Duan Mingxuan was going to confess to Lin Xi? "When the hell did you start liking Lin Xi?" "A long time ago." "…" Lin Xi, the person directly involved, was completely unaware. After a long, absent-minded day at work, she rushed home after get off work.
The company appeared orderly on the surface, but in reality, everyone was in a state of panic. Lin Xi's ears ached from answering so many phone calls all day. Besides the top executives, several people she knew were also inquiring about Duan Yiheng's departure. For example, Sun Wenxin and Han Zicheng.
Qin Yang was also incredibly busy. With Duan Yiheng gone, he had to take full responsibility for some things. Although it was less than a half-hour drive, Lin Xi felt weak and sore when she arrived home.
Not wanting Duan Yiheng to see her exhausted state, she sat in the car for about ten minutes before finally entering the house with a smile. Lin Xi saw Sister Mei and asked, "Is Big Brother back?" "Yes, he's back."
Duan Yiheng, who had just come out of the stairwell, answered her before Sister Mei could speak, "Go wash your hands, we're getting ready for dinner." Lin Xi's eyes lit up, she hummed in agreement, and went to the bathroom. The water was running, she squeezed out hand soap, and suddenly, her back pressed against a warm wall.
She was being tightly hugged from behind. "Why did you come too?" Lin Xi met Duan Yiheng's gaze in the mirror. Duan Yiheng smiled and said, "Wash your hands." "Let me go first." Lin Xi pulled away from his embrace, making room for him.
"Was your trip smooth today?" Duan Yiheng nodded. "Smooth. Mr. Liang is very upset about Zheng Jianian's infidelity and doesn't want the Zheng family to have an easy time."
Lin Xi knew that Zheng Jianian's company received a lot of investment and support from the Liang family. If Yu Tong's father truly harbored resentment, Zheng Jianian would likely face difficulties. Zheng Jizhong had been using Yin Fan and the Liang family's resources to continuously support Zheng Jianian's company over the years; it was time for him to pay the price.
"Does your injury still hurt today?" Lin Xi glanced at him, her eyes full of worry. "I was out for quite a while." Duan Yiheng said, "It doesn't hurt. Didn't you put medicine on it for me?" "Then after we eat, I'll take another look." "Okay."
After washing their hands, the two sat down in the dining room. They finished the meal without saying a word. Sister Mei glanced at them from a distance and noticed they were both lost in their own thoughts. After dinner, Lin Xi followed Duan Yiheng upstairs like a little tail. Once in the room, Lin Xi suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Their relationship was abnormal; dates and kisses could only be shared in secluded places, and even going for a walk was a luxury. "Duan Yiheng," Lin Xi suddenly tugged at his sleeve, "I have something to tell you." Duan Yiheng smiled at her: "Go ahead."
"There's only a week left until the holidays, I…we…" Duan Yiheng couldn't help but chuckle: "What do you want to say? Why do you seem so hesitant to say it?" Lin Xi looked up: "Since the holidays are here, can we go stay at North District No. 1 for a couple of days?" "Hmm? Where?" Duan Yiheng was taken aback. "Why do you suddenly want to go there?" "Is that not allowed?" Lin Xi tugged at his clothes again, asking. "Okay."
Duan Yiheng lowered his head and bumped his nose against hers. "I thought you'd come with me again on your birthday." Lin Xi's eyes flickered. "Then it's settled. Anyway, you're not going to the company now, so just consider it a trip to recover." "Okay."
Duan Yiheng readily agreed. Lin Xi pushed him towards the bed. "Take off your clothes and lie face down like last night. Let me check your injury." Duan Yiheng smiled and pulled her to the edge of the bed. "We'll check later."
Lin Xi was confused and didn't say a word before Duan Yiheng kissed her. Lin Xi's palms pressed against Duan Yiheng's shoulders, her resistance turning into reciprocation. Duan Yiheng's arms around her waist tightened suddenly.
Soft lips pressed against hers, and Lin Xi felt breathless from the kiss, only able to turn her head away. Duan Yiheng, without blushing or panting, chased after her with a few more kisses, a soft chuckle lingering on her lips: "This time you seem a little too passionate."
Lin Xi smiled, but deep inside, a bitter pill seemed to explode. The price of succumbing to temptation had left Duan Yiheng in a dilemma. This wasn't her intention! "Stop it," Lin Xi gently pulled open his collar to peek, eliciting soft laughter from Duan Yiheng.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt much anymore," Duan Yiheng adjusted his collar. "I'll put some more ointment on it later." Lin Xi lowered her head and subconsciously adjusted his clothes as well, asking softly, "If you can't go back to Yinfan Technology, what will you do?"
Duan Yiheng gently tapped her head against his, saying, "I won't give up everything I once had." Only then would he have the means to protect her. Lin Xi smiled and nodded: "Yes, you shouldn't have given up."
"You look a little tired," Duan Yiheng's fingertips brushed across her face, "Did a lot of people look for you today?" Lin Xi nodded: "Everyone was in chaos as soon as you left." "Exaggerated," Duan Yiheng chuckled, "I was only gone for a day."
"But at times like this, with news coming suddenly, the employees are bound to be in a state of panic," Lin Xi explained, "It kept Qin Yang extremely busy." Duan Yiheng:
"Qin Yang is the one who stabilizes morale..." "It's inevitable to feel emotional, just don't panic. Qin Yang will handle everything else." Lin Xi said, "Thank goodness for Qin Yang. If he had also resigned, everyone would be wondering what to think."
"Alright, let's not talk about this." Duan Yiheng ruffled her hair. "I'll take you out for a trip during the holiday in a couple of days. Think about something fun." Lin Xi hummed in agreement. "Lie down, I'll put some medicine on you. I need to rest early tonight; I have to go to work tomorrow."
Duan Yiheng cooperated just like last night. For the next few days, Lin Xi acted as usual, just like when Duan Yiheng was around. She only felt disgusted by Zheng Jizhong's ugly face. After finally getting through a week, Lin Xi could finally breathe a sigh of relief. On the night of her holiday, Duan Mingxuan came over wanting to ask her out. Lin Xi naturally refused. "It's the holidays, what else do you want?" Duan Mingxuan pleaded. "Let's go out and have some fun." Lin Xi shook her head:
"I made plans with Yutong, we might be going out for the next few days." Duan Mingxuan frowned: "Where to?" Lin Xi: "Not decided yet. Yutong broke up with her boyfriend, I'll keep her company." "Okay." Duan Mingxuan left dejectedly.
Lin Xi immediately called Liang Yutong to let her know. The next morning, Lin Xi rode in Duan Yiheng's Bentley to the manor at North District No. 1.