Lin Xi's retort was just a casual remark; it was a small issue, not related to forgiveness. But to prevent Duan Yiheng from taking advantage of the situation, she said, "Let's have a half-hour cold war first, then we'll talk."
Half an hour was just enough time for both of them to finish showering. "A cold war hurts feelings," Duan Yiheng stopped her. "Even a minute is a cold war. How about this, I'll help you wash your hair and take a shower?" Lin Xi: "...Not really." Was he even taking a shower?
It was already so late; if they kept arguing, they wouldn't be able to sleep. However, in these matters, Lin Xi never had the final say, and she was no match for Duan Yiheng. Her wrist was easily restrained, and Duan Yiheng swiftly and decisively stripped off her clothes. The sound of running water filled the bathroom, and white steam billowed out.
Lin Xi's protests were swallowed by Duan Yiheng, chewed up, and he was quite fierce. After what seemed like an eternity, the bathroom door finally opened. Lin Xi nestled in Duan Yiheng's arms, like a ripe shrimp. "Your hair is still a little damp."
Duan Yiheng touched it. "I'll go get a hairdryer to dry it for you." Lin Xi glared at him, her eyes and brows flushed, but she wasn't fierce at all. Duan Yiheng loved it. He leaned down and kissed the corner of her eye, then turned to get the hairdryer.
Lin Xi loved having her hair done; it felt comfortable. Duan Yiheng's movements were gentle, and in the warm breeze, Lin Xi seemed to fall asleep. Duan Yiheng leaned down and kissed her lips, smiling as he softly asked, "When will you marry me?"
It was just a question to himself. He smiled, put away the hairdryer, and lay down next to Lin Xi. The next morning, Lin Xi slowly woke up. She lay in bed for a while, then picked up her phone and checked the time; it was almost eleven o'clock.
Duan Yiheng's words from the previous night echoed in her ears. Lin Xi thought for a moment and sent him a message. After washing up, Lin Xi went downstairs to find something to eat. Sister Mei cut a plate of fruit and brought it over, asking, "What would you like for lunch? A message came from the North Courtyard that Old Master Zheng is here, saying he's coming to apologize." Lin Xi belatedly nodded, meaning she didn't have to go to have lunch with her grandfather. "Just something simple," Lin Xi said. Sister Mei:
"How about I make you some plum-flavored spare ribs and a stir-fry of seasonal vegetables?" "Sure." "I just made some mung bean pancakes, try a couple to tide you over."
Lin Xi tried one; it was sweet and not greasy, Duan Yiheng should be able to accept it. She'd ask Sister Mei to make another batch when he came back in the evening. Just as she thought this, there was a sound from the entrance. Lin Xi craned her neck, startled to see who it was: "Why are you back?"
Duan Yiheng changed his shoes and went straight to the sofa. Lin Xi asked again, "Are you eating at home?" Duan Yiheng nodded. Lin Xi quickly called out to the kitchen, "Sister Mei, make a couple more dishes, your young master is back."
Sister Mei ran out of the kitchen and was surprised to see Duan Yiheng. He rarely came home for lunch. Duan Yiheng wiped the crumbs from Lin Xi's lips and said, "I came back because of something I said."
Lin Xi's face flushed involuntarily. She picked up a still-warm mung bean cake and pressed it directly to Duan Yiheng's lips, saying, "Are you hungry? Have one to tide you over. Sister Mei made it; it's delicious."
"Don't try to change the subject—" With his mouth covered, Duan Yiheng reluctantly finished the cake. During this time, he kept staring at Lin Xi. Knowing she couldn't hide any longer, Lin Xi muttered, "Are you crazy? You came all the way back just for something? Couldn't you have asked me when you got back tonight?"
"I'm going to Yinfan Technology this afternoon. You're coming with me." "I'll hand over the work later," Duan Yiheng said. "So fast?" Lin Xi was surprised for a moment. Duan Yiheng said,
"The transfer application was approved immediately. I mentioned it to HR and Xu Yu. Starting tomorrow, you'll go directly to the sales department." Lin Xi already had experience working on the Likang project.
She got along well with her colleagues in the sales department, so even with the transfer, she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Besides, her current close relationship with Duan Yiheng wasn't really suitable for working together.
Regardless of whether Duan Yiheng was biased, if any decision was wrong, she would definitely be blamed. Both Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng knew this. Fortunately, Lin Xi was willing to work on projects anyway, and going to the sales department was the best training and arrangement. "Okay."
Lin Xi forked a strawberry for him. "It's so sweet, have one." Duan Yiheng ate a strawberry as she wished, then took out his phone, turned on the screen, and showed her the WeChat chat window. "Lin Xi, explain what this sentence means." "Lin Xi knew what she'd posted without even looking—'Once the ginkgo trees are in full bloom, you can ask me again if I'm willing.' Duan Yiheng's eyes were fervent: 'Did you hear what I said last night?' Lin Xi bit her lip: 'Yes.'
'So, what did you mean?' Duan Yiheng asked. Lin Xi pushed his phone away, her tone haughty: 'Figure it out yourself. I'm a girl, after all; there are some things I shouldn't take the initiative for.' Duan Yiheng chuckled, completely understanding.
He pulled Lin Xi close to the back of her neck and kissed her directly. Sister Mei slammed on the brakes and went back to the kitchen. Lin Xi seemed to hear Sister Mei's voice and quickly pushed Duan Yiheng away: 'Stop fooling around, dinner's almost ready.'" Duan Yiheng released her. A moment later, Sister Mei came over and said dinner was ready. During dinner, Lin Xi told Duan Yiheng about the guests visiting the North Courtyard. Duan Yiheng raised his eyes and said,
"The apology is probably genuine. Yesterday I met Zheng Jiayi's husband and discussed some cooperation matters. The Zheng family is already torn apart; even if the old man is unwilling, he has to bow his head." Lin Xi asked, "What about Ke Yu? Any news about her and Uncle Duan?" Duan Yiheng said,
"Chen Baiwei has made their affair known to everyone in the circle. Duan Zheng accompanied An Qi abroad. Ke Yu went back to the Zheng family a few days ago and hasn't left Lanyue Mansion since." Lin Xi said,
"She didn't accompany An Qi abroad, and she's not even afraid that Chen Jingyi will find evidence to sue her. She must have other motives." "Originally, according to Duan Yiheng's plan, Chen Jingyi and Ke Yu were supposed to fight to the death, but strangely, neither of them made a move." Duan Yiheng said, "I asked Zheng Jiayi about this matter, and she said Ke Yu is unwilling to have been with the Zheng family for so many years and have nothing." "That's true." Lin Xi thought it was very likely, "If she can't get a single penny, we can't easily send her away."
She was afraid that in the end, the Zheng family would have to compromise. She didn't believe that Ke Yu didn't have dirt on the Zheng family. But Old Master Zheng wasn't someone to be trifled with either; it all depended on how both sides compromised. At the dinner table, Duan Yiheng's phone suddenly rang.
Seeing that it was Chen Xin's number, Duan Yiheng answered immediately. After listening, he frowned and said, "I'll think about it." After hanging up, Lin Xi asked, "What is it?" Duan Yiheng said, "An interview." "Another interview."
Lin Xi knew that Duan Yiheng wasn't interested. "If you don't like it, just turn it down. Last time, Lin Xiaoying even took pictures of you." Duan Yiheng paused, his chopsticks still, having almost forgotten about this person. Since his methods were unethical, he couldn't be blamed for not giving him a way out.