With nothing to do that evening, Lin Xi personally carried the gifts for the Meng family into the car.
Duan Yiheng didn't help her; instead, he leaned against the entryway cabinet and filmed her struggling with her phone. Lin Xi didn't even notice, assuming he was dealing with a backlog of emails. The Meng family had a group chat, and Duan Yiheng was in it too. He sent the video to the group.
Meng Huaishan: What are you doing? Duan Yiheng: These are gifts for you. Moving them myself so late at night instead of sleeping. Aunt: Oh dear, is she nervous? We've eaten together before, tell her not to be nervous. Uncle: Can't you help?
Duan Yiheng smiled and added Lin Xi to the group chat. "I've added you to my uncle's group chat, go reply to a couple of things." Duan Yiheng stopped Lin Xi, "I'll handle the rest." Hearing this, Lin Xi immediately took the phone and greeted everyone.
Meng Huaishan sent the video again. Lin Xi saw it, turned around and glared at Duan Yiheng: "Why did you film me?" Duan Yiheng: "To increase your favorability." Lin Xi snorted, then replied to her enthusiastic aunt. After moving the gifts, Lin Xi was still chatting in the group.
Duan Yiheng took a shower first, then took out his phone to look at their chat history. His aunt said she wanted to play mahjong with Lin Xi. Lin Xi said she would learn on an app first, and her aunt gave her an "OK" sign, ending their conversation abruptly.
Looking at Lin Xi again, the mechanical voice from the phone occasionally brushed past Duan Yiheng's ears—"Five of Wan, pass." "One of Bamboo, pong." "Kong." "Eight of Bamboo." "Self-draw." Duan Yiheng:
"..." He quietly watched a few sentences; Lin Xi clearly didn't understand the rules of the game, and she was always the one losing. Duan Yiheng took her phone and said, "Go take a shower first, I'll play a couple of games for you." Lin Xi didn't want to go yet, but Duan Yiheng tapped the phone:
"What time is it? Are we going to the Meng family tomorrow with dark circles under our eyes?" Only then did Lin Xi jump out of bed and run into the bathroom. "Slow down," Duan Yiheng said anxiously, following behind. After showering, it was almost midnight. Lin Xi still wanted to take her phone, but Duan Yiheng held her tightly, preventing her from moving.
Lin Xi gave up, dreaming about mahjong all night. Around ten o'clock the next morning, the two entered the Meng family home. Grandma was there too, and Lin Xi instinctively went to greet her. The old lady liked Lin Xi very much, asked about her injuries, and gave her many instructions.
During the meal, the old lady asked Duan Yiheng, "When you get married, will Duan Zheng come back?" Duan Yiheng replied frankly, "It doesn't really matter whether he comes back or not." "Then, as your only elder, I'll shamelessly ask about your marriage."
The old lady said, "What are your thoughts on this, you two?" Duan Yiheng said, "Lin Xi and I haven't discussed this yet, Grandma, I haven't proposed yet." The old lady smiled:
"I'm just asking. Marriage is inevitable. I was thinking if you're willing, your aunt and I can give you some pointers. There are many wedding etiquettes that you young people don't understand." "Duan Yiheng:
"That's natural. When the time comes, you won't be able to avoid it even if you want to." The old lady was relieved, but still couldn't help adding, "After Xiaoxi agrees, you can get engaged first.
It's too late this year, and it might not even be possible next year. Those bride's dresses, each one takes a year and a half to prepare." Aunt chimed in, "Yes, even a year to prepare is a struggle." "Okay, I understand."
Duan Yiheng replied, "I'll try to propose successfully this year." In November, it will be three months since the old man passed away; a proposal would be possible, but a wedding wouldn't be appropriate. If preparations take a year and a half, the end of the year after next would be suitable for the wedding.
The meal was very pleasant. In the afternoon, Lin Xi was taken to play mahjong by her aunt and actually got hooked. On the way back, she excitedly told Duan Yiheng that she had won two hundred yuan. Duan Yiheng was both amused and exasperated, saying, "Honey, you have to go to work tomorrow."
Lin Xi pouted after being doused with cold water. Duan Yiheng ruffled her hair: "If you suffer any grievances at the company, you must tell me." Lin Xi: "...Who would let me suffer grievances? Everyone knows our relationship." Duan Yiheng:
"Specifically Xu Yu, she's the kind of person who values reason over family." Lin Xi defended Xu Yu: "That must be because I didn't do well enough. Director Xu isn't the type to bully others." Duan Yiheng squeezed Lin Xi's hand and smiled:
"For the next two weeks, I probably won't go to Yinfan Technology anymore. I'll work hard with Xu Yu." "Okay." Duan Yiheng was being conservative. Not only would he not go to Yinfan Technology, Lin Xi wouldn't even see him at home.
Leaving early and returning late became his norm, sometimes even flying to two or three cities a day. Before flying, Duan Yiheng would tell her, and if he was really late, he would also inform Lin Xi which city and hotel he was in.
Lin Xi naturally trusted Duan Yiheng. On the contrary, after returning to the company, she received wave after wave of concern from her colleagues. During his hospitalization, Duan Yiheng declined all visits. Coupled with his long absence from the company, speculation was inevitable.
Even Xu Yu breathed a sigh of relief: "I really didn't expect Chen Jingyi to be so crazy. I heard she was sent to a mental hospital; it's not a good place." Lin Xi: "I heard she tried to commit suicide but was stopped." Xu Yu:
"Death would be a relief. Never mind, talking about her is pointless. Recently, the company has been in talks about a scenic area project. Are you interested?" Lin Xi was eager to participate: "Of course I'm interested." Xu Yu: "Then I'll leave it to you. Don't let me down."
This was Lin Xi's first time working independently on a project. She smiled at Xu Yu: "Please give me your guidance, Director Xu." Xu Yu patted her shoulder: "Do a good job. If you feel unwell, be sure to tell me." "I understand."
The scenic area project wasn't too complicated. Lin Xi personally contacted the management team. On the same day she led the team to their first face-to-face meeting, Duan Yiheng finished his three-day business trip.
He had to rush back to the company for a meeting, and the two exchanged information over the phone. Three hours later, Lin Xi left the scenic area and drove straight to headquarters. Coincidentally, Duan Yiheng was just exiting the elevator. Lin Xi couldn't control herself and rushed towards him.
Duan Yiheng instinctively opened his arms and hugged her, causing a stir among the employees in the lobby. Lin Xi buried her face in Duan Yiheng's chest, blushing, and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Duan Yiheng chuckled softly from his chest, "I know."
Lin Xi pushed him away, grabbed his sleeve, glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and said, "Let's go." "Okay." Seeing an employee take out their phone, Lin Xi quickly covered her face, "Don't take pictures, don't take pictures." "What are you standing there for?"
Lin Xi grabbed Duan Yiheng's hand, "Run!" Duan Yiheng: "..." He was in his own company, what was he running for? Even though that's what he thought, Duan Yiheng didn't fall behind.
However, the image of her pulling him along made Duan Yiheng pull a memory from his mind. He couldn't remember exactly how old he was, but he was scolded by his grandfather for doing something wrong. It was also his birthday that day, and Lin Xi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, asking him if he wanted some cake.
He clearly wanted to push her away, but instead asked, "Where?" "Come with me." Lin Xi grabbed his hand and ran off quickly, while he leisurely followed behind, trying to keep her from tripping.
On the last blueberry cake, he took two bites, while she ate hers all over. Duan Yiheng immediately laughed, "I think you wanted the cake, didn't you, you little glutton?" Lin Xi licked the cream and shook her head, "No, it wasn't." Duan Yiheng:
"Go look in the mirror before you deny it." Lin Xi guiltily remained silent and quietly finished the cake. Outside the company, Duan Yiheng grabbed Lin Xi's arm and asked, "Want some cake?" Just like when they were children, Lin Xi couldn't help but nod.
Duan Yiheng leaned down and kissed her, "Blueberry, is that okay?" "Okay."