Duan Yiheng knew Lin Xi was at a dinner party and was aware of his cold demeanor in front of his employees. Before entering, he softened his expression and asked with a smile,
"What did you want to ask me?" The private room was silent; everyone nudged each other, unable to utter a word for a long time. Xu Yu explained for them, and Duan Yiheng, still smiling, said, "You guys enjoy yourselves, it's all on me. I'm taking Lin Xi with me."
No one dared to stop him. However, polite words still had to be exchanged. Xu Yu invited Duan Yiheng, but he politely declined, "It wouldn't be comfortable for you if I came. Lin Xi and I will leave first." With that, Duan Yiheng walked to Lin Xi's side, leaned down, and asked her, "Can you go?"
Lin Xi took his hand, stood up, and waved goodbye to her colleagues, her cheeks flushed. Duan Yiheng picked up her bag, put his arm around her shoulder, and left the restaurant. "Holy crap, President Duan is so handsome!" After a long pause, someone in the private room exclaimed, sparking a series of gossipy discussions—"Manager Lin isn't bad either. She owns shares in Yin Fan, doesn't participate in operations, and her annual dividends are enough to make everyone envious."
"Not only that, I heard she inherited a considerable amount." "The Duan family is quite generous; Manager Lin, an adopted daughter, receives more than some families' biological granddaughters."
"What do you know? The current Yin Fan Technology relies entirely on a technology company from twenty years ago called 'Guangxi,' a company left by Manager Lin's parents."
"I see. If Manager Lin hadn't suffered that ordeal in her childhood, she and President Duan would have been a perfect match."
"They're six years apart; it's uncertain whether they'd even met."
"Six years is just a number, not sixty."
"..." Lin Xi got into the car and slumped into her seat. Duan Yiheng leaned down and touched her face: "How much did you drink?" Lin Xi raised her hand:
"Four glasses." Duan Yiheng pinched her cheek: "Are you feeling unwell?" Lin Xi shook her head: "Just a little dizzy." "Your alcohol tolerance isn't high, drink less next time," Duan Yiheng advised her. Lin Xi obediently nodded, her eyes slowly closing uncontrollably.
Lin Xi hadn't been sleeping well lately because of the project. She slept until the next day, when Duan Yiheng had already gone to the company and left her a note. After brunch, Duan Yiheng called and said:
"At 2 PM this afternoon, the project manager and designer for the villa renovation will be visiting. You'll need to receive them." "Okay, do you have any ideas?" "I'll naturally put your needs first." Lin Xi knew he was busy and said, "Then I'll handle it."
After Duan Yiheng hung up, Lin Xi picked up her notebook and nestled on the recliner on the balcony. The villa's decor was predominantly Chinese, and Lin Xi didn't plan to change the style, but many areas needed renovation after years of exposure to the elements.
This place held memories of her and Duan Yiheng from childhood, and Duan Yiheng's intention was clear: as their marital home, it naturally needed to be bright and new.
The spatial layout also needed to be replanned. If it was just the two of them living there, the bedroom would naturally need the best natural light and be spacious. Lin Xi's thoughts wandered, and before she knew it, it was two o'clock. The designer and the project manager arrived promptly.
Without being told, Sister Mei served tea and then went upstairs to call Lin Xi. After Lin Xi came downstairs, the two women greeted each other. Lin Xi exchanged a few pleasantries and got straight to the point. The designer was very capable, immediately producing preliminary sketches based on her ideas.
Lin Xi immediately recognized his abilities. She didn't want to drag things out; sometimes, three or five conversations were unnecessary. As long as the designer understood her needs and provided a plan, Lin Xi could make a decision on the spot.
The three were still discussing even after dark when Duan Yiheng's car pulled into the yard, bringing Lin Xi back to her senses. The designer and the person in charge got up to leave. Duan Yiheng entered the living room, glanced at the dozen or so sketches on the coffee table, and asked Lin Xi, "How is it?" Lin Xi said,
"Not bad. They basically understand everything I say in a second. Should I just hand it over to them?" Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement. "Mu Zhao introduced them. He said they look young, but they're quite capable." Lin Xi recounted her afternoon discussion with the designer to Duan Yiheng.
After listening, Duan Yiheng said, "The flowers in the front yard were planted by Chen Baiwei before, but they've been neglected and many have died. You can have them tended again and planted with the flowers you like."
Lin Xi pursed her lips upon hearing this. As a child, she had picked wild daisies by the roadside and secretly buried them in the flowerbed. At the time, she didn't understand that they wouldn't bloom that way, but Chen Baiwei caught her red-handed, subtly implying that she was just an unwanted wild daisy.
She had never imagined that one day she would be in charge of that flowerbed. "Okay," Lin Xi replied eagerly. "Dinner's ready in the kitchen. Didn't you get a call this afternoon about a business dinner? Why are you back so early?" Duan Yiheng said, "It was canceled at the last minute." Sister Mei came over and said,
"Dinner's ready in half an hour. I didn't know you'd be back, so I only made two dishes." Duan Yiheng pulled Lin Xi upstairs, leaving her with the words, "I'm going to take a shower first." Lin Xi: "...Why are you dragging me along to take a shower?" Duan Yiheng said matter-of-factly, "Let's shower together."
"Are you crazy?" Lin Xi struggled. "Dinner's almost ready." Duan Yiheng ignored her, pulling her directly into the bathroom, turning her around and pinning her against the wall. Lin Xi gasped, her hands bracing against Duan Yiheng's chest.
Beautiful long eyelashes fluttered, and Lin Xi's eyelids suddenly felt hot—Duan Yiheng couldn't resist kissing her. Having been apart for so long, Lin Xi felt inexplicably nervous. Duan Yiheng noticed her tense body and caressed her neck intimately.
The bathroom lights were off, only a faint warm glow emanating from the mirror. Duan Yiheng's thumb lingered on her lips, his gentle gaze revealing undisguised possessive desire. Lin Xi's breathing became soft, her gaze averted, too embarrassed to say anything.
With just one look, she understood Duan Yiheng's thoughts. The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating; she choked out, "Um...aren't we going to eat?" Duan Yiheng moved even closer: "Can we eat later?"
With him pressing against her, Lin Xi could only turn her head to hide behind his shoulder. But his question was so direct; Lin Xi couldn't just rush back, and she found herself in a dilemma. Duan Yiheng chuckled softly and took out his phone to call Sister Mei. Lin Xi looked up and asked, "What are you doing?" Duan Yiheng didn't answer her. As soon as Sister Mei answered, he immediately said, "Dinner will be later. Don't let anyone come upstairs." Lin Xi punched his shoulder. Now everyone knew what they had done.
Duan Yiheng suddenly tightened his grip on her waist, his voice dark, "Help me untie my tie." Lin Xi's fingers curled, and he pulled her hand up, stopping at his neck. Lin Xi bit her lip and slowly untied Duan Yiheng's tie. "Don't stop, there's still the shirt."
Lin Xi endured her shame and unbuttoned the shirt one button at a time.