Lin Xi left in a huff because she almost missed her flight the next day. Listening to her complaints on the phone, Duan Yiheng shook his head and chuckled, then spent five minutes coaxing her. Upon arriving in S City, Lin Xi went straight back to her hotel to rest.
After catching up on sleep, she discovered two missed calls on her phone. One was from Duan Yiheng, and the other from Chen Li. Lin Xi thought for a moment and called Chen Li first. Knowing Lin Xi was in S City, Chen Li, who wasn't at the farm, invited her to dinner to show her hospitality.
Lin Xi readily agreed, and they arranged to meet the night after tomorrow. Only then did Lin Xi call Duan Yiheng back. As soon as he answered, she said, "Sorry, I overslept." Duan Yiheng said, "I knew you were sleeping." "Whose fault is it?" Lin Xi gritted her teeth.
"My fault," Duan Yiheng coaxed her gently. Lin Xi chatted with him for a few minutes, and just as she was about to hang up, Duan Yiheng asked, "When exactly are you coming back?" Lin Xi replied, "In three to five days, why?" "Nothing, I'm just checking."
Duan Yiheng said, "I was thinking of picking you up." Lin Xi said, "If you're busy, you can have the driver come." Duan Yiheng added, "I'll definitely need to rest after a few days on this business trip. I'll catch up on my work these next few days, and when you get back, I'll take you to the manor."
Lin Xi's breath hitched. "The ginkgo trees at the manor are in their peak blooming season," Duan Yiheng said. "Didn't you promise to go with me to see them, Miss Lin? Have you been waiting too long?" Lin Xi had only been gone a few days when the butler sent him a picture of ginkgo trees:
Sir, the ginkgo trees are in their early blooming season. Duan Yiheng immediately thought of his planned proposal. But his business trip was unpredictable; he needed to confirm Lin Xi's return date. Lin Xi also thought of the proposal, and suddenly she was speechless.
Until Duan Yiheng called her name on the other end of the phone. Snapping out of her daze, she said, "Can I tell you when I'm sure I'll be back?" Duan Yiheng: "Okay, I'll send you a copy of the photos."
Lin Xi was still lying in bed. After a few seconds, five or six photos of ginkgo trees from various angles arrived. The ginkgo leaves in the photos were still green, only the edges tinged with yellow. Each photo was wallpaper-worthy. Lin Xi messaged Duan Yiheng: "The butler's photography skills are pretty good." Duan Yiheng: "Praise him to his face, maybe he'll be even happier." Lin Xi: "When I get back, I'll praise Mr. Butler." This sentence was so serious that Duan Yiheng could almost picture Lin Xi's expression through the screen.
He replied with a smile that he was going to get busy. Lin Xi also turned off her phone, got up, and ordered food. The next day was Duan Yiheng's birthday. Lin Xi didn't know if Duan Yiheng was asleep or not, so she sent him a message right on time. Duan Yiheng replied almost instantly: I knew you were going to send it.
Lin Xi video-called him, nestled in bed, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "Happy birthday, Duan Yiheng." "Thank you," Duan Yiheng mimicked her format, "Baby." Lin Xi winked shyly at him on the video, and Duan Yiheng screenshotted each one.
Lin Xi heard the sound and immediately protested. Duan Yiheng promised to delete it to appease her. This business trip was mainly to showcase the company's products, and Lin Xi was now completely capable of handling it independently. She provided professional and detailed answers to questions from various people.
Even when some people deliberately asked pointed questions, she maintained a smile and professionally resolved them all. Many people handed her their business cards, agreeing to discuss details after the exhibition—the prelude to cooperation.
Lin Xi wasn't just standing around selling her company's technology; since there was an opportunity, she wanted to exchange and learn from her peers. The industry conference lasted three days, and on the evening of the second day, Lin Xi met with Chen Li. She was stunned. "You're pregnant!"
Chen Li said with a smile, "Almost five months along, why are you so surprised?" Lin Xi was both amused and exasperated: "You didn't tell me, I was shocked when I saw it." "As people get older, their thoughts change a lot," Chen Li said.
"I've been divorced from Lu Tong once, so being able to get pregnant really means I've come to terms with it." Lin Xi was genuinely happy for her: "Congratulations." "What about you and Duan Yiheng? How's it going? When are you considering getting married?" Chen Li asked. "It's all in the plans."
Lin Xi could only give a vague answer, because she herself didn't know the specific timeframe. Plans always get delayed by various things. "I'm afraid by then, I'll already have a baby."
Chen Li wasn't joking. "That's fine too. The three of us will definitely come to congratulate you and witness it." Lin Xi smiled shyly. "Thank you. When is your due date?" Chen Li: "Next March." Lin Xi laughed.
"Maybe by the time the baby's first birthday is over, Duan Yiheng and I won't be married yet." Chen Li was amused. "That's really possible. Whether it's the one-month celebration or the first birthday, you must come." "Definitely."
After dinner, Lu Tong came to pick them up and took Lin Xi back to the hotel. He also informed Duan Yiheng. As soon as Lin Xi arrived at the hotel, Duan Yiheng video-called her.
Because of Chen Li's pregnancy, the two talked a lot. When Lin Xi asked him if he preferred a boy or a girl, Duan Yiheng immediately laughed: "It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's yours." Lin Xi belatedly realized that she wasn't even married yet, and she was already thinking about the baby.
Finally, Duan Yiheng asked again, "When are you coming back?" This time, Lin Xi had a definite answer: "The day after tomorrow. I've already bought the tickets, but it might be a little late. I'll land around 10 PM." "I'll pick you up. We'll go straight to North District No. 1." Lin Xi was taken aback.
"Go straight?" Duan Yiheng said, "I was planning to take you to rest for a couple of days anyway. It's not far from the airport, so we won't have to travel back and forth the next day." Lin Xi thought: I'll have to be fully made up. What if Duan Yiheng proposes that night?
After two more busy days, Lin Xi and her colleagues headed straight to the airport in the evening. Even though she usually flew first class, she still followed the company's travel policy and flew in the appropriate class. After getting off the plane, Lin Xi felt uncomfortable all over. But all the discomfort vanished the moment she saw Duan Yiheng.
Coincidentally, the location where Duan Yiheng picked her up was the same location where Duan Mingxuan had picked her up when she returned. Duan Yiheng also saw her and unconsciously walked towards her. Two figures suddenly embraced, Lin Xi's feet almost leaving the ground.
She buried her face in Duan Yiheng's neck and whispered that she missed him. Duan Yiheng turned his head and kissed her earlobe: "I missed you too." Lin Xi couldn't hide her exhaustion. She hugged Duan Yiheng and said, "So tired." Duan Yiheng felt a pang of heartache and said softly,
"Get in the car and rest for a while. It's okay if you fall asleep. If you can't wake me, you can take a shower tomorrow morning." "No way." Lin Xi felt suffocated just thinking about it. "I've been traveling all day, I feel terrible if I don't shower." "Then get in the car first, I'll wake you when we get there."
Lin Xi hummed in agreement, and just ten minutes after getting in the car, she fell into a deep sleep.