Gently bite the jasmine

Lin Xi had just finished drying her hair and felt that wearing pajamas was inconvenient, so she put on a cardigan.

She opened the door, and the smell of alcohol mingled with the aroma of perfume. Duan Yiheng subconsciously took a half step back, afraid of offending her.

For a moment, he even regretted not going back to take a shower and change his clothes before coming over.

"You went drinking?" Lin Xi asked blankly, she thought he had come back first.

It hasn't even been two hours, yet he reeks of alcohol. Is something bothering him?

Lin Xi asked with concern, "Are you... in a bad mood? Drinking is bad for your health."

Her long hair was loose, her face was gentle, and her eyes were clear. Duan Yiheng stared at her intently and softly replied, "I understand."

"I didn't mean to interfere with you," Lin Xi added, afraid that he might overthink it.

Duan Yiheng had drunk quite a bit and his throat was dry. Hearing her say that, he replied in a hoarse voice, "No need to explain, I know."

"Then..." Lin Xi paused, "Didn't Sister Mei prepare any hangover soup for you?"

Duan Yiheng said, "I came back late and didn't want to trouble her."

Although Lin Xi had not yet formally participated in Yin Fan's training, Qin Yang had given her some pointers about being a secretary.

Knowing that in addition to handling daily work affairs, he also had to arrange Duan Yiheng's daily chores.

For example, helping with restaurant reservations, arranging transportation, ensuring business trip itineraries, arranging hotels, etc.

There are naturally things to be mindful of in daily life as well, but it's important to maintain appropriate boundaries and limits.

This requires her to understand Duan Yiheng's preferences and habits.

If Duan Yiheng drinks too much at social events in the future, arranging a driver, taking measures to sober him up, and coordinating his work for the next day will all be her responsibility.

Lin Xi thought for a moment, then tilted her head slightly and asked, "How about I make you a hangover soup?"

"You can?" Duan Yiheng asked.

"It should be possible," Lin Xi replied.

Duan Yiheng loosened his grip on his tie and said, "If you're willing, I won't refuse."

Lin Xi: "...There are the ingredients for the hangover soup prepared by Sister Mei in the kitchen. I'll just throw them in and cook them. Can you come downstairs with me and wait a moment? But please be gentle."

"Why?" Duan Yiheng asked, knowing the answer already.

Lin Xi scratched his head awkwardly: "I'm afraid you'll wake Duan Mingxuan upstairs."

It's better to avoid trouble and keep things quiet.

"Will he stop you from making me a hangover soup when he goes downstairs?" Duan Yiheng asked.

"Maybe," Lin Xi said. "I don't know what caused you two to quarrel like this, but I don't want to deal with the two of you arguing so fiercely late at night."

Duan Yiheng was very easy to talk to Lin Xi. He stepped aside slightly and said, "Okay."

Duan Mingxuan thought he had something on Lin Xi, but in reality he was only trying to pressure him.

Lin Xi walked past him downstairs, then suddenly remembered something, stopped, turned to look at Duan Yiheng, and asked:

"Did you fire that receptionist who gave me a hard time?"

When the topic turned to others, Duan Yiheng lost interest. He slowly exhaled a breath of alcohol and said, "I left it to Qin Yang to handle. It should be open by now."

Lin Xi paused for a moment: "Is it because of me?"

Duan Yiheng, reeking of alcohol, stepped forward, and Lin Xi instinctively stepped back.

He didn't stop, blocking her at the top of the stairs step by step. For some reason, he suddenly felt a mischievous urge and chuckled, "What do you think?"

Lin Xi stared wide-eyed: "Is it really because of me?"

What makes her so special? She got rid of a receptionist before even starting the job. If people find out, they'll definitely gossip about her.

Those eyes, when they glare at you, have no power, only cuteness.

Duan Yiheng suddenly tapped her head: "What are you thinking about?"

Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me."

Although she didn't like the receptionist, she didn't want to lose her job because of personal reasons.

After getting the answer from him, the burden in my heart completely disappeared.

Duan Yiheng said calmly, "Since Qin Yang has already been dismissed, it proves that he had a reason for dismissing her. I will not dismiss her because of my personal relationship with you."

Lin Xi: "..."

Personal relationship? Didn't you tell her not to call you "big brother" during dinner? How come you're talking about a personal relationship now?

Lin Xi gave a soft snort: "What kind of personal relationship do I have with you? You said it yourself at the restaurant."

Duan Yiheng: "..."

He has now truly experienced what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on one's own foot.

The little girl is quite vengeful.

"Let's go, downstairs." Lin Xi reached out to help him. "Are you sure you can manage?"

Duan Yiheng said, "Okay."

"Then slow down," Lin Xi reminded him.

Duan Yiheng followed her downstairs, but after taking only two or three steps, he stumbled, startling Lin Xi so much that she grabbed his arm.

"How much did you drink?" Lin Xi's heart pounded with fear. "You scared me to death! I almost fell down the stairs. I can't afford to pay for that."

Duan Yiheng curled his fingertips slightly and tentatively put his arm around her shoulder. Seeing that she did not resist, he put his arm around her firmly and said, "Help me to the living room downstairs."

Lin Xi resigned herself to her fate and did as she was told, while occasionally reminding him, "Be careful, if you roll down, we'll both be in trouble."

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall." Duan Yiheng wasn't out of his mind, and he restrained himself from using too much force, afraid of hurting her.

Upon reaching the first floor, Lin Xi helped the person to a nearby single sofa.

Duan Yiheng felt uncomfortable from the tight tie, so he raised his hand and tugged it, revealing his Adam's apple and collarbone.

Lin Xi didn't have time to react before she saw it.

Duan Yiheng stared at her, recalling the question Mu Zhao had asked him in the bar.

Only he knows what he is insisting on.

When Lin Xi first came to the Duan family, she was soft-hearted and timid.

I don't know where I heard it was his birthday, but I would set out a cake for him before he got out of school, along with a card that had "Happy Birthday" written on it in a crooked hand.

In the first year, he threw it away.

The following year, he threw it away.

In the third year, he still threw it away.

Until he was sixteen, there was a small birthday cake she had brought him on the table, and he didn't know why he ate it.

Not only that, she would also save a special piece for him on her own birthday, decorated with her favorite blueberries.

She went abroad to study at the age of eighteen. Although the cake was gone, there was a simple text message.

Duan Yiheng never replied, afraid of scaring someone, like a frightened squirrel, racking his brains to figure out how to end the conversation as soon as possible.

The first year after Lin Xi left, he was 24 years old, his first year officially joining Yin Fan. Only later did he realize that he seemed to be looking forward to his birthday.

He thought that since she should at least call him "Big Brother," he asked a friend abroad to take care of her.

However, Lin Xi had a smooth five years abroad and was unaware that Duan Yiheng was protecting her from behind.

His birthday is coming up again soon, I wonder if he will still say "Happy Birthday" as always this year.

Even without a birthday present, he comforted himself by receiving a broken camera tonight, thinking that he had received her birthday present.

Duan Yiheng's gaze was too intense, so Lin Xi looked away and said, "I'll go make you some hangover soup. Please wait a moment."

"it is good."

Before he could turn around, he felt a warmth on the back of his hand; Duan Yiheng had firmly grabbed it.

Lin Xi was startled: "W-what are you doing?"