Gently bite the jasmine

Perhaps it was because of the heat, Duan Yiheng unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt.

It was slightly different from his usual formal and serious appearance.

An antique and expensive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling of the room, and light fell from the top of his head to the bridge of his high nose.

With his deep contours and distinct lines, Duan Yiheng was the most handsome man Lin Xi had ever seen in real life.

That air of ease and confidence comes from the wealth accumulated over time.

His eyes and brows were already deep-set, and when he stared at her, he gave Lin Xi a sense of aggression.

Lin Xi thought the cards had been dealt the wrong way, and silently lowered his head to examine them closely.

Duan Yiheng saw through her thoughts and said, "It wasn't sent to the wrong person."

Lin Xi: "..."

Then why are you looking at me?

Mu Zhao held the same suit of cards in his hand, his gaze deep and unwavering.

Mu Shuo was a novice. Seeing that the points were scattered and the suits were different, he scoffed and folded immediately.

The others followed suit.

Lin Xi carefully flipped over the three community cards. As soon as the cards were revealed, the room became even quieter.

Lin Xi: "..."

Didn't you say it was just for fun? Why are you all so serious?

Zhou Li sighed regretfully. The situation was not favorable for his hand, and he had to fold again to cut his losses.

Tan Qi, as always, steadily increased his bets, as did Duan Yiheng and Mu Zhao.

Lin Xi turned over another community card, and the poker table entered a new round of psychological warfare.

In fact, Lin Xi could basically capture a bit of the expression on everyone's face.

Duan Yiheng, however, remains a mystery as to what cards he has drawn.

With the situation unchanged, the last community card was revealed, and the outcome would be decided in an instant. Lin Xi couldn't help but feel nervous.

Tan Qi glanced at the newly added row of drinks and voluntarily gave up his three drinks.

She couldn't outdrink this group of people.

Moreover, she cannot stay here overnight; she must leave as soon as the game ends.

After several rounds of betting, Mu Zhao, Meng Huaishan, and Duan Yiheng still did not fold, and the showdown began.

Mu Zhao held his breath, slammed his fist on the card table, and arrogantly pointed at Duan Yiheng, saying, "Drink up, I'll give you a straight flush!"

Meng Huaishan cursed, "So you've already snatched it away!"

Lin Xi was taken aback. In a standard deck of playing cards, there are four suits, and each suit has ten possible combinations, with a very small probability.

He actually had such good luck in the very first game.

Overjoyed, Mu Zhao reached out to hug Lin Xi, who shrank back in fright and dodged him.

Duan Yiheng pointed at him, and Mu Zhao immediately withdrew his hand, feeling a little guilty.

Duan Yiheng was never one to cheat. He casually picked up a wine glass and drank five glasses in a row.

Lin Xi frowned and asked, "Is it alright to drink like this?"

Meng Huaishan: "I feel sorry for your brother. Deal the cards well next round."

Lin Xi: "..."

Duan Yiheng leaned back in his chair, looked at Lin Xi, and said, "It's okay, you can send yours."

Lin Xi felt that Mu Zhao's luck couldn't be that bad, and continued dealing the cards in the second round.

But luck in gambling is such an elusive thing that it's really hard to explain.

Today, perhaps it's time for the one surnamed Mu to win.

After Mu Zhao won again, his laughter nearly lifted the roof off.

However, it wasn't just Duan Yiheng drinking alone; with Meng Huaishan and Zhou Li sharing the cost, it wasn't too bad.

Tan Qi is very clever; he knows when to pursue profit and when to give up.

Mu Shuo was drunk and instinctively leaned towards Liang Yutong, but she pushed him away and he accidentally slipped to the ground.

Everyone laughed at the scene, and Mu Zhao, showing no conscience, had the club's security carry the drunk Mu Shuo away.

After playing for a while, the card game ended, and Tan Qi went to the restroom.

Lin Xi tidied her long hair and was about to leave when Tan Qi called her back.

"May I ask where Miss Lin works?"

Lin Xi replied politely, "At Yinfan, I am currently the president's secretary at Yinfan Technology."

Tan Qi nodded and asked with a smile, "May I have your contact information?"

Lin Xi naturally answered yes.

After leaving the restroom, Tan Qi said goodbye.

Duan Yiheng immediately summoned the steward and arranged for someone to send Tan Qi away.

Meng Huaishan patted Duan Yiheng on the shoulder: "Come with me, I have something to tell you."

Duan Yiheng nodded, then turned to Lin Xi and whispered, "It's getting late. Take your friend upstairs to rest. The housekeeper will take you there."

"Okay," Lin Xi replied.

Zhou Li and Mu Zhao were sensible enough not to interrupt the two brothers' conversation.

Meng Huaishan lit cigarettes for himself and Duan Yiheng, then asked, "What do you think of Tan Qi?"

The air was thick with the smoke. Duan Yiheng took a few breaths, remained silent for a long while, and then spoke: "I haven't settled accounts with you yet."

Meng Huaishan raised his hand: "I'm so wronged! This is what your grandfather wanted!"

The crimson cigarette butt dimly outlined the corners of Duan Yiheng's lips. He merely glanced at Meng Huaishan, who immediately understood his meaning.

"So you had Lin Xi refuse for you at the dinner table?"

Duan Yiheng chuckled: "Unfortunately, she misunderstood."

They were hoping that he would develop feelings for Tan Qi over time through further contact.

Meng Huaishan: "...Why not just refuse?"

Duan Yiheng: "Since you brought him, I have to give you face. Besides, our two families have business dealings, so it's natural to be more polite when we meet in private."

"Tan Qi graduated from the same school as you, so you're a good match. More importantly, she's beautiful too. Why aren't you in a hurry?"

"You mean me?" Duan Yiheng was speechless. "Don't forget, you're three years older than me and the only son of the Meng family."

Meng Huaishan was speechless for a moment, then said after a long pause, "The Meng family's company is not as large as Yin Fan's. I heard from Mr. Duan that once you get married, Yin Fan will be a piece of cake."

Duan Yiheng interrupted him: "I can't sleep with someone I have no feelings for."

Meng Huaishan was completely speechless: "Why are you being so blunt?"

Duan Yiheng scoffed: "Effective."

"I'm truly impressed by you." Meng Huaishan stubbed out his cigarette. "If it were anyone else, like your cheap younger brother, they probably would have pounced on him long ago."

Upon hearing Duan Mingxuan's name, Duan Yiheng's expression visibly darkened.

Meng Huaishan noticed something amiss and frowned, asking, "What's wrong? Did they, mother and son, try to sabotage you again?"

Duan Yiheng glanced upstairs: "He bullied Lin Xi and broke the birthday present she gave me."

Meng Huaishan gave a mocking smile: "...This is the extent of his temper. It's just a birthday present. Is it worth getting angry about?"

Duan Yiheng scoffed. Duan Mingxuan was in love without realizing it. Beneath his domineering exterior, he was also somewhat timid towards Lin Xi.

As for what he was afraid of, he really didn't know.

Meng Huaishan felt sorry for Tan Qi for a while, and then let Duan Yiheng rest.

Duan Yiheng instructed the butler to seat the guests and then asked, "Did Lin Xi give you any instructions?"

The butler thought he was amazing and said, "Miss Lin asked me to prepare a cake for her."

"Deliver the cake to the rooftop garden."

The butler quickly responded.

Duan Yiheng went upstairs and gently knocked on Lin Xi's door.

She didn't live with Liang Yutong because there was one last ceremony that hadn't been completed.

After explaining to Liang Yutong, the two went back to their respective rooms.

Someone is knocking on the door right now; the cake must be ready.

Lin Xi opened the door, her eyes widening slightly in surprise: "It's you?"

Duan Yiheng's eyes flashed with a dark light as he said, "Today isn't over yet. I wonder if you can still have a piece of cake with me."