Gently bite the jasmine

What did she owe to him? Lin Xi's mind was a mess; all she could see were Duan Yiheng's deep, unfathomable eyes.

“I’ve seen Duan Mingxuan get angry and you know how to coax him,” Duan Yiheng said. “I was just trying it out, but I didn’t expect you to say ‘sorry’ to me.”

Lin Xi curled her palms, slightly avoiding his direct gaze, and whispered, "That's silent indulgence. Although I have no say, I shouldn't always have to listen."

Duan Yiheng tightened his grip: "You think I care?"

Lin Xi misinterpreted his meaning: "I know you don't care. Apart from Grandpa, you look at the other family members the same way you would look at the flowers, plants and stones on the roadside."

Duan Yiheng suspected there was something wrong with Lin Xi's gaze, and he chuckled softly, "Do I treat you like that too?"

Lin Xi's ears inexplicably felt hot. She looked at Duan Yiheng and thought of her childhood.

After a long pause, she said, "When I was little, the way you looked at me was like it was filled with ice."

"Who told you to spend all your time with Duan Mingxuan? It's one thing for him to mess with dogs and cats, but he just happens to like provoking me. Since you're inseparable from him, naturally I won't give you a pleasant look." Duan Yiheng didn't try to argue.

"But we're always the ones who get hurt," Lin Xi muttered.

"What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything." Lin Xi mustered her courage and looked into his eyes. "Could you let go of me? I... I'm not used to this."

Duan Yiheng smiled faintly, then removed his hand from her waist and let her go.

Lin Xi used both hands and feet to lie face down on her pillow, pressing her left palm against her chest, not daring to move an inch.

Duan Yiheng covered her with the blanket, and she subconsciously shrank her shoulders.

Their phones rang almost simultaneously; it was a text message from the airline informing them of the new departure time.

Lin Xi was delighted: "We're taking off at seven tomorrow, so I can make it to work?"

Duan Yiheng found it amusing. Did he really enjoy going to work that much?

He said, "Then why don't you go to sleep? We need to get to the airport by five o'clock."

Lin Xi replied, "I'll set an alarm."

Duan Yiheng: "I've adjusted it, you can go to sleep now."

Lin Xi wasn't actually sleepy, but she felt awkward facing Duan Yiheng, so she could only force herself to close her eyes.

The room fell silent.

Duan Yiheng turned the bedside lamp to its dimmest setting.

Lin Xi's arms were numb from being pressed down, but she didn't move an inch.

With her eyes closed, all she could see in her mind was the image of Duan Yiheng looking at her.

She felt a sense of familiarity mixed with strangeness, yet she couldn't quite grasp the precise feeling.

Gradually, she fell asleep.

I don't know how long it was before someone touched my cheek.

Lin Xi couldn't open her eyes and made a muffled "uh" sound in her throat.

"Lin Xi, wake up." Duan Yiheng patiently called her to get up. "We have to go to work soon."

Lin Xi's mind cleared instantly. She opened her eyes and saw that Duan Yiheng was already dressed.

"What time is it?" she asked, looking bewildered.

"Get up and get ready at 4:20."

Lin Xi got out of bed, grabbed her clothes, and went into the bathroom.

It took me twenty minutes to wash up and get ready.

The hotel was close to the airport, so Lin Xi wasn't in a hurry. She was just feeling drowsy and without makeup, so she took a black baseball cap out of her suitcase and put it on her head.

As we left the hotel, we found ourselves surrounded by many other people.

Some of them were even live-streaming on their phones: "Family members, let's head to the airport with the group."

Lin Xi glanced at it curiously, then looked at the comments on the screen and was completely shocked.

At this point, at that speed of scrolling, there were still quite a few people.

Maybe she's a blogger with a following.

The two eventually met again in first class, which confirmed Lin Xi's guess.

Lin Xi suffers from severe motion sickness and can never fall asleep on a plane, but she has to go to work in two hours, so she can only force herself to close her eyes and rest.

The plane arrived in City B on time, and Duan Yiheng's driver came to pick them up.

Lin Xi's face was really pale, and Duan Yiheng asked with some concern, "Are you sure you're alright?"

Lin Xi shook her head: "It's just motion sickness. I've always been like this. I'll be fine after a short rest."

Seeing her insistence, Duan Yiheng said to the driver, "Go to the company."

Lin Xi was preoccupied with the work messages in the office system.

She turned to Duan Yiheng and asked, "I heard the relocation date has been set?"

Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement: "Today is Monday, and there are quite a few meetings, so we'll move tomorrow."

Lin Xi: "So, we'll be working in the Taihe Road Industrial Park from now on?"

Duan Yiheng: "Here's the thing, just follow me. The company's internal system has all the instructions."

"So I'll only be responsible for your work at Yinfan Technology?" Lin Xi asked.

Duan Yiheng: "That's right, Qin Yang is with the group."

Qin Yang was also involved in Yin Fan Technology's off-site projects.

Lin Xi couldn't help but ask curiously, "Did Assistant Qin accompany you on this business trip to H City? Is he also in charge of the Yinfan Technology project?"

Duan Yiheng: "Because you have just taken office, there are many things that you have not yet fully taken over. This business trip is a temporary assistance. After you finish this project, you will focus on the group's business."

Lin Xi's eyes flashed with envy. Qin Yang was exceptionally capable and served as Duan Yiheng's Chief of Strategic Staff.

His responsibilities and authority are extensive; he can attend many important business meetings in place of Duan Yiheng.

Outside of work, people can also call him "President Qin".

Upon arriving at the company, Lin Xi quickly changed into the clothes brought by the driver and then applied light makeup in a very short time.

Upon logging into the internal office system, various messages popped up.

Lin Xi processed them one by one, and also compiled the documents and meeting materials that needed Duan Yiheng's review.

She hurriedly knocked on Duan Yiheng's office door, and he opened it himself.

Lin Xi was taken aback. Duan Yiheng straightened his tie and said, "Qin Yang has already gone to a conference room. Take the documents with you and check them with me on the way."

"Okay." Lin Xi stared at his tie. "It's a little crooked."

Duan Yiheng frowned. Returning to the lounge to tidy himself up in front of the mirror at this time would be a waste of time.

He asked, "Where is it crooked?"

Lin Xi handed him the documents: "I'll organize them for you."

Duan Yiheng usually wears a classic, dignified, symmetrical Windsor knot to work, and today was no exception.

However, the tie was pulled a little too tight, and the knotted side dented slightly, breaking the delicate symmetry.

Lin Xi raised his hand and gripped his tie, saying, "Look up."

Duan Yiheng, clutching the folder, tilted his head slightly, and Lin Xi's knuckles accidentally pressed against his Adam's apple.

Lin Xi was unaware of his tense body as his fingers deftly pulled at his tie and adjusted his bow tie.

The small dent on that side straightened up, and she gently touched it, tilting her head back and smiling: "It's done."

Duan Yiheng pushed open the door without changing his expression: "To the conference room."

Lin Xi turned around and followed, tactfully taking the documents from his hand.

Upon entering the conference room, Lin Xi met the legendary Jiang Hulin—the manager of the business department.

Zheng Jizhong is not here today, but Chen Jingyi is.

Compared to before, she sat at the very back today.

The project in H City was handed over to Jiang Hulin's business development department. Duan Yiheng didn't say much throughout the process, but occasionally gave Lin Xi some pointers when Qin Yang got to the important points.

Lin Xi was also eager to learn and listened attentively, ignoring Chen Liangyi's thoughtful and scrutinizing gaze.

Last time, someone followed Lin Xi, but they didn't get any useful information.

Because her driver was very vigilant, Brother Shan had no choice but to give up in order to avoid being caught.

Later, she came up with a plan: she had Brother Shan stand guard at the company entrance to see who she came into contact with.

By investigating these people, Lin Xi's network of relationships will become clear.

We'll find the weaknesses and attack them then.

She actually got her wish; Brother Shan spotted her getting into a dark purple supercar at the company entrance.