Gently bite the jasmine

Duan Yiheng stopped what he was doing and asked Tan Qi, "What would you like to drink?"

Tan Qi crossed her legs, leaned back in her chair, and tilted her body slightly to the side, saying, "I'm not drinking anymore. I can't wait to have dinner with you."

Duan Yiheng chuckled softly: "You seem quite satisfied with the arrangements at home?"

“Satisfied.” Tan Qi stared straight at Duan Yiheng. “To be honest, I might hesitate if it were someone else, but if it’s you, I can accept it completely.”

Duan Yiheng: "Have you heard any gossip about me in the industry? Like about my love life?"

Tan Qi shook her head: "I have heard a lot of gossip about your family, but there's really nothing going on regarding your love life."

"Then tell me, why don't I, a normal thirty-year-old man, have a partner?" Duan Yiheng scoffed.

Tan Qi tried to smooth things over for him: "Okay, I admit that successful people generally have a lot of energy, but they're not gods, are they? Your mother passed away when you were very young, and your uncle's family can't help you much. The hardships and sacrifices you've made to gain control of the Duan family and Yin Fan are unimaginable to ordinary people. Do you even have time for romance?"

“Not having time is only one reason,” Duan Yiheng lifted his eyelids and glanced at her lightly. “Another reason is that I have someone I love.”

Tan Qi was taken aback, and subconsciously retorted, "Impossible."

Duan Yiheng retorted, "Why is it impossible?"

“If you have someone you like, it’s impossible that there’s no word about it at all.” Tan Qi was still quite surprised. “But you don’t even have a single woman around you.”

Duan Yiheng: "I wouldn't stoop so low as to lie to you."

Tan Qi said with some annoyance, "Don't you think we're a perfect match? A good match in terms of social standing?"

Duan Yiheng: "If it weren't for that person, I might have followed my elders' wishes. But now that I have that person, I will never compromise myself."

Tan Qi frowned: "But you still obeyed your elders' orders to see me. I guess the person you like either doesn't like you, or your grandfather doesn't approve."

Duan Yiheng's expression turned colder: "That's none of your concern."

"If you don't like me, why force it?" Tan Qi was still unwilling to give up. "Our union would be a win-win situation. Life is only a few decades long, why be trapped by feelings?"

Duan Yiheng calmly said, "Being unwilling is what truly leads to being trapped."

Tan Qi fell silent, lowered his head, and pondered the meaning of his words.

After a long pause, she seemed to give up and asked, "Can I ask who you like?"

Duan Yiheng's gaze swept past her profile, then he glanced at her from above and shook his head: "No comment."

"Alright, I'll ask something else." Tan Qi simply resorted to shamelessness. "Since I'm here, I can't let this trip be in vain."

Duan Yiheng raised his hand and made a "please" gesture.

Tan Qi: "Speaking of which, we are in the same boat. After I deal with my brother who is always against me, I hope that Li Kang and Yin Fan can cooperate."

Duan Yiheng: "Cooperation isn't something that can be decided in just a few words between you and me. Once you're in a position to make the decision, everything will fall into place naturally. However, if Miss Tan needs any help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Tan Qi stood up and said, "That's enough. I'm investigating his funds and evidence of illegal operations, and I need technical support."

Duan Yiheng straightened his suit, got up, and saw her to the door.

Before leaving, he used the remote control to adjust the smart glass.

Lin Xi seemed to sense something and turned around, just in time to see Duan Yiheng and Tan Qi walking out the door together.

She didn't seem to be sitting still, so she got up to see the two of them off.

Little did Duan Yiheng know that after seeing Tan Qi to the elevator, he didn't leave himself.

Lin Xi stared blankly as the elevator doors closed, then turned to Duan Yiheng and asked, "Mr. Duan, why weren't you with Miss Tan?"

"She had something to do and left first." Duan Yiheng turned and walked towards the office.

Lin Xi followed up and asked, "If the reservation is made more than two hours ago, the restaurant will call to cancel it. Do you need me to cancel it for you?"

Duan Yiheng paused, blocking Lin Xi at the door of the president's office.

Lin Xi stared blankly at his back, waiting for instructions.

"Do you have plans tonight?" Duan Yiheng turned around and asked Lin Xi.

Lin Xi shook her head: "No."

Duan Yiheng: "Where is the restaurant located?"

Lin Xi gave an address, and Duan Yiheng said, "It's on the way, no need to cancel, you can come with me."

"Huh?" Lin Xi chased after them again. "Isn't it inappropriate for the two of us to go together?"

Duan Yiheng: "What's wrong with that? It's not like we haven't eaten together before. Come over here and turn off my computer. I'll call Sister Mei."

Lin Xi went over and turned off his computer, overhearing him telling Sister Mei that he wasn't going home for dinner.

She wondered, somewhat confused, if she had agreed to his proposal.

After finishing the phone call, Duan Yiheng said again, "Let's go, I'll ride in your car tonight."

Lin Xi stared wide-eyed: "What if someone sees us?"

Duan Yiheng: "I've also ridden in Qin Yang's car. We went out openly and honestly, and no one said anything about it."

I just assumed they were going to do something.

Lin Xi reluctantly agreed, and somehow ended up going downstairs with him.

When I got to the first floor, I passed by many people.

When the receptionist saw Duan Yiheng, she bowed slightly to show her respect.

Sun Wenxin winked at Lin Xi, and Lin Xi waved back.

Duan Yiheng glanced sideways at Lin Xi and asked, "Are you and her very close?"

Lin Xi: "We met during training."

After leaving the building, the two walked towards Lin Xi's parking space.

He encountered many people along the way, and Duan Yiheng simply nodded slightly to the employees who greeted him.

Seeing him get into Lin Xi's car, some people speculated, some were curious. Chen Jingyi glanced at him a few more times, and then made a phone call.

Lin Xi navigated to the restaurant, and the two of them passed through the heavy, luxurious doors led by a waiter.

The interior decoration is exquisite, with crystal chandeliers hanging high and sparkling.

The two sat down at their reserved table, with soft jazz music playing in their ears. Lin Xi's gaze fell on the bouquet of vibrant red roses on the table.

Lin Xi cleared her throat awkwardly, looked up at Duan Yiheng and smiled, "This place doesn't seem suitable for the two of us."

Duan Yiheng showed no sign of embarrassment or reluctance; he acted as if he was supposed to have dinner with Lin Xi tonight.

"It's just a Western meal." Duan Yiheng's voice mingled with the soft sound of red wine being poured into a glass, carrying an ambiguous and rich fruity aroma. "There's nothing inappropriate about it."

Lin Xi glanced around; every couple was bathed in an ambiguous, dim light.

They smiled at each other, or held hands and chatted softly. No other couple would come dressed for work as if it were just a casual meal.

She gave Duan Yiheng a soft "hmm" and her gaze fell on the watch on her wrist.

Duan Yiheng noticed her movement and asked, "Are there any shopping malls nearby?"

As long as there's something to talk about, Lin Xi isn't awkward anymore. She's definitely gotten rid of the habit of making things up out of nothing, and she looks up and says, "Yes."

Duan Yiheng: "Okay, after we finish eating, let's go for a walk."

Lin Xi: "What do you want to buy?"

Logically speaking, he should lack nothing, as Sister Mei would prepare everything for him, big or small.

Duan Yiheng did not answer directly, but said, "You'll find out when the time comes."