Gently bite the jasmine

Duan Yiheng's "coercion" also contained a degree of selfishness.

He wanted to fight for himself.

At 26, he had been with the group for two years, and although he had some power, he was always subject to others' control.

When he was feeling down, he went to a bar with Mu Zhao to drown his sorrows. Duan Mingxuan overheard him confiding his feelings to Mu Zhao.

Duan Mingxuan flew into a rage and gave him a warning.

At that moment, his desire to control the Silver Sail reached its peak.

He didn't know if Duan Mingxuan had told Lin Xi his feelings, and he waited agonizingly for ten months.

Because they didn't usually interact, Lin Xi returned to visit the old man ten months later due to his health condition.

He deliberately appeared in front of her, and seeing that she was the same as always, he breathed a sigh of relief but also felt lost and couldn't sleep.

Seeing that her relationship with Duan Mingxuan was getting better and better, she even tried to give up on him at one point.

But in the end, it still didn't work out.

Upon returning from Philadelphia, she unexpectedly decided to join Silver Sail, causing Duan Yiheng's long-dormant heart to flutter.

He knew that no matter whether Lin Xicheng admitted it or not, he would draw a line between them at this moment. But it was better for both of them to be aware of the ambiguous boundaries between them than for him to be the only one to suffer.

Even if he were to draw a clear line, he wanted Lin Xi to remember clearly what had happened between them.

Thinking of this, Duan Yiheng's gaze deepened. Like a wolf poised to pounce, he stared at Lin Xi and asked, "I kissed you last night, didn't I?"

Lin Xi's palms were sweating, her face showing panic and shame. She nodded, but pretended to be calm and said:

"It's okay, I know you didn't mean it, you were drunk."

"I really didn't mean to." Duan Yiheng leaned closer to her. "But for you—"

“I’ve already admitted it, let’s just consider it an accident.” Lin Xi suddenly looked up. “What do you say?”

Duan Yiheng had guessed this outcome, but he was still extremely disappointed.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Lin Xi assumed he was unwilling and said, "If you force me, I'll resign right now. An accident is the best way to handle this matter."

Duan Yiheng smiled sadly: "I understand. I won't mention it again. You don't need to resign. Public matters should be kept separate from private matters."

Lin Xi raised her hand and pressed down on his arm: "Officially, we are in a superior-subordinate relationship, but personally, you are just my older brother. Of course, if you feel that I am not worthy to be your sister, then we have no personal relationship."

She has a soft, round face, but her voice is colder than the weather outside.

Duan Yiheng released her: "You can go now."

Lin Xi was suddenly freed. After a moment of stunned silence, she turned and left the president's office.

When she returned to her workstation, she took a long, deep breath.

The smart dimming glass remained closed until the afternoon.

For several days in a row, the two only talked about business.

Duan Yiheng did keep his word, and aside from work, he didn't say a single unnecessary word to her.

But the two of them ended up living under the same roof.

Sure enough, at four o'clock this afternoon, Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng both received messages from their families, asking them to have dinner at the North Courtyard tonight.

Who would dare disobey the old man's orders, except for Duan Yiheng who was delayed by official business?

When it was time to leave work, Lin Xi didn't waste a second, also intending to avoid Duan Yiheng.

But then I ran into him at the door, who was also leaving get off work.

Whether it was intentional or coincidental, Lin Xi could only step back slightly to let the boss go first.

It was so awkward that Lin Xi was about to make an excuse to wait until the next time when Qin Yang came out of the office.

He greeted Lin Xi warmly: "Secretary Lin, why aren't you leaving?"

Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief and entered the elevator with him.

"I suddenly remembered something." Qin Yang moved slightly closer to Lin Xi. "Do you remember Xiao Han from the R&D department?"

Lin Xi turned her head and asked, "Is it Han Zicheng, the engineer in the testing department?"

“Yes,” Qin Yang said. “He asked me about you.”

Lin Xi: "Why are you asking about me?"

Qin Yang chuckled: "Secretary Lin, you're at least 23, what else could a handsome guy want for your contact information?"

Lin Xi: "..."

Duan Yiheng cleared his throat and glanced back at Qin Yang.

Qin Yang was taken aback. Why did he sense that President Duan was a little unhappy?

He winked at Lin Xi, indicating that they would talk about it another time.

Lin Xi nodded to him.

After leaving the company, Lin Xi headed towards the parking lot. Duan Yiheng followed behind her and asked, "Are you going to give it to him?"

"What?" Lin Xi didn't understand what he meant.

"Are you going to give him your contact information?" Duan Yiheng asked again.

"It's none of your business." Lin Xi took out her car keys from her bag. "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

The driver had already pulled up to Duan Yiheng's car. He frowned slightly, then got in.

Lin Xi didn't go back to the front yard, but went straight to the old man's place. When she arrived, Duan Mingxuan was already there.

When he saw her, he was somewhat at a loss for words as he approached her.

"Xiao Xi, you're back. Are you tired?"

Lin Xi shook her head, walked past him, and greeted the old man.

"Your uncle and aunt will be here soon. By the way, where's your older brother?"

Lin Xi: "It should be soon."

Just as he finished speaking, Duan Yiheng walked in.

The old man sat on a single sofa, while Lin Xi and Duan Mingxuan sat on a long sofa. Duan Yiheng walked over and sat down next to Lin Xi.

Lin Xi stood up and said, "I'll go to the kitchen and see what we're having for dinner tonight."

Duan Yiheng stared at Lin Xi's retreating figure, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

Duan Mingxuan stood up like a shadow: "I'll go take a look too."

At the same time, Duan Zheng and Chen Baiwei also arrived.

The two children happened to be in the kitchen. The old man gestured for them to sit down and said to Chen Baiwei, "Xiaoxi was wronged, but she didn't hold it against you. Instead, she said a lot of good things about you. You should know that."

Chen Baiwei smiled ingratiatingly: "It's my fault. I've been feeling guilty and sad these past few days. After all, I raised her, and I feel sorry for her too."

Duan Yiheng chuckled.

The living room fell silent. Duan Zheng frowned at Duan Yiheng with displeasure: "What are you laughing at?"

Duan Yiheng glanced at him sideways: "Are you sure you want to hear this?"

Duan Zheng stared blankly; he didn't want to listen at all.

The old man rolled his eyes at his son, then turned to Duan Yiheng and said, "Yiheng, your aunt has had enough of the punishment this time, so you should back down a bit."

Duan Yiheng responded expressionlessly.

Chen Baiwei clenched her fist excitedly, her heart filled with disdain and hatred for Duan Yiheng.

Sister Mei came over to ask the old man if dinner was ready, and the old man nodded.

The family sat around a table, with Duan Zheng and the old man exchanging a few words occasionally, creating a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere.

Lin Xi was sandwiched between Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan, keeping her eyes tightly closed out of the corner of her eye.

Duan Mingxuan and Duan Yiheng each ladled out a bowl of red mushroom and duck soup, and just as Lin Xi was in a daze, both bowls of soup were handed to her at the same time.

Lin Xi was taken aback and subconsciously looked up to see the reactions of those around her.

The old man smiled with satisfaction, Duan Zheng didn't seem to care, and Chen Baiwei smiled broadly.

Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan exchanged glances but remained silent, only pushing the soup forward a little more, as if in a contest.

One was reserved, the other expectant, both keeping their eyes fixed on Lin Xi.