Gently bite the jasmine

The hotel does offer drinks, but Duan Yiheng stays in these kinds of hotels all the time when he travels for work, so he's lost interest in them.

In contrast, he preferred to go out for a stroll with Lin Xi.

However, since the CEO had no experience in making arrangements, and Lin Xi didn't want to go too far, she went to a nearby restaurant.

The restaurant is tucked away on a street corner; it's not upscale, but it's one of the best options in the area.

Upon entering the store, I found the environment to have a great atmosphere.

It was just as the city lights were coming on, and there weren't many people around yet.

Lin Xi wanted to discuss business, so she chose a corner by the window, which wasn't too close to the other tables.

Duan Yiheng asked Lin Xi to order, and Lin Xi didn't refuse. As his secretary, Lin Xi knew his tastes.

The pictures on the menu looked very appetizing. Lin Xi looked at them for a while and said, "Give me a cold cut platter, smoked salmon salad, cheeseburger spring rolls, and black truffle pizza, plus two servings of Italian seafood pasta."

Lin Xi then ordered some drinks according to the dishes.

The food was served quickly, and Lin Xi, who was a little hungry, finished the seafood noodles first.

The taste is not bad.

After a few rounds of drinks, we had eaten almost everything.

Lin Xi asked Duan Yiheng, "What was it that you said you had something for me to do at the hotel?"

Duan Yiheng asked, "When you first came to Yinfan, what was the highest position you envisioned for yourself?"

Lin Xi was silent for a while before replying, "I hadn't thought about it at first, but then you said I could get involved in projects, so I started thinking about whether, in four or five years, I could lead a team and contribute to Yinfan Technology."

“Then let’s do it,” Duan Yiheng said. “Zheng Jizhong will leave sooner or later. Jiang Hulin will take his place. We’ll dismantle the business development department and restart the sales department. Do you have any ideas?”

Lin Xi was taken aback. These were all confidential, weren't they? He just told her like that?

Lin Xi: "Are you afraid that Jiang Hulin will become the second Zheng Jizhong? Is that why you want to withdraw the business development department?"

Duan Yiheng: "Jiang Hulin can be used, but he was trained by Zheng Jizhong after all, so we can't be too careful. As for the leader of the sales department, I already have someone in mind."

Lin Xi asked, "Is it from within the company?"

Duan Yiheng shook his head: "We'll hire you from outside with a high salary."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Lin Xi asked, puzzled.

Duan Yiheng said, "If you're willing, once the sales director takes office, I can have her mentor you."

Lin Xi understood; Duan Yiheng wanted to consolidate his power, and he didn't trust anyone.

Projects that concern the company's core operations are handled by the sales department, and if she is also involved, she becomes the key to strengthening inter-departmental collaboration.

"I do." Lin Xi said almost without hesitation.

To suppress her joy, she lowered her head and sipped her cocktail.

Duan Yiheng chuckled and said meaningfully, "I believe you."

It seems there's no need to ask anything further.

It's too early to talk about the future now; he needs to clear obstacles for her and solidify his position.

Duan Yiheng picked up his glass and took a sip. Finding it bland, he called over a waiter and ordered whiskey.

The music in the center of the restaurant stage suddenly changed from soothing to upbeat.

Lin Xi craned her neck to look, but half of her view was blocked by the pillars in the interior decoration.

Duan Yiheng beckoned to her: "Come sit here."

Lin Xi rarely had the experience of sitting with a large group of people to listen to music. After hesitating for two seconds, she got up and walked over.

Duan Yiheng walked inside, leaving half of his space for her.

Lin Xi turned around and leaned on the back of the chair, looking at the center of the stage.

Duan Yiheng looked at Lin Xi with gentle eyes.

After the song ended, Lin Xi raised his hand and applauded.

The dim, yellowish indoor environment suddenly turned into a light blue light. While Lin Xi was still wondering, the music changed again.

The waiters quickly covered all the tables with transparent covers.

While Lin Xi was still wondering, bubbles began to fall from the ceiling.

"So beautiful." Lin Xi reached out to catch it, but it broke upon contact with her hand.

A bubble floated overhead, heading towards Duan Yiheng.

Lin Xi turned around, and Duan Yiheng, oblivious to her feelings, blew a bubble, which immediately changed direction and hit the tip of Lin Xi's nose.

The bubble was fragile, so it broke, leaving a little foamy water on the tip of her nose.

Duan Yiheng smiled, raised his hand and scraped the water away, and the water stains disappeared.

Under the cold light, Duan Yiheng's silhouette appeared even more pronounced. Bubbles floated between them, then turned and fell, brushing against their hair, cheeks, and shoulders...

Without exception, all the bubbles disappeared, leaving only the two of them in each other's eyes.

Amidst the romantic music and laughter, Lin Xi seemed to see only Duan Yiheng.

She even saw Duan Yiheng leaning towards her.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and the laughter turned into noise. Lin Xi only came back to her senses when the waiter lifted the transparent cover.

With a dry throat, Lin Xi picked up his wine glass and took a sip of wine.

The same applies to Duan Yiheng.

The surrounding area was bustling with noise, but their little corner was quiet.

Lin Xi felt a little flustered. What was Duan Yiheng trying to do?

"Um..." Lin Xi felt her throat was sticky as soon as she spoke, so she cleared it and asked again, "Back to the hotel?"

Duan Yiheng finished his drink and said, "Let's go."

The restaurant is not far from the hotel, less than a fifteen-minute walk.

The cold wind dispelled Lin Xi's anxiety, and she said, "Let's walk back."

Duan Yiheng naturally agreed; he also needed to be exposed to the cold air.

On the way back, the two of them didn't say a word.

After entering the hotel, Lin Xi said "Goodnight" to Duan Yiheng from behind the door.

Duan Yiheng suddenly grabbed her and said, "Do you know what Grandpa said on the phone today?"

Lin Xi shook his head in confusion.

"He made an appointment with the Tan family to discuss my marriage to Tan Qi."

Lin Xi pursed her lips: "Why are you telling me this?"

Duan Yiheng scoffed, "If things don't work out between you and Duan Mingxuan, he's probably already looking for someone suitable for you."

Lin Xi opened her mouth, but couldn't refute it; that was indeed what her grandfather thought.

“He even…” Duan Yiheng stepped forward and cornered her behind the door, “He also asked me to keep a close eye on things for you.”

"I do not know."

Duan Yiheng's Adam's apple bobbed as he asked, "Tell me, what kind of man do you like?"

Lin Xi's eyes trembled, and she instinctively tried to hide.

Duan Yiheng wouldn't let her escape. He grabbed her shoulders and held her captive in front of him.

"Lin Xi, you haven't answered my question yet. How can I find it for you if you don't answer?"

"I...I don't need it." Lin Xi shrugged. "Let me go first."

Duan Yiheng suddenly laughed: "I know you like someone like Duan Mingxuan."

Lin Xi lowered her head, shook it, and whispered, "I don't like it anymore."

Duan Yiheng suddenly heard heavenly music. He suddenly pulled Lin Xi into his arms, one hand around her waist and the other supporting the back of her head.

"Don't like it anymore?"

His eyes were misty and somewhat frightening. Lin Xi stammered an "Mmm".

Duan Yiheng let out a cryptic laugh: "Then try liking someone else."

"Varied--"

The last syllable was suddenly swallowed, and Lin Xi's eyes widened in surprise.

Slightly tipsy but not intoxicating, Duan Yiheng kissed her while still sober.