Gently bite the jasmine

Lin Xi stood up, straightened her hair and collar, and asked Duan Yiheng, "Do I look normal?"

Duan Yiheng said, "That's normal."

Feeling guilty, Lin Xi went to open the door himself.

Mei Jie was taken aback when she saw her: "What's wrong? Do you have a fever?"

Lin Xi looked bewildered: "No?"

Sister Mei touched her forehead as if she didn't believe her: "Your face looks so hot."

Lin Xi silently took a step back and secretly glared at Duan Yiheng.

Duan Yiheng suppressed a laugh and stepped forward to help her out: "Didn't you say she was in a bad mood? I said a few words to comfort her, and she got shy."

Mei Jie scoffed, "What's there to be ashamed of? It's perfectly normal for an older brother to coax his younger sister."

Lin Xi's flushed face instantly paled.

Duan Yiheng pulled her behind him and asked Sister Mei, "What's wrong so late?"

"The old gentleman wants you to come over."

Duan Yiheng frowned: "Now?"

Sister Mei nodded: "I just woke up from a nap and called to ask about your situation tonight. When she found out you had just returned, she asked me to come and get you to the North Campus."

Lin Xi subconsciously gripped Duan Yiheng's arm, but then subtly let go because Sister Mei was there.

Duan Yiheng glanced back and said, "I understand. You can go out now, I'll be right there."

Sister Mei responded and turned to go downstairs.

Duan Yiheng closed the door and comforted Lin Xi, "Don't be afraid, I'll go check on her."

"Grandpa might know about us..." Lin Xi couldn't help but think.

"Don't overthink it," Duan Yiheng said. "It must have happened during the day."

Lin Xi: "Are you asking about you and Tan Qi?"

Duan Yiheng gently comforted her, "I don't know either. Let me know when I get back, okay?"

Lin Xi pushed him out: "Go quickly."

Duan Yiheng opened the door and left.

Lin Xi stood by the door, her heart pounding with anxiety, wishing she could grow wings and fly away.

The next second, Duan Yiheng returned.

Lin Xi was slightly taken aback: "Why did you reply...?"

Duan Yiheng cupped her face and kissed her, then smiled at her shocked expression and said, "If you can't sleep, wait for me to come back."

Lin Xi's heart pounded like a drum. She pursed her lips, suppressing the pounding in her heart.

But waiting was getting impatient. Grandpa was getting old, and Duan Yiheng probably wouldn't talk to him for long, so he decided to go downstairs and wait.

Lin Xi turned around, went to the dressing room to get a coat, put it on, and went downstairs.

As soon as she stepped down the steps, a beam of car headlights illuminated her, and Lin Xi instinctively raised her hand to shield herself.

"Xiao Xi, why are you still out so late?"

Lin Xi put down her hand and said to Duan Mingxuan, "You're back so late?"

"We switched venues with Yu Lang and the others," Duan Mingxuan said. "Why don't you go upstairs to sleep?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I just wandered around." Lin Xi casually made up an excuse.

Duan Mingxuan got out of the car and hesitated before asking, "Is the yellow gemstone you wore tonight the earring I took with you in the photoshoot?"

Lin Xi nodded: "Yes."

Duan Mingxuan's face stiffened: "I remember you really liked it back then, and I jokingly asked you to give it to me, but you didn't agree."

Lin Xi said, "He gave me a horse, which is kept at the horse farm in North District No. 1. I had no way to repay him, and the sailboat ornament I gave him was broken by you. Remembering this earring, I gave it to him to decorate the lapel chain."

Seeing that she explained things quite well, Duan Mingxuan's displeasure dissipated.

Then, he brought up the old topic again, mentioning Lin Xi's stay in the West Building.

Lin Xi listened half-heartedly, her mind already wandering to the North Courtyard.

The old man's eyes remained sharp as he asked Duan Yiheng, "Who gave you that chain?"

Duan Yiheng paused for two seconds and said, "It's a birthday present from Lin Xi."

The old man was taken aback. He knew that Duan Mingxuan had smashed Duan Yiheng's birthday gift.

So Lin Xi submitted another copy?

Duan Yiheng concealed his expression and asked, "Grandpa, what's wrong?"

"I misunderstood and thought it was given to you by another woman," the old man said, "because I was afraid you would hurt Tan Qi's feelings."

Duan Yiheng: "Grandpa, I have no feelings for Tan Qi."

“I know,” the old man said. “It doesn’t matter whether the marriage is made with good intentions or not. As long as the other party is willing, you can’t have it both ways.”

Duan Yiheng pursed his lips: "So, is this marriage for my sake or for the company's?"

The old man was silent for a moment, then said, "Do more for the company; it is your responsibility as the heir."

From childhood to adulthood, the two words he was most familiar with were "responsibility".

Duan Yiheng knew that the old man was uncommunicative, so he took a step back and said:

"Marriage alliances are merely for profit. If I can replace marriage alliances with business partnerships, don't I have other options?"

The old man scrutinized Duan Yiheng: "You have someone you like?"

"Yes." Duan Yiheng replied decisively.

The old man was taken aback and asked again, "You really have someone you like?"

Duan Yiheng nodded: "She's the only one I've ever liked in my life."

"I'm curious about everything you've said," the old man said. "You should go back now, I'm tired."

Duan Yiheng got up and left the North Courtyard.

He took out his phone to call Qin Yang to discuss the feasibility of replacing marriage with business cooperation.

But looking at the time displayed on the phone, he silently put it down again.

After crossing the koi pond and leaving the courtyard, Duan Yiheng quickened his pace.

I wonder if Lin Xi is asleep or not?

Upon entering the front yard, he suddenly frowned.

Not far away, Duan Mingxuan was talking to Lin Xi.

He walked over and interrupted their conversation: "Secretary Lin, don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"

Lin Xi gave him a "you're finally back" look, which made Duan Yiheng feel a little better.

"Mingxuan, I'm going upstairs first." Lin Xi didn't give him a chance to refuse and turned to go up the steps.

"Big brother." Duan Mingxuan looked at Duan Yiheng, "Congratulations on winning Miss Tan's favor. I think you can keep some of your thoughts buried in your heart forever. Just don't let Xiao Xi know, lest she feel disgusted."

Duan Yiheng chuckled: "Is that so?"

Duan Mingxuan asked, puzzled, "What are you laughing at?"

Duan Yiheng ignored him and turned to follow Lin Xi to her door.

Before he could even knock, Lin Xi suddenly opened the door and pulled him inside.

What did Grandpa say to you?

Instead of answering, Duan Yiheng asked, "What did Duan Mingxuan tell you?"

Lin Xi: "I couldn't sleep, so I went to the courtyard to wait for you. I happened to run into him, and we chatted for a bit. He just wouldn't leave, what could I do?"

Duan Yiheng took her hand and warmed it in his palm: "Do you know what Duan Mingxuan told me?"

Lin Xi shook her head; how could she possibly know?

"He told me to stay away from you, and said you find me disgusting," Duan Yiheng said, enunciating each word clearly. "Would you?"

Lin Xi frowned: "Are you crazy? Did he really say that?"

Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement.

Lin Xi looked at him speechlessly: "Then why are you asking me? I've already let you kiss me, do you feel disgusted?"

"Then kiss me."

Lin Xi said, "Lower your head."

Duan Yiheng bent down, and Lin Xi gently placed a kiss on his lips, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes: "Is it okay now?"