Duan Mingxuan knelt motionless beside the old man's bed, his eyes filled with conflicted regret.
The old man understood: "You're doing this for Xiaoxi?" "Grandpa, I was a fool before, I didn't understand Xiaoxi's feelings. I regret it too late." Tonight, he was provoked by Zhou Zheng.
The old man had already agreed; if Lin Xi had even a slight interest in Zhou Zheng, he would have regretted it for the rest of his life. "Then what are you kneeling here for?" the old man asked. Duan Mingxuan said:
"I want to beg Grandpa to give me another chance. To express my sincerity, I can give all my inheritance to Xiaoxi." He had figured everything out during this time. He could lose everything, but he couldn't lose Lin Xi. The old man was stunned:
"Including the inheritance I gave you?" Duan Mingxuan nodded without hesitation. The old man sighed, "I've told you time and again to look back at Xiaoxi. Now that she's let you go, you want to turn back again, Mingxuan. Have you considered Xiaoxi's feelings?"
"But in this world, no one loves her more than I do," Duan Mingxuan pleaded. "I just took the wrong path before. Xiaoxi is incredibly precious to me, so precious that I can't bear to like her or hurt her. But seeing her with someone else, I can't do it."
"But what good will kneeling here do?" the old man said. "Isn't it Xiaoxi you're asking for forgiveness?" Duan Mingxuan suddenly understood, "Thank you, Grandpa, I understand." The old man stared thoughtfully at Duan Mingxuan's retreating figure.
The next day, Lin Xi went to the North Courtyard again. Seeing the old man feeding the fish, she hurried over: "Grandpa, you wanted to see me?" The old man chuckled and gave the fish food to the maid, saying:
"There were too many people yesterday, so I didn't feel comfortable asking you. Although you only met Zhou Zheng twice, I believe you must have some thoughts on them. Tell Grandpa."
"I..." Lin Xi stammered, "Professor Zhou is a very good person, but...I...I and him..." They had just talked about getting along well yesterday, and Lin Xi didn't know how to tell the old man. "It's alright, just tell me. If you really don't like it, I can't force you to go to the Zhou family." Hearing this, Lin Xi felt relieved. She sat down on the platform next to the old man and said, "Grandpa, I only have admiration for Professor Zhou." The old man glanced at her:
"Oh, so you don't like it?" Lin Xi nodded: "I'm still young, I'm not in a hurry to get married." "Never mind." The old man sighed, "If you really don't like it, I can't force you."
Lin Xi's eyes lit up; it was truly a turning point. She would tell Duan Yiheng about this when she got back. Thinking of him, Lin Xi's eyes dimmed again. She hadn't seen him since last night. The old man carefully observed her expression and said:
"I'm tired, you should go back to the front." Lin Xi responded and turned to go back to the front yard. Uncle Deng, who was taking care of the old man, brought him a blanket and said, "Judging from the young lady's expression, she probably hasn't forgotten the second young master." The old man glanced back at him:
"You're thinking the same thing as me. She's liked Mingxuan for so many years, how can she just let go like that?" Uncle Deng: "Then what did the second young master ask for today..." The old man snorted:
"He still needs to temper his temper. But Mingxuan isn't a bad person by nature; he's just been spoiled too much by Chen Baiwei. If he really falls for Xiaoxi, Chen Baiwei won't be able to do anything about him." There is a way, just wait and see.
" - Lin Xi returned to the front and went straight to the third floor to find Duan Yiheng. Sister Mei bumped into her at the stairs and said with a smile: "Are you so happy today? Lin Xi's tone was full of excitement: "Where is eldest brother?" Sister Mei replied: "Where's the study? Are you looking for him?" Lin Xi nodded:
"Is there anything to eat? I'll bring him some." Sister Mei: "Just sent it over." Lin Xi said "Oh": "It's okay, I'll go up and take a look." She came to the door of the study, knocked on the door, and opened the door after receiving the answer. Duan Yiheng raised his eyes and asked her, "Is something wrong?
Lin Xi paused: "Nothing special, just me -" "Then go out first, I have something to be busy with." "Duan Yiheng said. "Oh. Lin Xi didn't think anything was wrong, "Then I'll go out and wait for you." "Hmm." "Duan Yiheng responded.
It was dinner time, and Lin Xi happily went upstairs to call him, only to see his coat hanging from his arms. "You're going out?" Lin Xi was taken aback. Duan Yiheng gave a soft "Mmm" again. Lin Xi stood on the stairs, looking up: "Is something wrong?"
"I made an appointment with Qin Yang," Duan Yiheng finally said a few more words. Lin Xi said "Oh," and then Duan Yiheng put on his coat and went downstairs.
After everyone left, Lin Xi lost her appetite and patiently waited until 10 p.m., but still no car lights flashed in the courtyard. She didn't know when she fell asleep, and when she went to work the next day, she found that Duan Yiheng hadn't come to the company at all.
Only a message from Qin Yang said that Duan Yiheng had been at the R&D center all day. Lin Xi had no choice but to do what she was supposed to do. When did she realize that Duan Yiheng was avoiding her?
It was two nights later, when she went upstairs to call him for dinner again, and he was about to go out again, with the exact same excuse. Lin Xi asked if he was avoiding her, and Duan Yiheng told her not to overthink it.
Lin Xi didn't want to overthink it, but all the evidence suggested that Duan Yiheng would always find an excuse to leave during their private time—or rather, avoid her. After trying to initiate contact a few times, Lin Xi lost face.
Aside from normal work-related conversations, she and Duan Yiheng hadn't exchanged a single word in private; they seemed to be in a cold war. A week passed in this icy atmosphere, and Lin Xi couldn't take it anymore. She went to see Duan Yiheng again, only to find he was about to leave again.
"Don't go out," Lin Xi's voice turned completely cold. "I'm going out." Duan Yiheng grabbed her wrist and said, "There's a wedding banquet today; I have to attend." Lin Xi recalled his schedule and realized it was her business partner's son's wedding day.
She froze, feeling incredibly awkward. Duan Yiheng slightly curved his lips, ruffled the back of her hair, and left. Lin Xi wanted to remind him to drink less, but the words stuck in her throat. She couldn't sleep and kept glancing downstairs. Around ten o'clock, her phone suddenly rang.
She checked it and saw a retracted message from Duan Yiheng. Lin Xi thought for a moment and replied: What did you send? Why did you retract it? Receiving no response for a long time, Lin Xi frustratedly threw her phone down. "What did I send?"
She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, this question echoing in her mind. But even the greatest curiosity couldn't withstand the ravages of time. Just past midnight, Lin Xi couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep. Half-asleep, she heard a loud banging on the door.
Lin Xi woke up with a start. The voices of Sister Mei and Duan Yiheng mingled at the door. "My young master, let me help you back to sleep." "Lin Xi, open the door." Lin Xi hesitated for a moment, then quickly got out of bed and opened the door.