Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng went to the North Courtyard to pay their respects to the old man for the New Year.
She thought Duan Yiheng was going to take her out, but instead, he turned and led her to the basement. The house had a private cinema; after passing through a slightly dimly lit corridor, behind a heavy soundproof door was a viewing room that could accommodate the whole family.
It was the Spring Festival, so there were plenty of holiday movies. Lin Xi was in a bad mood, so Duan Yiheng picked out a comedy for her. On the marble coffee table were red wine, desserts, fruit, and snacks. Lin Xi nestled on the large leather sofa, laughing uncontrollably.
The huge screen illuminated her beautiful face. Duan Yiheng took a sip of red wine, smiled, and turned his gaze away. The movie lasted over two hours. After watching it, Lin Xi rubbed her aching cheeks. She turned to look at Duan Yiheng, their eyes meeting in the dim light. "Feeling better?" Duan Yiheng asked. Lin Xi chuckled dryly, "Last night, I accidentally drank too much. I cried because...because I had bad drinking habits." She vaguely remembered crying while hugging him, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Duan Yiheng didn't expose her, nodding and saying he understood.
Just then, the soundproof door was pushed open, and Duan Mingxuan walked in: "Xiao Xi, so you're here." Lin Xi withdrew her gaze from Duan Yiheng and responded indifferently.
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze. Lin Xi, caught between the two of them, felt a little uncomfortable and got up, saying she was going back to rest. Duan Mingxuan immediately followed. Duan Yiheng didn't move. Duan Mingxuan was persistent; stopping him would only continue to bother Lin Xi.
If he came a few more times, Lin Xi would be fed up, and even the last bit of affection would be worn away.
That mouth had called Duan Mingxuan's name countless times—happily, coquettishly, shyly…and if it were disappointed, disgusted… Duan Yiheng gripped his wine glass tightly, a malicious smile no longer concealed on his lips.
His jealousy burned like a raging fire; he wouldn't be magnanimous enough to allow Lin Xi and Duan Mingxuan to coexist peacefully. Not even the dwindling childhood affection remained. Lin Xi was caught up by Duan Mingxuan at the entrance of the corridor. "What exactly do you want to say?"
Because it was New Year's Day, Lin Xi restrained her tone. Duan Mingxuan sensed a hint of perfunctoriness and retorted, "Can't I even talk to you now?"
"..." Lin Xi suddenly looked at him. "If you spoke properly, I would naturally speak properly to you. But what did you do?" "My mother wanted me to meet the Xia family's daughter, but I didn't want to, so I naturally refused."
Duan Mingxuan didn't know what he had done wrong. "I said I had someone I liked, but I didn't say it was you. Why are you so upset?" "You can say it just because you don't want to?" Lin Xi didn't understand his double standards. "Can't I say I don't want to?"
"I've already said I don't like you. I don't agree with or accept what you said in front of the elders. Why are you still so stubborn?" "There are so many women outside who like you. Don't waste your time on me, okay?"
"Are you being so harsh because of Duan Yiheng?" Duan Mingxuan felt like insects were gnawing at his heart. "What exactly did you do with him those two nights at the manor?" This matter gnawed at his mind like a curse, keeping him tossing and turning all night.
If she didn't ask, she'd be bursting with anger; a strange fire was welling up inside her. "It's none of your business," Lin Xi said coldly. "None of my business?" Duan Mingxuan gripped her shoulders. "Even if I hadn't belatedly fallen for you, based on our feelings for each other, I bear some responsibility for your situation."
"Judging from your expression, you probably knew Duan Yiheng liked you all along, but he and you had no connection whatsoever. Didn't you ever wonder why he liked you?" Lin Xi frowned. "What do you mean?" Duan Mingxuan sneered. "What do I mean?
I'm asking you, what was I doing when you liked me? How did I treat you? Did you like me because you felt my kindness?" "But what did you do for him during the three years Duan Yiheng liked you?
You barely spoke a few words to each other in a year. What reason did he have to like you?" "Xiao Xi, don't be so easily deceived, and don't say there's no reason to like someone."
His words were harsh but true. Lin Xi's heart skipped a beat, but she showed nothing to Duan Mingxuan. "What do I have that's worth deceiving him about?" Lin Xi sneered back at him. Duan Mingxuan:
"You own 8% of Yinfan's shares, which isn't a small percentage. Even after Duan Yiheng came of age, he only received 8% of Yinfan's shares. Now, as the president of Yinfan Technology, he holds 15%. Think about how important your share is to him."
Lin Xi's face turned completely cold: "Why don't you say that my shares are also important to Uncle Duan?" She didn't intend to say anything even more hurtful. Chen Baiwei wanted her shares but didn't want her to marry Duan Mingxuan, constantly bringing up their childhood.
Duan Zheng, at least before, had clearly stated his willingness for her to be with Duan Mingxuan. Chen Baiwei, on the other hand, wanted to get something for nothing, yet verbally complained that her shares were useless. "Xiao Xi, I'm doing this for your own good."
Duan Mingxuan pleaded earnestly, "You can't rule out the possibility that Duan Yiheng is getting close to you." "Even if there is such a possibility, it's between him and me."
Lin Xi's gaze swept over Duan Yiheng as he came out of the media room. "For example, when you followed me out and talked to me about these random things, Duan Yiheng didn't interrupt because he knew it was between you and me." With that, Lin Xi turned and left.
Duan Mingxuan stood there, frowning, feeling very resentful. Duan Yiheng went upstairs and found the sullen Lin Xi, gently coaxing her, "I finally managed to calm her down with a movie, so don't be angry." Lin Xi muttered, "Who's angry?"
Duan Yiheng stepped forward and ruffled her hair, "Being angry can be beautiful, but it's bad for your health." Lin Xi brushed his hand away, her earlobes silently turning red. The next day, Lin Xi got up early, had breakfast, went back to her room to change clothes, and put on light makeup.
She rarely wore a cheongsam, and stood in front of the mirror for a long time, not coming downstairs. Duan Yiheng sat in the living room and asked Sister Mei, "She hasn't come down yet?" "It's normal for girls to take a while to put on makeup," Sister Mei said, speaking up for Lin Xi. "Just wait a little longer, there's still plenty of time."
Duan Yiheng: "..." He wasn't actually impatient; he was afraid Lin Xi might suddenly change her mind. But since he'd promised the old lady, that possibility was pretty small. "Are there any missing gifts?" Duan Yiheng reminded her. "Did the driver put them in the car?"
Sister Mei: "Don't worry, they're all things the old lady usually uses. I had Xiao Zhang put them in the car a while ago." Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement and quietly drank half a cup of tea.
There was a noise upstairs. He looked up and heard Lin Xi say, "I forgot my phone," before returning upstairs. He silently smiled and shook his head, his gaze fixed on the stairwell. A moment later, Lin Xi's footsteps approached.