The moon-white brocade made Lin Xi look like a clear, smooth jade, with lifelike jasmine blossoms hanging from her waist, seemingly in bloom.
She saw Duan Yiheng, her fingers unconsciously stroking the knotted button at the collar, where a perfectly round, warm white pearl adorned the fabric. Her long hair was loosely braided to one side, tied at the bottom with a jasmine-shaped hair tie, echoing the flowers embroidered on her cheongsam.
The cheongsam was fitted, highlighting her curves from waist to hips. Duan Yiheng gave Sister Mei a look, who immediately handed him a white shawl. "What are you standing there for?" Duan Yiheng draped the shawl over his arm. "Come down."
Lin Xi gracefully descended the stairs, her gaze darting around, always avoiding Duan Yiheng. Duan Yiheng draped the shawl over her, whispering in her ear, "Very beautiful." "Let's go." Lin Xi walked past him, her ears turning red again.
Entering the alley, the driver, familiar with the place, knocked on the door with the gifts. The old lady opened the door, still dressed simply. "Grandma," Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng greeted simultaneously. "Come in," the old lady smiled, "You two are dressed so formally, it makes my humble abode shine." Duan Yiheng chuckled, "At least you look pleasing to the eye." The old lady looked at Lin Xi, "It is nice, but a bit plain. Please wait in the main room."
Duan Yiheng led Lin Xi into the house. Just as they sat down, the old lady came out with a jewelry box, saying, "Put this on." Lin Xi was startled, looking at the pearl necklace in the box and quickly shook her head, "I can't accept it, it's too precious."
The old lady came from a prestigious family, and most of her jewelry was priceless; Lin Xi dared not accept it.
She had only glanced at it casually; the pearl necklace was a long chain design, with about a hundred natural seawater pearls. She had seen a similar style at an auction a few years ago, which had sold for eight figures. "Just wear it." The old lady casually shoved it into her hand, like some cheap plastic. "All these things of mine will belong to Yi Heng in the future, it's the same if you take them." Lin Xi was startled. What did this mean?
She knew the old lady had divorced the Meng family patriarch the year Miss Meng passed away. Although she now lived alone, she was still quite wealthy. The Meng family still had her direct descendants, yet she wanted to leave everything to Duan Yi Heng? "You're saying that again."
Duan Yiheng helped the old lady sit down. "Give it all to me. Don't my brothers and sisters have any objections?" The old lady snorted coldly, "Didn't I give them enough? These were originally meant for your mother. Now that she's gone, they're naturally yours."
Duan Yiheng subconsciously frowned. Seeing this, Lin Xi stuffed the pearl necklace into Duan Yiheng's hands, saying, "Grandma, shall I help you cook?" The old lady's mood improved upon hearing this: "Okay, go to the kitchen."
Duan Yiheng temporarily set the necklace aside, knowing that Lin Xi would appreciate its value and wouldn't accept it. He simply got up and went to the kitchen to help. At noon, they prepared four dishes and a soup. The old lady insisted that nothing be wasted. Lin Xi glanced at Duan Yiheng a few times, then resignedly ate until he was stuffed.
In the old lady's small courtyard, there was a rocking chair, perfect for cooling off in the summer and basking in the sun in the winter. Lin Xi lay down and tried it out, finding it incredibly comfortable. "You play by yourself for a while," Duan Yiheng said. "I need to talk to Grandma."
Lin Xi hummed in agreement. The old lady had looked dejected when she mentioned Miss Meng earlier; Duan Yiheng must have gone to comfort her. Inside, the old lady glanced at the jewelry box and asked Duan Yiheng, "She didn't want it?" Duan Yiheng said, "It's too valuable; she refused."
The old lady said, "Once it's given away, it can't be taken back. You should take it back." "Okay," Duan Yiheng said without ceremony. "Last time you asked me to come alone, was it to ask about Lin Xi and me?" "That's not urgent."
The old lady looked at him. "Why did Old Man Duan force you to resign?" Duan Yiheng said, "Grandpa found out about Lin Xi and me." The old lady chuckled. "You can't even hide it?" "It's a long story." Duan Yiheng chuckled bitterly. "I originally planned to sign a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Likang before mentioning it to Grandpa, but something went wrong." The old lady said, "Your grandfather values you and won't let you act recklessly. Have you thought of a solution?" Duan Yiheng shook his head. "Let's deal with the company's biggest threat first." "I noticed this time the little girl has been much more distant from you. Whether in the kitchen or at the dining table, she seems to be deliberately avoiding you." The old lady, with her sharp eyes, spoke with a hint of mockery. "She broke up with me." Duan Yiheng curled his lips. "I'm timid, please forgive me." The old lady said, "You were flirting with me in the kitchen last time, weren't you a little too smug?" Duan Yiheng:
"..." He had indeed been too smug. That night, the old man found out about him and Lin Xi. The old lady said, "If you're unhappy with your old man, I have shares left by your mother. Combine them with the shareholders who support you, plus Lin Xi's shares, and you might be able to seize power." "Grandma," Duan Yiheng said helplessly, "Don't joke around. I'll never touch Lin Xi's shares; they're her assets." The old lady chuckled, "You like her that much?" "I'll think of something about us," Duan Yiheng said.
The old lady rolled her eyes at him, "You can tell from my eyes that you have a plan." Duan Yiheng shook his head, "It's not a good plan, and I haven't thought of one yet, so I won't tell you for now." The old lady didn't press him:
"You can go out now. I have something to give you both; Huai Shan gave it to me yesterday." Duan Yiheng pursed his lips, already guessing what was going on. Sure enough, when the old lady came out, she was holding a document.
Lin Xi heard the noise, opened her eyes, and offered the rocking chair to the old lady. The old lady gestured for her to sit and handed her the documents:
"These are the legal documents for terminating the adoption. Yi Heng's uncle has already signed them. Take them. You'll need to handle the subsequent procedures for separating the household registration yourself." Lin Xi took the documents, glancing subconsciously at Duan Yi Heng, her heart filled with complex emotions.
She understood Duan Yi Heng's initial intention—this way, the two would have no legal ties. But reality is always cruel; she and Duan Yi Heng were no longer possible. Lin Xi put away the documents and smiled at the old lady, "Thank you, Grandma, I understand."
The two didn't eat dinner in the alley. Lin Xi saw Duan Yiheng take the old lady's jewelry into the car and stammered in shock, "I...I don't want it! Take it back quickly!" Duan Yiheng said,
"The old lady said there's no reason to take back what's given away. If you don't want it, leave it with me." Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief, "Whatever, just don't give it to me." "I won't give it to you," Duan Yiheng teased her, "I'll give it to my future wife." Lin Xi:
"..."