Lin Xi cried on and off for about ten minutes, feeling embarrassed herself. Noticing Duan Yiheng was only wearing a thin shirt, she quickly helped him up, saying, "Why did you go out dressed like that?"
Her voice was hoarse from crying, but to Duan Yiheng it sounded like heavenly music. Lin Xi was concerned about him.
Duan Yiheng took her arm and pulled her up with him, saying, "It's okay, it's not that cold yet."
Lin Xi's gaze fell on his slippers. He must have rushed here and forgotten his coat.
"Thank you for coming to find me," Lin Xi said, tears welling up in her eyes again. Duan Yiheng took her wrist and led her back.
"I..." Noticing her hesitation, Duan Yiheng considerately asked, "What? It's okay, go ahead."
Lin Xi stopped, facing Duan Yiheng, and cautiously asked, "Could I stay here for one night?"
Duan Yiheng readily agreed: "You can stay as long as you want."
Lin Xi shook her head: "Staying here all the time would be bothering you. I want to move out, but I don't know how to tell Grandpa."
"Grandpa's situation is indeed a problem," Duan Yiheng explained, "but the bigger problem is Duan Zheng and Chen Baiwei. They won't let you move out."
"Why?" Lin Xi asked, puzzled.
Duan Yiheng said, "Grandpa is going to make a will. If you move out now, there will be a lot of speculation, people will say the old man is heartless and cruel. For Duan Zheng and Chen Baiwei, it will be the subject of gossip, with people accusing them of lacking care for you, being cold and selfish. It's not good for them, either publicly or privately, so I won't let you move out."
"I'm sorry," Lin Xi said wearily, her brow furrowed. "My mind was a mess just now, I completely forgot about all this. I won't move. I can't let Grandpa and Yin Fan bear unwarranted accusations."
"You can move, but don't move out of the villa," Duan Yiheng coaxed gently.
"Do you mean I should move to the North Courtyard and live with Grandpa?" Lin Xi wondered, shaking her head. "No, I can't live with Grandpa now. Otherwise, people will think I'm trying to curry favor with him just to seize the family fortune."
"I do have an idea. Would you like to consider it?" Duan Yiheng asked softly. Lin Xi was naturally willing.
Duan Yiheng said, "Move to the west wing. You can move out after the will is settled. I'll have someone find you a place then."
Lin Xi was taken aback: "Move to the west wing? That won't do, will it?" Duan Yiheng looked at her and asked, "Why not? If you're afraid of Chen Baiwei, I'll handle it."
"That's not what I meant. I'm afraid it will affect you."
Lin Xi lowered her head. "The west wing is where you live alone. I don't want to disturb you."
"It won't affect me." Duan Yiheng pulled her into the house. "Let's go inside and let the doctor check your face." Lin Xi obediently agreed.
Inside the house, the lights were bright, and the clear finger marks on Lin Xi's face made Sister Mei frown. How heavy must the hand have been?
Lin Xi was embarrassed to meet Sister Mei's gaze, avoiding her pitying look, and walked straight to the living room.
Duan Yiheng instructed Sister Mei, "After the doctor examines her, coax her to eat something, then come find me."
Sister Mei quickly replied, "Okay, you can go now."
Duan Yiheng didn't put too much pressure on Lin Xi, letting her think it over on her own. He turned and went upstairs to the balcony for a smoke.
Then he went to his study. Just as he sat down, Sister Mei knocked on the door.
"Come in." Duan Yiheng looked up and asked, "How is she?"
Sister Mei: "She's downstairs eating."
Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement: "Did the monitoring room tell Chen Baiwei that Lin Xi went to the garden?"
Sister Mei: "Yes, but Madam didn't seem to care."
Duan Yiheng sneered: "Contact a lawyer immediately to investigate her assets and freeze all assets that can be frozen.
From now on, restrict her spending at all places, revoke all privileges Duan Zheng gave her within the Duan family and the group, including all in-home services. Notify the security center on the basement floor to restrict her movements. Without my permission, she is not allowed to step out of the east wing."
Sister Mei looked at Duan Yiheng in surprise, not expecting him to be so angry.
"This…should we tell the old man?" After all, Chen Baiwei had been married into the family for so many years. Although it wasn't a glorious marriage, it didn't change the fact that she was the only mistress of the house. Duan Yiheng smoothed out the gloom between his brows: "I'll tell Grandpa to do as I say."
Seeing the impatience creeping into his expression, Sister Mei quickly lowered her head and replied, "Okay." "If she makes a scene, let her make a scene. When she's tired of it, tell her that if she touches a hair on Lin Xi's head again, it won't be as simple as just restricting her spending and movement."
"If she's still not satisfied, tell her I have plenty of ways to kick her out of this house, taking her son with her." Sister Mei, sweating profusely, agreed again.
"Also, warn the servants on the east side, make them realize who's in charge of the Duan family from now on. If they think this place won't work, there's always another one. I'll blacklist them from the industry."
Having heard all this, Sister Mei had calmed down: "I understand. Is there anything else you need?"
Duan Yiheng suddenly chuckled: "I plan to act first and report later." Sister Mei didn't understand.
Duan Yiheng added, "Go and move all of Lin Xi's belongings over. Her bedroom is next to mine. Go yourself, and while you're at it, give my regards to my dear stepmother."
Understood, Sister Mei turned and went to do it.
On her way downstairs, she bumped into Lin Xi, who had just finished eating. Seeing the lingering finger marks on her face, she thought that she would have to be even colder in her tone when she confronted Chen Baiwei later.
Seeing Sister Mei's aggressive look, Lin Xi asked Duan Yiheng, who was coming down the stairs, "Sister Mei, what are you up to, looking like you're about to start a fight?"
Duan Yiheng walked up to her: "To move your things."
"Now?" Lin Xi was surprised. "Didn't you say you wanted me to think about it?"
"By the time you've thought it through, it'll be dawn." Duan Yiheng raised his hand and gently touched her slightly swollen cheek with the back of his fingers. "Does it still hurt?"
Lin Xi, because of his concerned tone, forgot to dodge, letting his fingers rub against her face. "No, it doesn't hurt anymore." Realizing what was happening, Lin Xi instinctively flinched away from his fingers.
Duan Yiheng gently rubbed his fingertips together and said softly, "After your things are moved over, go upstairs to take a shower and get some rest." Lin Xi responded, thankfully it was the weekend, no work tomorrow.
Otherwise, with this face, she couldn't possibly face anyone.
As soon as he finished speaking, a dozen servants filed in carrying Lin Xi's belongings.
Duan Yiheng raised his hand: "Take them to the third floor."
There were too many clothes, and more people were packing up behind them. When Duan Mingxuan returned and saw this scene, he was dumbfounded.
He casually stopped a servant and asked, "Why are you moving Xiao Xi's things?"
"The young master ordered that the young lady will move to the west wing from now on."
"What did you say?" Duan Mingxuan's flamboyant handsome face twisted for a moment. A fire burning within him, he stepped past the servants and strode towards the west wing.