"Xiao Xi." Duan Mingxuan heard her voice before he saw her.
Lin Xi least wanted to see Duan Mingxuan right now, so she hid behind Duan Yiheng. Duan Mingxuan entered and saw this scene, feeling extremely displeased.
But having argued with Duan Yiheng and Lin Xi repeatedly, Duan Mingxuan had managed to suppress his temper.
"Xiao Xi," Duan Mingxuan decided to bypass Duan Yiheng, "Why did they bring all your clothes over here?" Things had already escalated to this point, and Lin Xi could only admit:
"I'll move to the West Building from now on."
"Why?" Duan Mingxuan didn't understand, reaching out to pull her, "Don't hide behind him, come out and explain yourself." Duan Yiheng tried to stop her, but Lin Xi grabbed his arm.
She slowly emerged from behind Duan Yiheng, revealing her swollen and disheveled face to Duan Mingxuan.
"Mingxuan, I really don't want to argue with you. I'm also very tired today and want to stay here for a while. I hope you can understand."
The red mark on half of her face was too obvious. Duan Mingxuan frowned with heartache, but the question, "Who hit me?" stuck in his throat. He didn't even need to ask.
Duan Mingxuan's previous righteous indignation towards her instantly ignited into a raging fire.
He frowned, said nothing, turned, and strode away.
"Duan Mingxuan!" Lin Xi ran out worriedly, as did Duan Yiheng.
Lin Xi's heart was pounding in her throat, terrified that Duan Mingxuan would go after Chen Baiwei and drag her into it again. But she couldn't stop Duan Mingxuan.
Duan Mingxuan entered through the east gate and called out from afar, "Mom, where are you?" Chen Baiwei, who was confronting Sister Mei, immediately changed her expression upon hearing her son's voice: "Mingxuan, come quick! Even a servant is giving me attitude!"
Duan Mingxuan knew his mother's tricks all too well and ignored her complaints, demanding, "Did you hit Xiaoxi?"
Chen Baiwei felt a moment of guilt, then, as always, put on an act for Duan Mingxuan: "I was too hasty at the time. Did I hurt her? Can I apologize to her?"
"Being too hasty doesn't mean you can hit her!" Duan Mingxuan's eyebrows flushed with anger. "Half of her face is swollen! You..." "What right do you have to hit her?"
Chen Baiwei's heart was broken: "You heartless bastard, I was only doing this for you."
"For me?" Duan Mingxuan was speechless. "Even for me, you can't hit her. When have I ever laid a finger on her since we were kids? She went to America without telling me, and I was so angry my heart, liver, spleen, and lungs ached. I spent two days processing it alone, but I still went to find her."
"That's why you're so spineless." Chen Baiwei's eyes reddened with sadness. "I'm also so angry I'm heartbroken now. I'm your mother, would I ever hurt you?"
She was still his mother; no matter how angry Duan Mingxuan was, he couldn't possibly beat her.
He sighed helplessly, "You must apologize to Xiaoxi and coax her back."
"I won't apologize," Chen Baiwei rarely showed such defiance in front of Duan Mingxuan. "Let her leave if she wants. I'd like to see how long Duan Yiheng can keep her."
"What do you mean by 'keep her?' Mom, aren't you going too far? She's been raised by you for so many years, why do you dislike her so much? What did she do to you?"
"I just don't like her," Chen Baiwei suddenly shouted.
Lin Xi, who had been standing by the door for a long time, lowered her head again. Duan Yiheng pressed her shoulder and said, "Stand here, don't move."
Lin Xi was confused, but Duan Yiheng had already gone inside.
She heard Duan Yiheng's cold and resolute voice as he addressed Chen Baiwei: "She doesn't need your affection."
"Duan Yiheng," Chen Baiwei saw him completely lose control, "What right do you have to freeze my assets? What right do you have to restrict my spending? What right do you have?" Duan Mingxuan suddenly looked at Duan Yiheng: "Is this necessary?"
Duan Yiheng didn't even glance at him. His gaze towards Chen Baiwei was contemptuous and cold, just like the way she had looked at Lin Xi a few hours earlier.
"Do you think everything you've gained over the years was given to you by Duan Zheng?" Chen Baiwei frowned; clearly, that's what she thought.
Duan Yiheng scoffed, "Duan Zheng is nothing more than a nominal general manager in the company. What has he contributed to this family and company? You treat him like a golden phoenix."
"You—" Chen Baiwei pointed at him in disbelief, "You're this arrogant? Speaking ill of your father like this behind his back?"
Duan Yiheng sneered, "His position in the family and company isn't enough to support your various rights and expenses. His character and conduct don't warrant me treating him as a respected father."
"You two…" Duan Yiheng's gaze swept over Chen Baiwei and Duan Mingxuan, "Take care of yourself."
Lin Xi stood there stunned for a long time on her way back, until Duan Yiheng reminded her, "Watch your step."
Lin Xi looked at him: "Who has supported their spending all these years? But if you don't agree..."
"I must agree." Duan Yiheng looked directly into her eyes, "Duan Mingxuan is Grandpa's grandson, that's an unchangeable fact."
"My mother told me before she died not to wallow in hatred, saying that a wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time. So many years have passed, and I think I've done a good job."
Lin Xi instantly felt goosebumps. All these years, he had been enduring, knowing how to use his weaknesses to gain Grandpa's favor. Endure, improve, seize opportunities, achieve, obtain.
Every step he took was meticulously planned, steady and secure. This was terrifying!
Duan Yiheng said, "Chen Baiwei can spend money so recklessly; she should thank Duan Mingxuan. Thank him for being Duan Zheng's son; Grandpa won't ignore it, so I should naturally forgive and forget."
Duan Yiheng revealed his true colors to Lin Xi.
Back in her room, a belated pang of heartache washed over her. She felt sorry for him, so young, yet so calculating for so many years.
If his mother were still alive, he could have easily obtained everything.
Lin Xi went to the walk-in closet in her bedroom and opened her safe. After looking for a while, she took out a pair of yellow diamond earrings.
She had bought them at an auction abroad two years ago; it was a pity there was only one, and it had a rather touching story.
The oval yellow diamond was only 3.76 carats, surrounded by white diamonds, and topped with a round clasp. Lin Xi turned and found Duan Yiheng's lapel chain in the jewelry cabinet on the counter. She had forgotten to return it before, but thankfully, she hadn't.
The sailboat that Duan Mingxuan had smashed couldn't be put back together, so she decided to give him a belated birthday present. He'd also given her an expensive horse, so she wanted to reciprocate.
Removing the earring clasp, Lin Xi held the end of the chain and threaded it through the earring's clasp.
She checked it over; it fit perfectly, the weight was just right. Placing the reassembled chain in the jewelry box, Lin Xi turned and opened the door to Duan Yiheng's room.
He immediately opened the door, saw Lin Xi, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you having trouble adjusting to the new place?" Lin Xi shook her head and handed him the box.
"What's this?" Duan Yiheng asked, "For me?"
Lin Xi hummed in agreement: "Open it and see, this is a belated birthday present for you."
Can a birthday present be made up? Duan Yiheng was clearly taken aback. It looked like jewelry.
"What is it?" Duan Yiheng took the box.
Lin Xi chuckled, "I bet you'd never guess."
"A brooch? A tie clip? A bracelet?" Lin Xi shook her head at each suggestion. Duan Yiheng's curiosity was indeed piqued.
He opened the box; inside lay familiar jewelry, except for the addition of a gemstone.