The hotel did offer drinks, but Duan Yiheng, who frequently stayed in such hotels during business trips, had lost interest. He preferred to go out for a stroll with Lin Xi.
However, the CEO lacked experience in planning, and Lin Xi didn't want to go too far, so they went to a nearby restaurant/bar. Hidden on a street corner, it wasn't upscale, but it was the best option in the area. Entering, she found the ambiance quite inviting.
It was just beginning to get warm and quiet, so it wasn't too crowded. Knowing it was time to discuss business, Lin Xi chose a corner table by the window, not too close to the other tables. Duan Yiheng asked Lin Xi to order, and she readily agreed; as his secretary, she knew his tastes.
The pictures on the menu looked appetizing. After looking at them for a while, Lin Xi said, "A cold cut platter, smoked salmon salad, cheeseburger spring rolls, and black truffle pizza, plus two servings of seafood pasta." Lin Xi also ordered drinks to match the dishes.
The food arrived quickly, and Lin Xi, a bit hungry, finished the seafood noodles first. The taste was quite good. After a few rounds of drinks, they were almost finished eating. Lin Xi asked Duan Yiheng, "You said you had something for me to do at the hotel, what was it?" Duan Yiheng asked,
"When you first came to Yinfan, what was the biggest position you envisioned for yourself?" Lin Xi was silent for a moment before answering,
"At first, I didn't think about it. Later, you said I could get involved in projects, so I thought, in four or five years, could I lead a team and contribute to Yinfan Technology?" "Then do it."
Duan Yiheng said, "Zheng Jizhong will leave sooner or later, Jiang Hulin will take over, the business development department will be dismantled, and the sales department will be restarted. Do you have any ideas?" Lin Xi was stunned. Was this all confidential? He just told her like that? Lin Xi:
"Are you afraid Jiang Hulin will become the second Zheng Jizhong? Is that why you're closing the Business Development Department?" Duan Yiheng: "Jiang Hulin can be used, but he was trained by Zheng Jizhong after all, so we can't be too careless. As for the head of the sales department, I already have someone in mind." Lin Xi asked:
"Is it someone from within the company?" Duan Yiheng shook his head: "Hiring someone from outside with a high salary." "Why are you telling me this?" Lin Xi was puzzled. Duan Yiheng said: "If you're willing, once the sales director takes office, I can have her mentor you."
Lin Xi understood. Duan Yiheng wanted to consolidate his power and didn't trust anyone. The sales department was handling the company's core projects, and if she were involved, she would be the key to strengthening departmental collaboration. "I'm willing," Lin Xi said almost without hesitation.
To suppress her joy, she lowered her head and sipped her cocktail. Duan Yiheng chuckled and said meaningfully, "I believe in you." The rest seemed unnecessary to ask. It was too early to talk about the future; he needed to clear obstacles for her and solidify his position.
Duan Yiheng picked up his glass, took a sip, and found it bland. He then called over a waiter and ordered whiskey. The music on the stage in the bar suddenly changed from soothing to upbeat. Lin Xi craned her neck to look, but her view was half-obstructed by the pillars in the interior decoration.
Duan Yiheng beckoned to her: "Come sit over here." Lin Xi rarely had the experience of sitting with a large group to listen to music. She hesitated for two seconds, then got up and went over. Duan Yiheng moved further in, making room for her.
Lin Xi turned around, leaning against the back of her chair to look at the stage. Duan Yiheng looked at Lin Xi, his gaze gentle. When the song ended, Lin Xi raised her hand to clap. The dim, yellowish light in the room suddenly changed to a soft blue glow. Before Lin Xi could even process this, the music changed again.
The waiter quickly covered all the tables with transparent covers. Before Lin Xi could even finish her thought, bubbles began to fall from the ceiling. "So beautiful," Lin Xi said, reaching out to catch them, only to have them burst upon contact. A bubble drifted overhead, heading towards Duan Yiheng.
Lin Xi turned around. Duan Yiheng, oblivious to her charm, blew on it, and the bubble immediately changed direction, hitting Lin Xi's nose. The bubble was fragile, and naturally, it burst, leaving a few specks of foamy water on her nose. Duan Yiheng smiled, raised his hand, and wiped away the water.
In the cold light, Duan Yiheng's silhouette was even more defined. The bubble floated between them, then turned and fell, brushing against their hair, cheeks, shoulders… all the bubbles, without exception, vanished, leaving only them in each other's sight.
The music was romantic, laughter filled the air, and Lin Xi seemed to see only Duan Yiheng. She even saw him leaning towards her. Suddenly, the music stopped, the laughter turned into noise, and Lin Xi only snapped back to reality when the waiter lifted the transparent cover.
Her throat was dry, and Lin Xi picked up her glass and took a sip of wine. Duan Yiheng was the same. The surrounding area was bustling with noise, but their small corner was quiet. Lin Xi felt a little flustered. What had Duan Yiheng been trying to do?
"Um..." Lin Xi found her throat sticky as she spoke, cleared it, and then said, "Back to the hotel?" Duan Yiheng finished his drink and said, "Let's go." The restaurant wasn't far from the hotel, less than a fifteen-minute walk.
The cold wind blew away some of Lin Xi's anxiety. She said, "Let's walk back." Duan Yiheng readily agreed; he also needed some fresh air. On the way back, neither of them spoke a word. Once inside the hotel, Lin Xi said "Goodnight" to Duan Yiheng from behind the door.
Duan Yiheng suddenly grabbed her arm and said, "Do you know what Grandpa said on the phone today?" Lin Xi shook her head, confused. "He arranged to meet with the Tan family to discuss my marriage to Tan Qi." Lin Xi pursed her lips. "Why are you telling me this?"
Duan Yiheng scoffed. "Since things didn't work out with Duan Mingxuan, he's probably looking for someone suitable for you." Lin Xi opened her mouth, but couldn't refute it; her grandfather truly thought so.
"Even..." Duan Yiheng stepped forward, trapping her behind the door, "He even asked me to keep an eye out for you." "I don't know." Duan Yiheng's Adam's apple bobbed. He asked, "Tell your older brother, what kind of man do you like?" Lin Xi's eyes trembled, and she instinctively tried to hide.
How could Duan Yiheng let her escape? He pressed down on her shoulders, trapping her in front of him. "Lin Xi, you haven't answered me yet. How can I find you someone if you don't answer?" "I…I don't need it." Lin Xi shrugged. "Let me go first."
Duan Yiheng suddenly chuckled. "I know, you like someone like Duan Mingxuan." Lin Xi lowered her head, shook it, and whispered, "I don't like him anymore."
Duan Yiheng seemed to hear a heavenly melody. He suddenly pulled Lin Xi into his arms, one hand around her waist, the other supporting the back of her head. "Don't like him anymore?" His eyes were misty, looking somewhat frightening. Lin Xi trembled and murmured, "Yes."
Duan Yiheng let out a cryptic laugh. "Then try liking someone else." "Wh—" The last syllable was abruptly cut off, and Lin Xi's eyes widened. Slightly intoxicated by the alcohol, but not drunk, Duan Yiheng kissed her in a sober state.