Lin Xi wanted to ask but didn't know how to start. She glanced at Duan Yiheng, who simply nodded to Sister Mei.
After breakfast, the two went upstairs. Duan Yiheng didn't follow her into the house, saying, "Wait for me a moment." Lin Xi nodded. She had gone to bed late last night and had some dark circles under her eyes; she needed to put on some light makeup.
Just as she sat down at the dressing table, Duan Yiheng came in carrying a dark brown wooden box with engraved patterns. "What's this?" Lin Xi asked, turning around. Duan Yiheng turned and carried the box to her bed, then beckoned to her, "Come and see."
Lin Xi went over and was startled by the label on the box: "A cheongsam?" Duan Yiheng hummed in agreement and opened the box for her. Lin Xi's gaze was instantly drawn to it. It was a moon-white winter cheongsam embroidered with jasmine.
The moon-white was clear and translucent; the jasmine blossoms didn't seem to bloom in summer, but rather in the snow. "Try it on, wear it on the second day of the Lunar New Year." "Wear it on the second day?" Lin Xi looked at Duan Yiheng, puzzled. "Are you going somewhere to pay New Year's visits?"
"Grandma wants to see you," Duan Yiheng said. "Come with me on the second day." "How could that be? Besides, if you go on the second day, your uncle's family will definitely be there too. What would it look like if I went?" Lin Xi's expression clearly showed disbelief.
Duan Yiheng took out his phone and dialed the old lady's number directly. "What are you doing?" Lin Xi was startled, standing on tiptoe to reach for his phone. Once the call was made and the question was asked, the old lady couldn't possibly say she didn't want to see her, could she? "Duan Yiheng!" "Grandma."
Duan Yiheng greeted her with a smile, putting the phone to Lin Xi's ear, his other hand subtly resting on her waist. Lin Xi's attention was completely drawn to the old lady on the other end of the phone.
"Chu Er came with Yi Heng. There are no outsiders. It's still in that alley, just the three of us." Before Lin Xi could answer, Duan Yi Heng snatched the phone away again and said into it, "Okay, Chu Er will take her to see you." Lin Xi glared at him:
"Are you doing this on purpose?" Duan Yi Heng quickly changed the subject: "Let's try it on." "No." "That's fine too, it should fit." Lin Xi: "…" She knew it would fit at a glance.
No wonder Sister Mei brought someone to take her measurements a while ago, saying she wanted to have new clothes custom-made for the New Year. Her wardrobe was indeed full of new clothes, but the focus should be on this cheongsam. Lin Xi put the cheongsam in the dressing room, then said to Duan Yi Heng, "Come here."
Duan Yi Heng followed her over and saw her squeeze some liquid from bottles and jars, mix them together, and then dip a brush into it. "Come here, bend your head down," Lin Xi called out. "Otherwise it's too high, I can't reach it."
Duan Yiheng bent down to cooperate, and Lin Xi covered his wounds in small amounts several times. He lowered his eyes slightly, staring straight at her. They were so close, Lin Xi couldn't be unaware. She raised her hand and pressed it against his face, her voice slightly unsteady: "Turn a little."
Duan Yiheng's gaze fell on the bottles and jars: "Turn a little, I can't see you." Lin Xi's hand trembled, the pressure a little too strong. Duan Yiheng hissed, and Lin Xi said apologetically, "I'm sorry."
Duan Yiheng's eyes shifted, a triumphant smile playing on his lips: "How will you make it up to me?" "What make it up to me?" Lin Xi stared blankly, "How about you hit me?" "Sure." Duan Yiheng straightened up, turned and sat on the vanity, looking at Lin Xi. "Come here."
His wounds were mostly covered. Lin Xi put down her makeup brush, her eyes slightly wary. She always felt that Duan Yiheng's gaze was malicious. Duan Yiheng raised his hand, unexpectedly pulling her into his arms, his arms around her waist, preventing her from moving.
"Just a flick on the head, don't move." Lin Xi instinctively covered her forehead; it hurt terribly. "Don't move!" Duan Yiheng threatened, pretending to breathe on his fingers. Sure enough, Lin Xi closed her eyes.
Duan Yiheng chuckled: "Don't dodge, the more you dodge, the harder I'll hit." Lin Xi stopped moving, leaning forward slightly: "You...you be gentle." She had played this game as a child, and it had made her cry.
She tilted her head back, eyes closed, eyelashes fluttering. Duan Yiheng smiled silently, then leaned down and kissed her lips. Lin Xi suddenly opened her eyes and pushed him away. Duan Yiheng's dark eyes were full of laughter as he looked at her.
A pebble landed with a "plop" on the water's surface, and Lin Xi's heart skipped a beat. The unexpected surprise, tinged with ambiguity, stirred her heart once more. "You...you really are..." Lin Xi stammered, unable to find the right words, before turning and heading downstairs.
Her charming little gesture amused Duan Yiheng. He leisurely went downstairs, only to be met with Mei Jie's comment: "Why did you make her angry during the New Year?" "She's not angry," Duan Yiheng chuckled, chasing after Lin Xi.
He was in high spirits upon learning that Lin Xi had rejected Duan Mingxuan. Entering the North Courtyard, he found Duan Zheng, Chen Baiwei, and Duan Mingxuan already there. Lin Xi greeted them all, then slowly strolled to the living room's French windows, gazing at the red lanterns hanging in the courtyard.
The North Courtyard's style was Chinese, which suited her well. Duan Yiheng entered the corridor, his eyes meeting Lin Xi's through the glass. Lin Xi pursed her lips, turning her head away. Duan Mingxuan walked to her side and asked softly, "What are you doing standing here?"
Lin Xi glanced at him and said, "Looking at the lanterns." Duan Mingxuan wasn't particularly interested in lanterns; they were the same every year. He stared at Lin Xi and asked, "Did Grandpa buy you a house in Tiandu Yuxi?" Lin Xi nodded.
"When are you moving in?" Duan Mingxuan asked excitedly. Lin Xi's heart sank. "After the New Year." Duan Mingxuan smiled. "My older brother somehow offended Grandpa and is now laid off. What about your job?"
"I'll arrange my work after the New Year," Lin Xi replied without elaborating. Duan Mingxuan: "I'm going back to work at the company after the New Year, as my dad's assistant." Lin Xi was taken aback: "You?" "Yes, people have to grow up eventually."
Duan Mingxuan hinted, "My older brother is the heir, and he's indeed excellent, but the company is so big, he can't carry it all alone. So I'll go help my dad."
Lin Xi frowned. When Duan Yiheng joined the company, he climbed his way up from the bottom, and Duan Mingxuan got the job as Duan Zheng's assistant with just a word. This position allowed him to access the group's core business and clients, a valuable opportunity to build connections and experience.
Moreover, it allowed him to avoid direct competition with Duan Yiheng and conserve his energy. It has to be said, Duan Zheng was truly biased. "I'm going to the restroom." Lin Xi turned to leave, intending to tell Duan Yiheng the news. She turned a corner and ran into Duan Yiheng in the stairwell.
"I was looking for you—" "Here." Lin Xi's words abruptly stopped. She looked down and saw a pretty little lantern swaying gently in mid-air.