Lin Xi's gaze shifted slightly to Duan Mingxuan as she took his soup and thanked him.
Duan Mingxuan was incredibly excited and used serving chopsticks to put more food on her plate. Lin Xi forced a smile: "Eat it yourself, no need to put any on me." She used to care for him like that too. Duan Mingxuan gave a heavy "Mmm."
Chen Baiwei glanced at Lin Xi discreetly, but Lin Xi couldn't help but glance at Duan Yiheng. She saw him take back the red mushroom and duck soup he had offered her, lower his head, and quietly finish it. After that, he barely touched his chopsticks.
Even as Duan Mingxuan diligently put food on her plate, Lin Xi heard a self-deprecating snort from him. Lin Xi suddenly lost her appetite, taking a spoonful of the soup Duan Mingxuan had served her and then quietly setting it aside. "Why didn't you drink more?" Duan Mingxuan asked with concern, turning his head. "Although you came to B City when you were young, you're still a southerner at heart. This soup was specially made for you by the kitchen." Lin Xi made an excuse: "If I drink the soup, I'm afraid I won't be able to eat." Duan Mingxuan:
"Then eat first." Lin Xi hummed in agreement. The meal, at least, passed pleasantly. After the meal, Duan Yiheng played chess with the old man, and Lin Xi was called away by Duan Zheng. Duan Zheng knew that she and Duan Mingxuan had had some disagreements recently, and took the initiative to say:
"Mingxuan is willful, and I'm sorry you've suffered." Lin Xi couldn't express that she was truly wronged, and just shook her head. "How are things going with your older brother? Has he made things difficult for you?" A few days ago, he had cornered her at her office desk and made things difficult for her.
Lin Xi shook her head again: "No." Duan Zheng said, "It's really difficult for you. Don't be afraid, Grandpa and I will stand up for you. Yi Heng looks aloof, but he's actually domineering and forceful at heart, and he's not very tolerant of his subordinates. You must have been harassed a lot while staying by his side."
"Uncle Duan, I haven't been harassed," Lin Xi said. "My eldest brother is very capable and generous in teaching his subordinates. I'm very satisfied with the current situation."
"But you need to think long-term."
Duan Zheng said, "Actually, I'd really like you to marry Mingxuan, but your aunt is having second thoughts. If you're willing, I can—"
"Uncle Duan, Mingxuan and I naturally have feelings for each other."
Lin Xi interrupted him, "We grew up together. He's a year older than me, so I shamelessly called him 'Second Brother.' I'll always remember how good he's been to me since childhood." Besides that, nothing else is possible between them. Duan Zheng wasn't angry, only saying, "Think it over carefully. Your grandfather is old. I'm the general manager of Yinfan Group. Mingxuan is playful, but he'll have to work for the company sooner or later. If you two join forces, with my help, everything in Yinfan and the Duan family will be yours and Mingxuan's."
Lin Xi avoided the topic: "It's getting late, I'll go upstairs to see Grandpa." Duan Zheng made way for her. Lin Xi went up to the chess room on the second floor. This time, the grandfather and granddaughter were playing proper Chinese chess. The old man's mental capacity was failing, and he didn't move for a long time.
Seeing Lin Xi, he quickly waved: "Xiao Xi, come and help Grandpa." Lin Xi was taken aback: "Isn't this inappropriate?" The old man: "What's inappropriate? I'm tired."
Lin Xi had no choice but to go over. Looking at the chessboard, the Chu River and Han Border were clearly defined, and the red and black pieces were arranged in a staggered pattern, like a battlefield where two armies were facing off. The old man offered Lin Xi his seat: "You two play, I'm going to rest for a bit."
Lin Xi wanted to stay, but Duan Yiheng raised his eyes: "Finish this game before you leave." "You stay and finish," the old man said. "What would it mean if you left? Would it be considered cheating and taking back a move?"
Lin Xi had no choice but to sit back down. His gaze swept across the chessboard, paused slightly, and then moved his cannon to the other side of the nine-square grid. Originally, the red pieces were slightly on the defensive, several key pieces were restrained by Duan Yiheng's black pieces.
Lin Xi's move, echoing the movement of his elephant, laid the groundwork for a counterattack. Duan Yiheng saw through her immediately: "Even playing chess is so roundabout. You've been avoiding me all this time, is that a defensive strategy?" "I haven't been avoiding you."
Lin Xi refused to admit it. "Our work hours are different." Duan Yiheng moved his pawn forward:
"We kept a meter apart during meetings, went to the cafeteria at lunchtime, and if we bumped into each other in the elevator after get off work, we'd definitely wait for the next one if no one was around. Is that what you mean by not avoiding me?" Lin Xi moved her pieces, saying, "You misunderstood, I didn't."
Duan Yiheng continued, moving his pieces back and forth, his eyes fixed on Lin Xi, a bitter taste in his mouth, his words laced with sarcasm: "Was the soup Duan Mingxuan served tonight good?" His tone was sarcastic! Lin Xi pursed her lips and answered, "It was good." Duan Yiheng scoffed:
"Then why did you only take a sip?" "None of your business." Lin Xi moved her pawn, blocking Duan Yiheng's horse's attack route, forming a defensive line with her cannon and elephant. Duan Yiheng quickly moved his "General" to defend, advancing a "Advisor" piece.
"It really has nothing to do with me. I'm just curious, what does it mean that you accepted Duan Mingxuan's offer? Is it to reconcile or to avoid the real issue?" Lin Xi persisted, moving her "Horse" diagonally to further squeeze Duan Yiheng's "General's" living space.
This move was quite sharp, seemingly accusing him of meddling. "Avoiding the real issue?" Lin Xi frowned. "Who are you referring to? You? Don't forget, Duan Mingxuan and I grew up together." The implication was clear.
Duan Yiheng's fingers paused, his gaze darkening slightly. The next second, he moved his "Chariot" straight in, breaking through Lin Xi's defenses. Lin Xi was taken aback, but continued to move her pieces to fight back.
Duan Yiheng gave Lin Xi no chance to breathe, using his "Cannon" to link with his "Chariot," trapping her "General." Lin Xi was steadily losing ground, and Duan Yiheng pressed his advantage, breaking her game.
But while the game was easily broken, reality slapped him in the face. Lin Xi coldly snorted, silently leaving him alone in the chess room and walking away. Duan Yiheng gave a bitter smile, his fingers fiddling with the chess pieces.
Even through the door, he could hear Duan Mingxuan's voice inviting Lin Xi for a walk. He silently got up and went downstairs. Duan Mingxuan led Lin Xi to the koi pond and asked, "Xiao Xi, have you forgiven me?"
Lin Xi stared at him without speaking. Suddenly, Duan Mingxuan grabbed her hand and slapped himself hard across the face. Lin Xi felt a sharp pain in her palm and quickly shook him off: "What are you doing?" "I was wrong. I really shouldn't have left you alone on the mountain."
Duan Mingxuan said pitifully. Tonight's dinner was all for the sake of "family harmony," so Lin Xi went along with it: "I'm all over it now, don't be like this." Duan Mingxuan suddenly hugged her, and Lin Xi was suspended in mid-air for two seconds before exclaiming:
"Duan Mingxuan, are you crazy? Put me down right now!" "No," Duan Mingxuan laughed, "It's not like I haven't hugged you before." Lin Xi was completely in the wrong: "Who's ever hugged me like this before? Put me down right now!"
Duan Mingxuan happily spun around twice, and Lin Xi, afraid of falling, clung tightly to his shoulders. In the midst of the spin, she saw Duan Yiheng by the courtyard gate. Lin Xi panicked for no reason, patting Duan Mingxuan's shoulder, begging him to put her down.