When exactly did it all begin?
The supercar's engine churned, stirring Lin Xi's thoughts. Her initial intention upon returning to China was to confess her feelings to Duan Mingxuan. But because of Zhang Mo, she gave up. And because of Chen Baiwei, she gave up completely. How did Duan Yiheng unknowingly enter her heart?
Lin Xi let out a soft chuckle. There was no need to find a specific reason to be attracted. The clearer the information, the more painful it became. Compared to Duan Yiheng, at least she hid herself well. Once inside the club, it was Duan Mingxuan's domain.
Zhou Zheng knew he was going to make things difficult for her, and tacitly accepted it all. Lin Xi didn't want anything to happen with Zhou Zheng, and naturally didn't want him to do anything for her. So she nudged Duan Mingxuan's arm and whispered,
"Don't make things difficult for him. Just sit for a bit and leave. I don't want to get involved." Duan Mingxuan's anger flared. They'd only met once, and Lin Xi was already protecting him like this? "I even fought for her last time in Nightfall, and she still calls me immature."
Duan Mingxuan sneered, "Mr. Zhou, since you're here, how about a couple of rounds?" Zhou Zheng nodded politely, "What do you want to play?" Duan Mingxuan pointed to the dark green dartboard on the wall, "This?" Zhou Zheng said modestly,
"It's been a while since I've played, I don't know how it feels." Duan Mingxuan gestured for him to continue.
Zhou Zheng picked up a dart, weighed it in his hand, and compared it to the target. Just when Duan Mingxuan thought he was going to practice a bit more, the dart flew out quickly and hit the bullseye. Three times in a row, it was the same. "I'm embarrassed to show off."
Zhou Zheng turned to the crowd and said, his gaze falling on Lin Xi. Lin Xi forced a smile and clapped for him. Damn it, Yu Lang's intelligence was wrong, Duan Mingxuan thought, his face darkening. Wasn't Zhou Zheng supposed to be a bookworm from childhood?
Duan Mingxuan steeled himself and went up, hitting the bullseye only once out of three attempts. Zhou Zheng noticed Duan Mingxuan's embarrassment and was about to offer some compensation when Duan Yiheng stood up. He walked in the subtly lit area, his cold, handsome features concealing his powerful aura.
Lin Xi looked up, and Duan Yiheng's gaze instantly hardened with determination. His darts shot through the air, too fast for the naked eye to follow, and with a few sharp "bangs," all three of Duan Mingxuan's darts hit the target. Duan Mingxuan was stunned, but Zhou Zheng laughed, "I concede defeat."
Duan Yiheng glanced at Lin Xi out of the corner of his eye, but the other seemed oblivious, sipping his juice. He gave a self-deprecating "tsk," sat down next to Tan Qi, and ordered drinks. Duan Mingxuan and Zhou Zheng sat on either side of Lin Xi, pondering how to win back their pride.
Tan Qi glanced at the drinks on the table and said to Duan Yiheng, "Shall I have a drink with you? You seem a bit down." Duan Yiheng clinked his glass against hers. "I'll have the driver take you home later." Tan Qi: "How heartless." Duan Yiheng:
"How's everything at home going?" "Not bad, progressing steadily." Tan Qi smiled. "My younger brother's almost driven mad with worry when he heard I was going to have a marriage alliance with the Duan family." "It's a collaboration," Duan Yiheng corrected her. "Not a marriage alliance."
"Who exactly do you like?" Tan Qi asked. "You've kept her well hidden." Duan Yiheng took a swig of his drink. It wasn't that he wanted to hide her; if Lin Xi were willing, he could go home and confess to his grandfather right now. If Lin Xi wasn't willing, it was all for naught.
They lived under the same roof; it was impossible not to consider everything. His feelings for Lin Xi had to be her priority in everything, even if she rejected him. As long as she wasn't willing, he couldn't take it any further.
Lin Xi watched Duan Yiheng drink one glass after another, wanting to say something but lacking the right to, so she forced herself not to look. Duan Mingxuan, oblivious to Lin Xi's distraction, focused solely on beating Zhou Zheng, and started another drinking contest with him.
When it came to drinking, Zhou Zheng was no match for the second young master, a frequent club-goer, and could only wave his hand, saying he couldn't handle it. Duan Mingxuan then suggested playing pool, which Zhou Zheng readily agreed to. Duan Yiheng and Tan Qi didn't get up, and Lin Xi silently left the private room.
Duan Yiheng called his driver, then turned to Tan Qi and said, "You can go now." Tan Qi already knew she had no chance last time, and there was no point in clinging on, so she got up and left. Duan Yiheng sat alone in the private room, quietly drinking.
After some time, he also got up and left. When Lin Xi returned to the private room, it was empty. Instantly, countless speculations flooded her mind. Did Duan Yiheng leave with Tan Qi? Where did they go? Should he take her home?
Or should they find another place to continue drinking? Duan Mingxuan and Zhou Zheng opened the door, and Lin Xi turned around and said, "I want to go home." Zhou Zheng suggested, "Shall I take you?" Duan Mingxuan was obviously unwilling, but Lin Xi grabbed him and said to Zhou Zheng, "Okay, thank you."
Duan Mingxuan's face darkened. But just then, his phone rang. Lin Xi glanced at it openly and said, "Is that your girlfriend? You answer it first, Mr. Zhou and I will leave now."
Duan Mingxuan then remembered that he had a girlfriend, but the lingering bitterness in his chest wouldn't dissipate. He had no right to stop Lin Xi. Lin Xi got into Zhou Zheng's car, feeling somewhat uncomfortable the whole way.
They chatted casually for a bit, but found that their topics were never on the same wavelength. Upon arriving at the villa, Lin Xi spoke first, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou." Zhou Zheng seemed to know what she was going to say and quickly replied,
"No need to apologize. I was actually forced to come by my parents today, but seeing you made me so glad I did." Lin Xi: "Thank you for your kindness." This was a clear rejection, and Zhou Zheng's expression remained unchanged:
"Nobody knows what the future holds. You look tired today, so go back first." Lin Xi was indeed tired; she had to go to work tomorrow. Arguing here would be a waste of breath if the other party didn't want to listen. Fortunately, they didn't exchange contact information. "Then I'll head back."
Lin Xi said, "Thank you for bringing me back." Back in the west wing, Lin Xi bumped into Sister Mei. "Not coming back? Okay, okay." Lin Xi was taken aback and asked Sister Mei, who had just hung up, "Whose call was that?" Sister Mei said, "Young Master said he won't be back tonight."
Lin Xi's face turned pale, and she repeated, "Not coming back?" Sister Mei frowned, "What's wrong? You don't look well. Do you want me to prepare a late-night snack for you?" "Does 'not coming back' mean he's with Miss Tan?" Lin Xi asked. "Probably."
Sister Mei said, "You're so old, and you finally have a girlfriend." Lin Xi felt bitter, tears welling up in her eyes. She was the one who rejected him, so why was she being so dramatic? Sister Mei was startled, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Xi shook her head, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs, "I'm fine, Sister Mei, I'll go upstairs now." Did she really look fine? Sister Mei was really worried and called Duan Yiheng. At that moment, Duan Yiheng was sitting in his car, heading to the manor.
He was stunned after answering the phone. She was crying? After a long silence, Duan Yiheng closed his eyes and said to the driver, "Turn around, immediately."