Lin Xi avoided Duan Mingxuan's burning gaze and asked softly, "Why are you asking this?" Duan Mingxuan said, "It's not convenient for you to live with your older brother."
Lin Xi hesitated, unsure how to answer. Before, living here would naturally have been inconvenient and awkward. But her relationship with Duan Yiheng had undergone a qualitative change with each passing day.
Because of selfishness, she greedily absorbed his tenderness. Although there were undercurrents beneath the calm surface, the whirlpool hadn't yet reached her, and she was reluctant to leave. "I'll look around some more," Lin Xi could only awkwardly reply. "What else is there to see?" Duan Mingxuan, not understanding her meaning, persisted, "You and him aren't on the same wavelength, and he's your boss. I've never heard of anyone liking to live with their boss." Lin Xi lowered her eyelashes guiltily.
Duan Mingxuan thought she had taken his advice and listed several properties he had found for her. Lin Xi was really annoyed and wanted to kick him out, but there was a knock on the door. Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief and let him in without a second thought.
Duan Yiheng, dressed in a dark suit, pushed open the door and entered. Though he didn't say a word, his aura was imposing. Duan Mingxuan stood up and looked at Duan Yiheng: "Big brother, it's perfect that you're back. Let's sit down and talk." Duan Yiheng's expression was indifferent: "What do you want to say?"
Lin Xi stood up and grabbed Duan Mingxuan's arm: "You should go back first. I want to rest." "Xiao Xi, are you afraid to speak?" Duan Mingxuan comforted her, covering the back of her hand. "I'll speak."
Duan Yiheng's gaze fell on their clasped hands. Lin Xi quickly released Duan Mingxuan and then carefully observed Duan Yiheng's expression. "It's inconvenient for Xiao Xi to stay here."
Duan Mingxuan cut to the chase. "If she wants, she can go back to the east side. If not, I'll buy her an apartment near the company." "Duan Mingxuan," Lin Xi frowned suddenly, "Can you please stop interfering in my affairs?" "If I don't interfere, who will?"
Duan Mingxuan turned his head, pointing at Duan Yiheng, "Him?" "It certainly won't be you." Lin Xi grabbed him and pulled him outside. "You should go back now. I'm afraid Aunt Wei will come looking for you." "Xiao Xi."
Duan Mingxuan called her name as he was being pushed away. Lin Xi was annoyed by him. After pushing him out, she slammed the door shut. She braced her hands against the door, head down, and exhaled.
She didn't know when it started, but she found it incredibly difficult to communicate with Duan Mingxuan. He always presumptuously assumed she needed and didn't need anything. "Xiao Xi, open the door." Duan Mingxuan pounded on the door loudly, just like his flamboyant personality.
"We'll talk about it later." Lin Xi locked the door. Duan Mingxuan persisted outside the door. Lin Xi intended to ignore him, but as she turned around, she was startled by Duan Yiheng suddenly blocking her way, causing her to slam her against the door. "You...when did you get here?"
Duan Yiheng lowered his gaze: "When did Duan Mingxuan arrive?" Lin Xi: "Half an hour ago." Duan Yiheng: "What's he doing here?" "You saw it yourself," Lin Xi whispered back.
Duan Yiheng lowered his gaze further, took her hand, and gently rubbed it with his thumb. Lin Xi was slightly taken aback, inexplicably feeling that his gesture was like brushing away something dirty.
"Xiao Xi, open the door and listen to me. Even if you don't want to, you have to let Duan Yiheng out." Hearing the sounds outside, Duan Yiheng suddenly chuckled at Lin Xi: "He's afraid of you being with me, have you noticed?"
Lin Xi nodded; she had felt this way a long time ago. At first, she thought it was just a disagreement between the two, but Duan Mingxuan's intense behavior made her suspect there were other reasons. She'd even asked both of them, but hadn't received a complete answer.
Duan Yiheng lowered his gaze, his tone almost seductive: "Don't you want to know the reason?" Lin Xi pressed down on his shoulder: "I don't want to know." She instinctively felt another shackle. Duan Yiheng chuckled softly: "Then kiss me."
Lin Xi stared, feeling the thumping on her back, her throat dry: "Now?" Duan Yiheng was very certain: "Now." Separated by a door, it was too shameful. Lin Xi looked up, her eyes pleading: "After he leaves, okay?"
Duan Yiheng tapped her nose with his: "No." Lin Xi's heart softened instantly, and she said pathetically: "Just once, okay?" Her upturned face was sweet and innocent. Duan Yiheng chuckled softly: "Okay." He hadn't specified how long "once" would be.
Lin Xi was completely oblivious to Duan Mingxuan's shouts. She tiptoed and lightly touched Duan Yiheng's lips to hers. Before she could pull away, Duan Yiheng sealed her lips completely.
"Mmm..." Lin Xi opened her eyes in a panic, her mouth opening slightly involuntarily. Duan Yiheng seized the opportunity and thrust in deeply. "Xiao Xi," Lin Xi murmured shamefully, Duan Mingxuan's voice seemingly right next to her ear.
And she... was kissing Duan Yiheng! Duan Mingxuan had limited patience for other things, but he was incredibly patient with Lin Xi. Seeing that Lin Xi didn't open the door, he shouted, "If you don't open the door, I'll wait outside."
He was genuinely worried that Duan Yiheng inside might do something to Lin Xi. Hearing this, Lin Xi resisted even more fiercely. Duan Yiheng restrained her wrists, placing them behind her waist, forcing Lin Xi to arch her chest and tilt her head back.
The thin nightgown brushed against the crisp suit, and Lin Xi blushed from her neck to the tips of her ears. This scoundrel! "Mmm... let go..." Duan Yiheng rubbed against that soft spot before slowly releasing her.
Lin Xi's chest heaved, and as soon as her hands were free, she punched Duan Yiheng's chest hard: "You really are... you are..." "What are you?" Duan Yiheng rubbed the soft flesh behind her ear. "You don't like it?" "Who likes it?" Lin Xi spat at him. "You scoundrel."
"Trying to flirt with me, huh?" Duan Yiheng stroked her face. "Don't forget Duan Mingxuan is still standing outside the door." Lin Xi slapped his hand away: "I don't care, let whoever wants to care." Could she go out looking like this? She didn't need a mirror to know.
Lin Xi rarely acted like this, and Duan Yiheng turned and followed her. Lin Xi slammed the bathroom door shut. "Go take care of it. If you don't get him out of here, you stay outside." Duan Yiheng chuckled. "You're really something, one door for each of you."
Lin Xi looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed, her lips fiery red. She turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face. "Don't be angry, I'll take care of it for you. You stay inside and rest. I'll call you for dinner." Lin Xi replied.
Duan Yiheng opened the door and saw Duan Mingxuan standing there like a pillar. Duan Mingxuan frowned, feeling that something was off about Duan Yiheng. Although he still maintained a cold demeanor, a hint of complacency lingered in his eyes.
Duan Mingxuan caught a faint fragrance, and his expression changed instantly. "Duan Yiheng, why do you smell like Xiao Xi?"