Gently bite the jasmine

Chapter 115 You Know What I Want

Lin Xi was seated next to Zhou Zheng, with Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan opposite him.

After a few words, Lin Xi knew that her grandfather was very satisfied with Zhou Zheng.

Zhou Zheng is a rather old-fashioned person, so it's no surprise that he gets along well with the old man.

Without Duan Yiheng, Zhou Zheng would be an excellent marriage prospect in every respect.

Duan Yiheng could join in their conversation, but Duan Mingxuan couldn't understand a thing.

His obvious anger yet restrained demeanor made Lin Xi want to laugh.

The second young master had a bad temper, but he didn't dare to throw a tantrum in front of the old master.

The old man chuckled every now and then, and his complexion became much rosier.

"Xiao Zhou, Xiao Xi is seven years younger than you, please be more tolerant of her."

Zhou Zheng smiled warmly and politely: "It is my honor to meet Miss Lin."

Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan both frowned, each lost in their own thoughts.

The old man wasn't completely ignorant of Zhou Zheng, and he wouldn't let Lin Xi step into a pit of fire.

Although Chen Baiwei was the one who brought them together, her purpose was to prevent Lin Xi and Duan Mingxuan from having any further opportunities.

He had secretly instructed his assistant to investigate everything about the Zhou family and Zhou Zheng.

From any perspective, this is a good fit for Lin Xi.

He will provide a generous dowry so that Lin Xi will not have to suffer at Chen Baiwei's hands after his death.

Even if Duan Yiheng could take care of her a little, he still had his own family to support.

"Xiao Xi." The old man looked at Lin Xi, "Grandpa thinks Xiao Zhou is good, you should get along with him well."

This statement was already explicit, and Lin Xi couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

Before she could speak, Duan Yiheng put down his chopsticks: "Grandpa, I—"

"Grandpa, I will get along well with you." Lin Xi interrupted Duan Yiheng with difficulty, her nerves on edge.

Duan Yiheng looked at her, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

Lin Xi felt a slight tremor in her heart and guiltily avoided his gaze.

Because the old man was still there, Duan Mingxuan clenched his fists tightly, afraid that he would overturn the dining table.

Not long after the meal, while drinking tea, Zhou Zheng got up to take his leave.

The old man gestured for Lin Xi to see him off.

Lin Xi saw the person out of the living room, then smiled apologetically at Zhou Zheng: "Professor Zhou, I'm so sorry, I was at the dining table just now, I, I..."

“No need to apologize,” Zhou Zheng said. “I know you’re just trying to appease the old man, but I want a reason, a reason for you to refuse me.”

Lin Xi walked alongside him and whispered, "Actually, I have someone I like, but it's someone I can't have."

Zhou Zheng paused for two seconds: "So that's why I lost. Actually, I've heard a little about your affair with Duan Mingxuan, but—"

"It wasn't him." Lin Xi pursed her lips awkwardly.

Zhou Zheng looked slightly puzzled and said, "I'm sorry."

Lin Xi shook her head: "I should apologize. I'll walk you a little further."

Zhou Zheng was disappointed, but the flower was in love but the water was indifferent; he could only blame himself for not being destined to be with Lin Xi.

After seeing the person off, Lin Xi stood there for a long time.

"Reluctant?"

Lin Xi turned around in surprise, and Duan Yiheng appeared behind her at some point, his figure almost enveloping her.

Those eyes were as dark as the night, deep and distant, making it impossible for Lin Xi to discern his emotions.

At this moment, he seemed to have returned to the past, with only indifference on his face.

"Get along well?"

He suddenly took half a step forward, forcing Lin Xi to retreat.

How should we get along?

He advanced while she retreated; with each word he spoke, Lin Xi could sense the lingering anger in his tone.

"I was just trying to appease Grandpa," Lin Xi explained, stepping back. "Don't do that."

Duan Yiheng: "Dealing with Grandpa is only one aspect, right? You're afraid I'll reveal our relationship and our private dealings, aren't you?"

Lin Xi suddenly looked up: "Don't speak so rudely."

"Okay." Duan Yiheng's brows furrowed even more. "And after you get to know each other? Is it just a kiss to seal the deal? A few words of coaxing and then shyness? A few words of jealousy and you can't even say anything, and you bite your tongue when you're angry?"

"Stop talking." Lin Xi said, half angry and half blushing. "Have you no shame?"

"If I had any shame, I'd be cuckolded."

Duan Yiheng's use of profanity for the first time truly startled Lin Xi. She opened and closed her mouth, but in the end, she could only say, "Stop talking."

"Why can't I say it? Why won't you let me say it?" Duan Yiheng was furious. "After you've been with him, will you tell him you 'care'? Or that you like him?"

Despite being stingy with his feelings, the old man only needed to say one thing to make Zhou Zheng want to get along well with him.

He's not dead yet!

"It all boils down to the same thing." Lin Xi's mental defenses completely collapsed. "Didn't we have an agreement? Why do you always have to force me? If you hadn't forced me, I wouldn't be able to..."

Duan Yiheng's expression was really ugly, and Lin Xi suddenly stopped talking.

"I forced you?" Duan Yiheng chuckled softly. "You've finally spoken your mind. Does that mean I forced you when I kissed or hugged you?"

"No," Lin Xi murmured, "That's not what I meant, I'm sorry."

"I don't want your 'sorry'?" Duan Yiheng grabbed her arm. "You know perfectly well what I want."

"I can't give you what you want." Lin Xi could only suppress her voice, afraid of attracting attention.

Duan Yiheng grasped her shoulders: "I thought that if I had Meng Huaishan say those things to you, you would understand what I wanted to do."

"Stop dreaming." Lin Xi's voice trembled with tears. "Even without that adoption relationship, can we really be together?"

"Lin Xi, don't run away."

"Yes, I am running away." Lin Xi decided to give up entirely. "I'm a coward, I don't dare to tell Grandpa."

“I’ll speak for you. I didn’t ask you to,” Duan Yiheng’s tone softened. “You can trust me.”

“No…” Lin Xi shook her head. “Don’t say it. If you do, I will leave the Duan family immediately and disappear from your sight.”

"..." Duan Yiheng clenched his fists, his tone turning serious, "What exactly do you want from me?"

Lin Xi sensed the surging emotions Duan Yiheng was suppressing and opened her mouth: "How about we break up—"

"Qin Yang called me just now." Duan Yiheng suddenly let go of her. "I just came out and saw you. It concerns Zheng Jizhong, so I have to call him back."

His emotions suddenly subsided, as if the previous argument had never happened.

"part--"

"Alright, I'll go back and take care of some business." Duan Yiheng avoided her gaze for the first time. "You had a good time yesterday, so you should get some rest too."

Lin Xi stood there, stunned, until his figure disappeared from sight.

Tears fell unintentionally. Lin Xi lowered her head and wiped them away, silently saying "I'm sorry" to Duan Yiheng in her heart.

She turned around and said something to the old man, then went back to the front yard, ignoring Duan Mingxuan calling her twice.

Duan Mingxuan initially wanted to chase after him, but then he changed his mind and went upstairs to the old man's room.

The old man was still wondering why he hadn't left when, with a "plop," Duan Mingxuan knelt down.

The old man was startled: "What are you doing?"