Gently bite the jasmine

Chapter 169 He held her tightly.

Before Lin Xi could speak, Duan Yiheng spoke first: "There are so many people with the surname Duan these days, who are you asking about?"

The reporter immediately corrected himself: "It's Duan Mingxuan, the second young master of the family."

Lin Xi pretended to be puzzled: "I don't understand what you mean."

The reporter mentioned the specific time and the news release: "From being an adopted daughter to publicly becoming the fiancée of Young Master Duan, such a huge change in status, did you feel any pressure?"

"Fiancé?" Lin Xi looked surprised, then smiled helplessly. "Young Master Duan and I just grew up together. Besides, I'm single now and very busy with work. I really don't have time to date. I don't know where this rumor came from. It's too outrageous."

Just then, a commotion came from the banquet stage. Duan Zheng stood on the stage, smiling and holding a microphone:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the banquet is drawing to a close, and I have something I'd like to share with you all."

Lin Xi had a bad feeling, and sure enough, Duan Zheng looked at her.

He raised his hand, turning slightly to face her: "This is my adopted daughter, Lin Xi. She and Mingxuan are childhood sweethearts and have a deep bond. I intend to arrange a marriage between them, and I would like everyone to be my witnesses tonight."

With a look of deep affection, Duan Mingxuan walked up to Lin Xi and said, "We haven't been apart since you were six. You went to America for five years, and a month is the longest I can go without seeing you. Xiao Xi, I fell in love with you a little late, but my love is no less. Today, I'm telling you in front of everyone that I will only love you in this life. If I can't do that, may I die a horrible death."

Lin Xi was shocked and filled with anger. His chest heaved violently, and he almost couldn't catch his breath. His face was as ugly as could be.

The moment she moved her hand, Duan Yiheng subtly pressed it down.

Duan Yiheng stood tall and imposing, like a towering mountain blocking Lin Xi's path. Leaning against him, Lin Xi felt a deep sense of security and had something to rely on.

Duan Yiheng climbed two steps and stood in front of Duan Zheng, smiling lightly as he asked, "People probably like to play matchmaker when they get old. Since it's about helping someone find happiness, it should be a happy ending. I won't ask Duan Mingxuan; he's already sworn an oath, so he's naturally willing. Lin Xi has been raised at home since childhood and is also a member of the family. This concerns her lifelong happiness, so I'm sure Father won't make a hasty decision, lest others think we're using our kindness to force her into marriage. Shouldn't we ask Lin Xi's opinion?"

Duan Zheng wasn't stupid, and Lin Xi naturally didn't want to.

He said, "I treat Xiaoxi like my own daughter, Mingxuan and her—"

"Lanyue Prefecture." Duan Yiheng tilted his head slightly, his gloomy voice brushing past Duan Zheng's ears.

Duan Zheng's expression remained unchanged, but his pupils dilated rapidly. How did he know about Lan Yue Mansion?

Duan Yiheng looked at him, his dark pupils filled with a cold, ruthless glint.

The father and son faced off for a full minute before Duan Zhengcai forced a stiff smile and asked Lin Xi, "Xiao Xi, are you willing?"

Lin Xi walked over and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Duan, but I am really not worthy of the Second Young Master. My grandfather has already promised me the freedom to choose my own marriage partner, so please don't make jokes like this today, Uncle Duan."

Duan Zheng chuckled twice, then turned and stepped off the stage.

The expressions of the audience were even more fascinating.

Duan Yiheng narrowed his eyes at Duan Zheng's retreating figure, took out his phone and sent a message to Qin Yang, who was acting as the vigilante: Follow.

Duan Mingxuan was rejected in public, but he didn't care about any of the stares; he only cared about Lin Xi in front of him.

But Lin Xi seemed too lazy to even glance at him.

"What's going on? Wasn't Miss Lin supposed to be Young Master Duan's fiancée?"

Whispers arose from the audience.

"Who knows? I also thought Lao Duan was going to take this opportunity to announce their engagement date, but who knew it would turn out like this."

"Weren't they said to be childhood sweethearts? What does Miss Lin mean by not wanting to be with them?"

"It's a matter of life and death. What else could it mean if I'm unwilling? I just don't like it."

After Duan Zheng left, Duan Yiheng wrapped up the banquet, took two phone calls, and saw off the shareholders and directors. He slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

When I turned to look for Lin Xi, I was told by the staff that she had fallen asleep in the rest area.

Duan Yiheng frowned. The dress was so thin, had she fallen asleep?

He took a large step, then paused. Lin Xi was curled up on the sofa, covered with a blanket from his car.

"What a big heart!" Duan Yiheng suddenly chuckled. He had almost been sold out by Duan Zheng, yet he could still sleep.

Duan Yiheng walked over and brushed aside the stray strands of hair from her cheek.

Lin Xi was fast asleep, her head slightly hunched over, which made Duan Yiheng feel very uncomfortable.

"Wake up," Duan Yiheng gently called to her as he bent down. "We're home."

Lin Xi gave an unconscious response that escaped from his throat.

Duan Yiheng tapped her nose: "I called you, but you didn't wake up."

His response was Lin Xi's steady, even breathing.

Duan Yiheng bent down and carefully lifted her into his arms, blanket and all.

The driver approached him and asked if he needed help, but he refused outright.

After carrying the person into the back seat, Duan Yiheng didn't let go, and the driver didn't dare to glance back.

Lin Xi nestled in Duan Yiheng's arms, her cheek pressed tightly against his chest, her mouth slightly open from being squeezed, her sleeping face looking a little adorable.

Duan Yiheng lowered his head and pinched her cheek, applying a little force, until Lin Xi's mouth turned like a goldfish's.

Duan Yiheng chuckled, leaning back in his chair and letting out a long sigh of relief.

When they arrived at the Imperial Seal in the capital, Lin Xi still hadn't woken up.

Lin Xi's private butler recognized Duan Yiheng, pressed the elevator button, and accompanied Duan Yiheng to take Lin Xi back to her room.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Duan Yiheng took it out, covered Lin Xi with a blanket, and then went to the living room to answer Qin Yang's call.

"The person who got into the car with the general manager was his assistant, Ms. He; there was no one else."

Duan Yiheng frowned: "Are you sure?"

Qin Yang: "I'm sure the other party may have been prepared, and it's really not suitable to meet in such a crowded and chaotic place."

Duan Yiheng hung up the phone and looked at the photo Meng Huaishan had given him for a long time.

Duan Mingxuan's personality is half inherited from Duan Zheng. Duan Zheng was by no means a meticulous and cautious person. Compared to before, Duan Zheng's current style of doing things is much more stable, which must be due to someone's guidance.

This person is meticulous, cautious, patient, and intelligent... and may also be Duan Zheng's lover.

Duan Yiheng froze abruptly, his gaze falling on the woman on the far left of the second row of the photo. The only one who fit all these characteristics was her—Ke Yu, the board secretary.

Ke Keyu, isn't he Grandpa's man?

At the last board meeting, she was helping him both openly and subtly.

Duan Yiheng never expected this person. He rested his elbow on his knee and rubbed his temples.

Suddenly, a bright light and fragrance filled the air. He looked up and saw Lin Xi, still dressed in a formal gown, holding scented candles given out at tonight's charity gala.

"It smells wonderful." Lin Xi wrinkled her nose.

Duan Yiheng was exhausted, so he raised his hand, hooked his arm around her waist, and hugged her tightly.