Gently bite the jasmine

Chapter 173 Relationships are private matters, I cannot share them.

The interview details had been agreed upon by both parties, but Lin Xiaoying asked one more question, and Lin Xi's goodwill towards her vanished instantly.

But since Duan Yiheng didn't let her stop him, she couldn't say anything.

Duan Yiheng curled his lips into a half-smile, casually glancing at Lin Xiaoying: "It seems that no matter what type of magazine it is, topics about personal relationships are always the focus of public attention."

Lin Xiaoying explained with a smile: "Mr. Duan is young but has achieved remarkable success. Relationships are also a part of life, and they will allow the magazine's readers to see a more three-dimensional, warm, and down-to-earth side of you."

Duan Yiheng's smile remained unchanged. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I'm sorry, relationships are a private matter, and I cannot share them."

Lin Xiaoying maintained her standard professional smile: "I understand, I overstepped my bounds."

After filming in the study, we moved on to the next filming location.

Lin Xi turned around to pick up the tie clip that Duan Yiheng had left behind, and heard the staff member say, "Weren't the interview transcripts all communicated in advance? Although Editor-in-Chief Lin has a keen eye for in-depth research, Mr. Duan's secretary has explicitly refused such behavior, and Editor-in-Chief Lin has never done this before."

Another immediately chimed in, "Mr. Duan is exceptionally handsome; perhaps Editor-in-Chief Lin has fallen for him."

"Don't talk nonsense, your mouth will get you into trouble sooner or later."

"...Just kidding."

Lin Xi waited until the two of them left before returning to his study to retrieve his tie clip.

The filming location was an outdoor terrace leisure area. Influenced by what had just been said, Lin Xi's gaze involuntarily fell on Lin Xiaoying.

She was tall and slender, wearing a fitted white suit. Every gesture she made exuded elegance and sophistication, and her gaze towards Duan Yiheng was merely one of admiration.

Lin Xiaoying and Duan Yiheng's conversation did not reveal any other meaning.

The filming in the terrace lounge area went very smoothly. Lin Xi glanced at the time and asked the housekeeper to take Lin Xiaoying's team to have a meal.

Because he had been daydreaming for a few minutes, Lin Xi became much more enthusiastic towards Lin Xiaoying.

The three entered the restaurant, and Lin Xiaoying broke the silence first: "It's rare to have the opportunity to enjoy a big meal after work. Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Duan."

Duan Yiheng nodded slightly and sat down with Lin Xi.

He felt awkward not responding, so Lin Xi smiled and said to Lin Xiaoying, "Editor-in-Chief Lin, please let me know if there are any specific details about the afternoon's shooting that I need to pay attention to."

Lin Xiaoying replied with a smile, "My people will confirm the details. If Mr. Duan has no objections, we will proceed with the filming as planned."

"I gave the details to my secretary for confirmation, and she said she had no objections." Duan Yiheng finally spoke up.

Lin Xiaoying looked at Lin Xi with a more inquisitive gaze: "It seems that Secretary Lin has earned Mr. Duan's trust, so her work ability must be outstanding."

Lin Xi reciprocated, humbly saying, "I still have much to learn; it is Mr. Duan's kindness that has earned me this favor."

Lin Xiaoying offered a couple of compliments without making it seem like flattery.

The table became much quieter during mealtime.

Lin Xiaoying noticed that Duan Yiheng only responded when Lin Xi spoke to him.

During the lunch break, Duan Yiheng took Lin Xi to the top floor, while the butler arranged for the others to rest.

Duan Yiheng had no intention of sleeping. He had just been fussing with the photographer all morning, and now he was annoyed by people. He just wanted to be with Lin Xi whenever he could have some peace and quiet, even if they didn't talk about anything.

That's what he was thinking, but he didn't ask that aloud: "Aren't you being a little too enthusiastic towards Lin Xiaoying?"

"Really?" A hint of doubt flashed across Lin Xi's face. "I just chatted with her for a few more minutes."

As for the two loose-lipped subordinates of Lin Xiaoying, she had no right to say anything, let alone tell Duan Yiheng.

Duan Yiheng poured himself and Lin Xi a cup of tea, but before he could even take a sip, his phone vibrated four or five times in a row.

Lin Xi took a sip of tea, and suddenly heard a clucking sound coming from Duan Yiheng's phone.

Lin Xi was caught off guard, and the tea rolled down her throat, choking her so badly she almost died.

Duan Yiheng patted her back gently, his tone both helpless and tender: "Slow down."

"What's that noise?" Lin Xi looked suspiciously at the phone he was holding. "Is it a chicken?"

Duan Yiheng nodded: "Lu Tong found out from Tian Han that I'm going on a business trip next Wednesday, and sent me pictures and videos of his farm."

"A farm?" Lin Xi became interested. "His own?"

Duan Yiheng handed her the phone and said, "His wife was interested, so he spent a lot of money to get one. It has everything: fish, insects, birds, animals, flowers, trees, etc. Want to go play?"

Lin Xi opened the first video Lu Tong sent her; it showed vast fields of rapeseed.

Then came Lu Tong's voice message, saying that they could no longer see the rapeseed fields, as it was already April and there were basically no large areas of rapeseed flowers blooming in S City.

Lin Xi saw the video of two chickens fighting again, and she could almost imagine how lively it must have been.

"Do we have time to go?" Lin Xi asked, genuinely interested.

Duan Yiheng nodded: "Yes, we'll stay for three more days after this is over."

"So long?" Lin Xi was surprised; she thought it would take at most a day and a night.

Duan Yiheng gave her a strange look: "You don't remember?"

“Remember what—” Lin Xi suddenly stopped talking. April 17th was Duan Mingxuan’s birthday.

Duan Yiheng said, "The wedding rumors and the charity banquet have set things right, so it's not a good time for you and Duan Mingxuan to meet. It just so happens that this business trip coincides with his birthday, so we'll stay a couple more days."

Duan Yiheng's consideration was thoughtful, and Lin Xi agreed with a "okay." It was indeed not suitable for her to meet with Duan Mingxuan right now.

The afternoon was the last scene to be filmed, in the billiards room on the basement floor, showcasing the multifaceted side of Duan Yiheng beneath his elite exterior.

The billiard room was beautifully decorated, with cues of varying thicknesses arranged in an orderly fashion. Duan Yiheng picked one out, its shaft gleaming with a cold luster.

The photographer kept adjusting the angle and focus. He felt that Duan Yiheng looked good in every shot, without any sense of expression; he was natural and charming.

Lin Xi stood a little behind the lighting technician. It has to be said that the technician was a professional. The light shone on Duan Yiheng, half of him was bright and half was dark. His cold and deep profile was outlined with a perfect curve by the light.

Lin Xi even heard the obvious excitement and smugness from the two girls who couldn't help but marvel at Duan Yiheng's handsomeness.

Lin Xiaoying chuckled: "Mr. Duan's on-screen presence is more captivating than some celebrities, isn't it?"

Who can argue with that? Lin Xi chuckled, "His good looks are probably the least noteworthy of all his merits."

Before Lin Xiaoying could reply to Lin Xi, she noticed something amiss with the setup of the filming backdrop. As she walked, she called out, "Wait a minute, the billiards celebrity posters on the back wall are too brightly colored. They don't quite match Mr. Duan's calm and reserved image. Who put them up there?"

With a lot of equipment on site, Lin Xiaoying was busy taking down the posters when she accidentally tripped over a power cord.

She instantly lost her balance and fell towards Duan Yiheng.