Gently bite the jasmine

Chapter 123 My Fault, It Has Nothing to Do with Lin Xi

Duan Yiheng entered the tea room, and the old man, without even glancing at him, said, "Sit."

Duan Yiheng sat down opposite him, his gaze falling on the tea that had already been brewed.

The aroma of tea was enticing. Duan Yiheng picked up a cup, took a sip, and asked, "Did Grandpa know I was coming over tonight?"

The old man stared at him intently for a while, then said, "I knew you would come tonight because Zheng Jizhong asked to see me through your father."

Duan Yiheng's brows furrowed: "Then why would Grandpa help him?"

“Of course I’m doing this for you,” the old man said. “It’s almost the end of the year, so as the groom, you should show some sincerity and invite the Tan family to discuss your marriage with Tan Qi.”

Duan Yiheng frowned: "Grandpa, aren't we talking about Zheng Jizhong right now?"

The old man said, "I have my own arrangements for Zheng Jizhong's affairs. Your primary task right now is to gain the approval of the Tan family."

"Grandpa, I told you, Tan Qi and I aren't a good match." Duan Yiheng gripped his cup tightly. "Zheng Jizhong is incredibly arrogant. He forced his way into my office, causing Lin Xi to get injured. That's why I had grounds to suspend him. Why didn't you tell me before interfering?"

"I told you?" The old man's eyes were piercing. "Yi Heng, what about you? Are you hiding anything from me?"

Duan Yiheng keenly sensed the anger hidden in the old man's calm tone, and he suddenly slammed his cup down.

After a long pause, Duan Yiheng asked, "What did Zheng Jizhong say to you?"

The old man glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and said, "Uncle Deng."

Duan Yiheng followed the gaze, and Uncle Deng handed the documents in his hand to Duan Yiheng.

This was the first time Duan Yiheng had seen outsiders take pictures of him and Lin Xi, but they were too far away and the pictures were a bit blurry.

He understood everything in an instant.

"I initially thought it was Mingxuan's girlfriend who took the photos, but I never imagined she was used and that Zheng Jizhong was involved later." The old man took a sip of tea. "Yi Heng, you have disappointed me greatly."

Duan Yiheng put down the documents and said, "My mistake has nothing to do with Lin Xi."

"Of course it has nothing to do with Xiaoxi," the old man said. "She is the most innocent in this matter. Mingxuan is such a good-for-nothing. He's blind to such a good girl. You, on the other hand, know how to choose. You chose someone right under your nose. Did you force her?"

"Grandpa, I'm serious about her." Duan Yiheng laid his cards on the table. "What can Duan Mingxuan offer her? Why are you against me being with Lin Xi?"

"Do you still want Silver Sail?" The old man slammed his hand on the table.

He naturally wanted it; only with power in his hands could he protect the people he wanted to love.

"Didn't you consider Xiaoxi?" the old man glared. "Can't you see how awful those media outlets wrote? Do you think it's the man who gets hurt in a scandalous affair?"

“Xiao Xi’s identity is sensitive. In the eyes of outsiders, she is your sister. Rumors will only attack her. As for you, people will only regard her as a fleeting romantic encounter in your life.”

"No," Duan Yiheng frowned deeply. "With me here, no one dares to say it."

"You can shut people up, but what about their eyes?" the old man questioned him. "Can't eyes speak? Can't Xiao Xi tell whether someone dislikes or admires her?"

Old ginger is spicier, and Duan Yiheng couldn't refute it for a moment.

He thought he would never be able to be with Lin Xi in this lifetime, but now that he had finally gotten close, how could he be willing to give up?

“Grandpa, Lin Xi is still young, so we won’t get married for now. I can take care of all the things you’re worried about before then.”

“Yi Heng, Grandpa won’t live to see that day. Xiao Xi will only be 23 years old.”

Duan Yiheng fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, the old man softened his tone: "Find some time to arrange a meeting with the Tan family."

Duan Yiheng suddenly stood up, his sharp jawline clenched tightly: "I don't want to."

The old man, panting heavily, pointed at him and said, "Kneel down."

Uncle Deng stepped forward with concern: "Sir."

Duan Yiheng is already thirty years old; it would be unseemly for him to be kneeling.

"Bring me your cane!" the old man said angrily.

This was a threat to take action, but Uncle Deng didn't dare to move and stood still.

Duan Yiheng turned around, went to the door to get the old man's cane, and then knelt down in front of him.

The old man was stunned for a moment, then took the cane and pointed it at him: "Really not going to change?"

Duan Yiheng shook his head.

The old man struck him on the back with a stick, and Duan Yiheng groaned, straightening his back even more.

Uncle Deng hurriedly tried to stop him, but was stopped half a meter away by the old man's cane: "It's none of your business. If I can't wake him up today, I won't dare to die."

Uncle Deng sighed and took a step back.

The old man's cane was quite heavy; it struck his back with a powerful, forceful blow.

The quiet tea room was occasionally filled with Duan Yiheng's muffled groans; even a person made of iron would not be able to withstand a few blows.

Duan Yiheng swayed slightly, his back collapsing under the final blow.

The old man exhaled a heavy breath: "Hitting you doesn't mean I agree to your relationship with Xiaoxi. If you're really stubborn, I'll go find her."

"No." Duan Yiheng frowned, enduring the pain to stop him.

Lin Xi is easily embarrassed; if she knew, she probably wouldn't be able to stay at home any longer.

This whole thing was his fault; he was too confident and didn't expect Zheng Jizhong to pull a fast one on him behind his back.

"I'll ask you one last time: will you take over Silver Sail through a marriage alliance, or will you remain stubbornly unrepentant?"

Duan Yiheng raised his head, his meaning self-evident.

The old man said, "There's no such thing as wanting everything at once in this world. Once you have nothing left, what can you give Xiaoxi?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Your written resignation will be submitted to the board of directors early tomorrow morning. After review and approval, the board will accept your resignation. Your work will be handed over to you by a representative from the group, and all subsequent departure procedures will be expedited for you."

Duan Yiheng chuckled softly: "You want me to leave Yinfan Technology?"

The old man said, "I'd like to see how long you're going to remain so stubborn."

Duan Yiheng suddenly stood up, staggering slightly due to his back injury.

Uncle Deng stepped forward to help him, but Duan Yiheng shook off his hand.

“Then you might as well relinquish my position as vice president of the group.” Duan Yiheng remained stubborn. “If I have to trade my marriage for my future, I’d rather have nothing at all. Grandpa, just you wait and see, see if I’ll compromise!”

"You—" the old man said angrily, "Get out of here."

Duan Yiheng got up and left the North Courtyard.

Sister Mei raised him from childhood to adulthood, and she could tell at a glance that Duan Yiheng's expression was unusual.

He returned from the North Courtyard, and Sister Mei couldn't help but worry.

"Is Lin Xi asleep?" Duan Yiheng's words shut down Sister Mei's question.

Sister Mei nodded: "I went to bed a little early tonight."

"I'll go upstairs to check on her."

Mei Jie was too late to stop it and could only sigh to herself.

Despite the pain in his back, Duan Yiheng slowly and gently pushed open Lin Xi's door.

He sat down by the bed and sat there for a long time before gently touching her face.

Lin Xi was awakened by the touch on her face and slowly opened her eyes.