Gently bite the jasmine

Chapter 160 Only you

Duan Yiheng hung up the phone, turned to Lin Xi and said, "The first ginkgo tree by the lake in the manor was planted by my mother. The housekeeper said that the roots were damaged by disease."

Lin Xi was taken aback for a moment. Duan Yiheng hadn't told her about this. She asked, "Can he be saved?"

Duan Yiheng shook his head: "I don't know. They are already treating it. They may need to change the soil and treat the roots with medication."

"It's alright," Lin Xi comforted him. "Leave professional matters to the professionals. You spend so much money supporting them, they must be capable, right?"

Duan Yiheng looked into her eyes: "When I said I wanted to take you to see the ginkgo trees, I really meant just that one tree."

Lin Xi bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

The initial invitation was something he had planned for a long time, and she only agreed casually.

But they didn't get to see it last November.

I was looking forward to this year, but fate has played a trick on me, and this year has turned into what year?

Lin Xi silently turned her gaze away, but then heard Duan Yiheng say, "Can you come with me to see it this year?"

Lin Xi's eyes widened suddenly as she looked at him in surprise, her voice dry: "This year?"

Duan Yiheng grasped her hand and said firmly, "This year."

Lin Xi grabbed his wrist and pushed him away: "You shouldn't have brought me with you. It wouldn't have been me who went to North District No. 1 with you."

"But I only want to watch it with you." Duan Yiheng looked at her. "Only you."

Lin Xi was in a daze for a moment, and in that instant, he lost all perception of the outside world.

After the breakup, every time Duan Yiheng got close to her, it deepened her pain.

It's like burning your skin with a cigarette butt; it always burns the same spot.

Lin Xi lowered her gaze and looked down at his well-defined hands.

After a while, she took his hand, turned it over, and saw a cigarette burn scar on his palm, which was quite glaring.

"Doesn't it hurt?" Lin Xi murmured again. "You should remember this feeling. Being with me hurts, and I should remember that too."

She felt pain because of his pain.

Duan Yiheng brought his fingers together and held her loosely in his palm: "You won't forget the pain."

Lin Xi smiled and withdrew her hand from his palm.

Before Duan Yiheng could say anything more, the driver reminded him that they had arrived at the hospital.

Lin Xi's steps were somewhat unsteady as she got out of the car, and she didn't turn around until she entered the ward.

When the old man saw them, he waved to them.

This sudden outburst of anger aged him noticeably, and he spoke with a weak and feeble voice.

The caregiver was feeding the child when Duan Yiheng took the food from him and said, "Let me do it."

Lin Xi watched as Duan Yiheng showed great patience, while her grandfather's eyes were full of satisfaction.

After the meal, the old man said, "Xiao Xi and Ming Xuan—"

"Don't say anything, I'll take care of it." Duan Yiheng took the handkerchief from the caregiver and wiped the old man's face and hands.

"Your father—"

"No matter the reason, you shouldn't have to go through this." Duan Yiheng's attitude was somewhat firm. "After you're gone, no one will pamper him anymore."

The old man sighed.

Duan Yiheng looked into the old man's eyes and said, "No matter how far I go, I will guarantee that their family will have no worries about food and clothing in the future, provided that they do not cross my bottom line."

The old man smiled and said, "Now that I'm sick, it seems like nothing can stop you anymore."

Duan Yiheng paused for a moment, then turned to Lin Xi and said, "Go outside and wait for me. I'll take you home later."

Lin Xi frowned. Duan Yiheng must have something to say to his grandfather.

"Aren't you coming with me?" she asked instinctively.

Duan Yiheng said, "Wait for me for ten minutes."

Lin Xi could only nod and say to the old man, "Grandpa, I'll come to see you again tomorrow."

The old man nodded.

After Lin Xi left, Duan Yiheng didn't mince words and said, "Before Lin Xi's birthday, she suddenly suggested that I go to the manor in North District No. 1. At that time, she had already planned to break up with me."

"I only picked up on the key point I missed today: her breaking up with me was premeditated, but it was sudden for me. I was in a bad mood at the time and didn't notice some details."

"Why would she suddenly want to break up with me? Something must have happened. I can't think of anyone else but you."

"I thought that once you came to me, you would let her go."

The old man remained silent for a long time before saying, "I didn't expect to hide it from you for long. I set her up and deliberately let her overhear some things."

Duan Yiheng understood immediately, which must be related to his future.

"Grandpa, have you ever thought that you can stop me for a while, but can you stop me for a lifetime?"

The old man was taken aback.

"You can't stop it. When the emotions are getting more and more intense and there's almost no room to breathe, what are you expecting her to do?"

The old man didn't speak, but simply waved his hand and said, "You can go now."

Duan Yiheng got up and left the ward. As soon as he opened the door, he was met with Lin Xi's nervous gaze.

"What are you doing blocking the doorway?" Duan Yiheng chuckled. "Do you think I'd fight with Grandpa?"

Lin Xi pursed her lips: "What did you two talk about?"

Duan Yiheng took her hand and turned to walk towards the elevator.

Lin Xi was startled and ran over to grab him, saying, "Let go of me, someone will see us."

Duan Yiheng pulled her into the elevator, and when Lin Xi tried to struggle, he grabbed her and pulled her along.

Body to body, Duan Yiheng's gaze was gentle, and his tone was the same: "If you move again, we'll really be seen."

Lin Xi didn't dare to glance around, because there were surveillance cameras in the elevator.

The two got into the car hand in hand, and Duan Yiheng asked the driver to raise the partition.

Lin Xi was startled, and Duan Yiheng suddenly leaned over and pressed down on her: "Let's continue the topic that was interrupted in the car earlier."

"No," Lin Xi dodged towards the car door, "You need to take me home quickly."

Duan Yiheng: "Don't you want to know what Zhao Yuxin said to me today?"

Lin Xi was suddenly stunned. He had been chatting with Zhao Yuxin for almost forty minutes today, and she had been sitting by the window in the lounge area watching him.

They seemed to be having a good time, but what right did she have to interfere?

Duan Yiheng grasped her shoulders, turned her to face him, and said in a gentle voice:

"When I heard you tell me we were breaking up, I was so angry and flustered that I didn't have time to think about anything else."

“It’s always been one of me advancing and the other retreating between us. I’m used to being in control and I hate how ruthlessly you retreat. Today, Zhao Yuxin’s words woke me up, and I realized how wrong I was.”

"I really shouldn't have forced you to be with me back then. I shouldn't have hidden you in a dark, square world, making you afraid of every moment that would expose our relationship. I'm sorry."

Lin Xi kept her head down and remained silent.

"I'm sorry." Duan Yiheng's tone was gentle and cautious as he reached up and touched her face, only to find it covered in water.

Duan Yiheng nervously lifted her head and saw Lin Xi's nostrils flaring and her lips trembling slightly, looking as if she was suppressing a great grievance.

She cried silently, her tears rolling down like tiny pearls.