Chapter 105: Let Her Beg Third Brother

“I originally just wanted to see you and leave, didn’t expect to wake you.” Lin Xi felt a little guilty and apologized before standing up. “Rest well, I’ll come see you again during the day.”

Qin Yu stared at her back for a moment, his voice low and cold. “No need to come.”

Lin Xi hesitated, then nodded obediently. “When will you be discharged?”

“Tomorrow.”

As if he understood her intent, Qin Yu cut her off. “You don’t need to come tomorrow either. I’m not so ill that I need you to pick me up.”

“Just do what you should, take care of yourself. Don’t worry about me.”

Lin Xi stood with her back to him, silent. She carefully pondered his words from start to finish, then nodded. “Alright.”

“Wait here for Cheng Si to pick you up.” He stopped her.

Lin Xi wanted to take a taxi home herself, but Qin Yu was adamant. She had no choice but to sit back down.

Qin Yu called Cheng Si, asking him to come.

Cheng Si was already on his way—he’d climbed out of bed as soon as he got Lin Xi’s message.

While waiting, the hospital room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Lin Xi sat in the chair, head bowed, scrolling through group chat messages. The faint glow of her phone screen illuminated her delicate face.

Her hair slipped down over her shoulders, obscuring her expression.

She thought they’d keep silent, this tacit understanding lasting until Cheng Si arrived.

But unexpectedly, Qin Yu broke the silence. “You know about the house, right?”

“Yes,” Lin Xi replied.

“If it’s convenient, then stay there. If you suddenly move out, Aunt will worry.” Qin Yu, ever perceptive, immediately guessed her thoughts.

Lin Xi had indeed considered moving.

“It’s currently under Cheng Si’s name. If you want to buy it, just talk to him. You two can sort it out, no need to involve me.”

“Got it.”

“Remember to arrange your work these days. Grandfather’s birthday banquet—go home early. The night before, I’ll have someone pick you up. The venue is already booked. If you have time during the day, Cheng Si will take you to try the dishes.”

He was still the same as before, always thinking things out for her, covering every detail.

Lin Xi didn’t say much, just nodded to show she understood.

Grandfather’s birthday banquet was a major event in the compound. Among the younger generation, eldest brother Lin Chen was gone, and the second brother hadn’t returned to the country yet. So naturally, preparations fell to Qin Yu.

Although it was her grandfather, she was the youngest and benefited from her status. She never needed to worry about such matters.

When Cheng Si arrived, he lingered outside the door for two minutes.

Through the glass window, he peered in—the atmosphere seemed even worse than he’d imagined.

Qin Yu leaned against the headboard, gazing out the window.

Lin Xi sat on a chair to the side, head down, absorbed in her phone.

No communication at all!

Clearly, the problems between them were far more serious than he’d thought.

—

On the way back, Lin Xi sat in the passenger seat, eyes closed as if asleep.

Cheng Si couldn’t bear to disturb her and said nothing the entire ride.

When they reached downstairs, he gently called her name.

Lin Xi opened her eyes, clear and alert, with no trace of sleepiness.

She unfastened her seatbelt. “Third brother said the venue for grandfather’s banquet is set. Fourth brother, are you free during the day? I might trouble you to go with me to try the dishes.”

“I’m always free,” Cheng Si replied with a smile. “Anytime works for me—it’s up to you.”

“Should I take leave tomorrow?”

Lin Xi shook her head. “Let’s do it at noon.”

“Alright, just come to my office after you finish your work.”

Before getting out, Lin Xi paused, leaned in, and asked Cheng Si, “Is third brother really alright?”

“No major problems,” Cheng Si answered. “Were you scared by what I said before? You know how I am—I speak before thinking. It’s fine now, really.”

He waved her upstairs. “Go on.”

“Alright, fourth brother, take care on the road.”

For the next two days, Qin Yu seemed to fade out of Lin Xi’s life. They neither met nor contacted each other.

Lin Xi appeared unchanged, running between home and the company every day, pouring all her energy into work.

She worked overtime until midnight both days.

The deputy manager immediately reported this to Cheng Si. After a moment’s silence, Cheng Si surprisingly did not object. “Let her be. Just have security pay extra attention at the entrance.”

The night before her grandfather’s birthday banquet, Lin Xi returned to the compound to stay. Bai Xu came to find her right away.

“Xiao Xu!” Aunt opened the door and invited him in. “Auntie, is Xi Xi around? She’s not asleep, is she?”

“No, no.” Aunt pointed to the balcony. “She’s dealing with emails. Honestly, even at home she has so much work—she’s been sitting there for an hour without moving.”

“These researchers are best when busy.” Bai Xu smiled. “Contributing to the country. When her current project’s completed, our Xi Xi will really have made a name for herself.”

Aunt smiled as well. “Absolutely. Xi Xi really brings honor to the Lin family. I don’t understand much, but your fourth brother says she’s quite impressive.”

Bai Xu agreed wholeheartedly.

“Alright, go see her. I need to iron your grandfather’s clothes for tomorrow.”

After Aunt left, Bai Xu went to find Lin Xi.

He pushed open the half-closed balcony door and sat down opposite her without a word.

Lin Xi had already heard the commotion outside and wasn’t startled.

Her gaze remained fixed on the computer screen. “What do you want?”

Her tone was cold and businesslike.

“Of course it’s something important.” Bai Xu, mysterious, reached out and closed her laptop.

“...” Lin Xi hadn’t finished replying to her emails. Annoyed, she grabbed a fruit fork and struck his hand hard. “How many times have I told you—if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t always mess around!”

Bai Xu raised his brows. “Were you even listening?”

“My ears aren’t deaf.”

At her words, both their expressions changed slightly.

Lin Xi pressed her lips together, no longer able to focus on work after his interruption. “Hurry up. I need to finish my emails tonight.”

Bai Xu, rarely so accommodating, said, “Song Ning is asking around for your contact information.”

“...Mine?” Lin Xi frowned. “She’s looking for me?”

“Probably about her father’s situation.” Bai Xu munched on her fruit with the fork.

Lin Xi couldn’t help but sneer. “Am I supposed to solve something like that? She has a high opinion of me.”

That was a case of corruption and bribery. Not just her—even Cheng Si and Bai Xu couldn’t do anything about it.

“She doesn’t really want you,” Bai Xu tapped her repeatedly, and seeing her feign ignorance, he clicked his tongue and clarified, “She wants you to plead with third brother for her.”

(End of chapter)