Chapter 106: Live With Me

"......"

As soon as Bai Xu spoke, Lin Xi furrowed her brows.

"Isn't she expecting too much?" Lin Xi scoffed coldly.

What on earth was Song Ning thinking?

She never wanted to ask Qin Yu for help with her own affairs, and now she was supposed to plead with him for Song Ning? Her mind was perfectly clear.

Even if she could swallow her pride, she would never beg Qin Yu for the sake of an unrelated outsider.

"I have to admit, Song Ning is quite clever," Bai Xu disagreed.

Surprised, Lin Xi glanced at him.

Bai Xu rarely praised anyone, especially Song Ning. She recalled that his opinion of Song Ning was anything but positive.

Sensing her confusion, Bai Xu leaned back. "She can't meet Third Brother right now, so instead of trying to find him, her chances of reaching you are much higher."

"Besides, Third Brother acted so decisively mostly because of you. She's gone straight to the root of the problem."

Lin Xi fell silent.

"Don't pin everything on me," she said, lowering her gaze and opening her laptop.

Bai Xu laughed. "No matter what, you are indeed the only variable in this matter. Only you have the ability to change Third Brother's mind."

"You're wrong. No one can change this," Lin Xi replied, multitasking as she answered emails and argued, "Even Third Brother can't. Now that the issue has been exposed and those above are taking it seriously, there's no room for negotiation."

"Her father climbed to his current position, and there are surely many who want to bring him down. Once Third Brother intervenes, he doesn't even have to do anything; others will fan the flames, and the fire will only burn brighter."

"Even if Third Brother could put an end to it now, it wouldn't benefit him at all, and he'd risk angering many people. What's the point?"

From any perspective, Lin Xi believed Qin Yu should not get involved.

"That's true," Bai Xu nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I'll help you block her next time. No one will give out your contact information, but I doubt Song Ning will give up so easily. Be careful—at your company or at home, she'll try every possible way to find you."

"Tsk." Bai Xu made it sound alarming. "You're making it seem like you're being chased by a debt collector."

It was as if Song Ning could not be avoided.

"If she has time to look for me, she'd be better off seeking out young President Wan," Lin Xi said.

At this, Bai Xu's shoulders shook with laughter. "I was just about to mention that."

"What do you mean?" Lin Xi raised her eyes, puzzled.

---

"She must have pleaded with the Wan family first, but that young man couldn't handle it. Afraid to get himself into trouble, he kicked her out immediately."

"The incident caused quite a stir. Instead of stepping in himself, the Wan family's wife publicly humiliated her."

"I even have a video—want to see it?" Bai Xu offered, pulling out his phone.

Lin Xi shot him a glare, signaling him to keep his distance. "Not interested."

"Alright," Bai Xu replied, though his hands didn't obey. He found the video and let it play automatically.

He deliberately turned the volume up, and the voices of two women arguing filled the room.

Many of the words were unfit for polite company, some of which Lin Xi had never heard before. Halfway through, she finished her email and said, "Turn it off."

"Just listen," Bai Xu put the phone on the table, kindly summarizing the content for her and even offering some commentary. "Wan's wife is quite formidable."

"Now Song Ning has been driven into a corner. Not only has she lost her steady job, but with her father's scandal, it's likely she'll never find work in the capital again."

"So she'll definitely come to you."

Bai Xu was speaking of Song Ning.

He advised Lin Xi to be extra cautious in the coming days.

"How about not staying at the company residence? I could pick you up and let you stay at my place for a while," he suggested.

Lin Xi paused, looking up at him.

Meeting her probing gaze, Bai Xu smiled with clear conscience.

"No need."

"We have good security at our community," Lin Xi told him.

"As the saying goes, better safe than sorry," Bai Xu exaggerated, hoping to persuade her to move.

"My place is pretty big—six bedrooms, take your pick. What are you afraid of?"

Lin Xi shut her laptop and looked at him seriously. "What exactly are you up to?"

His intentions were so obvious Lin Xi couldn't help but ask.

"Isn't your current place Third Brother's? Don't you want to move out?" Bai Xu smiled mysteriously, his eyes behind the lenses clouded and unreadable. "I'm only trying to help you."

"Even if I want to move, there are plenty of places I could stay. Why would I go to yours?"

"It's close. My place isn't far from Feiyun either."

Lin Xi shook her head, smiling, a little helpless. "I appreciate the offer, but I won't need it for now."

Bai Xu didn't press her. "Alright. As long as you know what you're doing."

---

Early the next morning, Lin Xi woke to a call from an unfamiliar number.

It was a number from the capital.

She had a good memory, but she'd never seen this sequence before, so it probably wasn't anyone she knew.

She didn't think much of it, and hurried out after washing up.

The old man had aged and slept little. By the time she woke, he was already eating breakfast.

Lin Xi went over, took the bowl from the housekeeper, and sat with him to finish the meal.

"Xi Xi, let's go for a walk," her grandfather suggested after breakfast.

"Alright, I'll wash my hands first," Lin Xi called from the bathroom. "Wait for me."

After washing her hands, she went back to her room to fetch a jacket, then wheeled her grandfather outside.

By this hour, the compound was bustling.

The sounds of training from the neighboring unit could be heard in the distance. Having lived here for so many years, Lin Xi was used to it and didn't find it noisy.

On the way, her grandfather stopped her to greet other elders.

A few retired commanders were discussing yesterday's chess game, and Lin Xi stood aside, letting her mind wander.

When her gaze drifted to the Bai family's gate not far off, she suddenly recalled Bai Xu's words from yesterday...

Combined with the missed call from that unfamiliar number this morning, Lin Xi couldn't help but think of Song Ning.

"Xi Xi," a senior called to her.

"Yes?"

Lin Xi withdrew her gaze and smiled gently in response.

"Did you organize your grandfather's birthday banquet yourself this time?"

"No," Lin Xi shook her head and answered honestly. "Third Brother took care of most of it."

"Qin Yu, huh? Come to think of it, we haven't seen him around the compound these days."

Lin Xi hesitated, then explained, "He's been quite busy lately, probably on a business trip. He just got back in the past couple of days, so we haven't seen him yet."