Chapter 111: A Posture Easily Misunderstood

Lin Xi found it pointless to reason with him any further, nor did she wish to continue the conversation. She had come simply to settle accounts, no more words, just a beating and then they could talk.

Bai Xu reclined on his chair, not moving at all, letting her vent her anger as she pleased. From time to time, he even tossed out a mocking remark:

“Can’t you use a little more strength? Hitting someone shouldn’t feel like a massage.”

“I don’t mind if you use some tools,” he added, his gaze carrying a certain suggestiveness.

At first, Lin Xi didn’t get his meaning, but as realization dawned, she slapped him again. The slap wasn’t especially hard, but landed squarely on his face, catching his cheek and jaw.

Bai Xu turned his head, stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised it and seized her offending hand, yanking it hard.

Lin Xi, fearing he might retaliate, took a step back.

But her foot slipped, and with the force of his pull, she stumbled right onto him.

“Let go!”

Bai Xu ignored her demand. With one hand he gripped her chin, turning her face from side to side. “If I hit you back, you’d be hiding from people for a month,” he said.

Lin Xi glared at him, just as defiant. “Try it and see what happens.”

She was afraid, yes, but to be honest, Bai Xu would never hit her.

With a snort of laughter, his feigned fierceness dissolved instantly. His fingers hooked under her chin, gently scratching as if to tease her, his intentions clear.

“Threatening me?” Bai Xu smirked. “Tsk, I quite like this side of you.”

“There won’t be a next time,” he added, clearly not intending to pursue the matter.

“Xi Xi…”

A frail, elderly voice called out nearby. Lin Xi stiffened, pulling free of Bai Xu’s hand and straightening up.

Bai Xu rose too.

Not far away stood not only Grandpa Bai, but also Qin Yu and Cheng Si.

Their expressions shifted from delight to blankness, then to shock—each of them harboring their own thoughts.

Recalling the scene just now: Lin Xi had been standing to the side of the chair, half draped over Bai Xu after his tug.

It was nothing, really, but from a distance, it was easy to misinterpret.

“Well, let’s go inside and eat,” Grandpa Bai said cheerfully, waving Lin Xi over without a hint of inquiry.

Lin Xi hesitated, wanting to explain. “I just lost my balance and tripped.”

Grandpa Bai gave her a knowing look.

Seeing this, Lin Xi pursed her lips and said no more.

The more you explain, the more suspicious it sounds; best to leave it at that.

Lin Xi supported Grandpa Bai as they returned to the house, not bothering to check if the others followed.

—

As soon as Lin Xi left, Bai Xu casually straightened his jacket. “You two looking for me?”

Neither of them made a move to leave—clearly, something was up.

Qin Yu glanced at him, said nothing, and walked away. Cheng Si watched Qin Yu’s retreating back, then grabbed Bai Xu by the collar. “What’s going on between you and Lin Xi?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? Exactly what you saw.”

Cheng Si was speechless.

“Do you actually like Lin Xi and want to be with her, or are you trying to match her up with Third Brother?”

Cheng Si, usually so sharp, was thoroughly baffled by Bai Xu at this point.

Others might not notice, but he and Qin Yu could see it plainly. Bai Xu’s feelings for Lin Xi were all too obvious.

He liked her.

By all estimations, Bai Xu’s affection for Lin Xi might have predated even Third Brother’s.

It wasn’t surprising, really. The two of them were closest in age, had grown up together, attended the same schools. They’d truly spent their days side by side.

It made sense for Bai Xu to fall for her.

He was a strange one himself; despite his good looks and privileged background, few girls dared get close to him.

Around him, within his gaze, there was only Lin Xi.

And yet, for all that, sometimes Bai Xu’s actions seemed to contradict the obvious conclusion.

Especially given recent events.

Bai Xu knew too many secrets. He could have kept them to himself for a lifetime. Lin Xi would certainly never bring them up, and as long as Bai Xu remained silent, Qin Yu would never know, would never have sought Lin Xi out or confessed his feelings from years ago.

Evidently, Bai Xu had intended to play matchmaker.

But by some twist of fate, Lin Xi’s heart remained closed, unmoved.

So now Cheng Si was uncertain, unable to tell if Bai Xu liked Lin Xi for himself or truly wanted to help Third Brother.

“Good question.” It was the first time Cheng Si had asked so bluntly. Bai Xu leaned against the railing, a smile lingering in his eyes.

Did he like Lin Xi?

He supposed so.

But who could say for certain?

He himself wasn’t sure.

“I’d like to know that myself,” he replied, as ambiguous as ever, his tone perfunctory.

Yet he truly didn’t know. Or, to be more precise, he didn’t dare to know his own heart.

Because, in the end, it no longer mattered.

After all, no matter what, Lin Xi would never love him.

“What are you thinking, really? Can’t you just be honest with me?”

“My thoughts are simple. Lin Xi will marry someone eventually. If she’s to marry someone else, it might as well be Third Brother. That’s all.”

Yes, someday there would be someone by Lin Xi’s side—someone was bound to appear for her.

That person could be anyone, except him.

So, given the choice, why not push her toward Qin Yu?

He’d never liked that cousin Qin Yu since childhood, but he had to admit, Qin Yu’s feelings for Lin Xi were absolutely genuine.

And besides, their two families were already so close. It was the best arrangement.

Cheng Si finally understood. “So you want to help Third Brother too?”

At this, Bai Xu rolled his eyes, yanking his collar free. “You’re overthinking it.”

“I’m not helping Third Brother. I’m helping Lin Xi.”

Cheng Si narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure Lin Xi still likes Third Brother?”

But judging by Lin Xi’s reaction… it didn’t seem so.

He might have believed it before, but now, he honestly couldn’t tell.

Bai Xu replied, “You want to know? Why should I tell you?”

Cheng Si took a deep breath, restraining his temper.

“We can trade. You tell me first—was that sentence Aunt relayed seven years ago true?”

“Which sentence?” Cheng Si grew wary.

“Third Brother supposedly said he would never like someone who was half-deaf and half-mute. Aunt claimed those were his exact words.”

Cheng Si froze.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“I really don’t,” Cheng Si insisted. “I wasn’t even in the capital then, and you know that.”

“And afterward? Did Third Brother ever mention it?”

“How would that even come up? But honestly, that doesn’t sound like something he’d say,” Cheng Si said after a pause. “Tell you what, I’ll sound him out when I get back.”

(End of chapter)