Chapter 112: Is There a Misunderstanding?

Staring at Bai Xu for quite some time, Cheng Si asked with a grim expression, “Did Lin Xi tell you this herself?”

It wasn’t that he doubted Lin Xi; he simply didn’t trust Bai Xu.

Such pointed words hardly seemed like something Qin Yu would say, especially to Lin Xi.

If anyone knew Qin Yu’s feelings for Lin Xi, it was him. Qin Yu treasured her—how could he possibly humiliate her this way?

The intent to sow discord was far too obvious.

So he couldn’t help but suspect Bai Xu.

“More or less,” Bai Xu replied. After a few seconds of silence, Cheng Si suddenly raised his head, finally understanding something.

“Did those words really hit Lin Xi hard back then?”

Bai Xu shrugged and smiled. Seeing that expression, Cheng Si felt a cold emptiness in his heart.

“But those don’t sound like something Third Brother would say.”

“We see things as outsiders, so it’s easy to spot the problem at a glance. But what about Lin Xi back then?”

“What right do you have to blame her for misunderstanding Third Brother in that tone?”

“In the end, whether those were Third Brother’s exact words or not, this all traces back to Auntie. Third Brother isn’t entirely innocent, either.”

Cheng Si was stumped, “I agree with that.” Putting himself in Lin Xi’s shoes, he could completely understand her feelings at the time.

But in all this, the root cause had never been Qin Yu, though now he had to bear the blame in silence.

It was infuriating.

Bai Xu spread his hands, “Then why bother arguing?”

“So you know this probably wasn’t Third Brother’s actual words, yet you’re still asking me these questions?” Cheng Si knew Bai Xu had another motive.

“If those were Third Brother’s words, then he deserves it. If not, then he should find out who said them as soon as possible. Someone needs to take responsibility.”

“At the very least, an apology is due, isn’t it?”

Only then did Cheng Si realize Bai Xu’s real target was Aunt Rong.

“And you—are you sure Lin Xi still likes Third Brother?”

A few years ago, Cheng Si could easily see through Lin Xi’s little secrets; whether she liked someone or not was obvious.

But now, he truly couldn’t read her.

Not just Lin Xi, but Qin Yu and Bai Xu as well.

Tsk, he was growing more and more confused.

Bai Xu wore an inscrutable expression, thought for a moment, then replied, “I’m not certain if she likes him now. She—well, I doubt even she understands her own heart.”

“…” Cheng Si was about to curse him—what kind of answer was that? But then he heard Bai Xu add, in a slow drawl, “But I can guarantee—Third Brother is her only choice.”

---

Bai Xu’s words carried a certain philosophical weight.

Her only choice.

Those words, honestly, sounded quite impressive at first.

“Believe it or not, I’ll vouch for it. Her feelings for Third Brother can’t be hidden; sooner or later, they’ll show.”

With Bai Xu’s assurance, Cheng Si felt a bit more confident.

“That makes things easier. Since they both feel this way, there’s no need for this stalemate. If we quietly create some opportunities for them, won’t that settle it?”

Almost a sure thing.

On hearing this, Bai Xu gave him a sideways glance, as if he were looking at a fool. “If the fundamental problem isn’t solved, what’s the use of giving them opportunities?”

“There haven’t been enough chances lately, both in plain sight and behind the scenes?”

After speaking, Bai Xu snorted coldly, face full of disdain.

Cheng Si: “…” The words weren’t pleasant, but thinking carefully, they were true.

Since Lin Xi returned from abroad, not to mention Third Brother’s own efforts, even he and Bai Xu had done plenty of questionable things behind the scenes.

The fundamental problem… Cheng Si frowned, “This problem isn’t easy to fix.”

The issue had always been Aunt Rong.

She was, after all, Third Brother’s own mother.

Definitely a tricky situation.

As an outsider, Cheng Si couldn’t interfere.

He looked at Bai Xu, “I can’t do much, but you’re at least a member of the Bai family.”

“You think too highly of me.” Bai Xu was about to curse. When there’s good news, no one thinks of him; when it’s trouble, he’s first on the list.

“I’m not getting involved, either. If Third Brother can’t solve it himself, he might as well give up on Lin Xi. No point wasting each other’s feelings.”

If he could have resolved it, he would have long ago—not waited until now.

After all, she was his aunt.

His father’s full-blooded sister.

He was famous for being unruly, but in this matter, as a younger relative, he truly had no way.

He wasn’t afraid of the old man’s side, but his mother would be hard to answer to.

---

At the evening family dinner, Uncle didn’t let the elders drink, and only juice was served.

Lin Xi wasn’t very hungry; after a few bites, she was full.

But at this hour, it wasn’t appropriate to leave early, so she sat by the side, passing the time with fruit.

---

When the elders finished eating and prepared to rest, Lin Xi finally got up.

Qin Yu and the others were still eating. Old Master Qin glanced over, raised his hand, and signaled to Lin Xi, “Xi Xi, you’re done eating?”

“Yes.” Lin Xi approached, unsure.

“Then help Grandpa back, I need to take my medicine.”

On hearing this, Qin Yu put down his chopsticks. “I’ll take you back.”

“No need, you keep eating,” Old Master Qin waved him off, then beckoned Lin Xi.

Lin Xi nodded, “Alright, I’ll walk you back.”

The Qin residence was set further in, but not far from the Lin family; walking slowly, it was only five or six minutes away.

As a child, she used to run to the Qin house to find Qin Yu—her memory made it seem just around the corner, so close.

Supporting Grandpa Qin, Lin Xi walked slowly. At this hour, the compound was quiet, no one strolling outside, and they met no one on the way.

“Xi Xi,” the old man patted her hand.

“Hmm?” Lin Xi snapped out of her thoughts.

“Did your Third Brother stay in the hospital a few days ago?”

“…”

Lin Xi was stunned, unsure how to answer.

Grandpa Qin smiled, “You don’t need to be afraid, I’m just asking. Cheng Si and Bai Xu won’t tell me the truth, but I can still find out. I just want to know the real reason.”

Lin Xi was choked up. She had even less ability to answer this question.

“Your Third Brother has always known his limits, whatever he does. No one outside could make him drink; this is the first time he got himself in such a state.”

“You know, he never wants to talk about his troubles at home, so Grandpa can only ask you.”

How could Lin Xi not understand? Grandpa Qin wasn’t unaware of the real reason—he was asking precisely because he knew.

So she had no room to lie.

“It’s probably… a bit related to me.” She lowered her head.

“Was it some kind of misunderstanding?”

Lin Xi shook her head. “No misunderstanding. It’s just…”

She didn’t know where to begin, words stuck in her throat.

(End of chapter)