Chapter 115: Go and Beg Qin Yu

From beginning to end, Qin Yu had never once thought of giving up.

Leaving aside everything before, just counting from the moment Lin Xi went abroad, he had already waited for more than seven years.

How could he possibly give up so easily?

Over the past few days, he had seriously reconsidered the relationship between them.

"You don't have to be like this, Third Brother." Lin Xi pursed her lips, her feelings a complex tangle. "I've already made it very clear to you. I won't fall in love with you."

"There's no need for you to waste another year on me."

In a year, Qin Yu would truly reach the age of thirty.

It was only natural that the elders in the compound were pressing him. But she felt that Qin Yu placing all his bets on her was not a rational decision.

"With that time, Third Brother, you could easily find a suitable woman whom you like and who likes you back."

"No one says it has to be me..."

Qin Yu suddenly interrupted her. "But you are indeed my only choice in all these years."

Lin Xi: "..."

"But didn't you decide to keep your distance from me just a couple of days ago?"

"Yes." Qin Yu had to admit that. It was true he loved Lin Xi. But her words that day had indeed left him with no hope.

"Then why..." Lin Xi didn't understand.

Qin Yu: "You didn't push me away just now."

"..."

Lin Xi was stunned.

That... hug just now?

"Lin Xi, if you really felt nothing for me, given your personality, you wouldn't be this hesitant."

"I won't presume to say you definitely love me, but I believe I'm not entirely nothing to you."

"I understand your concerns, and I will give our relationship a proper resolution."

"One year. During this year, if I fail to show you my sincerity, I will let go of this hope once and for all."

***

Lin Xi didn't know how she made it back home.

After washing up in a daze, she lay down in bed. The moment everything fell quiet, whether she opened or closed her eyes, Qin Yu's words echoed in her mind.

This one-year deadline of his was not just for himself, but for both of them.

Lin Xi couldn't describe what she was feeling right now.

It had all happened so suddenly.

Qin Yu's gaze just now had been too resolute, as if he intended to use this year to tear down every single obstacle standing between them.

Obstacles?

At this thought, Lin Xi frowned.

Wasn't the greatest obstacle between them right now actually herself?

All her words of rejection had been blurted out instinctively, without a second thought.

As for the true feelings in her heart, she did not even dare to peer into them.

***

The next morning, Lin Xi left the compound early.

Monday was packed with work. As soon as she entered the company, meetings began.

In the evening, Lin Xi walked out of the meeting room with Engineer Chen and a few others.

"What are we eating later? Heading to the cafeteria?"

"Let's not. It's Monday; the cafeteria food is usually mediocre." Engineer Chen turned to look at Lin Xi. "Engineer Lin, is your family sending dinner over today? Why not join us for a bite outside?"

They had to work overtime later, so they planned to grab a quick bite and come back.

Lately, Lin Xi hadn't eaten with them at all. The leak of the chat logs last time was still unresolved, and she indeed needed to find a time to have a proper talk with Engineer Chen and the team.

"Sure, let's go out to eat."

While putting away her documents, she took a moment to call the staff at Boyu Bay, telling them not to deliver dinner today.

***

The group left the company building in a lively crowd. They didn't drive, choosing instead a small Japanese restaurant nearby.

Lin Xi had little appetite and barely touched her food.

But dinner wasn't the main purpose of this gathering anyway.

"Regarding the leak of the chat logs last time, we still haven't found out who did it. Do any of you have a suspect?" As soon as Lin Xi spoke, silence fell over the table.

Those present were all close to Engineer Chen, and there were no outsiders.

After exchanging glances, they cast aside any fear of causing offense and began sharing their thoughts.

"What about you, Engineer Lin? Have you found out who it is?" after a pause, someone asked.

Lin Xi shook her head. "No. The vice president hasn't given me a response yet."

"However, I do have someone in mind."

"Who?" Engineer Chen asked eagerly.

"My assistant."

"..."

"Xiao... Xiao Xu?"

"It's just a guess." Lin Xi took a sip of sake. "I'm only sharing this to remind everyone to be more cautious when posting in the group chat."

"As for the rest, I will give everyone an explanation as soon as possible."

It wasn't that Lin Xi lacked evidence entirely; it was just not enough to confirm it was her assistant.

It was ten in the evening by the time Lin Xi returned home.

Because she was walking, she ran into Song Ning, who had been waiting for a long time at the entrance of the residential district.

The latter's eyes were bloodshot, and tears shimmered visibly in them as she looked at her. Their last meeting had been at that charity auction.

Not much time had passed, but compared to her glamorous appearance back then, Song Ning now looked thoroughly disheveled and miserable.

Lin Xi was not surprised.

Inferring from what Bai Xu had said yesterday, Qin Yu must have confronted Song Ning today. If things went smoothly, Bai Xu would have gone along as well.

No matter what Qin Yu said or did, with Bai Xu there, Song Ning was bound to have a miserable time.

Lin Xi bypassed her and walked straight toward the entrance. Song Ning immediately chased after her.

The security guards on the side, already on high alert, quickly blocked Song Ning outside.

"Lin Xi!"

Song Ning called out to her in panic.

Hearing her name, Lin Xi turned slightly. The security guard nodded to her. "Don't worry, Miss Lin. We won't let her in."

"Alright," Lin Xi replied. Without casting a single glance at Song Ning, she walked away.

Back home, Lin Xi checked her group chats while soaking in the bath.

The affairs of the Song family had recently been the talk of the town among the Capital's wealthy second-generation heirs. Scrolling casually through the chat history, she stopped at a section almost entirely about Song Ning.

Lin Xi skimmed through the messages quickly.

She got the gist of the latest news.

Song Ning's father had been suspended and was under investigation. This time, there was truly no escape for him.

Some said that the bribery charges against Father Song were framed because he had offended too many people.

However, it was hard to tell truth from rumor.

What was true and what was false did not matter at this point.

As for Song Ning, she seemed to have sold off her assets over the past few days to beg for help from various people. But currently, no one in the Capital dared to assist her.

After all, at this stage, it was no longer something that money could resolve.

Song Ning was still too naive.

Judging by her appearance tonight, she probably hadn't gotten any leeway from Qin Yu either.

The next morning, Lin Xi ran into Song Ning again on her way to work.

She looked as though she hadn't gone back at all, having waited there for her all night.

Lin Xi stopped in her tracks. "Spend your time where it matters. It's useless to come to me."

With reddened eyes, Song Ning begged her, "As long as you speak up and beg Qin Yu! My father will definitely be fine! Everything before was my fault, I'll do whatever you want! But my father did nothing wrong!"

Lin Xi smiled. "What makes you so sure that I would beg Qin Yu for your sake?"