Chapter 12: I Am Begging You

On the way to the apartment, Cheng Si kept calling Qin Yu, but the line never connected.

"Damn, what are these two up to—both missing in action."

He pocketed his phone and jogged into the elevator.

Lin Xi was not at home.

Left with no options, Cheng Si hurried back to the compound. At the Lin residence, only Grandpa Lin and a housekeeper were present.

Housekeeper: "Miss Lin? Haven't seen her here today. Isn't she supposed to be at work?"

"Did she come home yesterday or the day before?"

"She came by yesterday afternoon, but left before dinner."

"Did she say anything when she was here?"

"I wouldn't know. She was talking with the old commander all afternoon; I was busy cooking."

Grandpa Lin was elderly and sometimes confused; Cheng Si couldn't ask much.

Leaving the Lin home, Cheng Si dialed another number. "Busy? Help me check on someone. She was in the capital yesterday—I need to know where she is now."

The other end was an old friend. "Do I know her?"

"You've heard of her, but never met."

"Brother Cheng, is there anyone in your circle, in the capital, whom I haven't met?" He sounded skeptical. "Who is it?"

Cheng Si: "The little princess of the Lin family."

"......"

Half an hour later, Cheng Si received some surveillance footage.

After leaving the company that morning, Lin Xi returned to her apartment, stayed briefly, then left again.

That wasn't the most important detail.

The key was the suitcase in her hand.

"Brother Cheng, I suspect Miss Lin is leaving the capital. Checking further, I found she did buy a ticket. She's flying to New York at three this afternoon, then connecting onward—final destination Boston Logan Airport."

"......" Hearing the address, Cheng Si's heart chilled. He glanced at his watch.

It was almost one o'clock.

He was about to ask someone to stop her when he ran straight into Qin Yu.

"Third Brother, why didn't you answer my calls!" At the sight of him, Cheng Si clutched his chest, finally able to breathe.

Qin Yu had just returned to the compound, intending to call Cheng Si back, but fate had them meet there by chance.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's Lin Xi! She resigned."

His posture stiffened, a frown forming between his brows. "Today?"

"Yes." Cheng Si nodded. "She didn't inform me. When I found out, I went looking for her, then discovered she bought a ticket to New York—she's already at the airport."

"Why is that girl so stubborn? Haven't you already explained everything? Fine, let her resign—but why run off?"

"Do you think... she really doesn't want to come back this time?"

Cheng Si looked up after speaking. But Qin Yu was already gone. He hurried after him, catching sight of Qin Yu getting into a car.

—

Capital International Airport, VIP lounge.

Lin Xi leaned back in her chair, still talking with her uncle on the phone.

"Did you pack everything?"

"Yes, everything's ready, not a single thing missing. Aren't you confident in me?"

Uncle: "Of course. You're the most meticulous in our family."

At his words, Lin Xi couldn't help but laugh.

Her seat was tucked away in a corner, secluded and perfect for rest. Just as she was about to hang up, she caught a glimpse through the partition—a crowd streaming in, searching for something.

From her vantage point, she assumed it was airport staff conducting inspections. Before she could look away, a "staff member" entered and checked her area.

Scanning the room, the person finally focused on her.

Lin Xi paid little attention, but the person suddenly bowed slightly to her, then turned and left.

That single gesture made her heart skip a beat. Instinctively, she looked up, following the figure as it disappeared beyond the partition.

Moments later, a tall silhouette stepped in—Qin Yu appeared, unexpectedly entering her field of vision.

"......" Such coincidence? Was he on a business trip?

They stared at each other for a few seconds, tense and wordless. Lin Xi felt, oddly, that he seemed in a foul mood.

"Xi Xi? Did the call drop?" Her uncle, on the other end, thought the signal had failed.

"No, it's fine. Uncle, something came up here. I'll hang up now and send you my flight info later."

She swiftly put away her phone. When she looked up, Qin Yu was already standing before her.

Since they'd met, she had to greet him.

She shifted, preparing to stand.

The next moment, the man's beaded hand pressed firmly on her shoulder, pushing her back into her seat.

It wasn't harsh, but there was definite force—enough to make her feel the surge of his emotions.

Stunned by the sudden push, Lin Xi leaned against the chair, staring blankly at him. The greeting on her lips turned into a question: "Third Brother?"

Qin Yu stood above her, eyes half-lidded, regarding her with a hint of scrutiny. His entire presence bore down, oppressive.

She didn't understand, tried again to rise. Who knew what had gotten into him? She disliked being watched like a lone wolf sizing up prey.

Just as she moved to get up, his hand pressed again. Lin Xi snapped, knocking his hand aside. "Qin Yu! Are you out of your mind?"

She rarely acted this way. Raised to never waste anger on trifles, never speak harshly—such things weren't worth it.

So, unpleasantness at work was always met with a smile. Yet she found, in front of Qin Yu, she truly couldn't control her emotions.

This lack of control unsettled her time and again.

His hand remained unmoving on her shoulder. When she finished, he leaned in, his familiar scent enveloping her, inescapable.

"......"

She was so startled by his closeness she couldn't speak.

"Where are you going?" Qin Yu lowered his head, faces close. His hot breath burned her cheek, making Lin Xi blush. "Running off without a word?"

"Are you interrogating me?" Whatever patience she had vanished. She ignored their proximity, eyes narrowing in anger, even smiling: "Third Brother, who decided I need to report my whereabouts to you?"

"Actually, I've had a question lately. Has Third Brother's company gone bankrupt? Do you really have nothing better to do?"

She wasn't surprised he'd figured out where she was headed.

What she didn't understand was his purpose.

He knew she resigned—but surely that didn't warrant such drama.

Thinking it over, Lin Xi concluded he was out of his mind.

All her distaste showed plainly on her face. Qin Yu saw his own reflection in her eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed several times before he spoke, voice hoarse: "You don't need to report anything to me."

"Then why—"

Qin Yu: "I'm asking you. Please tell me."

"!" Lin Xi's pupils trembled violently.

In that moment, the light in his eyes dimmed.

His gaze seemed to plead, lips trembling as he asked softly: "Why are you leaving? Lin Xi, I'm begging you for an answer."