Chapter 171 Sleep Well

After finishing the equipment debugging, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Lin Xi first called Cheng Sitong. After discussing work, Cheng Sitong asked about personal matters.

“Have you called Third Brother yet?”

“When?” Lin Xi’s fingers were still tapping on the keyboard, her attention focused on the computer, so she didn’t immediately catch Cheng Sitong’s meaning.

Cheng Sitong sighed, thinking she was like a blockhead. “From the moment you got off the plane until now, haven’t you said anything to Third Brother?”

“...” Lin Xi froze her hands upon hearing that.

Hearing the keyboard stop on the other end, Cheng Sitong understood immediately.

“When will you finish? Hurry up and call Third Brother, or at least send him a message.”

“Don’t you think you should have told him when you landed?”

“I already posted in the group,” Lin Xi replied weakly.

Since she was on a business trip this time, her second brother and the others had been asking too.

Qin Yu had naturally contacted her as well.

But replying to each individually was too troublesome. She was busy at the time, so she just posted in the group, thinking it was convenient for everyone to see.

She hadn’t given it much thought beyond that.

Cheng Sitong was speechless at her words and rubbed his forehead.

Lin Xi realized this wasn’t quite right and said, “I’ll wrap this up and call him now.”

“Alright, alright. I’m hanging up now. Get back to work.”

Cheng Sitong didn’t bother her again.

After hanging up, Lin Xi typed a line of code on the computer. After two seconds, she picked up her phone, opened the chat with Qin Yu, and without hesitation, pressed dial.

“Hello?”

Because of the time difference, Lin Xi wasn’t sure if Qin Yu would answer.

But to her surprise, the moment she put down her phone, Qin Yu’s voice came through.

He answered almost instantly.

It seemed as if he had been waiting for her call all along.

Lin Xi was momentarily stunned but quickly spoke, “Third Brother, it’s me.”

“I know,” he said.

After a pause, he asked, “Are you done with work?”

“...” Hearing that question, Lin Xi felt a hint of sarcasm.

But on reflection, Qin Yu wasn’t that kind of person.

He just assumed she had only just finished since she was now calling.

Lin Xi: “Not yet.”

Hearing her answer, Qin Yu was slightly taken aback. “Then why are you calling me?”

“I’m not busy now, just some leftover tasks. It’ll be done soon.”

“I was a bit rushed after getting off the plane, then had dinner, and was debugging equipment, so I forgot to reply to you.”

“No worries. I saw your message in the group,” Qin Yu replied.

At that, Lin Xi cleared her throat. “There were just too many messages at the time. I thought this would be easier.”

Qin Yu chuckled softly, his voice low and pleasant. “I know.”

“No need to explain. I don’t blame you.”

“I know you’re very busy this time. Just let me know you arrived safely.”

“Alright,” Lin Xi responded. “Is it still morning back home? Are you heading to the office now?”

“On the way.”

“Then...” Lin Xi was about to say something when Qin Yu spoke.

“There’s still a ways to go, some traffic. I should be able to stay with you until you finish your work. I’m just reviewing a document.”

“Aren’t you still a bit busy?”

“Ah, right, I’ll be done soon.”

“Okay, focus on your work.”

Lin Xi understood his meaning, put down the phone, and said softly, “...Alright.”

Just like long ago, he worked while she studied, not disturbing each other but accompanying one another in silence.

Gathering her thoughts, Lin Xi looked at the screen and continued typing code.

She deliberately eased her keystrokes, fearing the noise might disturb him.

Easing her movements also slowed her pace, stretching out the time unintentionally.

Neither spoke again.

Apart from the scattered sound of her keyboard, the only other sound was the rustling of paper on his end.

After some time, noticing her keystrokes had grown faint and intermittent, Qin Yu finally spoke.

“What time do you leave tomorrow?”

“Seven in the morning,” Lin Xi replied. “It’s too late tonight to go to the exhibition. I’ll go early tomorrow to set up. The exhibition officially starts at ten.”

“When will you return? Next Wednesday? There’s an event on Friday, might need you to come with me.”

“What event?”

“Something within our circle,” he said succinctly.

Lin Xi’s hand resting on the mouse tapped lightly, testing. “Will Fourth Brother and the others be there?”

“No.”

“...” Hearing that, Lin Xi had a rough idea.

“If I remember correctly, last time you were Bai Xu’s plus-one. Since you helped him, you should be able to come with me this time, right?”

Lin Xi was speechless.

She thought for a moment and said, “Probably? I’m not sure.”

“For now, it’s set for Wednesday, but it might change. The exhibition lasts seven days, but we might need to pack up after.”

Lin Xi calculated carefully. “At most, a day or two delay, nothing too late. Fourth Brother said he’d try to come in the last few days. If he does, I can be back by Wednesday.”

“If you return Wednesday, considering travel time, I can make it. If it’s delayed... probably not.”

After she spoke, there was a sudden silence on the other end. Lin Xi thought Qin Yu might have misunderstood her as making excuses. Hesitant, she said,

“I’ll discuss with the team tomorrow. It should be fine.”

After a few seconds, Qin Yu explained, “I had another call earlier.”

Then he said, “It’s fine if you come back. A day or two earlier or later doesn’t matter.”

“I just worry you won’t come back.”

“...” That was a heavy remark.

Lin Xi didn’t know how to respond.

“Ahem, it’s not like that.”

“I’ll visit Uncle the day before I finish and won’t stay here.”

“I know,” Qin Yu joked with her. “Finished with work?”

“Done.” Lin Xi shut down her computer. “Shall we call it a day?”

It was indeed late for her and she had to get up early tomorrow. She found it difficult to fall asleep in a new environment, so it was time for bed.

“Yeah, good night.”

Lin Xi held the phone gently and whispered, “Good night.”

“Put the bracelet under your pillow and sleep well,” he said.

Qin Yu knew she often had restless dreams at night—good or bad—affecting her rest. So he never wished her sweet dreams. For her, sleeping well was already a struggle.

Whether it was his words or the incense bead bracelet’s effect, Lin Xi truly slept soundly that night.

When she woke early the next morning, she still felt a bit dazed and lethargic.

She checked the time repeatedly, then opened her sleep monitoring app to confirm she had slept deeply.

She hadn’t woken up once during the night.

Lin Xi carefully retrieved the bracelet from under her pillow and slipped it back onto her wrist.