Chapter 57: Long Time No See

Lin Xi looked at Bai Xu in surprise, her eyes flickering as she tried to discern just how much truth lay in his words.

He spoke in such a way that one could never tell which sentence was real and which was false.

"Ask anyone in the circle now, they'll all know," she said, eyes shifting, and Bai Xu instantly knew what she was thinking.

He curled his lips into a mysterious smile. "Why don't we make a guess—who could this white moonlight be?"

He pronounced each word slowly and deliberately, as if hammering them into her heart, stirring up waves.

That was Bai Xu—always eager for drama, never shying away from trouble.

Someone approached, and Lin Xi, startled like a frightened lamb, her long lashes quivering.

Across from them, Qin Yu appeared behind Bai Xu, his expression cold. He grabbed Bai Xu's collar with one hand and shoved forcefully.

Bai Xu had been prepared, leaning easily against the wall to steady himself. He was doing it on purpose, mischief in his eyes as he smiled at Qin Yu, a smile that seemed to invite a beating.

But he knew when to stop, and with a smirk, he stepped back. "Third Brother, what a coincidence. I won't disturb you, I'll go find Cheng Si."

After he left, the atmosphere hardly improved. Lin Xi belatedly realized just how intimate her conversation with Bai Xu had been.

He had clearly done it on purpose.

Judging by Qin Yu's look, he seemed to have misunderstood something.

But then again... what did that have to do with her?

She couldn't even be bothered to come up with a new excuse, so she copied Bai Xu, saying, "I'll go find Cheng Si too."

"The words I told you this morning—have you forgotten already?" Qin Yu didn't move aside; his shadow fell over her, enveloping her silhouette.

Lin Xi knew exactly what he meant.

She sighed, avoiding the topic, and started to play him at his own game.

"Third Brother, how about we play a little game?"

She pulled a coin from her pocket. "If it lands on heads, you promise me something. If it's tails, I promise you something."

"Just one round. Do you want to play?"

Qin Yu met her gaze, his dark eyes seeming to see through everything.

Lin Xi continued, "I'll take that as agreement."

With that, she tossed the coin high; it landed in her palm.

She opened her hand and, seeing the result, smiled. "It's heads."

"Then, Third Brother, please—when the grandfathers sober up, tell them none of what was said today counts."

Qin Yu replied, "Reason."

"Whatever you think is best, Third Brother."

"Fine," he said, without hesitation.

Lin Xi pocketed the coin, her smile forced yet triumphant. "Thank you, Third Brother."

This was something Qin Yu could easily refuse, but with his presence alone, he could steady both grandfathers.

For him, it was no trouble—just a matter of a single sentence.

If she were the one to break the news, Grandpa Qin would be fine, but Grandpa Bai would be troublesome.

Letting Qin Yu handle it would ensure the elders abandoned their plans completely.

As she slipped the coin back into her pocket, Lin Xi's joy was barely contained.

Perhaps she was too pleased with herself, so Qin Yu offered a "helpful" reminder:

"Next time you try to cheat, keep your hand movements smaller. Others might not be as willing to play along as I am."

When she caught the coin, she had pressed it tightly in her palm, her fingers constantly feeling which side was up. In truth, the result had been tails, but she had slyly flipped it with her finger.

"Got it!" The feeling of being exposed was no less mortifying than embarrassment in public.

"With you like this, Third Brother, it's no wonder you have so few friends."

"Do you think I need them?" he retorted, proud as ever.

"...Well, that's true. He truly didn't need friends. And if he ever did, all he had to do was beckon, and plenty would come running to serve him.

—

On Friday, Cheng Si deliberately called Lin Xi, saying there was a gathering at noon on Saturday. Lin Xi declined.

"I have no time tomorrow."

"I checked, you have no work tomorrow. Don't try to fool me with overtime. Last time we didn’t invite you to dinner, the old man found out and scolded me for half an hour. Give me some face—tomorrow, your brother will personally pick you up, isn’t that enough?"

"I really don't have time. I have other plans tomorrow."

"What could you possibly be up to? Heading back to Lin City?"

"No," Lin Xi replied, not elaborating. "Anyway, you all go ahead."

On Saturday, Cheng Si refused to give up and personally went to her residence.

He was met with a locked door. The security at the entrance told him Lin Xi had left at dawn.

"She was alone? Didn’t take anything? Luggage or something?" Cheng Si, wary from her previous disappearances, asked.

"Yes, Miss Lin was alone. She only had a small backpack. Looked quite light. She waited at the entrance a bit, then got into a taxi."

—

Back in the car, Cheng Si glanced at Qin Yu in the passenger seat and shrugged helplessly. "The girl really had something to do, not just an excuse."

Bai Xu sat in the back, putting away his phone when he heard this. "Leaving at this hour, what proper business could she have?"

Though Lin Xi was born and raised in Beijing, there were not many places she would go in the city—if she left so early, it was either for Lin City or the compound.

But now, it was neither.

"Could she be meeting someone?" Cheng Si wondered.

Bai Xu replied, "More likely she's going to visit Uncle Lin."

"The cemetery? This early?"

Cheng Si and Bai Xu analyzed the situation, each holding their own opinion.

"North of the city."

"Huh?" Both Cheng Si and Bai Xu turned to the passenger seat.

Qin Yu, who had been silent, lowered his eyes, his gaze clouded but his tone certain. "She went to see Big Brother."

—

North of the city, Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Lin Xi stood at the entrance, as if being punished, unmoving.

About an hour passed before she took a deep breath, clutched the items in her hands, and stepped through the gate.

The cemetery, at this hour, was cold and deserted.

Though she hadn’t been here in years, the location was etched in her memory, and before she realized, she was standing on familiar steps.

At the end of this side, her destination awaited.

Only a few steps remained, but as she neared, her legs went weak, all strength drained from her.

After a long while, a gentle breeze brushed her face, as if urging her forward.

Finally, dragging her numb limbs, she struggled to the end.

Squatting down, Lin Xi hesitated to lift her head, instead busied herself arranging the items she’d brought, one by one.

"Brother, long time no see."

"I’m Lin Xi, your real sister."

"You still remember, right? It’s not like you’d pretend not to know me after all these years, just out of spite."

"I’ve been back for a while now. I meant to visit you right away. Once, I even came to the gate, but couldn’t bring myself to enter."

"I thought about bringing a ‘shield’ along with me, but in the end, I came alone. I’d rather talk to you by myself."

(End of chapter)