Chapter 8: You're Not Wearing Your Hearing Aid?

This apartment near Cheng Si’s company isn’t particularly large—just over two hundred square meters—but for Lin Xi, living alone, it’s more than enough. She returned from abroad with only two suitcases; the rest of her belongings had yet to be shipped by her uncle. With so few things, she finished unpacking less than an hour after sending Qin Yu away.

Knowing Lin Xi had moved here, her aunt came by early the next morning, bringing household essentials. As she arranged flowers in a vase, her aunt asked about Lin Xi’s recent days at the company.

“How’s the new job? Are you getting used to it?”

“It’s all good, you needn’t worry,” Lin Xi replied.

Once assured Lin Xi was adjusting well, her aunt shifted the conversation. “Your third brother and Song Ning’s wedding still hasn’t been settled.”

Lin Xi’s hand slipped as she held the scissors, cutting a flower stem a bit too short. She tugged at the corner of her mouth, placed the rose in the vase, and answered casually, “Didn’t they get engaged before?”

Her aunt, oblivious to Lin Xi’s subtle reaction, continued, “They talked about setting the date years ago. I remember saying you couldn’t attend since you were abroad. Somehow, it’s been delayed until now. But it works out—you’re back in the country and can be there.”

“Mm.”

“Say, Xi, you haven’t met Song Ning yet, have you?”

Lin Xi didn’t answer.

Regarding the Song family, she knew little—just that Song Ning’s father worked in government and had relocated to Jing City a few years ago due to a job transfer. Song Ning and Qin Yu were college classmates; Song Ning had majored in broadcasting and now hosted a show at Jing City’s main station.

“You youngsters get along well. Has your third brother ever mentioned marriage?”

“I’ve just returned. I’ve hardly seen him.”

“That’s true,” her aunt nodded. “How are things with Lu Bei lately? He was late last time because of work. I think he’s a good kid—maybe not as steady as your third brother, but still excellent.”

The topic made Lin Xi’s head ache.

“We can talk about it later. There’s no rush.”

“That won’t do—you’re turning twenty-five soon. It’s time to start considering it.” Her aunt hadn’t intended to pressure her, but with all the elders in the family growing old except Lin Xi, she worried that once they were gone, Lin Xi would be truly alone.

“There are plenty of people in the courtyard older than me. Even Fourth Brother hasn’t settled yet.”

Her aunt scolded, “Always bringing them up. I really should urge them, or else you’ll keep using that excuse.”

Since childhood, Lin Xi had habitually brought up Cheng Si and the others to deflect attention. Being the youngest in the courtyard, whenever she mentioned them, the elders would stop pressing her.

Having escaped once again, Lin Xi smiled and shrugged, dismissing the issue from her mind.

—

On Friday evening, Feiyun Technology’s R&D department left work early for a dinner Lin Xi was hosting. No one knew where she’d chosen, assuming it was just a simple meal, so they hadn’t thought much of it. When they arrived, the group stood dumbfounded on the roadside, staring up at the opulent entertainment club across the street, mouths agape in shock.

“Lin… Lin Engineer, are we really… are we really eating here?” Engineer Chen stammered, exchanging bewildered glances with his colleagues.

This place was known as the exclusive haunt of Jing City’s wealthy heirs, located in the city’s busiest commercial district. Rumor had it the club operated on a membership system, with “admission tickets” costing a million each; ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to glance at it as they passed.

Lin Xi walked ahead, answering, “Yes. It’s close to the company, so it’s convenient.”

Everyone: “…Is convenience really the issue here?”

Seeing her calm demeanor, the group suppressed their nervousness and quickly followed. At the entrance, a waiting attendant recognized Lin Xi immediately and stepped forward.

“Good evening, Miss Lin.” He gestured for her to proceed.

Inside the grand hall, silence reigned; only footsteps echoed, with not a single extraneous sound. Attendants lined either side, smiling and bowing, greeting Lin Xi: “Good evening, Miss Lin.”

As the group walked, they looked around curiously, some startled by the grandeur. Behind them, Lin Xi’s assistant whispered to a colleague, “Online rumors say each chandelier here costs a million. I wonder if it’s true…”

“It’s true, ma’am,” the attendant in front replied, turning to her. “All the lighting fixtures you see in the hall are custom-made. These chandeliers, in particular, are indeed worth a million each.”

At this, several people gasped, their glances toward Lin Xi becoming noticeably more cautious.

Lin Xi had been employed for a week, but they knew little about her. They only knew she was familiar with Mr. Cheng, and she’d studied abroad. As for her family background, she never mentioned it. Many tried to probe, but she always sidestepped the questions.

Her mysteriousness fueled speculation—everyone guessed she had a notable background, but none imagined her status was so extraordinary.

—

By the elevators, an attendant pressed the button. Lin Xi idly rolled the beads on her wrist, gazing ahead with composure.

The neighboring elevator doors opened first, and a few people stepped out. Then, a woman’s voice sounded nearby, “Lin Xi?”

The voice seemed familiar, and Lin Xi frowned slightly, turning her head. She saw a woman in an elegant strapless cocktail dress, makeup meticulously done.

“Song Ning?! Is that you, Song Ning!” Before Lin Xi could respond, her assistant behind her erupted in excitement.

Song Ning smiled, “Yes, I am. Hello!”

“It’s really you! I adore your show! You look even prettier in person than on TV!”

“And me! I’m a huge fan, too!” Other colleagues rushed forward.

“Thank you, you’re lovely as well.” Song Ning then turned her gaze back to Lin Xi. “It really is you, Xi. When did you return? Qin Yu never mentioned it.”

Lin Xi’s expression remained impassive; she murmured a faint “Mm,” and said nothing more.

Her demeanor suggested she barely knew Song Ning.

Seeing this, the crowd fell silent, their eyes flicking between the two women. After a few seconds, the assistant ventured, “Lin Engineer, do you know Song Ning?”

Lin Xi kept her gaze fixed ahead, not sparing them a glance. “We’ve met. Not close.”

The contrast was stark—one warm, one cold.

Sensing something, the assistant quickly shut up.

Song Ning stepped closer, her eyes lingering at Lin Xi’s ear. “I just noticed you’re not wearing a hearing aid. Is your hearing recovered?”

“It seems you speak more fluently now, too. Not like before, when you could barely get the words out—it was heartbreaking. You’ve changed so much over the years, grown even more beautiful.”

Her words revealed much; the group held their breath, becoming silent observers.

At last, Lin Xi’s indifferent face betrayed a flicker of expression. She crossed her arms and turned slightly, raising her brows to meet Song Ning’s gaze.

“Not as beautiful as Miss Song. Seven years have passed, and you haven’t changed a bit. Your words are still as sharp as ever.”