Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng's gazes met briefly in mid-air before quickly separating.
When Duan Yiheng saw Chen Liangyi, his scalp tightened; an unprecedentedly terrible sixth sense gripped him. He abruptly looked at the old man:
"Grandpa—" "This is an employee of Yinfan Technology's business department, a subordinate of Director Zheng, holding a higher position than Manager Jiang Hulin, practically Director Zheng's confidant." The secretary, at the old man's behest, directly interrupted Duan Yiheng.
Chen Liangyi showed no fear; having already taken this step, she was ready to go all in. She glanced at Zheng Jizhong, thinking: "Every man for himself, Director Zheng, please don't blame me." She placed a stack of documents on the conference table, personally connected the projector, and said:
"I have evidence that President Duan and Miss Lin have no intimate relationship; it's all Director Zheng's doing." Lin Xi's head buzzed; her relationship with Duan Mingxuan had been exposed? Chen Jingyi's words struck her like metal on the back, leaving her stunned for a long time, unable to understand why Chen Jingyi would speak up for her. "All the photos are composites, and—" "You bitch, how dare you betray me?" Zheng Jizhong's eyes were murderous. "I never told you about Duan Yiheng and Lin Xi's relationship. The photos I took are real, absolutely no trace of fabrication." He knew his bargaining chips were unique, so he hadn't told Chen Jingyi.
Chen Jingyi gave a cold laugh, then turned to everyone and gestured for them to look at the large screen, where a series of technical analysis reports immediately appeared.
"These are expert reports from the most authoritative image analysis experts. From pixel distribution to lighting angles and shadow positions, everything has undergone special professional processing.
While Mr. Duan and Ms. Lin may have indeed been together at the time, there was absolutely no intimate behavior as seen in the emails of the board members."
"Director Zheng's act of slandering others for personal gain is utterly despicable. I also have evidence from colleagues' reports, all proving Director Zheng's violations and illegal activities."
Zheng Jizhong was about to say something when the bodyguard accompanying the old man pressed him down to sit. Lin Xi's palms were sweating, and her face was deathly pale. Facing so many stern and questioning gazes, she almost collapsed. Although she had eaten breakfast, her stomach was cramping, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
Duan Yiheng's gaze had been fixed on her. Seeing her like this, his heart clenched. "Xiao Xi," the old man called her. Lin Xi, like a robot suddenly powered on and connected to the internet, mechanically turned her gaze. "Tell me your relationship with Yi Heng yourself."
Each gaze felt like a mountain pressing down on Lin Xi, making it hard for her to breathe. Duan Yi Heng couldn't take it anymore and stepped forward to take her away. "Don't move," Lin Xi's voice pierced her throat, sharp and clear. "Don't come any closer."
Only Duan Yi Heng knew she was deeply afraid. Her eyes were resolute and unwavering. Duan Yi Heng was stunned; she had never looked at him like that before. "It's nothing."
Lin Xi took a step back, her gaze completely concealed. "We...have nothing to do with each other. He's just my older brother." "You're lying!" Duan Yi Heng gritted his teeth and stepped forward, only to be subtly blocked by his secretary. Chen Liangyi suddenly chuckled:
"Miss Lin wasn't lying. She and you really are just like siblings. She and Young Master Duan are widely recognized as childhood sweethearts." Lin Xi subconsciously looked at Chen Liangyi: "Duan Mingxuan and I—" "You and Duan Mingxuan are indeed a match made in heaven."
Chen Liangyi laughed. "If any of you directors don't believe me, you can look at the screen." Everyone looked up, and saw photos of Duan Mingxuan and Lin Xi playing on a huge screen.
The first photo showed Lin Xi getting into Duan Mingxuan's car, right across the street from the company building. Another photo showed Lin Xi hugging Duan Mingxuan at the entrance of an entertainment venue. Every angle was extremely ambiguous.
Duan Zheng was the first to react, smiling gently and harmlessly at Lin Xi: "Xiao Xi is sensible and filial; I'm very satisfied." "But what about Duan Mingxuan and me—" "I know Mingxuan wasn't good before."
Duan Zheng pressed her shoulder, "But he's recently changed those bad habits. Tomorrow he'll come to the company with me to learn; he'll get better and better. After we go back, we'll discuss your marriage with Mingxuan."
Before Lin Xi could say anything more, the meeting room was filled with peaceful congratulations to Duan Zheng and the old man. They didn't care about Lin Xi and Duan Mingxuan; they only knew that her being with Duan Yiheng would affect the company's interests and image. "I'm feeling a little unwell."
Lin Xi clutched her stomach and said to the old man, "I'll go now." Chen Liangyi, having completed her task, chased after her. At the bathroom door, she called out to Lin Xi. Lin Xi ignored her, standing by the sink, looking at her ghostly pale face in the mirror.
"Grandpa asked you to do this?" Lin Xi looked at Chen Liangyi. Chen Liangyi nodded: "So you're the adopted daughter of the Duan family. You're really lucky." Thankfully, she hadn't acted impulsively and had kept the photos of Lin Xi and Duan Mingxuan until now. Lin Xi stared intently at her:
"You've already achieved your goal of saving yourself, why are you still slandering me and Duan Mingxuan?" Chen Liangyi chuckled: "Because I know you don't like him. Lin Xi, you like President Duan, right?"
Lin Xi bit her lip tightly, before she could say anything, Duan Yiheng's voice rang out from the bathroom door: "Lin Xi, come out." Chen Liangyi turned to leave, but Lin Xi stopped her: "Shut up from now on. I'll grant your wish."
Chen Liangyi raised an eyebrow. Lin Xi tidied herself up in front of the mirror, then left the bathroom. Before Duan Yiheng could speak, she said coldly: "I don't know why you chased after me. Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"I didn't tell you I was coming here today last night. I came directly from Tiandu Yuxi this morning." "No matter what happened between us in the past, we will have no connection now or in the future. I hope you understand." "What about Duan Mingxuan?"
Duan Yiheng's eyes blazed with anger. "You admitted in front of so many people that you and Duan Mingxuan are getting married soon? Is that true?" "It's true." Lin Xi looked into his eyes. Duan Yiheng refused to believe it: "You're lying to me." "I'm not lying to you."
Lin Xi pinched his hand hard on his hand. "Please recognize yourself from now on, and recognize me too. I regretted it a long time ago, regretted having any connection with you." Duan Yiheng's body tensed; no one noticed the slight trembling of his hands hanging at his sides.
"But you are, after all, my older brother. We live under the same roof, and it's the New Year period, so I was tactful in my refusal." "I hope you can back down now, and not lose your self-respect. From this moment on, we go our separate ways."
"Duan Yiheng, I wish you a bright future and all the best." "Alright, I've finished my tasks for today, I'm leaving now." With that, Lin Xi turned and left without looking back. Duan Yiheng stood there for a long time, a startling glint in his eyes, before turning and returning to the conference room.