Chapter 119: Criteria for Choosing a Partner

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Zhou Jingheng stood by the door, wearing a pair of glasses, his gentle gaze sweeping over the four people inside the private room before he stepped in.

“Second Brother!” Lin Xi quickly put down her phone and rose, so excited she didn’t even know how to greet him.

Zhou Jingheng had come straight from work, still wearing his work clothes. He opened his arms and smiled as he embraced Lin Xi.

“Xi Xi, you’re getting more and more beautiful.”

Lin Xi stepped back from his embrace, her eyes stinging. “Not really, I haven’t changed much. Maybe it’s just an illusion from not seeing each other for so long.”

Zhou Jingheng stroked her head. Through his glasses, his eyes carefully measured her from head to toe. “No change? I remember clearly—Xi Xi looks even taller than a few years ago.”

“I remember the year you first came to me,” he said, gesturing to his shoulder.

Lin Xi pressed her lips together, staring at his figure, and suddenly thought of Lin Chen.

Cheng Si and Bai Xu were still chatting with Second Brother, as if years apart left them endless things to say.

No one noticed Lin Xi’s subtle shift.

She stood quietly in the shadows nearby, silently watching the lively scene before her.

It had indeed been many years since she’d seen such a moment.

If only Lin Chen were here too…

Lin Xi turned her head away, struggling to steady her emotions. She didn’t want to spoil the mood today.

She should be happy. What kind of thing would it be if she cried now?

But the moment she saw Second Brother, she couldn’t help but think of Lin Chen.

Among all these people, the one who had the most contact with Lin Chen was Second Brother.

When she was a child and made mistakes, Cheng Si and the others would take the blame for her, but they didn’t dare challenge Lin Chen.

Only Second Brother did.

He was good at communication and always managed to get the better of Lin Chen, calming him down. So whenever she had trouble, she liked to turn to Second Brother to face Lin Chen—an approach that never failed.

Lin Xi thought no one had noticed her mood.

Until a weight fell on her shoulder, a familiar scent close, surrounding her from behind.

Suddenly, her eyes felt hot, the taut string inside her snapped, and tears burst forth uncontrollably.

Qin Yu said nothing, silently wrapping his arm around her shoulder and quietly leading her out of the private room.

By the time Cheng Si and the others realized what had happened, the two were already gone.

“Did those two just leave?” Zhou Jingheng seemed a bit surprised.

Cheng Si went “Ah,” then said, “Probably… to order food.”

He poked Bai Xu, who hesitated for a moment but then cooperated, “Probably. Second Brother, please have a seat first.”

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It was unclear whether Zhou Jingheng suspected anything. He only glanced once at the door and then, following Bai Xu’s words, walked to the main seat and sat down.

—

In the corridor around the corner, Lin Xi leaned against the wall, trying to calm her emotions.

She wasn’t someone who liked to cry, but at this moment, she simply couldn’t hold back.

Still a little choked up, Qin Yu raised his hand and gently patted her back. “No rush. Take your time.”

Lin Xi took a deep breath. Though she stopped crying, her eyes were still red-rimmed.

“I…” she wanted to explain but didn’t know how to start.

“I know,” Qin Yu whispered as he pulled her into his arms. “Lin Xi, it’s okay.”

“Next week, let’s find the right time to visit Big Brother together.”

The day before Lin Xi’s birthday was also the anniversary of Lin Chen’s passing.

She had always wanted to go with them to see Lin Chen but never knew how to bring it up.

Fortunately, Qin Yu knew everything.

Just like back then, when she couldn’t speak, a single look was enough for him to understand what she wanted.

It had to be admitted: since her brother left, no one seemed to understand her better than Qin Yu.

—

Lin Xi gathered herself as quickly as possible and returned to the private room with Qin Yu, one after the other.

Her eyes were still slightly red, and it was obvious at a glance what had happened.

But when they returned, Second Brother and the others only paused briefly before, as if noticing nothing, changed the topic.

“Xi Xi, are you working with Xiao Si now?”

“Yes,” Lin Xi nodded. “The specialty fits well.”

“That’s good.” Second Brother smiled, eyes squinting warmly. Though only thirty-something, he gave off the gentle aura of a seasoned official.

This feeling didn’t seem out of place on him.

Perhaps it was related to his work. He always appeared easygoing and refined, without a trace of harshness.

Among all these diverse characters, he seemed somewhat out of place.

He had none of the arrogance of a wealthy heir; instead, he was humble.

Perhaps it was because of his parents.

Most of the older generation in the institute were businessmen, with a few involved in politics.

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Second Brother’s parents belonged to that minority.

“Second Brother, will you be staying in Jing City for good now?”

“Hard to say,” Zhou Jingheng was fond of looking people in the eye when speaking, but never in an uncomfortable way. “The current plan is that I probably won’t leave Jing in the short term.”

Lin Xi asked, “What about Uncle and Aunt? When will they be back?”

“In a few days. I just spoke with them on the phone yesterday. They said if they have time next week, they’ll come to visit.”

Lin Xi wanted to ask more, but seeing this, Bai Xu suddenly took the opportunity to interject.

“Hey, Second Brother, after all these years abroad, haven’t you settled your personal life yet?”

At this, everyone else present turned to look at Zhou Jingheng.

Lin Xi and the others handled it well enough, but Qin Yu wasn’t one for gossip. His interest in this matter now was all because of Lin Xi.

Though she said she wasn’t that fond of Second Brother, her attitude told a different story, forcing Qin Yu to think deeply.

It had always been like this.

In every choice between two, Qin Yu couldn’t remember how many times Lin Xi had chosen to abandon him.

When standing beside Second Brother, Lin Xi wouldn’t even glance at him.

So he simply couldn’t believe what she was saying now.

Zhou Jingheng didn’t find Bai Xu’s question awkward and answered without hesitation, smiling, “No.”

“Too busy with work.”

Bai Xu said, “Then now that you’re back, you should consider the big matters in your life. Have Uncle and Aunt been nagging?”

“No nagging, but…” Zhou Jingheng seriously considered his words and nodded in agreement. “It’s definitely time to think about it.”

With Lin Chen gone, he was now the eldest in their generation at the institute.

He had even talked about it with his eldest aunt over the phone. No matter what, he had to set an example.

“What kind of person does Second Brother like? Cheng Si knows quite a few girls; let him introduce someone for you.”

For once, Bai Xu said something sensible, and Cheng Si eagerly chimed in, “Yeah, Second Brother, tell us your standards. I know Jing City better than you do. I’m sure I can find the right one for you.”

Zhou Jingheng thought for a moment. “No special standards. Just someone I click with.”

Bai Xu thought he was being dismissive and was about to ask more, when suddenly his leg on the table was kicked hard by someone.

(End of chapter)