Chapter 143: Are You Here to Share Good News, Too?

Lin Xi’s words effectively cut off the rest of what Elder Cheng was about to say.

Elder Cheng stared at her with a vacant expression for a moment before letting out a long, weary sigh. "Don't blame your grandfather, Xixi. I just can't stop worrying about your Fourth Brother..."

Lin Xi was not skilled at comforting people, but fortunately, Zhou Jingheng was there.

Once the elder had been consoled, Lin Xi spoke up slowly. "Actually, Fourth Brother has his own plans."

She knew the logic—she had promised her aunt just that afternoon not to interfere—but when it came to moments like this, she couldn't help herself.

"I know, I know all of that." Elder Cheng looked at the ceiling, appearing deeply saddened. "I don't want to force him like this either."

"But ever since I took that fall two years ago, my health has been failing day by day. You don't need to comfort me; I know my own body best."

"I feel like I'm just hanging on by a thread now. My only wish is to see Cheng Si and the Cheng family doing well."

"I hope that one day there will be someone by his side. I truly can't rest easy knowing he is always alone."

"I also know I should find someone he likes. But these past few years, he hasn't put any heart into such matters at all. I don't even know if that’s a good thing or not."

In their social circle, most people of Cheng Si’s age had rather colorful private lives. Only the likes of Cheng Si and his peers lived as if they had come straight out of a monastery.

Among the group, Cheng Si was actually the only one who had ever been in a relationship, though that was a puppy-love affair from many years ago. It was easy to see, then, just how anxious Elder Cheng was.

"Of course I know he doesn't like me introducing people to him, but since he won't date on his own and shows no urgency, I really have no other choice."

They had spoken privately many times, but Cheng Si always brushed him off, claiming he was too busy with work.

"Xixi, dear, Grandpa really likes you. That’s why I had this idea. Please don't mind it; I didn't mean anything else by it. If you like it, that’s best, but if you don’t, that’s fine too." Elder Cheng patted her hand.

"Originally, I didn't want to ask you. But that girl from the Su family... well, never mind."

"I heard about that." Lin Xi pursed her lips, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Matters like these really can't be rushed. Tell you what, I'll keep an eye out for Fourth Brother; just in case someone suitable turns up."

"As for the one from the Su family, I doubt Fourth Brother likes her much anyway. You should put this matter aside for now."

"Exactly," Zhou Jingheng urged. "Focus on your health, and we’ll take the rest slowly. No one can predict how feelings will develop."

"Perhaps Cheng Si will meet someone he likes tomorrow. Love at first sight is always a possibility." Compared to the idea of a marriage alliance where affection grows over time, he felt that given Cheng Si’s temperament, love at first sight was a more plausible scenario.

"I hope so." Elder Cheng felt helpless. "I don't ask for a match in status anymore; as long as the family background is clean and the girl is kind, that's enough. Ideally... he’d like her too."

"Let it be up to him."

"Xixi, Jingheng..." Elder Cheng called out to them.

"We’re right here. What is it?" Zhou Jingheng leaned in closer.

"Grandpa would like to ask you for a favor... After I'm gone, please make sure you don't cut ties with Cheng Si. His friends out there are all rather unreliable. With you two by his side, I could rest a little easier."

"We will make sure he's well taken care of."

—

When the two of them left the Cheng residence and were nearly at the Lin family home, they ran into Bai Xu, who was jogging out to meet them.

"Finished with your work?" Zhou Jingheng asked with a smile.

"Yeah." Bai Xu had originally said he would be back by evening, but he hadn't finished until after dinner. He scanned the two of them. "What did Elder Cheng say?"

"You can probably guess," Lin Xi shrugged.

Bai Xu had indeed guessed. As Lin Xi started to walk away, he grabbed her.

"?" Lin Xi looked up. "Let’s talk about whatever it is when we get back." The evening wind was strong, and she was dressed thinly; she didn't want to stay outside for long.

"I’m afraid you can’t wait until you get back to hear this."

"..." Lin Xi frowned. "Why does that sound like you're cursing me?" It sounded off, strange, and not like anything good.

Zhou Jingheng chose to withdraw. "I'll head back now."

"Second Brother," Bai Xu quickly called out, stopping him. "You can’t go. This matter involves you, too."

Zhou Jingheng: "..."

"I was just at your place," Bai Xu said to Lin Xi. "The moment I walked in, I heard them talking about you and Second Brother being at the Cheng house. I listened for a while, then called Cheng Si."

"And?" Lin Xi frowned.

"Cheng Si's line was busy. So I called Third Brother. Third Brother said Cheng Si was on the phone with Elder Cheng."

"From what Cheng Si relayed, it sounds like the old man really wants you and Cheng Si to pursue something." As he spoke, Bai Xu carefully observed the expressions of the two people in front of him. "Is it true?"

Lin Xi nodded, not bothering to hide it. "He did bring it up, but I refused."

"Then you’re done for."

"Why?"

"It seems Elder Cheng didn't mention your refusal, and Third Brother seems to have misunderstood."

"..." Lin Xi choked. "Wh-what is there to misunderstand about that?"

"Hiss," Bai Xu calculated carefully. "At this hour, Cheng Si is probably getting a beating right about now."

Lin Xi and Zhou Jingheng: "..."

—

Back in her room, Lin Xi’s first instinct was to call Qin Yu. But she hesitated, not knowing what to say. What if Bai Xu was just teasing her? That had happened plenty of times before.

After thinking it over, she called Cheng Si first. She didn't know if he was truly getting beaten, but the phone rang for a long time without an answer. She calculated the time difference; it should still be morning over there.

With no other choice, she called Qin Yu. The phone rang three times, and just as she was about to hang up—assuming he was busy with important matters—the sound of rustling suddenly came through the line, followed by Qin Yu’s voice.

"Lin Xi."

"Oh." Lin Xi paused, her mind going blank for a second. She quickly spoke up, "It's me. Are Third Brother and Fourth Brother busy? I couldn't get through to Fourth Brother."

"Yes, we're in a meeting."

"I see." Lin Xi confirmed that Bai Xu had been talking nonsense. "Then I won't disturb you..."

The man’s voice was low as he interrupted her. "Did you only call me to check what Cheng Si is doing?"

"Yes..." Lin Xi choked. After two seconds, she let out a breath and corrected herself, "No, that's not it."

"Looking for me?"

Lin Xi hesitated before answering, "Yes."

Qin Yu’s voice was filled with amusement. "Just got back from the Cheng house? What, are you here to share the good news with me as well?"