Chapter 144: I Arrived Before Third Brother

"Sharing the good news..."

At first, Lin Xi didn’t quite catch the implication, honestly thinking there was some happy event to report. Soon enough, however, she realized that Qin Yu was referring to the situation between her and Cheng Si.

It was nothing more than a tease, yet there was a strange, sour undercurrent to it—one she could smell even through the phone.

Since he had already brought it up, Lin Xi decided to play along. "That’s right," she said deliberately. "Third Brother, your news travels fast. I hadn't even had a chance to say anything, and you already knew what I was calling about."

"Hmph." A soft chuckle escaped Qin Yu’s throat, though it sounded less amused than before. "Are you trying to irritate me?"

"I'm calling to share good news; how did that turn into me irritating you?" Lin Xi leaned against the swing set, her toes tapping the ground idly. "Shouldn't you be happy for me?"

On the other end, Qin Yu silently lowered his eyes, his tongue pressing against his back teeth. For a moment, he really didn't know what to do with her.

Cheng Si sat to his right. Although he couldn't hear what Lin Xi was saying, he was good at reading the room. Judging by Qin Yu’s reaction, it wasn't quite anger; if one looked closely, there was still a hint of pleasure.

"Did she really agree?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Agree to what?"

"You and Cheng Si."

"Oh, is that what you meant, Third Brother..." Lin Xi paused, then gave a soft laugh. "I’d like to agree, but it seems someone doesn't approve."

"No, I approve." The words were practically ground out through his teeth.

Lin Xi replied, "I wasn't talking about you, Third Brother. I meant Fourth Brother wouldn't agree."

"..."

Only Lin Xi could make Qin Yu feel so frustrated; there were few others who dared to speak to him this way.

Knowing he was busy, Lin Xi didn't continue the banter. "Third Brother, remember to tell Fourth Brother to call me back when you're done."

Without further ado, she hung up as soon as Qin Yu acknowledged her request.

Lin Xi put away her phone and turned back, only to bump into Bai Xu, who was smoking at the corner. Glancing at the half-burned cigarette in his hand, it was clear he had been standing there for a long time.

Their eyes met, and Bai Xu stubbed out his cigarette.

"Your relationship with Third Brother has certainly improved a lot lately."

"Thanks to you," Lin Xi said with a faint curl of her lips. Looking him up and down, she added mockingly, "When will you ever break the habit of eavesdropping?"

Bai Xu hadn't thrown the cigarette away yet, and at her words, he quickly raised his hands, smiling with a rogueish air. "You’re really wronging me by saying that."

"I came out for a smoke. Who knew you’d be here making a phone call?"

"Nonsense." Lin Xi shot him a look.

Bai Xu and Zhou Jingheng had gone inside first, and she had told them she was going to make a call. Since Bai Xu had seen her head this way, how could he not have known?

He lied without skipping a beat, just as easily as breathing.

Caught in the act, Bai Xu didn't bother to struggle and simply admitted it. "I only dare to eavesdrop on you. I wouldn't dare do that to Third Brother. You have to be understanding—everyone has a bit of a gossipy side."

Lin Xi really didn't know what to do with him.

"Confirmed, right? I didn't lie to you—Third Brother really knows." Bai Xu knew exactly why she had made that call. "I have to say, you're quite the hot commodity."

"Earlier in the car, when Aunt Qing asked you that, it was eighty percent likely she was trying to set you up with the Second Brother. Tsk, it's a good thing our elders have such decent temperaments; otherwise, they’d have started a fight over you long ago."

"It's not that exaggerated," Lin Xi looked away.

Bai Xu counted off on his fingers, "Aunt Qing certainly wants you to be with Second Brother. Grandpa Cheng is naturally partial to Cheng Si. My grandfather was biased toward me at first, but now... he’s on the same side as Old Man Qin, starting to ship you and Third Brother."

"When you put it all together, I’m the biggest loser in all of this."

Lin Xi: "..."

Bai Xu sighed. "It's a good thing I have no intention of competing, or there would be a real show to watch."

"The elders are just saying things off the cuff. Why take it seriously?"

Bai Xu insisted, "You are the only seedling in our courtyard. They watched you grow up with their own eyes—when it comes to being reliable, who can compare to you? You are absolutely the number one candidate for granddaughter-in-law in the hearts of these old men."

"It’s just a pity there’s only one of you."

Bai Xu wasn't exaggerating this time; he was speaking the truth. Lin Xi’s status in the hearts of these elders was a level higher than even their own biological grandchildren. There was simply no comparison.

Just look at how long Lin Xi had been back in the country; the fact that no one dared to approach her except for the Lu family proved it. Outsiders knew that with these old men holding down the fort, they didn't dare cross paths with Lin Xi.

Some were afraid of being accused of social climbing, too proud to be mocked. Others were full of schemes, fearing that if they got close to Lin Xi, they wouldn't be able to stop seeing other women, and when caught, they’d have a mob of elders coming after them—a situation impossible to resolve.

Then there were those like him... who liked her, truly liked her, but knew they weren't worthy, so they chose to watch from the sidelines.

Bai Xu had never been an insecure person; in fact, he was somewhat arrogant. Yet, even a man like him didn't dare to touch Lin Xi.

Although Bai Xu felt that the situation between Lin Xi and Qin Yu had been awkward for too many years—wasting time and life—he found it distasteful. He always felt it was pretentious.

But when he quieted down and thought about it carefully, who else could it be but Qin Yu? Who else? Even the Second Brother seemed to pale in comparison.

As for himself?

Was he worthy? Compared to Third Brother, his accomplishments were insignificant, and his past was hardly illustrious.

Should he let Lin Xi be with him? If he truly let Lin Xi be with him, he would be shameless. He knew his own character better than anyone; he was nothing but a pile of mud, and it would be a real injustice to Lin Xi to be with him.

Rather than wanting Lin Xi to be with him, he hoped more than anything that Lin Xi would be happy.

***

Lin Xi wasn't a fool. So much had happened recently that she could sense certain things.

For instance, that Bai Xu liked her.

She had assumed that Bai Xu's interest would be as wild and impulsive as he was. But looking at it now, his feelings seemed far more rational than she had imagined.

Lin Xi was genuinely surprised—more surprised than when she first realized he liked her. She even wondered if Bai Xu was truly interested or if it was just a prank, intentionally saying vague things to make her feel conflicted. He was certainly bored enough to do something like that.

But...

After a long gaze, Lin Xi parted her lips and asked softly, "When did you start liking me?"

Bai Xu wasn't surprised by the question.

He tapped the stub of the cigarette he had long since extinguished, feigned hesitation, and said, "I forgot."

The next second, he smiled. "But definitely earlier than Third Brother."

"..."

With that said, if she wanted to know his timeline, she would have to ask Qin Yu first.

"Didn't you notice?"

"No," Lin Xi didn't lie.

Bai Xu's expression remained unchanged. He didn't seem sad, just understanding. "That makes sense. You couldn't even tell that Third Brother likes you."