Chapter 145: Stealing My Brother’s Girlfriend

Bai Xu: "Sometimes I even wonder if there is something wrong with your eyesight."

Lin Xi: "..."

"But the fact that you can ask me so bluntly means you really don't like me anymore."

"I was just curious." Lin Xi still left him some dignity; after all, she had harbored secret crushes before, and she understood that feeling.

Bai Xu chuckled. "Give it a rest. If you had even a shred of feelings for me, you wouldn't have asked it that way. Look at your attitude toward Third Brother as an example."

"You could go to such lengths to beat around the bush and ask Second Brother, but you never once asked Third Brother directly."

"That is what liking someone looks like; that is what real curiosity is."

"You don't need to explain; I understand what you mean. I’m a grown man; I don’t need you to comfort me. Besides, I never intended to be with you in the first place."

"To put it bluntly, even if you liked me now and wanted to be with me, I wouldn't agree, even if you knelt and begged."

"..." Lin Xi felt a lump in her throat. The topic was already sensitive and a bit awkward, but with Bai Xu’s interference, she was left speechless.

"Don't think I'm joking; I'm stating facts."

Bai Xu took off his glasses and cleaned them, saying earnestly, "From the moment I started liking you, I never intended to be with you. Otherwise, I would have made my move long ago."

"But come to think of it, even if I had gotten together with you before Third Brother, given his petty and devious nature, he likely would have tried to steal you away from his own brother."

"Tsk, with his 'love-struck' brain, he’s capable of playing the third wheel for the sake of love."

"Don't say it, but thinking about it, it’s actually quite exciting."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he received a kick to his leg. A solid footprint was left on his suit trousers.

Bai Xu didn't even frown; he seemed to have been waiting for that kick.

"So, I can't even tell the truth now?"

Lin Xi crossed her arms and glared at him. "The foundation of telling the truth is that you actually have to say something human."

This retort left Bai Xu unable to find words for a long while.

—

Lin Xi had been staying at the courtyard for the past two days, and so had Bai Xu.

Uncle Zhou and Aunt Qing had to return to work and couldn't stay long, so they took an afternoon flight back the next day.

Before boarding, Aunt Qing hugged Lin Xi tightly. "Auntie is waiting for good news from you and Xiao Yu."

"Huh?" Lin Xi froze. How did Aunt Qing know?

Aunt Qing smiled at her. "Before we came, your uncle and I were quite worried about you. We thought that since you liked your Second Brother so much when you were a child, if you agreed, we would let the two of you settle down. Someone needs to take care of you, after all."

"..." As expected, Lin Xi had guessed correctly.

Before she could speak, Aunt Qing gestured for her to wait and continued, "But I don't have that thought anymore."

"I asked your Second Brother privately, and he indicated that you already have someone you like. Plus, although you didn't answer my question directly in the car, you didn't deny it either. I thought about it carefully after I got back; if there were no one, given your personality, you would have surely said so straight out."

"Being evasive means there’s likely a situation. Combined with what your Second Brother said, I’ve completely dismissed that idea."

"Then how did you know... it was Third Brother?"

"You were far too obvious." Aunt Qing poked her in the chest. "Your feelings are written all over your face."

"I wasn't," Lin Xi denied.

Aunt Qing chuckled. "You have no reservations with Bai Xu, and you didn't react when we talked about your Fourth Brother’s blind date. But when your aunt and I discussed Xiao Yu’s recent situation, you were exceptionally attentive."

Lin Xi: "..."

"Don't worry, Aunt Qing hasn't told anyone. This is a good thing." Aunt Qing held her hand. "Auntie is overjoyed that you have someone you like. I will definitely keep your secret. I’ll be waiting for your good news."

—

On the way back, Lin Xi asked Bai Xu, "Was it really that obvious?"

Bai Xu, having overheard their conversation, shrugged, noncommittal.

Lin Xi didn't say anything more.

That evening, Lin Xi received a call from Cheng Si. Because of the time difference, he had only just found the time to call her back.

"Just listen to what the old man says, but don't take it to heart."

"Don't worry, I know."

"That's good." Cheng Si said, half-jokingly, "You have no idea, Third Brother almost fell out with me over this."

Lin Xi changed the subject. "Did you see the email?"

"Oh, that? Yes, I saw it. I discussed it with Old Gao, and we’ll go with your plan."

"Then have the Vice President proceed as I initially suggested. I won't bother talking to him about it separately."

Cheng Si agreed immediately. "Got it. I'll give him a call in a bit."

"If the old man comes to you again next time, just refuse him directly. If there’s anything, come to me."

"Alright." Lin Xi switched the phone to her other ear. "I can understand Cheng Grandpa's feelings, though."

"Sigh," Cheng Si sighed. "He’s just worrying needlessly now."

Although he said that, Cheng Si understood the logic. He knew his grandfather meant well.

—

The next morning, Lin Xi noticed her assistant hadn't arrived yet. Just as she was about to ask, she glanced at the desk calendar.

Right, the school anniversary.

He had originally asked for one day off, but she had let him extend it to two days after a call yesterday. He was leaving Feiyun soon anyway, so she didn't care if it was one day or two. She had just agreed casually.

"Engineer Lin!" The assistant of Engineer Chen came over to help her temporarily. "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Not for now. Go help Engineer Chen; I’ll call you if I need anything."

"Got it."

Lin Xi scrolled through her WeChat list and found the HR Manager. The manager had already heard some rumors and wasn't surprised that Lin Xi was reaching out. However, since she had been given instructions from above, she didn't dare ask questions. Whatever Lin Xi said went.

"Help me find a new assistant."

"Do you have any specific requirements, Engineer Lin?"

The manager had asked the same thing before. Last time, Lin Xi had said no requirements.

This time, she hesitated. "A fresh graduate. No school restrictions. I will interview them myself. Please make it quick."

HR Manager: "Understood!"

When Lin Xi went to the cafeteria for lunch, she found her seat occupied. Her water bottle had been moved to the opposite side.

Lin Xi sat down calmly and ate in silence. Throughout the meal, the woman sitting across from her did nothing but stare at her brazenly, her gaze lingering on Lin Xi’s face with a sense of scrutiny.

Lin Xi put down her chopsticks halfway through, folded her hands under her chin, and looked directly at the woman with clear, cold eyes. "Did your elders never tell you that staring at people like that is very impolite?"

"Your presence here is ruining my appetite."