"Don't come closer," Shen Xi said, backing away two steps. She held out her hand to stop him as if he were a thief, then glanced at her phone and answered it immediately.
"Hello? Brother Kai Cheng."
"I'm strolling in the back courtyard, I'll be right back."
"Mhm, okay. I'll be there soon."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Xi's expression turned cold. Without even glancing at the man in front of her, she walked past him.
In the next moment, the man, his face filled with sorrow, quickly reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Xi Xi, I don't want you to go. Come back with me, okay?"
"Qin Si Ye, let go of me quickly." Shen Xi's voice was icy and filled with a warning tone. "If you keep this up, don't blame me…"
Before she could finish the last few words, Qin Si Ye immediately let go of her, surrendering. "Alright. Don't say anymore, you can go."
Watching her retreating back, Qin Si Ye's gaze was low, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Upon returning to the main hall, Mayor Emil's family and Song Kai Cheng were all standing there.
Shen Xi knew her lips must be swollen from the kiss by that presumptuous man. She lowered her head and quickly walked to the sofa, took a mask from the medicine box, and put it on.
Looking up, she said, "Brother Kai Cheng, let's go."
Just then, Daniel ran over to her, took her hand, and asked, "Dr. Shen, were you in the backyard just now?"
Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat, and she replied in a low voice, "Yes."
"I was passing by with Mommy earlier and heard a woman's voice. Wasn't it you?" Daniel asked, looking at her with his tender, fair little face full of curiosity.
Shen Xi's gaze flickered a few times, and she answered with a smile, "I was taking a walk in the woods and saw a cute, beautiful little bird, so I couldn't help but exclaim. Perhaps what you heard was that sound."
Upon hearing this, Camilla also walked over to her and affectionately patted Daniel's head, saying, "So there really was a sound. I thought he was mistaken. Our yard has lush trees, which indeed attract many birds to nest here."
The two men not far away smiled upon hearing this.
After bidding farewell to them, Song Kai Cheng and Shen Xi left the mayor's house.
As they reached the door, Shen Xi couldn't help but sneak a glance at Qin Si Ye's car.
As soon as they got into the car, Song Kai Cheng asked curiously, "Xi Xi, why did you suddenly put on a mask? Doesn't it feel stuffy?"
Shen Xi's heart trembled, and she replied in a gentle voice, "It's fine. I often wear one at the hospital, so I'm used to it. When I came out this morning, I forgot to apply sunscreen. I was out in the sun in the mayor's backyard, and my skin felt like it was burning. I wanted to wear it to protect it."
After saying these words, Shen Xi felt even more angry with Qin Si Ye. She blamed that detestable man; whenever she contacted or interacted with him, all sorts of situations arose, forcing her to concoct many lies to hide from those around her. She felt like she was becoming a "big liar." And he, on the other hand, didn't have to worry about anything.
Back in Song Kai Cheng's living room, thankfully Mei Yun was not there. Shen Xi immediately headed for the bedroom upstairs.
Upon arriving at the washroom, she removed the mask and looked in the mirror. Her lips were indeed swollen. That man was truly cruel. Was he that desperate? Every time he saw her, he would kiss her eagerly. Couldn't he… couldn't he be gentler?
Shen Xi immediately fetched a dry towel, dipped it in some cool water, and applied a cold compress.
By the time Mei Yun called her down for dinner, her lips had mostly returned to normal. She guessed that unless one looked closely, it wouldn't be noticeable. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The three of them sat at the table, eating and chatting happily.
"Kai Cheng, I asked you yesterday to research taking Xi Xi out for a trip. How is your research coming along?" Mei Yun asked Song Kai Cheng with a smile.
Song Kai Cheng put down his chopsticks, took out his phone, and flipped through it. "I've looked up three or four fun places. Xi Xi, choose which one you'd like to go to." He then handed his phone to Shen Xi across from him.
Shen Xi's heart jolted. They were really going out? But she didn't want to go at all. Slowly taking his phone, she browsed through it briefly and said with a tired voice, "Brother Kai Cheng, can we go tomorrow? I woke up very early today to video call the children, and I'm very sleepy and tired. I'd like to rest at home this afternoon."