"Nothing's wrong. Everything is normal," Qin Siye turned, took a light drag from a cigarette, and slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke.
Gu Lin walked up to him and lit a cigarette too. "Siye, don't hide it from me.
We've been friends since childhood, I can tell from your expression.
Now that everything's out in the open, and Yin Xi has moved into Xing Lan Wan, why are you still dwelling on the past?
Don't forget how much effort you put in to win her over back then."
Qin Siye looked out the window, remaining silent.
"Siye, Yin Xi's suffered no less than you these past few years. For the sake of the three children, don't make things difficult for her anymore.
Why don't you just propose to her and live happily as a family?" Gu Lin continued to persuade.
"Gu Lin, you don't understand the torment and pain I've endured these days," Qin Siye turned to him. "Our relationship has been through a lot, you know that.
Setting aside the truths she concealed, don't you think she's always been rather passive?
I just want to see what kind of position I hold in her heart."
With that, he strode towards the restroom.
At the restroom entrance, Yin Xi, holding Shuo Shuo's hand, ran into Jin Jingchen.
"Yin Xi, Zi Shuo, what a coincidence?"
"Principal Jin?" Yin Xi looked at him with surprise.
She had just been talking about this man inside, and now she'd run into him outside.
Shuo Shuo also greeted him politely, "Hello, Teacher Jin."
"Hello," Jin Jingchen replied with a smile and looked up at Yin Xi. "Yin Xi, my classmates have already recognized each other, so why do you still call me that? Just call me by my name."
"Alright," Yin Xi thought that she needed his help with something, and calling him by name might make it easier to talk. "Are you also dining here today?"
"Yes. All the teachers from our institution are having a gathering here. How about you?" Jin Jingchen asked with a smile.
"A friend's child is celebrating a birthday here," Yin Xi replied briefly, then changed the subject. "Jin Jingchen, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with.
This friend's child also loves Rubik's Cubes. Would it be convenient for you to take on one more student?"
Just then, Jin Jingchen's phone rang from his pocket. "Excuse me, I need to take this call."
"Hello?"
"How could this happen? I'll be right back."
After hanging up, Jin Jingchen said apologetically, "Yin Xi, I'm sorry. One of my teachers got too drunk and got into a conflict with someone.
I need to rush back and handle it. Let's discuss what you mentioned another day."
Watching Jin Jingchen's hurried departure, Yin Xi felt a mix of emotions.
She suddenly felt that promising He Xinmeng might not be achievable.
"Daddy." At this moment, Shuo Shuo suddenly let go of her hand and ran forward.
Yin Xi looked up and saw Qin Siye, tall and slender, walking towards them with steady steps.
"Why are you two standing here?" Qin Siye frowned slightly.
"Daddy, we just met Teacher Jin," Shuo Shuo replied, tilting his small head.
Qin Siye asked, "Teacher Jin? Which Teacher Jin?"
"The one who teaches me Rubik's Cubes," Shuo Shuo continued earnestly. "Mommy just asked him if he could take Run Ze."
"Did he agree?" Qin Siye glanced at Yin Xi and then looked down at Shuo Shuo.
"No. He had an urgent matter and left, saying he'd discuss it next time," Shuo Shuo replied.
"Oh." Qin Siye said thoughtfully, straightened up, and walked forward. "You two go back first."
As he passed Yin Xi, he whispered, "If you're not confident about something, it's best not to promise it. Otherwise, it's just setting someone up for disappointment."
Yin Xi frowned at his retreating back, speechless for a long time.
Returning to the private room, everyone chatted for a while longer and drank a lot of red wine before they got up to leave.
Qin Siye and Fu Jiheng were clearly quite drunk, stumbling as they walked and needing support.
Gu Lin, considering his pregnant wife needed care, drank moderately and walked normally.
Upon reaching the underground parking lot, after bidding farewell to two other families, Yin Xi finally managed to get Qin Siye into the passenger seat.
It was already ten o'clock at night when they arrived at Xing Lan Wan.
As soon as they entered the main hall, Sister Li and another maid came to greet them. "Miss Yin, please help Mr. upstairs to rest. We'll take care of the children."