Qin Si Ye, however, did not press the door opening button. He said calmly, "It's alright. Go and get it. We'll wait for you."
"No need. Open the door quickly, I want to get out." Yin Xi's emotions could no longer be held back. Her voice suddenly rose a few decibels, her eyes widening as she looked at him.
Qin Si Ye stared blankly at her for a few seconds, then finally opened the car door.
The three children were so scared they didn't dare to say a word.
In the evening, Yin Xi didn't return to Xing Lan Wan until past ten o'clock.
The hall was pitch black; everyone had already gone to bed.
She didn't turn on the lights. Instead, she illuminated her phone, her tired body carrying her up the stairs step by step.
Just as she reached the middle of the stairs between the second and third floors, suddenly, with a "snap," the light overhead flickered on, bathing everything in brightness.
Yin Xi's heart jolted, and she stopped, looking up to see Qin Si Ye in his pajamas, leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on her, deep and profound.
"What are you doing? Trying to scare me to death?" Yin Xi glared at him and continued upward.
The man, however, seemed to have found an excellent excuse and said coldly, "Why aren't you turning on the lights when you walk? Aren't you afraid of falling and tumbling down the stairs?"
"It's none of your business." Yin Xi retorted unhappily as she passed by him.
Just as she was about to step towards her own room, Qin Si Ye grabbed her arm, "Come to the study for a moment. I need to talk to you."
With that, he walked in first.
Yin Xi followed him. As soon as the study door closed, Qin Si Ye turned to look at her.
"After returning from the Qin family this afternoon, you've been keeping a cold face. Is that for me?
Yin Xi, don't forget the agreement between us. You still owe me seven stars."
Hearing this, Yin Xi's eyes couldn't help but turn red. "I remember, of course, I remember.
I count those stars every day, wanting to perform well in front of you and gain your understanding as soon as possible.
But that doesn't mean I have to appease you without principle or accept your so-called 'sister's' provocations time and time again."
"What appeasement? What acceptance? I never asked you to do that."
Qin Si Ye suddenly stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Xi Xi, how I feel about you, do you still doubt it even now? What I want, I thought you always knew."
Xi Xi? This was the first time this man had called her so affectionately since that incident.
Her heart ached.
She forcefully slapped his hands away, Yin Xi took a step back, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.
"Qin Si Ye, you lied to me.
That night, I was explaining the past to you, and you received a call, then abandoned me and resolutely went to save that woman.
Do you know how hurt I was the next day when I saw that news report?
Later, at Hua Ban Li, you personally told me that you only considered her a sister.
I believed you without question, returned here with you, wanting to mend our relationship.
But today, that woman publicly stated that she returned to cooperate with Zhuo Sheng.
Did you two arrange this long ago, treating me like a fool, is that it?"
"No. Xi Xi, calm down." Qin Si Ye looked at her with melancholy eyes. "The artist we signed is named Yun Wei. It was only a few days ago that I found out they are the same person."
"Impossible. As the company's president, wouldn't you personally inquire about signing such an important advertising endorser?" Yin Xi retorted, finding his explanation unconvincing.
"There were too many things happening recently, so I delegated the entire matter to the advertising department and hastily signed it. I admit it was my oversight."
Qin Si Ye's expression darkened, regretting not personally looking at the artist's photo at the time.
"That's enough. Don't explain anymore. Do you think the reasons you've given are credible?
I'm not angry because you signed someone as an endorser, but because you lied to me.
I concealed some truths from you about what happened back then, but I've already admitted my mistake, apologized to you, and I'm working hard to make amends.
I thought from now on, we could open our hearts to each other and be sincere. But... but..."
Yin Xi shook her head continuously, her voice choked, tears immediately rolling down her cheeks.
Then, she covered her mouth, turned, and ran out of the room.
Qin Si Ye stood rooted to the spot, his outstretched hand slowly retracting...