"Yes, Si Ye didn't come back yesterday," Xu Zhilan said, a slight frown on her brow, looking at Qin Xiuyi. "Xiuyi, what has he been busy with these past two days?"
For the past week and more, Qin Si Ye had come over every day except for the night he was on a business trip.
His sudden absence made Xu Zhilan feel somewhat unaccustomed.
"He's so busy, how would I know?" Qin Xiuyi glanced at Shen Xi, who was opening the medical kit with her head down, and whispered, "Perhaps it's a guilty conscience."
Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat, knowing his words had a hidden meaning.
However, her expression remained as usual, revealing no trace of emotion.
"What did you say?" Xu Zhilan hadn't heard clearly and asked.
"Mom, I said he manages such a large group company, there are too many social obligations," Qin Xiuyi smiled and brushed it off.
Shen Xi took out her silver needles and, as usual, calmly began to administer them to Xu Zhilan.
Meanwhile, Qin Si Yue walked a short distance away with her phone and sent a WeChat message to Qin Si Ye.
"Brother, are you coming back tonight?"
Soon, Qin Si Ye replied with five words: "What's wrong? Is there something?"
Qin Si Yue typed: "Sister Xi didn't drive today. You'd better come back to give her a ride."
But after waiting for a long time, she didn't receive a reply from Qin Si Ye.
She took out her phone, pointed it at the sofa, and secretly took a photo, sending it over.
"Uncle is here too. If you're busy, I'll ask Uncle to give her a ride."
Two seconds later, Qin Si Ye sent a message: "I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Qin Si Yue's eyes lit up, and a meaningful smile appeared on her face.
On the sofa, Qin Xiuyi and Shen Xi were chatting casually.
When he learned that Shen Xi was an amateur Go player with a five-dan rank and was teaching Xu Zhilan the game, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Twenty minutes later, Shen Xi removed the silver needles, packed up the medical kit, and was about to leave when Qin Si Yue eagerly took out her phone and sent another message to Qin Si Ye.
"Brother, where are you?"
"At the door, almost there," Qin Si Ye replied.
"Grandma, Mr. Qin, it's getting late. I'll be heading back now," Shen Xi picked up her medical kit and nodded goodbye to Xu Zhilan and Qin Xiuyi.
"Alright, take care on your way back," Xu Zhilan said.
"Dr. Shen, goodbye!" Qin Xiuyi stood up politely.
Neither of them knew that Shen Xi hadn't driven today.
"Sister Xi, I'll give you a ride." Qin Si Yue quickly linked her arm with Shen Xi's and accompanied her to the front yard. "Sister Xi, I'll drive you back."
"It's alright, I can take a taxi. You should go back and rest," Shen Xi gently removed her arm and said with a smile.
"Okay. Then Sister Xi, please be careful. Send me a message when you get home," Qin Si Yue stopped and watched her leave the Qin family's main gate.
Stepping out of the gate, Shen Xi breathed in the fresh air with relief.
Thankfully, Qin Si Ye hadn't returned tonight.
As soon as she looked up, she saw Qin Si Ye's tall figure striding towards her.
"Dr. Shen is heading back?"
Shen Xi's body stiffened. Unable to evade him, she replied, "Yes. Mr. Qin."
Qin Si Ye walked up to her and stopped, looking back and scanning the area in front of the main gate.
"Dr. Shen didn't drive today?"
"No. My car's tire was punctured," Shen Xi replied softly.
Qin Si Ye, using the dim light from the gate, looked at her intently. "Oh, I see. I happen to be free. Why don't I give you a ride?"
What? He wanted to give her a ride? Did he not remember what happened that night at all?
She was trying to avoid him, how could she let him give her a ride?
"No need, Mr. Qin, thank you! I can take a taxi," Shen Xi said, retreating nervously.
Seeing her turn and walk away decisively, Qin Si Ye called out loudly, "It's hard to get a taxi here. Why don't I give you a ride?"
"Hard to get doesn't mean impossible to get," Shen Xi replied without looking back, her footsteps not slowing.
Watching her stubborn retreating figure, Qin Si Ye felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
In his life, no one had ever refused him like this before.