The next day, Lin Li woke up slowly.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she pursed her lips and found that the lip flap was smeared with a thin ointment, which was a little cool.

She was completely sleepy, looking back on last night, she couldn't remember when she arrived at the castle, presumably Xiao Huai carried her unconscious to the fifth floor.

When she opened the door and found that Xiao Huai and Simon were not at home, she used her mobile phone to send a message to Xiao Huai: "How did you rest last night?" Has your work been affected today? ”

She didn't wait for his reply, but received a voice message from Guan Yi.

"Miki, are you and Xiao Huai in a relationship?" Guan Yi's voice revealed a deep sense of surprise.

Lin Li felt inexplicable: "No." ”

"Do you remember mentioning a friend who was interested in picking you up? He works in a gallery and posts a few photos of Simon Lee's oil painting exhibition to his circle of friends. I actually saw you and Xiao Huai in the photo. ”

Lin Li understood, said what happened after arriving in Munich, and clarified: "Don't get me wrong, Xiao Huai and I are just ordinary friends. ”

"How is that possible?" Guan Yi will be suspicious, "You live together, go in and out together, eat and sleep together, and watch art exhibitions together, just like a pair of boyfriend and girlfriend in a relationship." I recently sent a message asking Xiao Huai what stocks he could buy, and he replied to me that 'due to work reasons, it is inconvenient to disclose', should the difference be so obvious? No matter how I look at it, I think Xiao Huai has a good impression of you. ”

"Xiao Huai will definitely not take a fancy to me, you think too much."

"Are you thinking too little? You have to have academic qualifications, you have to have appearances, what's impossible? I'm also worried that Xiao Huai is too high, and he may not be your lover. ”

Without waiting for Lin Li to reply, Guan Yi said again: "How do you feel about Xiao Huai?" In the face of such a rare man in a century, does your heart beat at an accelerated pace? ”

Lin Li was silent: "I don't have any feelings for him. ”

Guan Yi asked rhetorically: "If you talk so hard, aren't you afraid of slapping yourself in the face one day?" ”

Lin Li smiled and replied with four words as it was: "How is it possible." ”

After the small talk, she went downstairs to the kitchen to bake cookies. As she was busy, she received an unexpected call from the airport staff with the news that her luggage had returned to Munich.

She quickly took a taxi straight to the airport, retrieved her suitcase that had disappeared for six days, and walked around the airport shopping mall.

What kind of gift should I buy for Xiao Huai and thank him for his help? Lin Fei thought to himself, walked around the square, and finally turned into a luxury jewelry and accessories store.

It was not yet noon when we returned to the castle. She tidied up the upstairs and downstairs bedrooms, collected her personal belongings, and wrote a thank you note on the coffee table, along with euros in cash and small gifts.

Before leaving, she sent a message to Xiao Huai: "I got my luggage back, and I am grateful for bothering you for several days." There are freshly baked condensed milk shortbreads in the kitchen, I hope you like it. ”

The message was sent successfully, and the mobile phone rang immediately, and it was Xiao Huai's call.

As soon as Lin Li said "Hey", Xiao Huai's voice appeared in his ears: "Lin Li, there is no need for you to leave at all, you can continue to live with me until the end of the holiday." ”

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm about to leave Munich for another city."

"Which city?"

"Maybe it's Frankfurt, maybe it's Berlin. This is the route recommended by the tour guide, and I haven't decided yet. ”

The magnetic voice on the phone lagged for a second: "I'm on my way home, can you wait a while, let's meet and talk?" ”

"Okay."

Lin Li hung up the phone, dragged his suitcase out of the castle gate, and waited for Xiao Huai while waiting for a taxi.

The castle was quiet, and the weather was particularly good today, the wind was not strong, and the golden sunlight poured down from all angles, making people drowsy.

Lin Li wore a royal blue wide-brimmed hat, stood under the oak tree, squinted and enjoyed the warm winter sun as soft as cotton candy, and unconsciously took a nap.

She vaguely heard the sound of a car, and when she opened her eyes, she first saw a pair of lacquer-like eyes with deep eyes.

An oak leaf staggered down and fell to the brim of the wide-brimmed hat.

She reached out to touch it, and he happened to raise his left hand, and his fingers inadvertently touched each other.

Her hand paused in the air, and he took the leaf unhurriedly and said, "Wait until I'm almost asleep?" ”

Lin Li smiled embarrassedly.

Xiao Huai's gaze swept over the suitcase: "You have already decided which city to go to?" ”

Lin Li nodded: "I plan to go to Berlin for two days and then return to China." ”

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Huai's work call came, and she closed her mouth tacitly.

It's a long call. Three minutes passed, five minutes passed...... Michiko Koyama's voice came out of the receiver of the phone intermittently, and there was no intention of ending at all.

Did he come back first without finishing his work? Lin Li wondered.

Seeing a taxi coming from the southeast, as if it had been booked by herself, she naturally reached for the lever.

Xiao Huai was originally listening attentively to the report on the progress of the work, but at this time, he turned his face sideways, pulled her hand away, and held it gently.

Lin Li was a little surprised: "Xiao ......"

"Michiko, I didn't hear your estimate of the amount of equity transfer, can you repeat it again?" Xiao Huai said to the assistant on the other end of the phone, his tone couldn't be more ordinary.

Lin Li was immediately silenced.

As the taxi approached and stopped, Simon got out of the car and greeted with a grin: "Good afternoon, dear cousin." ”

Xiao Huai responded with his head bowed, let go of Lin Li, changed the phone to his other hand, and continued to keep talking.

Simon looked at the suitcase: "Who's going to go far away?" ”

"It's me, going to Berlin." Lin replied, retracting his hand into his coat pocket.

Simon touched his chin: "Honey, you can just go, leaving me and my cousin to play alone, it's too boring." ”

Lin Li was short of words all of a sudden.

At this time, Xiao Huai ended his work call and said lightly: "Lin Li, I just happened to be going to Berlin to attend the annual meeting, will you go with me?" ”

Lin Li subconsciously wanted to refuse, but heard Simon say, "Cousin, why don't you take me with you?" The day after tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I have a few good friends in Berlin who want to get together. ”

Xiao Huai was noncommittal and glanced at him.

"Let's just say so, the three of us will go to Berlin and have fun together." Simon whistled and asked Lin, "Do you have any objections?" ”

The cool smell of ointment between his lips reminded Lin Li of what happened last night, and if he refused bluntly, it seemed that he was unkind...... She thought about it for a long time, clenched and let go of the hand in her pocket, and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Huai said: "I will not be able to leave for Berlin until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. Simon, you can go first. ”

Simon said, "It's okay, I can wait." ”

Xiao Huai paused for two seconds: "Lin Li, do you mind traveling by car with me?" ”

Lin Li still has zài resistance to driving, considering that with Xiao Huai by his side, the problem is not big, so he replied "I don't mind".

"Give me your native driver's license, and I'll go get a notarized one."

Simon interrupted: "Wait, why don't you fly over?" Cousin, you have a private jet, so it's not a problem to take me and Lin Li. ”

"Snow has continued to fall in Berlin in recent days, affecting takeoffs."

"OHMYGOD, WOULDN'T THAT TAKE HOURS MORE ON THE ROAD?"

"If you don't like it, you can go." After Xiao Huai finished speaking, he reached out and pulled the suitcase, and looked at Lin Li intently, "Let's go home and discuss the details of the trip?" ”

Simon smiled and continued, "Okay, I'm hungry too." Dear Pi, when is the time to eat? ”

*

The heavy suitcase tossed and turned, tossed and turned, and finally tossed back to the castle.

Xiao Huai stayed in the study to prepare travel plans. Lin Li pulled out his long-unused driver's license from the box and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Of the three, Simon was the most relaxed, doing nothing, sitting alone in the garden and feeling the beauty of the sunset.

Time passed silently.

When Xiao Huai went downstairs, there was a small fire gurgling in the kitchen, and the air was filled with a strong fragrance. The huge house is quiet, but full of warmth.

Lin Pi was cooking sweet and sour pork ribs, slowly turning the small chops with a spoon and adding some rock sugar to the pot.

Little by little, the sugar dips into the cartilage and tender flesh to create a more vivid and beautiful color. Until all the ribs in the pan are evenly coated with a layer of ruddy and bright sugar, then turn off the heat and put the meat and juice on a plate.

After finishing the work at hand, she looked up and saw Xiao Huai standing beside her, as if she had been waiting for a while.

Lin Li smiled: "Hungry? Start eating right away. ”

The soft and glutinous words, his chest was swept through the incomprehensible feelings, insignificant, and very subtle, turning into an indescribable feeling.

Just as a strand of hair slipped down her ear, he reached out and pulled the long hair behind her ear for her.

The warm fingertips gently brushed the skin of the pinna, and Lin Li was obviously stunned.

Xiao Huai withdrew his hand, handed over the travel plan, and said calmly: "You take a look first, if there is anything wrong." ”

Lin Fei looked at it roughly, and was quite surprised.

She had never seen a more detailed play planner than this. Although it is only two days and one night, it is listed one by one, from personal habits to travel arrangements, and even an alternative plan is reserved in case of accidents.

But she noticed two details: the trip ended at 9 p.m. the day after tomorrow, on Christmas Eve; From 16 o'clock to 21 o'clock the day after tomorrow, Xiao Huai's itinerary during this time was to attend the investment banking dinner, but her arrangement was to rest in the villa in Berlin.

She didn't say anything, took out her driver's license from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Huai.

He flipped through his papers and looked at the photographs inside. In the past, Lin Li had a bright smile and a radiant spirit, far more lively and cheerful than she is now.

"You used to have short hair." He spoke, his voice low and faint with a subtle texture, "People are good-looking, and any haircut is suitable." ”

This was the first compliment Lin Li had heard since he met Xiao Huai, his heart suddenly beat faster, he lowered his head slightly uncomfortably, and whispered, "How can there be." ”

Simon's surprised question suddenly sounded in the living room: "Dear Breeze, did you buy this pair of gadgets?" ”

The two men in the kitchen leaned out half of their bodies in unison.

The small black velvet gift box on the coffee table has been opened. Simon pinched a pair of antique cufflinks with bamboo gold and jade, and couldn't put them down to match them with the edge of the cuffs of his white shirt: "I like them, can you give them to me?" ”

"I can't." Lin Li and Xiao Huai spoke almost at the same time.

"Why?" Simon's eyes narrowed, and he looked suspiciously at the man and woman in front of him.

Lin Li told the truth: "I feel very embarrassed to eat and drink for nothing here, so I prepared a separate small gift for the master. ”

Xiao Huai's gaze swept unhurriedly over the euro on the coffee table: "You broke Lin Li's amethyst bracelet, not only did you not compensate, but also asked her for a gift?" ”

"Uh...... I'm sorry, I forgot about the bracelet. Simon said guiltily, but quickly regained his grin, "Cousin, you have more cufflinks in your collection than the stars in the sky, can you give me this pair?" ”

Xiao Huai looked at him from head to toe: "Your clothes are bright and warm colors, and your own temperament is fashionable and trendy, both of which are more incompatible with this pair of classical and solemn cufflinks." I have a pair of custom-made cufflinks, set with diamonds and sapphires, which may be more suitable for you. ”

Simon's eyes lit up: "Can you show me?" ”

Xiao Huai nodded lightly, moved his gaze back to Lin Li, and patted her shoulder gently: "The gift is very good, thank you." ”

Thinking of something, he confessed again: "You cook hard, don't wash the dishes from today onwards, let the artist wash them." ”

"Why?" Simon had just put the antique cufflinks back.

"You want to hear the reason?"

"Well, art comes from life, I wash it, I wash it."

"Why don't you wash it, big banker? I'm curious to see you lower your body and clean the dishes. Another voice rang out.

Xiao Huai looked at Lin Li in surprise.

Lin Li had long been accustomed to his gaze, and he didn't frighten him, blinking.

Simon whistled gloatingly, "Well done little Thunderbolt!" Our friendship lasts forever! ”

Xiao Huai was silent for a while: "It's not impossible for you to cook and I wash the dishes." ”

Lin Li just laughed, he didn't plan to let him work, and wanted to get the conversation back, but he heard him say unhurriedly: "However, I am the male owner of this house, and the only one who can direct the male owner to wash the dishes is the female hostess." Lin Li, if you want to see me washing the dishes, you may want to consider dating me. ”

She never expected him to answer like this, and froze.

The sound of "Lin Li", coupled with the sentence "consider dating me", true and false, false and true, she seems to have been teased by him, and it seems that she has been pursued by him solemnly.

All in all, she really dug her own pit and jumped by herself this time, and she was too embarrassed.

At this moment, when he was suspected of losing face and throwing himself at his grandmother's house, Simon spoke without warning: "Why do you want to date?" In addition to the wife, the hostess also has a mother. Little Pi, with your beauty, you can be your cousin's stepmother. ”

Lin Li was stunned.

Xiao Huai was stunned.

Simon looked at the two with a smile: "Isn't what I said right?" ”

Lin Li was silent for a few seconds, his face finally returned to normal, and he turned around and left his back to these two cousins who were making a fuss as soon as they met.

"Let's eat." She shook her head and grabbed the rice spoon.