Chapter 49

When driving away from the horse track, Rong Ci suddenly found herself at a loss as to where she should go.

Chu Zilan and Yu Moxun had their own things to do.

She did want to return to the Rong family home, but Feng Jingxin was not there; if she went back alone, it would only make the old lady worry about her...

Just as she was thinking this, she passed by a wetland park and saw many couples bringing their children to camp, or young people taking their parents out to relax.

Seeing the couples so loving and the families so happy, a trace of envy and... bitterness welled up in Rong Ci's eyes unconsciously.

After driving for a distance, Rong Ci suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road.

She picked up her phone, hesitated for a good while, and then dialed a number.

After the call connected, she asked, "Hello, Director, may I ask how my mother's condition is right now?"

An hour and a half later.

Yihe Nursing Home.

Rong Ci stood in the courtyard, looking at Rong Yingsheng, who was sitting on a chair not far away, dull and listless, her face withered and thin—a person almost unrecognizable from the beautiful, spirited woman in her childhood memories. Even though she had long since grown accustomed to her appearance, her heart still could not remain calm.

A moment later, the director standing beside her said softly, "Still the same, no changes."

Rong Yingsheng could not have contact with people from her past, otherwise, she would fall into a new round of madness.

Her spirit was rarely calm now, and Rong Ci did not want to, nor did she dare to, disturb her.

After standing for a while, she left the courtyard, fearing Rong Yingsheng might discover her.

Only after walking some distance away did she say to the director and the staff caring for Rong Yingsheng, "I leave my mother in your care."

"You are too polite, Miss Rong. This is what we should do."

After watching Rong Yingsheng for a while longer through the glass window, Rong Ci put down some books and supplies she had bought for her and left the nursing home.

Although she had left the nursing home, her mood remained very heavy.

On the way back, when passing by that wetland park again, Rong Ci looked at the kites filling the sky, turned the car around, and went inside.

The park had a gentle breeze, the sunlight was just right, and the scenery was quite nice.

It was just that everyone had come in groups, and she was all alone, appearing somewhat out of place.

As she stood in front of a small stall, thinking about whether she should also buy a kite to fly, a small hand suddenly grasped her finger and tugged it.

"Auntie."

Hearing the voice, Rong Ci looked at the person and said in surprise, "Seeing Dan Dan?"

Seeing Dan Dan nodded gently, the small hand holding her finger not letting go.

"Seeing Dan Dan—"

He Zhangbai came over, and upon seeing Rong Ci, his voice stopped abruptly. He paused for a moment before walking over: "You came here to play too?"

"Mm."

"Did you bring Miss Xin Xin along?"

Rong Ci lowered her eyes and said in a flat tone, "No, I came alone."

Hearing this, He Zhangbai seemed to understand something and remained silent for a moment.

Rong Ci thought that she and He Zhangbai were not close, and just as she was about to leave, Seeing Dan Dan looked up at her and said, "Auntie, let's fly kites together."

Rong Ci refused, "No, Auntie still has things to do."

Seeing Dan Dan looked disappointed: "Oh..."

He Zhangbai said, "Let's do it together; there are only two of us as well."

Seeming to know what she was thinking, he added, "I'll just watch from the side and won't disturb you two. Just think of it as Seeing Dan Dan having one more playmate."

Rong Ci actually quite liked Seeing Dan Dan.

And besides...

She really didn't want to be alone right now.

Hearing this, she did not refuse.

She and Seeing Dan Dan picked out a kite together; it was a blue butterfly that they both liked.

When Rong Ci had taken Feng Jingxin on outings before, she had flown kites many times.

She was still quite experienced.

It was just that the kite they bought this time was a bit large, and Seeing Dan Dan was still small, so it was difficult for the two of them to operate it.

He Zhangbai walked over and silently assisted her.

Successfully flying the kite, Rong Ci and Seeing Dan Dan both laughed happily.

Watching Rong Ci's smile, He Zhangbai's eyes deepened.

Rong Ci noticed the look he was giving her and asked, not understanding, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Rong Ci didn't ask further. She took Seeing Dan Dan a bit further away, while He Zhangbai watched from not far off, truly not participating.

Getting tired of flying the kite, Rong Ci sat by the lake with Seeing Dan Dan to fish, or squatted to the side to study the small fish swimming in the vendor's small pool, then used a small net to scoop them up.

Soon it was noon.

He Zhangbai had originally only intended to take Seeing Dan Dan out for a walk, and they hadn't brought food like others. Now that it was lunchtime and seeing Seeing Dan Dan was hungry, He Zhangbai suggested eating at a small restaurant nearby.

Rong Ci had relaxed for an hour or two, and her mood was much better than before, so she did not refuse He Zhangbai's suggestion.

While eating, Rong Ci spent most of her time chatting with Seeing Dan Dan.

Seeing that they were getting along happily, He Zhangbai didn't insist on cutting in, only moving the dishes they liked closer to them.

Rong Ci was talking to Seeing Dan Dan and didn't notice.

A while later, He Zhangbai's phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, he said to Rong Ci, "I'm going to take a call."

Rong Ci: "Okay."

The call was from Qi Yuming.

He Zhangbai walked a bit further away before answering: "What is it?"

"Where are you now? Have you eaten? A friend just sent me some fresh seafood; do you want to come over and have some? Tingshen and the others will be coming too."

He Zhangbai looked toward Rong Ci and Seeing Dan Dan and refused in a flat tone: "We're eating, next time."

"Then do you have any plans for the evening? There's a cruise party tonight, and Tingshen and the others have confirmed they'll attend. Why don't you bring your little niece along? Anyway, we haven't really seen her much, so taking this opportunity to bring her over to meet everyone would be quite good."

He Zhangbai refused: "She's shy, and there will be too many people on the cruise; I'm afraid she'll be uncomfortable."

"It's fine, Miss Xin Xin will be there too; they are the same age and should be able to play together." Without waiting for him to refuse, he added, "It's settled then, seven o'clock, remember to come."

After saying this, Qi Yuming hung up first.

He Zhangbai: "..."

After eating, Rong Ci and Seeing Dan Dan went to chase butterflies and rode bicycles, stopping only when they were both tired.

Seeing Dan Dan was so sleepy she fell asleep.

Rong Ci also wanted to go home to rest, so she drove away.

He Zhangbai watched her car leave, and a while later, he also left.

A while later, Seeing Dan Dan woke up, didn't see Rong Ci, and asked with a small frown: "Where is Auntie?"

"She went home."

Seeing Dan Dan looked disappointed: "Oh..."

At seven o'clock in the evening, He Zhangbai boarded the yacht on time.

Feng Tingshen and the others had already arrived.

Seeing him, Qi Yuming waved at him.

Seeing Seeing Dan Dan, Qi Yuming was the first to smile and say: "This must be the little beauty Seeing Dan Dan. Hello, little beauty, I am your uncle's friend, Uncle Qi..."

There were many people on the cruise, and Seeing Dan Dan was indeed a bit shy.

After Qi Yuming finished his introduction, Lin Wu also walked over holding Feng Jingxin's hand.

Seeing them, He Zhangbai paused.

Hearing that Seeing Dan Dan was shy, after Feng Jingxin finished her introduction, she took the initiative to reach out her hand and said: "There are many children over there, do you want to go play with me?"

Seeing Dan Dan looked at He Zhangbai, and after he nodded, she gathered her courage and followed Feng Jingxin.

After the two children walked away, Qi Yuming asked with a smile: "How does it feel to be a dad for the first time?"

"It's alright."

Although his little niece was shy and timid, she was also quite well-behaved, so it wasn't too strenuous for him to take care of her.

Feng Tingshen handed him a glass of wine: "Have a drink?"