Chapter 77

Perhaps guessing the reason for her hesitation, He Zhangbai said, “I can assure you, I will never let personal matters interfere with my official duties involving you and your uncle.”

Hearing this, Rong Ci asked, “Are you sure?”

“Sure.”

Rong Ci knew her uncle’s company was currently in dire straits.

She hesitated, then said, “Fine.”

“When you have time, contact me—I’ll arrange a meeting.”

Rong Ci said, “Okay.”

Here, He Zhangbai looked at her black hair, tousled by the cold wind, and said, “The night wind is cold. Go inside.”

Hearing his words, Rong Ci froze.

Because those words were identical to what Feng Tingshen had just said to her.

She nodded, said nothing more, and stepped into the car.

He Zhangbai didn’t move.

As the car passed beside him, Rong Ci rolled down the window, nodded to him in greeting, then pressed the accelerator and drove off.

Watching her car disappear into the distance, He Zhangbai finally got in and left.

Rong Ci returned to the Rong household.

Rong Lao Tai and Rong Changsheng and his wife were still awake; Rong Xun and Rong Yunhe had already gone upstairs to rest.

Seeing her return, they all turned to look at her.

Clearly, they had been waiting for her on purpose.

Rong Lao Tai: “Back already?”

“Mm.”

Seeing the old lady extend her hand, Rong Ci put down her bag and walked over to sit beside her.

Rong Lao Tai held her hand and asked, “Xiao Ci, are you planning to let go of Feng Tingshen?”

Today’s attitude toward Feng Tingshen was a stark contrast to her past behavior.

It was impossible not to notice.

“Mm,” Rong Ci said. “We’re preparing to divorce.”

The old lady smiled: “Good, good, good—divorce is fine.”

But then she frowned and added, “Jingxin is very attached to him, and he’s truly been good to her these past two years—he won’t give you custody of Jingxin, this…”

She didn’t want custody of Feng Jingxin.

But she hadn’t said it yet.

She only said, “I know that. I’ll discuss it properly with him. It’s late—everyone should rest now.”

Rong Lao Tai and the others went to rest, but Rong Ci couldn’t yet.

Because Nan Zhizhi and Yu Moxun had talked a lot on the way back; by the time Rong Ci returned to her room, she received a pile of project tasks from Yu Moxun, with a note: “The teacher wants this. Finish by 6 a.m. tomorrow.”

Rong Ci put down her bag, drank some water, and replied, “Understood.”

She didn’t remove her makeup or take a bath—she turned on her computer and got straight to work.

At just past four a.m., she finally finished and sent over the organized materials.

Yu Moxun was also swamped, but had nearly finished too; he added, “The teacher wants us to go see him before nine.”

Rong Ci: “Okay.”

They didn’t chat further; after turning off their computers, Rong Ci went to the bathroom to remove her makeup and bathe.

By the time she finished, it was already past five a.m.

After setting her alarm for eight, she turned off the lights and went to bed.

The next day, awakened by the alarm, her body felt limp, yet she rose immediately without delay and went to wash up.

When she came downstairs, she looked exhausted; Rong Lao Tai asked, “Why not sleep a little longer?”

“I have to go see the teacher.”

Rong Lao Tai knew Nan Zhizhi was strict with his students.

She only said, “I’m worried about you driving like this—let the driver take you.”

Rong Ci: “Okay.”

At Nan Zhizhi’s villa, the three of them went straight to the study and got to work.

They worked until noon, only then getting a brief respite for lunch.

At that moment, Rong Ci’s phone suddenly rang.

It was a message from Chu Zilan, asking if she wanted to go skiing with her in the afternoon.

Rong Ci replied via voice message: “I’m busy today—I can’t go. You go ahead.”

Chu Zilan: “Alright.”

In the afternoon, as Rong Ci stepped out of Nan Zhizhi’s study for water, Chu Zilan sent another message.

This time, it was several photos.

The people in the photos were Feng Tingshen, Lin Wu, Feng Jingxin, He Zhangbai, and Shan Dan.

Chu Zilan followed up with another message: “My friends and I were having such a great time skiing, then we ran into them—what a total buzzkill!”

Rong Ci opened only one photo; once she recognized them, she didn’t open the rest.

Seeing Chu Zilan’s message, she calmly replied with a voice message: “Have fun—don’t mind them.”

Chu Zilan quickly replied with a voice message: “We might not leave until tonight—do you want to come?”

Rong Ci: “No, I’m busy here.”

Chu Zilan: “Alright.”

Rong Ci put away her phone, picked up her glass of water, and returned to the study.

They worked nonstop all day.

In the evening, Yu Moxun stretched and said to Nan Zhizhi, “Teacher, let’s go out for dinner—we’ll treat you!”

Nan Zhizhi didn’t even look at him and said, “I’m going out later.”

Rong Ci and Yu Moxun: “Huh?”

“I’ve made plans to have dinner with Feng Tingshen tonight.”

Yu Moxun glanced at Rong Ci; Rong Ci drank water calmly.

Nan Zhizhi took his car keys and left: “When you leave, remember to lock the door.”

He added immediately after, “But I won’t be gone long.”

Rong Ci & Yu Moxun: “Understood, Teacher.”

Meanwhile.

On the other side.

Feng Jingxin, Feng Tingshen, and Lin Wu had skied for hours and were in excellent spirits.

As they left the ski center, Feng Jingxin happily told Feng Tingshen, “Dad, I want seafood for dinner.”

Feng Tingshen said, “Dad and your Aunt Wu have something important to do—we can’t have dinner with you. The driver is waiting for you in the parking lot. When you get home, tell the chef what you want.”

Hearing this, Feng Jingxin’s cheerful face instantly fell: “What’s so important? Why can’t you take me?”

Feng Tingshen gently pinched her cheek and smiled: “Something very important.”

“But—”

Feng Jingxin pouted and turned to Lin Wu, hugging her and pleading, “Aunt Wu…”

Hearing Feng Tingshen say this was a major matter for her, Lin Wu felt a sweet warmth inside; she bent down, hugged Feng Jingxin, and smiled: “It’s about something important for Auntie—I’ve waited a long time for this chance. I can’t afford any mistakes. Can you understand, Xin Xin?”

Hearing this, Feng Jingxin was still unhappy, but nodded obediently: “I get it—but Aunt Wu, you have to make it up to me next week. Take me out to eat something delicious.”

Lin Wu: “Definitely.”

As she spoke, she smiled toward Feng Tingshen.

He Zhangbai stood nearby, silent.

Shan Dan came over and took Feng Jingxin’s hand: “If we get the chance next week, let’s all have dinner together.”

Feng Jingxin and Shan Dan had spent time together several times—they’d become good friends.

She nodded: “Okay.”