Chapter 81: Keep Uncle

Rong Ci paused, asking her, “When do you want to go?”

“This…”

Feng Jingxin hesitated.

Rong Ci knew she really wanted to go only when Lin Wu and Feng Tingshen were both busy.

But she didn’t know when Lin Wu and Feng Tingshen would be free.

So she hesitated.

Rong Ci turned her gaze away and said, “It’s fine. When you want to go, just tell Mama. I’ll take you when I’m free.”

Feng Jingxin cheered, “Okay!”

A week of busyness passed.

On Friday evening, Rong Ci finished work early.

Back home, she was just about to make something to eat when Feng Jingxin called.

Rong Ci paused briefly before answering the call.

“Mama, I’m ready!”

Rong Ci had promised her to let her know when she wanted to go skiing.

But she didn’t plan to take her tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s schedule counted as half a social obligation for her.

She didn’t want to be burdened with taking her during it.

She said, “I’m busy tomorrow. Pick another time.”

Feng Jingxin pouted, “No, I really want to go on Saturday. Mama, will you take me on Saturday, please?”

“If you still want to go this week or next week, I’ll take you then.”

Feng Jingxin ignored her, still trying to wheedle and soften Rong Ci’s resolve: “Mama…”

Rong Ci remained unmoved: “If you still want to go next week, tell me again. Remember to eat well and don’t be picky.”

With that, Rong Ci hung up.

Feng Jingxin didn’t call back.

Knowing Feng Jingxin well, Rong Ci guessed she was upset with her.

Rong Ci didn’t care; she went into the kitchen to make dinner.

The next day.

When she woke up, He Zhangbai called again to ask if he should send a car to pick her up.

Rong Ci declined.

After breakfast, Rong Ci drove to the ski resort.

When she arrived, He Zhangbai and Dan Dan were already there.

Seeing her, He Zhangbai looked over, while Dan Dan pushed his hand away and ran happily toward Rong Ci: “Auntie!”

As Dan Dan flung herself into Rong Ci’s arms, Rong Ci gently hugged her, studying Dan Dan’s beaming face and brushing her cheek: “You’ve grown a little taller, your cheeks are rounder—more beautiful.”

Delighted by Rong Ci’s praise, Dan Dan nodded eagerly: “Mm! I’ve eaten lots of meat!”

Rong Ci smiled, about to speak, when Dan Dan suddenly pulled a crystal keychain from her pocket: “Auntie, this is for you.”

The keychain was a miniature pink cat-shaped bag, with a tiny white cat inside—exquisitely crafted.

It resembled the one Feng Jingxin had started attaching to her backpack’s zipper, but in a different color.

He Zhangbai often took Dan Dan out to play with Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu.

It was natural for Dan Dan and Feng Jingxin to have matching keychains.

Rong Ci paused, but didn’t ask further; she smiled: “It’s beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Dan Dan.”

Hearing Rong Ci liked it, Dan Dan beamed and tugged her inside: “Auntie, let’s go skiing!”

Rong Ci: “Okay.”

Watching them head in, He Zhangbai asked Rong Ci: “Did you eat breakfast? We brought some—if you haven’t eaten, have something first?”

Rong Ci: “No, I already ate.”

“Alright.”

After dressing and putting on goggles, they headed out to ski.

Dan Dan wasn’t very skilled yet, but Rong Ci had skied for years; she slowly guided Dan Dan.

The ski resort was crowded on Saturday and Sunday.

Worried they might get bumped into, He Zhangbai stayed beside them, ready to shield them if anyone collided.

But today there were simply too many people.

After just over an hour, two girls crashed into them.

Dan Dan was fine, but Rong Ci collided fully into He Zhangbai.

He reflexively wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against his chest.

Suddenly pressed against his broad frame, Rong Ci froze, feeling uneasy; she tried to push him away, but her foot throbbed uncomfortably.

He Zhangbai didn’t let go: “Twisted your ankle?”

“Looks like… yes.”

He Zhangbai called for staff, instructing them to watch over Dan Dan, then bent down and lifted Rong Ci into his arms.

Rong Ci assumed he’d have staff help her.

Suddenly lifted off her feet, she was stunned, then protested: “Put me down—I—”

He Zhangbai: “The doctor is waiting. Let’s deal with your foot first.”

Rong Ci fell silent, no longer struggling.

Inside the building, He Zhangbai set Rong Ci down.

The waiting doctor examined her and found only a minor dislocation; after resetting the bone, she was fine.

He Zhangbai asked Rong Ci: “Still want to ski?”

“I’m fine. I can continue.”

Since she’d come, she didn’t want to dampen Dan Dan’s spirits.

Hearing the doctor confirm her leg was unharmed, he didn’t object.

At that moment, someone in the distance glanced their way.

“Yao Yao? What are you looking at?”

Sun Liyao: “I think I saw someone I know.”

The side profile of that person looked just like He Zhangbai.

But he was with a child and a woman—could it really be him?

As she stepped forward to get a better look, he’d already pulled his hat and goggles back on and left.

For the next hour, Rong Ci and Dan Dan were bumped into twice more, but neither was hurt.

Seeing He Zhangbai holding her hand to steady her, Rong Ci gently pulled away: “I’m fine now, thank you.”

He Zhangbai finally released her wrist.

At noon, they left the ski resort and went to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

He Zhangbai handed her the menu to order.

Then Dan Dan remembered something and asked Rong Ci: “Auntie, what’s your name?”

“Rong Ci. Auntie’s name is Rong Ci.”

Dan Dan nodded: “Auntie Rong.”

Rong Ci smiled and patted her cheek.

Perhaps skiing had tired her out; before finishing her meal, Dan Dan began dozing off.

He Zhangbai picked her up, wiping the grease from her lips.

Rong Ci had also finished eating; she set down her chopsticks and said, “Shall we call it a day?”

“Okay.” But He Zhangbai didn’t stand immediately; he looked at her and asked, “Can we meet again next time?”

Rong Ci said: “Of course.”

He’d helped her; since Dan Dan needed her, helping him a few times was only right.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Since Dan Dan was asleep, Rong Ci assumed they had nothing more to say; she turned and left without another word.

Watching her drive away, He Zhangbai stood for a moment before getting into his car.

When they got home, Dan Dan woke up.

“Did Auntie Rong leave again?”

“Mm.” He Zhangbai held her and suddenly said, “By the way, Dan Dan—just call her ‘Auntie,’ not ‘Auntie Rong.’ And don’t tell anyone her name. Keep it a secret, okay?”

Dan Dan nodded obediently: “Okay.”