Chapter 85: Winter Camp

Leaving Xundu, Yu Moxun was still fuming as he got in the car.

He seemed to remember something and asked Rong Ci: “By the way, the girl in professional attire standing behind Lin Wu—who is she? I noticed her looking at you with bad intent. Do you know her?”

Rong Ci: “Lin Wu’s cousin.”

Yu Moxun: “...”

“Fine, Feng Tingshen getting Lin Wu to Xundu is one thing—but now he’s even bringing her family to Xundu? If he keeps this up, I wouldn’t be surprised if Xundu changes its name to Lin soon.”

Rong Ci felt the same way.

She said: “Mm.”

Given Feng Tingshen’s love for Lin Wu, even if he gave Xundu to her, she wouldn’t find it strange.

What’s it matter if he lets the Sun family work at Xundu?

Yu Moxun decided not to say more—further talk would only make him angrier.

That night, to replicate the engine conditions of Feng Tingshen’s company car, Rong Ci and Yu Moxun didn’t get home until very late.

On the way back, snow began to fall.

When they got home, Rong Ci was just about to enter the bathroom for a shower when her phone rang.

It was Feng Tingshen.

She didn’t answer, took her clothes, and went into the bathroom.

When she came out, she checked her phone and found two missed calls from Feng Tingshen. Seeing she hadn’t answered, he’d sent a message: tomorrow, Feng Jingxin has a parent-teacher meeting.

Rong Ci read it and replied with a few words: I’m busy tomorrow.

Then she put the phone down and ignored it.

Over there, Feng Tingshen was busy; Feng Jingxin was playing with his phone, saw Rong Ci’s reply, and cheered: “Dad, Mom says she’s busy tomorrow—can I ask Aunt Wu to come to school and attend the parent-teacher meeting for me?”

Feng Tingshen didn’t look up, just grunted: “Mm.”

“Yes! Perfect!”

Feng Jingxin jumped off the sofa, dancing with joy.

Feng Tingshen said: “I’ll be there tomorrow too.”

Feng Jingxin: “I know—you wouldn’t miss it if Aunt Wu’s going.”

The next day.

Rong Ci arrived at Changmo for work and was chatting with Su Yuquan when her phone buzzed.

It was Feng Jingxin’s homeroom teacher: “Mrs. Feng, won’t you be coming to Feng Jingxin’s parent-teacher meeting today?”

Rong Ci saw it and replied: “I have something else to do—I won’t be coming.”

A while later, the homeroom teacher sent another message: “Today, Feng Jingxin’s parent-teacher meeting was attended by her father and another woman...”

And she sent a photo.

In the photo, Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu sat together; Feng Jingxin sat beside Lin Wu, hugging her arm affectionately.

Rong Ci wasn’t surprised that Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu attended Feng Jingxin’s parent-teacher meeting together.

After all, Feng Jingxin desperately wanted her gone and Lin Wu to take her place.

If Lin Wu was going, how could Feng Tingshen possibly let her go alone?

The homeroom teacher worried for her; Rong Ci replied: “I know. It’s fine. Thank you, Teacher Yang.”

She put down her phone and returned to work.

Time flies when you’re busy.

Before she knew it, it was Friday again.

Early that morning, shortly after waking, He Zhangbai called again, saying Shan Dan wanted to go camping.

Rong Ci paused: “Like, overnight?”

“Mm,” He Zhangbai said. “Don’t worry—I’ll arrange security for you. Sleeping bags, tents, heaters—I’ll have everything ready. Just show up.”

“Okay.”

Saturday morning, Rong Ci returned to the Rong household for a meal and asked about Rong Changsheng’s new project.

After confirming everything was fine, she relaxed.

At two in the afternoon, she drove out toward the campsite.

When she arrived, He Zhangbai and Shan Dan had just gotten there too.

He Zhangbai’s people were setting up tents and assembling the barbecue grill.

It had snowed for several days; the mountains were blanketed in snow.

Seeing her arrive, Shan Dan ran over and grabbed her hand, saying she wanted to build a snowman with her.

She’d often built snowmen with Feng Jingxin before.

Building a snowman wasn’t hard for Rong Ci.

Soon, they’d made a small one.

Shan Dan specially prepared a scarf for it; after finishing, she ran off to ask the servant to find a scarf and a carrot.

He Zhangbai walked over to Rong Ci.

Rong Ci saw him but said nothing.

He Zhangbai squatted beside her and asked: “You started working at Changmo?”

Rong Ci was still tidying the snowman, not looking up: “Mm.”

Remembering how coldly she’d treated Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu when they met at Xundu—as if she no longer cared—he asked: “When did you start?”

Rong Ci: “A while ago.”

He Zhangbai wanted more details, but Rong Ci clearly didn’t want to talk; he dropped the subject and said: “Five times total.”

Rong Ci paused, understanding he meant she was to accompany Shan Dan five times in total.

She said: “Understood.”

Shan Dan came back with two scarves, saying they should build another, bigger snowman—side by side, just like her and Rong Ci—and ordered He Zhangbai to help.

He Zhangbai silently followed her instructions.

After finishing the large snowman, Shan Dan made He Zhangbai take a photo of her and Rong Ci.

He Zhangbai took out his phone, watched Rong Ci’s smile in the camera, and took several shots.

Time flew quickly during play; when the photos were done, dusk began to fall, the barbecue grill emitted the scent of food, and lights glowed inside the tents.

He Zhangbai: “Do you eat seafood?”

Rong Ci: “Mm.”

He Zhangbai handed her a few skewers.

Many people had come for the winter camp; the tents weren’t packed tightly, but the scene was lively—there was even a bonfire party planned later.

He Zhangbai: “Want to join?”

“I’m fine either way.”

He Zhangbai was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Qi Yuming.

He Zhangbai walked farther away to answer.

Qi Yuming: “Want to grab drinks later?”

“No, you guys go.”

“What are you—”

At that moment, Shan Dan ran over, clutching a skewer of grilled chicken wings: “Uncle, chicken wings!”

He Zhangbai bent down to take them.

Qi Yuming heard: “You’re eating barbecue?”

“Mm.”

“Where?”

“Outside,” he said coolly. “Went camping.”

“No way! It’s been snowing hard these days—camping, snowball fights, a bonfire? Why didn’t I think of that!”

Then, belatedly: “Wait—you went camping without calling us?!”

He Zhangbai said coolly: “Next time for sure.”

“No, that aunt of Shan Dan’s is there, right? Where are you? I’m coming right now—no, I can bring Tingshen and the others—we’ll all go—”

He Zhangbai: “Gotta go.”

Before Qi Yuming could respond, He Zhangbai hung up first.