Jiang Zhe happened to be in the pantry when he heard the news, and he was momentarily stunned. He and Cheng Yuan had always believed that Rong Ci couldn't actually bear to leave the company. They were convinced she would find any opportunity to stay.
Yesterday, when her replacement, Xu Xuena, arrived for her first day, they assumed Rong Ci would make a move. After all, Xu Xuena was exceptionally beautiful and glamorous. How could Rong Ci feel at ease leaving a woman like that by Feng Tingshen's side?
Yet, over the last two days, Rong Ci had not only accepted Xu Xuena but was getting along with her famously. Now, she was even teaching Xu Xuena her personal coffee-making secrets?
Just what exactly was going on?
Rong Ci didn't care what Jiang Zhe thought. She completed her work meticulously and declined Xu Xuena's dinner invitation. Once her shift ended, she planned to head home for a quick bite before diving back into her research on AI.
As soon as she left the office building, her phone rang. It was a call from Feng Jingxin.
"Mom, are you finished with work?"
Rong Ci got into her car and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I want to eat Crispy Fried Pork and Water Chestnut and Lean Meat Soup. Mom, come back and make them for me, okay?"
Rong Ci paused. She and Feng Tingshen hadn't officially divorced yet, and he hadn't called to demand she move out. She believed he wouldn't object to her returning to cook dinner for their daughter.
But she was exhausted, and she had her own plans. Feng Jingxin was her responsibility, yes, but Rong Ci had her own life too. She would no longer unconditionally sacrifice her time for the girl.
"Mom has things to do today," she said. "Maybe next time."
In the past, Rong Ci had always prioritized Feng Tingshen and Feng Jingxin above everything else. She almost never said no to them. Today marked the second time she had refused her daughter.
Although Feng Jingxin didn't quite register the shift, simply assuming her mother was genuinely busy, she was used to being put first. She had rarely been rejected like this.
She felt aggrieved. "Mom, why are you always so busy lately? I don't care! I want Crispy Fried Pork, and I want that water chestnut soup!"
"Jingxin..." Rong Ci felt a headache coming on.
Feng Jingxin let out a sharp "Hmph" and hung up in a fit of pique.
Rong Ci sat in the car, her eyes welling with tears. She covered her face, remaining silent for a long time before finally starting the engine and driving away.
Once home, she had a simple bowl of noodles. She had just opened her laptop when Yu Moxun called. "There's a banquet in a few days. Will you accompany me? I'd like to introduce you to some people."
"Alright."
Yu Moxun asked again, "When will your handover be finished over there?"
"Soon. It should be in the next few days."
"That's good then."
On the other side of town, Feng Jingxin waited. She expected Rong Ci to rush home immediately to coax her and cook for her. But she waited and waited. An hour passed, then another. It was nearly eight in the evening, and Rong Ci was still nowhere to be seen.
The butler, worried she would go hungry, tried to persuade her. "Since Madam is busy, you should eat something first to line your stomach, Miss. We can wait for Madam to return to cook more..."
"I don't want to!" Feng Jingxin pouted. Seeing that Rong Ci hadn't returned and hadn't even called, she felt truly wronged. At the butler's suggestion, she burst into tears. "I only want to eat the food Mom makes!"
"But"
The butler assumed Rong Ci was truly tied up with something important. Seeing no other choice, he thought for a moment and called Feng Tingshen.
It took a while for Feng Tingshen to answer. "What is it?"
The butler explained the situation in detail.
Feng Tingshen replied, "Give her the phone."
Feng Jingxin took the phone, sobbing. "Dad..."
"Eat your dinner first."
Feng Jingxin wiped her eyes, stubbornly remaining silent. Feng Tingshen didn't speak either. Feng Jingxin began to cry even harder.
Feng Tingshen's tone remained cool. "I'll take you out this weekend. You pick the place."
The sobbing hitched. "Really?"
"Yes. Now, go eat."
"Have you eaten, Dad?"
"I'm at a business engagement."
"Oh..."
"Go eat."
"Okay..."
Feng Jingxin pouted, but her mood had lifted. She hung up and went downstairs obediently to have dinner.
After ending the call, Feng Tingshen returned to the private dining room. Someone teased him, "President Feng, you certainly get a lot of calls."
Feng Tingshen took a sip of his wine. "My daughter was throwing a tantrum and refused to eat. I had to coax her a bit."
The expressions of those around the table shifted. For years, rumors had circulated that Feng Tingshen had married a long time ago, but no one knew who the mysterious 'Mrs. Feng' was. Others claimed he wasn't married at all. They didn't know the truth and didn't dare ask.
Hearing Feng Tingshen proactively mention he had a daughter left many of them astonished. However, they were even more afraid to pry further.
After dinner, Feng Jingxin continued to wait for Rong Ci. She waited for her to come home. It was past nine, and she had already finished her bath, but Rong Ci was still absent. She kept a close ear on the sounds outside.
Around ten o'clock, the sound of a car approached. Her eyes lit up, and she went running downstairs. "Mom"
The joyful shout cut off abruptly when she saw Feng Tingshen walking through the door.
"Dad?"
Feng Tingshen handed his coat to the butler, not missing the disappointment on her face. "What's wrong?"
"I thought it was Mom..."
Feng Tingshen didn't feel jealous about the child "only having room in her heart for her mother." He paused. "She hasn't come back yet?"
"No..."
Feng Tingshen didn't give it much thought. "She must be busy. Didn't she promise to take you to school tomorrow morning? Go to sleep early. You'll see her when you wake up."
Hearing this, Feng Jingxin finally looked a bit happier. "Okay."
After going upstairs, Feng Tingshen went to his study to handle some business. By the time he finished, it was nearly midnight. He assumed Rong Ci would have returned while he was working. But when he returned to his room, he found it empty.
She hadn't come back.
It seemed something had truly happened to the Rong family. With that thought, Feng Tingshen walked calmly into the bathroom.
The next day, Rong Ci woke up early since she had to take Feng Jingxin to school. After a simple breakfast, she drove out of her residential complex. As her car entered the familiar villa district, she felt a momentary sense of trance.
She had lived here for nearly seven years. Now, having been away for only about twenty days, it felt as though a lifetime had passed since she last set foot here. In truth, not a single blade of grass or leaf on the trees had changed. Yet, a sense of estrangement had already begun to take root in her heart.
The butler saw her and hurried out to greet her. "Madam is back."
Rong Ci hesitated at the address, but in the end, she didn't correct him. She gave a short response and asked, "Where is Jingxin?"
"She probably hasn't woken up yet."
It was almost time. If Feng Jingxin didn't come down for breakfast soon, she would be late. However, Rong Ci had no intention of going upstairs. She simply asked Auntie Liu to go up and hurry the girl along.
The butler asked, "Has Madam had breakfast? It's already prepared, perhaps"
Rong Ci smiled faintly and shook her head. "No need, I've already eaten."
"I see, very well..."
At that moment, Feng Tingshen came downstairs. Rong Ci looked at him but didn't speak, giving only a slight, cold nod as a greeting.
Feng Tingshen's footsteps paused. Before he could say a word, Feng Jingxin came running down the stairs and threw herself into Rong Ci's arms.
Rong Ci held her, smoothing her hair with a smile. "It's getting late. Go eat your breakfast quickly."
"Okay!"
She really did see her mother as soon as she woke up! Nuzzling into Rong Ci's embrace and breathing in her mother's familiar scent, Feng Jingxin felt satisfied. She happily pulled Rong Ci along. "Then Mom, stay and eat with me."
Rong Ci didn't get up. "Mom has already eaten. You go ahead."
Feng Jingxin acted spoiled. "Then Mom, just stay and talk to me."
While the mother and daughter were talking, Feng Tingshen had already taken a seat in the dining room. Rong Ci couldn't win against her daughter's persistence, so she followed her into the dining room and sat directly opposite Feng Tingshen.
The butler poured a glass of water for Rong Ci. She sat quietly, sipping her water while listening to Feng Jingxin talk excitedly about what had happened at school the previous day.
As for Feng Tingshen, she ignored him entirely.
Feng Tingshen naturally noticed the change in her attitude toward him. It had been the same the last time they were at the ancestral home. Thinking of this, Feng Tingshen frowned, his movements at the table coming to a slight halt.
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