Rong Ci flushed, overcome with embarrassment, and hurriedly pulled back the collar that Shan Shan had been tugging on.
He Changbai's eyes darkened. Once he realized what was happening, he turned around and looked away. The nanny standing nearby was equally mortified. Fortunately, there was no one else around, or it would have been even more awkward.
She hurriedly helped Rong Ci tidy her clothes.
Rong Ci was usually quite conservative; she had never exposed herself like this in front of any man other than Feng Tingshen... especially since this man was one of Feng Tingshen's best friends. It made her feel even more uneasy.
After she finished smoothing out her clothes, she said with a lingering note of awkwardness, "I have something to do. I'll be going now."
He Changbai finally turned back. "My apologies," he said.
Shan Shan also realized she had done something wrong and assumed she had made Rong Ci angry. Seeing Rong Ci's eyes redden, she took the initiative to whisper an apology. "Auntie, I'm sorry..."
Rong Ci knew the child hadn't done it on purpose and didn't want to scold her. "It's okay. Auntie knows you didn't mean it." After saying that, she gave a thin smile, waved to Shan Shan, and turned to step into the elevator.
He Changbai watched the elevator doors close and then said to Shan Shan, who was in his arms, "Shan Shan, you can't grab other people's collars like that again, okay?"
Shan Shan nodded vigorously. "Mhm, I understand..."
Because she had to return to the Feng family ancestral home for dinner, Rong Ci prepared to leave the group activity early around 4:00 PM.
Since she was leaving early, Yu Moxun walked her to the parking lot. "Drive carefully," he urged.
"I will."
As Rong Ci spoke, a car slowly drove toward them. She hadn't noticed at first, but the rear window rolled down and Shan Shan poked her little head out, waving at her. "Goodbye, Auntie."
Rong Ci smiled faintly. "Goodbye, Shan Shan."
When she noticed He Changbai looking at her, she paused and nodded to him as a greeting. He Changbai nodded back, then cast a glance at Yu Moxun by her side before looking away.
Watching the car pull away, Yu Moxun rubbed his chin. "Why do I feel like He Changbai's gaze just now was a bit... scrutinizing?"
Rong Ci didn't take it to heart. "Really? Why would he bother scrutinizing you?"
How would Yu Moxun know? It was just a feeling. He hesitated before speaking. "Do you think it's because he saw us together and thought we were getting too close? Maybe he's keeping an eye on me for his brother, Feng Tingshen?"
Rong Ci's smile dimmed a bit. "Don't worry," she said dismissively. "It definitely wasn't because of that."
He Changbai and the others were very close with Lin Wu. It was obvious that they would much rather see Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu together. He and Qi Yuming probably wished she would start an affair with someone else so she'd leave Feng Tingshen alone. How could they possibly worry about her "cuckolding" Feng Tingshen just because she was seen with another man?
After getting into her car, Rong Ci drove away.
By the time she reached the ancestral home, it was completely dark. Aside from the servants, only Old Madame Feng was there. Upon hearing that Rong Ci had arrived, she came out personally to greet her.
Seeing that Rong Ci was alone, the old lady's smile faltered. "Where is Xin Xin?"
It was common for Feng Tingshen not to arrive in the same car as her, so she wouldn't ask about him. But didn't Feng Jingxin usually come back with her?
Ever since Rong Ci's foot had healed and she had accompanied Xin Xin for a meal at the villa, Xin Xin hadn't contacted her again. As for this weekend, where the father and daughter had gone or who they were with, Rong Ci had no idea.
She couldn't be bothered to ask.
Hearing the old lady's question, Rong Ci smiled and said, "They should be here in a moment."
She said it, but in reality, she wasn't even sure if they would show up tonight. After all, hadn't the same thing happened during the trip to the Hot Spring Resort? Old Madame Feng assumed Rong Ci knew the father and daughter's schedule and didn't press further.
Rong Ci entered the house and chatted with the old lady for quite a while. It was nearly 7:30 PM, yet there was still no sign of Feng Tingshen or Xin Xin.
Old Madame Feng frowned. "What time is it now? Why aren't they here yet?" She was clearly thinking back to the last time Feng Tingshen had been absent during the hot spring trip. Her expression soured as she said to Rong Ci, "Xiao Ci, call and hurry him up."
Rong Ci had no choice but to pick up her phone and call Feng Tingshen. The call was answered quickly. He seemed to guess the purpose of her call and spoke first. "We'll be there in twenty minutes."
Just as Rong Ci was about to speak, Xin Xin's voice came through the line. "Goodbye, Auntie Wu."
Rong Ci lowered her eyes. As expected, they were with Lin Wu.
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she heard Lin Wu's voice. "Mhm, goodbye, Xin Xin."
Then, she heard Lin Wu say tenderly to Feng Tingshen, "I'm going up now."
Feng Tingshen replied, "Okay."
Then, she heard Feng Tingshen ask in a cold tone, "Is there anything else?"
Rong Ci snapped back to reality. "Nothing." With that, she moved to hang up the phone. But Feng Tingshen was one step faster than her.
Rong Ci: "..."
"What's wrong? Are they not coming back again?" Old Madame Feng asked, her voice rising in irritation. "Tingshen really is"
"No," Rong Ci said with a faint smile. "There's traffic at this hour. They'll be here in twenty minutes."
Old Madame Feng's face finally looked a bit better. But she was still angry. "Then we'll start eating first. Forget about him; he deserves to eat leftovers!"
The housekeeper on the side reminded her with a smile, "Miss Xin Xin is also in the car..."
Old Madame Feng choked on her words, then snorted. "For the sake of my little great-grandson, I'll let him off this once!"
Rong Ci listened and smiled, but didn't say anything more.
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