Hanging up the phone, Rong Ci threw herself back into work. By 9:00 PM, after her brain had been cleansed by knowledge, her mood had improved significantly.
Just then, Yu Moxun called. "Want to come out?"
Half an hour later, Rong Ci arrived at the bar. Yu Moxun came to the door to meet her. "Want a drink?"
Rong Ci paused, then said, "Sure."
Yu Moxun leaned in and glanced at her. "Bad mood?"
"It's better now."
Yu Moxun didn't ask further and ordered her a low-alcohol blue cocktail. Rong Ci held the glass, taking small sips as she listened to Yu Moxun chat with his friends. Neither of them noticed they were being watched from the balcony bar upstairs.
Yao Xinbo noted, "So it's her and Yu Moxun."
The man beside him followed his gaze. When he saw Rong Ci, he paused.
Yao Xinbo noticed and laughed. "Your type?"
His friend didn't answer, only asking, "You know her?"
"Yeah," Yao Xinbo replied. "That's the girl I told you about a couple of days agothe one Ji Feng took an interest in at first, then suddenly changed his mind about."
His friend looked at Rong Ci. Although the bar wasn't particularly rowdy, her aura was cool and clean. Against the chaotic colored lights and heavy music, her quiet and gentle temperament was actually highlighted, making it seem as if she had accidentally wandered into the wrong place.
Yu Moxun asked, "Want to dance?"
Rong Ci didn't know how to dance, but she was willing to try. "Okay."
On the dance floor, guided by Yu Moxun, she swayed to the music for a minute or two before gradually adapting, her body swaying in a relaxed rhythm. Having had some alcohol, she was slightly tipsy. The wine brought a faint flush to her cheeks and a watery shimmer to her eyes, giving her an unintended, alluring charm.
Yao Xinbo swore under his breath. "This Miss Rong... she might not provoke a desire to conquer like that Miss Lin, but she really is innocently alluring and fresh! She's a total catch!"
His friend remained silent.
Just then, Rong Ci felt her phone vibrate. She didn't stop moving but took a look at the screen. When she saw the caller ID, she froze instantly.
Seeing her expression change, Yu Moxun leaned over. His scalp went numb. "It's actually the Teacher!"
The two of them hurried off the dance floor. As they left, Rong Ci inadvertently looked up and saw Yao Xinbo sitting beside a handsome young man. Since she wasn't close with Yao Xinbo, she quickly looked away and followed Yu Moxun outside to answer the call. Her voice was immediately timid. "Teacher..."
"Come pick me up tomorrow at noon."
Rong Ci blinked. "Huh?"
The call ended before she could respond.
Yu Moxun asked urgently, "What did he say?"
"Teacher wants me to pick him up tomorrow at noon."
"He didn't say why? Or tell you to bring me along?"
Rong Ci shook her head.
Yu Moxun checked his own phone. Nan Zhizhi hadn't messaged him at all. He felt a sudden sting of rejection. "Teacher is biased."
The lively atmosphere of the bar was indeed relaxing. Rong Ci's mood was much better. She reached out and patted Yu Moxun's chest. "Feeling better?"
"No. I'll only feel better if you pay the tab tonight."
"I know."
It was obviously a joke. There was no way Yu Moxun would actually let her pay. Fearing that Nan Zhizhi might find out he brought Rong Ci to a bar, Yu Moxun settled the bill at the counter, and they left together.
The next day at noon.
Rong Ci drove to Nan Zhizhi's villa. After he got in the car, she asked, "Teacher, where are we going?"
Nan Zhizhi gave her an address. Half an hour later, they arrived at a restaurant and were led into a private booth. When they pushed the door open, two men were already seated inside. Both were middle-aged men with extraordinary presence.
Seeing them enter, the two stood up. "You're here."
"Ren Yi'an, Ji Huanying," Nan Zhizhi introduced them with his usual cold indifference. "My student, Rong Ci."
Rong Ci had seen them on the news. One held a pivotal position in the military, and the other was a titan of politics. However, they were very warm toward her. They shook her hand and said, "It is an honor to meet you. We have heard much about you."
Though a bit dazed, Rong Ci shook their hands calmly and replied respectfully, "That is what I should be saying to the two of you."
Ren Yi'an and Ji Huanying smiled and gestured for her to sit. Once she was settled, Ren Yi'an said, "We've known about you for years and always hoped Academician Nan would introduce us, but everyone has been too busy. Lately, our people have been studying the system you developed. Since we both happened to be free today, we wanted to have a meal and meet you in person."
After the pleasantries, Rong Ci began chatting with them. They talked about systems, chips, and energy...
Nan Zhizhi sat to the side, eating and drinking tea in silence, hardly participating.
An hour later, Ren Yi'an poured Rong Ci a cup of tea. She hurried to accept it. Setting down the teapot, Ren Yi'an's gaze was deep and full of experience, yet gentle. "If I remember correctly, Xiao Ci is in her twenties?"
Rong Ci nodded. "Yes, I'm twenty-five."
"So young." As soon as Ren Yi'an asked, Ji Huanying knew exactly what he was getting at. He interjected, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Rong Ci was caught off guard. "I'm married."
And soon to be divorced. However, in front of Ren Yi'an and Ji Huanying, she didn't feel it was appropriate to share too much of her personal business, so she kept that part to herself.
Ren Yi'an and Ji Huanying were clearly surprised. But these were no ordinary men. When she mentioned being married, they noticed a flicker of emotion in her eyes. It was obvious her marriage was troubled.
In other words, a divorce was likely.
Well, perhaps their sons still had a chance.
Countless daughters of prestigious families were desperate to marry into the Ren or Ji households. Generally speaking, even an ordinary wealthy heiress wouldn't be able to enter their doors, let alone a divorcee.
But Rong Ci was different. She was far too talented. With the technology Changmo currently possessed, its development would be unstoppable in the coming years. Not to mention, it was highly likely that Rong Ci would eventually succeed Nan Zhizhi in his position. This meant her future was limitless.
Furthermore, she was so young and successful yet remained steady and gentle without a hint of arrogancea trait extremely rare in young people. The more they looked at her, the more they liked her.
Listening to this, Nan Zhizhi finally looked up and gave them a cold, sharp glare.
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