Next month was Old Madam Rong's seventieth birthday.
Rong Ci, Rong Changsheng, and the others were discussing how to organize the celebration to ensure the old lady would enjoy it.
However, upon hearing their plans, the old lady showed little interest. "Don't bother with those superficial things," she said. "It would be wonderful enough if our whole family could just sit down and have a nice meal together."
Rong Ci's aunt, He Mingxue, countered, "But it is your seventieth, after all. We really should have a proper celebration..."
Rong Ci and Rong Changsheng shared that sentiment.
Since it was the sincere wish of her children and grandchildren, the old lady didn't refuse further.
Feng Jingxin had school the next day, so after dinner, Rong Ci drove her away.
Upon returning to the villa, Feng Jingxin hopped out of the car and ran happily toward the house.
Rong Ci remained in her seat. "Go get your bath and get to bed early," she told the girl. "Mom still has things to do, so I won't be coming up."
Feng Jingxin's smile faltered. "Huh?"
She turned back and leaned against the car, her small brows furrowing as she looked at Rong Ci. "Mom, are you busy again?"
Rong Ci's expression didn't change. "Yes. Focus on your classes, and call me if you need anything."
Feng Jingxin looked unhappy, her little mouth pouting. "Alright then," she finally muttered.
When Feng Tingshen was busy with work, he also rarely came home.
Because of the current situation, Feng Jingxin assumed Rong Ci was simply staying out late due to a heavy workload and didn't give it much more thought.
The butler came out to greet them when he realized they were back.
"Is Dad home?" Feng Jingxin asked.
The butler smiled broadly. "He is."
Rong Ci reacted with indifference. She simply said to the girl, "Mom is leaving now."
"Oh..."
Feng Jingxin moved out of the way.
The butler, however, was somewhat confused. "Is Madam going out again this late?"
Rong Ci didn't elaborate. "Yes, I have some business."
She then turned to Feng Jingxin. "It's cold outside, hurry on in."
"I know." Feng Jingxin waved to Rong Ci and followed the butler inside.
Rong Ci watched them go before turning her car around and driving off.
Once inside, Feng Jingxin asked the butler, "Where's Dad?"
"He should be in the study."
Feng Jingxin went upstairs and found the study door open. Inside, Feng Tingshen's tall, straight silhouette was leaning against the window, looking out. He seemed to be smoking.
"Dad," she called out.
"Mm." Feng Tingshen turned around.
"Mom had things to do," Feng Jingxin said. "She left as soon as she dropped me off."
Feng Tingshen stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray. "I know. Dad saw her."
Feng Jingxin wrinkled her nose. "Mom has been so busy lately. She's almost as busy as you."
Feng Tingshen gave a small smile. "Mm."
It was getting late and the girl was tired. She let out a yawn. "I'm going to take a bath and go to sleep. Goodnight, Dad."
"Goodnight. Sweet dreams."
Rong Ci went back to her own home, washed up, and went straight to bed.
The next day, she arrived at work on time.
In the afternoon, due to work requirements, she and Su Yuquan along with other technical staff went to Xundu to handle some technical maintenance.
This time, she didn't run into Feng Tingshen or Lin Wu.
Over the next few days, including the Thursday she went back to the villa to cook for Feng Jingxin, she didn't see Feng Tingshen once.
She heard he wasn't on a business trip, just that he was busy and wouldn't be back for dinner.
As for whether his "business" involved a date with Lin Wu or genuine social obligations, Rong Ci didn't ask.
As Rong Ci was thinking about what to eat after work on Friday, Feng Jingxin called again.
"Mom, Dad isn't going to be home this Saturday or Sunday. When are you coming back?"
In other words, she was being asked to look after the girl for the entire weekend.
Regardless of the reason, it was true that Feng Tingshen had spent more time with Feng Jingxin over the past two years.
Now, whether Feng Tingshen had private plans that weren't suitable for a child or actual business to attend to, Rong Ci felt it was her responsibility to take over since he was unavailable.
Rong Ci returned to the villa.
During dinner, she asked Feng Jingxin where she wanted to go over the weekend.
Feng Jingxin thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Nowhere in particular."
Rong Ci looked at her and knew it wasn't that she didn't want to go anywhere, but rather that she would have preferred to spend the weekend with Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu.
With them gone, she couldn't find the enthusiasm for anything.
Rong Ci didn't call her out. "Do you want to go horse riding?" she asked instead.
It had indeed been a long time since Feng Jingxin had gone riding. Her interest was immediately piqued. She nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
The following day, Rong Ci took her to the stables.
Once they arrived, Rong Ci went to change. When she came out, she heard Feng Jingxin speaking to the coach with her back turned. "My dad and an aunt of mine are both amazing at riding. They look so cool. It's just a shame they're busy today and couldn't come with me..."
Rong Ci stood by the entrance, not wanting to interrupt the girl's enthusiastic chatting.
It was the coach who noticed her and stood up. "Miss Rong."
Rong Ci nodded. The coach asked, "Shall I call someone else over to guide you?"
"That would be fine," she replied.
Rong Ci actually knew how to ride. It was just that when Feng Jingxin was younger, Rong Ci had focused all her attention on the girl whenever they visited the stables, rarely riding herself.
Come to think of it, she hadn't had a proper ride in three or four years.
Her equestrian skills were decent, but to be safe, she thought it best to have someone accompany her at first.
Feng Jingxin was led away by another coach, while Rong Ci went to a different field.
The coach assigned to her had assumed she didn't know how to ride. When he saw how cleanly she mounted the horse, he was stunned. "So you know how to ride, Miss Rong?"
"Mm," she hummed.
Rong Ci let the coach lead her for a short while before taking the reins herself. With a crack of her crop, the white horse beneath her gave a whinny and broke into a gallop.
It wasn't until she had completed several laps that she slowed down to go find Feng Jingxin.
Just as she approached, stopping about ten meters away, she suddenly froze.
It was Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu.
They had actually come here as well.
Feng Jingxin was happily hugging Lin Wu's leg. The three of them were talking about something, and the atmosphere clearly seemed pleasant.
Then, Feng Jingxin and Lin Wu mounted a horse together, with the girl sitting in front and Lin Wu behind her.
Feng Tingshen mounted a different horse.
The two horses strolled side by side while the three people laughed and chatted. From a distance, they looked exactly like a family of three.
Their figures slowly receded into the distance without them noticing her. Rong Ci watched them, then withdrew her gaze and turned to leave.
She changed out of her riding gear, took a sip of water, and sat for a while longer until Feng Tingshen's call came through.
Rong Ci answered. "Hello?"
"I'm at the stables as well," Feng Tingshen's voice came from the other end. "I'll take care of Xinxin."
"Alright," Rong Ci said.
As soon as the word left her lips, she heard the usual decisive click as Feng Tingshen hung up.
Rong Ci had been sitting there specifically waiting for this call.
Now that Feng Jingxin's whereabouts were settled, she picked up her bag and walked away.
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