The breeze in Beijing during August already carries a hint of chill.
A silver BMW drove down the main street, entered a secluded alleyway, and stopped in front of a courtyard entrance.
The gate had the architecture style of Yuanming Garden.
Yao Guang stepped out of the car first, walked around to the back seat, and gently reminded, "Third Young Master, we've arrived."
Rong Zhi lazily lifted his eyelids, his captivating eyes reminiscent of a fox were veiled with a thin layer of mist, responding with minimal emotion.
"Third Young Master."
As soon as Rong Zhi got out of the car, an elderly man dressed in a Zhongshan suit, who looked at least over fifty, greeted him.
He had a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, his face kind and gentle.
"Housekeeper Lu, we'll go report the task to Mr. Rong first; please take the Third Young Master to see the elder."
Lu Zhao gave Rong Zhi a subtle look up and down, waved to Yao Guang and his companion, then slightly bowed to Rong Zhi, "Please follow me, Third Young Master."
Rong Zhi slightly raised his eyebrows, nodded briefly, and walked casually with one hand in his pocket into the courtyard.
He wandered past the shadow wall, strolled through the hanging corridors, keeping his eyes lowered the whole way, occasionally yawning as if still half-asleep.
Lu Zhao glanced at Rong Zhi, thinking to himself, he might have seemed naive, but he turned out more composed than expected.
With this thought, his expression became even more amiable.
They arrived at the main hall of the second courtyard.
A full-bodied voice emanated from inside—
"Lu Zhao, is my third child here? Quickly let him in!"
This somewhat uncomfortable term successfully halted Rong Zhi's step; she slightly lifted her face, expressionlessly peering in.
An elderly gentleman with white hair and a face full of wrinkles sat in the hall's central chair, a dark green long gown casting him as slightly younger, he held a wooden cane that appeared polished from frequent handling.
Upon seeing Rong Zhi standing at the entrance, he exclaimed while getting up from the chair, wobbling over, even coughing due to rushing too much, prompting Lu Zhao to quickly assist him.
"Be careful with your health, elder."
"I'm perfectly fine!" Rong Fangjun sidestepped Lu Zhao's hand, circling around this newly introduced grandson.
"Good, looking good, this child's looks take after his grandmother, absolutely pretty."
Rong Zhi discreetly appraised this grandfather with whom she theoretically shared a blood relation.
He appeared kindly and was very warm towards her, showing no sense of estrangement despite her eighteen-year absence.
"Come over and sit; your father is at the company, your mother took your brother and sister out, they should be nearly home now."
Rong Fangjun led Rong Zhi to a grand armchair, beginning to recount events that had occurred in the Rong Family over the years.
"Your father is named Rong Xian'an, your mother is Ying Man, you have an older brother by three years named Rong Qichuo, currently studying at Jing University, and a twin sister named Rong Meng..."
These details Yao Fang had already partially informed Rong Zhi about on the way, but Rong Zhi still listened attentively, without impatience.
Rong Fangjun took hold of Rong Zhi's hands, caressing them: "Grandfather heard about the happenings in Qingqu County, child, you've suffered these past eighteen years."
Looking at these hands, they are fair but too thin.
Rong Zhi raised an eyebrow, "Not suffered, it's been fine."
Rong Fangjun nodded, sighing inwardly, never mind, it's good enough that the child is back now; the Rong Family's debts will slowly be repaid in the future.
Before long, Lu Zhao walked back in from outside—
"Elder, Mr. and Mrs., along with the young master and miss have returned."
...
Outside the hall.
Rong Meng and Rong Qichuo were whispering to each other.
They honestly weren't particularly pleased about this brother who was suddenly found.
Besides spending eighteen years in the middle of nowhere, dropping out of school to work, they heard from the people who found Rong Zhi that he mingled in all sorts of dubious places, reeking of a lout, in summary, unruly and uneducated.
"Brother, what do you think he looks like? Only grandpa and dad have seen his photograph, I'm truly curious." Rong Meng pouted, her tone slightly resentful.
Who knows what grandpa's thinking, just seeing a photo and he was eager to bring the person back.
It made her and her brother seem so disliked by the elder.
She silently tagged the so-called "brother" with a label of "competing for affection" in her mind before actually meeting him.
Rong Qichuo's expression remained indifferent, not paying much attention, "Our family's genes aren't lacking, unless he's disfigured, he shouldn't be too shabby."
Rong Meng nodded, agreeing with her brother.
In front, Rong Xian'an and Ying Man entered the main hall but paused once inside.
Rong Meng was puzzled as to why her parents suddenly stopped moving, so she stepped forward, instantly stunned.
The warm midday sunlight streamed through the intricately carved wooden windows, casting a golden glow inside, lingering on the boy seated in the center of the grand armchair, especially cherishing his eyes and remains there for a long time.
His brows were quietly lowered, his long and dense lashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes, as though sensing her gaze, he gently lifted his face.
The flawless face shone palely under the sunlight, the alluring fox-like eyes deep black, indifferent and casual.
With three parts cold and seven parts wild.
His facial features weren't that deep, suggesting a delicate ambiguity of gender.
Rong Meng snapped back to consciousness after a moment of surprise.
Pressed her lips together.
Still, handsome, but not resembling either her or their brother one bit, lacking the refined elegance expected from the Rong Family, resembling more a delinquent.
Rong Zhi glanced at her briefly, then shifted his gaze to the two older individuals in front.
Rong Xian'an, merely in his forties, came from an affluent and prestigious lineage, exuding a commanding aura befitting an upper echelon figure, perhaps used to being stern-faced, he remained unsmiling at home too, meeting Rong Zhi's gaze with just a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Without the excitement of a father reuniting with his son.
Rong Zhi's lips subtly curled, nodding at a leisurely pace with minimal motion.
Rong Xian'an frowned.
Is this how one treats their elders?
Rong Fangjun couldn't comprehend Rong Zhi's sudden shift in attitude; he intended for these individuals to converse and build rapport, then excused himself claiming fatigue, departing with Lu Zhao's support.
The hall was left with just the five family members.
Ying Man looked at the similar wildly exotic fox eyes of the other across from her, quietly seethed, raising a hand to massage her brow, "Meng Meng has a cello performance in a couple days, I'll take her for practice now."
Rong Xian'an gestured, "Go ahead, practice well, I've invited Mr. Jing this time, he's currently considering accepting a student, make sure to perform your best."
At the mention of Rong Meng, Rong Xian'an's face noticeably softened.
Being one of the two girls in the family, Rong Xian'an granted his exceptionally talented daughter the highest level of indulgence and affection.
Rong Meng smiled tilting her head slightly, her ponytail tipped, nodded obediently, "I understand, dad, I'll give it my all."
After saying that, she glanced sideways at Rong Zhi, her smile fading as she followed Ying Man out of the hall.
With everyone gone, Rong Xian'an eyed Rong Zhi before speaking in a measured tone, "Rong Zhi, correct."
"Since you've talked with the elder, and he likes you, you can stay and live at the Rong Family as an adopted child."