After Feng Jingxin left, Rong Ci found her book. Instead of returning to her room, she took the book to the second floor and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window to read.
Half an hour later, Old Madam Feng brought her a bowl of freshly brewed herbal medicine. "Ci, so this is where you were."
Rong Ci set her book down and rose to take the bowl. "Grandmother, why did you bring it up yourself? You could have just had someone call me downstairs."
"Your constitution is weak; it's better if you move around less." The old lady sat on another sofa, her expression slightly displeased. "I originally wanted Tingshen to bring it to you, but he's in the study clacking away at his keyboard. It's the weekend, and I have no idea what he could be so busy with."
Earlier in the dining room, Feng Tingshen had been teaching Lin Wu about some project matters. Rong Ci figured he probably found it more convenient to type on a computer, which was why he had gone into the study.
Lost in thought, Rong Ci silently raised the bowl and began to drink.
The weather was cold now, so the medicine was no longer scalding. She tilted the bowl back and finished the herbal brew in a few quick gulps. Old Madam Feng watched her with a furrowed brow. "That medicine is so bitter, Ci. Slow down."
Rong Ci set the bowl down. "It's alright. It wasn't that bitter."
After making her rinse her mouth with some water, the old lady handed her a piece of candy.
Rong Ci didn't eat it. Dinner would be ready soon, and since she had already eaten her own evening meal, she couldn't manage another bite.
Old Madam Feng then went downstairs to eat.
About forty minutes later, Old Madam Feng and Feng Jingxin came back upstairs, but neither of them looked particularly happy.
The old lady's face was cold. "It's already this late, and Tingshen is still heading to the office. He's going to work himself to death!"
Rong Ci had been so engrossed in her book that she hadn't even noticed the sound of a car outside.
For Feng Tingshen to head out this late at night, it was likely that some issue had cropped up with Lin Wu's project, and he was going over to help her handle it.
Feng Jingxin leaned against Rong Ci's legs and pouted. "Daddy didn't take me with him."
Of course, Feng Tingshen wouldn't take her. If he did, everyone at Xundu would find out that he was married and had a daughter this old.
Where would that leave Lin Wu? How could Tingshen ever bear to let Lin Wu suffer through such public scandal?
Rong Ci gave Feng Jingxin a gentle nudge, prompting her to move. "Mom hasn't fully recovered yet. Go sit somewhere else."
"Oh..." Jingxin replied.
Since she wasn't entirely well, Rong Ci found herself flagging by ten o'clock. She took a shower and fell asleep early.
When she woke up the next morning, she learned that Feng Tingshen had never returned that night.
Elder Zhang's medical skills were indeed excellent; she was feeling much better. The old lady had Elder Zhang check on her again, and he prescribed two doses of tonic to replenish her vital energy and blood.
Rong Ci planned to go to work as usual. Seeing that she couldn't be persuaded otherwise, the old lady claimed she didn't know how to brew the new medicine and insisted Rong Ci return to the residence that evening to drink it.
Noticing that the old lady looked like she wouldn't let her leave unless she agreed, Rong Ci had no choice but to give in.
Feng Jingxin asked her to take her to school, but Rong Ci refused. "Mom didn't drive her car back here. Maybe next time."
Jingxin didn't think it was an issue. "Then just drive Daddy's car. I'll call him; I'm sure he'll agree."
Before Rong Ci could say a word, Jingxin had already dialed Feng Tingshen's number.
The call was picked up almost instantly.
Upon hearing the voice on the other end, Jingxin nearly blurted out the person's name by reflex. But seeing Rong Ci looking over, she swallowed her words and said, "It's nothing now," before hanging up.
Jingxin thought she had hidden it well, but Rong Ci saw through it immediately. The name the girl had almost shouted was Lin Wu.
In other words, the person who answered Tingshen's phone was Lin Wu.
Having lied to Rong Ci's face, Jingxin felt a bit awkward. "Mom, you can take me to school next time then."
"Alright," Rong Ci replied.
Rong Ci and Feng Tingyi happened to be going the same way, so they left in the same car.
Feng Tingyi had missed his morning study period, so he spent the car ride reciting his texts. Hearing him stumble over his words, Rong Ci offered a hint or two.
Feng Tingyi gave her a thumbs-up. "Sister-in-law, your memory is amazing."
The car reached Feng Tingyi's school first. Rong Ci had graduated from this very high school years ago. Seeing the familiar campus stirred up old memories, but before she could dwell on them, Feng Tingyi hopped out.
"Bye, Sister-in-law!"
"Mm, goodbye."
The car merged back into the flow of traffic.
Upon returning to Changmo, Yu Moxun pinched her cheek. "Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?"
"Yeah, I had a high fever yesterday."
"You have a fever and you still came to work today?"
"Aren't I fine now?" Rong Ci said dismissively.
"We need to head over to Xundu in a bit. Are you coming?"
Rong Ci checked the latest test data while answering, "Yes, I am."
"Alright, I'll come get you when it's time."
"Mm."
Rong Ci noticed discrepancies in two sets of data and went to find Su Yuquan to have him correct them. Just as she was about to sit down and review some files, Yu Moxun came to tell her it was time to leave.
Once they arrived at Xundu, they skipped the pleasantries with Manager Quan and went straight to work.
Over an hour later, the bulk of the work was handled. With time no longer pressing, Manager Quan handed them each a cup of coffee.
Yu Moxun took a sip. "This coffee is quite good, richer than what you had before. Your company benefits are getting better and better."
Speaking of this, Manager Quan's face lit up with a gossiping grin. "Well, that's all thanks to Miss Lin."
Yu Moxun rolled his eyes. He hadn't expected this to be related to Lin Wu as well. He set his coffee cup down immediately and glanced at Rong Ci.
"I'm thirsty," Rong Ci said, drinking her coffee regardless.
Yu Moxun was speechless.
Manager Quan's gossiping soul was still restless. "Didn't President Feng give Miss Lin full authority over a project?"
"Mm," Yu Moxun grunted.
Manager Quan continued, "Miss Lin is likely leading such a large project for the first time and was worried about doing a poor job, so her entire team worked through the weekend. I heard they were here until after ten last night."
Yu Moxun's tone was cold. "Oh."
"To be honest, Miss Lin is quite responsible. She didn't act recklessly or treat the project like a joke just because she's President Feng's girlfriend."
Yu Moxun laughed out of sheer annoyance. "Isn't it because her ability is lacking that she needs so many people to stay late with her?"
Manager Quan understood his implication. "Well, people need room to grow."
"Perhaps," Yu Moxun said indifferently, looking at Rong Ci. "When our Ci first presided over a major company project, she kept everything in perfect order from start to finish."
After these few interactions, Manager Quan realized that Rong Ci's capabilities were actually superior to Yu Moxun's. Therefore, he believed Yu Moxun's words.
"At least her attitude is good," Manager Quan said. "With that attitude, combined with President Feng's willingness to spend money to cultivate her, her future achievements certainly won't be low."
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