Feng Tingshen managed numerous companies and was perpetually busy.
Over the next two days, Feng Tingshen was away on business. Feng Jingxin was bored out of her mind being home alone, so she couldn't help but call Rong Ci again.
After two busy days of her own, the friction from that previous evening had already become a thing of the past for Rong Ci. When she saw Jingxin's name on her screen, she answered.
"Mom, when are you coming home...?" Jingxin asked.
Learning that Feng Tingshen wasn't there, Rong Ci made a trip back to the house after work.
Rong Ci's return made Jingxin ecstatic. She clung to her mother, regaling her with interesting stories from school and mentioning a new game she had recently become obsessed with, insisting on teaching Rong Ci how to play personally.
As long as it wasn't something harmful to her physical or mental health, Rong Ci generally indulged whatever Jingxin wanted to do or play after her homework was finished. She watched Jingxin demonstrate the controls twice and then joined her for over an hour of team play.
Jingxin was incredibly happy that evening. When it came time for bed, she insisted that Rong Ci stay with her. Since Rong Ci had no desire to sleep in the master bedroom anyway, she readily agreed.
On Thursday evening, Rong Ci was just turning off the range hood and preparing to carry a dish out of the kitchen when she heard Jingxin's voice outside. "Daddy, you're back!"
Then, a man's deep, pleasant voice responded. "Mhm. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet, but Mom's almost finished making dinner."
"Is that so?"
Rong Ci paused for a beat before stepping out of the kitchen with the dish. At that moment, Jingxin and Feng Tingshen walked into the dining area from the living room.
"Mom, Daddy's home."
Rong Ci cast a brief glance at Feng Tingshen before looking away. "Mhm."
She took off her apron, handed it to the waiting butler, and the three of them sat in their usual places.
Jingxin ate the food Rong Ci had served her and asked, "Daddy, didn't you say you weren't coming back until tomorrow?"
"I finished my work early, so I came back," he replied.
"Oh..."
The Feng family didn't have many strict rules at the dinner table. Jingxin did most of the talking, and while Feng Tingshen was a man of few words, he gave her a response to almost everything she said.
Jingxin was chatting happily when she suddenly turned to Rong Ci. "Mom, why aren't you saying anything?"
Rong Ci replied softly, "I'm happy just listening to you two talk."
"Oh..."
In truth, even the butler had noticed that Rong Ci was acting strangely. In the past, Rong Ci had indeed spoken as little as possible to avoid annoying Feng Tingshen, but whenever he returned from a business trip, she never failed to offer the expected greetings and concern.
Today, however, Rong Ci hadn't initiated a single word with Feng Tingshen. In fact, it seemed she hadn't even looked him in the eye.
Feng Tingshen appeared not to notice Rong Ci's abnormal behavior, his expression as composed as ever. Just then, his phone rang. It was Old Madam Feng.
"On another business trip?" she asked.
"I just got back." Feng Tingshen set the phone down and switched to speakerphone, continuing his meal as he talked. "What are your instructions, little old lady?"
Old Madam Feng chuckled. "It's been half a month since I've seen Little Ci and Xinxiu. The weather is turning cold now; bring them over to the Hot Spring Villa tomorrow. We can all soak in the springs and warm up."
"Understood," he replied.
After he hung up, Jingxin was overjoyed. "We're going to the hot springs again! Yay!"
Feng Tingshen looked at Rong Ci and said, "I'll have someone come pick you both up tomorrow evening."
Rong Ci didn't look up. "I can drive there myself from the office."
"No, Mom! Come back and go with me," Jingxin wheedled. "The Hot Spring Villa is so far away. It'll be so boring if I have to sit in the car by myself."
Rong Ci hesitated. Forget it. "...Alright."
Changmo had recently been developing a new App. After dinner, Yu Moxun called her to discuss some technical issues. While Feng Tingshen and Jingxin talked in the living room, Rong Ci stepped outside to take the call.
It was half an hour before she finished. Jingxin looked up at her and couldn't help saying, "Mom, you've had so many phone calls lately. You talk for so long every night. You weren't like this before..."
Hearing this, Feng Tingshen lifted his head and looked at her.
The butler realized that Jingxin was right. Previously, Rong Ci rarely spent time chatting on the phone, let alone for such long durations.
Could Madam be having an affair?
The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. That shouldn't be possible. Given Madam's feelings for Mr. Feng, it's highly unlikely.
"Just some business," Rong Ci said simply, offering no further explanation. "I'm going upstairs to work on a few things."
Jingxin nodded. "Oh..."
Rong Ci opened her computer and began processing the file package Yu Moxun had sent over. Jingxin followed her into the room, but seeing how busy her mother was, she didn't disturb her. She played quietly by herself, and after her bath, she leaned over to sneak a look at the screen.
In fact, over the past few years, Rong Ci had never completely abandoned her original field of study. Occasionally, when she had free time, she would design a few programs. When Jingxin used to crawl over to watch, Rong Ci would even explain some basic concepts to her. But back then, Jingxin was only three or four years old and usually fell asleep while listening.
Now, Jingxin watched her mother work. Rong Ci didn't stop her and continued with her tasks. Naturally, Jingxin didn't understand what was on the screen, but she suddenly realized that she had seen Auntie Wuwu do similar work before...
After watching for a while, Jingxin soon went to bed.
Rong Ci didn't shut down her computer until she was finished. Checking the time, she saw it was already after 2 AM. She had remained in Jingxin's room the entire time, and there had been no reaction from Feng Tingshen's side. Perhaps, her staying away from the master bedroom and reducing contact with him was exactly what he expected.
The next morning, Rong Ci didn't get up to make breakfast.
It was only when Jingxin woke up and saw Rong Ci sleeping beside her that she realized her mother had stayed the night in her room. Seeing that Rong Ci was still asleep, Jingxin got out of bed quietly and left the room.
She spotted Feng Tingshen and let out a yawn. "Good morning, Daddy."
"Mhm."
"Mom isn't awake yet."
"Mhm."
By the time Rong Ci got up for breakfast, Feng Tingshen was nearly finished. There was no communication between them, and he left the house as soon as he was done.
Rong Ci headed to the office once the time was right. That evening, she left work punctually. When she arrived home, Jingxin was already waiting in the car.
However, Feng Tingshen had not returned. Rong Ci and Jingxin waited for over twenty minutes. Jingxin frowned and grumbled, "Daddy is so slow."
Rong Ci was calmly reading a book, seemingly in no rush.
Just then, the living room phone rang. A few seconds later, the butler spoke up. "The Master called to say he is tied up with something and won't be back for a while. He wants you and Miss Jingxin to head to the Hot Spring Villa first; he will arrive later."
Rong Ci didn't seem to mind. "Understood," she said.
Feng Tingshen said he would arrive later, but that evening, right up until the dead of night, he never appeared.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).