"Dandan."
He Changbai walked over and took the little girl from Rong Ci's arms. It was only then that he realized Dandan was soaked from head to toe.
He paused and looked at Rong Ci. "This is..."
Rong Ci hadn't expected the little girl to be his niece. She explained, "She fell into the pool. I happened to see her and pulled her out."
He Changbai paused. "...Thank you."
"No need," Rong Ci replied. "You should change her clothes before she catches a cold."
He Changbai nodded, looking as if he wanted to say something more, but his little niece was clinging to him and crying inconsolably, clearly terrified. He stopped himself and offered a few gentle words of comfort to the child. With a nod to Rong Ci, he carried her into the elevator.
Seeing that there was nothing more for her to do, Rong Ci went back to soaking in the hot spring. After finishing, she changed and headed to the buffet area. Before she could even finish her meal, He Changbai appeared before her again, leading his niece by the hand.
"May we sit here?"
Rong Ci didn't actually want much to do with him. However, since he had asked so politely, she could only nod and say, "Please, have a seat."
"Dandan, sit here and stay put. Uncle is going to get you some food."
Dandan cast a shy, timid glance at Rong Ci, then nodded and whispered, "Okay..."
He Changbai turned back to Rong Ci. "Could you keep an eye on her for a moment?"
Though Rong Ci wanted to avoid him, she couldn't very well refuse under the circumstances. "Sure."
Once He Changbai left, Rong Ci and Dandan were left face-to-face. The girl looked very shy, and Rong Ci was afraid that speaking too suddenly might scare her. She also didn't know the girl's dietary habits or if she had any allergies, so she didn't dare offer anything from her own plate.
After a moment of hesitation, she said softly, "Your uncle will be back soon."
Dandan looked at her with large, dark eyes before finally nodding.
"You choked on some water earlier. Does your nose still hurt?"
Dandan shook her head.
A while later, He Changbai returned, placed a plate in front of Dandan, and handed her the utensils. Dandan began to eat quietly, taking small, dainty bites.
"Is it good?" He Changbai asked.
Dandan nodded.
He Changbai glanced at Rong Ci, then told the girl, "This lady saved you just now. Say thank you to her."
Dandan licked a bit of cake from her fork, looked up at Rong Ci, and said in a small voice, "Thank you, Auntie."
So, he had brought the child over specifically to show her gratitude. Rong Ci replied warmly, "You're very welcome."
Dandan looked back at He Changbai, who said, "It's alright now, keep eating." Dandan lowered her head and continued her meal.
He Changbai shifted his attention from his niece. After taking a bite of his own food, he asked Rong Ci, "Did you come here alone?"
Rong Ci replied, "It's a company team building. I'm here with colleagues."
He Changbai didn't know she had resigned from the Feng Group. Hearing this, he assumed the Feng Group was also here for a retreat. He paused before responding, "I see."
Just then, Yu Moxun noticed Rong Ci and waved at her.
Since Rong Ci didn't want any deep involvement with anyone connected to Feng Tingshen, and felt she had nothing to say to He Changbai, she quickly waved back. Seizing the chance to leave, she said to He Changbai, "Thank you again for the other time. I have things to attend to, so I'll be going now. Enjoy your meal."
He Changbai could sense the unnaturalness in her demeanor. He could feel that she was no longer as friendly as before. He assumed it was due to the unpleasant conversation they'd had at the racing track and didn't think much more of it. Seeing she wanted to leave, he nodded without pressing her.
As Rong Ci walked over, Yu Moxun looked at He Changbai. "Who was that?"
When he had waved earlier, He Changbai had been facing away from him. Seeing the man's broad and upright back and the child sitting next to him, Yu Moxun had assumed he was just a stranger sharing the table. But seeing Rong Ci stand up to talk to him made him realize they were acquainted.
"He Changbai."
"Him?" Yu Moxun was genuinely surprised. "I thought you two weren't close. Why were you sitting together?"
"His niece fell into the hot spring pool and I saved her. He brought her over to thank me."
Yu Moxun realized what had happened. "Oh, I see."
Because Rong Ci had said she was with colleagues, He Changbai had assumed the man waving was just a regular coworker and hadn't bothered to look back. It was only after Rong Ci and Yu Moxun had walked a distance away that He Changbai caught sight of their retreating figures.
He realized the man was a tall, handsome youth. From behind, they looked quite well-matched. And judging by the distance between them as they walked, they seemed to have a good relationship.
"Uncle..."
Hearing his niece's voice, He Changbai snapped out of it. "Finished? If you're done, let's head upstairs."
"I'm finished," Dandan replied.
He Changbai had already eaten; he set down his napkin and took Dandan upstairs.
When Rong Ci returned to her room, she intended to read on the balcony for a while, but her phone suddenly rang. It was actually a call from Feng Tingshen. Usually, he only contacted her when there was specific business.
She answered with a cold tone. "Hello?"
"Grandma wants us to go back for dinner tomorrow night."
Rong Ci paused, then said, "Alright, I understand."
As soon as she finished speaking, he hung up without wasting a second. Rong Ci didn't care. She set the phone aside, calmed her mind, and went back to her book.
She slept well that night and woke up early the next morning. She went to the hotel gym for a run, and after resting, headed to the hot spring pool for a soak.
Just then, a woman in her late forties or fifties approached with Dandan. Rong Ci recognized her from the day before; she seemed to be the nanny the He family hired to look after Dandan.
Yesterday, she had been distracted by an emergency call, and in that split second, Dandan had vanished. If Rong Ci hadn't been at the pool to save her, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Seeing Rong Ci now, the woman hurriedly thanked her. Rong Ci said, "Don't mention it."
She had assumed that after yesterday's experience, Dandan wouldn't dare go near the water again so soon. Perhaps He Changbai had helped her overcome her fear, as the girl held the nanny's hand with one hand and clutched a swim ring with the other. After testing the water with her foot, she slowly waded in.
A while later, she kicked her legs and paddled over to Rong Ci. "Auntie..." she called softly.
Rong Ci turned. "What is it?"
Dandan didn't say anything, but she seemed to be in a great mood, paddling around her.
The nanny smiled. "Dandan really likes you."
Rong Ci smiled back but didn't say a word.
Her company had activities scheduled for later, so Rong Ci had to leave. Before going, she said goodbye to Dandan. However, Dandan held out her arms. "Auntie, hug."
Rong Ci had no choice but to reach out and lift her onto the pool deck. After changing into a dry bathrobe, Rong Ci carried the girl to the elevator, intending to part ways once they reached their floors.
But while they were waiting, He Changbai appeared. A bright, innocent smile bloomed on Dandan's pale little face. "Uncle!"
He Changbai walked over and reached out to take her. Dandan was reluctant to let go of Rong Ci, but she also wanted her uncle to hold her. In the end, she reached out one arm toward him. He Changbai pulled her over, but as he did, Dandan's other hand was still clutching Rong Ci's collar.
With his pull and Dandan's tight grip, Rong Ci's bathrobe was yanked open. Rong Ci, wearing only a blue lace lingerie set, was suddenly exposed right in front of He Changbai.
Her flawless, snow-white skin, the full and beautiful curve of her chest, and her slender waist were all exceptionally eye-catching.
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