He Changbai actually knew exactly where that cake shop was. However, he didn't go there after Rong Ci left.
He got into his car and, after a moment of hesitation, placed a call. "Yuming, I'm back. I have to catch a flight later, so ask Tingshen if he's free. If he isn't, come with me to the hospital to visit Lin Wu."
Qi Yuming was astonished. "You're back? When did you get in?"
He Changbai didn't answer. "Just call Lin Wu first and give her a heads-up to see if it's convenient for us to stop by."
Qi Yuming was about to ask why he didn't just call Tingshen and Lin Wu himself. On second thought, he figured He Changbai must be incredibly busy and pressed for time. Since he hadn't visited Lin Wu yet today anyway, he agreed without thinking much of it.
Tingshen was unavailable.
After hanging up, He Changbai bought a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket before heading to the hospital to meet Qi Yuming.
In the patient room, Lin Wu smiled when she saw him. "Why are you back so suddenly?"
"Just back to handle a few things," He Changbai replied tonelessly.
Lin Wu lowered her head and stroked the flowers he had just handed her. "I see..."
She wondered if he truly came back for business, or if he had traveled all this way specifically to see her. Even though he hadn't rushed back the moment she was injured, it was still a thoughtful gesture to make time for her as soon as he could.
Rong Ci stayed at the Rong family home that night. The next day, she woke up early. Looking at the healthy succulents on the windowsill, she stretched and felt quite refreshed.
When she went downstairs, her aunt was already awake and busy preparing breakfast for her and the two children. Seeing her, the older woman smiled. "Ci, you seem to be in a good mood today."
Rong Ci went over to help knead the dough, smiling back. "Yeah, it's not bad at all."
Just as a bowl of steaming hot noodle soup was ready and Rong Ci sat down to eat, her phone rang. It was another call from Feng Jingxin. Rong Ci didn't answer.
Jingxin called again.
Rong Ci simply turned the phone off and focused on her breakfast.
Watching the call fail to go through again, Jingxin pouted and ran to the master bedroom to find Feng Tingshen. He had just finished his morning run and was about to change for a shower when he saw her upset expression. "What's wrong?"
"I called Mom yesterday because I wanted her to come home and cook for me, but she never picked up. I tried twice just now, and she didn't answer then either. When I went for a third try, it said the phone was unavailable."
Hearing this, Tingshen said, "Your mom's phone might be off."
"Huh?" Jingxin frowned. "Is it dead?"
"Perhaps," Tingshen replied noncommittally.
"Then what do I do? I want to go skiing today. Mom promised to take me when she was free."
She hadn't been in the mood to play while Aunt Wu was injured, wanting to stay at the hospital instead. However, since the hospital was full of germs, no one would let her go often. Now that Aunt Wu was doing much better, her worries had eased. Since she had nothing to do and no one to play with, she naturally sought out her mother. Who knew her mother would keep ignoring her?
"Try again later. She'll likely turn it back on eventually."
Jingxin looked unhappy. "Fine..."
Rong Ci indeed had to turn her phone back on eventually. After all, she still had matters to discuss with Yu Moxun, and Pei Xuchen might reach out later as well.
After about half an hour, she turned it on. Not long after, Jingxin's call came through again.
Rong Ci opened her laptop, ignored the ringing, and continued working on her thesis.
Jingxin saw that her mother still wouldn't pick up. Seeing Tingshen preparing to head out, she pleaded, "Dad, Mom still isn't answering. Can you call her for me?"
Tingshen didn't say anything, but he used his own phone to dial Rong Ci.
Rong Ci saw the call and immediately hung up.
Tingshen paused, looking at his screen. "She didn't answer my call either."
"Maybe Mom is just busy and didn't see it?" Jingxin suggested. Otherwise, it was impossible for her mother to ignore her father's call.
"Maybe." Tingshen put on his suit jacket and grabbed a black overcoat. "I'm heading out. If you want to play, have the bodyguards take you."
"But I want Mom to go with me..." Even though she didn't like her mother controlling her, she still wanted her company occasionally. She cupped her face in her hands and asked, "Dad, are you going to the hospital to see Aunt Wu or back to the office?"
"Hospital first, then the office." Tingshen tapped her forehead lightly. "I'm off. Have a good time on your own."
Jingxin sighed. "...Okay."
She tried calling Rong Ci twice more, but still, no one answered. She eventually had to settle for the bodyguards and Aunt Liu. But without the people she liked around, even skiing wasn't fun, and she returned home in a gloom before long.
After leaving the hospital, Tingshen went to the Feng Corporation headquarters. Shortly after he arrived, Qi Yuming showed up.
Tingshen glanced at him. Yuming smiled. "Just here to watch the show."
Before Tingshen could respond, Cheng Yuan walked in. "Lawyer Pei has arrived."
"Send him up," Tingshen ordered.
Under Cheng Yuan's lead, Pei Xuchen entered the reception room. Tingshen shook his hand and said, "Please, have a seat."
Pei Xuchen didn't waste words. Once seated, he produced the divorce settlement Rong Ci had signed the previous day and pushed it toward Tingshen.
Tingshen took it.
Since it was the weekend, Qi Yuming had come specifically to see if Rong Ci would actually sign. He leaned in closer. Seeing the signature, he was shocked. "She actually signed it?"
Tingshen looked at the name Rong Ci had written but showed no reaction. He began discussing the details with Pei Xuchen.
When they were nearly finished, Tingshen spoke. "The properties and shares listed in the agreement are quite extensive. I'll need some time to process the relevant transfers. Once the procedures are complete, I'll contact you again."
"Understood," Pei Xuchen replied.
Tingshen turned to his assistant. "Cheng Yuan, see Lawyer Pei out."
After leaving the Feng Corporation building, Pei Xuchen contacted Rong Ci to inform her of the outcome.
She frowned. "How long will it take to finish the paperwork?"
"That depends on Mr. Feng's progress."
"I see. Thank you, Lawyer Pei."
The next day, Rong Ci went to work at Changmo as usual. In the afternoon, while she was discussing business with Yu Moxun, his phone suddenly rang. He looked at the caller ID and frowned.
"What is it?" Rong Ci asked.
He showed her the screen. "It's a call from Ren Jifeng."
They all moved in the same social circles, so while they didn't interact much, they had each other's numbers. Ever since their last meeting at Xundu, Moxun didn't think they had any reason to communicate. Why was he calling now?
Moxun was puzzled but answered anyway.
A moment later, he hung up and turned to Rong Ci. "He wants to cooperate on the new projects."
The two projects Rong Ci was currently leading were highly valued by their mentor, and it had already been confirmed that they would be working closely with the government again. The projects had incredible prospects; once the news broke, Changmo's doors would likely be beaten down by potential partners.
The news wasn't even public yet, but Ren Jifeng was already at the door.
Moxun curled his lip. "Ren Yi'an really is an old fox."
đ¨Â 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).