CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: THE GIRL

Inside the hall.

Rong Fangjun walked back and forth with a cane, occasionally glancing outside the door, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

A few days ago, when he received a call from Yao Guang and heard that Rong Zhi was still in contact with that family, he was indeed quite anxious. After all, the attitude of Rong Xian’an and the others was clear. It was normal for Rong Zhi to not be close to them.

But Rong Zhi was still the child of the Rong Family, and they were all one family. They couldn’t just separate from each other.

Rong Xian’an couldn’t bring himself to ask Rong Zhi to come home, so it fell to him, the old man, to take advantage of his seniority.

While pondering this, he saw a black silhouette approaching from a distance.

A young boy with his eyebrows down, his eyes tinged with weariness, appeared lazy and indifferent. His figure was thinner than other boys his age, looking somewhat fragile.

"Third one," Rong Fangjun called excitedly.

Rong Zhi lifted his eyes, his charming fox-like eyes forming a small arc. He stepped forward to support the elderly man, saying, "Why are you out here in the wind when you’ve just recovered?"

Rong Fangjun’s vigor waned a bit from her words, and he laughed, "With your medicine and incense, Grandpa is doing well, don’t worry."

"Medicine is three parts poison." Rong Zhi assisted Rong Fangjun into the hall and sat him down, closing the windows around them. A faint aroma lingered inside.

Rong Fangjun nodded, feeling quite comforted in his heart.

"This time I called you back to discuss something," he said, handing a document to Lu Zhao, "This is the employment letter for the company. Take a look, and if it suits you, sign it and you can report to the company when you have time."

Rong Qichuo grew up in the Rong Family, learning management from a young age, and had already entered the company early to familiarize himself with the environment. Although Rong Zhi was a bit late, this was just the right age for an internship at the company.

Rong Zhi glanced at the black and white contract and softly asked, "Is Rong Meng also joining the company?"

"How could that be?" Rong Fangjun didn’t know where she got this idea, "Meng Meng is a girl. When she marries, the Rong Family will prepare a dowry for her. As for the company, you and your brother are enough."

Considering the Rong Family’s status, the person Rong Meng marries in the future will definitely be of equal standing, and with the backing of the Rong Family, her days wouldn’t be tough.

Although there’s no longer a notion of favoring sons over daughters, in such wealthy families like the Rong Family, boys are indeed valued more.

Rong Zhi understood. She smiled slightly, "Grandpa, I just returned and am unfamiliar with the layout of Beijing, having not learned management. Let’s set aside joining the company for now."

She spoke honestly.

Upon hearing her words, Rong Fangjun earnestly tried to persuade her, "Third one, management can be learned slowly. The reason I’m letting you into the company now is for you to get familiar with the environment. Work matters can be discussed later."

"Grandpa," Rong Zhi replied leisurely, "Rong Qichuo is enough for the company. Two tigers cannot live on one mountain, there’s no need to place me there too."

Moreover, since she wasn’t truly a boy, there was no need to compete with Rong Qichuo for the Rong Family’s company.

However, Rong Fangjun misunderstood. He pursed his lips and sighed, "Are you still blaming your mom and dad? Your mom had a hard time back then, and didn’t intentionally abandon you. She cried and caused scenes for you years ago..."

It was simply because the expectations were too high that when she found out Rong Zhi was not as she imagined, she felt so disappointed.

But Ying Man hadn’t considered that, back then, she was just a baby, how could she understand anything?

She had been taken away as a target in a scheme as soon as she was born. In the coldest depths of winter, if He Songzhi hadn’t found her, she would have been dead eighteen years ago.

She had no qualification to blame Ying Man. It wasn’t Ying Man’s fault that the child was stolen. Conversely, Ying Man also had no right to blame her, as she had never fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother by her side.

"... I’ll have your mother apologize to you, Third one, move back to the West City Villa."

Rong Zhi blinked and instinctively touched the cold, heavy sandalwood Buddha hand bracelet on her left hand with her right. "I’ve already discussed it with my teacher. I’ll stay at the dormitory this semester."

Being warmed by her body temperature, she twirled the bracelet, gradually soothing her cold and irritated emotions.

"So you’re not going back?" Rong Fangjun asked in a stern voice.

Rong Zhi nodded softly, "For now, it’s no problem, the dormitory is fine."

"How can a dormitory be better than home? You have the same temper as your grandmother, so stubborn." Ultimately, Rong Fangjun’s heart softened, unwilling to force her, so he patted her thigh in a friendly manner.

Rong Zhi did not respond.

Rong Fangjun let out a breath, "Sigh, come back whenever you want to. Your room is always ready for you. As for the company, you can follow Mr. Bai and learn as much as you can. We can discuss your entry into the company at the New Year banquet."

Seeing that Rong Fangjun temporarily put aside the idea of having her join the Rong Family, Rong Zhi lowered her eyes, smiled faintly, and remembered something. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, "Grandpa, how did you come to know Teacher Bai?"

Rong Fangjun replied, "Ah? You mean Mr. Bai, it was when Lu Zhao went out that day and found Mr. Bai lying outside our door."

"He was quite dirty all over, but with a good temperament and appearance, he didn’t seem like an ordinary child. After asking, I learned that some trouble happened at home, and he was kicked out with nowhere to go. I pitied him and took him in."

Rong Zhi could guess the rest without Rong Fangjun saying.

Bai Su, by fabricating a pitiful identity, relied on having nowhere else to turn and stayed at the Rong Family. Seeing that Bai Su had some knowledge, Rong Fangjun let him teach her.

Rong Zhi licked the corner of her lips, a hint of amusement passing through her eyes.

That man surely played his cards well.

After having lunch with Rong Fangjun, Rong Zhi took her leave and went to the hospital.

Inside the ward.

Rong Fengmian was doing homework by the hospital bed and looked up when he heard a sound, "Sister, you’re here."

Rong Zhi took out a piece of candy from her pocket and tossed it over, which Rong Fengmian quickly caught.

"Go back and rest," she said.

Whenever he had free time over the weekends, Rong Fengmian would stay in He Songzhi’s hospital ward to keep watch. He had just started high school and his coursework was tough. Rong Zhi didn’t want him to be too tired.

Rong Fengmian put the candy in his coat pocket, smiled, and said, "Alright, then I’ll be heading back first, Sis."

"Okay."

Before leaving, Rong Fengmian reminded, "Sister, the blanket is in the cabinet by the wall. Remember to cover yourself with it when you sleep later."

Rong Zhi waved her hand.

Seeing that she had listened, Rong Fengmian opened the door, ready to leave, but bumped into someone as soon as he stepped out.

"Ah..." He narrowed his eyes and looked up, exclaiming in surprise, "Brother Su?"

Forgive him for being led astray by Rong Jiazze, as he too had started calling Bai Su and the others ’Brother’.

Bai Su lowered his beautiful peach blossom eyes, his smile gentle as he asked, "Is your brother here?"

Rong Fengmian quickly stepped aside to make room, "He is, just arrived. Brother Su, are you looking for my brother for something?"

"A little," Bai Su nodded, his gaze falling on the young boy’s backpack, "Going back? Jiang Gujun is downstairs, you can ride with him."

Rong Fengmian replied, "Ah, alright, I’ll head down right away!"

After Rong Fengmian left, Bai Su gently closed the door.

He looked up towards the young boy inside the room.

She lounged lazily on the big pink plush sofa, one leg propped on the table, holding a smartphone and playing a game, looking uninterested.

In the sunlight, the young boy’s curled lashes cast shadows under his eyes, his skin so white it almost appeared transparent, his delicate features softened by the light, looking unreasonably gentle.

Staring at him, Bai Su’s hands started itching again.

He took long strides, stepping in front of the young boy, and leaned down—

A finger was placed on his forehead.

Those enchanting fox-like eyes misted over, and the young boy’s voice was cold, "You’re blocking the light."

"Little student," Bai Su’s jade-like fingertip hooked around her fingers, his voice low and lazy, stirringly melodious, "You’ve skipped class again."