Over the years, Yu Mo Xun and Rong Ci had indeed seen very little of each other.
But in just a few moments, Yu Mo Xun could tell that she was now far from the confident, spirited person she used to be.
Thinking back to the old days, Yu Mo Xun never imagined that the word "inferiority" would ever apply to Rong Ci.
He didn't know much about her marriage with Feng Ting Shen, but he did know a little.
He had his suspicions, though he didn't voice them. Instead, he said to her seriously, "It's okay to fall behind for a moment. Your ability and talent are not comparable to ordinary geniuses. Xiao Ci, as long as you still have the desire to walk this path, it's not too late to start over."
"Don't forget, you were the student I was most satisfied with in my teaching career."
Rong Ci listened, smiling. "If the teacher hears this, he'll probably scoff and say he was forced to pick the tallest among the short ones."
Remembering her former teacher, who was both refined and sharp-tongued, Rong Ci's smile faded slightly. "I saw the teacher was also at the celebration in the news just now. How is he doing?"
"He's doing well, but us former students who embarrass him by appearing in front of him every now and then really make him very annoyed."
Rong Ci laughed, feeling nostalgic for the days when she was constantly forced to write papers under her mentor's supervision.
Yu Mo Xun said, "Come back, Xiao Ci."
Rong Ci tightened her grip on the teacup, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Okay."
She had been researching artificial intelligence since she was young.
She truly loved this field.
Because of her love for Feng Ting Shen, she had abandoned her own ideals for six or seven years.
She had been away for six or seven years, and catching up might take some time.
But she believed that as long as she worked hard, it would still be possible.
Yu Mo Xun asked again, "When do you plan to come back?"
"The current work still needs to be handed over by others, so it might take some time."
"It's fine, no rush."
Since she could come back, what was the harm in waiting a little longer?
The two chatted for a while, and then Yu Mo Xun checked the time and said, "Someone introduced me to a genius in algorithms. I heard they just returned to the country a few days ago, and we've arranged to meet. Since we've already run into each other, why don't you come with me and meet them?"
Rong Ci shook her head. "I don't know anyone under your wing, maybe next time."
"Alright then."
As soon as Yu Mo Xun left, Rong Ci saw Feng Ting Shen's sister, Feng Ting Lin, walking towards her.
Rong Ci had also seen her on the news.
But she didn't expect to run into her here so coincidentally.
She greeted her, "Ting Lin Jie."
Feng Ting Lin didn't respond, instead frowning and looking at her. "What are you doing here?"
"Today is T University's anniversary celebration, so I came back to have a look."
Rong Ci didn't mention that she too was a graduate of T University.
But apart from the teachers and students currently in school, most of those who returned for the celebration were invited honorary alumni.
Why would someone like her, a nameless person, come here to join the festivities?
Forget it.
As long as she didn't say anything out of line outside and embarrass the Feng family, Feng Ting Lin couldn't be bothered to say anything to her.
With that thought in mind, Feng Ting Lin directly got to the point. "Xiao Ming said he wants to eat the dishes you make. Later, I'll have someone send him to your place to see you and Ting Shen."
Xiao Ming was Feng Ting Lin's son, one or two years older than Feng Jingxin.
Feng Ting Lin and her husband had an unhappy marriage. For the past few years, she had been too busy with work to pay much attention to her children. Her son had become increasingly rebellious over the last two years, and now, even though she wanted to discipline him, it was hard to control him.
Upon learning that her son liked the food she cooked, Feng Ting Lin had started sending him over to her and Feng Ting Shen's place whenever she had the chance.
No one in the Feng family, except the old lady, ever took her seriously.
Half-grown children are the best at mimicking others.
Although Feng Ting Lin's son liked the dishes she made, he looked down on her as his aunt and treated her almost like a maid, calling her around for this and that.
Previously, for Feng Ting Shen's sake, Rong Ci had done her best for Feng Ting Lin's son and hadn't paid much attention to the child's disrespect.
But now that she and Feng Ting Shen were preparing for divorce, she no longer wanted to bend over backwards for him.
So, Rong Ci directly refused, saying, "Sorry, Ting Lin Jie, I'm not available tomorrow."
Since she was returning to her professional field, in the future, she would focus all her time on important matters.
Whether it was Feng Ting Shen or Feng Ting Lin, after the divorce, she would have nothing to do with them.
She wouldn't waste her time on them anymore.
Feng Ting Lin didn't expect Rong Ci to refuse her.
After all, in the past, Rong Ci had humbled herself to please the Feng family for the sake of Feng Ting Shen.
However, Feng Ting Lin didn't think much about it.
Rong Ci had never refused her before, so when Rong Ci said she had something to do, Feng Ting Lin assumed she really had something on her plate. After all, how could Rong Ci possibly pass up an opportunity to please her if she didn't?
But she wasn't very happy. "Ting Shen and Jingxin aren't around you anymore. What could be so important?"
Rong Ci couldn't help but bitterly smile to herself.
Over the years, she had abandoned herself, and her life had centered around Feng Ting Shen and their daughter, always revolving around them.
Now, receiving such a remark from Feng Ting Lin, she knew it was well-deserved.
But she wouldn't live like that anymore.
Just as she was about to speak, a few people walked towards them.
"Miss Feng!"
They were clearly coming to find Feng Ting Lin.
After sizing up Rong Ci, one of them asked, "Miss Feng, who is this?"
Feng Ting Lin didn't introduce her as her sister-in-law, but coldly said, "A friend."
"Oh, a friend..."
They, along with Feng Ting Lin, had returned to T University for the celebration, and their status and position were not low.
When they saw Feng Ting Lin encountering someone familiar, they thought it might be someone important.
But now, seeing Feng Ting Lin's attitude towards Rong Ci, besides the fact that some people looked at Rong Ci's long, slender legs and couldn't help but glance at her more than once because of her beauty, no one else spared her a second glance.
They surrounded Feng Ting Lin and quickly walked away.
Feng Ting Lin refused to acknowledge her as her sister-in-law. In the past, Rong Ci might have felt sad or hurt by this.
But now, Rong Ci no longer cared.
After Feng Ting Lin left, she picked up her bag and turned to leave.
That night, around 10 PM, the flight carrying Feng Ting Shen and Feng Jingxin arrived at the airport on time.
By the time they got home, it was close to dawn.
Feng Jingxin fell asleep before they even reached home.
Feng Ting Shen carried Feng Jingxin upstairs. As they passed the master bedroom, he noticed the door was open, but the room was pitch black.
After carrying Feng Jingxin back to her room, Feng Ting Shen went back to the master bedroom, turned on the dim light, and glanced toward the bed—it was empty.
Rong Ci wasn't there.
At that moment, the butler happened to be bringing his luggage upstairs. Feng Ting Shen loosened his tie and asked, "Where is she?"
The butler quickly replied, "The madam went on a business trip."
Half a month ago, when Rong Ci was packing and leaving, he happened to not be around.
He heard from the other servants at the villa that Rong Ci had left with luggage, probably for a business trip.
It was strange though. Rong Ci rarely went on business trips before, and when she did, it was usually only for two or three days.
This time, it had been half a month and she still hadn't come back.
Feng Ting Shen responded with an "Mm," and didn't ask any further questions.