But he didn't think much of it, assuming that Rong Ci had probably returned to the Rong family.
As he entered the bathroom, he suddenly remembered that in the past, whenever Rong Ci went to the Rong family, she would always bring Feng Jingxin with her.
But today, it was strange that she hadn't brought her daughter along.
Could it be that she didn't go back to the Rong family?
Or maybe something had happened at the Rong family.
The words Cheng Yuan had said when leaving the company in the afternoon flashed through his mind, confirming this point.
He paused in his steps but didn't plan to look into it.
The next morning, while having breakfast, Feng Ting Shen said to Feng Jingxin, "The school enrollment procedures are done. You'll go to school tomorrow morning to check in."
"Got it." Feng Jingxin frowned slightly and then asked, "Dad, can you take me to school tomorrow?"
"I might not be available."
"Okay." Feng Jingxin's eyes sparkled as she quickly came up with an idea, "Then I'll call Aunt Lin Wu and ask her to take me to school."
Before Feng Ting Shen could respond, his phone rang.
It was a call from the old house.
When he answered, the voice of Feng's grandmother came through.
"I heard you're back in the country?"
"Mm."
"Did Jingxin come back with you?"
"Yes, she's back."
"It's been so long since I've seen Jingxin. I miss her too. Tonight, you and Rong Ci should bring Jingxin back for dinner."
"Got it."
Grandmother asked again, "What about Rong Ci? Let me talk to her."
"She's not here."
"How can she not be here at this hour?"
"She should have gone back to the Rong family."
"Should have? Don't you, as her husband, know where your wife has gone?"
Feng Ting Shen didn't respond.
"You—"
Grandmother sighed, finally falling silent.
At this point, Feng Ting Shen's tone softened a little, but he changed the subject. "Have you eaten?"
"I'm full!"
Feng Ting Shen chuckled slightly.
He continued to eat breakfast with his usual calm demeanor.
Grandmother knew that her grandson had always had his own mind since he was a child.
The current state of his marriage with Rong Ci was already a big concession from him.
With Feng Ting Shen's character, even if it was for his own good, she couldn't push him too hard.
Thinking about this, she sighed, "Forget it, old lady. I have nothing more to say to you, hmph."
"Mm, see you tonight."
"You—hmph."
Grandmother angrily hung up the phone.
Feng Jingxin hadn't been paying attention at first, but after hearing a few sentences, she became curious and asked, "Dad, who was that?"
"Your great-grandmother." Remembering what his grandmother had said, Feng Ting Shen dialed Rong Ci's number while speaking, "She wants us to come back for dinner tonight."
Grandmother was very kind to Feng Jingxin, and Feng Jingxin also liked her very much. Hearing this, she happily said, "Okay, I haven't seen great-grandmother in a long time, I miss her."
Feng Ting Shen looked at his phone and muttered an "Mm."
At the same time, Rong Ci was having breakfast at the Rong family home.
When she saw the call from Feng Ting Shen, she paused for a moment.
She no longer felt surprised or happy about his call.
After hesitating for two seconds, she finally answered the phone, "Hello."
"Grandmother wants us to come back for dinner tonight."
Rong Ci replied, "... Okay, I understand."
"You'll pick up the child and bring her over later."
Rong Ci didn't want to go back to his place. Besides, even if she personally went to pick up their daughter, the daughter might not necessarily be happy about it.
Why should she make an effort that wouldn't be appreciated?
She said, "Let the driver take her. I'll drive there myself after work."
Since they would be leaving work during rush hour, this was indeed the most convenient option.
But Feng Ting Shen was a bit surprised to hear this from Rong Ci.
However, he didn't think much of it, as it was just a small matter that didn't need to be overthought.
"Got it."
After that, he hung up the phone.
This time, Feng Jingxin knew who was on the other end of the phone.
"Was that mom?"
"Mm."
"So, does this mean mom will be coming with us to great-grandmother's house?"
"Mm."
When Feng Jingxin heard this, she reflexively frowned before saying anything.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see her mom.
She did want to see her mom.
In fact, not only had it been a long time since she saw her mom, but her mom hadn't contacted her for more than half a month either.
Now, thinking about her mom, she actually felt a little homesick.
But when she thought about how her mom would be going to the old house with them tonight, that meant she would be returning from her business trip today—she had only learned the second morning after returning to the country that her mom had gone on a business trip.
When she saw her mom wasn't home, she was particularly happy.
She wanted to spend more time with Aunt Wu while her mom was away on her business trip.
After all, once her mom returned, she wouldn't be able to see Aunt Wu as often.
So, she had been hoping her mom would stay away for a bit longer.
She never expected her mom would return after just two days.
Now that her mom was back, she knew for sure her mom wouldn't agree to let Aunt Wu take her to school tomorrow.
As for Aunt Wu's car race tomorrow evening, if her mom found out, she definitely wouldn't let her go.
Thinking about this, her mood instantly soured.
Also, she had already told Aunt Wu to take her to school tomorrow morning, and Aunt Wu had agreed.
What should she do?
Feng Jingxin slumped, feeling defeated. "Dad..."
Feng Ting Shen looked over. "What's wrong?"
Although she could ask her dad to talk to her mom and let Aunt Wu accompany her to school tomorrow, her mom would likely argue with her dad about it...
So annoying!
Feng Jingxin had no appetite for breakfast anymore.
However, when it came to going to school tomorrow, she could give in and let her mom accompany her instead.
But tomorrow evening, she absolutely had to go to Aunt Wu's car race, no matter what.
Thinking about this, she turned to Feng Ting Shen and coquettishly said, "You promised I could go with you to see Aunt Wu's race tomorrow night, but if Mom finds out, she definitely won't let me go. So, we can't let Mom know. If she asks tomorrow, can you help me cover for it, Dad?"
"Got it."
With Feng Ting Shen's assurance, Feng Jingxin's mood improved a little.
After a while, Feng Ting Shen finished his breakfast and left.
...
When Rong Ci arrived at the company today, she didn't encounter Feng Ting Shen again.
At noon, Rong's grandmother called and invited her to lunch at "Yan Hao."
"Yan Hao" was located near the Feng family's headquarters, and it only took a few minutes for Rong Ci to walk there.
When she left the company and turned the corner towards "Yan Hao," she overheard someone saying, "Ting Shen, if you hadn't helped, even if I exhausted all my efforts, I wouldn't have been able to secure this contract. I really appreciate your help this time."
The familiar voice—
Rong Ci immediately stopped in her tracks.
Peeking around the corner, she saw the side profile of her biological father, Lin Lihai, clearly in front of her.
At that moment, Feng Ting Shen spoke, "Uncle, you're too polite."
Rong Ci's hand slowly clenched into a fist.
She could tell that Feng Ting Shen's tone was gentler than usual.
People who were treated this way by Feng Ting Shen were typically those he valued.
But she didn't think Feng Ting Shen valued Lin Lihai because of her.
Feng Ting Shen helping Lin Lihai couldn't possibly be because of her.
After all, since Lin Lihai divorced her mother, she had rarely seen him.
Now, the only daughter Lin Lihai publicly acknowledged was Lin Wu.
Between Lin Lihai and herself, the father-daughter bond had long been severed.
As expected, Lin Lihai immediately continued, "Lin Wu is here alone, and her mother and I are quite worried. From now on, please take care of her more."