Chapter 138: Connections

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A Meeting Like Old Friends?
Antong had little concept of such a phrase and instinctively shook her head, saying, "No."
She didn’t dislike Wen Wan, but she hadn’t felt any instant kinship either.
"Hmm?"
Rong Shen’s deep voice rose slightly at the end, as if questioning, yet also waiting for her to continue speaking.
The two resumed their seats on the sofa. Antong fiddled with the man’s fingers and said, "She didn’t say much, just chatted about some things at home. Maybe she wasn’t satisfied, so she suggested going out for coffee today."
"What time did you arrange to meet?"
"Three o’clock." Antong glanced at him again. "But we have to return to Zhanzhou by four; there isn’t enough time."
Rong Shen leaned back lazily against the sofa, his dark eyes glimmering with a teasing smile. "If you want to go, you can leave after you come back."
Antong looked away and stared at the background wall ahead, decisively saying, "I already told her I wouldn’t go. It’s better not to be indecisive."
After speaking, she casually tested him, "Do you want me to have contact with Wen Wan?"
Perhaps Rong Shen was too inscrutable and hard to read, so Antong couldn’t guess his intention.
Even so, there was no expression of admiration or interest toward Wen Wan on his face.
The man certainly understood the subtle emotions of a young girl; his gaze deepened, and memories of past casual chats with old friends surfaced.
Su Yiting was a playboy, changing girlfriends one after another. He once complained bitterly that women’s jealousy was both ugly and crude, giving him a headache.
At that time, Rong Shen had been disinterested and made no comment.
He only thought that if he ever had a girlfriend, he would never let her experience such petty jealousy.
Men only ignore or dislike women’s jealousy when they do not love them, letting it fester.
Now, the scene had changed. Rong Shen understood the subtle jealousy hidden in Antong’s heart. He would never let her guess wildly, but he could not deny the strange sense of satisfaction that surfaced within him.
Women also possess a subtle possessiveness toward men.
If Antong were indifferent, that would not be favorable.
The smile in Rong Shen’s eyes deepened as he answered her question, "Whether you make contact is up to you. If you don’t want to, don’t force it."
Antong turned her face away and muttered softly, "That’s not an answer."
"Heh..." A magnetic, delighted chuckle escaped the man’s throat, making Antong feel inexplicably amused.
Rong Shen draped his arm around her shoulders, his sharp features softened by the smile. "Did you see something? Or... are you jealous?"
He openly voiced the secret thought in Antong’s heart, his deep voice even more mellow.

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Antong’s breath caught. Rather than fumble with a shy denial, it was better to be straightforward.
So she bluntly asked, "Do you and her… have any relationship that would make me jealous?"
The phrasing was a little awkward, but she trusted Rong Shen would understand.
The man’s fingers tangled in the long hair at the nape of her neck. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he said, "Did she tell you or not? The first day of the lunar month is the day she got engaged."
Antong was taken aback. "No."
Indeed, Wen Wan had spoken much yesterday about her helplessness and unhappiness, the loneliness and sorrow barely concealed in her expression.
There were several times she hesitated, as if wanting to confide but unsure how to begin.
Seeing Antong deep in thought, the man drew her close into his embrace, his tone coaxing and tender, "The girl who has anything to do with me has long been brought home. She won’t have the chance to get engaged to someone else."
His words held a double meaning, like a confession, yet more profound and moving than a mere declaration.
Antong’s heart skipped a beat, her lips curling into a playful sound.
In other words, the relationship between Wen Wan and him could be described as unrequited affection.
Rong Shen gently turned her face toward him, his gaze calm and focused. "Setting me aside, Wen Wan is a friend worth associating with. Don’t let other matters cause misunderstanding or hostility, okay?"
He felt nothing for Wen Wan, but he would not ignore the facts.
Wen Wan’s character and qualities made her perfectly suitable as a friend.
Antong’s mind was sharp; with a moment’s thought, she understood his unspoken meaning.
He knew Wen Wan’s feelings.
The turmoil that had troubled Antong all morning suddenly calmed.
She thought, how could a man who sees through everything not notice such obvious affection?
Leaning closer to him, Antong said, "I won’t hold hostility toward her. If you think she’s a decent person, I’ll slowly get to know her."
Rong Shen patted her shoulder patiently and indulgently, "Hmm, are you reassured now?"
"Yes, I’m reassured." Antong answered casually, then felt something was off and hurriedly added, "I’m not really worried…"
Wen Wan liked Rong Shen; she had noticed, but had never doubted anything.
In such an ambiguous situation, it was understandable that she would have some doubts.
…
In the end, Antong didn’t go to the appointment. That afternoon, they set off for Zhanzhou.
Wen Wan also replied to Antong’s message, expressing understanding and suggesting they meet again when convenient.

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At eight in the evening, the business car stopped at the parking lot of the Rong family estate.
Antong, half-asleep, looked out the window and saw red lanterns and colorful strings of lights filling the courtyard, truly feeling the New Year was near.
She rubbed her eyes, intending to get up, but her legs felt unusually heavy.
Looking down, she saw An’an curled up sound asleep on her lap, no wonder it felt warm.
The automatic door opened just then, and Ruan Danling’s voice called out, "An’an..."
"Auntie..."
"Ah-woo..."
Cheng Feng: "..."
Ling Qi: "..."
The embarrassment of sharing a name with a pet.
Soon, Antong sluggishly followed the man out of the car. She wanted to walk faster, but her legs were numb from An’an resting on them so long.
Ruan Danling wore a knee-length fur coat and smiled warmly as she approached Antong, naturally brushing past Rong Shen beside her. "An’an, are you tired from the ride? The kitchen has prepared white fungus porridge. Come in and have some first."
Seeing this, a helpless smile flickered in the man’s dark eyes.
He slightly turned aside, looking at Cheng Feng and Ling Qi by the car door, and said in a low voice, "You all go back. Come again after the New Year."
Cheng Feng eagerly handed Antong’s luggage to the servants and wished an early Happy New Year before driving away with Ling Qi that very night.
The living room was empty except for the busy servants; Rong Jinghuai was not present.
Ruan Danling naturally took Antong to the dining room to feed her.
Rong Shen hung up his coat and sat in a high-backed chair by the floor-to-ceiling window.
He raised his hand to support his right temple, a faint smile playing at his lips, lost in thought.
Outside, the sky was dim, glowing softly with lanterns and string lights.
Inside, it was quiet and cozy, with laughter occasionally drifting from the dining room.
Mostly from Mother Ruan Danling, with Antong chiming in now and then—the atmosphere between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was exceptionally harmonious.
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