Chapter 39: Unusual Behavior

Antong apologized softly and turned sideways to answer the call.

Cheng Feng had no intention of eavesdropping; he straightened up awkwardly, pondering how he might seize an opportunity to restore his image as a top student granted direct admission.

As Antong answered the phone, barely pressing the device to her ear, a chilling reminder came from the other end: “The weekend is almost here. If you stand me up again, just try it.”

Antong gazed out the window. “I’ll be there on Sunday, right on time.”

“That’s for the best.” Shi Ye’s disgruntlement eased a little, but he couldn’t resist dragging out his tone with a boss-like air. “Otherwise…”

Yet, before the threat could be spoken, Antong calmly interjected, “You can deactivate my account.”

Shi Ye: “?”

Oh, so she meant if she stood him up again, he could just shut down her account?

Without another word, Shi Ye hung up.

Neither carrot nor stick worked; damn, it was truly vexing.

…

At seven in the evening, Antong booked her own ticket for the high-speed train back to Hong Kong.

Rong Shen had not yet returned. Cheng Feng ordered room service and lingered in Antong’s room, amusing himself by playing with the snow mastiff, Anan.

“Have you chosen your university?” Cheng Feng asked, petting the dog while probing for information.

Antong glanced at the brochures on the table. “Yes, Zhanzhou University of Science and Technology.”

Cheng Feng was a bit surprised. “Zhanzhou University has a higher overall ranking than the University of Science and Technology. Have you considered it?”

“My qualifications aren’t enough.” Antong replied coolly, “Zhanzhou University requires a minimum college entrance exam score of 650 for transfer students.”

Cheng Feng’s eyes flickered, but he ultimately abandoned certain thoughts.

Truthfully, with Ninth Master’s influence, such complicated transfer requirements were practically a formality.

Yet, as he had always interacted with Miss An as a physician, there were some things Cheng Feng couldn’t comment on.

At half past eight, Rong Shen’s tall frame returned, stepping through the night.

Antong’s door was wide open. As the man approached the entrance of room 2702, he overheard Cheng Feng inside, making a bold promise.

“Don’t worry, I’ll treat Anan like royalty. Go about your business; no need to rush back.”

The man paused at the door, entered the access code, and spoke leisurely, “Cheng Feng—”

Cheng Feng jumped, cradling the puppy and hurried out to the corridor, poking his head out. “Ninth Master, how come you’re back so early today?”

The man’s gaze was deep as he glanced sideways, entering the living room and tossing down his coat. “What were you discussing just now?”

Cheng Feng followed behind, seeing that Antong hadn’t come over, so he reported on his own: “Miss An booked a high-speed train for tomorrow to return to Hong Kong. You know pets aren’t allowed on the train, so she asked me to look after Anan for a few days.”

“Drive her back tomorrow.” Rong Shen sat down, crossing his long legs, his head resting on the sofa’s back. “Also, attend Wen Wan’s birthday banquet for me next Wednesday.”

His brows were lowered, exhaustion evident in his demeanor, yet his tone brooked no argument.

Cheng Feng let out a long “Oh,” gazing down at the snow-white puppy in his arms, reluctantly nuzzling it. “Understood, Ninth Master.”

After a moment, the quiet living room echoed with the man’s raspy inquiry, “Any progress these days?”

“Quite a bit.” Cheng Feng straightened his face, speaking quickly, “Xiao An is leaning toward the Computer Engineering program at Zhanzhou University of Science and Technology. I checked—earliest enrollment is next March.”

At that, the man lifted his arm, resting it on his smooth forehead, eyes half closed, and asked in a cool, probing voice, “Why do you call her Xiao An?”

Cheng Feng mumbled guiltily, “Miss An told me to call her that…”

Rong Shen lifted his eyelids, his deep gaze landing on Cheng Feng with unmistakable warning.

Cheng Feng shrank into himself, ready to compromise, when the door was knocked. “Dr. Rong.”

Antong’s calm, clear voice was especially distinct in the quiet night.

The man called, “Come in,” and his previously indifferent expression visibly softened.

Antong entered the living room in loose sweatshirt and jeans, her slender figure standing beneath the light, her voice faint. “I’d like to use the computer again.”

Rong Shen nodded toward the desk, his gaze following her. “Have you eaten dinner?”

“I have.” As she walked, she looked at him. Perhaps it was the overhead lighting, but her eyes seemed to wander, not as composed as usual.

After their brief exchange, silence settled once more.

Cheng Feng quietly stroked Anan’s fur, while Rong Shen leaned back, eyes closed, resting.

None of the three spoke again—an odd yet harmonious coexistence.

Within ten minutes, Antong shut down the computer and stood up. “Dr. Rong, I’m done.”

Her manner was unchanged, yet the man sensed something unusual—her gaze lacked its usual calm.

A faint smile curled at Rong Shen’s lips as he remarked, “Go rest early in your room, and cancel your train ticket. Anan is still young; separation from her owner will make her anxious. Tomorrow, have Cheng Feng drive you both back.”

The reasoning was sound; Antong found no excuse to refuse.

She noticed Dr. Rong seemed somewhat tired and didn’t want to waste time with further objections, so she nodded and accepted his kindness.

Though Antong came and went in haste, even the slightest shift did not escape the keen-eyed man.

Rong Shen rolled up his sleeves, bent to pick up the cigarette box on the table. “Tell me, where has she been these past couple of days?”

Cheng Feng rubbed the puppy’s head and recounted everything in detail.

…

At the end, the man glanced sideways at the desk, his sharp, deep-set eyes narrowing gradually.

He said nothing, and Cheng Feng couldn’t guess his thoughts.

In a blink, the man stood and walked over, his long, jointed fingers gently lifting the edge of the computer, with Cheng Feng peering alongside—

There, a stack of bright red banknotes was pressed beneath the laptop, a sticky note beside them bearing two words: Room fee.

…

The next morning, Antong took a car back to Hong Kong.

Although the date for moving to Zhanzhou wasn’t fixed, she needed to return in advance to handle some affairs, and to inform Su Ji of her decision to leave.

By noon, Antong returned to Yunhai Road. Cheng Feng didn’t linger, dropping off the pet carrier and luggage before departing.

This familiar, timeworn house had held all of Antong’s memories and stories for twenty-one years.

Thinking she would soon leave, she hesitated, taking in her surroundings with a heart full of mixed emotions.

Dr. Rong had said he would return next Thursday.

The implication was clear: the marriage registration was imminent.

Antong let the puppy out from its carrier, turned, and sat by the window, gazing at the dense, overcast sky in silent contemplation.

May the future hold promise.

…

At eight in the evening, while Antong was organizing her bookshelf, Su Ji finally returned her call.

The phone line was quiet, amplifying the languor in her voice. “Sweetheart, I’ve been busy all afternoon and missed your call. What’s up?”

Antong didn’t think much of it and asked if she was in Hong Kong.

Su Ji paused for several seconds, then adamantly denied it. “No, I’m filming on location and won’t be back for a while.”

“When, roughly?”

“Not sure. Maybe, possibly…next week at the earliest.”

Su Ji gave a vague answer. Antong considered it. “Then let’s meet when you’re back.”

“Alright, I’ll contact you when I return. Hanging up now.”

The line clicked off. Antong lowered her hand, vaguely sensing something was off in Su Ji’s tone—sullen, preoccupied, and weighed down by something unspoken.