Chapter 58: Progress

At this moment, their car happened to be passing through the CBD business district. Ann Tong pressed the brake pedal as they encountered a red light. However, the vehicle behind them hadn’t kept a safe distance and failed to stop in time, bumping into the rear of their Phaeton.

Inside the car, Ann Tong frowned and glanced back. In truth, minor collisions and scrapes were common occurrences while driving. What was less common, however, was that Dr. Rong was in the car.

Unfastening her seatbelt and switching on the hazard lights, she said, “I’ll go check.” Without waiting for Rong Shen’s response, she opened the door and got out.

The man lowered his window, his gaze calm as he watched the left rearview mirror. The young woman’s composure surpassed his expectations—she faced the situation without flinching, taking responsibility and stepping out to handle it herself.

Just then, his phone rang in his pocket. It was an incoming call from Yi Ke.

Rong Shen answered unhurriedly. On the other end, Yi Ke’s amused complaint came through at just the right moment: “It’s one thing for you to skip the celebration banquet, but why did you take Ann Tong with you as well?”

Leaning back against the seat, Rong Shen replied in an even tone, “Did she ever say she was going to attend?”

“No, she messaged me on WeChat to say she wouldn’t come.” Yi Ke paused, then added, “Actually, tonight’s celebration was just among friends. I thought I’d use the opportunity to introduce her to everyone, but you swooped in ahead of me.”

“No need for introductions. She’s not comfortable around strangers.”

Yi Ke was momentarily speechless. That didn’t sound like the Ann Tong he knew—she’d never been shy before. And coming from Rong Jiu’s mouth, it sounded even stranger.

“Jiu-ge, so… what’s going on between you two now?” Yi Ke found a quiet corner in the lounge, unable to hide his curiosity.

Through the receiver came the click of a lighter. Rong Shen took a drag from his cigarette before countering, “Do you have anything to say about the seating arrangement tonight?”

“You really see through everything,” Yi Ke chuckled awkwardly, letting the man steer the conversation. “Yes, I did that on purpose. I always put friends before reason. I just wanted Wen Wan to face reality sooner and help clear your path.”

It was a bit cruel, perhaps, but better than letting Wen Wan persist in her delusions. She was wonderful in every way, but if Rong Jiu didn’t like her, all her virtues would amount to nothing. Besides, Yi Ke secretly favored Ann Tong.

Rong Shen made no comment.

Meanwhile, Ann Tong was negotiating the insurance process with the driver of the car that had rear-ended them—a black Maybach S-Class.

The driver, dressed smartly in a suit and white gloves, returned to the rear door of the Maybach when Ann Tong insisted on calling the police. He knocked on the window and said, “Mr. Shi, the lady doesn’t want a private settlement. We may need to cooperate with the traffic police.”

The window rolled down, revealing a man and woman inside. The man raised his brows dismissively, “She disagrees? What, does she think five hundred isn’t enough?”

In truth, before getting out, the driver had already been instructed by his boss to settle quickly and avoid further delays. Now, before the driver could respond, the heavily made-up woman in the man’s arms craned her neck to look at the car ahead. “Just an old Volkswagen. It’s not worth much. Five hundred is generous.”

Their disdainful conversation drifted clearly to Ann Tong’s ears. She stared at the man inside the car, her expression cold and unreadable. She had thought he was just a rakish playboy, perhaps a little reckless, but now it seemed his character left much to be desired.

The man in the Maybach was Shi Ye. Perhaps noticing the chill in Ann Tong’s gaze, Shi Ye flicked his cigarette ash out the window and glanced over, momentarily stunned.

What a beautiful girl.

Wrapped in a black coat, her figure was tall and slender, her eyes shadowed with melancholy, her demeanor cool—a trace of familiar longing flickered in his memory, as though he’d seen her in a midnight dream.

Shi Ye licked his lips, mind racing to recall where he might have met her.

At that moment, the driver awkwardly tugged at his white gloves, leaning in to remind him, “Mr. Shi, that’s not just any Volkswagen—it’s a top-of-the-line Phaeton. It’s actually more expensive than our car.”

Shi Ye fell silent. The woman in his arms also bowed her head, saying nothing. It wasn’t that they lacked experience; the cars were simply parked too close together for them to see the badge beneath the logo from the back seat.

No wonder people joked: Don’t fear Mercedes or Land Rover—fear a Volkswagen with letters on the back.

They’d tangled with an understated heavyweight.

“I’ll go talk to them,” Shi Ye muttered, suddenly unsure of himself. He pushed the woman beside him away and got out of the car. The driver, unable to stop him, quickly stepped aside.

Meanwhile, Rong Shen, having finished his call, emerged from the Phaeton as well.

Two luxury cars colliding was attention-grabbing enough, but when two tall, striking men stepped out in succession, they became the focus of every passerby.

“Ann, come here.” Amidst the noisy, bustling street, Rong Shen’s deep, unmistakable voice carried clearly.

Ann Tong turned and walked to his side. “Dr. Rong, why did you get out? I can handle this.”

“Did you call the police?” Standing tall and imposing, Rong Shen’s presence shielded her from the chill of the night.

She shook her head. “Not yet. They wanted to settle privately, but I refused.”

He opened the driver’s door, his refined manner tinged with authority. “It’s cold. Wait in the car.”

Ann Tong glanced back at Shi Ye by the Maybach, hesitated, then obediently slipped inside. She didn’t want to speak to Shi Ye—her identity would be exposed.

As soon as she was seated, Rong Shen closed the door behind her. She stuck her head out the window and whispered, “Dr. Rong, aren’t you coming in?”

He looked down, his mature and steady presence reassuring. “Wait for me inside.”

Puzzled but obedient, she drew her head back in. She had wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation between Dr. Rong and Shi Ye, but the man reached in and pressed the button to roll up the window.

The Phaeton’s soundproofing was superb. With the window up, Ann Tong could hear nothing from outside.

Now, Shi Ye eyed Rong Shen warily, regretting his impulsive decision to get out. Of all people, he hadn’t expected this low-profile car to belong to Master Rong Jiu—a man not to be underestimated.

Beneath his elegant exterior, Rong Shen radiated a silent, powerful aura. Even without speaking, his every gesture exuded an undeniable presence.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Ye felt his own confidence falter.

He straightened his coat and strode forward, extending a hand. “Master Rong Jiu, it’s been a while. I’m Shi Ye—we met at the third Science and Technology Forum.”

Rong Shen shook his hand with measured calm, his tone indifferent. “So it’s Mr. Shi.”

“My apologies—I didn’t expect my driver to hit your car.” Shi Ye glanced at the Phaeton’s driver’s seat, his words carefully calculated. “Did the young lady get frightened? If you’d like, I can apologize to her in person.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Rong Shen replied, glancing at the dent on the rear bumper. “How do you want to handle this?”