Chapter 77: Rong Xian

In the afternoon, Antong wandered alone through the vast gardens. She felt herself trapped in a cycle of thoughts. On one hand, reason kept reminding her that this was not love; on the other, she couldn’t help but dwell on all the admirable qualities of Dr. Rong—his gentleness, his tolerance, his thoughtfulness, his poise, and so many other virtues.

Unconsciously, Antong found herself standing outside the villa by the back lake, the emotions brewing in her heart refusing to dissipate, impossible to share with others. With a sigh of mingled regret and frustration, she sat in silence for a while until the sound of a car horn broke the quiet behind her.

It was Ling Qi.

She was driving a Cayenne and waved from the driver’s seat. “Madam, come on! The boss asked me to bring you to him.”

Antong’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurried back. “Dr. Rong?”

“Yes, yes, hurry up!” Ling Qi replied.

Without further hesitation, Antong slid into the passenger seat and asked softly, “Where is he?”

This sense of delight and urgency pounded at her composure over and over again. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but she simply couldn’t help it.

Ling Qi shook her head. “The boss just told me to drop you near Peach Blossom Valley. Tomorrow is the weekend, so maybe he wants to take you out for some fun.”

Despite the rose-colored glasses through which she viewed Dr. Rong, Antong still found Ling Qi’s explanation somewhat improbable. It was unlikely that he wanted to take her out for amusement—perhaps he had sensed her recent preoccupations and wanted to take this chance to comfort her.

Peach Blossom Valley—Antong had strolled here the first time she came to Zhanzhou to look for Su Ji. She got out of the car, not yet spotting that familiar figure, when Ling Qi waved and drove off without another word.

Antong watched the taillights recede into the distance, then pulled out her phone to call Rong Shen.

“Xiao An!” Cheng Feng’s voice called out from the sparse crowd. “Over here!”

She went to meet him, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Noticing, Cheng Feng pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “The Ninth Master is inside the Peach Blossom Valley Scenic Area. Come, I’ll take you in.”

“He’s here... for a stroll?” she asked.

“No,” Cheng Feng explained as they walked. “One of the Ninth Master’s friends is visiting today. There’s a small gathering here tonight.”

Antong slowed and glanced at her outfit. “It’s his friend’s party—am I dressed appropriately like this...”

Cheng Feng didn’t catch her gesture and interrupted, “Of course! You’re the Ninth Master’s wife—no one could be more fitting!”

Antong swallowed her words. Perhaps this evening’s gathering called for her to play the role of wife. As for her attire, though not overly formal, at least she wasn’t in a loose sweatshirt. She wore a light beige jacket and a high-necked knit top, both stylish and simple, brand-name pieces she’d bought while shopping with Ruan Danling.

Deep within Peach Blossom Valley, beside a natural waterfall, stood a row of villas built against the mountainside. The cascading waters sent up layers of mist, shrouding the buildings in a dreamlike haze, as if they belonged to some ethereal world.

Following Cheng Feng along the wooden walkway to the villa, Antong discreetly asked him about the party guests, lest she betray her ignorance. By coincidence, she recognized one name—Yi Ke. Another stood out even more: Dr. Rong’s elder sister, Rong Xian, whose presence made Antong wary.

It was still early; the gathering had not yet begun. As Antong stepped onto the viewing platform by the falls, she immediately spotted Rong Shen leaning against the rail, smoking and chatting with a friend. Dressed all in black, tall and graceful, he stood amidst the mist with an air of serene aloofness.

Antong slowed her pace, while the loud-voiced Cheng Feng shouted toward the platform, “Ninth Master, Madam is here!”

Both men by the rail looked over at once. Antong’s gaze met the man’s across the distance—she approached him with a faint smile, as if there were no one else present.

The other man, Su Yiting, seized the moment before Antong reached them to tease, half-smiling, “You’ve kept her hidden away for so long, and now you finally bring her out?”

Rong Shen simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

In a blink, Antong stood before him, but before she could greet him, Su Yiting extended his hand with mock gallantry. “Hello, I’m Su Yiting.”

Antong returned the greeting and was about to politely shake his hand when Rong Shen, having extinguished his cigarette, looked at her with gentle warmth. “Let’s talk inside. The air by the falls is chilly.”

Su Yiting, left hanging, was baffled. Was it really necessary for them to walk right between him and Antong just to go inside?

Regardless of Su Yiting’s reaction, Antong followed Rong Shen closely, like an obedient shadow. Su Yiting watched the scene, crossing his arms and pursing his lips. He could see right through Rong Shen—the man clearly didn’t want Antong shaking hands with him. It was just a handshake, not holding hands, so why be so petty?

Meanwhile, Rong Shen led Antong to a lounge by the banquet hall. The moment they entered, the scent of tea filled the air. He handed her a cup of black tea, his voice low and magnetic. “It gets cold by the falls in the evening. Don’t linger there too long, or you’ll catch a chill.”

Antong accepted the cup, just warm enough to drive away the chill from her fingers without burning them. It was perfectly comfortable. She took a sip, but her thoughts began to drift. She had no idea what she was thinking—nothing concrete, yet her mind was full of Dr. Rong’s presence.

They stayed in the lounge for a while, until a knock at the door signaled the arrival of someone—Rong Xian, the elder sister.

It was Antong’s first time meeting Rong Xian. She wore a crisp dark blue suit, her hair elegantly twisted into a bun secured with a claw clip—dignified yet relaxed. Over thirty, Rong Xian was the epitome of a career woman, exuding a natural aura and possessing a maturity that younger women could only aspire to.

There weren’t many people in the hall. Yi Ke was the first to spot Rong Shen and Antong, raising his arm in greeting. “Brother Jiu, Xiao Antong, come sit with us.”

At his words, Rong Xian, surrounded by admirers, turned to look at the entrance. She parted the crowd and approached in heels, embracing her brother briefly. “That was fast. I was only away on business for two months, and now you give me such a surprise.”

“Come back early next time,” he joked with a low chuckle. Their closeness was obvious to all.

Rong Xian’s features were striking, her bone structure reminiscent of Rong Jinghuai’s, though she lacked Rong Shen’s gentle elegance. When she didn’t smile, her cool demeanor made her seem unapproachable. At that moment, standing beside her brother, she regarded Antong with open scrutiny.

Antong, however, met her gaze with composure.

After a pause, Rong Xian took a step forward, her face softening into a faint smile. “I’m Rong Xian, Xiao Jiu’s elder sister. If you don’t mind, you can call me ‘Big Sister’ as well.”

Antong glanced at Rong Shen, and seeing him nod, she smiled and replied, “Hello, Big Sister. I’m Antong.”

(End of chapter)