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Chapter 5
Over the years, Yu Moxun and Rong Ci had rarely met.
But even from just a few meetings, Yu Moxun could tell that the Rong Ci now was very different from the confident and high-spirited woman she used to be.
Thinking back to the past, he had never imagined that the word “inferior” would one day be associated with Rong Ci.
Yu Moxun didn’t know much about Rong Ci’s married life with Feng Tingshen.
But he knew a little.
He had his guesses, though he didn’t say them out loud. Instead, he spoke to her seriously.
“It doesn’t matter if you fall behind for a while. Your ability and talent are beyond most so-called geniuses. Xiao Ci, as long as you still want to walk this path, it’s not too late to start again.”
“Don’t forget, you were the teacher’s favorite student in his entire teaching career.”
Rong Ci smiled. “If the teacher heard that, he would probably laugh and say he was forced to pick the tallest one among short people.”
Thinking of their elegant yet sharp-tongued mentor, her smile faded slightly. “I just saw in the news that the teacher came back to attend the celebration. How is he?”
“He’s doing well. He’s just very annoyed that we students, who always embarrass him, show up in front of him from time to time.”
Rong Ci laughed. She couldn’t help but miss the days when their mentor made her write papers every day.
Yu Moxun said softly, “Come back, Xiao Ci.”
Rong Ci tightened her grip on the teacup. After taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Okay.”
She had started researching artificial intelligence when she was very young.
She truly loved this field.
Because she loved Feng Tingshen, she had abandoned her dream for six or seven years.
After being away for so long, catching up might take a lot of time.
But she believed that as long as she worked hard, it would not be too late.
Yu Moxun asked, “When do you think you’ll come back?”
“I still need to hand over my current work. It may take some time.”
“That’s fine. There’s no rush.”
Since she was willing to return, waiting a little longer didn’t matter.
After chatting a bit more, Yu Moxun checked the time and said, “Someone introduced me to a genius in algorithms. I heard he just returned to the country recently. We’re meeting soon. Since you’re here, do you want to come with me?”
Rong Ci shook her head. “I don’t know your people well. Maybe next time.”
“Alright.”
As soon as Yu Moxun left, Rong Ci saw Feng Tingshen’s sister, Feng Tinglin, walking toward her.
Rong Ci had seen her in the news earlier.
But she didn’t expect to run into her here.
She greeted her politely. “Sister Tinglin.”
Feng Tinglin did not respond. She frowned. “Why are you here?”
“Today is T University’s anniversary celebration. I came back to take a look.”
If Rong Ci hadn’t mentioned it, Feng Tinglin would have forgotten that she had also graduated from T University.
But today, aside from current teachers and students, most of the people who returned were honored alumni invited by the school.
Rong Ci was practically unknown. Why was she here?
Forget it.
As long as she didn’t talk nonsense outside and embarrass the Feng family, Feng Tinglin didn’t want to bother with her.
Thinking of this, she stated her purpose directly.
“Xiao Ming said he wants to eat the food you cook. I’ll have someone send him over to your place later.”
Xiao Ming was Feng Tinglin’s son, one or two years older than Feng Jingxin.
Feng Tinglin and her husband did not get along well. In the past, she was busy with work and rarely cared for her child. In recent years, her son had become more and more rebellious. Now that she wanted to discipline him, it was already difficult.
After finding out that her son liked Rong Ci’s cooking, Feng Tinglin often sent him to Rong Ci and Feng Tingshen’s house whenever she had time.
Except for the old madam, no one in the Feng family took Rong Ci seriously.
Children easily imitate adults.
Although Feng Tinglin’s son liked her cooking, he looked down on her from the bottom of his heart. When he came over, he treated her almost like a maid, ordering her around.
Before, for Feng Tingshen’s sake, Rong Ci had done her best for the child and ignored his disrespect.
But now that she and Feng Tingshen were preparing to divorce, she no longer wanted to lower herself for him.
So Rong Ci refused directly.
“I’m sorry, Sister Tinglin. I won’t be free tomorrow.”
Since she was returning to her professional field, she would focus her time on serious work in the future.
After the divorce, she would have nothing to do with Feng Tingshen or Feng Tinglin.
She would not waste her time on them anymore.
Feng Tinglin did not expect Rong Ci to refuse.
After all, in the past, Rong Ci had often humbled herself to please the Feng family for Feng Tingshen’s sake.
However, Feng Tinglin didn’t think too much about it.
Rong Ci had never refused her before. Since she said she had something to do, then she must really have something to do. Otherwise, how could she give up a chance to please her?
Still, she was unhappy. “Tingshen and Jingxin aren’t even by your side right now. What important matter could you possibly have?”
Hearing this, Rong Ci could not help but smile bitterly inside.
Over the years, she had abandoned herself and made her husband and daughter the center of her life, always revolving around them.
Receiving such an evaluation now was not unfair.
But she would not live like that anymore.
Just as she was about to speak, a few people walked toward them.
“Miss Feng!”
They were clearly here to see Feng Tinglin.
Seeing Rong Ci, they looked her over and asked, “Miss Feng, who is this?”
Feng Tinglin did not say that Rong Ci was her sister-in-law. She only said coldly, “A friend.”
“Oh, a friend…”
They had also returned to T University for the celebration. All of them had high status.
When they saw Feng Tinglin greeting someone, they had thought Rong Ci might be someone important.
But seeing Feng Tinglin’s attitude, aside from one person who glanced a few more times at Rong Ci’s beautiful, fair, slender legs, no one paid her any more attention.
They surrounded Feng Tinglin and quickly walked away.
In the past, Rong Ci might have felt sad that Feng Tinglin refused to acknowledge her as her sister-in-law.
But now, she no longer cared.
After Feng Tinglin left, Rong Ci picked up her bag and left as well.
That night, a little after ten, the plane carrying Feng Tingshen and Feng Jingxin landed on time.
By the time they got home, it was almost midnight.
Feng Jingxin had fallen asleep before they arrived.
Feng Tingshen carried her upstairs. When he passed the master bedroom, he noticed the door was open, but the room was completely dark.
After putting Feng Jingxin in her room, he returned to the master bedroom and turned on the dim light. He glanced at the bed.
It was empty.
Rong Ci was not there.
Just then, the housekeeper brought his luggage upstairs. Feng Tingshen loosened his tie and asked, “Where is she?”
The housekeeper quickly replied, “Madam has gone on a business trip.”
Half a month ago, when Rong Ci packed her things and left, he happened to be away. Other servants in the villa said she left with a suitcase, so she was probably on a business trip.
It was strange. In the past, Rong Ci rarely traveled for work. Even if she did, it was usually only for two or three days.
This time, it had already been half a month, and she still had not returned.
Feng Tingshen responded with a simple “Mm,” and did not ask further.
