In the evening, Rong Zhi was at the hospital with He Songzhi, she was drawing on her iPad when a text message popped up above. She glanced at it; it was from Rong Jin.
Rong Jin: [Thank you, nephew. I’ll return the two million to you as soon as I receive my year-end bonus!]
Rong Zhi finished the last stroke and exited the app, then opened the text message.
Earlier that afternoon, Rong Jin had asked her to borrow money.
Rong Jin’s family was indeed not as glamorous as it appeared on the surface. His father’s generation had once offended Rong Fangjun’s father, which was Rong Zhi’s grandfather, out of youthful arrogance. Being just a branch family, since then, her grandfather had been intentionally or unintentionally suppressing Rong Jin’s family.
By the time it came to Rong Jin’s generation, apart from living off the old savings from the Rong Family, on the surface, they were just labeled as a branch of the Rong Family, but inside, there was nothing substantial.
Rong Jin’s wife fell ill after giving birth to their first child, and she hadn’t recovered since. Recently, she needed surgery, but Rong Jin didn’t have that much money on hand for the time being. He had no choice but to turn to the younger generation for help.
Actually, if Rong Jin had shown goodwill to Rong Fangjun, his situation wouldn’t have been as difficult as it is now, but Rong Yun didn’t give him a chance.
Relying on his good relationship with Rong Qichuo, Rong Yun sought difficulties for him everywhere.
With Rong Yun ahead of him, Rong Jin trying to climb higher seemed a bit redundant.
He sent quite a few messages to Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi replied saying there’s no rush. As she was about to turn off the screen, she accidentally tapped on Rong Jin’s profile picture. His profile opened, and what was displayed first on his Moments were some everyday photos — she glanced through them casually. In the photos was a woman holding a child, quite beautiful.
You could see that Rong Jin really liked his wife.
She didn’t have the habit of prying into others’ private lives, so she exited WeChat and locked the screen.
She stretched her neck, which had become a bit stiff from holding the same position. She pulled out a cigarette from her pocket, about to light it, her fingers flicking the lighter until sparks flew, staring at the small flame for a few seconds, she released it expressionlessly.
A bit past eight, He Songzhi woke up.
Rong Zhi, as usual, took her pulse, finding that her heart and mind were a little congested. The dark circles under her eyes were deeper, having clearly slept all afternoon, yet still looking not quite well.
It’s easy to guess why.
Rong Zhi placed her hand back under the quilt, stood up and was just about to leave when He Songzhi grabbed the corner of her clothes.
The hold was very gentle, her steps halted, maintaining the motion to walk forward without turning back.
"Zai Zai." He Songzhi gently called her in a soft voice.
Rong Zhi turned sideways, her brows lowered, and she slightly curled her lips, quite patiently, "Mom."
The ward was quiet at the moment, as He Songzhi gazed up into the young girl’s fox-like eyes that seemed to hold a light mist, reflecting delicate bright light like stars. It was the most beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen.
But then she thought, this was someone else’s child. She had taken her away, changed the life that originally belonged to Rong Zhi, and made her endure hardships she never should have. The thought made her heart twist so painfully she couldn’t breathe.
The old man was right, as long as she was by Rong Zhi’s side, Rong Zhi would be bound by her for another day.
"Listen to Mom," He Songzhi’s lips formed a gentle smile, her tone soft, "Mom thought about it. Whether it’s treating in Beijing or in Luoxia Town, both are still treatments, but the medical expenses in Beijing are more expensive. Besides, my health hasn’t really got any significant problems. I asked the doctor, and he said I can be discharged."
Afraid Rong Zhi wouldn’t agree, she patiently analyzed, yet she spoke until her mouth was dry, still seeing no reaction from Rong Zhi.
The young girl just bent her beautifully-shaped eyes without saying a word, the smile in her eyes was mild.
He Songzhi’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
"Alright," Rong Zhi leaned over and pulled up the quilt that had slid to her waist, carefully tucking in the corners, her tone lazy yet carefree, "If you want to go back, I’ll go with you."
"No way!" He Songzhi blurted out without thinking, her expression anxious, "How could you go back with me? You are the young master of the Rong Family, meant to live a life of riches. How can you return to a place like that..."
Then she frowned, her eyes momentarily confused, before shaking her head vigorously, "No, no, Zai Zai is my child, my daughter..."
Rong Zhi slowly closed and then reopened her eyes, her hand reaching around to press several acupuncture points at the back of He Songzhi’s neck.
The clearly confused woman instantly calmed down.
She gently wiped away the tears that streamed down He Songzhi’s cheeks, her gestures light and gentle, yet her palm slightly tense.
After a while, He Songzhi fell into a deep sleep.
Rong Zhi withdrew her hand, standing by the bedside, silently looking at her for a long time.
Anyone with a bit of social sense could tell that Vice Manager Rong was in a very bad mood today.
Bai Tingxun cautiously glanced at the man in front’s expression, his spirit shaking, and timidly spoke, "Vice-Vice Manager."