Winter Camp

After leaving Xun Du, as they got into the car, Yu Mo Xun was still visibly angry. It was as if he had remembered something, and he asked Rong Ci, "By the way, who is that girl standing behind Lin Wu in the business suit? I noticed she wasn't looking at you very kindly—do you know her?"

Rong Ci replied, "She's Lin Wu's cousin."

Yu Mo Xun was silent for a moment before saying, "Not only did Feng Ting Shen bring Lin Wu to Xun Du, but he even brought in her family? Judging by the way things are going, it wouldn't surprise me if Xun Du eventually changed its surname to Lin."

Rong Ci felt the same way. "Yeah."

With Feng Ting Shen's love for Lin Wu, it was as if he had given Xun Du to her—and she wouldn't find that strange at all. Bringing the Sun family members to work at Xun Du was nothing more.

Yu Mo Xun felt he couldn't say any more, knowing that the more he talked, the angrier he would get.

That evening, to help him replicate the engine setup of Feng Ting Shen's company car, both Rong Ci and Yu Mo Xun ended up getting home very late. On the way back, it began to snow.

When they reached home, as Rong Ci was about to head into the bathroom for a shower, her phone rang. It was Feng Ting Shen's call. Rong Ci didn't answer; she grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom. When she came out and checked her phone, she saw that Feng Ting Shen had called twice. Perhaps noticing she hadn't picked up, he sent her a message saying that tomorrow Feng Jingxin was going to have a parent-teacher meeting.

Seeing this, Rong Ci replied with a few words: "I'm busy tomorrow." Then she set the phone aside.

Meanwhile, Feng Ting Shen was busy on his end. Feng Jingxin, playing with Feng Ting Shen's phone, saw Rong Ci's reply and happily said, "Dad, Mom said she's busy tomorrow, so can I have Aunt Wu come to school to attend my parent-teacher meeting instead?"

Feng Ting Shen didn't even look up, replying with a simple "Mm."

"Yay, awesome!" Feng Jingxin jumped off the sofa, cheering with glee.

Feng Ting Shen added, "Tomorrow, Dad will also be there."

Feng Jingxin retorted, "I know, but Aunt Wu is coming, right? How could you possibly not go?"

The Next Day

Rong Ci arrived at Chang Mo for work and was chatting with Su Yuquan about work when her phone suddenly rang. It was a message from Feng Jingxin's homeroom teacher: "Feng Jingxin's mom, aren't you coming to his parent-teacher meeting today?"

Rong Ci saw the message and replied, "I have something to do, so I won't be coming."

A little while later, the homeroom teacher sent another message: "Attending today's parent-teacher meeting for Feng Jingxin are his dad and another woman…" and even attached a photo.

In the photo, Feng Ting Shen and Lin Wu were sitting together, while Feng Jingxin was nestled closely beside Lin Wu, holding her arm affectionately.

It wasn't surprising that Feng Ting Shen and Lin Wu went to the school together for Feng Jingxin's parent-teacher meeting. After all, Feng Jingxin probably wished that Rong Ci wouldn't go, letting Lin Wu attend in her stead. Since Lin Wu was going in her place, how could Feng Ting Shen bear to let Lin Wu go alone?

Worried on behalf of her, Feng Jingxin's teacher expressed concern, to which Rong Ci replied, "I understand. It's alright. Thank you, Teacher Yang."

After putting down her phone, Rong Ci continued with her work. Busy hours always seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, it was Friday again.

Early that morning, shortly after Rong Ci woke up, He Changbai's phone rang again. He said that Dan Dan wanted to go camping. Rong Ci paused and asked, "Are you talking about an overnight trip?"

"Mm," He Changbai replied, "Don't worry—I'll have someone make sure your safety is well taken care of. I'll prepare everything from sleeping bags and tents to heaters. As soon as you arrive, everything will be set."

"Alright."

On Saturday morning, Rong Ci went back to the Rong family home for a meal and inquired about Rong Changsheng's new project. Once she confirmed everything was in order, she felt reassured. At around two in the afternoon, she drove out, heading toward the campsite. By then, He Changbai and Dan Dan had just arrived.

The people He Changbai brought along were busy helping to pitch tents and set up the barbecue stand. It had snowed for several days, and the mountains were covered in snow. When Dan Dan saw that Rong Ci had arrived, she came over and pulled her aside, saying she wanted to build a snowman with her. Rong Ci remembered how she used to build snowmen with Feng Jingxin.

Building a snowman was nothing new for Rong Ci. Before long, they managed to build a small snowman. Dan Dan even specially provided a scarf for the snowman. After finishing the little snowman, she ran off to have the servant find a scarf and a carrot.

He Changbai walked over to Rong Ci. Seeing him, Rong Ci said nothing. He knelt beside her and asked, "Did you go to work at Chang Mo?"

Rong Ci, still busy tidying up the snowman, replied without looking up, "Mm." Recalling that day at Xun Du when she encountered Feng Ting Shen and Lin Wu with their cold and indifferent attitude—an attitude that suggested she no longer cared—he asked, "When did you start?"

Rong Ci answered, "A while ago."

He Changbai wanted to know more details, but it was clear Rong Ci didn't want to say much, so he dropped the subject, saying, "A total of five times."

Rong Ci paused, understanding that he meant she was to accompany Dan Dan on a total of five outings. "Got it," she replied.

Dan Dan came over with two scarves, saying she wanted to build one large snowman and one small one side by side, just like the two of them, even instructing He Changbai to help out. Following her directions, He Changbai complied silently.

After they finished the big snowman, Dan Dan even had He Changbai take pictures of her and Rong Ci. Holding his phone, He Changbai snapped several photos of Rong Ci's smiling face in front of the camera.

Time flew by as they played, and before they knew it, dusk had settled. The aroma of food started coming from the barbecue stand, and lights began to glow in the tents.

He Changbai asked, "How about some seafood?"

Rong Ci replied, "Mm."

He handed her a few skewers. At the winter camp, there were quite a few people around. Although the tents weren't densely packed, the atmosphere was lively. There was even supposed to be a bonfire party later on.

He Changbai asked, "Are you going to join?"

"I'm up for anything."

Just as He Changbai was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Qi Yuming.

He Changbai stepped a little away to answer the call.

Qi Yuming said, "Shall we go for some drinks later?"

"No, you all go ahead."

"What are you—?"

At that moment, Dan Dan ran over, holding a skewer of barbecue, "Uncle, wings!"

He Changbai bent down to take it. Hearing this, Qi Yuming said, "Are you eating barbecue?"

"Mm."

"Where?"

"Outside," he replied coolly, "We went camping."

"Wow! It's been snowing heavily these days—going camping, having snowball fights, and a bonfire at the same time is just perfect. How come I didn't think of it earlier!" Qi Yuming exclaimed. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Wait, you went camping and didn't invite us?!"

He Changbai responded calmly, "Next time, for sure."

"No, wait—Dan Dan's aunt is there, isn't she? Where are you all? I'm coming over right now—or rather, I can call Ting Shen and the others, and we can all go together—"

He Changbai interrupted, "Let's hang up first."

Before Qi Yuming could respond, He Changbai ended the call.