Chapter 60: Favoritism
On the other end of the line, it was unclear what Rong Shen was busy with, but his silence lasted so long that An Tong wondered if the signal had failed. She called out several times, “Hello?”
His voice, warm and resonant as always, finally came through, “Where did you go? No signal?”
An Tong touched her damp hair. “Beinan Mountain is a bit remote, so the signal’s bad.”
“Have you come down the mountain now?” he asked, not pressing for details, giving her full respect and understanding. His concern seemed more for her current whereabouts.
An Tong glanced at the road sign through the bus window. “I’m almost at the Coking District.”
Rong Shen gently exhaled a thin stream of smoke and spoke softly, “Send your exact location to Cheng Feng. He’ll pick you up.”
“No need, I can transfer to the subway,” she replied.
He paused for two seconds, patience in his tone as he coaxed, “Just send it. It’s dark and far, and it’s not safe for a girl to be out alone.”
An Tong felt a warmth rise in her chest and answered softly, “Okay.”
…
Elsewhere, Rong Shen, who was at a dinner gathering, put down his phone, and immediately Su Yiting teased from beside him, “Impressive. We’ve known each other for twenty years, and you’ve never spoken to me in such a gentle voice.”
Rong Shen glanced at him, leaned forward, and flicked his ashes. “You really have no shame.”
“The old saying goes, ‘A flowering iron tree is a once-in-a-lifetime event.’” Su Yiting crossed his legs and rocked them twice. “Rong Nine, I think you’ve fallen.”
Rong Shen’s motion with the cigarette paused noticeably, his dark eyes growing deeper and more distant.
“Don’t deny it,” Su Yiting pointed to his own eyes. “I have a discerning eye, always accurate. ‘Dark and far, not safe for a girl’—she’s an adult, right? If you had no thoughts about her, would you be so careful?”
The man said nothing for a long time, whether because Su Yiting had touched a nerve, or because he’d never truly considered where his patience for An Tong originated.
The unfamiliar, tangled emotions lingered, and only when the cigarette burned down and the heat scorched his fingers did Rong Shen come back to himself.
Su Yiting wore an amused expression, as if waiting to see how long Rong Shen could keep up the act. He clicked his tongue in wonder. “I say, your smoking habit’s gotten worse lately. You used to go ten days without a puff, but tonight you’ve had three. Facing a real dilemma?”
He sounded concerned, but was really just enjoying the spectacle.
To witness Rong Shen stumbling over a woman was the most thrilling thing imaginable.
Su Yiting lounged lazily, his mind gradually picturing An Tong.
After a few seconds, he elbowed Rong Shen. “Tell me, what do you see in An Tong? She’s pretty quiet, not much of a talker. Aside from her looks, how’s she better than Wen Wan?”
Men always seemed to like making comparisons between different women.
Su Yiting, a young master who changed girlfriends as often as seasons, was no exception.
At that moment, Rong Shen abandoned the idea of another cigarette, raised his glass, and took a slow sip of red wine, his tone low and nonchalant. “She doesn’t need to be better than Wen Wan.”
Su Yiting was momentarily stunned, then laughed dryly. “You might as well admit you’re partial to An Tong.”
Just as he thought Rong Shen wouldn’t answer, the man swirled his wine, raised a profound eyebrow. “Yes, I am partial.”
From the deliberate pursuit at the start to the feelings that had sprouted now.
They were adults; Rong Shen could admit his preference for An Tong without hesitation.
She didn’t need to compete with Wen Wan, for preference is born of the person herself.
…
Meanwhile, less than half an hour later, Cheng Feng had already driven to the subway terminal at the Coking District.
The area wasn’t too remote, but it was an urban village under development, with streetlights dimmer than those in the city center.
Cheng Feng searched for a long while before spotting An Tong standing under the rain shelter by the subway entrance, head down, unmoving.
“An Tong! Get in!” Cheng Feng lowered the car window and called out.
She looked up at the sound, carefully placed the peace charm in her hand, opened her umbrella, and walked over.
The night air grew colder, the rain mixed with snow had turned to light flurries.
Her nose was bright red, her dark eyes bloodshot, and as she entered the car, Cheng Feng was taken aback.
“An Tong, are you… alright?”
It wasn’t his imagination—her disheveled state easily led one to think the worst.
An Tong blinked her sore eyes, calmly nodded, “I’m fine. Why?”
Why indeed.
Cheng Feng suppressed the urge to call the police, gently probed, “You didn’t run into anything bad, did you?”
“No,” she replied.
Seeing she didn’t want to talk more, Cheng Feng dropped his suspicions and drove her home, sending a voice message to Rong Shen to confirm he’d picked up the lady.
Soon, they arrived at the rear courtyard of Cloud Summit. Housekeeper Li and Ling Qi rushed out upon hearing the news.
“My goodness, madam, you’re finally back.” Housekeeper Li slapped his thigh, sighing with relief.
Ling Qi hurried up to her, observing closely, pouting and muttering, “Madam, don’t go missing again. My heart’s not good—almost gave me a scare.”
An Tong stood there, unable to speak.
A long-absent warmth flooded her limbs.
These few people, though all chattering at once, had eyes full of worry and care.
Ling Qi held an umbrella for her, Housekeeper Li urged her inside, and Cheng Feng, trailing behind, raised his phone to report her arrival to Rong Shen.
An Tong’s throat tightened as she followed them into the main house, her eyes growing redder.
The moment she sat down, Housekeeper Li handed her ginger tea. “Madam, drink some to warm up. It’s so cold—you mustn’t catch a cold again.”
She touched the hot porcelain bowl with her chilled fingers, opened her mouth, and apologized hoarsely, “I’m sorry for worrying you. My phone had no signal, I wasn’t avoiding you…”
“Madam, what’s there to be sorry about?” Ling Qi placed steaming dishes on the table, tilting her head with a smile. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
No sooner had she spoken than Housekeeper Li smacked her on the back. “Mind your manners.”
Ling Qi nearly stumbled onto the table, frowning as she puffed out her cheeks and rubbed her back, wailing, “Uncle Li, go easy! My spine’s about to break.”
An Tong watched the scene, feeling a long-lost sense of family.
There were elders and juniors; laughter, chatter, playful scolding—a warm, joyful atmosphere.
That lively mood ended with Rong Shen’s return.
Snow fell outside the window, and a thin layer of frost dusted the man’s broad shoulders.
An Tong was still eating, but when she saw him, she quickly swallowed and stood up. “Doctor Rong, today I…”
He took off his coat, and the crystal glow of the chandelier filled his gaze as he looked at her. “It’s alright. Eat first, we’ll talk after.”
Her eagerness to explain was blocked.
Ling Qi’s account had already informed him of everything.
But Doctor Rong’s attitude was calm, as if he blamed her not at all.
This made An Tong feel even more apologetic, and her appetite vanished.
(End of chapter)