Chapter 69: Mother
Antong forced herself to appear calm as she walked out of the study. Once she was beyond the man's line of sight, she covered the upper half of her face with one hand, overwhelmed by embarrassment and irritation.
How could Dr. Rong walk so quietly? She had accidentally hugged him because of it. Fortunately, he had a gentle temperament and hadn't pushed her away; otherwise, the situation would have been far more than just awkward.
Inside and outside the room, separated by only a wall. The man lounged in the boss's chair, idly smoking, while the girl stood in the corridor sighing. Some emotions, once unleashed, flood forth like a torrent, impossible to contain.
Rong Shen opened the drawer beside him and gazed at the marriage certificate and the prenuptial agreement beneath it. His eyes were as deep as a well, currents swirling in their depths.
...
The days after moving to Zhanzhou were tranquil and harmonious, yet beneath the surface lurked subtle mysteries. Antong attributed the unfamiliar problems she faced to her own overthinking.
After two days, life seemed to settle into its rhythm. Dr. Rong left early and returned late, once again immersed in his busy work. Antong, aside from staying in the lakeside villa, was occasionally summoned by Ruan Danling to the front garden to chat and watch dramas with her.
She had indeed found a new life in Zhanzhou worth yearning for, and the heavy emotional shackles binding her had noticeably loosened.
This morning, seeing Antong’s simple and plain attire, Ruan Danling was suddenly inspired and pulled her out, declaring she would buy her some new clothes.
No matter how Antong gently tried to dissuade her, her “good mother-in-law” paid no heed.
Taigu Tiandi Mall, Zhanzhou.
Ruan Danling donned sunglasses and a scarf, linked arms with Antong, and strode into a luxury clothing boutique.
The staff, shrewd and discerning, could tell from their appearance that they were either wealthy or distinguished.
“Ladies, welcome! What styles are you looking for today?”
Ruan Danling pushed Antong toward the staff and said cheerfully, “Let my girl try a few sets of your latest winter collection—long coats, short coats, thick or thin, I want them all.”
“Of course. Miss, please follow me.”
Before Antong could protest, Ruan Danling had ushered her into the fitting room. “An'an, take your time. I’ll wait outside.”
In less than half a minute, two attendants brought in a pile of clothes. One remained outside, the other helped Antong change.
“Miss, these are new arrivals from last month. Your mother helped pick a few; they suit your temperament well.”
Antong’s breath caught. She forced a smile but said nothing.
Mother… it had been so long since she’d heard that word.
Antong tried on the clothes distractedly, her gaze occasionally distant, but the attendant, busy with compliments, failed to notice the pale cast creeping over her face.
“Miss, this fitted coat looks wonderful on you—makes your waist slender and your legs long.”
Antong could barely hear the attendant anymore.
A long time ago, her mother used to take her shopping, buying her anything that caught her eye.
People had remarked how much mother and daughter resembled each other, and how well her mother treated her...
Antong recognized the signs of emotional detachment. She gestured for the attendant to leave, bracing herself against the partition, closing her eyes to regain composure and steady her breathing.
After about five minutes, she emerged from the fitting room.
Her pale face was weary, a faint shimmer of tears in her eyes. “Just these few, I don’t like the others.”
The attendant, uncertain what had happened, only noticed how suddenly desolate and withdrawn Antong seemed.
On a nearby bench, seven or eight more garments waited to be tried. The attendant asked, slightly disappointed, “Miss, are you sure you don’t want to try these as well?”
Antong shook her head apologetically, rubbing her temples as she moved toward the lounge.
“An'an?” Ruan Danling immediately sensed something was wrong, removed her sunglasses, and pulled her closer. “What’s going on? You’re so pale. Are you feeling unwell?”
Antong stared at the concern and worry in Ruan Danling’s eyes, her throat tightening. “Auntie, I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache.”
“Is it bad?” Ruan Danling, straightforward as ever, pressed her hand against Antong’s forehead, frowning. “You’re not feverish. Maybe you caught a chill?”
Antong forced herself to rally, smiling faintly. “It’s not too bad, please don’t worry.”
“Let’s go home, then—no more shopping.” Ruan Danling put on her sunglasses and told the staff, “Pack up everything she just tried on and deliver it to the Garden Residence in Tiancheng District.”
With that, she hooked Antong’s arm, ready to leave.
The staff exchanged glances and quietly reminded, “Ma’am, you haven’t paid yet.”
Ruan Danling smacked her forehead and rummaged through her bag. “Look at me, always forgetting.”
She rarely went out shopping; even when buying clothes, someone else usually handled payment. Today, wanting to buy clothes for An'an and worried about making her uncomfortable, she only brought the driver, whom she’d ordered to wait in the parking garage.
Ruan Danling searched her purse for a long time, embarrassed to find she hadn’t brought a wallet.
As a lady accustomed to having meals served and clothes handed to her, she’d never gotten used to carrying cash or a wallet when going out.
Ruan Danling awkwardly adjusted her sunglasses. “Wait a moment, I’ll make a call.”
Just then, Antong gently tugged her sleeve. “Auntie, I’ll pay.”
“No.” Ruan Danling’s face tensed in firm refusal. “I’m buying you clothes—how could I let you pay?”
Antong pressed her lips together. She saw several staff members looking on with disdain, no doubt assuming they were frauds pretending to be wealthy.
“It’s alright, I appreciate your kindness. There’ll be other opportunities. Besides, the staff are waiting—let’s not be a laughingstock.”
Before Ruan Danling could respond, Antong was already walking toward the register.
Four winter coats, three pairs of trousers, and three sweaters—totaling two hundred and ten thousand.
Despite feeling unwell, Antong paid with her phone, scanning the code without a hint of hesitation.
Ruan Danling was both worried about her health and intrigued.
Xiao Jiu had mentioned that Antong’s family circumstances were fairly ordinary.
After leaving the boutique, Ruan Danling glanced at Antong’s phone, curiosity piqued. “An'an, what did you use to pay?”
Surely it wasn’t some kind of loan app.
Recent news had often reported on girls taking out loans to satisfy their vanity.
She was determined to reimburse Antong for the clothes, no matter what.
Antong showed her phone. “WeChat Pay—I scanned the QR code.”
Ruan Danling examined it closely and saw the small print: [Hong Kong Bank Savings Card (4979)]. She relaxed a little. “When we get home, send me your card number. I’ll transfer the money for the clothes.”
“Auntie, really, it’s not necessary…”
“No, it must be done.” Ruan Danling was adamant, wrapping her arm around Antong as they entered the elevator. “You absolutely have to send it to me. If I give you cash, you’d have to go to the bank to deposit it—far too much trouble.”
Unable to resist, Antong neither refused nor agreed.
Once in the nanny van, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
(End of chapter)