Chapter Seven: The Resort

The old lady confirmed Rong Shen's attitude several times before finally feeling content enough to head upstairs and rest.

At the foot of the stairs, she feigned anger as she admonished him, "Xiao Jiu, since things are settled, you must return to the main house as soon as possible. After all, they're choosing a wife for you—this can't be handled carelessly."

"Rest assured," the man replied, bowing his head to light a tea cigarette, his lips curving in an unhurried smile. "I’ll go back after Tuesday."

After the old lady left, Uncle Li, the butler, approached quietly. "Master Jiu, the old madam... she didn't get angry, did she?"

Rong Shen sighed softly and, cigarette in hand, walked to the fan-shaped floor-to-ceiling window. "Did you finish everything I asked of you?"

Uncle Li nodded at the man's tall silhouette. "I've already added Miss An Tong's name. When do you think would be best to hand the list over to the old madam?"

"Tomorrow morning, accompany A Qi as you send the old lady home, and give it to her on the way."

"Yes, Master Jiu."

...

Time slipped by, and Sunday arrived.

An Tong was working on proofreading at the daily magazine office. Because of the previous incident, Liu Ran, the deputy editor also working overtime, came directly to An Tong’s desk. Not only did she ask for An Tong’s phone number, she even added her on her personal messaging app.

"This is the editorial department’s work group. Don’t set it to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode, so you won’t miss any messages or work arrangements. Also, there are several important financial articles to review tomorrow morning. Come early."

Liu Ran’s attitude toward An Tong was neither warm nor cold, her words tinged with a hint of command.

There were only four or five colleagues working overtime that Sunday. They stretched their necks to sneak glances at An Tong and Liu Ran, most of them watching for entertainment.

In the workplace, part-timers have the least say.

Liu Ran was certain An Tong wouldn’t react. But as she turned away, she heard An Tong, uncharacteristically, refuse, "Sorry, I can’t tomorrow. I have something to do."

Liu Ran turned back in surprise. "What did you say?"

"Tomorrow. I have something to do."

An Tong repeated calmly, not looking at Liu Ran, opening her file to begin proofreading.

"No," Liu Ran snapped, irritated by An Tong’s unruffled demeanor, "No matter how important it is, you have to come tomorrow. If progress is delayed, who will be responsible?"

An Tong’s fingers paused on the keyboard. She lifted her dark eyes and met Liu Ran’s gaze for two seconds.

She could compromise at other times, but tomorrow was non-negotiable.

An Tong’s relationship with her colleagues had always been distant and cold, rarely arguing over anything.

She no longer looked at Liu Ran, picked up her phone from the desk, and opened the newly joined editorial department chat group. Soon, she posted a message.

Liu Ran received the notification as well. When she opened it, her expression immediately soured.

An Tong: Sorry to bother everyone, I’m An Tong, the part-timer. I have something to do tomorrow and can’t come to work. I can take on assignments the day after tomorrow. Thank you.

"Are you out of your mind, An Tong?" Liu Ran fumed, slamming her hand on the desk, "Do you understand the rules? Why post in the work group? Delete it immediately."

The group included not only regular staff but also the chief editor and the department head.

If An Tong’s baffling message offended the higher-ups, who would bear the blame?

At that moment, An Tong looked at her calmly, reminding her in an untroubled voice, "I’m the editorial department’s part-timer."

The implication: not your part-timer.

Though she suffered from emotional disorder, her basic cognition was perfectly normal.

She usually avoided wasting words with them because nothing touched on principle. But tomorrow was her therapy day with Dr. Rong; no matter how important the work, it did not concern her.

Just then, the group chat stirred again.

Liu Ran opened her messaging app, and upon seeing the latest message, her expression became awkward, uncertain.

Serenity Brings Depth: Received.

Serenity Brings Depth retracted a message.

Serenity Brings Depth: Why did Xiao An just join the group now? If you have things to do, go ahead. Part-timers don’t need to request leave.

The already quiet office grew even more eerily silent.

Liu Ran and the others hadn’t responded yet when another message appeared in the group.

An Tong: Thank you, Director.

Indeed, the one who replied "Received" and hurriedly retracted their message, "Serenity Brings Depth," was the department director.

With the boss having spoken, Liu Ran could only return to her desk, frustrated and somewhat anxious.

In her memory, the director had hardly ever spoken in the group chat, let alone responded proactively—and with such unusual warmth. It was truly odd.

...

The next day, An Tong was ready to leave home at seven to head to the health center.

Perhaps because Dr. Rong’s methods differed from other therapists, An Tong could feel a desire within herself to struggle toward the light.

Before leaving, she donned a black hoodie and tied her hair up, making herself look less gloomy and withdrawn.

However, just as she stepped out of her house, her phone vibrated.

The caller was from an unfamiliar number.

An Tong lifted the phone to her ear and greeted softly.

"Good morning, Miss An. This is Cheng Feng."

Cheng Feng briefly explained his purpose and asked An Tong to wait for him at the corner of Yunhai Road.

After the call ended, An Tong frowned slightly, hesitating for a moment with her phone in hand, then decided to head straight to the street corner.

Cheng Feng said he would pick her up, because today’s therapy session would not be held at the health center.

At the street corner, a black business vehicle stopped beside An Tong. Through the window, Cheng Feng called to her, "Miss An, please get in."

The automatic door opened. Rong Shen was not inside.

An Tong kept her head down as she got in, her voice quietly asking, "Where are we going?"

"North City Resort," Cheng Feng replied, observing An Tong’s expression in the rearview mirror, afraid she might overthink it, and added, "Master Jiu was there for business yesterday, and it got late so he didn’t return. He was worried you’d wait too long at the health center, so he asked me to pick you up and bring you there to relax... for therapy."

His explanation was flawless, subtly conveying the importance attached to An Tong.

An Tong nodded in silence at these details, clearly having no desire for further conversation.

...

The North City Resort lay nestled within a scenic area surrounded by mountains.

In late autumn, the coniferous forest remained lush, vibrant with life as far as the eye could see.

On the southwestern side, amidst the woodland, stood a villa with wooden cabins. Rong Shen sat outside on a wooden bench, legs crossed as he sipped tea. Beside him, a swing entwined with green vines added to the pleasant scenery, accentuating the man's leisure and languor.

"Old Jiu, I hear you’re not heading back with us?"

Soon, Su Yiting, dressed casually, walked over from the neighboring villa. His demeanor was charming and handsome, yet his gaze was sharp as he observed Rong Shen.

Just as the group of friends were preparing to leave, this fellow claimed he had something to do and asked them to go ahead without him.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Rong Shen had a secret lately—one not easily shared.

"You all go ahead. Call me if you need anything." Rong Shen set down his teacup, his voice, infused with tea’s fragrance, even deeper and richer.

Su Yiting squinted his peach blossom eyes, about to make a jest, when the sound of a car engine approached from behind.