As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the hall seemed to slow down.
Sitting next to him, sipping tea, Rong Qichuo glanced at Rong Zhi over the tea cup, with a faintly mocking smile.
What of it if you have the Rong family bloodline, you still can't make it to the stage.
Losing a biological child is a disgraceful incident for a prestigious family, especially one lost in such an embarrassing manner.
Rong Xian'an valued the Rong family's reputation, naturally not wanting Rong Zhi to return openly and honorably.
If it hadn't been for the old man wanting to see his grandson, Rong Zhi would still be stuck in that mountain valley, with no chance to broaden his horizons like today.
Rong Xian'an continued indifferently, "An adopted son is no different from a biological one. In the Rong family, you are still the Third Young Master, and as a young master of the Rong family, you will not lack anything you should have."
Rong Xian'an was accustomed to giving orders in such a manner, without needing to consider the other party's feelings.
Furthermore, what he had given to Rong Zhi was already enough, any normal person should know to be satisfied.
"I will arrange for you to continue your studies, but you must sever contact with that family in Qingqu County. You are a young master of the Rong family, and once you're back, you should behave."
Having given his instructions, Rong Xian'an noticed Rong Zhi remained silent, furrowing his brow and his expression was not pleasant.
Rong Zhi slowly unbuttoned her sleeve cuffs, seemingly indifferent as she rolled them up, her lips curving slightly at the words, as she lifted her head, "Oh, no need."
Her tone was quite cold, utterly arrogant.
After she finished speaking, she stood up, her slender build standing in front of the noble Rong Xian'an, not at all suppressed, instead somewhat dominating.
Rong Zhi spoke no more and directly lifted her foot to leave.
Rong Xian'an was stunned, and even Rong Qichuo was full of astonishment.
"Stop right there!"
Rong Xian'an came back to his senses and shouted to stop her, "Leaving just like that! No respect or regard for elders. Is this what you learned in Qingqu County?!"
The previous information didn't describe Rong Zhi's character as so arrogant, at most it was just a bit rebellious, a teenage phase, which he could understand. Who could have thought she would be so wild and unmanageable!
Rong Zhi acted as if she didn't hear him, not pausing her stride.
Rong Qichuo realized things weren't right, looking at Rong Zhi with displeasure, "Rong Zhi, don't get reckless just because grandfather likes you. Once you're out of the Rong family, you're nothing."
"Dad is thinking for your sake, don't be ungrateful."
Seeing Rong Zhi still stubbornly heading out, with one foot already out the door, about to disappear from sight, Rong Xian'an finally got angry. Suppressing the fire in his chest, he said solemnly, "If you walk out of this door today, you're no longer my child."
Rong Zhi paused at the words, hand in her pocket, turning back with dark pupils that were as sharp as a knife's edge, yet her lips curled in a wicked and roguish smile, "Whatever."
Her face full of defiance, casual and unruly.
Rong Xian'an was choked, his brow furrowing as he felt intensely irritated inside.
Did this son return intentionally to haunt him?!
Outside the door.
Lu Zhao waited by the hallway, seeing Rong Zhi come out, he bowed slightly, "Third Young Master, your room has been prepared, please follow me."
Rong Zhi nodded faintly and followed behind Lu Zhao.
"The master lives in the second courtyard, the gentlemen usually reside in the villa on the west side of the city. You will stay here for a few days before moving over."
Lu Zhao attentively introduced the place to her, occasionally glancing at Rong Zhi with his peripheral vision.
The argument in the hall earlier was hard to ignore.
He simply didn't expect the gentleman to dislike the Third Young Master so much.
...
Though it was a temporary stay, Rong Fangjun still had someone clean the room thoroughly.
After Lu Zhao gave some instructions, he left.
The door was open, and sunlight streamed in.
Rong Zhi sat on the sofa, her legs crossed, lazily holding her phone with her left hand texting, the golden pearls on the Buddha beads worn on her wrist refracting shimmering light.
This bracelet was a gift from He Songzhi on her tenth birthday. Since she was a child, her temper was never good, something she was aware of, but she couldn't suppress her innate hostility. He Songzhi had gone to pray for a Buddha Hand Bracelet for her.
Whether it worked or not wasn't clear, but after wearing it for a long time, Rong Zhi indeed felt calmer inside.
It could be psychological, but she had worn it willingly for all these years.
Because of her unappealing personality, her adoptive father Rong Wei was quite displeased with her. If it weren't for He Songzhi and her early wisdom, she might have been left abandoned when Rong Wei intentionally left her on the street at five years old.
This time, leaving Qingqu County, she only brought the bracelet from He Songzhi. The things from Rong Wei were left for Rong Fengmian; she wasn't interested in touching them, only leaving information about her departure for the nursing staff taking care of He Songzhi.
Judging by the time, Rong Fengmian would have finished his after-school tutoring by now.
She opened her contacts, found the number, and was about to dial it—
The other party called first.
Rong Zhi answered.
"Sis."
The teenager's voice, in a voice change period, was slightly raspy as glass scraping paper and addressed her without further word.
Rong Zhi leaned against the chair, relaxed, "If you have something to ask, go ahead."
"Sis," Rong Fengmian hesitated for a moment, then slowly asked, "I heard from Aunt Wang that you went to Beijing."
"Yes, I am."
"Did they come looking for you? Sis, are you abandoning me and mom..."
Even through the screen, Rong Zhi could practically see the suppressed grievance on his face through his tone.
Rong Fengmian had never faced major setbacks growing up, perhaps the only hurdle was his father's death and his mother's permanent coma.
And even though there were no elders in the Rong family, he still had a sister taking care of him.
Rong Fengmian had long since gotten used to Rong Zhi arranging everything for him. Even though he later knew she wasn't his biological sister, his dependency on her hadn't reduced at all. Now that his mental pillar had suddenly left, it was no wonder he felt uneasy.
Rong Zhi's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice containing a faint hint of amusement, "I never said I was leaving you, once things are stable here, I'll bring you and mom over."
"How long will that be?"
"Before you start high school."
It was now August, and Rong Fengmian had finished his high school entrance exams, scoring top in Qingqu County. Arranging for him to attend a high school in Beijing shouldn't be difficult.
"Alright," Rong Fengmian finally felt relieved, knowing that he'd get to see Rong Zhi in another month, his gloomy mood brightened up instantly, "Sis, with me not around, take care of yourself."
Rong Zhi pondered who she knew in Beijing, her voice unhurried, "Don't worry."
The siblings chatted a bit more before hanging up.
There was a family banquet set for the evening.
Lu Zhao came to invite Rong Zhi over, and Rong Zhi, looking at her phone, casually acknowledged as she got up.
The Rong family's courtyard was indeed large, and without guidance, it was easy to get lost.
Rong Zhi had experienced this in the afternoon; she leisurely counted the steps from the room to the front hall.
When she arrived, the family was seated neatly.
Rong Meng sat next to Rong Qichuo, enthusiastically sharing today's cello class anecdote.
"The teacher said if I practice for another half month, I can take the upgrade exam before school starts, and I'll surely pass the eighth level."
Ying Man's eyes showed a hint of pride, smiling, "Focus on the grading exam, but don't neglect the performance."
Rong Meng had been exposed to various musical influences since the age of four, excelling particularly in the cello, winning the Beijing cello competition at eleven, and at twelve successfully held three solo cello recitals.
Becoming the youngest performer in the history of Beijing's "Music Hall."
Compared to her twin brother Rong Zhi, the gap couldn't be greater.