In the afternoon during filming, Rong Ting disappeared for a while.
When she came back, she brought along a food truck for cheering. It had Song JinXing’s posters on the truck body, and was also pulling banners that read, “Beautiful sister Song JinXing treats the Undercover drama crew to afternoon tea!”
The food truck had fruits, desserts, coffee, milk tea... The crew were very happy and thanked Song JinXing one after another.
It was quite common for food trucks to come for cheering at filming locations. Song JinXing had mentioned this to him earlier too, that if he got along well with everyone, he could treat the crew to milk tea.
But this wasn’t something Song JinXing would do. That mind capable of maneuvering in the business field obviously didn’t care about so-called social relationships.
Yet Rong Ting did it on his behalf.
With a food truck's worth of stuff, the expenses were no small sum. Rong Ting only earned that tiny bit of salary every month. After filming, Song JinXing transferred twenty thousand to her, scaring Rong Ting so much that she hurriedly returned the money.
“This is my sincerity! As a fan, cheering my idol on, what's wrong with that!” Rong Ting righteously argued. When faced with her boss' indifferent gaze, she shrank back and obediently said, “Mainly because I saw everyone was very enthusiastic towards you today, so I wanted to capitalize on the moment to gain more goodwill. Sister Xing, didn't you notice everyone was much closer to you today?”
Did he?
Song JinXing naturally noticed it too.
But he was cold by nature, used to others not daring to get close. This sudden intimacy made him a little uncomfortable instead.
Yet he didn't know if it was from being grinded down by that clingy brat Zhong You at the Zhong family, he actually didn't reject this kind of intimate and lively environment as much as he'd imagined.
How strange.
When talking with Zhong Ruanxing over the phone before going to bed that night, he brought this matter up. Zhong Ruanxing thought about it, and asked back, “In the past when you were in high positions, because of your status, everyone around you was respectful to you, not daring to overstep. Were you used to the aloofness, but did you actually like that feeling?”
Did he like it?
He didn't know either.
All these years, no one had gotten close to him before.
The person on the other end of the phone suddenly laughed, “Song JinXing, I suddenly understand a little what that high monk meant back then. Perhaps changing identities and environments could be a very good thing for you!”
He didn't know when it started, but text chatting every night between them had become voice calls.
Song JinXing was silent for a moment. “What about for you then?”
“Of course it's a good thing!” Zhong Ruanxing happily said, “At least this switch thoroughly helped me deal with that scourge Song Lecheng! Fu Ling told me today that the management rights of Huaguang Media have been returned to the Song Group. From now on, Song Lecheng has no power to intervene in Huaguang Media’s business. This was your doing, right?”
He had arranged for Fu Ling to handle this matter. His assistant's work efficiency had always been very high.
He lightly acknowledged with an “Mm”, not meaning to show off.
But Zhong Ruanxing was elated beyond words. “Song JinXing, I really like you so much!”
He had been casually leaning against the sofa, but at this sudden “confession” he abruptly sat up straight, frozen for a time as he held the phone.
Yet the culprit was completely oblivious to the shock she had given the other party with this “confession”. She was still happily rejoicing by herself, “Song Lecheng even made a scene at the company today. I had him thrown out! The feeling of lording over others is so awesome! I finally understand the joy of being a tycoon now! Though seeing his appearance, he surely hasn't given up. We'll be returning to the old residence for a family banquet in a couple days. Let's see how I'll deal with him then!”
After happily finishing her words, she sincerely said again, “Song JinXing, thank you!”
The weather in Hangzhou was truly getting hotter and hotter. It was so late yet he still felt too warm.
...
The monthly family banquet was a rule set up by Song Grandpa. No matter how busy the Song family members were, they had to clear their schedules and return to the old residence for the meal on the day of the family banquet.
It had been this way for decades, already becoming a house rule for the Songs.
The last family banquet was on the day the two had switched identities. Unknowingly, it had already been a month since then.
When leaving the old residence last time, Zhong Ruanxing had promised to make time to visit the elders again, yet this past month she hadn't been able to free up any time at all. All her leisure time was spent furiously studying economics.
Fortunately, her studies this past month had remarkable results. During meetings she could finally understand what her subordinates were saying now. For commercial occasions requiring the President Song's attendance, she was no longer flustered.
After all, her teacher was the business tycoon Song JinXing. Even just a casual pointer or two from him was precious teachings that others dreamed of obtaining. Song JinXing thought she didn't know about his deliberate guidance, but to Zhong Ruanxing it was clear as a mirror.
President Song did good deeds without wanting credit, so she wouldn't poke holes in it.
She had promised to go see the elders but hadn't gone in the end, leaving Zhong Ruanxing feeling a little guilty. On the day before the family banquet, she prepared some gifts to buy for the two seniors.
A prominent family like the Songs naturally lacked nothing. Gifting was mainly about the thought behind it. Zhong Ruanxing asked Song JinXing about Grandpa and Grandma's preferences.
Well now, not a single clue from asking three times over. How vexing!
She suddenly felt that Grandpa Song still willing to hand the company over to this grandson despite his aloofness meant he really doted on him a lot!
Fortunately, aside from Song JinXing there was also Song Shuling who grew up in the Song household. Zhong Ruanxing sent her a message to ask about the two seniors' preferences.
Ever since the incident of her ex-boyfriend breaking into the house to steal things last time, Song Shuling seemed to have reconciled a lot more with this brother. The people Zhong Ruanxing secretly sent to protect her said that the Third Miss had been very well-behaved recently. She no longer went to those dangerous places or associated with those questionable people.
It was just that the little kitty was still somewhat aloof. She rarely took initiative to message Zhong Ruanxing, but whenever Zhong Ruanxing messaged her, Song Shuling would reply instantly.
And so it was this time too.
— Grandpa likes calligraphy, Grandma likes listening to tunes, especially Kunqu opera.
Zhong Ruanxing understood, seeing there was still time she had the driver bring her to the antique market.
Antique markets nowadays were filled with crooks and swindlers. Unless you were an expert appraiser of antiques, it was difficult to uncover real treasures inside. But Zhong Ruanxing hadn't come to buy real antiques anyway. She wouldn't embarrass herself by taking out the bit of money in her card here.
Today was a weekday so there weren't many people at the antique market, just some scattered tourists walking around taking photos. The antique streets had long been standardized. The storefronts were decorated in an antique, quaint style that was very atmospheric.
Zhong Ruanxing wanted to buy a four treasures of the study set. After browsing several shops without finding anything suitable, and unwilling to spend the high prices exceeding her budget on the ones she saw, she was about to give up. But just then, as she turned around, she noticed a young man sneakily beckoning to her from the corner of a stone alley.
Zhong Ruanxing looked left and right, and saw no one else around. Puzzled, she pointed at herself. The young man nodded repeatedly, whispering loudly, “Come, come, let me show you a huge treasure!”
Zhong Ruanxing: “?”
If not for the broad daylight and his passable looks, she really would've called the police to catch this pervert.