Chapter 240: Chapter 240
In the hexagonal pavilion, a man is playing a game of Go against himself, his fingertips holding a white piece with distinct knuckles.
The wind passes through the treetops, and the sunlight casts mottled shadows into the pavilion, enveloping him in a layer of soft light. His hair falls messily over his forehead, partially shading his enchanting eyes, and his lips curve slightly.
He’s wearing a simple high-necked sweater, the same style as Rong Zhi’s dark blue one, the sleeves casually rolled up to reveal his beautifully shaped wrist bone.
When those eyes lift and look towards her, they seem filled with warmth, radiating light.
His elegant eyebrows and eyes carry a subtle smile.
"Hey, come over here."
His tone is lazy and carefree, hiding seriousness within playfulness, deep and alluring.
Rong Zhi raises her brows slowly, looking into his enchanting eyes reflecting her slender figure, "Not cold?"
She steps into the pavilion, lowers her gaze, and sees the Go board where black pieces are almost consuming the white, the battle is clear.
As for Go, she doesn’t understand much, just superficial.
Bai Su chuckles softly, "Not cold, come, play a game with me?"
Rong Zhi pauses, shakes her head sincerely, "I don’t know how."
Bai Su doesn’t mind; he was killing time watching a livestream and playing chess, treating the white pieces as those annoying comments.
Seeing that he really doesn’t care, Rong Zhi picks up a black piece, considering where might be a good move.
She expressionlessly returns the black piece to the box.
Fingering the white piece, Bai Su lets it gracefully fall into the box beside him, turning his gaze with a warm indulgent tone, "Another round? I’ll let you play three stones first."
She knows exactly her own abilities.
The white pieces were clearly in a dead end just ten minutes ago, yet the black pieces were pushed to retreat, showing the player’s high level.
Moreover, the patience required for Go wasn’t suitable for her.
Bai Su didn’t press, returning the board to its previous state, then opened his palm to the young man in front, his attractive face breaking into a warm smile, "Come on, it’s time to eat dinner."
Rong Zhi had to go to the Rong Family for work, soon Rong Jiazze would meet the family, hoping she’d accompany him, she needs to find time.
Outside, the weather was turning colder, she refused Bai Su’s offer, the man stood tall in the living room saying farewell.
The villa’s door closed, blocking out the cold wind outside.
Bai Su returned to his room, took out an intricately patterned wooden box from the bedside table, opened it, revealing several Star Stones inscribed with vermillion symbols.
Two stones had been polished smooth, the rest were still angled.
Comparing sizes, Bai Su clicked his tongue.
Still a little large, the kid’s wrists were so thin, too big wouldn’t look good.
He poured all the Star Stones on the floor, crossing his legs, pulled over the tools, and began to grind the stones.
He worked until past eight, downstairs Jiang Gujun’s voice alerting him Rong Zhi was home, he packed up the tools, returned the half-polished Star Stone to the box.
Pressing down his sore fingers, glancing at the small cut on top from the sharp edges, he routinely pulled out a damp tissue from the medicine box, wiping it clean.
Descending the stairs, he heard Jiang Gujun announcing tomorrow at ten in the morning, the court would open the first trial of Rong Qichuo’s intentional injury case.
Rong Zhi nodded slightly; Yang Feifan had notified her earlier, tomorrow she would appear as the plaintiff.
"If you don’t want to go, let Jiang Gujun represent you."
Bai Su seated himself beside Rong Zhi, the dishes on the table were bland, eating much might feel flavorless, but none at the table voiced complaints.
Rong Zhi used the shared chopsticks to pick up boiled cabbage, placing it in Bai Su’s bowl, her expression calm and indifferent, "Go."
To see how Rong Qichuo dug his own grave.
Bai Su looked at the cabbage so bland there was no trace of oil, his tongue pressed against his lip corner, he smiled lightly, "Alright, I’ll go with you."
Cleaning after dinner naturally fell to Jiang Gujun and another.
In the kitchen, Rong Jiazze tidied the dishes absentmindedly, his mind elsewhere.
Jiang Gujun flicked his forehead, casually raising an eyebrow, "Why brood at such a young age? Be careful, you’ll get wrinkles."
Rong Jiazze cried out, eyes streaming with pain, glaring pitifully at Jiang Gujun, his emotions stirred by the tap, allowing tears to cascade.
Jiang Gujun paused, stunned, "Hey, don’t really cry, does it hurt? Don’t cover it, let me see."
Rong Jiazze pouted, just crying silently, Jiang Gujun was flustered and almost caused commotion for the others outside, only when the boy sniffed did he stop.
"Brother Gu Jun," when he spoke, he hiccuped with a sob, speaking in fragments, "The day after tomorrow, they’re coming to find me, what if they’re really my family..."
"I haven’t thought of separating from sister, I promised... promised to be with her for life, I can’t go back on my word, and without me what will happen to her, last time... she nearly tried to jump off the balcony..."
Just recalling that night when the youth locked himself on the balcony, his body cold and detached, his nerves instantly tense.
"Brother Gu Jun, I don’t want to leave sister, but I also can’t let go of mom and dad."
The dilemma deeply affecting him, despite his understanding.
Jiang Gujun instantly understood.
The day after tomorrow, he was to undergo a parentage test with a family. If it proved true, Rong Jiazze would follow them, if not...
Jiang Gujun stopped thinking.
Rong Zhi recently lost her foster mother, if Rong Jiazze left, another sincere person caring for her would be gone.
Rong Jiazze seemed troubled over this too.
He sighed imperceptibly, crouched down to meet the boy’s gaze, and tussled with his short hair.
The young boy had his hair cut by Rong Zhi not long ago, it hadn’t grown back yet.
Though Rong Zhi had been extremely busy, she still took care of these small matters.
After attending barely two parent-teacher meetings, Rong Zhi had earnestly conversed with the boy, always respecting his opinions, only agreeing to teacher’s suggestions after getting his definitive response about skipping grades.
Soon, Rong Jiazze had skipped from second grade to fourth grade, a rare exception in the school.
Though he courageously never mentioned the changed attitudes from his classmates, Rong Zhi had perceptively noticed his unease, and thoughtfully confided in him for guidance.
Having been through so much together, Rong Jiazze already considered this sister without blood relation family.
"It’s okay," Jiang Gujun drew him in for a hug, gently patting his back, "Mr. Rong will understand you, and with today’s technology, you can video call, and meet during holidays."
Rong Jiazze replied muffled.
He understood everything.
Yet, he couldn’t let go.
Bai Su lowered his gaze, correcting the document in hand.
It was the new contract between RH Group and the Jin Family. Rong Zhi needed to re-sign the agreement with the Jin Family, throwing out Rong Qichuo’s previous plan, resetting all data, a major undertaking.