I've wanted to divorce you for a long time

Just then, his phone suddenly rang. Rong Zhi happened to glance over and saw the caller ID on the phone lying on the table—two characters that read “Baby.” She thought she wouldn’t care anymore. But after loving someone for so many years, how could she just let go so easily? Those two characters stung her eyes, and she quickly looked away. Feng Tingchen noticed the pain in her eyes when he lifted his gaze, but without the slightest hesitation, he picked up the phone in front of her and answered with a gentle tone, “What’s wrong?” Feng Jingxin also noticed the commotion. In her memory, her father only used that gentle tone when talking to Lin Wu. For a moment, she forgot Rong Zhi was still present and happily asked, “Daddy, is that Aunt Wu?” Feng Tingchen answered calmly, “Mm.” Feng Jingxin was about to say she wanted to talk to Aunt Wu too, but then remembered Rong Zhi was there—and that she didn’t like Lin Wu. She swallowed her words. But her good mood was ruined. She frowned and thought to herself, If only Mommy could get along with Aunt Wu. Whatever Lin Wu said on the phone made Feng Tingchen frown with worry. He left the house in a hurry without even finishing breakfast. Seeing him rush off, Feng Jingxin couldn’t help but feel anxious. But since Rong Zhi was there, she didn’t say anything. Still, she lost her appetite. She tugged on Rong Zhi’s hand and said, “Mommy, I’m done eating. Let’s go now.” Rong Zhi understood she was in a rush to leave because she wanted to find out what had happened to Lin Wu, though the little girl never said so. She said gently, “You didn’t eat much. Take some with you in the car.” “I’m not hungry—” Rong Zhi paused. She didn’t insist further. Once they got in the car, Feng Jingxin didn’t waste a second. She sat in the backseat and immediately sent Lin Wu a message. Rong Zhi saw it but said nothing. A moment later, Lin Wu replied: it was just a fever and cold, nothing serious. Still, her voice sounded hoarse in the audio message. Feng Jingxin remained worried and quickly texted back, saying she would visit after school. After sending the message, Feng Jingxin felt a bit guilty. It had been a long time since she’d eaten her mom’s cooking. She had actually planned to have dinner with Rong Zhi tonight. Fortunately, she hadn’t mentioned it yet. Thinking that, she sneaked a glance at Rong Zhi in the driver’s seat. Seeing that she hadn’t noticed, the girl relaxed. When they got to school, Feng Jingxin gave Rong Zhi a warm hug. “Mommy, I’m going in now.” “Mm.” Feng Jingxin didn’t notice her mom’s coldness and skipped happily into the school. Shortly after returning to the office, Rong Zhi received news that Feng Tingchen had something come up and their 10 a.m. meeting was postponed to the afternoon. His so-called “something” was taking care of a sick Lin Wu. Rong Zhi showed no reaction and focused on her work. Around 2 p.m., Feng Tingchen was probably back at the office. Jiang Zhe informed everyone the meeting was rescheduled for 3 p.m. and asked Rong Zhi to make him a cup of coffee. When the meeting began and Feng Tingchen entered the conference room, Rong Zhi suddenly froze as she typed. He had changed clothes. Not the ones from this morning. He had gone to see Lin Wu. She was sick. Maybe they didn’t do anything—but maybe he held her, lay beside her, comforted her until she fell asleep… Thinking that made her dazed for a moment. Perhaps thinking she was inappropriately daydreaming about him, she looked up to find Feng Tingchen staring at her coldly. Remembering the tenderness he showed Lin Wu, and the coldness he had for her, Rong Zhi clenched her fists and looked away. Not long after the meeting, Jiang Zhe came to her and said her handover work was nearly complete—she wouldn’t need to return to the company starting tomorrow. Rong Zhi replied, “Got it.” Even if Jiang Zhe hadn’t brought it up, she was planning to mention it herself once she wrapped things up. Now that he did, it saved her the trouble. Jiang Zhe hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. “You—” Rong Zhi extended her hand. “Thank you for taking care of me all these years.” Jiang Zhe, still stunned, reached out and shook her hand. “You're welcome.” Rong Zhi packed her things and left. Jiang Zhe couldn’t believe it—she really just left. “What are you zoning out for?” Cheng Yuan tapped his shoulder. “Rong Zhi left the company.” Cheng Yuan was stunned. “Seriously?” She could really leave this company behind? He didn’t quite buy it. He sneered, “She’s gone now, but it doesn’t mean she won’t find a way back. Wait and see—she’ll probably return with the old madam’s help before long.” Jiang Zhe said nothing. As unlikely as it seemed, based on her recent behavior, he felt Rong Zhi was serious this time. After leaving Feng Group, Rong Zhi went straight home. Maybe Feng Tingchen was fully focused on Lin Wu now, because in the next two days, she didn’t receive a single call from Feng Jingxin. Late the next night, Chu Zilan came down with a fever. Rong Zhi hurriedly closed her book, grabbed her car keys, and left the house. It had rained all day, and even this late, the rain hadn’t let up. Chu Zilan lived in the old part of town. This late, the roads were empty—no cars, no people. Rong Zhi stopped at a pharmacy near Chu Zilan’s complex to buy some medicine. Just as she folded her umbrella and got into the car, the passenger door suddenly opened. A tall figure got in. Her heart jumped. She turned her head—only to find a gun pointed at her. “Don’t move.” The man was dressed all in black, wearing a mask and a low-brimmed hat. His face was obscured, but his gaze was sharp and cold. Rong Zhi slowly raised her hands and stayed still. He took her bag and phone. “I won’t hurt you. Just take me where I need to go, and you’ll be free.” Before she could respond, he coldly ordered, “Drive.” The area was deserted. No cars, no people. The pharmacy was a bit of a distance away… As she mentally weighed her options, Rong Zhi noticed a strong smell of blood inside the car. She paused, then started the car. “Where to?” “Straight ahead. Head to Rongdong Pier,” he said. “I’ll guide you on the way.” “No need. I know the way.” With that, she drove off. The man stayed quiet, and the car grew silent. Rongdong Pier was half an hour away. Rong Zhi stayed calm the entire way, driving steadily without making a single wrong turn. The man still held the gun, but his gaze gradually shifted. Rong Zhi didn’t seem to notice. After a while, he said, “Stop under that banyan tree up ahead.” “Okay.” She pulled over smoothly. Even as he got out of the car, the gun remained aimed at her. Rong Zhi retrieved her bag and calmly said, “I have medicine in here.” By now, the smell of blood was strong. He must’ve been seriously injured. The man paused but ignored her, exiting the car and disappearing into the darkness. Seeing that he didn’t want her help, she didn’t insist. She turned the car around and drove off. A few minutes later, the man boarded a boat waiting to pick him up. Once on board, he removed his hat and mask. His phone rang. As someone tended to his wound, he answered the call. Before he could speak, Qi Yumeng’s anxious voice came through. “Changbai, are you okay? My people said they couldn’t find you. Where are you?” “There was an accident. I’m at the pier now.” “Thank goodness! What happened? You scared me!” After hanging up, He Changbai stared at the towering banyan tree in the distance, lost in thought. By the time Rong Zhi returned to Chu Zilan’s place, it was half an hour later. Chu Zilan had taken medicine and eaten some porridge. She looked better but frowned. “I smell blood. Zhi, are you hurt?” “No.” The man had been bleeding, and some had gotten on her bag and phone. She had wiped them down, but clearly, not well enough.