During the afternoon's shoot, Du Ruoxin did not attend.
Rong Jingyang wanted to take their daughter, so she let him. Although she and Rong Jingyang were no longer husband and wife, she couldn't deprive their daughter of her father's rights.
Besides, Rong Jingyang rarely took care of their daughter. Whether it was a sudden whim or a moment of madness, she had no reason to stop him.
She was very free that entire afternoon.
She slept, read, and ate sweet and sour fruits.
Cristiano made two phone calls, avoiding Du Ruoxin.
One was to Country A, asking for Ivy's name to be added to the airport design shortlist, not as the chief designer, but as a deputy team leader.
The final selection for the design proposals was due today, and as expected, Xin Yang Company won.
Cristiano didn't care who was responsible or who managed what; he just needed to see Ivy's name on the list.
The second call was naturally to Ivy.
"I've added your name to the airport construction project. Whether you can secure a foothold and have a say depends on your skills."
"I'd rather you didn't disappoint me."
"I never do business with losers."
Ivy was stunned by these words. What was going on? Although her mind hadn't caught up, it didn't affect her instinctive, vigorous nodding as she said, "Yes, yes, yes, yes."
Until the signal automatically disconnected, Ivy hadn't recovered from the shock.
This—
That—
Did Cristiano mean she had a part in the airport construction?
Rong Jingyang hadn't contacted her for the past two days, and she was fretting about not finding an opportunity to approach him.
And now, an opportunity had arrived!
As long as she could return to City E, as long as she could appear in Rong Jingyang's sight, she was confident she could win him over!
Ivy was filled with fighting spirit!
...
In the tranquil garden, Du Ruoxin lay under the sun umbrella, sleeping comfortably until she woke up naturally.
When she opened her eyes, she stretched.
A servant handed her a glass of lemon water. After Du Ruoxin rinsed her mouth, the servant said, "Miss, your friends are waiting for you by the pool."
Du Ruoxin got up. Caroline and the others?
"Okay."
As she walked to the pool, Caroline, Grace, Miranda, and Nini, four women in swimsuits, swam joyfully like fish.
"Sister Xin," Miranda was the first to see Du Ruoxin and asked, "Want to come down and move around a bit?"
They didn't know about Du Ruoxin's "bleeding" incident; they only knew that she and Cristiano had left the manor due to prior engagements.
Du Ruoxin shook her head. "I'll swim after the pregnancy stabilizes."
Miranda: "Alright."
She continued.
Caroline, not in the pool, wore a sexy and figure-flattering bikini, sipping juice. Her gaze was unfocused, as if searching for something or someone.
But upon seeing Du Ruoxin, she immediately smiled and greeted her, "Sister Xin, the evening party is all set, at a friend's private Bund property."
She paused and added, "It's a swimwear party. Will Cristiano allow you to attend?"
Du Ruoxin placed her hands on her hips. "No one can stop me from going where I want to go."
Caroline laughed heartily. "Hahaha, only in front of you does the formidable head of the Rothschild family become a little lamb."
Du Ruoxin smiled faintly. Her elder brother was a big bad wolf, merely wearing a sheepskin in front of her.
Grace swam over and rested her arms on the edge of the pool. "Sister Xin, Aunt Feng is looking for you and wants you to call her back."
Du Ruoxin: "Ah?"
Grace explained, "Aunt Feng couldn't get through to your phone, so she called me."
Du Ruoxin said "Oh" and took Grace's phone to call back.
The call was answered after just one ring.
Du Ruoxin called out, "Mommy."
Feng Linwan: "Ruoxin, the airport design voting results are out. Your company won. The signing ceremony for the project launch is on the first of next month."
Du Ruoxin responded indifferently, "Congratulations, Mommy."
Hearing such a distant tone, Feng Linwan's heart sank. "What congratulations? It's your company; you should come back and manage it yourself."
Du Ruoxin: "I might not be able to come back."
Feng Linwan: "...You did all the design work, didn't you? You said you wanted to—"
Before she could finish, Du Ruoxin interrupted, "Cristiano won't allow me to return to the country."
At this moment, she could only use her elder brother to take the blame.
She continued, "Mommy, please take care of the airport. I estimate I can only return next year."
Feng Linwan seemed to have fallen into an ice cellar, instantly losing her voice.
Du Ruoxin couldn't bear to hurt the mother-in-law who was so good to her, but only by letting her mother-in-law know that she and Rong Jingyang had no future could they get along in the future.
"Probably after spring," she continued. "However, Doudou will come back to spend the New Year with you and Daddy."
Feng Linwan: "...Oh."
Every time there was anticipation, there was disappointment.
After hanging up the phone, Feng Linwan's unhappiness cast a shadow over the entire Rong family.
Du Ruoxin also felt a little sad, knowing that she was the cause of this pain yet unable to do anything about it.
Caroline poured Du Ruoxin a drink and teased, "Sister Xin, it feels like you love your former mother-in-law more than Rong Jingyang."
Du Ruoxin chuckled and took the cup, drinking more than half of it in gulps.
It was as if all her unhappiness was washed away with the water.
"Hey!" she sighed deeply. "People always have to look forward."
Du Ruoxin called out to the pool, "Miranda, can you make a position for me in your film crew?"
The swimming woman surfaced. "What did you say?"
Du Ruoxin: "I'll be your subordinate, and you teach me how to make movies, okay?"
Miranda: "..."
Everyone: "..."
What? Did they hear that wrong? Sister Xin wanted to stay in the US? And learn filmmaking?
All the women climbed out of the pool, staring at Du Ruoxin with astonishment.
Du Ruoxin grinned. "I'm not kidding. I plan to stay in the US for long-term development and not return to Europe."
Several of them said in unison, "Will Cristiano agree?"
Sister, you know how twisted your elder brother is, don't you?
Would he let you stay in the US?