Rong Jingyang ignored her and called Cristiano to report the situation, only to be scolded.
Dejected, he opened his laptop, preparing to copy the design drafts to the government building for a public referendum.
Unexpectedly, the entire building lost power.
Could things get any worse or more disastrous?
As it turned out, yes.
After multiple phone calls, power was finally restored. Ivy copied the data, grabbed her USB drive, original design drafts, and proposal, then drove to the government building.
As she passed a T-junction, eager to make good time, she ran a red light, seeing no cars in either direction.
Just then, a truck sped out from behind a blocked wall.
"Crash—"
The two vehicles collided, and Ivy's small sedan was flipped over.
The airbags deployed, saving her life in the emergency, but she was left dizzy and dazed.
Fortunately!
The truck wasn't a large construction vehicle, but a small one. Otherwise, she would have been crushed beneath its wheels today.
The truck driver was terrified and immediately called for help, dialing 120 and 110 repeatedly.
Ivy was bleeding but conscious.
She refused to go to the hospital; she still needed to deliver the documents to the government, and the deadline was fast approaching.
However, the doctors wouldn't allow it, stating she needed immediate hemostasis and treatment, or her life would be in danger.
Ivy fumbled for her phone to call Rong Jingyang, but it wouldn't connect.
She was still on his blacklist.
At that moment, she shed tears.
Even though she knew that the "misfortune of today" was part of Cristiano's plan, she was still heartbroken.
After more than twenty years of relationship, did Rong Jingyang truly let go of her so easily?
No!
It wasn't like that!
It must have been Du Ruoxin, that old witch Feng Linwan, causing trouble.
Rong Jingyang liked her, cared about her!
Ivy closed her eyes, holding onto a beautiful fantasy.
—
Lan Tian Gui Shu
Cristiano placed another black stone, the board now showing two black stones and one white, creating a sinister arrangement.
The next move would also be a black stone.
But it would have to wait until tomorrow.
The night sky was as dark as ink; last night it was dotted with stars, but tonight, not a single one was visible, as if brewing a calm before a storm.
Cristiano placed the black lid on the chessboard, stood up, and left.
He hadn't taken two steps when his phone vibrated.
Seeing that it was Xin'er calling, he swiped to the green button and put the phone to his ear.
Du Ruoxin and Rong Jingyang got up after their daughter fell asleep. Rong Jingyang went to a gathering with his siblings, while Du Ruoxin, holding her DSLR camera, walked towards the room dedicated to cameras, calling Cristiano as she went.
"Brother, are you still in E City?"
"Mmm."
"Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, come to the Rong family for dinner."
"Not necessarily."
"Come on, I've made your favorite zongzi, and prepared two of my signature dishes."
"..."
Not receiving an answer, Du Ruoxin added, "Are you worried the Rong family will be prejudiced against you?"
"They won't be."
"Rong Jingyang doesn't care about that matter anymore."
"My mother-in-law and father-in-law also..."
Cristiano interrupted, "Alright, but I'll be late."
Going later would be perfect for witnessing the show.
Du Ruoxin breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay, call me when you arrive, and I'll come to the door to pick you up."
Having received his consent, she smiled, her steps becoming lighter.
After placing the camera, Du Ruoxin happily went to find Rong Jingyang and the others.
"Third Brother, shouldn't your girlfriend take a Chinese name?"
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Having come to China and wanting to be a Chinese daughter-in-law, she naturally needed a Chinese name. It was the same as Chinese people going abroad and taking English names.
Aitain nestled obediently beside Rong Jingshu. She didn't understand Chinese, but seeing everyone looking at her, she cast a pleading look at Rong Jingshu.
Rong Jingshu translated into English, "Would you like to take a Chinese name?"
Aitain smiled and nodded, "Yes, how should I choose one?"
Rong Jingshu patiently explained, "Chinese surnames are different from foreign surnames. Chinese people have their surname first and their given name second."
"The Hundred Family Surnames include all surnames, such as Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang..."
"You can choose one, or you can use a homophone of your own surname."
Aitain blurted out without hesitation, "Rong."
She wanted to take the surname Rong, the same surname as him.
Rong Jingshu's expression froze for a moment; he hadn't expected her to say that.
Having decided on the surname, Aitain lowered her head, as if feeling shy about her bold confession, "I don't know how to choose a given name, can you think of one for me?"
Rong Jingshu: "..."
Since Aitain spoke in English, everyone understood.
Suddenly, the room erupted in chatter.
"Wow~~~"
"Third Brother, you're too lucky."
"Future Third Sister-in-law agrees with you in everything."
"As happy as Eldest Brother!"
When Du Ruoxin entered, she saw her brothers teasing, "What happiness?"
Had she and Rong Jingyang become the model couple that these siblings envied?