Volume One, Chapter Eight: Mr. Rong Was Pampered and Pleased Today
The woman referred to by the secretary as Luo Qingyao was, in the eyes of outsiders, the “mistress” that Rong Shaoqin kept on the side.
Only when reminded by his secretary did Rong Shaoqin recall that he had already spoken to Luo Qingyao on the phone a few days ago.
He had promised Luo Qingyao that he would accompany her to celebrate her birthday on the twelfth.
The dates coincided.
But it was no problem.
He would spend the morning with Luo Qingyao, then rush back to the old family residence by noon—no delays.
Rong Shaoqin remained calm, saying, “You just need to keep that day open for me; don’t worry about anything else.”
The secretary acknowledged.
In the evening, after finishing work, Rong Shaoqin returned home.
As his car neared, it happened to brush past another vehicle.
The secretary’s keen eyes caught sight of the passenger inside. “President Rong, it looks like that’s your father-in-law.”
The man he referred to was none other than Sang Haining’s biological father, Sang Zhaoting.
Rong Shaoqin held little interest in Sang Haining, so naturally, he paid no mind to her father.
He didn’t even raise his eyelids, merely giving a faint hum.
Upon arriving home, Rong Shaoqin pushed the door open.
The living room was brightly lit.
On the sofa, Sang Haining sat alone.
Her expression was somewhat gloomy.
In over a year of marriage, this was the first time Rong Shaoqin had seen such a look on Sang Haining’s face.
An inexplicable tightness gripped his heart.
At that moment, Sang Haining seemed to notice the movement at the door and turned to look at him.
In an instant, the shadow on her face vanished completely.
In its place was her signature gentle and tender smile.
She approached him, thoughtfully took his coat, and hung it on the nearby rack. “You came home early today. I’ve made some pork rib soup for you, but it’s not done yet and needs a bit more time.”
Rong Shaoqin’s gaze swept over her as he casually remarked, “I saw your father’s car on the road earlier.”
Smoothing out the wrinkles in his coat, Sang Haining looked back at him. “Did he speak to you?”
“He didn’t see me,” Rong Shaoqin said as he walked toward the dining table.
Sang Haining followed behind him, softly responding.
Rong Shaoqin accepted the warm water handed to him by a servant. “What did he want from you?”
“Nothing much,” Sang Haining replied calmly as she sat opposite him. “Just a business matter. He wanted to use your connections, but I refused.”
Rong Shaoqin asked, “What kind of business? You can tell me.”
Over the past year, Sang Haining had devoted herself wholeheartedly to him and his grandmother.
Sang Zhaoting was Sang Haining’s biological father.
For Rong Shaoqin, it wouldn’t be difficult to open a backdoor for Sang Zhaoting.
“There’s no need to help. Let’s eat,” Sang Haining said as she took the dishes brought by the servant.
She pushed all of Rong Shaoqin’s favorite dishes toward him.
Then she passed him the chopsticks.
Rong Shaoqin was already accustomed to Sang Haining’s care.
But he had never understood the matter between Sang Haining and her father.
Hence his slight curiosity: “Is that business complicated?”
The business wasn’t complicated; Sang Haining simply didn’t want to help.
Given how cruel Sang Zhaoting had been to her and her grandmother, she bore no intention of repaying kindness with kindness.
Not slapping Sang Zhaoting in the face was already an act of mercy.
But she didn’t want to share these feelings with Rong Shaoqin.
Maintaining a polite smile, Sang Haining said, “It’s not complicated, but it would cost you favors. Debts of favors are hard to repay and yield no benefits. You’re my husband; I prioritize your interests. There’s no need to get involved in this.”
Rong Shaoqin hadn’t expected Sang Haining to care so much about him.
Suppressing the corner of his mouth from rising, he said, “Then you don’t need to worry about such things.”
“I understand,” Sang Haining replied softly.
When the meal arrived, Rong Shaoqin ate an extra bowl of rice compared to usual.
Especially the pork rib soup—it was even more fragrant and appetizing than he had anticipated.
The dinner ended quietly.
Back in the bedroom, Rong Shaoqin suddenly remembered he needed to tell Sang Haining that he would be celebrating Luo Qingyao’s birthday the day after tomorrow.
He let Sang Haining unbutton his shirt absentmindedly and said, “I have something to do that morning. I’ll rush back by noon.”
Sang Haining paused slightly. “Grandma specifically told me to have us go there early. Do you have something urgent?”
“It’s also Luo Qingyao’s birthday that day. I promised her I’d celebrate it with her,” Rong Shaoqin said without hiding the truth.
Sang Haining’s expression was complicated.
How to put it? Rong Shaoqin was perhaps too honest.
Celebrating a mistress’s birthday openly, without avoiding her—it was quite straightforward.
But then again, their marriage was just a certificate binding them; there was no affection between them.
Thinking that way, there was indeed no need to hide anything.
While feeling speechless, Sang Haining was actually somewhat displeased.
Of course, it wasn’t that she minded Rong Shaoqin spending the birthday with his mistress.
Rather, it was that Grandma would definitely overthink it again.
Grandma was very sensitive about the matter between her and Rong Shaoqin.
She wished to play the loving couple that day to reassure the elderly lady.
Now Rong Shaoqin was suddenly stirring up trouble, and Grandma would surely probe deeply.
Sang Haining didn’t want to upset Grandma Rong.
But she also couldn’t control Rong Shaoqin’s decisions.
Sigh, what a troublesome teammate.
Her tone softened slightly. “I’ll just tell Grandma that you had an important matter that morning and had to handle it, so you could only come over by noon.”
Rong Shaoqin hummed in acknowledgment.
He looked down at Sang Haining’s expression and realized she seemed jealous. Acting before his mind caught up, he said lightly, “Don’t overthink it. Qingyao…”
He paused, then felt there was no need to explain to Sang Haining.
Noticing her puzzled gaze, he changed the subject, “Nothing important. Please take care of things with Grandma.”
Sang Haining looked up, smiling understandingly. “Okay.”
“What do you want for your birthday gift?” Perhaps feeling a bit guilty or for some other reason, Rong Shaoqin paid a little more attention to her birthday.
Sang Haining obediently replied, “Anything you give me, I’ll like.”
Yesterday, the necklace Rong Shaoqin gave her was said by Shen Chuyi to be worth over a million on the market.
He was always generous.
She didn’t dislike anything valuable.
Who doesn’t love money?
Hearing this, the corner of Rong Shaoqin’s lips curled slightly. His wife sure knew how to please him.
Looking at her gentle and obedient appearance, he couldn’t help but raise his hand to cover her face.
His touch was cool and smooth, like silk.
Sang Haining looked at him, puzzled.
Her eyes were clear and wet under the soft glow of the light.
Her skin was a translucent milky white, her lips shimmering a tender rosy red.
Rong Shaoqin swallowed and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
Sang Haining was momentarily stunned, then complied, wrapping her arms around his strong, narrow waist.
His kiss was wild, almost stealing her breath.
The electric sensation made her body tremble uncontrollably, and a sultry moan escaped her throat.
Just as Rong Shaoqin was about to go further, Sang Haining stopped him in time. “I’m still not clean from my period.”
Rong Shaoqin immediately stopped.
But such interruptions were truly uncomfortable.
He kissed the tender, rosy skin behind her ear slowly, easing the tension.
Sang Haining breathed lightly beneath him. “I forgot to tell you, the day after tomorrow afternoon I’m going to Chuyi’s place. She’s inviting me to dinner, so I might be home late. If you want anything, just have the servants make it for you.”
Rong Shaoqin caressed her fondly. “Okay.”
“Also, remember to buy a set,” Sang Haining reminded him.
Rong Shaoqin’s satisfied expression froze instantly.