Mr. Song, you have crossed the line.

The man was wearing a smoky gray shirt, with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong and muscular forearms. He held a rattle in his hand and shook it gently, making a crisp sound.

Tangtang lay in the stroller, seemingly very happy, waving her little hands and feet in the air and babbling away.

Hearing the noise, Song Shiyan looked up at Rong Zheng and asked, "You're back?"

This was the first time the two had met since he said he would wait for her reply. The man's expression was calm, as always, as if those outrageous words from that day had never been spoken.

Rong Zheng steadied her slightly flustered mind and nodded casually, "Yes, what brings you here?"

Song Shiyan continued shaking the rattle in his hand, looking at Tangtang with gentle eyes, "Haven't seen her for a few days, so I came to see her."

Rong Zheng suddenly recalled Luo Qinghe's words.

"Tangtang carries Lu Peichuan's blood; can Song Shiyan truly be without any resentment?"

Song Shiyan seems to really like Tangtang. He has shown her special favor since she was born, giving her expensive gifts, unique full-moon gifts, buying her food, clothes, things to use, and toys, and visiting her often.

His kindness to Tangtang surpassed even that of her biological father, Lu Peichuan.

Perhaps he wouldn't care at all that Tangtang isn't his biological child?

The next moment, Rong Zheng realized what she was thinking, and her heart skipped a beat.

Why would she think of these things?

Even without Tangtang, there would be no possibility between her and Song Shiyan.

Social class, social status, and family relationships were insurmountable barriers between them; they were simply from different worlds.

Just then, Xu Ma came out of the kitchen. "Zhengzheng, dinner is ready. Would you like to eat?"

Rong Zheng turned to Song Shiyan and politely asked, "Brother Yan, have you eaten?"

Song Shiyan: "No."

Rong Zheng was slightly taken aback. She thought Song Shiyan would politely say that he had already eaten, or that he had something to do and had to leave first. After all, she hadn't made any preparations in advance, and the dishes at home were all home-cooked, which he definitely wouldn't be used to.

"We don't have much food at home, but if Brother Yan doesn't mind, you can stay for a meal."

"I don't mind, but will it cause you any trouble?"

"Won't."

Xu Ma turned around and went inside to get the dishes, and Rong Zheng put down her bag and followed her in.

A moment later, the food was served.

Xu Ma took Tangtang to play in the children's room, while Rong Zheng and Song Shiyan sat facing each other in the dining room to eat.

Rong Zheng was already somewhat afraid of Song Shiyan, and now that she knew his feelings for her, she became even more nervous. Eating at the same table with him made her feel like every cell in her body was on edge.

The atmosphere became even more suffocating when the two remained silent.

Why aren't you eating your vegetables?

A deep, clear voice came from across the room.

Rong Zheng looked up and met the man's deep, unfathomable gaze. She looked away after only a second, picking up some food as she said, "Food."

Song Shiyan sighed softly, "You don't need to be so reserved in front of me."

Can we not be so reserved?

She always treated him like an older brother, but he wanted to date her.

Who could remain calm and composed in that situation?

Rong Zheng awkwardly tugged at the corner of her lips and said in a low voice, "I'm not being reserved."

A hint of helplessness flashed across Song Shiyan's eyes. She kept her head down and ate her meal without daring to look at him. Was this what you called being uninhibited? She practically had "I don't want to be with him" written all over her face. "Pretend I didn't say what you said that day. Let's continue to get along as before."

Rong Zheng looked at Song Shiyan in surprise. She was wondering how to start a conversation to refuse him, but he spoke up on his own.

Giving up before she could answer—did she not take it seriously at all?

Was it just a spur-of-the-moment thing that day, something I said offhand?

That's good; it saves us from having to say no and create an awkward situation for each other.

Rong Zheng instantly felt like a major problem had been solved. The heavy stone that had been weighing on her heart for the past two days had been removed, and the sense of relief overshadowed the faint sense of loss deep in her heart.

"it is good."

Seeing Rong Zheng's obviously relaxed expression, Song Shiyan knew he had guessed correctly; her answer would definitely be a refusal.

Actually, when Rong Zheng was discharged from the hospital that day, he called to ask her where she was staying. When she changed the subject and asked him what was wrong, he already guessed her answer.

Rather than waiting for her to say it and ruining their relationship, it's better for him to take the initiative and back down. At least then, the two of them can still be the same as before.

He never expected to succeed on his first try.

As long as she knows his feelings for her, at least she won't treat him like an older brother anymore when she faces him in the future.

Everything is difficult at the beginning. Once you take the first step, you can take the rest slowly.

"How's the survey going?" Song Shiyan changed the subject, not wanting the atmosphere to become too awkward.

"It went quite smoothly."

"Is this research topic nearing completion?"

Rong Zheng nodded, "Yes, two more months."

"What are your plans for the future?"

Rong Zheng told Song Shiyan about her plans.

As Song Shiyan watched Rong Zheng talk eloquently about work, his heart stirred slightly. Especially as he watched her lips open and close, the kiss on the plane that afternoon involuntarily came to mind.

soft.

sweet.

It makes people fall into its trap.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened.

Song Shiyan lowered his eyes, concealing all his emotions.

As Rong Zheng was speaking, her phone rang. She took it out and saw that the caller ID showed Aunt Liu. She immediately looked at Song Shiyan on the other end of the line, feeling guilty.

Song Shiyan didn't know that she had gone to Duan Yunshu's place, so why did Aunt Liu call at this time?

Song Shiyan felt Rong Zheng's gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just a call from the hospital. You eat first, I'll take this call." Rong Zheng finished speaking, picked up her phone, and walked to the balcony. She glanced back at the dining room and saw that Song Shiyan was eating slowly and not looking this way. Then she answered the phone, lowering her voice, "Hello, Aunt Liu."

"Dr. Rong, your wife has been talking about you a lot lately. Tonight she even said she wouldn't eat unless she saw you. I had no choice but to call you. Could you perhaps find some time to come and see her?"

Rong Zheng knew that Duan Yunshu must have regarded her as the future daughter-in-law to whom Song Shiyan was betrothed. Otherwise, why would she keep talking about her when they had only met once?

She was also planning to visit Duan Yunshu anyway, so she could go tonight. "Okay, I'll be there in a bit."

"Thank you, Dr. Rong."

Rong Zheng hung up the phone, thought of an excuse in her mind, returned to the restaurant, and said to Song Shiyan, "Brother Yan, there's an emergency at the hospital, I need to go there."

Song Shiyan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Now?"

"Okay, I won't eat with you. You can eat slowly." Rong Zheng said and went to the children's room. She had to say goodbye to Xu Ma before leaving.

Song Shiyan watched Rong Zheng's retreating figure thoughtfully. When the phone rang, her gaze towards him was strange, revealing guilt and panic. Whose call was it?

Rong Zheng came out of the children's room and saw Song Shiyan coming from the dining room into the living room. "Why aren't you eating?"

"Since it's an emergency, you must be in a hurry. I'll take you there."

She wasn't really going to the hospital; if he took her, wouldn't she give herself away?

Rong Zheng immediately refused, "No need, I..."

"Let's go, the patient is more important." Song Shiyan turned and walked towards the door without saying another word.

Rong Zheng watched his retreating figure and pursed her lips. She really didn't need to, but what if he became suspicious if she refused again?

Fine, I'll give it to you then.

At worst, she could go to the hospital first, and then go to the sanatorium after Song Shiyan left.

Rong Zheng had no choice but to follow.

As soon as the two stepped out of the room, Song Shiyan's phone rang, and the caller ID showed Liu Ma.