CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50 DISCHARGE

Lu Si never expected to receive encouragement from the always distant Rong Zhi, and his spirits were immediately lifted, clenching his fist solemnly, "Thank you, Third Young Master!"

Rong Zhi lowered his gaze and nodded slightly, then the two parted ways to attend to their own affairs.

Lu Si’s design drafts have been reviewed as quite talented; as long as the questions aren’t difficult, her admission to the Engineering College is a sure thing.

...

Jing University Mechanical Department Teaching Building.

The assessment is divided into a written test and a practical exam, with the written test in the morning, lasting two and a half hours, while the lab lasts longer, from two in the afternoon until six.

The examination room is bright and clean, with mechanical department students seated, Lu Si sits in the row by the window, coincidentally, Rong Qichuo is right next to him on the left.

Rong Qichuo raised his eyebrows and then smirked disdainfully.

Lu Si pretended not to hear, focused on preparing his tools, mentally mulling over formulas and sketches.

Four invigilators came in holding test papers, the candidates looked up, and murmurs of surprise ensued.

Lu Si looked up involuntarily, surprised as well.

Among these four invigilators, besides Lin Qiming and two familiar school teachers, there was also Liu Yue Zhang, the professor who often accompanies Academician Zhao Hecheng and frequently appears in public view!

Lu Si paused his breathing, palms were slightly sweaty.

The nearby Rong Qichuo also set aside his disdain towards Lu Si, looking serious.

With Liu Yue Zhang attending, it was evident how much importance the school and the Mechanical Engineering Institute were placing on this assessment!

The candidates are all sweating, adopting a 120% attitude, facing the exam seriously.

Liu Yue Zhang surveyed the room’s atmosphere with satisfaction, handing the papers to Lin Qiming to distribute.

The bell rang, marking the start of the exam.

Liu Yue Zhang glanced at the candidates, looking gratified.

These are Hua Country’s future outstanding talents, the new leaders in the field of mechanics; regardless of ability, as long as they dare to learn, dare to take exams, dare to fight, should Hua Country’s mechanics field worry about having no future?

While the exam is underway, after bidding farewell to Lu Si, Rong Zhi went upstairs to discuss incense pills and medicinal soup with Tang Xuyun and Song Cheng.

"The incense was made out of boredom; if you want it, I can send it over for research. As for the medicinal soup."

Rong Zhi took out some candies from her pocket and handed them to Tang Xuyun.

She knocked lightly on the table with her fingers, legs casually crossed, smiling leisurely, "It’s dissolved from this."

Song Cheng looked puzzled, flipping the candy over without discerning any difference, "Third Young Master, I have reason to suspect you’re framing me."

"There’s a kettle here, you can try it," Rong Zhi tilted her chin, pointing behind him.

Song Cheng consulted Tang Xuyun and, receiving his approval, went to dissolve the candy.

Tang Xuyun watched Rong Zhi, calm and composed as ever, his stern face softened, asking gently, "What purposes do these candies serve?"

Rong Zhi explained nonchalantly.

Tang Xuyun picked up the grape-flavored lollipop with health and fitness benefits and asked, "How much for this one?"

Rong Zhi furrowed her brows slightly in thought, then leisurely, almost uncertainly, replied, "888?"

These prices were set by Fu Yaoyao, but since she hadn’t sold them, only gifted them, she couldn’t quite remember the prices.

Tang Xuyun gripped the candy tighter, then asked about the orange-flavored one.

Rong Zhi simply gave him a bigger number.

Tang Xuyun: "..."

What kind of candy is this?? Priced at 1888??

Just then, an indescribable stench spread through the office, Tang Xuyun frowned, about to ask Song Cheng what he did, but turned to see Song Cheng’s surprised face, holding a cup.

Song Cheng immediately confirmed Rong Zhi’s words as truth.

Damn, it really is medicinal soup dissolved from lollipops! This stench is identical to what was smelled that night in Rong Fangjun’s hospital room!

Tang Xuyun squinted his shrewd eyes, a light of understanding flashed underneath, followed by a more profound expression.

...

After finishing her business, Rong Zhi left the nursing home, driving to pick up Rong Jiazze from the hospital.

As soon as Rong Zhi pushed open the ward door, Rong Jiazze noticed her presence, jumped down from the bed, ran over, hugged her waist, and rubbed against it, croaking, "Brother."

The little rascal had eaten well, grown taller, looking at least like a normal nine-year-old boy.

His voice had recovered after treatment, but still needed care.

Rong Zhi ruffled Rong Jiazze’s soft hair, pushed aside his over-grown bangs, squinting her eyes for a careful look.

The boy’s almond eyes glistened like water, his face soft and cute, despite some immaturity, glimpses of future grace were evident.

"Sister!" Fu Yaoyao heard the sound, looked up, smiling sweetly as she came over, occupying Rong Zhi’s other arm.

Since they were all her people, she didn’t fear Rong Jiazze knowing Rong Zhi’s true gender.

Rong Fengmian, coming a bit later, glanced at Rong Zhi with grievance, then picked up Rong Jiazze’s luggage silently.

Rong Zhi: "..."

She felt like a scumbag, favoring concubines over wives.

The four left through the main entrance, coincidentally missing the group heading up to the 16th floor from the parking lot.

Jiang Gujun stood outside the empty ward, mind blank, "Did we come too late?"

He had been visiting the hospital often and got along quite well with Rong Jiazze, knowing he was being discharged today, thus came especially to see him off.

Yet, he still arrived late.

Bai Su glanced at Jiang Gujun, inspecting the items he carried, took out his phone, found a number, and dialed it.

After a couple of rings, someone answered, a female voice came through the receiver——

"Hello~ What can I do for you?"

Bai Su tightened his grip on the phone.

He restrained his smile, voice low with a faint hint of coldness, "Hello, I need to speak with Rong Zhi."

Then, he heard the clear sweet voice say, "Old Rong, someone rich and silly is calling you."

Bai Su: "..."

Fu Yaoyao couldn’t figure out the person’s identity across, so she didn’t call out "Sister."

Rong Zhi turned to glance at the screen, then met Fu Yaoyao’s seemingly obedient yet sneakily mischievous smile, flicked her finger on her forehead, "Troublemaker."

Fu Yaoyao giggled and handed her the phone.

Rong Zhi took it, speaking lightly, "Anything you need?"

A distinction of closeness versus distancing was evident.

Bai Su could hardly maintain his smile, long lashes lowered and shadowing the depth in his eyes, he pulled his lips slowly, "Rong Jiazze was discharged today, Jiang Gujun bought items to congratulate him, but arrived too late and didn’t see you all."

The voice was heard clearly within the car as no music was playing and no one was speaking.

Rong Jiazze blinked, realized what was being said, and smacked his head, remembering, urgently, "I forgot to tell Brother Gu Jun you were picking me up! Sorry, sorry, can you tell him for me, brother?"

Rong Zhi hummed, eyes focused ahead, gaze cold and distant, the red light was about to turn green, she sped up a bit, "He forgot, I’ll have him call Jiang Gujun."

Bai Su guessed from her tone she might be driving, said nothing and hung up.

From the backseat, Rong Jiazze called Jiang Gujun, after chatting, he looked up at Rong Zhi, asking adorably, "Brother, um... Brother Gu Jun and they want to congratulate me on my discharge, can they come to our home?"

Rong Jiazze was quite torn, feeling like he was troubling Rong Zhi.

Rong Zhi paused.

She didn’t expect Rong Jiazze and Jiang Gujun to be so close.

After a moment of silence, she casually turned the steering wheel, expressionless, very casually, "Sure."

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[Waking up in the morning, refreshing the page, seeing the book.city score of 9.4, felt chilly inside]