Two months later
After the start of autumn, the weather gradually turned cooler. On the streets, some people wore short sleeves, some wore autumn clothes, and some wore winter clothes, creating a peculiar scene of all four seasons within a single month.
Du Ruoxin was already four months pregnant.
Because the fetus was in a posterior uterine position, she didn't show at all. Her lower abdomen only bulged slightly, as if she had eaten too much and was overstuffed.
Or, if she slightly held in her breath, her waist would appear flat and slender again.
Du Ruoxin was afraid of the cold. In this unpredictable weather, she habitually wore two layers: a loose, high-necked sweater, followed by a windbreaker, which further concealed any signs of pregnancy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk~~~"
Miranda touched her friend's waist, unable to help but exclaim, "This charming slender waist, this S-shaped figure, she's a complete vixen."
No wonder she had captivated Cristiano, driving him mad and obsessed.
Cough, cough, she dared not utter the last sentence.
Du Ruoxin rolled her eyes, "As if you don't have one."
Miranda teased her a couple more times, "That's different. You're carrying a baby, and I'm still a young girl."
Du Ruoxin: "Pfft..."
What young girl? If she remembered correctly, Miranda had lost her innocence at sixteen.
She hadn't been without boyfriends over the years.
"Yes, yes, yes, young girl," Du Ruoxin teased, "May I ask what brings the young girl to see me?"
Miranda: "Fashion Queen starts filming in three days. Pack your things and come with me."
Du Ruoxin: "So soon? Didn't you say it would be another month?"
Miranda: "The British royal family agreed to lend us Buckingham Palace for filming, so it's been moved up."
Just a few minutes ago, her partner – the producer in charge of British filming matters – had called to inform her that the location had been successfully secured and they could start work and join the crew.
Du Ruoxin: "Oh."
Miranda, seeing the woman's lack of enthusiasm, hooked her chin and examined her, "Tell me, should I just pack you up and take you, or do you want to report this to your brother?"
Du Ruoxin: "..."
The mention of Cristiano immediately soured her mood.
For no reason, she just felt annoyed.
"What's wrong?" Miranda played with her friend's hair and chuckled softly, "Does it feel like Cristiano has been mistreating you?"
Du Ruoxin shook her head, "No."
With something weighing on her mind, she couldn't muster a smile.
She pushed Miranda away, her brows furrowed, and asked, "How long will it be?"
Miranda: "One or two months? Possibly longer."
Once filming began, she never set time limits or made any guarantees. Too many uncertain factors meant that not everything could proceed as scheduled.
Having been proven wrong too many times, Miranda had developed a more casual attitude.
Everything was discussed after ensuring the film's quality.
Du Ruoxin took out her phone, "Then I'll call my mother-in-law." During her absence, Feng Linwan would take care of Doudou.
She also had to think carefully about how to persuade her daughter that evening.
The signal connected quickly. After Du Ruoxin explained the situation, Feng Linwan readily agreed, stating she would fly to America overnight.
Du Ruoxin felt a sense of relief.
Miranda teased, "Hey, you divorced Rong Jingyang a long time ago, why do you still call Feng Linwan Mommy?"
Du Ruoxin retorted, "She is my daughter's grandmother. What else should I call her?"
Miranda was momentarily speechless, seemingly unable to find a counter-argument, "But, by doing this, aren't you afraid Mrs. Rong will find out about your real relationship with Cristiano? Aren't you afraid Rong Jingyang will get back together with you?"
Du Ruoxin's starry eyes flickered, "I had those concerns at first, but not anymore."
Rong Jingyang had been absent from her life for two full months, and she had grown accustomed to this lifestyle.
Goodbye.
He was her daughter's father, and she was his daughter's mother.
That was the extent of their relationship.
Miranda pursed her lips, "That's true, it's all in the past."
For divorced couples, especially those with children, their life trajectories were bound to overlap.
"I won't talk to you anymore, I have things to do," Du Ruoxin picked up her bag and waved, "You guys go ahead. I'll arrive tomorrow evening."
On the chilly afternoon, she had arranged to meet her elder brother at the psychological center.