In fact, Rong Wangtian and his group had arrived at the aerospace institute yesterday afternoon.
Rong Wangtian had caused such a scene at Haicheng No. 1 High School that it nearly escalated to a police intervention. Pei Yaru had no choice but to seek help from the Principal.
Since Lin Rang was in a restricted area, even the Principal couldn’t reach him. As for Yun Xiaoyuan, the Principal didn’t even have her contact information.
In the end, the Principal had no option but to bring Rong Wangtian to the aerospace institute, though they weren’t permitted inside.
Standing at the entrance of the institute, Rong Wangtian was momentarily stunned.
He knew that Rong Yu had visited the aerospace institute a little over a month ago—it had even made the news.
He had assumed it was just a brief visit, purely for show, to bask in the prestige of the institute and boost her own image…
Never had he imagined she would stay there for an entire day and night.
If even the esteemed Principal of No. 1 High couldn’t gain entry, how could a mere student remain for so long?
He also saw Rong Yu walking out alongside someone in a wheelchair—a man he recognized as Professor Lin from Haicheng University.
Rumor had it that this professor was exceptionally gifted. Despite his disability, he remained highly sought after by major research institutes and had contributed to numerous national-level projects.
And Rong Yu was conversing with such a distinguished professor so casually?
Pei Yaru quickly stepped forward. "Professor Lin, Rong Yu."
The Principal also hurried over to shake hands with Lin Rang.
Rong Yu glanced at Rong Wangtian and asked, "Principal, Ms. Pei, is something wrong?"
The Principal smiled. "Mr. Rong thought the school was hiding you and insisted on finding you, so we ended up waiting here. Mr. Rong, are you reassured now?"
The latter part was directed at Rong Wangtian, and the Principal’s smile faded as he spoke.
After all, he was the head of a prestigious school, yet because of Rong Wangtian’s unreasonable demands, he had been forced to stand outside the aerospace institute all night, braving the autumn wind. It was impossible not to feel some resentment.
Rong Wangtian’s mouth felt dry. "Xiao Yu, you stayed at the aerospace institute last night?"
"She did stay here," Lin Rang replied calmly. "Mr. Rong, you’re Xiao Yu’s father, correct? There’s a matter that requires your signature."
He retrieved a stack of documents from the briefcase behind his wheelchair. "Rong Yu has been temporarily hired as my personal assistant. Her personal records and household registration will be transferred to the Fourth Aerospace Institute. Please sign this, and I’ll arrange for the formalities."
The Principal’s eyes instantly lit up.
The aerospace institute was a dream destination for many—even PhD graduates might not secure a position there.
If those hired by the institute could be called geniuses, then Rong Yu was a genius among geniuses… Still in her third year of high school, yet already employed by such a prestigious institution. People would think it was an exaggeration if word got out.
Of course, given her status as a high school student, it was understandable that she was only hired as an assistant for now…
Rong Wangtian was completely dumbfounded.
This daughter he had never valued had suddenly been recruited by the Fourth Aerospace Institute?
A high school senior, even with a gold medal in physics, shouldn’t be hired so quickly, right?
If she joined the institute, would she no longer attend school?
"Rong Yu may only need to come to the institute two or three times a month. It won’t take up much of her time," Lin Rang explained. "Once she completes her undergraduate, graduate, or even doctoral studies, she can make her own choices. Do you have any other questions, Mr. Rong?"
Rong Wangtian stood frozen, unsure what to ask.
He looked at Rong Yu, meeting her clear eyes, and suddenly realized how unfamiliar this daughter had become.
When he first brought her back to Haicheng, he could still control her.
But at some point, Rong Yu was still Rong Yu—yet she no longer felt like his daughter.
An invisible chasm seemed to have opened between them.
He wanted to say something, but no words came.
Lin Rang handed him a pen. In a daze, he signed the documents before finally managing to ask, "Xiao Yu, will you be living at the institute from now on? Not coming home?"
"I’ll stay here when work gets busy," Rong Yu replied after a pause. "Otherwise, I live with the Ji Family."
"What?!" Rong Wangtian’s thoughts finally snapped back into place, his face full of shock. "So the news was right? You really are staying with the Ji Family? What’s your relationship with Old Master Ji?"
Rong Yu’s expression remained indifferent. "I once saved Old Master Ji’s life. He hired me as Ji Zhouye’s tutor, so I live there to tutor him."
She had no intention of moving out of the Ji Family, so she needed a plausible explanation.
She certainly couldn’t say she was the Ji Family’s matriarch—that would defy common sense and sound absurd. She might even be taken away for scientific study.
Being the Ji Family’s savior and Ji Zhouye’s tutor—these two reasons were sufficient.
Rong Wangtian’s mind short-circuited again. "You—you saved Old Master Ji? When? Why didn’t you tell the family?"
His daughter was Old Master Ji’s lifesaver? Then why had he been begging left and right, pulling strings just to get a meeting with the Ji Group’s CEO?
The connection had been right in front of him all along, and he hadn’t known?
"It was a long time ago," Rong Yu said, taking the signed documents. She turned to the Principal and Pei Yaru. "Thank you both for coming all this way."
The Principal waved it off. "A student’s affairs are never a bother."
Pei Yaru naturally felt the same.
Rong Yu spotted the Ji Family’s car parked by the roadside. "Principal, Ms. Pei, I won’t be attending classes this afternoon."
"No problem at all," the Principal said with a smile. "You’re already guaranteed admission to Beiqing University. Missing a few classes won’t matter."
After bidding farewell to Lin Rang and waving to her teachers, Rong Yu headed toward the car.
"Xiao Yu, wait!"
Rong Wangtian called out to her.
But when she turned back, he found himself at a loss for words.
Scratching his head, he finally managed, "Don’t you need to go home and pack some belongings?"
"No," Rong Yu replied. "There’s nothing much to take anyway."
Rong Wangtian rubbed his hands awkwardly.
True—since returning to the Rong Family, neither he nor Shen Lin had ever taken her shopping. Her room was likely empty.
He hastily pulled out his wallet. "If you ever need money, take this card—"
"That won’t be necessary," Rong Yu said, frowning. "I’m not short on funds."
Lin Rang smiled. "The institute provides Xiao Yu with a monthly salary. It’s not extravagant, but enough for her to support herself."
Rong Wangtian was truly speechless now.
He watched as Rong Yu reached the car, and the driver stepped out to open the door for her.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked again—the man holding the door was none other than Ji Zhiyuan, CEO of the Ji Group.
A high-ranking CEO, opening the door for a young girl?
He swallowed hard.
So it was true—Rong Yu had indeed saved Old Master Ji’s life, making her the Ji Family’s honored guest…
