Thank You for Being Able to Take Care of Him in the Future…

Chapter 60: 

In the blink of an eye, nearly a month had passed, and Li Ting and Fang Huaining had officially been together for almost two months. Besides the initial seafood dinner to confirm their relationship, they hadn't really gone on an official date. As New Year's approached, Fang Huaining thought that he had to find some time to take the little cat out for a day alone together.

He meticulously planned the itinerary, even reserving a popular sushi restaurant in the central square. After discussing the timing at the little ranch, Fang Huaining attended to the research institute's matters early that day and went to the swimming pool.

Li Ting still had half a day of part-time work to finish in the morning and could only join Fang Huaining in the afternoon. Recently, City A had entered a severe winter, and the number of visitors at the swimming pool had dropped to half, resulting in a sudden shortage of part-time workers. Fang Huaining maintained his fitness routine year-round, and with the pool's constant temperature system, swimming felt comfortable despite the chill. However, every time he looked up at Li Ting, who sat for hours in only a thin sports outfit and bare feet, Fang Huaining worried he might catch cold.

Li Ting had always been sitting in the deep end of the pool, while Fang Huaining swam within a twenty-meter radius around him, occasionally looking up to exchange a glance that spoke volumes. Two or three hours passed quickly.

As mealtime approached, only two or three swimmers remained in the pool, and the lifeguard was preparing to switch shifts. Fang Huaining waited for Li Ting to descend from the observation platform and noticed his slightly reddened feet. He softly said, "Do you want to take a hot shower before we go?"

Li Ting thought for a moment and nodded. "Mm."

Fang Huaining was puzzled when he saw Li Ting heading back. "The shower is that way."

Li Ting looked at him. "I can only use the staff-only one."

Fang Huaining was taken aback. "Oh…"

Li Ting did not miss the fleeting disappointment in Fang Huaining's eyes and raised an eyebrow at him.

Fang Huaining was about to explain that this wasn't what he meant when he suddenly noticed a change in Li Ting's expression. Before he could react, Li Ting quickly stripped off his outer coat, assessed the situation, and dove into the deep end, swimming toward a patch of water rippling dozens of meters away.

The little cat had boasted about his self-taught swimming skills since childhood, and Fang Huaining knew that Li Ting must have obtained a certification, so his level surely wasn't ordinary.

However, witnessing it firsthand only revealed how incredible the little lifeguard's swimming skills truly were. Li Ting shot through the water like a little dolphin, breaking the surface and diving back down after a swift turn.

Lacking emergency experience, Fang Huaining suddenly realized that someone must have drowned, and he quickly jumped in, swimming toward that direction. By the time he arrived, Li Ting had already pulled the person out of the water. It was an exceptionally tall and robust man who seemed to have fainted due to either high blood pressure or heart issues, but he regained consciousness once he was out of the water. Sensing Li Ting grasping under his armpit from behind, the man suddenly began to resist, still not fully aware of his surroundings.

Li Ting had to muster all his strength to restrain him, but with Fang Huaining's help, they finally managed to get him ashore safely. At that moment, other lifeguards rushed over, assessing the situation and administering first aid, while someone called for an ambulance.

Fang Huaining left the man behind and went to check on Li Ting. Earlier, in the chaos, he had caught a glimpse of bright red and initially thought it was a trick of the light. But when he looked down, he saw a large patch of skin torn from Li Ting's foot, exposing the tender flesh underneath, with blood oozing out continuously.

"Ting Ting!" Fang Huaining's heart tightened, his voice rising in pitch.

"It's fine.

Li Ting remained calm, taking cotton from a nearby first-aid kit to cover the wound, and said, "I just scraped it on the pool bottom."

That was more than just a scrape. Fang Huaining rushed closer and noticed that there were also scratches on Li Ting's arm, several intersecting lines inflicted during his rescue efforts to save the drowning man.

"The ambulance has arrived; let's go to the hospital," said the other staff as they carried the injured customer out.

"We're going too," Fang Huaining said firmly.

Li Ting thought it unnecessary to go to such lengths since accidents do happen during rescues, but then he saw Fang Huaining's expression – his brow furrowed and his gaze sharp – and was taken aback, choosing to remain silent.

The person in charge of the facility heard about the matter and came over to understand the situation. Li Ting listened silently to the person's compliments and concerns, while the now-dressed Fang Huaining walked over, directly said, "He's off this week," and cut off the conversation.

The person in charge looked at Li Ting, then at Fang Huaining, and nodded, "Uh, that's fine, but next week..." However, Fang Huaining interrupted him, "Let's talk about next week later."

The top student was being unusually authoritative and domineering in his decision-making, rarely treating himself with such lack of courtesy. Li Ting looked at him curiously, without rebutting a single word, until Fang Huaining draped a coat over his shoulders and squatted down in front of him, leaving Li Ting momentarily stunned.

Fang Huaining tilted his head slightly and said, "I called a taxi; it's waiting downstairs. Let's go." Noticing Fang Huaining's tightly furrowed brows, Li Ting's heart softened. He finally complied and leaned against him, wrapping his arms around Fang Huaining's neck. Fang Huaining carried Li Ting out of the swimming pool in front of so many people and took a taxi to the hospital. Since the injury was caused by cutting himself on the tiles at the bottom of the pool, the wound was quite large and had soaked in pool water. He insisted that Li Ting receive a tetanus shot and anti-inflammatory injection, which the doctor also recommended. Ultimately, Li Ting found himself sitting in the injection room. The hospital was packed this season; amidst the cries and noise of various people coming and going, Li Ting watched as Fang Huaining squatted in front of him, holding up a dumpling he bought from a snack shop downstairs and offering it to his mouth. In that moment, Li Ting felt several pairs of eyes on him—several girls who had been staring since Fang Huaining arrived were now widening their eyes in surprise. "Too hot?" Fang Huaining asked, noticing Li Ting hadn't opened his mouth. He took back the dumpling to blow on it before offering it again. Knowing Li Ting liked spicy food, he added, "We shouldn't add any seasoning since you have a wound; let's keep it light for a few days." Li Ting asked, "What about you?"

Fang Huaining replied, "I'll eat later; I'm not hungry. However, you shouldn't have an empty stomach while receiving the IV." Noticing Fang Huaining's focused expression, Li Ting slowly bit into the dumpling. "What's wrong?" Fang Huaining noticed that Li Ting had stopped chewing and grew anxious. "Is there something wrong with the taste?" Li Ting nodded, "The flavor is off." "What flavor?" Fang Huaining quickly sniffed his own dumpling, fearing he had given Li Ting something unappetizing. Li Ting replied, "Sushi flavor." Fang Huaining was momentarily stunned; he appeared lost in thought before unable to suppress a smile. He took the half-eaten dumpling from Li Ting's hand, took a bite himself, and carefully assessed, "Hmm, did they add honey?" As nearby eyes widened in surprise, Li Ting gently stepped on Fang Huaining's foot with his unshod injured leg, but someone quickly lifted it aside, nervously stopping him. After finishing the dumplings, Fang Huaining allowed Li Ting to rest for a while. Li Ting usually found it hard to sleep outside, but with Fang Huaining stepping away and leaving him alone, he sat down. Li Ting squinted his eyes and slowly leaned over, inhaling the familiar scent of Fang Huaining, feeling the gentle warmth on his arm where he had received the injection, and unexpectedly drifted off to sleep. In fact, he wasn't deeply asleep; in his drowsy state, he sensed that Fang Huaining seemed to be talking to someone.

Listening more intently, he recognized that it was Tian Dian's voice. Tian Dian mentioned that Xu Hao had spotted Li Ting being carried out of the swimming pool downstairs, which was why he had hurried over. He inquired about Li Ting's condition. To avoid disturbing him, Fang Huaining stood up and asked the visitors to leave before carefully adjusting Li Ting's head to a more comfortable angle. When Li Ting opened his eyes, he saw Fang Huaining leaning against the door, deep in conversation with Tian Dian. They were engaged in a discussion that seemed to take a significant amount of time, and by the end, Tian Dian's eyes appeared red. Upon Fang Huaining's entry, he looked somewhat serious, but when he noticed that Li Ting was awake, his expression softened to his usual demeanor. He approached and said, "The IV is done; let's go." As the doctor was removing the needle, Li Ting noticed a boy standing beside Tian Dian. Although a bit round in build, he had a fair complexion, quite unlike the typical peacock-like individuals Tian Dian usually associated with. Tian Dian said, "Li Zi, I forgot to introduce him. Um, this is Xu Hao; he was the first to help me when Cai Yang frequently caused trouble at our shop, and he also spotted you first today…" Li Ting recalled that this boy had been standing next to Tian Dian the day he went to meet Qi Han at Jiu Yue Private Kitchen, which explained why he recognized him right away.

Xu Hao was very shy; his round face turned bright red upon hearing Tian Dian's praises. "No, I didn't do anything. It's those people who were wrong and scared themselves off."

Li Ting looked at him and rarely nodded in acknowledgment.

As they were leaving, Fang Huaining chose not to use a hospital wheelchair and insisted on carrying Li Ting instead. Tian Dian watched them silently from the side until just before they got into the car, when he suddenly said to Fang Huaining, "Thanks for your help these past few days."

After saying that, he felt he had been foolish.

"This isn't something I should be saying; you two are much closer than I am..." After thinking for a moment, he sincerely added, "Anyway, thank you for taking care of him in the future..."

What Fang Huaining said went unheard by Li Ting, as he had already gotten into the car. He only saw Tian Dian smiling and waving goodbye to them before leaving with Xu Hao side by side.

Li Ting followed Fang Huaining back home. Fang Huaining didn't ask for his opinion, and Li Ting didn't oppose it either, allowing him to carry him inside.

Fang Huaining placed Li Ting on the sofa and then looked down at his foot. Because it was wrapped in several layers of gauze, Li Ting couldn't wear shoes, and his legs felt cold from the short walk.

Fang Huaining touched Li Ting's legs and said, "Take a shower."

Li Ting agreed.

Fang Huaining brought him a change of clothes, the same outfit he had worn during his previous stay, and carefully assisted him into the bathroom, thoughtfully filling the bathtub with water.

After testing the water temperature, Fang Huaining asked, "Can you manage on your own?"

Li Ting nodded.

Fang Huaining hesitated for a moment. "The pants… might be a bit tricky, so I'll help you."

Li Ting looked at him and nodded again.

As Li Ting stacked towels in the bathroom, he felt uncomfortable wearing long underwear. The athletic pants he had taken off revealed his straight, pale legs. His ankles were so thin that one hand could easily encircle them.

Although he had mentally prepared himself, Fan Xiangling's eyes still wandered, and he looked around awkwardly before glancing back at the exposed skin, muttering in a hoarse voice, "There are clothes…"

Once he had taken care of the clothes, Fan Xiangling carefully helped Li Ting sit down in the bathtub.

"Be careful not to splash water on your feet. If you can't sit steadily… just call me, and I'll be outside…"

Fan Xiangling's gaze was fixed downward as he spoke, his words deliberate and measured.

From his angle, Li Ting could see the reddening of Fan Xiangling's earlobes, prompting him to let out a low "oh."

Fan Xiangling suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before he quickly looked away, his breathing heavy as he turned and left.

But just as he reached for the door handle, he heard a splash of water behind him and turned to see Li Ting struggling to get up.

Fan Xiangling was startled and quickly reached out to grab him, pulling him into his arms.

His skin was slippery and cold, but Fan Xiangling's heart felt like a volcano, burning with a mix of accumulated sadness and anxiety. His senses blurred, and his heart raced.

Looking into Li Ting's deep-set eyes, Li Ting explained, "I wanted to get some shampoo..."

But before he could finish, Fan Xiangling unexpectedly pressed his lips against Li Ting's.

When they finally brought Li Ting out of the bathroom, his face was completely flushed—half from the heat of the bathroom and half from...

The room was air-conditioned, but Fan Xiangling quickly tucked Li Ting into bed and began putting clothes on him.

Li Ting grasped Fan Xiangling's hand and looked up at him, his shirt sticking to his body due to being soaked up to his armpits in the bathtub.

"Go change first," Li Ting urged.

Li Ting's usually calm demeanor had lost its coldness, and his eyes revealed a soft, moist quality. His lips were red, and his words carried a subtle weight.

Despite the intimate moment they had just shared in the bathroom, Fan Xiangling couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. He recalled how Li Ting had looked at him in the bathtub, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"He said he would do anything to escape that life. He wanted to find someone who could treat him well, to give him a chance to be happy."

Li Ting's expression grew solemn. "It's not easy for people like him. The world can be really harsh."

Fan Xiangling nodded, feeling a wave of empathy for Tian Dai. "He's had a tough time, but he holds onto hope. It's kind of inspiring, really."

"Hope can be a double-edged sword," Li Ting replied softly, his gaze drifting away as if lost in contemplation. "Sometimes it makes the pain feel sharper."

Fan Xiangling squeezed Li Ting's shoulders gently. "Don't think like that. You and I, we can help him. We can support each other."

Li Ting turned back to look at him, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "You're right. We should be there for him. Everyone deserves a chance to feel loved and accepted."

Fan Xiangling smiled, reassured by Li Ting's words. He brushed his fingers softly against Li Ting's side, trying to convey his care through simple touch.

"That's what we can do," Fan Xiangling said. "Even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference."

With a contented sigh, Li Ting closed his eyes again, allowing the warmth of Fan Xiangling's presence to wash over him. They lay together in silence, wrapped in their thoughts, yet comforted by each other's presence, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

Four years ago, after being rejected by someone, he attempted to drown himself in a river. You were passing by at the time and saved him."

That day was cold, just like today. Li Ting had jumped into the water to rescue him despite being badly injured himself. He had been bedridden for nearly a month.

Li Ting didn't say anything.

Fan Xiangling looked at him. "Tian Dai knew that before you jumped into the water, you had broken three ribs. But he still felt responsible."

Li Ting laughed. "He has already repaid me."

Fan Xiangling was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Li Ting explained, "He sold himself to a bar for five years and forced me to accept a large sum of money."

Li Ting recalled how Tian Dai had pestered him at various workplaces with bundles of cash wrapped in newspapers, crying loudly every time he was rejected.

Fan Xiangling understood. "That was your first year's tuition."

At the time, Li Ting had told him that he had gotten into a fight during the school festival. Fan Xiangling had thought that Li Ting was reckless and rebellious as a teenager. But now that he was aware of Li Ting's family history, he realized how independent and resilient Li Ting's choice had been.

Liru Yang had helped Li Ting keep his admission to school and suggested that he either repeat a year or leave A City until the media attention died down. However, Li Ting refused to agree, knowing that no matter how successful he became later on, he would always be haunted by Liru Yang's shadow.

The fact that Li Ting chose to stay meant he had severed all ties with his family. Despite being injured himself, he still worked hard to save up for university tuition.

"I don't understand those things, but Lizi said that the conditions at their university aren't great. Plus, due to his previous experiences, he could only apply for a small scholarship; he had to earn the rest of his living expenses himself," Tian Dianhong recalled to Fang Huaining, wiping his eyes outside the injection room. "He was already working odd jobs during high school, and when he ran out of money, he only worked harder. Even after the two of us slowly saved up a little together, he still couldn't give up that kind of life. It seems like only by being busy every day could he provide Lizi with enough security."

Lizi is very strong, but he's really not that strong...

Fang Huaining thought about Tian Dianhong's last words and couldn't help but hold him a little tighter.

"So, what do you want to say?" Li Ting suddenly asked, his tone somewhat stiff.

Fang Huaining looked at the slightly trembling eyelashes under the dim yellow light, and each flutter reminded him of all the moments since he met Li Ting — the little cat at work, the young waiter, the lifeguard, the one obsessed with money... each was so vibrant and captivating. Perhaps Li Ting had it tough, but he never showed his pain; that was a chosen way of life. This version of Li Ting was the most vivid and dazzling, and Fang Huaining should respect that.

"I want to say..." Fang Huaining touched Li Ting's ribs. "If you ever feel tired, you can come back to rest at any time."

Come back?

Come back home?

Come back here?

Or... come back to Fang Huaining's side?

No matter which it is, they all convey the same meaning; Li Ting understood.

These will be Li Ting's harbor in the future. His life now included Fang Huaining; perhaps Li Ting preferred and was more accustomed to relying on himself, but Fang Huaining would strive to provide him with more support.

Hearing Fang Huaining say this, Li Ting let out a slight sigh of relief. He had been quite afraid that Fang Huaining would tell him to stop doing anything, to focus solely on studying and stick to the path he should be taking at his age. But Fang Huaining didn't do that; he always understood and respected Li Ting, leaving all choices to him while offering support and protection. That was the greatest sense of security.

Li Ting blinked, as if trying to dispel the warmth welling up in his eyes.

Fang Huaining then kissed the wound on Li Ting's wrist. "And... don't get hurt again." After witnessing Li Ting's struggles today, Fang Huaining felt almost heartbroken; he couldn't imagine what he would become if he saw the Li Ting of a few years ago.

Li Ting's gaze shifted slightly as he softly but seriously replied, "Mm."

Fang Huaining smiled, then turned off the light and held him as they fell asleep.

In the night, Li Ting quietly watched the person beside him and, after a long time, slowly closed his eyes.

It was a peaceful night.

So, Li Ting temporarily moved into Fang Huaining's home. Fang Huaining still had to report to school and the research institute every day. Although he hoped that Li Ting could rest more, every morning, Li Ting would wake up a little earlier to make breakfast for him. If he had time at noon, Fang Huaining would rush back to enjoy the lunch Li Ting prepared, and regardless of how late it was, they always had dinner together.

Fang Huaining maintained a regular lifestyle, having lived alone all these years, and had organized his life quite well. However, the life of a science and engineering professional resembled a finely tuned machine: grocery shopping on specific days, cleaning on others, and adhering to a daily routine. He even developed a special algorithm to determine which fabrics needed to be washed at what temperature and in which season to maximize his washing machine's efficiency, which was frankly rather intimidating.

But things were different now that Li Ting was here. Fang Huaining's bedding remained clean but was now infused with the scent of sunshine, meals varied daily, and each time he opened the door, he could feel the warmth of another person's presence. All of this made Fang Huaining almost reluctant to go out each day, completely understanding the sentiment of "from now on, the king no longer holds morning court."

That day, he hurried to finish his research work and rushed home. After having dinner with the little cat, they sat together on the couch to watch a movie.

During their days together, the last bit of distance that used to inexplicably linger between them had faded away. Now, even if they didn't talk for half a day, it wouldn't feel awkward or cold. The little cat that had grown accustomed to them had become almost non-aggressive, unless provoked. Fang Huaining felt at ease hugging Li Ting, cuddling him, and after every shower, Li Ting would snuggle into his arms, soft and lazy, simply adorable to the point that Fang Huaining yearned to become one with him.

However, the only downside was that their intense need for each other, paired with daily sweetness and lingering attachment, could easily ignite a passionate fire within them both. Even considering Li Ting's body, Fang Huaining, with his limited experience and self-control, occasionally found it difficult to restrain himself. Yet, what was even more admirable was Li Ting's unwavering cooperation.

Before the movie even reached its conclusion, the two were wrapped in each other's arms once again. Fang Huaining held Li Ting in one arm while kissing him, his other hand slowly disappearing under Li Ting's T-shirt. Li Ting wrapped his arms around Fang Huaining's neck, his fingers gently stroking Fang Huaining's hair, sending Fang Huaining's blood racing; he couldn't help but venture down from Li Ting's lips.

However, when he reached Li Ting's neck and chest, Li Ting raised his hand to halt him.

Through his fingers, Li Ting breathed heavily, saying, "The collar of the hyacinth's shirt isn't high."

Fang Huaining's heart sank as he grasped the implication: "Are you going back to work?"

Li Ting nodded: "My foot has almost healed."

In the past, Li Ting wouldn't have been bothered by such a minor injury. However, this time, he had taken a week off to rest at home – not for his own sake, but for someone else's, which was evident.

Fang Huaining met Li Ting's gaze and nodded slightly: "Alright, I'll go with you tomorrow."

He understood that he couldn't keep Li Ting confined. Li Ting wasn't a caged bird; he was more like a falcon. You could wait for him to soar, hunt, and return home satisfied, but you couldn't expect to keep him captive forever. Even if he wasn't flying high at the moment, one day he would have his own sky, and Fang Huaining deeply believed that.

He let out a silent sigh, settling his turbulent thoughts, and opened his arms to hold Li Ting tightly.

Li Ting buried his face in Fang Huaining's chest, leaning against him obediently, and heard the faint words whispered in his ear: "I want to do this every day..."

Every day, as soon as they returned, they would see each other, and they could be together every single day without wanting to part. Li Ting understood the meaning behind Fang Huaining's words; he replied, "Just wait a bit longer..."

Fang Huaining realized that he still had things he couldn't let go of. "I know," he said. After a moment's thought, he offered comfort: "Tian Dian will find the right person soon." Li Ting nodded in agreement, for he had already found someone.

Chapter 62: Late at Night, Studying Hard...

Li Ting returned to the Hyacinth Cafe to work, only to be met with a big assignment on the first two days. The Foreign Languages Department of A University was organizing an event, and the cafe owner, an old alumnus of the Foreign Language College, had exceptionally taken on this job despite never having offered delivery services, resulting in a significant increase in workload for the employees.

Li Ting didn't mind personally; he handled things as they came. However, Wei Ping was always lurking behind him, keeping a close eye. Seeing Li Ting preparing to take the outer packaging to the Foreign Languages College, Wei Ping had to take out her phone to show him.

"?" Li Ting was taken aback.

Wei Ping said, "Take a look at the call log, see? From yesterday to today, there have been a total of six calls, averaging 0.5 calls per work hour, reminding and caring about you. And this is just from my number. Do you want me to get Qian Kun's phone to show you as well?"

Li Ting fell silent.

Wei Ping continued, "He seems very considerate towards you, but not at all polite with us."

Li Ting thought for a moment. Wei Ping thought she had him realizing his mistake when Li Ting pointed a finger at her screen, then calmly replied, "It's handled."

When Wei Ping looked, the frequently calling user had been added to the blacklist.

Wei Ping: "..."

In the end, Li Ting successfully completed the delivery task, and Wei Ping, following behind him, had to admit that having Li Ting around indeed made a difference in efficiency.

As she noticed the little boy walking ahead, who was still half a head taller than Li Ting, but seemed smaller than usual due to being burdened with only one box of milk tea and one box of cake, which he carried with a noticeable swaying motion. At the same time, Li Ting had to manage four cumbersome boxes, making it easy to understand why someone was worried about them.

Lost in thought, the little boy stumbled, and one box of milk tea teetered on the edge of falling. Fortunately, Li Ting was close by, and despite having two boxes in hand, he managed to extend an arm to support the boy's back, keeping him balanced. The consequences could have been unimaginable if Li Ting hadn't intervened in time.

However, one cup of milk tea still spilled, and two pieces of cake clung to Li Ting's clothes.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and clean this up!" Wei Ping, catching up from behind, shouted sternly at the visibly shaken boy, her words stern but laced with a hint of anxiety. With a significant spill on the ground, they were jointly responsible for maintaining cleanliness in both public and private settings.

The little boy quickly ran back to grab a mop, while Li Ting and Wei Ping knelt down to use tissues from their boxes to contain the flowing tea. The awkward scene unfolded right in the middle of A University's side gate road, amidst the bustle of students passing by, making it an uncomfortable and embarrassing spectacle.

Wei Ping was in a sour mood, her frustration directed inwardly at the little boy's useless behavior. Suddenly, a nearby commotion caught her attention, and upon glancing over, she saw a group of people being warmly received, like a visiting delegation.

Having previously assisted at the College of Computer Science Research Institute for quite some time, Wei Ping recognized many familiar faces, including several well-known professors, the deputy dean, researchers, and a few outstanding students. Among them was also a recent addition to her phone's blacklist, which stood out significantly. Nearby, some students were chatting, "Who's coming?" Most of the people passing by were from the College of Computer Science, so they were in the know. "It looks like scholars from a sister school are visiting. Didn't they put up a banner? Professors Braun and Gran from Country A are here. There's a lecture today, and if you arrive late, you might not find a seat." Wei Ping muttered under her breath, urging her team to pick up the pace. She hoped these individuals wouldn't linger after eating and wished that Li Ting wouldn't look up; otherwise, it would truly be awkward. Fortunately, as those people approached the door, they veered into the library and did not notice the small mishap occurring nearby. However, Fang Huaining seemed to possess an uncanny ability to spot Li Ting; even from two flower beds and a large banyan tree away, he could see through layers of flowers and leaves and catch sight of Li Ting squatting there. "That's Fang Huaining... he's also part of the reception group." "Of course he is; during last year's scholarship defense, the deputy dean specifically praised him. He's very well-liked, and honestly, I like him too; he's incredibly handsome."

"Ah, he's coming over!!"

Hearing the gossip behind her, Wei Ping looked up and was startled to see that he had left the esteemed company beside him and was heading toward Li Ting. She hurriedly raised her hands, trying to signal him to go back, feeling it was not enough for them to attract attention and that their level of embarrassment wasn't high enough.

But Fang Huaining ignored her protests and walked directly in front of Li Ting, reaching out to help the person who was kneeling on one knee. It was a frosty morning in A City, and Li Ting's pants were slightly damp.

"Did you fall?" Fang Huaining asked, frowning.

Li Ting, as calm as ever, replied, "No, just spilled the milk tea."

"Don't wipe it; we can ask the school's cleaning staff to come over," Fang Huaining said, then took out a handkerchief to wipe the cream stains off Li Ting, anxiously asking, "Isn't there enough help? Do you need someone else?"

Li Ting shook his head. "No need; I can handle it."

Fang Huaining was about to say more when a senior called him. Li Ting took the handkerchief from him, indicating that he was fine. Fang Huaining knew this wasn't the time for further discussion and reluctantly left, repeatedly reminding him to be careful, almost turning back three times.

Never had anyone seen such a gentle top student, and many onlookers were quite surprised.

Some cast curious glances at Li Ting, wondering what the relationship was between her and him, while others speculated that Fang Huaining wasn't as aloof in private as he seemed, pondering the identity of the rumored girlfriend of the top student. "What kind of person deserves to be with the top student?"

Similar to Wang Fulian, Zhao Bang, and the others, this topic was reiterated for discussion. After exchanging opinions, they concluded that neither ugliness nor stupidity would suffice; the top candidate must be a beautiful and intelligent wealthy girl to meet the expectations of the public. Otherwise, it would be a waste of such a male god.

Wei Ping rolled her eyes while listening, trying to figure out how to make Li Ting ignore such nonsensical chatter. However, she noticed that the person next to her seemed completely oblivious, calmly rearranging the cake and milk tea, effortlessly carrying two boxes, and continuing to walk ahead.

But after taking a few steps, she paused again. Li Ting folded the already dirty handkerchief neatly and carefully tucked it into her pocket before moving on.

Wei Ping's gaze lingered on Li Ting's back for a long time, then she suddenly smiled.

Who is worthy?

Someone like her is worthy.

After accompanying the visiting scholar for most of the day, Fang Huaining gained a lot.

Accompanying this trip was Senior Li Yue, an alumnus from A University and one of Professor Glen's distinguished protégés from A Country, who had followed him for several years. As soon as he heard that his mentor was coming, he made a point to accompany him on this visit.

After completing his academic studies, Senior Li chose not to pursue further education; instead, he devoted himself to self-study in finance. Over the past few years, by leveraging his knowledge of computers and other fields, he had successfully launched a business, earning recognition in numerous countries and cementing his reputation as a distinguished alumnus. Known for his wit and humor, he frequently shared many of his experiences with the students in the department, greatly expanding their perspectives and broadening their horizons.

Following Professor Glen's lecture, the other leaders went out to dinner, and Senior Li took the opportunity to invite the students to visit one of his studios, including Fang Huaining.

Senior Li's studio was not far away and did not appear particularly luxurious; however, it was well-equipped and its operations were highly streamlined, leaving a lasting impression on those sheltered students and inspiring a touch of envy.

During the visit, Li Yue took an evident liking to Fang Huaining, engaging in in-depth discussions with him regarding their shared field of expertise.

"It's not crucial where or how we study as students," Senior Li emphasized; "what truly matters is how we continue to learn in the future and where we choose to do so – that's of utmost importance. There are numerous paths within our line of work; it all depends on the choices we make."

Fang Huaining nodded silently and promised Li Yue that he could intern during his holidays if he had time. As he was leaving, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure downstairs—a striking woman with an elegant stride.

Fang Huaining stared at her and stepped back to ask Senior Li, "What company is that across the street?"

Senior Li looked up. "It's a company involved in online lending and investment; they haven't been here more than two months."

Fang Huaining frowned. "Isn't investment very profitable?"

Senior Li chuckled. "Don't tell me you didn't know. There are profits and losses, but things can get quite murky inside. It might be easy to play around with at first, but if you go big without connections, it usually ends badly. That company over there..."

Senior Li shook his head disdainfully.

Fang Huaining turned to watch the woman walk away, lost in thought.

...

Fang Huaining got home very late, took a shower, and lay in bed. He thought about not disturbing her, but after tossing and turning for a long time, he couldn't resist messaging L Jun.

F: Are you asleep?

L Jun replied after five minutes.

L: Yes, I am.

F: [smile]

F: So, are you sleepwalking while talking to me?

L: Yes.

F: What dream are you having?

F: Making money?

L: No.

L: Making money isn't a dream.

F: .........

L: What is this? [Screenshot]

F: A new feature; it's an album to store photos.

F: You can also change the profile picture.

If you don't know how to use it, you can send me the image and I'll help you change it.

F Jun meant that L Jun should send him a recent photo of himself in a restful state, such as a picture of him sleeping, since only he would have access to that particular profile picture.

L Jun had sent a picture, and when F Jun opened it, he discovered another chestnut, leaving him feeling underwhelmed.

Fang Huaining expressed his disappointment. "Why use a chestnut?" he asked.

L Jun responded, "Why use a lemon?"

Fang Huaining used a lemon due to habit, as he rarely took photos, but looking at the two pictures together sparked a sudden realization.

"Because it's big," Fang Huaining replied.

L Jun fell silent, caught off guard.

Fang Huaining thought he had gained the upper hand in the conversation, but L Jun quickly responded.

L Jun retorted, "Because it's hard."

Fang Huaining was taken aback, struggling to come up with a response.

Fang Huaining remained silent, momentarily speechless.

As the clock struck midnight, a rush of blood to the head made him quickly exit the chat page, and luckily, the little cat didn't respond again.

However, Fang Huaining lay awake for a long time, tossing and turning in bed. The more he participated in the conversation, the more he became aware of his own shortcomings – both in practicality and theoretical knowledge. The possibility of making mistakes in application was unbearable for someone who was known for being at the top of his class.

Fang Huaining spent a long time pondering his shortcomings before taking out his phone again and navigating several directories. He eventually opened a deeply hidden link at the bottom of a small farm's website, hidden beneath a layer of directories.

As an outstanding STEM student, Fang Huaining naturally had reasonable exploratory needs. However, unlike Wang Fulian and Zhao Bang, who invested all their wealth in computer technology—though this provided convenience for reference—it was akin to relying on a discarded computer. Once the hard drive failed, their wealth would vanish as well. Therefore, Fang Huaining chose to create an offshore bank, collecting various passwords; as long as he had internet access, he could search and uncover wealth.

Now, in the dead of night, he opened his key box and studied diligently...

Chapter 63: Kindness.

The visiting scholars from the sister school stayed at A University for a week, and Fang Huaining diligently accompanied them throughout their visit. Professor Glen from A Country shared similar research interests with Ni Weinian, and during the days spent together, Fang Huaining learned a great deal. Professor Glen developed a favorable impression of him, and in the coming years, they planned numerous collaborative projects with A University. He extended an invitation to Fang Huaining to join these endeavors if he was interested.

After the visiting group departed, half a month slipped by unnoticed, and City A had entered the harsh grip of winter, with students preparing for their winter break. Tian Dian also had a week's worth of annual leave, and Xu Hao suggested they travel together. Tian Dian had never ventured farther than Dog Head Mountain in the neighboring city, which he had only visited to escape after a heartbreak.

This time, he was extremely excited and chattered incessantly in the dormitory. It wasn't necessary for anything to happen between them, but after spending time together, they would definitely understand each other better, and their feelings might even become clearer.

Before going to sleep, Tian Dian suddenly remembered to ask Li Ting, "What about you? Are you spending the New Year with the scientist? Will he take you on a trip? Or will you two just cuddle up together for New Year's Eve, eating dumplings and listening to fireworks, taking turns, ah..."

Li Ting was squatting in the shower room, washing clothes, and turned around to rinse with clear water, almost splashing soap bubbles all over Tian Dian, who was daydreaming.

"Move aside," Li Ting said.

Tian Dian was brushing his teeth while looking at Li Ting's cold face and pouted, "Li Zi, you don't have any romantic cells at all. Even if you can't create romance, can't you at least have some expectations?"

Li Ting was annoyed by Tian Dian and turned around to glare at him, who was brushing his teeth without turning off the water. "I don't know what romance is? But if you waste any more water, I'll give you a surprise."

Tian Dian was scared and quickly wiped his mouth before hurrying back to his room.

After washing his clothes, Li Ting went out and saw the other waiters in the neighboring room talking about their New Year's plans. Most of them were not locals and would be returning to their hometowns for the holiday.

Li Ting listened to their excited plans and preparations, yet seemed oblivious to their anticipation.

... Fang Huai Ning was exempt from final exams, but Li Ting was not. After completing his exam, Li Ting met Liang Yu outside.

Liang Yu handed him a slip of paper, explaining, "A friend of mine is looking for someone to work in District C. It's a private club, quite formal, where the affluent go to sing karaoke, and it attracts many foreigners. They've even hosted singing competitions in the past. They're in need of staff during the New Year, and the hourly wage for waiters can range from 150 to 200 yuan, not including tips. If you're proficient in a foreign language, you can earn even more." Given the difficulty in finding workers during this time, Liang Yu was aware that Li Ting wasn't concerned about the prospects. Li Ting had always been drawn to the doubled pay that came with working during holidays, and the New Year was no exception.

However, this time Li Ting merely took the slip of paper without uttering a word.

"What's wrong? Don't you have time?" Liang Yu observed Li Ting's expression, sensing that something was amiss. Over the years, Li Ting had always been alone, and Liang Yu had inferred that his family life was not harmonious. Perhaps, Liang Yu thought, Li Ting had suddenly made plans for this New Year.

Liang Yu hesitated for a moment before inquiring, "You won't... have a girlfriend, will you?" Li Ting, lost in thought, turned back to Liang Yu with a rare, absent-minded expression, as if he hadn't quite heard the question.

Liang Yu's face turned red as he was met with Li Ting's big, round eyes, which resembled a cat's, staring back at him.

"I...

Just as Li Ting was about to speak, a low voice interrupted him.

"Ting Ting."

Liang Yu and Li Ting turned around to see a tall, handsome boy standing at the entrance of their classroom building, looking serious as he gazed at Liang Yu before his expression softened as he turned to Li Ting.

"Ting Ting..." he called again.

Then Liang Yu watched as Li Ting walked straight towards the boy.

"That club..." Liang Yu didn't get a response.

Li Ting turned his head and said, "We'll talk about it later."

With that, he left with the boy.

"What are you doing?" Li Ting asked after they walked down the stairs.

Fang Huai Ning seemed to be lost in thought and didn't respond until Li Ting asked again.

"Oh, I just happened to be free, so I came to see you." Fang Huai Ning had noticed Li Ting's exam schedule on the small notice board and had intentionally adjusted his own plans for the afternoon.

"Is that girl from earlier a classmate?" Fang Huai Ning asked casually.

Li Ting responded with a simple "uh-huh" and asked, "What's wrong?"

Fang Huai Ning thought to himself, Can't you see that she likes you? The last time he saw the two of them together, he felt that their dynamic was off, and this time he was even more certain. However, seeing Li Ting's completely indifferent and cold demeanor, Fang Huai Ning quickly suppressed his feelings of jealousy.

Sometimes, he felt pity for Li Ting's emotional numbness in social interactions, but at other times, he couldn't help but selfishly feel a sense of relief that Li Ting seemed to have opened up only to him.

Although the process of Li Ting opening up was vague, akin to a stroke of luck, it didn't prevent Fang Huai Ning from feeling a sense of pride every time he thought about it.

"There's nothing," Fang Huai Ning said calmly.

The last time he had rushed here to see Li Ting, but this time, Fang Huai Ning wanted to take a leisurely stroll around the campus, which also happened to be Li Ting's school.

Li Ting had no objections, so Fang Huai Ning followed him, walking through several buildings. With the two exams over, most students had left, and the teaching buildings appeared deserted.

To Fang Huai Ning's surprise, Li Ting was extremely familiar with the school. Despite being a frequent truant who had barely attended classes for a semester, he knew everything—from the fact that the laboratory used to be an audio-visual room to the timeline of when the old gym was converted into a warehouse.

"I attended classes seriously for half a year during my freshman year," Li Ting explained when they reached a certain classroom near the stairwell, responding to Fang Huai Ning's curiosity.

It was understandable that, given the hard-earned tuition, Li Ting would have wanted to study diligently. However, he seemed to have no connection with academic life. Firstly, his relationship with his classmates wasn't harmonious, which led him to leave the dormitory.

Then, due to his part-time job, which affected his class schedule, combined with his long-time rival Cheng Peng constantly picking on him, a series of objective and subjective factors had transformed him into the truant king, Li Ting.

Although Li Ting's tone was cold, Fang Huai Ning could sense that he actually longed for a vibrant campus life. Who wouldn't want to experience a youthful, carefree time? Unfortunately, Li Ting had missed out on that opportunity.

Fang Huaining occasionally imagined how brilliant Li Ting might have been; if it weren't for that moment of impulse during the school anniversary back then, perhaps they could have been classmates, walked side by side on campus, lived in the same dorm, attended classes together, or even exchanged smiles as they passed one another. But fantasies remain fantasies; Li Ting was far too pragmatic to have held on to such impossibilities any longer.

Though they hadn't taken the conventional path, they forged their own and ultimately found a way to converge.

To have met, that was enough.

Fang Huaining turned and sat down at the desk in the second row, looking at Li Ting in front of him, and earnestly said, "So... can I borrow your class notes from earlier?"

Li Ting paused for a moment and shook his head. "No."

Fang Huaining replied sincerely, "I'll trade you something else for them."

Li Ting asked, "What?"

Fang Huaining suddenly grabbed Li Ting's wrist and pulled him onto his lap, pressing his lips against Li Ting's: "The bond of classmates..."

Li Ting was enveloped in his arms, their lips met, and their tongues entwined deeply in a kiss that left them both breathless, making the atmosphere increasingly strange.

Li Ting barely managed to pull away, murmuring, "You walked into the wrong classroom."

Fang Huaining replied, "Is that so? Then let's switch classrooms for a bit and continue..."

Li Ting: ".........."

...

When they left school and had dinner together, they returned to Youyou Community, and it was already dark.

Before Li Ting went upstairs, Fang Huaining said, "I'm starting my vacation in a couple of days."

Li Ting responded with a simple, "Oh."

Fang Huaining hesitated, "I want to... go back to Country A for a while."

Li Ting looked at him.

Fang Huaining continued, "My parents hope I can go back and see them."

Li Ting put his hands in his pockets and felt the paper Liang Yu had given him inside.

"I actually want you to come with me, but I know... it's still too early."

Li Ting pinched the piece of paper.

"So," Fang Huaining lowered his head and lightly kissed the corner of Li Ting's mouth, "I'll leave a few days early, just four or five days, and I'll be back before New Year's Eve. You wait for me." He also wanted to discuss some matters with his parents first.

Li Ting remained silent. As he looked at Fang Huaining's calm expression, something stirred in his heart that he couldn't bear, prompting him to hold Fang Huaining tightly and kiss him deeply once more.

Li Ting obediently endured the repeated kisses. He could sense Fang Huaining's inner turmoil. Gently caressing the paper with his fingers, he eventually let go and instead wrapped his arms around Fang Huaining.

"I understand..." Li Ting mumbled softly.

Only then did Fang Huaining feel a sense of relief. "Don't stay in the dormitory; come stay at my place for those few days." It was clear that Youyou Community would be quiet, and although it would be just Li Ting at his home, the environment would still be much better than here.

Li Ting thought for a moment, furrowing his brows in annoyance.

Though he appeared unhappy, Fang Huaining knew that he had agreed.

"I'll be back," Fang Huaining reassured him repeatedly.

On the day Fang Huaining left, Li Ting did not go to the airport to see him off. Although he had stayed at Fang Huaining's house the night before and they had shared affectionate moments, Li Ting disliked and was unaccustomed to this kind of separation. He preferred to treat it as a simple temporary farewell, avoiding heavy emotions.

He even went to work at the Hyacinth for the entire day, even though the establishment would soon close for vacation. That evening, when he returned home, he used the key Fang Huaining had given him to unlock the door.

He was accustomed to living in a large house; however, Li Ting disliked big houses, viewing this one as quite moderate. Nevertheless, after the other person left, Li Ting realized that the place felt fairly spacious.

Li Ting placed the buns he had bought from a nearby shop on the table. He was too lazy to prepare anything else and decided those would suffice for dinner.

But just as he sat down at the dining table, his phone suddenly rang.

Li Ting took it out and saw it was a message from Xiao Mu Cang.

F: Have you eaten yet?

Li Ting was startled; wasn't this person on a plane?

Before he could reply, another message quickly followed.

F: There are some snacks in the fridge; just heat them in the microwave.

F: More will be delivered over the next few days, every day. If you don't eat, it'll be a waste.

F: Don't eat the buns.

Li Ting understood that this wasn't a real-time message but rather a scheduled one sent during mealtime.

He felt a pang in his heart, yet he chose to ignore it. Still, the message "Don't eat the buns" kept reminding him every ten minutes, ringing relentlessly.

Li Ting was speechless and could only reply.

L: Got it.

F: [Smile]

Li Ting wondered to himself whether this was genuinely so advanced, or if the other person simply knew his habits perfectly.

When he took the meals out of the fridge, he discovered they were all pre-ordered from several well-known restaurants nearby, ready to eat after being heated.

While he watched that annoying app, he finished off the meal thoroughly and went through the motions of eating, then took a shower, before finally getting into bed. There were two pillows on the bed, and he could still faintly smell the lingering scent of lemon and grass.

Li Ting turned over and reached for his phone, only to find that Xiao Mu Cang had sent him another message.

F: If you need to find any items at home and can't, you can call me after my flight lands.

F: If you need something urgently, you can also search with keywords. I've roughly made a storage table that will automatically reply with the location.

F: You can also check the manual for the appliances.

Li Ting picked up his phone and slowly typed out a response.

L: Annoying.

F replied instantly, sending him a heart.

L: Annoying. (He followed up with an eye-rolling emoji)

F: (Again, another heart)

L: You're just nagging me, aren't you?

F: (Another heart)

L: Is every response just going to be a heart?

F: (One more heart)

L: I miss you.

F: I miss you too.

The next morning, Li Ting received a message from Fang Huaining. Fang Huaining sent a video invitation, and Li Ting accepted. Liu's screen flickered, revealing a familiar face. Fang Zhanlin was sitting at his desk in his room, wearing a thin sweater, with stacks of books behind him. The room had a dull yellow glow.

"What are you doing at home?" Fang Zhanlin asked. "You're not at work?"

Fang Zhanlin glanced at his watch before answering. "It's already 8 in the morning in A City," he said. Li Ting was indeed reading a book, and he replied accordingly.

"I'm on vacation," Li Ting said.

Fang Zhanlin couldn't help but smile when he thought about the reason for Li Ting's unusual behavior.

"I'm sorry, I changed planes along the way, which took a few more hours than I had expected, so when I arrived, it should have been past midnight at your place by the time I arrived," Fang Zhanlin said.

Fang Zhanlin didn't want to wake Li Ting up in the middle of the night, but he had no idea that Li Ting had stayed up late.

When Li Ting heard this, he simply nodded in response.

Fang Zhanlin asked again, "Have you eaten yet?"

Li Ting looked at him as if to say, "Do you really have to ask me that?"

The cat was scratching itself again, and there was a mixture of complaint and accusation in its eyes.

Fang Zhanlin composed himself and thought for a moment before deciding it was necessary to tell Li Ting about his home's smart features.

"I... my home has a smart refrigerator with a camera, and I developed a software that allows it to be connected to my phone," Fang Zhanlin said. "At first, its main purpose was to check the freshness of the stored food so I wouldn't let it expire. But now... it seems to have many other uses."

Li Ting remained silent for a moment before speaking. "......"

Fang Zhanlin watched him quietly.

Li Ting clenched his teeth gently, took his phone, and headed to the kitchen.

Fang Zhanlin smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction.

Li Ting began preparing breakfast, tying on an apron and carelessly placing his phone against the wall. Fang Zhanlin couldn't see Li Ting's face but had a clear view of his upper body. There was a small gray cat pattern on the apron, which danced in and out of focus as Li Ting moved. Fang Zhanlin couldn't help but chuckle and quietly pressed the screen record button.

After a while, Li Ting finished making oatmeal porridge and brought it to the table. He sat down and ate, his gaze fixed on Fang Zhanlin. He was using a large soup spoon, much bigger than a regular teaspoon. Li Ting's mouth was small, and each time he took a sizeable spoonful of oatmeal, Fang Zhanlin felt a twinge of concern. Nonetheless, Li Ting insisted on eating with a contented look on his face, quickly consuming his meal at a rapid pace.

Fang Zhanlin stared at him for a long time, lost in thought and silent. For the first time, he experienced what some men might feel while watching a live stream, an urge to enthusiastically send gifts and shower praise on the host. If the Little Pasture had that function...

Suddenly, Li Ting noticed him and looked at Fang Zhanlin with a puzzled expression. He then asked, "What about you?"

Fang Zhanlin snapped back to reality, quickly shaking off his daydream, and realized that Li Ting was inquiring if he had eaten.

Fang Zhanlin replied, "I haven't eaten yet. It's still evening here, and we'll be having dinner together with my parents later."

Li Ting responded, "Okay."

Fang Zhanlin asked again, "Do you know where I am?"

Li Ting replied, "Y City? Didn't you tell me?"

Fang Zhanlin smiled, "No, my parents just told me I should come to this place to take a break and celebrate the New Year. I had to change planes in Y City and ended up here, which caused a delay."

Suddenly, Fang Zhanlin stood up, walked to the window, and said to Li Ting, "It's so beautiful outside. Do you want to take a look?"

Before Li Ting could respond, Fang Zhanlin had already rotated his phone to a new angle. With the curtains drawn back, an influx of orange and gold light filled the screen.

Li Ting felt momentarily dizzy, and only when the camera refocused could he see the image displayed.

A vast expanse of blue flowers stretched behind Fang Zhanlin, tinged with deep purple by the golden sunset in the sky. From a distance, it appeared dreamlike.

Li Ting was taken aback.

Fang Zhanlin's voice echoed in his ear.

"Although they're not chrysanthemums, from a distance, don't they look similar in color? The same blue-purple hue. These are chrysanthemums, a specialty of this small town, known for their long blooming period. I looked it up, and the flower language of chrysanthemums is 'meeting and happiness.'"

Li Ting blinked and murmured, "They're very beautiful..."

Fang Zhanlin smiled and then turned his camera back to himself.

"I bought a farm here with my parents, Li Ting. I think you'll really like it here."

Li Ting stared blankly at Fang Zhanlin for a long time, unable to find the words.

A servant soon came to summon Fang Zhanlin for dinner, prompting him to end his call with Li Ting.

When Fang Zhanlin arrived at the dining table, his parents were already seated.

His father, Fang Yuanzan, is a car design engineer and the design director of the company, while his mother, Qiu Yu, serves as the marketing director. They left their hometown many years ago to work in this city and have since risen to senior management positions, owning a stake in the company. The Fang family has always been quite affluent.

Upon seeing her son, Fang Zhanlin's mother expressed her concern.

"You've been traveling for nearly 20 hours, Zhanlin. Did you sleep well?"

Fang Zhanlin's father, Fang Yuanzan, is a stern man with a serious demeanor. He replied bluntly, "You should have informed your mother about the change in plans earlier, so you could have made your travel arrangements in advance."

Fang Zhanlin's mother furrowed her brow and said, "This deal was only finalized a few days ago. I had already anticipated this. I don't know who insisted on waiting for the contract to be fully executed before feeling secure—it's quite old-fashioned."

Fang Zhanlin's father remained silent.

Fang Zhanlin directly addressed his mother's earlier question, "I slept very well."

Fang Zhanlin's mother nodded and replied, "This place is quite lovely, even more beautiful than the pictures you sent me earlier."

The neighboring town's scenery is also very good, but you prefer this one. "I like it here," Fang Zhanlin confirmed, ever since he first saw the pictures, he had already decided on this place.

Fang Zhanlin's mother smiled and asked, "Is there something good happening in your life recently?"

Fang Zhanlin's father added, "How's your study going? Your graduation thesis, how's that going?"

Fang Zhanlin is still a graduate student and has not completed his thesis.

Fang Zhanlin's mother then inquired about his classes. "You're doing well with your classes?"

Fang Zhanlin's father, Fang Yuanzan, pressed for more information about his thesis. "Your thesis, has it been progressing smoothly? How's it going?"

Fang Yuanzhan asked again.

Fang Huaining responded, "It's fine, I've been preparing all along."

Fang Yuanzhan said, "I saw the email you sent me earlier, a lot of the ideas are pretty good. Have you asked your advisor? What did he say?"

As they spoke, the father and son of the Fang family began a long discussion about Fang Huaining's thesis.

Fang Huaining spent most of his childhood growing up with his grandparents on the other side of the family. Due to this experience, Fang's father and mother knew he was accustomed to the study environment in China. As he transitioned into adulthood while pursuing his studies in college, they trusted him to make his own decisions, offering suitable guidance along the way. Given Fang Huaining's independent personality, he thrived in an environment that provided enough space for him to grow, coupled with a considerate yet gentle approach to concern. Even with the distance between them, their relationship remained close.

After finishing a meal, Fang Huaining assisted his mother and the housekeeper in clearing the dining table. Fang's mother watched as her son carefully wiped the cups and said, "You've fallen in love."

Fang's father, who had a one-track mind, believed that besides academics, there wasn't much that could make his son this happy. However, his mother was different; she sensed a change in Fang Huaining as soon as she saw him. Thus, Qiu Yu's statement was more of a confirmation than a question.

Considering that Fang Huaining had made the choice to return from vacation before New Year's Eve, he realized that his intelligent and perceptive mother would surely pick up on the key point right away. Therefore, Fang Huaining readily admitted, "Yes."

Qiu Yu smiled, her eyes narrowing with delight: "Do you remember what I told you over the phone last time? This person will always exist. Now, are you willing to share who they are with me?"

Fang Huaining pondered for a moment before replying, "It's someone I really like."

His mother nodded, "Of course."

She didn't believe that if her son didn't have feelings for someone, he would still choose to be with that person.

"So?"

"So, before I tell you what kind of person he is, I hope you can understand this premise: it's more important than any external conditions."

Fang Huaining's emphasis surprised his mother, and her smile gradually faded. "You're serious."

Fang Huaining was quite similar to his father, taking everything seriously, but this level of solemnity and caution was something Qiu Yu was encountering for the first time.

"Do you think we would dislike her? Is this distrust towards your partner, or is it distrust towards us?"

Fang Huaining replied, "There's no such thing as 100 percent success in everything, but... Mom, forgive me for not accepting any possibility of failure in this matter. I need to consider all potential issues and prepare to respond to everything in the best way."

"What you mean is..." Fang's mother wanted to say that he was just dating; even if he went a bit off the rails, they wouldn't disallow it, as it wasn't a matter of a lifetime commitment. However, her son's attitude made her hold back many joking remarks. What kind of person could possibly make her son so nervous?

"Wait a minute… Let me prepare myself mentally."

Qiu Yu took a couple of deep breaths, already imagining several versions in her mind: rebellious kids with tattoos, smoking, gambling, drunk driving, and engaging in illegal activities, since they had been in Country A for a long time and had seen many wayward children; to much older women with various romantic experiences, perhaps divorced and with children; and even girls on the verge of madness, grappling with disabilities or psychological issues.

Qiu Yu set herself hurdles and broke through each one. After adjusting her thoughts, she finally nodded.

"Alright, I'm ready. You can go ahead."

Fang Huaining confirmed his mother's state and spoke slowly. "His name is Li Ting... He's a year younger than me." "Oh?" "He's a college student. His mother passed away when he was young, and his father remarried, not paying much attention to him. He lives independently, earning money to cover his tuition and rent." "Mm-hmm?" "His personality is relatively introverted; he doesn't enjoy crowds much, but he is very independent and has his own ideas. Over the years, he has taken on many part-time jobs, which has given him a wealth of social experience and a unique way of interacting with people." "Ah?" "He's very good-looking, but has never been in a relationship; I'm his first love." "Eh?" "He's a foreign language major, speaks three languages, swims, cooks, manages finances, and even knows how to farm..." "Wait, wait, wait!" Qiu Yu couldn't take it anymore. "He can even farm? Ningning, are you treating me like a witch?" If he's really such an outstanding kid, how could anyone possibly dislike him?! "I'm not done yet." Fang Huaining remained calm. "So what's the problem then?!" Fang's mother was confused. Fang Huaining looked at her and finally articulated word by word. "He's a boy." —Clang! The cup in Fang's mother's hand dropped.