Dating is Really Great...

Chapter 73: 

When Fang Huaining took the stage, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance; his little cat radar instantly recognized who it was. However, by the time he hurried off the stage after receiving his award, the person standing by the door had already left.

He took out his phone to check his reminders from the little farm to see if there was a chance to meet Li Ting, only to find several missed calls—one from Wu Yi, another from the lab, and a third from the deputy dean's office.

During the opening of the outstanding student award ceremony, the deputy dean had just given his speech, and as he came down, he praised Fang Huaining before leaving. Why was he calling him now?

But before Fang Huaining could return the call to find out what was going on, another call came in, this time from his counselor.

Fang Huaining answered, and the voice on the other end was somewhat low; it said, "Huaining, the award ceremony has ended, right? Please come to my office."

Wu Mingni's performance had been outstanding. From the very beginning, this counselor had taken a special liking to him. It's only now, after four years, that Wu Mingni hears his counselor speaking to him in such a serious tone.

Wu Mingni got up slowly, one foot leading the way as he walked to the department while still on the phone.

The call took a while to connect, and to Wu Mingni's surprise, Wu Yi on the other end sounded just as strained, if not more so.

"What are you doing right now, Wu Mingni?" Wu Yi asked.

Wu Mingni was perplexed. "The counselor wants to see me, so I'm on my way."

There was a moment of silence.

Wu Mingni couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Perhaps it had something to do with his academic work – maybe he had botched an experiment or made a mistake in a paper he had published in the past. After all, such things weren't unheard of.

But to Wu Mingni's shock, Wu Yi said, "Someone has reported you to our department head anonymously."

Zhang was reviewing some documents. He looked up and greeted him with a warm smile.

"Wu Mingni, good to see you. What brings you here today?" he asked, gesturing for him to take a seat.

Wu Mingni sat down and hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mr. Zhang, I heard about a complaint that was filed regarding my sexuality."

Mr. Zhang's expression shifted to one of concern. "Yes, I was made aware of that. I want you to know that you are supported here. Can you tell me more about it?"

Wu Mingni took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation. "It's just... I don't really understand why someone would file a complaint like that. I'm not doing anything wrong."

Mr. Zhang leaned forward, his tone encouraging. "It's important to remember that sometimes people may not understand or accept what they don't know. This says more about them than it does about you."

Wu Mingni nodded slowly, absorbing Mr. Zhang's words. "I appreciate that. I just didn't expect this kind of thing, especially from my peers."

"They may be reacting from a place of fear or ignorance," Mr. Zhang continued. "But know that our department stands against discrimination of any form. We have policies in place, and I can assure you that appropriate measures will be taken if necessary."

Feeling a bit reassured, Wu Mingni asked, "What can I do about this complaint?"

Mr. Zhang's expression softened further. "I recommend documenting your experiences and feelings regarding this situation. If you choose to, we can address it formally. But I want you to prioritize your well-being above all else."

Wu Mingni appreciated Mr. Zhang's guidance. "Thank you for your support, Mr. Zhang. It means a lot to me."

"Of course. You are not alone in this, Wu Mingni. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. We can navigate this together," Mr. Zhang said with sincerity.

Wu Mingni left Mr. Zhang's office feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. He knew the road ahead might be difficult, but he felt empowered to face it, bolstered by the support of those who understood and accepted him.

Zhang sat alone, having cleared the space for the conversation.

As Wu Mingni took a seat, Mr. Zhang's expression turned stern. He gestured for Wu Mingni to look at the letter on the screen.

"Today, I received something," Mr. Zhang began.

Unlike Wu Yi, Mr. Zhang was more direct, handing over the computer to Wu Mingni for him to read the anonymous complaint himself. The lengthy report was rambling and primarily focused on an attack on Wu Mingni's lifestyle, including his recent relationship. The description was vivid but lacked concrete evidence, such as photos or the other party's name, making it impossible to confirm.

Wu Mingni quickly read through the complaint before looking up at Mr. Zhang and asking, "Have you had any issues with students or teachers lately?"

This question carried an implicit implication, suggesting that Wu Mingni's report might be the result of someone's malicious complaint and that the university would give him the benefit of the doubt if he denied it.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Mingni replied, "I don't know of anyone in particular."

Mr. Zhang nodded encouragingly, clearly waiting for further details.

However, Wu Mingni remained unresponsive.

Mr. Zhang was taken aback by Wu Mingni's silence. He hesitantly pointed to the screen, prompting Wu Mingni to continue.

Wu Mingni remained silent.

Mr. Zhang's expression shifted from expectant to shocked. He leaned forward in his chair, his face taut with tension.

"Wu Mingni, as your teacher and mentor, I need to ask you some questions,"

"Do you understand the implications of this report?" Mr. Zhang asked, his voice laced with urgency.

Wu Mingni maintained his calm demeanor. "I understand."

But Mr. Zhang shook his head. "It seems you don't understand enough."

He leaned in closer to Wu Mingni, his words tinged with disapproval. "Listen, Wu Mingni, we're all adults here, and as teachers, we're supposed to be impartial and fair. But in reality, our future, our careers, and our reputation depend on how the public perceives us. In this case, the public's acceptance is far from guaranteed. Maybe you think your feelings should be separated from your abilities, but the truth is, they are not separate. And even if you could separate them, you would still be a target for misunderstanding and even outright hostility. That, Wu Mingni, can pose a serious threat to your future, even to your very livelihood."

Mr. Zhang paused, his eyes drifting to the Excellent Student Award certificate on the desk. "Even here in our department, many of our leaders have biases. They may pretend to be fair, but ultimately, they have personal preferences. Despite all our efforts to avoid discrimination, it still exists, subtly or overtly. And next year...who knows?"

Mr. Zhang's words were blunt, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. As a teacher, he had seen many students struggle with their identities and careers. Wu Mingni, being the exceptional student he was, seemed to be heading down a treacherous path.

Wu Mingni glanced down at the award before placing it decisively on the desk.

Mr. Zhang was taken aback by Wu Mingni's action, as if she had spoken volumes without uttering a single word.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Mr. Zhang rubbed his temples in frustration.

Exceptional students like Wu Mingni often stood firm in their beliefs and refused to be swayed. Mr. Zhang had hoped that a simple conversation would be enough to change her mind, but he now realized it was not that simple.

As a teacher, Mr. Zhang understood it was his duty to guide his students, but in this case, he felt inadequate. Wu Mingni's parents were aware of the situation, and they had chosen to remain uninvolved.

"Do your parents know?" Mr. Zhang asked.

"Yes, they do."

"Have they... said anything?"

Wu Mingni's response was brief: a simple, "No."

Mr. Zhang's expression showed a mix of surprise and concern, but he knew he couldn't intervene further. Wu Mingni's path was hers to choose.

"Or maybe we don't need to clarify our stance right away," Mr. Zhang suggested after some thought. "This matter is currently a small-scale issue, and the emotions involved are yours. We can handle it discreetly to minimize potential harm, so there's no need to inform them of what they shouldn't know. If they do find out, just let them forget about it for now, right?"

Mr. Zhang's words were diplomatic, and Wu Mingni understood.

He wanted to keep his dating life private, but on the surface, he needed to let things calm down, making it seem like a mere misunderstanding to others. Teacher Zhang was being considerate of his feelings, and Fang Huaining was grateful for that. Nevertheless, after hearing this, he still shook his head in disagreement. "I recall you saying in class," Fang Huaining stood up, "that although the code may not be perfect and can allow the program to run temporarily, as the process progresses, conflicts and bugs will inevitably multiply. Therefore, it's best to avoid visible mistakes from the outset." After saying this, Fang Huaining politely nodded to his counselor before leaving, leaving Teacher Zhang lost in thought for a long time, eventually letting out a heavy sigh of resignation. … After leaving the department, Fang Huaining headed towards the administration building, as the vice dean had summoned him, likely to discuss the same issue. Having navigated his way past the counselor, he still had more obstacles to overcome. Fang Huaining didn't feel particularly anxious, though. On the contrary, his thoughts were exceptionally clear, as if he had anticipated this moment a long time ago. However, before he reached the vice dean's office, he received a message from Senior Wu Yi, requesting him to stop by the research institute first.

Upon entering the institute, most students were behaving as usual; however, whether it was due to Fang Huaining being in a sensitive period, several passersby cast him glances that felt different from before. Fang Huaining didn't look back and continued upstairs. When the door opened, he didn't find Wu Yi but instead came across his supervisor, Ni Weinian.

Old Ni emerged with a cup of tea, surrounded by several students who were asking questions. When he saw Fang Huaining, Old Ni smiled and waved at him.

"Show me the results of your experiment from yesterday," Old Ni said. Fang Huaining understood and followed him.

Old Ni didn't go into the main lab but wandered through a few smaller labs, choosing one to enter. However, this lab was not empty; it housed a student immersed in coding. After both Old Ni and Fang Huaining glanced at her, they continued and closed the door carelessly.

Fang Huaining presented the big data for Ni Weinian to examine. Ni Weinian reviewed it and appeared quite satisfied. He studied Fang Huaining for a moment, not launching into a lecture like others had previously, and simply asked, "I asked you to send your graduation thesis to Professor Glen. Did you send it? What did Professor Glen say?"

"He replied to me by email. As you mentioned, my thesis has some similarities with Professor Glen's current research project, so he was very interested and provided me with quite a few suggestions."

"Hmm, keep in touch and communicate more."

"The materials we have here aren't overly critical, so they don't all need to be kept completely confidential; we can exchange them as needed…" Old Ni said, then recalled something, "Oh, right, I might be going there for a visit next semester. You can come with me, and once we're there…"

At this point, noticing Fang Huaining's slightly dazed expression, Old Ni patted his shoulder.

"Huaining, I've told you enough, right? Opportunities must be created and seized by yourself. Our lives are like a math problem; perhaps one path leads to a dead end, but there may be another solution. Our goal is to find each one, and those who are serious shouldn't be defeated by reality."

Fang Huaining felt a warmth in his heart: "Teacher…"

"I just came from the vice dean's office. You don't need to go there," Old Ni smiled as he headed out.

As he passed by a girl sitting by the door, Old Ni affectionately patted her head: "Miaomiao, don't just stay in the lab all the time; make sure to go out and date when you have the chance. That's what college is about."

After Old Ni left, Xu Miaomiao finally reacted, turning her head in confusion: "Date? Date…? That sounds so troublesome; do we really have to… go out?"

Seeing Fang Huaining, Xu Miaomiao asked again: "Who… is dating? Huaining, are you in a relationship?"

Fang Huaining snapped back to reality from his deep thoughts and nodded at her.

"Oh…" Xu Miaomiao asked out of polite curiosity, "Who is it?"

Fang Huaining was very honest with her: "It's the boy who gave you cookies before." Xu Miaomiao's eyes widened for a moment as she grasped the key point: "Cookies? Oh, those cookies… they were really tasty! So now you won't have to go out to buy cookies anymore… If you get hungry, you don't have to worry; dating like this is so great…" Feeling the sincerity in her eyes along with her praise, Fang Huaining revealed his first genuine smile of the day: "Yeah, it's really great…" So how could he bear to give it up?

Chapter 74: Shh! In the blink of an eye, it was exam week at A University. The crowded library once again boosted the business of the hyacinth flowers, and Li Ting had been busy all morning. When she looked up and saw that it was almost noon, she knew Fang Huaining would be coming soon. Li Ting thought to quickly finish arranging the books and rush out to save a spot for him; otherwise, it would be quite troublesome for him to openly sit in the store. However, before Li Ting could complete her tasks, she heard someone calling Fang Huaining—a girl whose voice wasn't as loud as the wind chimes at the door, but to Li Ting, that name was impossible to overlook. Before long, Fang Huaining's voice rang out too, just across a row of bookshelves as he spoke with that girl. The girl said, "Don't wait in line; I'll give you my spot. My classmate has left, and I'll sit at the table next to you." Fang Huaining replied, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," the girl said as she stood up. Li Ting heard the slight sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Then the girl suddenly added apologetically, "Um, Huaining… I'm sorry, the speech at the graduation ceremony was originally supposed to be your task."

Fang Huaining did not take it to heart. "No need to worry; it should be a matter of whoever performs well gets to go up. The teacher chooses those who are most suitable for the current situation." The girl sighed, "Is there anyone more suitable than you?" Fang Huaining merely smiled politely in response. The girl had no choice but to change the subject. "Is your schedule set for September?" Behind the bookshelf, Li Ting paused. Fang Huaining replied, "It still depends on the advisor's arrangements." The girl said, "That's good too. I wish you smooth sailing when you get there." Fang Huaining responded, "Thank you." After organizing the top row of books, Li Ting stared blankly for a few seconds before turning to leave. Her gaze quickly zeroed in on someone on the other side who was holding a cat radar. Fang Huaining was surprised. "You're not in the warehouse?" He recalled that today's memo for the small farm clearly stated that Li Ting's work involved sorting. "I just came over," Li Ting replied, glancing at the next table and recognizing the classmate who had just spoken with Fang Huaining—a girl named Hong Yue whom he had seen a couple of times.

Hong Yue also recognized Li Ting, glancing back and forth between him and Fang Huaining, her expression shifting to one of sudden realization. Li Ting turned his head, fixed his gaze on Fang Huaining, his lips moving to ask, "What are you drinking?" Fang Huaining replied, "Anything is fine." Li Ting went behind the bar and busied himself for a moment, then returned with a cup containing a pure and transparent liquid, placing it on Fang Huaining's table. "New drink?" Fang Huaining eagerly took a sip, then wrinkled his brow. Li Ting observed his reaction and asked, "What's wrong?" Fang Huaining responded, "The taste... is a bit unusual." Li Ting inquired, "Not good?" Fang Huaining replied, "Not really. I suppose I'm just not used to it." With that, he took another couple of sips. Fang Huaining said, "Hmm, now I actually think it's quite nice, with a hint of aftertaste." He smiled appreciatively and asked, "What kind of drink is this?" Li Ting answered, "Saltwater." Fang Huaining: "...…" Hong Yue, who had been observing the entire scene beside them, thought, "..." It seemed she should retract her earlier words; the top performer in this state… probably really isn't suited for this.

The school has gradually begun to prepare for defenses, and many busy seniors have re-emerged on campus.

Before this, Wei Ping had already been directly hired by a foreign company, becoming a standard career woman. Meanwhile, Qian Kun, with his sports honors and decent grades, had recently received several job offers from schools and was considering them one by one. As for Zhao Pang, he found a decent internship at a small company through family connections. The only unfortunate one was Wang Fuliang, who failed the graduate entrance exam a few months ago. Holding onto his deep passion for his major and for Miaomiao, he is currently working hard to regain his footing and plans to try again next year.

Regardless of the circumstances, everyone seems to be finding their own path. Given the current situation, dining out is no longer as easy as it once was. Seizing the opportunity, Fang Huaining invited Li Ting along, and they all decided to try a new restaurant for a nice meal.

The chosen restaurant was located on the upper floor of the central square. It was a bit pricey but very popular due to its online reputation. Fang Huaining and the others waited for a long time, with over ten tables ahead of them and even more behind.

Noticing that Li Ting had been among the waiting crowd for a considerable amount of time and was starting to show signs of impatience, Fang Huaining whispered, "It might take a little longer. If you don't want to wait, we can leave first."

Li Ting cast a few annoyed glares through the glass at those who had finished eating but were still chatting, then turned to survey the surroundings.

Fang Huaining: "What are you looking for?" Li Ting fiddled with the paper in his hand: "Aren't you leaving? Then find someone to sell our spot." Fang Huaining: "..." In the end, the two decided to quietly find a less crowded spot by the back door to sit and continue waiting. At that moment, a gentle voice called out to Fang Huaining. "Fang, classmate..." Fang Huaining looked up in surprise: "Mr. Wang?!" The head of the online gaming company they had met last time was exiting through the restaurant's back door, as if he had just finished his meal. Another boss, Mr. Liao, was also present, casually draping his shirt over his shoulder. However, Mr. Liao did not look at Fang Huaining; instead, his gaze landed on the face of the person beside Fang Huaining, and then he suddenly smiled mischievously. "Oh, what a coincidence," Mr. Liao remarked. Unexpectedly, Mr. Wang also turned his attention and smiled, though his smile was much gentler: "Good to see you again." Fang Huaining felt perplexed, glancing between them and the focus of their attention—Li Ting. Li Ting remained unfazed, shot a glance at Mr. Wang, then rolled his eyes at Mr. Liao, coldly informing Fang Huaining: "I don't know him." Mr. Wang was taken aback and then laughed. Mr. Liao was also laughing, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Li Ting: "I'm okay with that, but Mr. Wang, you saved him twice; how can he treat us like this? Truly ungrateful." Fang Huaining frowned. Saved Li Ting? When?

Even though he wanted to clarify things, Fang Huaining disliked Mr. Liao's tone towards Li Ting. His expression grew colder as he stepped forward to block Mr. Liao's gaze.

Mr. Liao paused, regarding the young man in front of him with interest. They were about the same height, and he hadn't expected such a small presence to emerge from a young scholar when angry. Meeting that wary gaze, Mr. Liao immediately grasped the relationship between the two.

Mr. Liao smiled even more broadly: "What are you nervous about? The one from A City No. 1 Middle School who once had his sights on him faced quite the setback; your family has a little tiger here who only knows how to bite." If it were over a decade ago, such a beautiful yet fierce little creature defying authority would have certainly been his type, but now...

Mr. Liao glanced at Mr. Wang, who stood there smiling gracefully. With everyone watching, he wrapped his arms around Mr. Wang's waist, pulling him closer.

Mr. Wang took two steps with him, but then suddenly shook off the other person's hand and turned to look at Li Ting.

Li Ting met his gaze for a couple of seconds before saying, "Thanks."

Mr. Wang nodded and suddenly turned to look inside the shop; within two seconds, a manager-like person rushed out in a hurry.

Mr. Wang instructed, "Find them a seat."

After that, he smiled at Li Ting and told Fang Huaining, "If you have any ideas about the design, feel free to call us," and then left with Mr. Liao.

Then Fang Huaining and Li Ting were taken into an exceptionally large private room by the manager, where they received specialized service that thoroughly embodied the motto "the customer is king." This led Wang Fuliang, Zhao Pang, and the others to frequently exclaim about how impressive the establishment was; it was no wonder there were so many guests. In contrast, Wei Ping and Qian Kun repeatedly questioned whether Fang Huaining had invested in the place; otherwise, why would they be receiving such VIP treatment?

Originally, they had agreed to split the bill, but when it came time to pay, Fang Huaining arrived first. He had always done this in the past, but this time, his roommates were unhappy about it.

"You say I'm earning a salary now, and while it's not much, how can I just eat without contributing?" Zhao Pang felt embarrassed; after all, he was still the one who ate the most, although today he realized that the top scorer didn't fare much better.

Wang Fuliang disagreed as well: "You've always claimed to have many scholarships and enjoy treating others, but before you graduate, you probably received much less, my friend. How can you be so shameless..."

"Can you ever engage in a conversation?" Qian Kun couldn't take it anymore. "Huaining missed out on several scholarships this time because of a couple of stubborn old fogies from your department; once we go out, are you really worried he won't get them?!"

"Keep your voice down! Are you trying to broadcast this to the whole world?!" Zhao Pang shot back.

Wang Fuliang, acting as a peacemaker, said, "Li, Li Ting went… went to the restroom! He can't hear you talking about Huaining being reported!" Everyone: "—— Shhh!!!!!!!" Fang Huaining: "...…" The group erupted in chaos, while Wei Ping, a few steps away in the corridor, helplessly covered her forehead and glanced at the emotionless Li Ting standing next to her. Wei Ping wanted to explain: "Actually, Huaining..." Li Ting interrupted, "That's not correct." Wei Ping: "?" Li Ting: "I calculated the costs; the extra hundred on the bill is for the private room, which is disguised forced consumption. It should be deducted." Wei Ping: "...…" … On the way back, both Fang Huaining and Li Ting were somewhat silent. The bus was nearly empty, and they sat side by side in the last row, silently watching the scenery flow past outside the window. After a long time, Fang Huaining spoke first. "Is it about the last time with Cai Yang?" He thought for a moment; it must have been something that Li Ting could have gotten someone to assist with. "Are they the alumni from City A you mentioned last time?" Li Ting turned his head, acknowledging that he was referring to Liao and Wang, and hummed in agreement. "I was blocked right at their place."

At that time, Cai Yang had brought a large group of people while Li Ting was left alone; no matter how hard he tried to escape, he found himself blocked at every turn. Meanwhile, the person with the surname Liao was amusingly watching him flee across the yard on the first floor until Mr. Wang came out and noticed, prompting someone to step in and help. A group of individuals who appeared to be security guards, yet were clearly clueless about the situation, took Cai Yang's henchmen—including him—to the hospital, then to the police station, and from that moment on, they vanished from existence.

Speaking of this, it truly was a favor.

However, Li Ting had no way to express his gratitude.

Fang Huaining noticed this and recalled what Mr. Liao had mentioned; years ago, someone from A City's First High School had harassed Li Ting. Could this have been the reason he fought so fiercely during the school anniversary, risking everything to retaliate against them?

Li Ting sensed Fang Huaining's sudden intense gaze and replied lightly, "The reason doesn't matter anymore; it's all settled anyway."

"Then the last time they saved you… was it because of this?" Although it was an old story, the thought that Li Ting had suffered so much due to someone else's jealousy made Fang Huaining angry, prompting him to press for answers.

"That day during the school anniversary, the person with the surname Liao was also present; he seemed to be an honorary alumnus," Li Ting recalled, "And the one I gave a concussion to happened to be a relative of theirs."

"He said that his family originally wanted to kill me, but then they let me go, generously allowing me to attend my current third-rate university." In fact, it was because Liao and Wang had gone to visit patients in the hospital that day, and Mr. Wang happened to notice Li Ting in another ward. After he spoke up, the concussion family no longer dared to pursue the matter.

At this point, Li Ting found it amusing: "Li Erlang also claimed that my ability to attend university was his doing; who do you think I should believe?"

Fang Huaining's heart tightened as he pulled Li Ting into his embrace.

"Believe me." Fang Huaining lovingly kissed his forehead.

Li Ting smiled and looked up at Fang Huaining. "Will there ever be a day when you deceive me?"

Fang Huaining lowered his eyes. "You're the only one who has ever deceived me…" And every time, he could only willingly believe the words of this little deceiver.

Li Ting felt the kisses that trailed down to his nose and then softly onto his lips, and he gazed closely at the intense affection and unbreakable adoration in Fang Huaining's eyes. After a moment, he reached out to wrap his arms around Fang Huaining's neck, intertwining their lips and tongues.

"If... I really have something I haven't told you, it's only because I want to do my best... so that you can know." Amidst their intimate embrace and kisses, Li Ting vaguely heard Fang Huaining say this.

Chapter 75 I Understand Him…

Li Ting did not work today, but he also did not rest. When he opened his eyes, Fang Huaining had already risen before him and, before leaving, gently placed a sweet kiss on Li Ting's cheek and lips.

Due to his relentless research and practice, Li Ting's recent learning progress had evidently become remarkable.

Li Ting was already beautiful; even when he wore a stern expression, he could captivate Fang Huaining to the point of being lost in thought, let alone when he was infatuated. Just the thought that this enchanting Li Ting was only visible to him made Fang Huaining feel exhilarated. Moreover, being able to endure such an impact while managing work progress gave Fang Huaining a sense of pride in his own growth.

Li Ting finally achieved the state he desired during the tutorial, whether it was before or after the event. Although he felt a twinge of regret for the little cat and wanted the other party to always be full of spirit, Fang Huaining was still a man in love. Only after experiencing the thrill of conquest over a lover did he realize how wonderful it felt.

Li Ting seemed to feel the soft caress of lips on his face and slowly opened his eyes. Fang Huaining saw his dazed expression and the patchy marks on his shoulders and neck, which made him even more excited; his voice unconsciously filled with affection.

"You can sleep a little longer. I made breakfast; get up to eat when you're hungry. We start at ten, so you can come a bit later; there's no rush."

After thoroughly observing the satisfaction in the other's eyes, Li Ting nodded in agreement. Fang Huaining tucked him in once more before reluctantly leaving. Listening to the door close, Li Ting waited for half a minute, ensuring that Fang Huaining had truly departed before nimbly sitting up from the bed, no longer displaying the weakness he had moments before.

He quickly made his bed, took a shower, and got ready. By the time he sat down at the dining table, the milk in the bowl was still steaming. Fang Huaining had made egg pancakes, which were quite ordinary in flavor. Considering Li Ting's fatigue, he had hardly added any oil or meat. When Fang Huaining was around, Li Ting often complained about his cooking, but once he was alone, he ate everything without changing his expression and even went for two big bowls of oatmeal, finally feeling full.

Checking the time, he saw it was just past eight. Li Ting hurried to wash the leftover sheets and hung them out to dry before tidying up the house. He then chose a shirt that covered his neck and left just in time.

At the end of June, A City was already scorching hot. When Li Ting received a message from Fang Huaining urging him to take a taxi, he had just reached the gate of A University.

Li Ting detoured to wash his face in the restroom, waiting for the heat on his face to subside slightly before walking toward the auditorium. He arrived a bit late; when he entered, the representative of the graduates was already on stage giving a speech.

Seeing Hong Yue up there surprised many students, who whispered among themselves, wondering why he wasn't the rumored candidate. The person in question sat in the front row, initially looking straight ahead with a calm demeanor, but when Li Ting appeared, he suddenly turned his head to look at him from a distance and then subtly curled the corner of his mouth into a smile.

This glance caught the attention of many junior students in the back; however, it didn't lead them to recognize who he was; they were simply taken aback that the headliner actually smiled.

Eventually, Fang Huaining also went on stage and was awarded the title of "Outstanding Graduate." When he received his diploma, the principal pulled him aside and spoke to him at length, full of expectations, while Fang Huaining responded steadily.

Due to the hot weather, the essential proceedings of the graduation ceremony were conducted indoors. However, after receiving their diplomas, many students disregarded the sweltering heat and hurried outside to express their excitement. Wang Fu Liang and Zhao Bang chatted endlessly, trying to maintain their daily interactions until the very last day. Qian Kun kept hugging and greeting classmates around him, exuding a sense of ceremony and honor like a soldier nearing retirement, while Wei Ping, usually strong and composed, still radiated joy but couldn't help shedding a few tears when reflecting on the past.

Some were celebrating, while others felt sentimental.

Regardless of their feelings, everyone was trying to hold on to their last bit of youth here. Moreover, some took this final opportunity to do things they had always wanted to do but never had the chance, such as confessing to their crushes or taking photos with their idols. As a result, during the mere five-minute journey from indoors to outdoors, Fang Huaining ended up taking quite a long time to get outside...

When he finally managed to escape, Li Ting had already been standing under the shade of a tree for half an hour. Taking advantage of the lack of people around, Fang Huaining wrapped his arms around Li Ting's waist and worriedly asked, "Sorry for the delay. Why are you standing in such a hot place? Aren't you tired?"

Li Ting was staring at the buildings ahead and didn't turn to look at Fang Huaining until a moment later. Dressed in a black graduation gown like the other students, Fang Huaining stood out due to his upright posture and bright charisma. Li Ting couldn't help but admire him silently for a moment.

Having faced countless admiring gazes, Fang Huaining easily perceived the emotions hidden in Li Ting's eyes. Unlike the way others looked at him, his little cat's gaze was filled with affection, accompanied by a possessive expression as if he were looking at something that belonged solely to him. Though he was looking up, he exuded an imposing presence, both cute and domineering.

Fang Huaining's heart fluttered as he quickly glanced around, unable to resist leaning down to kiss Li Ting's cherry blossom-colored lips. If he had a wish he wanted to fulfill before graduation, this would certainly be it. Li Ting and he had shared key moments in their lives that they couldn't miss.

"Thank you for coming," Fang Huaining said. "I'll be there next year."

Li Ting replied, "It will be much easier for me than for you."

Once again, Fang Huaining appeared displeased, and just as he was about to say something more, Li Ting turned to gaze at the tall buildings ahead. His expression was calm, but Fang Huaining could sense the underlying emotions, realizing that Li Ting seemed even more reluctant to part with this place than he was himself.

"Do you want to take another look?" Fang Huaining asked understandingly, recalling the experiences they had shared on their journey together.

"I know this place better than you do," Li Ting said.

Fang Huaining was taken aback and forced a smile in response to his concern.

However, Li Ting turned around and confidently walked forward.

Fang Huaining hurried to catch up. The two walked side by side for a few steps when Fang Huaining suddenly said, "I booked a plane ticket."

Li Ting paused.

"It's for next week," Fang Huaining said, slowly moving closer.

Li Ting lowered his gaze.

Fang Huaining continued, "The summer vacation is here; it's a good time to travel."

Li Ting looked at him.

Fang Huaining took his hand and said, "Let's go together." Li Ting asked, "Where to?" Fang Huaining smiled and replied, "To the other side of the Pacific."

Most of the luggage had already been packed. Li Ting stood in front of the desk, listening to Fang Huaining make a phone call to her family while gently stroking the small robot on the table. A moment later, he looked up and said to Fang Huaining, "We need to buy a few more things." Fang Huaining was taken aback for a moment and covered the microphone, intending to tell Li Ting that she would accompany him to the supermarket. However, unexpectedly, when she turned around, he had already left. On the phone, Qiu Yu asked, "Are you taking the flight tomorrow evening?" Fang Huaining came to her senses and replied, "Yes, we can arrive by noon." Qiu Yu thought for a moment and asked, "Have you told him?" Fang Huaining replied, "Not yet..." "You're not worried he's going to refuse?" Fang Huaining looked out the window and saw a familiar figure slowly walking out of the neighborhood. She said, "I understand him..." ... Yesterday, City A recorded the highest temperature since the beginning of summer, and the hospitals became overcrowded under the scorching heat, with the inpatient department no exception. Li Ting walked through the general ward, which was lined with patients on both sides of the corridor, exuding a cold detachment that contrasted sharply with the despondency surrounding him.

While searching for the bed number he remembered, he unexpectedly bumped into someone familiar.

The other person was startled to see him, and a range of emotions flashed across their face: anger, resentment, sadness, and longing. But after a moment of struggle, it all turned into tears in their eyes. However, unlike in the past, the tears this time did not overflow; instead, they were forcefully held back.

"You finally came."

Hearing this gritted remark, Li Ting looked at Li Han without changing his expression. In just a few months of not seeing each other, the once pampered young master had become another person; his hair was messy, his clothes worn, and his eye sockets and cheeks were sunken. The once fair and clean face still bore traces of unshaved stubble.

Li Han was holding two thermos bottles, shifting his feet in place, and, while turning around, said, "Dad is in bed 1174."

But after Li Han took two steps, he realized the person behind him hadn't followed. He turned back, only to hear Li Ting say,

"I'm not here to see him."

Li Han froze, unable to believe it: "Dad is like this... and you're still angry with him? He doesn't say it, but I know he misses you a lot. My mom... she... why are you still blaming us?"

This was Li Han's greatest pain. Talking about it made him tremble all over with discomfort, yet no tears fell.

Li Ting observed him closely, maintaining a calm tone as he spoke.

"You told her about me and Fang Huaining?"

Li Han was taken aback, his eyes darting around as he finally processed it: "I... I was just talking nonsense..." At that moment, his mother was going through a sensitive financial period and would check the news on the computer whenever she had time, even obsessively combing through Li Han's computer. This led her to uncover the chat records he had kept with Wang Qin. Li Han remembered being so scared that he instinctively pulled his brother in to act as a shield. The matter with Fang Huaining had merely been a fabrication; after all, he hadn't genuinely seen the two together—only jealousy had led him to irrational suspicions. He never expected... it would turn out to be true?

"Last month, she had you call me from the detention center. After I hung up, did she say anything?" Li Ting asked again.

"She... she..." Li Han stammered. He vividly recalled how furious their mother had been when Li Ting refused to take care of Li Eryang and him, even claiming that they would suffer. But she wouldn't let Li Ting have it easy either. "Did she do anything?"

"She reported Fang Huaining," Li Ting said.

Li Han stood there frozen, nearly dropping the thermos bottle in his hand.

Li Ting stepped closer and coldly asked, "So... do you think I still need to see them again?" To be blunt, Li Ting didn't even want to know when Li Eryang would die or when Di Wei would be released from prison; whatever they received, it was their just deserts.

"Then... then why did you come? To witness my downfall?"

"Have I finally become destitute and fallen, just like you wanted?" Li Han shouted in outrage. Li Ting narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the twisted face before him, as if he had seen enough of it. He nodded gently. "Yes." Li Han's face trembled, and he finally let the tears fall. "I hate you, I dislike you! Ever since I was little, I've always hated you—hated you the most! I never wanted you as my brother!" Li Ting's hand brushed the edge of his pants, then pulled something from his pocket and slapped it against Li Han's chest. "Coincidentally, I feel the same." With that, he turned and walked away. Li Han looked down and saw it was a recruitment flyer for summer delivery personnel. He was so furious that he felt dazed, then shouted again, "Li Ting!!! Just wait! Even though I'm struggling now, I won't let you see me as a laughingstock! Just wait! I keep my promises!" Li Ting did not respond, taking step after step away from the shout that was different from the soft, delicate cries of the past. In a daze, the patients around him faded into the background, and the bright corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant gradually transformed into a dim, oppressive passageway. At such a distance, in such a position, there was a child who once eagerly and naively called out again and again to another indifferent figure walking away. "Brother!!"

Just wait, even though it's very far away here, I will still come to this school to see you every week! Just wait... I keep my promises!"

Chapter 76: Now I Give It All to You. After a layover, several hours later, Li Ting and Fang Huaining finally landed in Town D of Country A. Fang Huaining rented a car and drove home from the airport herself. Town D is more than ten hours ahead of the domestic time zone, and when they reached the large ranch, it was already dark. Fang's father and mother did not have a summer holiday and were working in Y City. Only a few workers remained at the ranch, and the houses were far apart. Looking around, Li Ting felt as if the darkness was engulfing everything under the night sky.

Fang Huaining led him into the house. Inside was particularly spacious, with three floors in total, both upstairs and downstairs. The decor was somewhat vintage, yet everywhere were clever details, resembling the pastoral style often seen in European and American films. "Are you tired? Go take a shower and then rest. We'll take a good look at everything tomorrow." The parents' room was on the second floor, while the entire third floor was reserved for Fang Huaining. It was clear that they knew he was coming, as the place had been cleaned exceptionally well, and there were plenty of fresh ingredients available in the kitchen for use at any time. While Li Ting was showering, Fang Huaining quickly made a sandwich as a late-night snack.

After a brief tidy-up, the two of them went to bed. The bed was large and still new. Li Ting curled up motionlessly in Fang Huaining's arms, but Fang Huaining could sense that he wasn't asleep.

"Not used to it?" Fang Huaining gently asked, his lips close to Li Ting's ear.

Li Ting paused for a moment before responding, "No."

Fang Huaining knew that Li Ting was particular about his sleeping environment. Usually, with him present, Li Ting's guard would relax a lot. This time, however, despite his calm exterior, Fang Huaining detected an unusual sense of unease in him – a restlessness towards the environment, and perhaps something else as well.

Fang Huaining's heart softened, and he gently brushed his lips against Li Ting's smooth forehead, trailing down his cheek.

Li Ting felt Fang Huaining's touch and, as the kiss approached the corner of his mouth, he obligingly parted his lips, allowing Fang Huaining to kiss him. The initial comforting gesture gradually transformed into something more.

Since Li Ting was awake, they might as well do something that would help him sleep soundly. A standard line from the instruction manual flashed through Fang Huaining's mind.

Not long after, the two of them had discarded their pajamas, and an intoxicating atmosphere filled the air—one breath soft and tender, the other heavy, accompanied by the increasingly vigorous creaking of the bed. In the stillness of the night, the sounds echoed back and forth, lingering for a long time.

With the intention of helping Li Ting sleep well, Fang Huaining put in extra effort. Coupled with the time zone difference, he ended up sleeping particularly deeply. When he opened his eyes again, he found that the person beside him was no longer sprawled out on the bed as before; in fact, he had vanished without a trace.

The sky outside was already bright. Fang Huaining was momentarily dazed, then hurriedly washed up and went downstairs to look for Li Ting. However, when he reached the living room, he was momentarily stunned by what he saw.

His parents, who should have been working hard in Y City, were sitting casually at the dining table, with their luggage set aside. Clearly, they had just arrived and hadn't even gone up to their room yet.

Fang Huaining was surprised and was just about to ask how they got here and where Li Ting had gone when he saw the little cat come out of the kitchen, carrying two large plates of breakfast and placing them in front of Fang Huaining's father and mother.

In his daze, Fang Huaining remembered that he should introduce them to each other, but Qiu Yu had already spoken up. "We've already made our introductions."

Then she turned to Li Ting to express her gratitude. Li Ting nodded. His expression didn't change much, but upon closer inspection, one could sense that the coldness in his eyes had softened somewhat. Once he returned to the kitchen, Fang's mother turned around and smiled at her son, saying, "What a handsome young man." Then she looked down at the food on the plate—ham, fried eggs, toasted bread, a vegetable salad, and pancakes. It was a particularly ordinary American breakfast, but it looked exceptionally appetizing, making her mouth water. "Your cooking skills seem quite impressive as well," Fang's mother added. As she spoke, Li Ting had already returned, this time bringing Fang Huaining's portion. Fang Huaining promptly took it, pulled out a chair for Li Ting, and sat down beside him. "Um... how did you both come here?" Normally, his parents would take their holidays during Christmas and New Year. It was quite rare for them to gather at an ordinary time, especially since they had previously mentioned that it was hard to take time off due to a busy season at work. He asked while looking at Li Ting, anxious about whether the little cat would feel uncomfortable since he hadn't been informed in advance. However, observing Li Ting's calm demeanor eased Fang Huaining's worries slightly. Fang's mother remained silent, focused on cutting her breakfast.

She forked a piece, popped it into her mouth, and her eyes suddenly widened in astonishment as she looked at Li Ting. She naturally recognized the quality of their home ingredients—the more common the ingredients, the more they tested the chef's skills. She hadn't expected that a young Eastern boy who had just arrived abroad could create such an authentic foreign flavor, with excellent color, aroma, and taste. Even though she had previously heard her son praise it, the true surprise could only be appreciated firsthand.

Fang's mother asked, "This sauce in the pancake is really delicious. Did you..."

Li Ting replied calmly, "I made it."

Fang's mother's eyes lit up with admiration.

While she busied herself getting to know Li Ting, only Fang's father responded to his son's question.

"Miss Mary called us to say there was a bit of an issue with the ranch fence, so we came to take a look. We'll be leaving in a couple of days."

After he finished speaking, Fang Huaining wore a subtly speechless expression.

This excuse... couldn't they come up with something better? Last time, when the fence was damaged by the heavy rain, he was the one who had no clue how to fix it; what good would it do for his parents to come?

Not skilled at boasting, Fang's father likely sensed that his words were a bit empty and cleared his throat, adding, "But we just noticed upon entering that the fence doesn't seem to have any major problems. Miss Mary might have made a mistake."

"The fence is broken," Fang Huaining admitted. "I saw it when I came yesterday."

"Well, who fixed it? You?" they asked, though they clearly understood their son's limitations. Repairing a long line of thick, heavy wooden fences was no simple manual task. Even if he wanted to help, he lacked the strength to accomplish it in such a short time.

After this, Fang Huaining's gaze slowly drifted towards the person beside him.

Fang's father was taken aback.

As if sensing the attention, Li Ting swallowed the fried egg and casually said, "I fixed it."

Fang's father: "......"

Fang's mother: "......"

Noticing their shocked expressions, Fang Huaining thought with pride and consolation that this was just the beginning; they would soon become accustomed to it in the coming days, after all, it was how she had grown up.

Picking up her pace while eating, Fang Hualing decided not to stay for the meal. Since her parents had come unexpectedly, she didn't want to disrupt her original plans. As for family relationships, there would be plenty of time for that in the future.

"Um, you two eat slowly. I'll take Li Ting out for a look," Fang Huaining said, getting up without casting a second glance at their astonished faces.

With his neat appearance, impressive skills, and great strength, Fang's father confirmed, "He is indeed an exceptional child."

Fang's mother was also impressed, saying, "I never thought... that Fang Huailing was the one being taken care of."

She thought about it, and her eyes fell on her son, who had taken his time waking up, with disheveled hair and slightly red eyes. Fang Hua Lian's mom and dad exchanged a glance, both looking surprised and with deep meaning.

It's all like this. We can't agree or disagree.

Leaving Fang Hua Lian behind, who was unaware that he had received some sort of certification, Fang Hua Lian walked forward with Li Ting, holding his hand, along the narrow winding path that led behind the house.

Li Ting had woken up early and only moved around a small area near the broken section of the gate, and had not come to this place until Fang Hua Lian pulled him to a patch of grass, where he could see the various enclosures in the distance.

"This is where the chickens and geese are raised," Fang Hua Lian began to explain. "The eggs you see in the kitchen all come from here. In the distance, you can see the cows. During the harvesting season, we can sell the milk to the nearby town for simple processing into fresh milk and cheese. To the left are the small sheep. You see them grazing in the grass; Mary let them out this morning. Their wool is very valuable. And on the right... are the horses. Currently, there are only two, but they're quite strong. I'm not sure if you know how to ride them," Fang Hua Lian said, gently guiding Li Ting forward.

Li Ting listened intently in silence, without interrupting. Fang Hua Lian didn't mind, and continued to lead Li Ting through the lush green grass.

As they walked, the fresh fruits were ripe and hanging from the branches.

Li Ting noticed a fruit garden behind the enclosures. As they entered, they could hear faint rustling footsteps. Suddenly, the sound rushed toward them. Li Ting turned around to see two round, fluffy puppies running toward them, both about a month old. One of them appeared a bit hesitant and let out a fearful whine, while the other dashed forward, colliding headfirst into Li Ting's leg before rolling over.

Li Ting was taken aback, but Fang Hua Lian immediately knelt down to pick up the puppy and brought it close to Li Ting's face.

"What do you think we should name them?" Fang Hua Lian asked.

Li Ting stared into the big, black, fluffy eyes in front of him, his lips moving slightly, but no sound emerged.

Fang Hua Lian took her time, giving the puppy a gentle pat before putting it down to let it play on its own. She then continued to hold Li Ting's hand as they walked forward.

As they strolled through the farm, they circled around and returned to the front of the house, this time entering through the back door. From this vantage point, Li Ting could see that behind the house was another building, connected to the main structure, creating a complex and spacious dwelling. The pale hue of the building harmonized perfectly with the blue sky above, resembling a scene from a fairy tale.

Following Fang Hua Lian to the third-story bedroom, the room was dimly lit.

The bed was neatly made, just as it had been when Li Ting left in the morning, but there was one difference: a magazine lay on the coffee table.

When Li Ting saw the magazine's cover, the calm expression on his face finally cracked. He slowly walked over and noticed the magazine on the table.

Behind him, two strong arms wrapped around him. He was held tightly by Fang Hua Lian.

Fang Hua Lian embraced him closely, whispering in his ear, "I'm leaving City A. After school starts, I'll come to Country A for an exchange program. It might last a year, maybe two, or perhaps I'll stay here permanently."

Li Ting kept his gaze fixed on the magazine in front of him, quietly listening to Fang Hua Lian's words. At that moment, Fang Hua Lian could sense Li Ting's long-hidden anxiety finally coming to the surface.

"Actually, I could finish my credits quickly. I might be able to return home in a few months. I'm sorry, Li Ting," Fang Hua Lian tightened her grip on him. "I'm more selfish than I realized. I want to see you every day. I can't bear to be apart from you, so… I won't go anywhere. Please stay with me."

Fang Hua Lian quickly took one of his hands and gently lifted the curtains.

In an instant, a burst of sunlight flooded the room, dispelling the darkness.

Li Ting was momentarily blinded, but as his vision cleared, he gazed at the scene outside.

He had seen it before through the phone screen, but standing in front of it was an entirely different experience.

He saw a lush green pasture in the distance, covered with purple flowers. The sun shining down on them made it look like a dream come true.

"That's why... please stay with me," Fang Hua Lian said, her eyes pleading.

Li Ting's eyelids fluttered, and he finally raised his eyes to look at Fang Hua Lian.

Fang Hua Lian could see the bright water in Li Ting's eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.

Fang Hua Lian quickly turned him back and kissed his face, explaining hastily. "It's not that we have to stay here forever. You can return to A City at any time we want. You've always wanted to open a shop, so we can go wherever we want, and explore the world together. We can go anywhere, in any country or city... as long as you want to."

Li Ting's face felt numb from the kiss, but he finally spoke up, his voice trembling.

"But I... can't go anywhere," Li Ting said, his eyes moistened.

Fang Hua Lian was taken aback, and let out a soft sigh. "I know what you're worried about."

"But it doesn't matter anymore," Fang Huaining smiled confidently.

Li Ting was surprised and quickly understood. "You must have gotten someone to help you," he said, curious about how Fang Huaining had managed to get his travel visa sorted out so quickly, just a week after buying the plane ticket, and now... "The person with the surname Liao? What did you agree to with them?"

Indeed, the clever little cat figured it out immediately.

Although Li Yue had boasted about their strong connections, Fang Huaining remained skeptical until his objectives were met. Within just a few days of negotiating the terms, everything was resolved. Li Ting's reputation was restored, and he was free to go wherever he pleased and apply to any school he desired.

Fang Huaining gently brushed his fingers over Li Ting's eyes, clearly noticing the tension in his gaze, and said warmly, "You don't have to worry; it was just a trade involving that previous design." Naturally, there were many follow-up plans that Fang Huaining didn't need to share with Li Ting. As for the future, it depended on Fang Huaining's arrangements; if suitable, they could certainly continue cooperating – everything was possible.

What mattered to Fang Huaining now was Li Ting's response. "So, are you... willing?" he asked. Despite having assured his mother that he understood Li Ting, it was only at this moment that Fang Huaining realized how anxious he felt. He even nervously wondered how much time he would need to resolve the exchange student arrangements if Li Ting didn't agree and quickly returned to his home country.

Li Ting and Fang Huaining locked eyes for a while, Li Ting's large eyes blinking as if hesitating or contemplating. Each flutter of his eyelashes left Fang Huaining feeling unsettled and troubled, filled with a deep emotional complexity. After a long moment, Li Ting finally spoke, "If... you can also make up for my place here."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Fang Huaining's kiss had already landed, excited and tender.

A kiss and a few words. "Okay, I'll go make it up in a moment," he said.

"There's arable land behind the orchard," he continued. "You can plant whatever you want..."

"And there's a river a mile away; you can swim if you want," Fang Huaining said with a smile.

"And..."

The clock chimed, and Li Ting felt a slight sting in his nose amidst the mingling breaths of him and Fang Huaining. He looked up at the person just within arm's reach and discovered that Fang Huaining's eyes were also red.

Fang Huaining looked at him seriously and said, "And, happy birthday." It should be midnight back home now. Last year he hadn't been able to celebrate Li Ting's birthday, but in the years to come, he wouldn't miss it again.

Li Ting smiled as his lips curved, finally letting go of the book in his hands, and wrapped his arms around Fang Huaining's neck: "And..."

Fang Huaining paused and knowingly turned his face.

The two leaned in close, whispering into each other's ears simultaneously.

"I love you..."

"I love you..."

A warm breeze swept through the purple cornflower fields, carrying the sweet floral scent into the room under the warm sun, brushing over the two tightly embraced and kissing, over the desk where the magazine had just been set down, and over the handwritten words on the page.

"Thank you for showing me your world; it's beautiful. So now I also want to give it all back to you."

No Chinese text has been provided. Please provide the original Chinese text for me to translate accurately and enhance the quality of the translation according to your specified criteria.

（The End）