Mr. Fang's question came with authority, causing Zhang Liling to shrink her shoulders.
'Should I lie or tell the truth?' She thought.
She, being the graduating student was still at home while he, a lecturer at the same Uni was already a few minutes away from the university, what did that signify?
Zhang Liling did not want to look unserious before her strict future boyfriend, so it took her some time to contemplate and come up with a response.
"Mr. Fang, there was a little delay over here. My mum wanted me to look my best so she hired some professionals to help with my looks."
Mr. Fang was left speechless. He wasn't expecting that explanation. He even went on to question himself. Why was he so bothered that she was still at home by that time?
"That's fine. Let's talk later," He said, no longer interested in continuing with the conversation.
Zhang Liling understood and bade him farewell. After dropping the call, she giggled to herself as stars shone brightly in her eyes.
Her first phone conversation with Mr. Fang was something to write home about.
Picking up the FJ bag that made her fight in the shopping mall, she left her bedroom for the dining room to have breakfast.
Dropping the call with Zhang Liling, Mr. Fang caught Bolin staring at him. His brows knitted in a tight frown.
"What are you staring at? If you have something to say, say it."
Bolin quickly turned his gaze back to the road refusing to voice his thoughts. It was already enough trouble that he was caught staring.
******
At 9 am sharp, all the graduating students of NYU were already sitting in the largest auditorium in the school.
The graduating students were putting on their graduation gown, distinguishing them from other students and staff in the same room.
When the opening remarks were being read out, there was silence in the decorated hall.
Around 30 minutes, the best graduating students from each department were handed out their awards and certificates and given the chance to say a few words.
Zhang Liling was surprised when she heard her name being called out. 'What the heck is going on?'
Getting a first class didn't warrant any student being amongst the best graduating students.
In the midst of the applauses and cheers from other students and parents in the hall, Tungmei who was sitting beside her, nudged her arm. "Dear Miss, do you want me to go pick up your award on your behalf?"
Sitting in the crowd where the members of the Zhang family and the rest were, a proud smile appeared on Song Jujing's face while applauding her daughter.
Zhang Renshu was not left behind.
He felt proud that Liling was his daughter, and that she had actually stayed under his roof for 4 years for him to able to take some credits for her achievement today.
Shi Wenqian had a scowl on her face. The woman was so jealous that she was literally squeezing the handkerchief in her hands.
Zhang Xiaoling and Zhang Mingyu both had neutral gazes from where they were sitting.
Before standing up from her seat, Zhang Liling passed her phone to Tungmei saying, "Film me with my phone and take a few photos with yours. Make sure to get a nice shot of Mr. Fang and I."
Mr. Fang was part of the people sitting on stage and asked to give out the awards.
The school's president knew the best graduating students from the school of business would appreciate it more if they also had the opportunity to shake Mr. Fang's hand, so he gave them that opportunity.
A few minutes later, Zhang Liling stepped on stage to receive her award and certificate while shaking the hands of NYU's President and Mr. Fang.
There was a proud smile on her face when she stepped in front of Mr. Fang to shake his hand, and she didn't forget to give his hand a gentle squeeze, something she had never done before.
The opportunity she just got to do it would never slip pass her just like that.
'This crazy girl.' Mr. Fang thought in his head while managing a smile at the cameras snapping photos of them.
Zhang Liling's speech was short, but she made sure to make it interesting.
She first started by thanking the university for the award and recognition.
"... Honestly, I didn't know I would be getting one today because that thought never crossed my mind. I want to appreciate a few people that helped me come this far."
Looking in the row where the parents and guests were sitting, she spotted her mother and her smile reached her eyes.
"Thank you mum for taking care of me and making sure that life was easy for me."
As soon as she recognized her mother, the camera began searching through the crowd for Song Jujing.
Song Jujing on the other hand made things easier for them by blowing a kiss at Zhang Liling. There was a little uproar as the attention was immediately put on Song Jujing.
The people who were sitting beside her, didn't recognize her and were surprised that she came for her daughter's graduation ceremony, and was actually sitting beside them.
A round of applause followed as soon as the camera faced Song Jujing.
Definitely there will be whisperes and gossip with her presence.
'Since she is here, was Shi Wenqian here too?' This was the thought that went through some people's mind.
Shi Wenqian tried not to show any expression on her face because all that was going through her mind, was to deal with some people for stealing the shine.
Zhang Liling waved at her mother before continuing. "I want to thank my father for always scolding me every time I studied a lot. He cared for my health."
There was nother round of applause as the camera moved to show Zhang Renshu sitting in the crowd.
The man couldn't have been any more proud for having been recognized by his daughter in public.
This new image will help him a lot.
The camera also caught Shi Wenqian sitting beside him, and everyone saw that slight smile on her face as she clapped her hands.
Without wasting time, Zhang Liling moved over to the next person on her list.
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