"Jujing, I organized a fancy dinner to celebrate Liling and Mingyu, you have to come. Liling will need your presence," Zhang Renshu said with a smile that reached his eyes.
Song Jujing stared at him with a lack of disinterest. She had already planned to spend a quality time with Liling.
She would rather dine alone than dine with his entire family.
"What if I refuse?" She asked with a strong gaze. She didn't bother to hide her emotions.
The smile on Zhang Renshu's face faded. Releasing a sigh at the stubborn woman in front of him, he tried to speak calmly and convincingly.
"I don't think Liling would appreciate that. You are her mother and your presence will brighten the atmosphere. Please, join us in the celebration, Liling has done us both proud."
Shi Wenqian was tempted to interrupt them and chip in her fake wishes to anger Song Jujing into remaining adamant about not following them for the dinner, but she knew how furious Zhang Renshu would be if she does that.
It's not like she cared about angering him, but she didn't want to ruin the day for her son Mingyu, hence she held her animosity in and caged it to secure it.
Just when Song Jujing was preparing for her next response with Zhang Renshu, Shi Wenqian, Zhang Mingyu and Zhang Xiaoling waiting for her, someone's presence interrupted their train of thought and emotions.
"Mum!" Zhang Liling called out excitedly while leading Mr. Fang and Bolin to her side.
Immediately, the five of them turned their attention to the trio with different expressions on their faces which mostly were surprise.
Song Jujing studied Fang Bingwen's face carefully, trying to guess who he looked more like from the Fang family.
After drawing their attention to then, Zhang Liling proceeded to introduce Mr. Fang to Song Jujing.
"Mum, meet Mr. Fang Bingwen, the professor that helped me bag the first-class Honours. He is from the Fang family."
A small smile appeared on Song Jujing's face as she stretched her hand out to Mr. Fang for a handshake. "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Fang."
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Song." Mr. Fang replied as he stretched her right hand to shake her hand for only two seconds before letting go.
"I just learned from the stage of the role you played in Liling's academics. Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it," Song Jujing said, expressing her gratitude with a beautiful smile while meeting his gaze.
Mr. Fang shook his head and replied, "I didn't do much. Your daughter is not hard to teach."
As Zhang Liling heard that, the corner of her lips curled up. Did Mr. Fang just praise her?
She could feel her heart beating hard against her chest, and her blood boiling from excitement.
Song Jujing nodded still eithh her gaze on him. The more she looked at him, the more she felt that he looked like a particular someone from the Fang family.
Without hesitation, she asked, "Are you Fang Huiqing's son?"
Zhang Renshu stiffened when he heard her ask about Fang Huiqing from the Fang family. His brows furrowed as his fingers clenched at his sides.
Shi Wenqian glanced at Song Jujing while thinking, 'She knows the Fang family that well? Is she close to them?'
Zhang Xiaoling was equally surprised with the familiarity in Song Jujing's tone when she mentioned the name of Mr. Fang's father. Did she know them like her stepfather did?
A hint of surprise flashed through Mr. Fang's eyes, but it was only for a moment and the others did not get to see it.
"Yes, Fang Huiqing is my father." He admitted.
'He is actually Huiqing's son.' Song Jujing concluded in her head while Zhang Liling kept moving her gaze from her to Mr. Fang.
'Does Mum know the Family that we'll?"
Zhang Liling was thinking if her mother was familiar with the Fang family, she wouldn't have any problems from that side.
Just when Song Jujing's lips parted, Zhang Renshu stepped in. He glanced at Mr. Ganga nd stretched his hand out.
"Mr. Fang, it's nice to meet you, I'm Liling's father."
Mr. Fang turned his attention to him and received the handshake before withdrawing his hand. "Hello, Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Renshu chuckled heartily and said, "Don't mind Liling for failing to introduce us. I want to say thank you for helping her out in her school work."
Mr. Fang nodded politely before shifting his gaze back to Zhang Liling.
"Ms. Zhang, I have to take my leave now."
'Huh?' Zhang Liling was confused for a bit, but glanced at the people around her from the corner of her eyes before picking up immediately.
"Thank you for your time Mr. Fang, I will walk you to your car."
"There will be no need for that," Mr. Fang rejected her kind gesture and turned to nod at Song Jujing and Zhang Renshu's direction before leaving.
Bolin also nodded silenctky from the side before turning on his heels to follow him.
"Have a great day, Mr. Fang." Song Jujing said after him.
Zhang Xiaoling felt her heart ache from that little attention. Who was Zhang Liling to invite Mr. Fang over? How close were they?
The man she knew wouldn't just come over to greet his student's parents, would he?
Glancing toward Zhang Liling's direction, her clenched fists tightened by the side.
Zhang Mingyu saw all this and smiled inwardly before leaning in to whisper to her. "Sister, your envy and jealousy can be clearly felt. There is nothing to be jealous about Liling bringing Mr. Fang over, it are you that petty wuthg your thoughts and dealings?"
Zhang Xiaoling turned her gaze to meet him. Her brows were knitted in a tight frown. Just a tiny push and she would not hesitate to push him away.
What has her thoughts and emotions got to do with his jobless self?
"I think you need to start minding your business and keeping your observations to yourself."
Zhang Mingyu shrugged and moved his smiling gaze ahead.
Shi Wenqian stared annoyedly at Zhang Liling and couldn't help butting in.
She couldn't tolerate the fact that she skipped her while introducing Mr. Fang to her mother, but she had to twist it in a way to cover her main intentions up.
"Liling, how could you be disrespectful to your family? Even if we have different opinions in private, did you have to show that to an outsider?"
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel