"You still won't tell me the kind of job you have now?" Tungmei asked.
"It will do you no good if you know too much..." Zhang Liling replied with her gaze ahead.
She could still remember almost getting fired, and Mr. Fang's warning about keeping her mouth shut, so how could she dare to mention even a bit about it?
"How important is this job that you don't even mind offending Mr. Fang? If you come for his lectures late again, he will definitely chase you away!"
Zhang Liling sighed as a helpless smile slowly appeared on her face. That was because the person she was working for, was Mr. Fang so in a way, she was not really offending him.
"Don't worry, I will make sure there wouldn't be a next time. Hurry up, I will treat you to lunch after this class."
Hearing that she was going to get a free meal, Tungmei stopped berating her and smiled happily, even though she knew Zhang Liling was doing that so she wouldn't have to ask her more questions again.
Tungmei didn't come from a wealthy family, and it was already a lot of work for her average family to send her to NYU and sponsor the business course.
Because of the kind of family she came from, eating meals outside was far from it. This is the reason she is always happy each time Zhang Liling wants to treat her to a meal, as she didn't get to enjoy that treatment often.
"You really know how to get me..." Tungmei said with a lasting smile on her face, as she tugged on Liling's arm.
The lecture hall they were going to was at a different location, so they spent about 7 minutes walking before they got there.
Thankfully, the hall was not filled yet, and there were still good seats in a good spot. If this had been Mr. Fang's class, they wouldn't be this lucky.
Just as they made there way in, Zhang Liling felt her phone vibrate in her bag, and had to stop in her steps to take out her phone. Tungmei felt her movements and also stopped to watch her.
Glancing at the caller ID on the screen of her phone, Zhang Liling released a helpless sigh. Her mother was calling, and she just recalled that she totally abandoned a bunch of texts from her after getting into a difficult situation the previous night.
Passing her backpack to Tungmei, she said in an urgent tone, "Find seats for us, I need to take this call first."
Tungmei took the backpack from her and walked in without asking questions. There was no need to ask questions because she already saw who was calling her.
Zhang Liling went outside and walked a little distance away from the building before taking the call.
"Hello Mum," She greeted in a light tone.
There was a sound of a sigh from the other end before the familiar mature female voice was heard.
"I sent you a bunch of texts, did you not see them?" Song Jujing asked with a tinge of annoyance in her tone.
She had been worried about not getting any feedback from her daughter. At most, she thought a text would be easy to reply in case she was busy, hence she didn't disturb her with calls.
Although Zhang Liling did get a little chance to return one text, the remaining that came in later were ignored. And Song Jujing had been worried about it.
"I didn't have time to reply to them, I have been occupied with my studies," Zhang Liling lied so smoothly.
"That's a relief. I thought something happened to you, and almost called your father to ask someone to check in on you."
"What! Mum, don't ever be tempted to let that man know that I'm living on my own, you can't make that mistake!" Zhang Liling said in alarm.
If her father comes to know about this, then it wouldn't be long before her stepmother finds out about it, and by then, it would be too late for her plans.
Song Jujing understood and nodded. "Then, you have to reply my texts and return my calls as soon as you get the chance off your busy schedule!"
Of course, Zhang Liling agreed and even added, "As long as I'm not in the lecture hall and busy, I will answer your calls and reply to your texts."
"Good! I wanted to remind you about finding a housekeeper for your new place..."
As soon as her mother mentioned that term 'housekeeper' Zhang Liling felt a pang of guilt wash over her.
She was busy working as a housekeeper for someone else, why she needed to employ one to take care of her house and meals. What an irony!
"Are you even paying attention to what I have been saying?" Song Jujing asked with worry in her tone. She has been speaking for a while now and at last asked a question, but she didn't get any response.
Zhang Liling recollected herself and said, "Mum, I have a lecture now, I will speak with you later."
"Who knows when you will call me back as you are now busier than me. Anyway, get a housekeeper to shop for you, and prepare your meals while you get busy with your exams. I noticed that your kitchen and refrigerator were empty. If you need more money, call me." Song Jujing said.
She wouldn't want her only child to lack anything. If it was before when she was still staying in the Zhang family, she wouldn't have been this worried, since she thought she was being well taken care of.
But now that things has taken a drastic turn, everything has to change.
"Okay, I have to go now, bye..." Zhang Liling said and ended the call immediately.
She couldn't stand her mother showing that kind of care towards her. Before she used to want her attention but not anymore, as her own attention was being channelled into Mr. Fang, so she had no time to care about others and their attention on her.
Immediately she ended the call, she returned to the lecture theatre. Standing at the entrance, she searched for Tungmei with her eyes.
Luckily, Tungmei was on the look out for her, and waved her hand immediately she stepped back in, so she could see where she got seats for them.
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