Chapter 74: Confession
  Fang Qing was still struggling with the quilt when Wen Ning returned with a plate of watermelon. Seeing her like this, he found her adorable.

  "Come and eat some watermelon. Big Sister spent the afternoon at the well. It's sweet and cool."

  Fang Qing's mind was preoccupied with Wen Ning's words, and she had no desire to eat the watermelon. Seeing Wen Ning approach, she simply lay down under the quilt, curling herself up in it.

  "I'm not eating anymore. I'm sleepy. You, you go back and rest." A muffled voice came, causing Wen Ning to raise an eyebrow in surprise.

  She tried to dismiss him with such a crude excuse, did she think he couldn't see?

  Wen Ning said nothing, put down the watermelon, and indeed opened the door. With a creaking sound, the door closed again.

  Fang Qing, hiding under the quilt, heard the door open and listened for a moment. Reassured when there was no movement, she lifted the quilt and gasped for air.

  "Oh my god, you're finally leaving..."

  "You're so glad I'm leaving..."

  Wen Ning's voice boomed behind Fang Qing, startling her so much that she sat up suddenly. "You, you're leaving, aren't you?"

  Wen Ning folded his arms and sat down on the edge of the bed, inching closer. His expression was calmer than Fang Qing had ever seen. "If I left, I wouldn't be able to hear your honest words. I just didn't expect you to hate me so much."

  Fang Qing saw the disappointment and hurt on his face, and suddenly felt a little panicked. "No, no, I don't hate you..."

  Wen Ning's mood was a little low. "You're so anxious to let me go, you must be fed up with me."

  Fang Qing quickly shook her head. "I never thought of it that way. It's just that what you just said, I... don't know how to respond."

  Of course, she didn't hate Wen Ning. Someone so outstanding confessed his love to her, and she should have been thrilled. But instead, she felt flustered and uneasy. She felt

  so inferior. How could she, so ordinary, be worthy of the elegant and bright Wen Ning? He deserved better.

  Besides, Wen Ning was Xiaoyu's favorite, and she couldn't do this.

  "You, don't you like Xiaoyu? And Xiaoyu likes you too. I am Xiaoyu's friend, so I don't think what you said is appropriate."

  Wen Ning frowned after hearing this explanation, "Xiaoyu? She is my sister, and that girl has been like this since she was a child. When she sees a good-looking brother, she shouts that she wants to marry him. You don't have to pay attention to it."

  But Fang Qing felt that this matter was not as simple as Wen Ning thought. She shook her head, her face very serious, "Xiaoyu once told me that you were the only one who treated her well since she was a child, so she vowed to marry you. She doesn't look like she is joking, so I think you should think about this matter clearly first."

  Wen Ning lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded, "So... it seems that I thought it was too simple, but Xiaoyu and I are really not what you think."

  Wen Ning recalled the past and felt that since he had made his mind clear, many things should be made clear. He didn't want to cause any misunderstandings between the two.

  "Xiaoyu was only five when she first came to our house. Uncle Tang was on an emergency mission and left her at the doorway. She didn't cry in the middle of winter. When I found her, her face was frozen purple. My mother and I worked together to rescue her. Perhaps it was a baby-bird complexion, but she's been very dependent on me ever since..."

  Fang Qing leaned against the headboard of the bed, listening quietly as Wen Ning reminisced. He seemed to see a fragile little girl seeking warmth.

  Initially, Wen Ning was impatient, retreating to his study to ignore the child. After all, he was still a child himself, so how could he have the patience to care for someone only two years younger?

  But one day, the coal stove in Wen Ning's room didn't burn completely, and Wen Ning gradually lost consciousness while trapped inside. It was Xiaoyu who first noticed what was happening and, crying, called a neighbor, saving him from suffocation.

  At that moment, Wen Ning felt a bit cruel as he watched the little girl weeping pitifully, hugging his legs. But then, upon learning of Xiaoyu's tragic story, he felt a surge of sympathy.

  "So, I treat her like my own sister and have more patience with her than with Lingzi. It's also because of this that Lingzi has always believed that we are partial to Xiaoyu. In fact, we are just more tolerant."

  But Fang Qing still didn't believe it. "You have never been so gentle and indulgent to any girl, and... you two really get along like a couple..."

  Wen Ning rubbed his eyebrows. It seems that his past behavior has caused Fang Qing to misunderstand a lot! He really didn't think that much about Xiaoyu. His past habits might really be misunderstood by others.

  At this moment, Wen Ning truly understood that he still knew too little about women. He could solve complex problems and see through other people's tricks, but he couldn't understand their delicate thoughts.

  "Fang Qing, to be honest, no one has ever told me this in my life, and I've never paid attention to it. If you hadn't brought it up today, I wouldn't have known how others saw me."

  Wen Ning paused, looking at Fang Qing. "Xiaoyu is just my sister to me, and I'll explain it to her. Now, can you consider my question?"

  Fang Qing let out a breath. Even though Xiaoyu's story had been explained, she still couldn't believe it. Another important reason was...

  "Don't you... like boys? So, we're still impossible."

  After Fang Qing was silent for a long moment, Wen Ning nearly choked on her own saliva when she heard this explanation.

  "Ahem... who told you that? I'm a real man, and I consider my sexual orientation... normal."

  Fang Qing glared and argued. "I'm not kidding. During our winter night run in our freshman year of high school, I saw you... you and a boy... hugging each other!"

  Wen Ning was filled with questions. "I did participate in the night run, but I always went with everyone else and went back to the dorm afterward. Are you sure it was me you saw?"

  Fang Qing thought back to that day. Although it had been a long time, the memory was still vivid. Fang Qing could actually still remember Wen Ning's clothes and the situation at that time.

  After hearing this, Wen Ning finally understood. "I only wore that clothes once. Later, a classmate borrowed it. When I brought it back, it was cut and I never wore it again. So, the person you are talking about is not me."

  Fang Qing scratched his head, lowered his head and muttered awkwardly, "It's not you... I thought you were a sister..."

  Seeing Fang Qing's expression, Wen Ning finally relaxed a little. "Fang Qing, I am serious. Please don't feel burdened. What do you think of me? Tell me the truth. Even if you want me to give up, give me a happy ending."

  Wen Ning's soft voice and focused gaze made Fang Qing unable to say no. "Okay, then you, please sit down first..."

  Wen Ning sat up straight and looked at her, waiting for her answer.

  Fang Qing sighed, glanced at Wen Ning, and began to think about how to answer this question.

  (End of this chapter)