Chapter 76: Revealed
  Wen Ning spent the entire evening explaining the problems to Fang Qing, and their relationship grew closer. Only when Fang Qing was yawning with sleep did Wen Ning return to his room.

  The next morning, the group packed up and prepared to leave the farmhouse.

  After spending so many days there, it was time to return. Although they hadn't camped in the mountains as planned, they had spent the next two days, guided by locals, visiting many interesting places, fulfilling the purpose of their graduation trip.

  Wen Ning and Fang Qing had recovered, and considering their family's situation, they immediately decided to buy the earliest tickets home.

  Fang Qing had come alone, preoccupied with how to quickly reach the destination and rescue the people. He hadn't expected to be returning home with so many people.

  Several teenagers gathered around playing cards and started playing, with the loser giving a note. Fang Qing sat by the window on the other side, enjoying the cool morning breeze and watching the group play, finding it quite amusing.

  Wen Ning, who was sitting next to her, wiped an apple and handed it to her, "Try it. Big Sister stuffed it in her bag before we left."

  Fang Qing took it and took a small bite. The crisp and sweet taste was permeated with the aroma of freshly ripe fruit. "Hmm, so sweet, you should try one too."

  But the apples on the table were quickly divided up by the others. Seeing that Wen Ning didn't grab one, Fang Qing generously gave up half the apple and prepared to cut it for him to eat, but Wen Ning smiled and said, "It's okay, I think you should just eat it."

  Then Wen Ning looked at Fang Qing's lips moistened by the juice and couldn't help swallowing. He picked up the water on the table and drank several sips before suppressing the burning sensation in his heart. Then he turned his head to watch his friends play cards to distract himself.

  Fang Qing stared blankly as Wen Ning picked up the glass of water she had just drunk from. She wanted to remind him but found that he had already finished it. Seeing that he was sitting upright, turning his head away, not daring to look at her, his ears slowly turned red.

  Fang Qing saw him blushing for the first time and found it very novel. She smiled secretly and slowly turned around while biting an apple. Fortunately, the boys around were busy playing cards and no one noticed the difference between the two of them. Fang Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

  The way home was much faster and they got off the bus just after noon. The teenagers parted ways at the station and went home one after another. Wen Ning and his friends waved goodbye and picked up two backpacks, ready to take Fang Qing home first.

  But as soon as they walked to the street of No. 1 Middle School, they saw Wen's mother going out to buy groceries.

  Looking at the gloomy expression on Wen's mother's face, Fang Qing knew that she was finished.

  ...

  Fang Qing sat upright on the chair, lowered her head and looked at the corner of the clothes in her hand, not daring to say a word.

  Wen's mother opposite was still looking at them with a sullen face. Even if Fang Qing didn't look up, he knew the coldness in Aunt Wen's scrutinizing eyes.

  "What's going on between you two?"

  Wen Ning pondered for a moment, feeling that his mother would likely find out sooner or later, so he might as well spill the beans. He took a deep breath and was about to explain their relationship when Fang Qing spoke first.

  "Aunt Wen, we just bumped into each other on our way back from a trip. Brother Wen Ning saw me carrying something and helped me carry it."

  "Really?" Mother Wen looked at Fang Qing suspiciously, then at her son, but he was staring at Fang Qing, completely oblivious to her expression.

  "Ahem, Wen Ning, I've been here for so long and you didn't even offer me a glass of water. Go, get Qingqing a bottle of soda." Wen Ning,

  feeling his mother's gaze, was about to say something, but then he saw Fang Qing's slightly shaking head and pleading gaze. He pursed his lips and turned to the kitchen.

  Once Wen Ning left, Wen's mother softened her tone, but her gaze at Fang Qing remained devoid of warmth. "Qingqing, we're just the two of us now. Tell Auntie the truth. What's going on between you and my son? Are you, are you..."

  Fang Qing looked up in shock. She didn't know what Wen's mother was going to say next, but she understood the underlying meaning, and quickly waved her hand with a pale face.

  "Auntie Wen, you misunderstood. There's really nothing between me and Brother Ning. Please don't take it too seriously."

  But Wen's mother wasn't so easily fooled. Her almond-shaped eyes squinted at Fang Qing with a faint smile.

  She didn't understand others, and she didn't understand her own son, either? With the flirting they'd just exchanged, did they really think she was blind?
  However, the girl was getting more and more beautiful. It wasn't that Fang Qing disliked her, but when it came to her son, she had to be careful. Her

  son had just won the top spot in the imperial examination, and his future was bound to be bright. If they were to secretly get married at such a young age, it would surely become a stumbling block to his future success.

  Although this girl is good, what's the use of just being pretty? Can she help her son realize his dream? Can she support his future? No!
  Therefore, she must nip all the emotions that shouldn't appear in the bud, and never let a country girl block her son's future...

  Mother Wen smiled and grabbed Fang Qing's hand, her tone kind and amiable, "Qingqing, Aunt Wen is doing this for your own good. You are about to enter your third year of high school, and you must work hard at this time. You can't be disturbed by other factors. Your elder brother Ning has already graduated. He can go out and run around, but you can't. You have to seize the time to study. When you get into college, Auntie won't stop you anymore..."

  Mother Wen smiled, but she didn't agree in her heart. Humph, when my son goes to college, he will meet all kinds of girls, and then he won't remember you, a country girl!

  But Fang Qing was a little surprised that Aunt Wen didn't scold her? According to her previous temper, she should have pointed at her nose and scolded her for being shameless. Why is she so easy to talk to today?
  But facing Aunt Wen's kindness, Fang Qing couldn't refute it. She could only nod obediently, saying that she would study hard and not think about other things.

  Wen Ning, standing behind the kitchen curtain, had been listening to the conversation in the room. He had originally worried that his mother would scold Fang Qing as she had before, but he didn't expect her mother to actually think so, which made Wen Ning feel a little ashamed.

  Just now, he'd been worried his mother might bully others, but now it seemed he was being petty. His mother's heart was incomparable.

  Wen Ning came out with a soda and respectfully offered it to his mother. "Mom, thank you for understanding us."

  Wen's mother smiled faintly and took the glass. She said nothing, but she was furious.

  Look at her silly son. His expression changed so quickly just for this little girl! But at least they were settled. Who could say what would happen in the future...

  Wen Ning turned around and offered Fang Qing a soda as well. When Fang Qing looked up, he suddenly winked and smiled.

  Fang Qing took the soda and quickly lowered her head to take a sip. Oh, this guy was flirting again. Luckily, she'd gotten used to it over the past few days. She was really afraid of making a fool of herself in front of Aunt Wen.

  After a short break, Wen's mother asked Wen Ning to take Fang Qing back home. When they reached Fang Qing's door, they ran into Fang Qing's father, who was returning from work.

  His face sank the moment he saw them.

  "You two, follow me."

  (End of this chapter)