Chapter 84: Mother Wen Enters the City
  Fang's mother, who was pouring tea, blinked when she heard the words, and instantly understood her sister-in-law's idea. She put down the teapot with a forced smile, picked up the teacup and took a sip slowly.

  "That's impossible. Sister-in-law is a government employee. She's already busy with work on weekdays. We dare not delay your work."

  Wang Huizheng immediately put down his teacup and assured him with his chest puffed out. "What kind of work? I only have that little job at work. No one cares whether I go or not. But you can't be without someone here. Don't forget, you have a nanny! Can you feel at ease leaving her at home alone?"

  Fang's mother nodded in agreement. "Sister-in-law is right. We do need someone to look after the house. We don't need anyone tonight when Daming gets off work. But during the day..."

  Wang Huizheng's eyes lit up. "I can do it during the day. I can chat with Mom and help you clean up the house..."

  Fang's mother actually had someone in mind, but she was an outsider after all. Although she was worried about Sister-in-law, even if she liked to take advantage of others, she was still family after all...

  "Okay then. If sister-in-law is free, please come to our house during the day these few days. You don't have to clean, just help take care of mom."

  After getting Fang's mother's approval, Wang Huizheng immediately smiled from ear to ear, and promised with all his heart that he would take good care of the house. He also told them to have a good time in the capital for a few more days.

  Fang's mother paused holding the teacup, thinking, with you here, no one dares to stay too long...

  The Fang family is fully prepared to go to the city, and the Wen family has already arrived at their relatives' home in the provincial capital. Wen's mother is holding her cousin's hand and chatting.

  Wen's mother's cousin's surname is Wang. She married a small section chief in the local area. Although they are not rich, they are well-off. Cousin Wang held her sister's hand and kept looking at Wen Ning beside her, feeling envious.

  "Sister, you've raised your child so well! Please teach me how my rascal has grown up like that..."

  A teenager standing nearby pouted and impatiently walked out the door, pocketing his hands. "You guys sit down, I'm going out to play. Don't wait for me for dinner tonight, I'm going to my classmate's."

  Cousin Wang, seeing her son so embarrassed, turned to look at Wen Ning, who was sitting upright next to her. "Xiao Ning, you should be a sophomore now, right? How are you? Are you fitting in at school? Do you have a partner?"

  Wen Ning replied with a faint smile, feeling that the conversation with the elders was inappropriate for him, so he found an excuse to go out for some fresh air.

  But as soon as he went out, he saw his cousin squatting by the door, smoking. He looked very unlike a teenager, helpless and experienced.

  "Why are you here? Aren't you going to your classmate's house?" Wen Ning walked over and took a deep breath of the early autumn breeze.

  The cousin, lying on the ground, tilted his head and glanced at him, continuing to suck on the cigarette butt in his hand. "Does it have anything to do with you?"

  Wen Ning didn't get angry. "It's okay, but I'm new here and I don't know what fun things to do around here."

  The cousin sniffed. "Aren't you just good at studying? Do you have time for other things?"

  Wen Ning pinched his fingers. "School hasn't started yet, so you can relax a little. How about showing some hospitality?"

  The cousin was tempted. "You asked for this yourself. Don't blame me later..."

  Wen Ning smiled faintly. "If there's any problem, it's my fault. Let's go."

  The cousin stood up quickly and stomped out the cigarette butt. "Let's go, I'll show you how powerful I am!"

  The two of them said to the house and headed out into the night.

  Unlike the dullness of Jingtan County, the provincial capital's nightlife was exceptionally rich. They first went to the game hall to play a few games. The cousin lost miserably and, feeling dissatisfied, clamored to play billiards.

  Arriving at the billiard hall, the gentle young man was surprisingly aggressive, clearing the table with a single stroke for several rounds.

  His cousin's gaze finally changed, "What else can you do? I refuse to believe this today! Let's continue!"

  Finally, he gathered a few friends and headed to the basketball court for a three-person game.

  The players his cousin had chosen were all basketball players from the sports team. They were tall and powerful, dribbling the ball with such agility that Wen Ning couldn't even touch it. Having not faced such an opponent in a long time, Wen Ning took off his coat and shirt, rolled up his pants, and rejoined the court.

  As the streetlights came on, the basketball court dimmed, and Wen Ning finally closed the game with a three-pointer.

  "I don't want to play anymore, I'm so tired!" The cousin was sweating profusely, sitting under the basketball hoop like a dead dog, and refused to continue no matter what he said. "It's so late, let's stop here today, I really can't do it anymore..."

  A dark and strong boy came over and kicked him, "Look at your character, you are not as good as your cousin! I think you haven't practiced well since you entered high school?"

  The cousin lay on the ground and took a breath, then got up, "How can I compare with others? Whatever they want to do or learn, their families support them. But in my case, a lot of people jump out to stop me. "Alas, same people, different fates..."

  Wen Ning dried off the sweat and slowly put on his clothes. "How do you know my family supports me? I've earned it all myself."

  Seeing him approach, several men shook his hand. "You looked skinny, but I didn't expect you to be quite good at basketball. If you had joined our team a few years earlier, you'd be a real star now!"

  Wen Ning smiled and shook his head. "It's just my hobby. I'm still far from being qualified for professional competition. You guys are amazing. I look forward to watching you play in the future."

  Someone's stomach growled, and the older boys laughed. A basketball game instantly bonded the boys. They clung to each other's shoulders and headed to the night market, where they ordered a table full of skewers and cold noodles, followed by two large draft beers. As they ate and chatted, the young men gradually got to know each other better.

  Upon hearing that Wen Ning was a top student at Capital University, they were filled with envy and toasted to celebrate their acquaintance.

  After the meal, the cousin's admiration for his older cousin grew. On the way home, the two chatted more and more animatedly. Wen Ning offered numerous suggestions for his negative attitude, prompting the cousin to reflect on what he should do.

  The streetlight flickered across Wen Ning's profile, catching a glimpse of the pendant around his neck. The cousin paused. "Hey? What's that on your neck? Let me see."

  Wen Ning paused for a moment, then pulled out the red string from his neck. "A pendant, a gift from a friend."

  The pendant, as smooth as jade, resembled the less-than-full moon in the sky, resting in Wen Ning's palm, its moonlight shimmering.

  Though mischievous, the cousin was perceptive, and he immediately noticed the tenderness in Wen Ning's words.

  "Hey, cousin, you're still a friend, but I think it was given to me by my sweetheart? Let me see, is it jade..."

  But Wen Ning, who was usually easygoing, changed his usual behavior, holding the pendant and refusing to give it to me. "I can't do this. I told you not to leave it."

  Seeing his cousin cherishing it so much, the cousin felt jealous. "Oh, this damned sour smell of love."

  (End of this chapter)