"Lin Tian, what did Uncle Ning tell you alone?" Xiao Manxuan asked curiously.
"Nothing much. What could two big n have to talk about?" Lin Tian denied.
He couldn’t ntion the business about the Sun Shadow Association or that Ning Weiguo wanted to et with Fang Ming, otherwise Ning Weiguo would lose face. Arranging a et-up would already require the help of a youngster.
Xiao Manxuan eyed Lin Tian, then suddenly smiled and said, "Really? You think I can’t guess? Uncle Ning wants to et Teacher Fang Ming, and since you’re so close to her, he must have asked for your help, right?"
This little girl’s eyes were truly sharp; she could see through anything.
Still, Lin Tian said, "If Uncle Ning asks, don’t say I told you. I haven’t said anything."
"Hehe, got it. You have to keep trying," Xiao Manxuan giggled.
Lin Tian shook his head. He really had no way to handle her curiosity about such matters.
As soon as he sat down in the classroom, the bell rang, and Zhang Lingyu’s seat was empty. That little girl had disappeared again, frequently taking leave without any clue about what she was up to.
The first afternoon class was Chinese, and Fang Ming kept glancing over at Lin Tian, which made him wonder if Fang Ming knew sothing.
She was supposed to know that Ning Luoxi had already arrived in Xikou City, but whether she knew about Ning Weiguo’s presence as well, that was uncertain. If Ning Weiguo planned a surprise attack, he likely wouldn’t inform Fang Ming, or else she might hide herself away again.
As for how to reconcile Fang Ming and Ning Weiguo tonight, Lin Tian had no clue yet; he would just have to play it by ear.
Even though Fang Ming should have co to terms with it, the psychological defenses built over many years were not likely to be dismantled overnight, unless sothing drastic happened. Exactly what that drastic thing could be, he’d decide at the mont it was needed.
Lin Tian spent the class trying to solve the problem and listening to the lecture. As the class ended, he was still thinking when Fang Ming suddenly called out, "Lin Tian, could you co out for a mont?"
"Ah..." Lin Tian didn’t hear her clearly at first and looked at her quizzically.
Xiao Manxuan nudged him with her finger, whispering, "You’ve been daydreaming during class, and Teacher Fang Ming wants to talk to you."
"Oh..." Lin Tian was indifferent. He wasn’t really daydreaming; he was just multitasking between listening to the lecture and pondering over the issue, a dual focus others couldn’t manage, but which posed no difficulty for him.
Still, he stepped out under the tree outside the classroom where Fang Ming was waiting with a book in her arms. As Lin Tian approached, she said, "Did you know Xixi has already co to Xikou City?"
This wasn’t about him being distracted in class? Lin Tian was taken aback, but her question confird that Fang Ming knew Ning Luoxi was in Xikou City.
He blinked and intentionally responded, "Really? Luoxi is here? Did she co alone?"
Lin Tian asked this skillfully, because it was a way to probe whether Fang Ming knew Ning Weiguo was also in Xikou City.
Fang Ming smiled and said, "Of course not alone."
Could it be she knew? That could complicate things. If she decided to hide again, how would he fulfill his promise to Ning Weiguo? Lin Tian beca anxious.
"What are you thinking about?" Fang Ming asked curiously. "She has a mission, but she hasn’t had ti to visit yet."
Damn, so that’s how it is, and here I thought she knew, Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xiao Tian, are you feeling unwell? You seem a bit distracted," Fang Ming said puzzledly, reaching out to touch Lin Tian’s forehead to make sure he wasn’t feverish before she too breathed a sigh of relief.
As Fang Ming’s soft palm touched his forehead, Lin Tian couldn’t help but feel ashad inside. She cared so much for him, yet he had gone behind her back to secretly create opportunities for Ning Weiguo to et her. Was that really okay?
Soon, Lin Tian thought about how Fang Ming had been drunk and judging from her drunken state, she must have been quite distressed. Never mind, let them reconcile. That can’t be a bad thing, can it? Although it required a bit of maneuvering, Lin Tian finally ca to terms with it.
"By the way, Xiao Tian, Xixi is coming over for dinner tonight. Why don’t you join us too?" Fang Ming smiled.
"Oh, alright," Lin Tian nodded imperceptibly, but he was actually delighted inside. If he wanted them to et, tonight was the perfect opportunity. It was like finding what one sought without effort.
After she finished talking, Fang Ming left, and Lin Tian returned to the classroom.
"Lin Tian, what did Ms. Fang Ming want to talk to you about?" Xiao Manxuan asked.
"Oh right, Aunt Fang has invited over for dinner, so there’s no need to wait for at ho," Lin Tian replied truthfully.
"Dinner? That’s a good opportunity, to secretly bring Uncle Ning..." Xiao Manxuan said cheerfully.
But Lin Tian cut her off, "Shh, keep it down. Walls have ears. This is a covert operation."
The little girl imdiately covered her mouth, but her eyes turned up into crescent moons, seemingly thrilled about the prospect of their reconciliation. It made sense; having lost her father at a young age, she had a stronger desire for a complete family than anyone else.
The last two classes also went by quickly. At the end of classes, Lin Tian grabbed Xiao Manxuan and they hurriedly left the classroom, leaving the chubby kids puzzled. Brother Tian was usually the last to leave; what could have made him rush out first today, possibly a date?
They were right about the date, but it wasn’t Lin Tian. He was in such a hurry also because he didn’t want to be caught by Liu Ruming. After all, having snuck away last ti, he felt sowhat guilty.
Liu Ruming had a passionate heart, but Lin Tian was not destined to help her much. If he had been just an ordinary student, of course, he could have devoted himself fully to student activities, but unfortunately, his senior year was ant to be just for show.
After dropping Xiao Manxuan off at the Xiao Family’s house, Lin Tian drove off again. He had just gotten halfway when Ning Luoxi’s phone call ca in.
"Lin Tian, we have already arrived near the school," Ning Luoxi said directly.
These two were really in a rush, arriving just after classes ended. Fang Ming hadn’t even finished work yet. Lin Tian could only tell her to wait there for him to co, not to do anything rash as it wouldn’t look good if Fang Ming spotted them beforehand.
Lin Tian stepped on the gas, speeding up, and soon arrived outside the school gate. He circled around the gate before spotting the conspicuous SUV. Thankfully, she hadn’t parked right in front of the school entrance; otherwise, such a flashy SUV would imdiately beco the focus of the teachers and students coming in and out.
He pulled up beside the SUV, rolled down his window, and waved to Ning Weiguo and Ning Luoxi sticking their heads out.
"You just got here? Didn’t bring anything with you?" Lin Tian looked inside her car and asked.
"Do we need to bring sothing?" the father and daughter asked in surprise.
Damn, like father, like daughter. Coming empty-handed for a date, no wonder how Ning Weiguo managed to win over such a beauty like Fang Ming back then, Lin Tian looked at them as if they were idiots.
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