"I want to thank one of my professors for pushing me to make a first-class Honours." Turning to Mr. Fang, Zhang Liling smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Mr. Fang."
There was a loud cheer and applaud from most of the people sitting in the room.
Zhang Liling's classmates were surprised. How did Mr. Fang help her to get a first class? Did he tutor her privately? Now her classmates were curious.
As the camera was directed to Mr. Fang, everyone saw the calm and collected gaze of the man. He didn't even try to to smile or wave at them.
Most of them knew his personality, so they were not surprised.
Mr. Fang had been surprised when Zhang Liling mentioned his name after she said that about him, but he was quick to hide his facial expression because he knew the cameras would soon be turned to his direction.
In the crowd, Song Jujing looked at Mr. Fang's face carefully. "Is he from the Fang family?" Making a mental note to check him out on the internet later, she focused on the ceremony.
Zhang Renshu was surprised that Liling recognized Mr. Fang.
Frrom what she just said about him pushing her to get that grade and thinking back to the time she checked her result and had left excitedly, he wondered if they were that close.
At that thought, his brows furrowed. 'I hope is not what I'm thinking about.'
Zhang Xiaoling squeezed her fist in jealousy as the was thinking just like Zhang Renshu.
'Is Zhang Liling close to Mr. Fang?'
Zhang Liling smiled at Mr. Fang once more before returning her gaze to the crowd.
"Lastly, I want to thank my good friend Tungmei for being there for me, and also to everyone who encouraged me in different ways, thank you."
When Zhang Liling got off the podium, there were still the sound of applauds and gazes following her.
Tungmei was touched that she mentioned her name so when she returned to her seat, she put their phones aside to give her a big hug.
Zhang Liling smiled and embraced her before sitting and taking their phones from her.
She wasn't interested in listening to whoever that was speaking next. Her interest was on the video and photos Tungmei helped her to capture.
Another half an hour later, the graduation ceremony ended and everyone marched out of the hall.
This was a fun moment where students separated to go bond with their families, and Tungmei left to go meet her parents.
Instead of going to find her mother, Zhang Liling chased after Mr. Fang after seeing Bolin come to wishper soemthing to him.
She would never let Mr. Fang to leave just like that.
Song Jujing had wanted to call out to her, but she could only close her lips as she watched her run towards the stage.
Not wanting them to miss each other in the crowd that attended the graduation ceremony, Song Jujing decided to leave her seat and step forward toward the stage. And while waiting for her, Zhang Renshu came towards her.
Shi Wenqian saw him leave her side without saying anything and immediately followed him. She didn't want to leave him to chat alone with Song Jujing.
Zhang Xiaoling and Zhang Mingyu saw their mother walking off and sighed before following behind as well.
What Song Jujing saw while waiting for Liling was a family troupe coming towards her direction. Immediately, she got annoyed and wondered what kind of problem that was coming to her.
She didn't have the energy to deal with anybody.
******
"Mr. Fang, are you leaving now?" Zhang Liling asked just as soon as she saw him coming down the stairs.
She had rushed to his side before anyone could take the lead to engage him in a conversation.
Mr. Fang heard her familiar voice and glanced her way. "I have somewhere to be now." He replied.
Bolin glanced at her and congratulated her with a smile. "Congratulations Miss Zhang on your graduation."
"Thank you, Mr. Bolin." Zhang Liling replied with a smile before quickly returning her gaze to Mr. Fang.
"Mr. Fang, can you spare me a few minutes of your time? I want you to meet my mum."
When she saw his brows come together, she quickly added, "...as the professor that pushed me to make one of the best results in NYU."
Instantly, Mr. Fang's brows relaxed. He glanced towards the direction she pointed at and frowned again. "Am I meeting your entire family?"
'Huh?'
Zhang Liling quickly turned towards her mother's direction with confusion on her face and immediately frowned seeing her surrounded by the Zhang family.
She had not looked at where she was pointing earlier, hence she didn't know that something else was already going on.
Turning her gaze back to Mr. Fang, she said to him, "I'm sorry Mr. Fang, but can you please do me this favour? It won't take upto a minute."
Mr. Fang didn't reply and stared at Song Jujing and then looked around. He could see that so many people wanted to meet him and only paused because he seemed to be seriously conversing with Zhang Liling.
Immediately Zhang Liling leaves his side, he was sure they wouldn't give him a second break before swarming up to him.
"Let's go." He said and came to stand beside her.
Zhang Liling smiled brightly and immediately led the way without wasting time.
Bolin squinted his eyes at the two of them. 'What is going on between them?'
******
"Jujing, I'm happy to see you. Did you see Liling up on stage making us proud?" Zhang Renshu asked immediately as he stretched his hand out for a handshake.
Shi Wenqian was so annoyed with the way he included just he and Song Jujing together like they were still a couple. What about her?
With people watching them, Song Jujing managed a smile and stretched her right hand to shake his hand for only a second before withdrawing it.
"Liling is my daughter and it is not a surprise that she carried my genes."
Zhang Renshu nodded in agreement. "You are right, she is as smart as you are."
___________
Dearest Readers, please check out my new fantasy book 'Alchemy of Hearts' and give it an Equal support.
Thank you!