Fang Dongqiang finished his exams and filled out his college application in the county town. He will return to his hometown after the scores are released. He was admitted to a university in the provincial capital to study computer science. Yuan Xinkang will take them to the countryside tomorrow. They now have a delivery van.

“My family home has been quite lively lately. There are four children at home. Dongqiang and Tingting are the older brothers and sisters, and they have to take care of Fangfang and Zhezhe,” Fang Meili said.

“Brother isn’t a child anymore.” Yuan Tingting suddenly turned to Fang Dongqiang and asked, as if she had just remembered something, “Brother, can you start dating Sister Fang Yu now?”

Fang Meili, Yuan Xinkang, and Fang Damiao all stopped eating and turned to look at Fang Dongqiang.

Fang Dongqiang blushed. "Tingting, what nonsense are you talking about?"

“Isn’t that right? They say you can date in college, and the school lets you date,” Yuan Tingting said matter-of-factly.

"No, Fang Yu and I are just classmates."

“You used to write letters.” Yuan Tingting seemed to have caught something red-handed.

"It's immoral of you to peek at other people's things."

“I didn’t peek on purpose. In fourth grade, when we were learning to write letters in Chinese class, I saw a letter that Fang Yu had written to you in your room. I wanted to see how to write one, but the format she wrote was different from what the teacher taught, and she even drew on it. I put it back without looking at it,” Yuan Tingting explained.

Fang Damiao laughed and looked at Fang Dongqiang, "My son is so good-looking and academically gifted. All the girls would like him."

"No, Fang Yu and I haven't been in touch for a long time. We used to talk about school, but I didn't see her when I went back for Chinese New Year this year. Tingting, don't talk nonsense." Fang Dongqiang quickly clarified.

"I didn't make things up. I just asked if you could date Fang Yu. I didn't say you two were dating."

"Yuan Tingting," Fang Meili called out to her, "You're just a child, you shouldn't ask these kinds of questions."

"Just asking," Yuan Tingting pouted, continuing to eat with her head down.

After the meal, Fang Damiao patted Fang Dongqiang on the shoulder with a grin, "Son, you've grown up!" Fang Dongqiang is now taller than Fang Damiao.

"Dad, that's not true. Tingting is just a child talking nonsense."

"It's okay, it's okay. You're of age now, you can start dating any female classmates you like."

Fang Dongqiang pursed his lips, "I made plans to go out with my classmates, I'm leaving."

"Go ahead and have fun!"

That evening, Fang Meili came to Fang Dongqiang's room. Before Fang Meili could speak, Fang Dongqiang took the initiative to ask, "Second Aunt, do you want to ask about me and Fang Yu?"

Fang Meili looked at Fang Dongqiang with a smile, "Tell your second aunt what happened?"

"No, that's not true. Didn't we talk about it at dinner? Fang Yu and I haven't seen each other for over a year. We started corresponding back in junior high. We didn't write much, just talked about school and studies."

Do you like Fang Yu?

"Second Aunt, why are you asking so directly?"

"Why would I beat around the bush with you?"

What do you want to do?

"What could I possibly be thinking? After hearing what Tingting said earlier, I was thinking while washing the dishes, how time flies! Dongqiang, who used to be so tiny in my arms, is now an adult and old enough to date. I wonder what kind of girl my nephew will like, what his girlfriend will be like? I'm so curious! Do you like Fang Yu?"

"Second Aunt," Fang Dongqiang said seriously, "Fang Yu is a good person, but we haven't had much contact in the past few years and we don't know each other well enough. We can't say we like her just because she's pretty."

“You’ve really grown up,” Fang Meili looked Fang Dongqiang up and down, then patted his arm. “Yes, a man should be loyal. Before you’re sure, you should think things through carefully. Once you’ve decided on her, you should treat her with all your heart.”

"Mm." Fang Dongqiang nodded.

"Dongqiang," Fang Meili said again, "what if Fang Yu likes you?"

"No way, she's never said that before." Fang Dongqiang scratched his forehead. "Second Aunt, don't listen to Tingting's nonsense."

"She's a girl, why would she take the initiative to confess to you? Tingting said she wants to ask you about everything."

“We used to be classmates, and Tingting is my sister, so it’s normal for her to ask around.”

"Alright, I thought you two had a chance. Dongqiang, will you tell your second aunt when you start dating?"

“I will,” Fang Dongqiang said, holding Fang Meili’s arms. “You are my second mother, I will tell you.”

“I really do raise you like a son. Dongqiang, you’ve been taking extra classes during your holidays these past few years, and you haven’t spent much time with your mother. This time when you go back, talk to her more and take her out for walks. Your mother will be even happier when she sees you. From now on, it will be up to you to protect your mother.”

"Yes, I know."

Yuan Xinkang's silver-gray minivan came to a stop in front of the house with a "putt-putt" sound. Fang Meixiang's parents and Fang Meixiang were already standing at the door waiting.

"I just called Meili and she said you've already set off. Judging by the time, you should be arriving soon." Fang Meixiang's mother and Fang Meixiang stood by the car door, helping the youngest Zhe Zhe out of the car. Fang Meixiang's father went to the back of the car to get things with Yuan Xinkang.

"Grandma!" "Grandma!" "Mom!" "Auntie!" The doorway suddenly became lively, and bags of food and clothes were quickly piled up on the ground.

"Mom, I still have to deliver goods, so I'll be going now." Yuan Xinkang took the things and was about to get into the car.

"Have a bowl of mung bean soup. It's already served and cooled down. Have a bowl to cool off."

Everyone sat around the table drinking mung bean soup. "Dongqiang, you're going to work in computers after you graduate?" Fang Meixiang's father asked from the side.

"Yes, Grandpa."

“This is high-tech stuff,” Fang Meixiang’s father nodded.

"Yes, even if I told you, you wouldn't understand," Fang Meixiang's mother said, remembering. "Oh, right, Fang Yu came to ask how your exams went and where you're going to university."

“I knew it,” Yuan Tingting said, before Fang Dongqiang kicked her. Fang Meixiang’s mother continued, “Fang Yu even asked Tingting when she was coming, saying she wanted you to come back to her house to play. She’s at home this summer vacation.”

“Okay, I’ll eat and then go. Brother, take me.” Yuan Tingting immediately turned to Fang Dongqiang beside her.

“You know the way, go by yourself.” Fang Dongqiang said, drinking the mung bean soup in his bowl.

"There are dogs on the street, I'm scared."

“Take Tingting there. She was so close to Fang Yu when they were little. She’s sensible and always knows to ask about your situation. Now that the notification has been issued, you should go and tell her as well,” Fang Meixiang’s mother said.

"Grandma said you guys are so nice." Yuan Tingting made a face at Fang Dongqiang.

After Yuan Xinkang finished eating, he went to deliver the goods. Fang Meixiang's mother divided the vegetables she had picked into two bags, saying, "One bag for you and Meihao each."

Yuan Tingting and Fang Dongqiang also went to the door to go to Fang Yu's house.

Yuan Xinkang patted Fang Dongqiang on the shoulder, "Kid, keep it up!"

"Second Uncle, they're just classmates, don't make a fuss," Fang Dongqiang whispered in Yuan Xinkang's ear.

Seeing the two of them whispering to each other, Fang Meixiang's mother smiled and said, "Dongqiang and Xinkang have been friends since they were little. What secrets does Dongqiang have that he doesn't want everyone to hear? Xinkang, drive carefully on the road."

On the way to Fang Yu's house, Fang Dongqiang said, "Tingting, don't talk about me and Fang Yu in front of the family."

“I didn’t say that. It was Grandma who said you’ve been good friends since you were little.”

"Okay, okay, you didn't say it. You can't say things like that in the future. Fang Yu and I are just classmates."

"But Sister Fang Yu," Yuan Tingting really likes Fang Yu, "I hope Sister Fang Yu will be my sister-in-law in the future, hehehe!"

"Say that again, and I'll let you walk alone. The dogs will come after you." Fang Dongqiang strode forward, and Yuan Tingting quickly ran after him.

"Woof! Woof woof!" There really was a dog barking.

"Ah!" Yuan Tingting screamed in fright. Fang Dongqiang quickly ran back and put his arm around her shoulder. "See, are you scared?"

"I'm scared! You'll have to come pick me up later."

"You're such a high-class lady, you even need someone to pick you up and drop you off when you go to someone else's house." Fang Dongqiang laughed, slowing his pace to walk alongside Tingting.