Chapter 102: Whispers of the Heart

Finally, she played it through smoothly, and Jiang Qian felt thrilled yet suddenly a bit let down.

She knew Lin Zheng Ran wouldn’t keep teaching her; today’s lesson was only because of that key.

Lin Zheng Ran praised, “Great job. You’ve finally played it all the way through. Your talent is impressive—after a little guidance, you picked it up so quickly. With a few more practices, you should master this piece.”

Suddenly, a soft, sweet voice came from outside the building: “Lin Zheng Ran? Are you in there? Lin Zheng Ran?”

That sugary tone was naturally from Little Heqing. She stood at the main entrance, peeking inside without getting a reply, so she didn’t step in.

Instead, she turned to Han Wenwen and Lily, who were also outside, and said, “He’s not inside either. Why did Lin Zheng Ran tell us to wait here today?”

Han Wenwen crouched on the ground, watching a shelled insect crawl slowly through the grass, her invisible fox tail swishing back and forth.

Lin Zheng Ran must be caught up in some task from the teachers again. After all, he’s the freshman representative, so they always pull him for big things.”

Lily crouched beside Han Wenwen, staring at the little shelled bug, but she stayed quiet, lost in her own thoughts.

What a tiny bug.”

Heqing saw the two of them squatting there, so she joined in, but spotting the bug, she grabbed Han Wenwen’s arm in fear: “What are you looking at? This grass is full of bugs—it’s scary!”

Han Wenwen laughed: “Just watching the bugs crawl around. We’re killing time anyway—Lin Zheng Ran should be here soon.”

In the piano room, Lin Zheng Ran had heard Little Heqing’s voice, and so had Jiang Qian.

Lin Zheng Ran stood up and said, “Someone’s looking for me. I’ve taught you the piece, so I’ll head out. I’ll keep the classroom key safe.”

Jiang Qian parted her lips as if to speak, then closed them again and nodded.

With that, Lin Zheng Ran turned, pushed open the door, and left without another word.

Jiang Qian waited until he was completely gone before slowly standing and stepping out of the classroom. She stood in the hallway, gazing from afar at Lin Zheng Ran meeting the three girls, her eyes showing a flicker of emotion.

Lin Zheng Ran stepped out of the multimedia building and saw the three awkward girls squatting by the curb.

“What are you three up to?”

Hearing his voice, the three turned around. Little Heqing lit up: “Lin Zheng Ran! Where did you come from? Are you done with your stuff?”

Lin Zheng Ran hummed in response and jingled the key in his hand: “The school just set up a new piano room, and I got the key. If you ever need a spot to hang out, you can come here.”

Han Wenwen perked up: “Really? So now you have your own extra office, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at her, and Han Wenwen just smiled without saying more.

Lily eyed Heqing and Lin Zheng Ran together with a hint of jealousy. She’d been trying to find a chance to talk to him alone about that incident, but it hadn’t worked out. She’d have to wait until next week when it was his turn to teach her singing.

“Zheng Ran, let’s grab some food. I’m getting hungry.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded and led the three along to the cafeteria.

“Let’s go.”

With Lin Zheng Ran at the center, the four headed toward the cafeteria.

They chatted and laughed, each with their own private thoughts.

Back in the multimedia building’s hallway, Jiang Qian watched Lin Zheng Ran chatting happily with the three girls.

She stayed silent.

Fang Meng had seen the whole thing and thought, that girl named Heqing is Lin Zheng Ran’s girlfriend, right?

But why are there two other girls with him?

Fang Meng took another look at Jiang Qian and walked over to her. “Qian Qian, have you noticed? Lin Zheng Ran might seem like he has a similar personality to you, but you’re actually completely different.”

Jiang Qian had noticed that long ago.

In a voice that was pleasant yet cool, she replied:

“I don’t get it. He’s so talented, so why does he hang out with ordinary girls? Is it just because they’re pretty? From what I’ve observed, he shouldn’t be interested in average girls.”

Fang Meng had some idea: “I don’t know about the rest, but at least Lin Zheng Ran and that Heqing girl are childhood friends, and they’re… you know, a couple.”

Jiang Qian’s eyes followed the distant figure of Lin Zheng Ran:

“Childhood friends are just an excuse. People don’t stay together just because they grew up together. I can’t understand his reasons for being with these girls.”

Fang Meng glanced at Jiang Qian, then stared at Lin Zheng Ran:

“That’s why I say you’re totally different from him, Qian Qian. You always aim to surpass the strong and chase even greater challenges, but Lin Zheng Ran seems carefree, doing things on a whim without your drive.”

Jiang Qian said softly, “In my view, that’s his only weakness.”

Fang Meng didn’t argue, though she didn’t fully agree.

She knew Qian Qian’s personality was one of extreme self-strength, always looking upward to become stronger and surpass the best.

Fang Meng understood it stemmed from Qian Qian’s childhood, and she never judged whether it was good or bad—she’d support her no matter what, since Qian Qian had made her and her parents’ lives happy.

—

On a bright Saturday morning, after over a year, it was finally Little Heqing’s day for the town competition.

She woke up early, freshened up, washed her hair, and picked out her nicest clothes.

Han Wenwen lay on the bed in her pajamas, propping up her face with one hand: “You’re like a girl in love, all worked up to see Lin Zheng Ran. Look at our Little Heqing go!”

Heqing glanced at Wenwen, embarrassed: “Stop teasing me.” She slipped on a pretty skirt and stood in front of her: “How does it look?”

Han Wenwen checked out Heqing’s outfit. The simple little skirt and white thin sweater suited her unique charm, making her seem fresh, clean, and pure.

Even the little fox couldn’t resist reaching out to touch Heqing’s smooth, jade-like leg:

“You look great. Good luck today.”

Heqing shyly pulled her hand away: “Hey!”

She checked herself in the mirror again: “Okay, I’m heading out, Wenwen. Going to meet Lin Zheng Ran at home.”

Han Wenwen nodded: “Good luck with the competition, and don’t forget to ask him if you smell like anything.”

“Wenwen!” She gave her a shy glare, then smiled and waved: “Bye!”

“Bye.”

Heqing dashed out of the dorm to find Lin Zheng Ran.

Han Wenwen crossed her hands over the pillow and rested her chin on them.

After zoning out for a bit, she suddenly pulled the blanket over her head: “That flirt Zheng Ran—I need to dream about punching him!”