Chapter 135: Whispers in the Night

After speaking, Han Wenwen tilted her head and tugged at her top, revealing a glimpse of her smooth shoulder and graceful neck.

A wave of her unique, alluring scent washed over him.

“Brother Zheng Ran, hurry up, or Xiao Qingqing will come out of the bathroom soon.”

Lin Zheng Ran wrapped his arms around Han Wenwen, taking in her shy, lip-biting expression full of anticipation.

“Then I’ll bite?”

“Mhm.”

Without any hesitation, he leaned in and bit her neck.

Han Wenwen’s brows furrowed involuntarily.

Up to now, the little fox had only experienced that electric sensation twice.

Once when Lin Zheng Ran had held her waist before.

And now, this time.

In the novels she’d read, it said that when a girl is intimately touched by the man she likes, her whole body reacts in a way that’s hard to describe and completely honest.

Han Wenwen had always wondered what that feeling was like.

Last night hadn’t let her feel it deeply, but now, as Lin Zheng Ran’s lips and teeth met her neck…

Han Wenwen trembled all over.

Her delicate hands gripped his shoulders tightly, her eyes shimmering like rippling water, her heart skipping a beat.

It felt like something invisible surged through her body.

Suddenly, she lost most of her strength.

Though she was grown up, reading about it wasn’t the same as experiencing it firsthand.

The bathroom door opened, and Xiao Heqing stepped out.

She saw only Lin Zheng Ran sitting on the bed with the blanket, the self-heating hot pot steaming on the table.

Han Wenwen lay on her side, back turned to them, on the bed.

She curled up, hugging the covers, her hands clutching the bedding tightly.

Xiao Heqing closed the door, puzzled. “Wenwen? Why are you lying on the bed? Is the hot pot ready?”

Han Wenwen couldn’t say a word right now; she was afraid she’d give it away, so she just shook her head.

Lin Zheng Ran explained, “Don’t worry about her. She said she wanted to lie down for a bit. Let’s eat first.”

Xiao Heqing agreed and sat next to Lin Zheng Ran, looking at Han Wenwen lying on the bed with her back to them. “Wenwen? Are you okay? We’ll start eating then?”

Han Wenwen nodded slowly.

Xiao Heqing turned to Lin Zheng Ran, confused, and whispered, “What’s she doing?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced back at Han Wenwen. This little fox was indeed playful and inexperienced; though she acted bold in relationships,

she was actually the most sensitive and cautious about these things.

Even a little intimate contact made her blush wildly, and her shyness outdid Heqing’s soft nature.

“I have no idea, but she’s fine. She was just asking about you and me while you were in the bathroom.”

Xiao Heqing knew Han Wenwen would ask, and she said shyly, “What did you tell her?”

“Just some casual stuff. She’ll probably ask you about it later.”

Xiao Heqing smiled secretly.

But at that moment, she didn’t look over,

or she’d have seen Han Wenwen’s face flushed red, her lower lip almost white from biting.

The spot where Lin Zheng Ran had bitten her neck still held a trace of his warmth when she touched it tentatively.

It made her heart race with excitement.

Getting bitten by Brother Zheng Ran felt so amazing… truly magical.

Next time he comes over, I’ll bite him back!

The little fox swore to herself.

Luckily, it hadn’t happened last night, or if he’d kissed her instead of hugging her waist first, she might not have said a word and just gone along with it.

After another two minutes, Han Wenwen finally recovered. Since things hadn’t gone further and Xiao Qingqing was there, she didn’t linger in his arms.

Han Wenwen slid off the bed onto the rug, letting out a heavy sigh.

Xiao Heqing saw her get down. “Wenwen?”

Han Wenwen smiled brightly and linked arms with Xiao Heqing, her face back to normal. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I was just wondering why you suddenly lay down on the bed?”

Han Wenwen didn’t think much and made up an excuse. “No reason, I just felt like lying down for a bit.”

“You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m perfectly healthy.”

Xiao Heqing suddenly laughed and whispered, “I do that sometimes too—just randomly jump on the bed and lie down.”

“See?”

The two best friends shared a laugh.

Heqing said, “Let’s eat then. It’s all heated up.”

“Okay.”

As she spoke, Han Wenwen glanced at Lin Zheng Ran, and a faint blush crept back onto her face.

Mealtime arrived, and Xiao Heqing’s hostess instincts kicked in again. Seeing Lin Zheng Ran opening his chopsticks, she took them. “I’ll do it for you.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her curiously. “I can do it myself.”

Xiao Heqing didn’t say anything, but her innocent eyes seemed to say, “Why do it yourself? I’m your girlfriend; I’ll handle the little things so you can relax.”

Lin Zheng Ran wondered where she got that idea from.

He’d never noticed before how strong her homemaker traits were.

In truth, Xiao Heqing wasn’t overthinking; she just figured that since men handle the big stuff, as his wife, she’d at least take care of the small things. It was in her nature.

She opened his chopsticks and sorted out the chili oil and such. “How much chili do you want?”

“Just put it all in.”

“Won’t that be too spicy? It’s not great for your stomach.”

Seeing Lin Zheng Ran’s puzzled look, Xiao Heqing gave in. “Fine, but go easy on the chili oil. The store-bought stuff isn’t the best. Next time, I’ll bring some good one for you to use.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “.”

Han Wenwen’s mouth hung open in surprise; she hadn’t realized her best friend could be so attentive.

The little fox knew she’d never master that; she was only detailed when it came to serving Brother Zheng Ran, like massages or shoulder rubs, but everything else? She’d forget.

Xiao Heqing asked, “What about the sesame? We can put it all in.”

After adding everything, she stirred it well for Lin Zheng Ran.

Heqing picked up a lotus root slice to feed him, but glancing back, she saw Han Wenwen’s scrutinizing look and blushed, putting it down.

She said to Lin Zheng Ran, “It’s all ready for you… go ahead and eat.”

If Han Wenwen weren’t there, she’d have fed him bite by bite.

Luckily, Lin Zheng Ran was used to her silly ways and patted her head. “Thanks.”

That simple touch made Xiao Heqing beam with a goofy smile.

The little fox watched, feeling both envious and jealous.

Xiao Heqing noticed Han Wenwen zoning out and asked tentatively, “Wenwen, why aren’t you eating?”

Han Wenwen teased her quietly, “I don’t know how. Want to open and mix mine too, Xiao Qingqing?”

Xiao Heqing exclaimed softly, embarrassed. “Oh, stop it. He’s right here; he’ll hear you.”

Han Wenwen scoffed. “So you only treat Lin Zheng Ran that well?”

“He’s my boyfriend, so of course I treat him differently.” Xiao Heqing replied matter-of-factly in a voice only they could hear. “Stop teasing and eat.”

Han Wenwen gave in. “Fine, fine. See how you forget your friends for a guy~”

Xiao Heqing whispered back defiantly, “I do.”

That bold attitude was something she’d picked up from Lin Zheng Ran.

Xiao Heqing sat close to him, thinking about the kiss she hadn’t gotten earlier. Next time they were alone…

The three of them ate hot pot and drank water.

Midway, Lin Zheng Ran got up to use the bathroom.

Xiao Heqing saw his water was empty and refilled his cup from the thermos.

Once Lin Zheng Ran was in the bathroom with the door closed,

the two best friends locked eyes and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

Xiao Heqing said shyly, “What? Why are you laughing?”

Han Wenwen asked, “What were you two up to when I was in the bathroom?”

Xiao Heqing covered her face, embarrassed. As expected, she’d ask. “Nothing really. Lily kissed him, so I needed him to comfort me.”

“Lily?” Han Wenwen grew more curious. “You used to call her Lily. When did it become Lily?”

Xiao Heqing sighed. “I can’t explain this easily. You know how Lin Zheng Ran is with his wandering eye.”

Han Wenwen nodded vigorously. “Oh, I know that all too well.”

“See? And Lily’s known him for so long and is so close to us. With his personality, how could he let her go? I couldn’t stop him, so I just agreed.”

“Idiot!” Han Wenwen realized she was being just as silly as Heqing.

Heqing stuck out her tongue. “I’m pretty dumb around him~ Can’t help it.”

Heqing thought for a moment, her clever mind unusually active. “Even if we’re both his girlfriends, we might need to… compete a little on some things.”

She whispered in Han Wenwen’s ear, “Lin Zheng Ran’s first kiss is still up for grabs, and I want it.”

“Huh?” Han Wenwen froze.

Xiao Heqing’s face turned red:

“What do you mean ‘huh’? If I don’t go for it, Lily will snatch it! And it’s not just the first kiss—there are so many firsts we have to fight for. You saw how proactive she is today; she’s way more forward than before!”

Han Wenwen thought, But I want all of Brother Zheng Ran’s firsts too.

So that means…

Han Wenwen said, “This feels just like middle school. A few years ago, you two were racing to confess to him, and now you’re competing for his first kiss?”

Xiao Heqing paused:

“You’re right… well, not exactly. Back then, Lily and I were just ordinary friends, but now we’re like sisters. Still, sisters or not, how can we share his firsts? Everyone wants them.”

“Which firsts? Just the first kiss?”

“Wenwen! Don’t play dumb; you know what I mean.”

Han Wenwen gave Xiao Heqing a meaningful look and poked her belly. “I’ve noticed you’ve gotten craftier these past two years.”

“This isn’t being crafty.”

Xiao Heqing giggled as Han Wenwen tickled her belly. “Hey, stop that! If you keep it up, I’ll tickle you back!”

The two best friends laughed and play-fought, tickling each other.

Finally, Xiao Heqing got serious:

“Okay, okay, Wenwen, let’s drop that. I just found out you’re living on your own and kept it from me. If you’d said you needed money, I could’ve given you some or earned it myself to help.”

Han Wenwen had expected this and laughed. “I knew you’d say that, so I didn’t tell you. But I’m doing great now. I’m starting to make more than I can spend, and with a little saving, I have extra. The tough times are behind me.”

Xiao Heqing sighed. “You’re really something. Even with Lin Zheng Ran teaching me, I haven’t earned much.”

“You’re plenty capable! I’m just a video blogger, but you’re the town champion.”

“That’s not a big deal. Oh, seeing those men’s slippers of yours reminded me—Wenwen, haven’t you met a guy you like yet? Aren’t you thinking of getting a boyfriend?”

“Emmmm.” Han Wenwen thought for a moment and whispered in Xiao Heqing’s ear, “How about this? Since Lin Zheng Ran has you two, maybe I could join in and be his girlfriend too~”

“Oh, stop joking, Wenwen. You have to find someone you actually like; you can’t just tag along for fun.”

The two best friends giggled and wrestled around.

Until they ended up lying on the ground.

Lin Zheng Ran opened the bathroom door and saw Heqing and Han Wenwen on the floor, tickling each other.

The three of them stared at each other in awkward silence.

The best friends quickly sat up, embarrassed.

Han Wenwen smiled brightly, while Xiao Heqing covered her face, thinking how Lin Zheng Ran had caught her being so playful.

She felt like she couldn’t face anyone.

After finishing the hot pot and chatting a bit more, Lin Zheng Ran headed home to grab his things.

They planned to head to school together later.

Of course, Lily naturally messaged Lin Zheng Ran midway and joined in.

So, when afternoon came and everyone was packed up at the crossroads,

the scene was just like three years ago.

At the crossroads, Lin Zheng Ran, Lily, Heqing, and Han Wenwen all stood there.

They looked at each other.

But this time, the most awkward ones were Lily and Heqing; the two girls glanced at each other, one looking away shyly while the other kept her head down in silence.

The two girls exchanged a glance, one shyly looking away and the other keeping her head down without a word.