Chapter 168: Spring’s Gentle Awakening

A new year brimmed with the essence of spring.

Everything awakened and thrived, making it the perfect season for growth and learning.

Though high school seniors generally faced heavy pressure, Lin Zheng Ran was different from the crowd.

While others spent the year buried in studies, Lin Zheng Ran remained as relaxed as ever.

Today was Sunday, and Lin Zheng Ran woke up around eight in the morning to the ring of his phone—it was Pan Lin, Jiang Jingshi’s secretary, calling.

With Han Wenwen under intense exam stress, Lin Zheng Ran planned to wait until college before letting her take on secretary duties.

For now, Pan Lin handled secretarial work for both executives at Zheng Shi Company single-handedly.

“Boss Lin, are you up? Sorry to bother you.”

Lin Zheng Ran stared at the ceiling with open eyes: “It’s fine. What’s up?”

“About the live broadcast competition you asked about last night, it’s tentatively set for the early part of the second half of the year. But Boss Jiang said if you want to move it up, we can do that sooner.”

Lin Zheng Ran recalled how the first two years of high school had been delayed by setting up Zheng Shi Company, originally planning to hold the competition in the first semester of senior year. But with Han Wenwen’s grades…

Let’s just say, even under Lin Zheng Ran’s triple efforts in tutoring, that fox still wasn’t sharp when it came to studies—she just wasn’t cut out for it.

Yesterday, on Saturday, Lin Zheng Ran had specifically tutored her all afternoon, but all he remembered was her lounging on him, calling him ‘Brother Zheng Ran’ in that playful way, trying every trick to charm him.

So, he scheduled the competition around Han Wenwen’s timeline.

They’d deal with it after the college exams—giving that fox plenty of time and energy to join in.

“No need to change it. Let’s stick with before the end of this year. Once exams are over, I’ll have more free time.”

Pan Lin paused on the other end, thinking that Boss Lin wasn’t even in school anymore, so what was there to worry about…

“Got it. We’ll set the live broadcast for before the year ends, as you wish. I won’t keep you—call if you need anything.”

“Thanks for the hard work.”

After hanging up, Lin Zheng Ran lay in bed and pondered the exams.

From a money-making perspective, whether he took them or not didn’t matter.

Even going to college was optional for him, but those three little ones definitely needed to go—it was a key life experience.

Having been reborn once, Lin Zheng Ran also wanted to relive those university days.

He glanced at the water on the nightstand, but his arm wasn’t long enough.

So, with a flick of his fingers, the cup floated steadily into his hand. Spiritual Energy control was the most useful ability he’d gained in the past two years—it saved him so much effort and time.

He took a sip of water and changed into fresh clothes.

But when he stepped out of his room and called for his parents,

Neither Lin Xiao Li nor Lin Ying Jun answered—instead, an unexpected figure responded.

Fang Meng emerged from the kitchen in a maid outfit, carrying breakfast.

In a flat tone, she set the breakfast tray on the table:

“Uncle and Aunt have gone out. It’s just me here. I made what Aunt said you usually like, so go ahead and freshen up, then eat.”

Lin Zheng Ran stared blankly at Fang Meng, who was dead serious, expressionless, and dressed in that maid getup.

Complete with a maid headpiece, apron, and even black stockings.

“Fang Meng? What are you doing here? In my house?”

Fang Meng looked Lin Zheng Ran over, assessing his just-woken state—his upper body showed clear muscle lines, though he had pants on.

His hair was a mess, but he still looked sharp.

She pulled out her little notebook from her pocket and jotted it down, muttering, “Lin Zheng Ran seems to work out a lot at home—otherwise, his muscles wouldn’t be so defined.”

Lin Zheng Ran ignored her note-taking—this was something Han Wenwen and Jiang Qian had done before, and now Fang Meng was at it.

He’d seen enough of it. “You’re still not answering my question.”

Fang Meng kept writing in her notebook:

“Ever since we got roped into that arranged marriage thing, I’ve been dropping by your place pretty often for over a year. Uncle and Aunt know me now, so it’s no big deal. Besides, our houses aren’t far—a thirty-minute drive.

I just got my driver’s license after turning eighteen.”

She fished out her license and showed it to Lin Zheng Ran.

“So, I can swing by whenever. It’s convenient.”

She was right—ever since that arranged marriage incident over a year ago,

Fang Meng had been showing up regularly, openly noting everything about Lin Zheng Ran’s life right in front of the adults.

When asked why, she’d sometimes joke, “Just checking out my potential husband—after all, Lin Zheng Ran could end up as my future spouse.”

Other times, she’d be straightforward: “Helping Qian Qian keep an eye on him.”

Truth be told, she came to observe Lin Zheng Ran from a neutral angle to assist Jiang Qian, since Jiang Qian had stopped tracking his every move—now she was in full-on overdrive mode.

To surpass Lin Zheng Ran, she’d joined over thirty tutoring classes that Fang Meng knew of, honing every aspect.

Lin Zheng Ran brushed past the maid-outfitted Fang Meng and headed to the bathroom.

“You’re really something, you know. Jiang Qian only noted me for a semester, but you’ve been at this for over a year.”

Fang Meng glanced at her densely filled notebook:

“I’m surprised too. I started to help Qian Qian find your flaws, but after hundreds of thousands of words, I haven’t found any. I’m starting to think you’re not even from this planet, Lin Zheng Ran—like you have superpowers.”

Lin Zheng Ran paused and turned back to her with a huff: “If only that were true.”

He finished by using his ability to close the bathroom door with a wave.

Fang Meng sighed at the table: “Yeah, right. You’re excellent, but not extraterrestrial. And this world doesn’t have superpowers anyway.”

After freshening up, Lin Zheng Ran returned to his room, put on a shirt, and sat at the table.

He looked at Fang Meng standing neatly beside him, her hair in a side ponytail.

Fang Meng was quite pretty, with a high nose and small lips, giving off that genius scholar vibe.

But in a maid outfit, it felt off: “This outfit of yours…”

“Doesn’t it look good?” she asked back.

“It’s not that—I’m just wondering if you showed up at my house dressed like this in the morning? With stockings and all—my parents would’ve freaked out.”

Fang Meng pulled out her notebook again and noted that Lin Zheng Ran didn’t like maid outfits or stockings.

She replied, “Of course not. I changed into this after Uncle and Aunt left. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea to see what you thought. Clearly, you’re not a fan, so I’ll change later.”

“It’s not that I don’t like it—if it were someone I cared about wearing it, I might. But for casual acquaintances, I’m not interested.”

Fang Meng looked at him, half-expecting it:

“So, does that mean my looks don’t make your list? You’ve got three childhood friends, and the eldest is always with you, while Qian Qian is crazy about you. I figured you weren’t picky with girls.”

Lin Zheng Ran focused on his breakfast.

Dodging the question, he said, “By the way, you’re always coming over to see me—aren’t you supposed to be helping Jiang Qian? You’re her personal assistant, right?”

Fang Meng’s hand stopped writing, her voice softening with a hint of emotion:

“Ever since she met you, Qian Qian’s been swamped. Even as her assistant, I’m getting less to do, so I’ve got plenty of time to check on you.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded: “She’s always been busy. Anyway, why not sit and eat with me?”

“No thanks, I ate before I came.”

She headed to the kitchen and brought over the milk: “Don’t forget your milk—it’s good for you.”

“Thanks…” He took the milk, impressed. “Fang Meng, you’re so thorough. It’s not too hot or cold—just perfect.” He sipped it, and the temperature was spot on.

“Consider it payment for observing you. Plus, it’s my job, so it fits.”

“Yeah, true.”

Lin Zheng Ran took another sip.

Fang Meng suddenly asked, “Lin Zheng Ran, I have a question I’ve been unsure about. Are you juggling multiple relationships right now?”

Lin Zheng Ran turned to her, their eyes locking.

He said straight up, “No, not at all.”

“Okay, my bad. Sorry about that.”

Actually, it’s three.