Chapter 21: Childhood Confessions and Discoveries

The sudden honesty left everyone in the class speechless in an instant.

Even the boys and girls who had been teasing stopped, suddenly shy and frozen in place.

No one expected Lily to actually admit it.

After all, the teasing was just for fun—nobody really thought it meant anyone would fall for each other or end up together.

They were all just kids, but Lily’s blurted-out words changed everything.

Not only was she mortified, but the whole class seemed to grow up overnight. From then on, no one would dare ask, “Discipline committee member, do you really like Lin Zheng Ran?”

Instead, it would be, “Discipline committee member, are you two going to get married when you grow up?”

Lily’s face turned as red as a boiled shrimp, steaming with embarrassment as she dashed to her seat, covering her ears and burying her head on the desk.

Lin Zheng Ran seemed both surprised and not, barely reacting as he flipped through his book as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, far in the south, little Heqing had been sneezing all day, and her mom asked if she was catching a cold.

Heqing said no, with no idea why, completely unaware that thieves had broken into her home.

Two days later, Saturday finally arrived.

On a whim, Lily had asked and discovered that Lin Zheng Ran’s house was just one street over from hers.

They lived so close, and neither had realized it.

On Saturday, the two met up, planning to check out the so-called treasure at Lily’s house.

Passing a vending machine, Lily paused and asked Lin Zheng Ran what he wanted to drink.

Lin Zheng Ran shrugged. “I didn’t bring any money.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “I’m treating!” Lin Zheng Ran said he wanted a sports drink.

Lily agreed, dropping in the coins to get the drinks, but she muttered under her breath, afraid he’d think she was trying too hard, “It’s not that I want to buy you one—it’s just that I have money in my pocket, and I don’t want you to die of thirst.”

“I didn’t even ask. You’re overexplaining, making it sound like you’re dying to treat me.”

Fuming, Lily hurled the drink at him. “You’re imagining things!” Lin Zheng Ran caught it and said thanks.

Walking side by side, Lily felt herself drifting closer to him. “Lin Zheng Ran, don’t take what I said in class last week to heart,” she said, head down shyly, not wanting him to see her flushed face.

“I don’t really like you. I was just in a panic and blurted it out.”

Lin Zheng Ran twisted open his drink and replied casually, “I know.”

After a long pause with no follow-up,

Lily’s shyness turned to anger; her cheeks puffed up as she kicked his shin hard.

Lin Zheng Ran snapped, “Why’d you kick me? Are you crazy?”

“You big blockhead! No—you are a blockhead!” She stopped, fuming with embarrassment. “Idiot, total idiot! Even if I didn’t mean it that way, I said I liked you in front of everyone. Don’t you have anything to say about that?!”

Lin Zheng Ran stared at her outburst, wondering where all this drama came from in an eight-or-nine-year-old girl, always caught up in romance.

“You told me not to take it seriously, so why should I give a commentary?”

“You! You! Just wait until you’re single forever! Anyone who likes you must have something wrong with their head!”

Lin Zheng Ran thought, Is that you cursing yourself? He playfully kicked her backside in return, making her cover it in shy shock as she glared at him.

Lin Zheng Ran added, “What are you looking at? I was just returning the favor. And don’t curse so broadly—plenty of people like me.”

Lily bit her lip, turning away with a huff.

“Yeah, right. Who’d like you?”

“Enough chit-chat. Hurry up and show me that so-called treasure at your place. I’m only helping you for this.”

Lily dusted off her backside, thinking he was full of it—clearly, he helped first and then asked for the treasure, not the other way around.

She hurried after him. “Don’t walk so fast! Wait for me.”

Arriving at Lily’s home, Lin Zheng Ran entered her bedroom—this was only the second girl’s room he’d been in.

It felt pretty much the same; everything was decked out in pink.

Toys littered the bed—girls’ rooms were all alike in that way.

Lin Zheng Ran sat on her bed, noticing how restless Lily was. After a while, she asked, “What do you think of my room? I cleaned it up yesterday knowing you’d come. Don’t say it’s not nice—I spent ages on it.”

Lin Zheng Ran flattered her, “It’s great, really great.”

Even though she knew it was flattery, Lily beamed inside. She carefully pulled a book from her drawer, made from pieced-together magazines and newspapers.

“Look, this is my treasure. I put it together over a long time, collecting stuff for years.”

Lin Zheng Ran took it and flipped through.

[You successfully helped Miss Jiang clear her wrongful accusation. She’s gifting you her personal cultivation method to learn. This method is her own creation, drawing from various experts—it’s not top-tier, but it’s certainly high-quality!]

[After examining the method, you gain +4 charm, +4 strength, +1 stamina, and +2 levels.]

[You’re on the verge of breaking through to level 30 in spiritual energy.]

Jumping two levels straight? This reward was the best yet.

Studying the pieced-together book closely, Lin Zheng Ran realized it was a comprehensive guide to music knowledge.

It covered all sorts of musicians, singing techniques, performance tips, and song breakdowns—detailed beyond belief.

Seeing Lily’s embarrassed look, Lin Zheng Ran asked, “You like singing?”

Lily stammered, trying not to lose her edge, “So what if I do?”

“Nothing much. I just didn’t know you liked singing—you’ve never done it around others.”

She clenched her little fists. “Who sings randomly in front of people? They’d think you’re nuts!”

“Could you sing for me?”

Lily hesitated shyly, “I don’t usually sing for others, but if you really want to hear…”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded. “I actually do want to hear it this time.” He eyed the massive collection in his hands. “You put so much effort into this; I’m curious about your skill.”

Surprised by his sudden seriousness, Lily stood up. “Fine, but I’m not doing this because I want to. It’s just for you. And if it’s bad, don’t blame me.”

“Anything’s fine, as long as it’s not a kids’ song.”

“Got it.”

Lily took a deep breath, adjusted her voice, and began to sing.

Lin Zheng Ran widened his eyes in surprise; he hadn’t expected her voice to be so good. At such a young age, her skill was spot-on, matching professional singers, and with that passion, she might achieve great things someday.

As evening fell, Lin Zheng Ran headed home, and Lily offered to walk him partway.

“Ever thought about becoming a singing star?” he asked.

Lily admitted she’d dreamed of it, but the path was tough—her mom had warned her it wasn’t for everyone. The more she delved into it, the more she knew how hard it was. “Singing for fun is enough for me.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked ahead. “It’s tough, sure, but I think you have a shot. Quitting at your age would be a waste.”

Stunned by his support—she’d expected him to tease her as usual—Lily asked, “Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“Absolutely, from the heart. I really think you’ve got what it takes.”

Lily’s heart fluttered; her hands clenched tightly. Suddenly, she burst out laughing and stepped in front of him, serious now.

“Lin Zheng Ran, if no other girl wants to marry you someday, I guess I could. It’s not a big deal!”

She pointed at him, acting all proud and tsundere. “But it’s not because I like you! I’m just feeling sorry for you. I don’t want a dope like you ending up alone, okay?!”