Chapter 213: Unexpected Encounters

It was almost six o’clock when Lin Zheng Ran’s phone rang.

It was Xiao Heqing calling: “Hey, Zheng Ran? Have you arrived yet? My high-speed train is about to pull into the station.”

As Lin Zheng Ran answered, the two women beside him glanced his way.

“Yeah, I’ve been here a while. Just come out and you’ll see me.”

Xiao Heqing sweetly replied over the phone. Sitting on the train, she used her phone as a mirror, fixing the stray hairs on her forehead and temples to make a great first impression on Lin Zheng Ran.

She imagined tonight’s events. If she could spend it alone with him…

Even if they didn’t go that far, a little kissing and hugging would be nice, right?

After all, exams were over, so they should get closer.

As the announcement for the train’s arrival echoed, the high-speed train slowed to a stop.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Green Vine City. On behalf of the entire crew, thank you for traveling with us. For your safety, please note the following…”

Many people waiting to pick up loved ones stood up at the sound.

Soon, the train doors opened, and a crowd poured out.

Xiao Heqing was among them, pulling her luggage. The young girl wore a short dress topped with a white thin shirt, her ponytail swaying as she moved. Her sweet eyes scanned the crowd for someone specific.

Until she spotted Lin Zheng Ran in the throng and called out happily: “Lin Zheng Ran!”

She started to hurry forward, but then noticed two familiar figures standing behind him.

Xiao Heqing froze in place, a sense of disappointment washing over her: “Lily… Wen Wen? Why are they here too? And Lily’s hair…”

She saw Lily’s golden twin tails, which looked stunning.

The four gathered together.

Xiao Heqing smiled: “I’m here. Why did Wen Wen and Lily come to pick me up?”

Lily had her hands behind her back and smiled: “I heard you were coming when I was shopping with Zheng Ran today. We’re all good friends, so of course we’d come.”

Han Wenwen grinned: “I’m just passing by and bumped into Lin Zheng Ran and Lily by chance. When I heard you were coming, I waited around. But didn’t you say next week? Why the early arrival?”

Xiao Heqing glanced at Lin Zheng Ran. Though her plan had fallen through, seeing him made her content.

She had missed him so much at home.

Even meals didn’t taste as good.

She chuckled: “I was bored at home, and you all are here. Being alone in the south was dull, so I came early on a whim. By the way, Lily, your hair looks amazing after dyeing it blonde! It suits you so well! When did you do it?”

Lily shyly tucked her hair: “Really? I did it today. I’ve wanted to for a while, and Zheng Ran said blonde would look good on me, so I went for it when I had time.”

Xiao Heqing felt a twinge of jealousy and glanced at Lin Zheng Ran again.

Lin Zheng Ran reached for Xiao Heqing’s suitcase: “Let’s grab some food? Heqing’s been on the train all day and must be tired. It’s almost six.”

None of the three women objected.

Whenever Lin Zheng Ran spoke, everyone just went along.

As he took the suitcase, Xiao Heqing quietly said: “I can pull it myself. It’s heavy.”

“Anything valuable inside?”

“No, just some clothes for travel and daily stuff.” She shook her head.

Lin Zheng Ran said: “Then give it to me.”

Seeing his insistence, Xiao Heqing handed over the suitcase: “If it gets too heavy, we can switch off pulling it.”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled: “It’s not that bad. Let’s go.”

Lily and Han Wenwen overheard their conversation. The former casually stayed close to Lin Zheng Ran, thinking how sweet Xiao Heqing always sounded with him.

Han Wenwen linked arms with Xiao Heqing, feeling no real envy since they were such close friends—just a bit of lighthearted jealousy.

They found a noodle shop—plenty around the station.

And the three were hungry, so they didn’t look elsewhere.

At the table, Xiao Heqing thoughtfully wiped the chopsticks for everyone and passed them around.

They all said thanks.

While waiting for the food, Xiao Heqing asked the two women: “Do you want some sweets? I brought sticky bean buns from home. My mom made them—they’re delicious. I’ll get them out for you to try, though there aren’t many.”

Most of them she had packed separately—just for Lin Zheng Ran.

Han Wenwen perked up at the mention of sticky bean buns and nodded eagerly; the two friends loved these specialty snacks.

“Did your aunt make them again? Yes, give me one to try.”

Lily nodded: “Thanks, Heqing.”

Xiao Heqing opened the suitcase: “Hold on a second.”

She pulled out two boxes, one large and one small, and grabbed the small one for the table. Inside were six small sticky bean buns.

These were meant for Han Wenwen and Lily.

Xiao Heqing handed one to Lin Zheng Ran first: “Lin Zheng Ran, here, you go first.”

After he took it, she gave some to the others.

They all took a bite, and Lin Zheng Ran said in surprise: “Your mom’s really good at this—they’re tasty.”

Xiao Heqing grinned: “Right? I think so too. If you like them, I can learn from my mom next time and make some for you.”

Lily and Han Wenwen agreed after tasting, but suddenly Han Wenwen slowed down while chewing.

Xiao Heqing noticed: “What’s up, Wen Wen? Not good? You seem off while eating.”

Han Wenwen’s cheeks flushed, thinking back to earlier at the hotel when it hadn’t bothered her.

But now her lips felt a bit tired.

She wasn’t quite used to it yet.

“No, it’s just that I ate too much today—my cheeks are tired.”

Xiao Heqing didn’t get it: “Your cheeks are tired? Did you eat a lot of snacks today?”

Han Wenwen replied casually: “Not that much. I tried this new candy while shopping this afternoon. It’s white, sticky, really sweet, but eating it wears you out.”

Xiao Heqing was curious: “What candy? Sounds like those sticky ones from when we were kids—those tire me out too. Where’d you get it?”

Han Wenwen waved it off:

“Not like that. It’s something I’ve never had before. It’s good, but the owner said it’s a trial product, so it’s not out yet. Next time, I’ll go with you to that street and see if we can find it. If we do, we’ll get some together…”

As she spoke, Han Wenwen couldn’t help but laugh, since she’d veered off track: “Together to buy and eat.”

“Sounds great!”

Han Wenwen finished her sticky bean bun slowly, while Lin Zheng Ran gave a helpless look to that little fox.

The noodles arrived quickly. They weren’t amazing, but eating them slowly filled them up.

Leaving the noodle shop, Lin Zheng Ran hailed a cab. Once they were in, he sat in the passenger seat while the others were in back: “Heqing, once we’re back in town, I’ll find you a place to stay.”

Xiao Heqing nodded: “Okay.”

Lily whispered: “Heqing, how about I stay with you at the hotel tonight? We can chat and have fun.”

Though Xiao Heqing wanted to be alone with Lin Zheng Ran, she knew with Wen Wen and Lily around, it wasn’t happening.

“Sure, I’ve never stayed in a hotel before. I’m a bit nervous about it.”

Han Wenwen added: “Then I’ll join too. I’m just sleeping alone at home anyway.”

Xiao Heqing nodded again: “Great, come on, Wen Wen!”

After saying that, the three instinctively glanced at Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran, turning back just then, saw them all looking and said: “Maybe I should stay as well. Even with you three together, I wouldn’t feel right leaving you on the first night.”

The three women were surprised but not entirely shocked. The driver, however, was stunned.

He froze for a moment. Had he heard that right? What was this young guy saying…

Oh, right—he probably meant staying in the same hotel to keep them safe. One of them must be his girlfriend. Yeah, that made sense. The kid had a sense of responsibility.