Chapter 255: Whispers in the Night

Lin Zheng Ran left the hotel with Lily and Han Wenwen.

They set out to find a good spot for food nearby.

Back in the room, little Heqing slept soundly on her own, lost in her dreams, unseen by anyone.

She frowned slightly, sensing a mild burning sensation spreading through her body, as if something was wandering inside.

The faint imperfections on her face were slowly vanishing, and her once slightly dry lips were turning a healthy red.

Even the small pimple on her forehead was fading away, though the process was gradual.

Lin Zheng Ran

Lin Zheng Ran, Han Wenwen, and Lily wandered the streets and spotted a popular rice noodle shop.

While waiting in line, Han Wenwen pulled out her phone from her pocket to use as a mirror and check her face.

She noticed that since her skin had smoothed out last time, it hadn’t changed more after this nap.

Even with a close inspection of every detail, she could still spot a few tiny pores and flaws—it wasn’t perfect yet.

Could it be that Brother Zheng Ran’s help didn’t work?

Maybe I need to eat something delicious to make it happen?

Sandwiched between them, Lily glanced back at Han Wenwen fixing her phone but didn’t think much of it—girls love to look their best.

Still pondering Heqing’s sleep-talk, she turned to Lin Zheng Ran standing in front and said without thinking, “Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned at the sound. “Something wrong?”

Lily hadn’t meant to speak up and fumbled, “N-no, nothing.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked puzzled. “Go ahead, say it.”

Lily quickly brushed it off with a smile. “It’s nothing, really. I just wanted to remind you— you’ll come with me to the competition, right?”

“Yeah, of course. Have I ever gone back on my word?”

She smiled and shook her head. “No.”

When it was Lin Zheng Ran’s turn, he ordered four portions of rice noodles.

Lily chimed in midway, “Boss, make mine not spicy.”

After buying, the three carried the four portions back to the hotel room.

Heqing was still sound asleep on the bed, breathing deeply and peacefully.

Han Wenwen felt a bit puzzled. “Didn’t little Xiao Qingqing sleep well last night? She’s out like a light and hasn’t woken up yet.”

Lin Zheng Ran set the packed dinner aside for her. “She must be exhausted. Let’s eat first— she can have hers whenever she wakes up.”

The two women agreed, and they all sat at the hotel’s small table, slurping noodles until they finished.

Around six o’clock, after dinner, Lin Zheng Ran headed back to his own room.

Han Wenwen was too preoccupied with tonight’s plans to play on her phone, so she just lay in bed, waiting quietly for later.

Lily had no interest in her phone either and sat on the bed, staring blankly at the sheets.

She felt completely zoned out.

The hotel room fell into an unexpected silence, even quieter than last night, with only the hum of the air conditioner.

Han Wenwen looked at Lily. “Lily? You’re not on your phone? What are you doing just sitting there?”

Lily glanced back. “You’re not either. Want to turn off the lights and sleep?”

Han Wenwen paused. “Sure. Let’s turn in early. Everyone needs rest—the rain’s stopped, and we’ve got that outdoor trip tomorrow. Hiking will be tiring.”

“You’re right. Good night.”

So around six-thirty, Lily got out of bed, turned off the lights, and slipped under the covers.

Han Wenwen closed the window and drew the curtains.

Even with faint tourist voices from outside the hotel and occasional footsteps in the hallway, the four of them actually started settling in to sleep.

Han Wenwen rolled over, pulled out her phone, and checked the time.

It was only six in the evening.

Little Fox had planned to convince everyone to sleep early, ideally before ten, so once Xiao Qingqing and Lily were out, she could slip away to be with Brother Zheng Ran sooner.

Every extra minute counted.

But tonight was turning out even better than she hoped!

Xiao Qingqing had been asleep since afternoon and showed no signs of waking, and Lily seemed content not to stir things up. So tonight, she could head to Brother Zheng Ran’s bed almost right away.

Not at ten—maybe nine-thirty! Or even earlier. Just hold on until Lily is fully asleep.

By seven, the room was quiet, with only the air conditioner’s buzz.

At eight, nothing but a few light breaths.

In her sleep, Heqing let out a soft murmur.

Around eight-thirty, there was the sound of Lily turning over.

By nine-ten, the Little Fox lay curled up, seemingly asleep.

Her fox eyes slowly opened in the dark, sharp and alert, as she stared at the curtains. She hid her phone under the covers to avoid any light giveaway and checked the time.

She scrapped the nine-thirty plan—time to go now!

First, she slowly turned her head to check on Xiao Qingqing and Lily.

Everything looked normal.

Han Wenwen slipped out of bed quietly, carefully propping a pillow under the covers to look like she was still there, then tucked it in.

She didn’t even put on shoes, afraid the slippers would make noise and wake them.

Barefoot, she stepped onto the floor.

Swallowing hard, she moved step by step toward Lin Zheng Ran’s room.

Since Lily and little Heqing were facing away, it was a safe bet.

Biting her lip, she slowly turned the doorknob and slipped inside silently.

Right at that moment, by sheer coincidence,

Heqing’s eyes fluttered open groggily—she needed to use the bathroom and stumbled out of bed half-asleep, not bothering with slippers since she couldn’t find them.

She pushed open the restroom door, relieved herself, and reached for the flush but couldn’t find the button.

The hotel’s setup had a small panel above it, and she grabbed that instead.

Dazed, she paused, the sleepiness fading a bit. “Where’s the flush button?”

She stood up and felt for the light switch.

But just as she was about to turn it on, from the restroom, she noticed something odd about Han Wenwen’s bed.

Heqing’s mind wasn’t fully sharp, but she instinctively didn’t flip the light and walked over to Han Wenwen’s bed, realizing she wasn’t there—just a propped-up pillow.

Her recent suspicions kicked in, and she turned toward Lin Zheng Ran’s room.

Slowly, she twisted the doorknob and peeked inside.

There, the Little Fox stood quietly by Lin Zheng Ran’s bed, watching him sleep and planning to wake him gently.

She was just about to lift the covers when the door opened—Heqing stepped in.

Han Wenwen heard the noise, straightened up, and turned—Heqing’s eyes widened in the dark as she made out the figure.

Then, the main light in the Three Little Ones’ room suddenly flicked on.

It was Lily who got out of bed and turned it on.

Heqing’s earlier mutter about the button had woken her.

Now, with the lights on, everything was clear.

The Little Fox stood frozen by Lin Zheng Ran’s bed, staring at Heqing.

“Xiao Qingqing”

Heqing, fully awake now, stood in the doorway of Lin Zheng Ran’s room and stared at Han Wenwen. “Wenwen, what are you doing in Lin Zheng Ran’s room?”

After the lights came on, Heqing glanced back at Lily.

Lily stared at Heqing, a hint of jealousy in her voice. “Heqing?”

Lin Zheng Ran woke up too, sitting up in bed and looking at the three facing off in a line.