Chapter 264: Whispers and Grilled Delights

The Three Little Ones ducked behind the car and peeked from a distance toward Lin Zheng Ran.

They confirmed Lin Zheng Ran wasn’t following.

“What on earth is going on? Why keep it from Zheng Ran?” Lily asked, her face puzzled.

Heqing and Han Wenwen exchanged glances. Heqing said with her sweet voice, “This is about Lin Zheng Ran. Wenwen told me last night, and I was shocked. I think we should discuss it.”

“Shocked? Don’t keep me hanging—spill it,”

Han Wenwen leaned close to Lily, covering her mouth as she whispered in her ear.

Lily’s face, which had been neutral, suddenly turned shocked. “Seven? Are you serious?”

Han Wenwen clamped a hand over her mouth and shushed her with a finger to her lips. “Shh! Keep it down, or Brother Zheng Ran will hear!”

Heqing nervously glanced back again. “Quiet, Lily! If Lin Zheng Ran catches us, we’re all in for a head smack.”

Lily shot an annoyed look at Han Wenwen and pointed at the hand over her mouth.

Implying she wouldn’t speak loudly anymore.

Han Wenwen reminded her, “Keep your voice low,” before removing her hand.

Lily whispered, “Han Wenwen, calling him Brother Zheng Ran like that feels so awkward. It’s way too cheesy.”

The Little Fox gave a dismissive smile.

Then Lily balled her fists and said, “But seven? How does that even work? When did this happen? That idiot Zheng Ran must be out of his mind! Who has seven girlfriends?”

Han Wenwen tapped her chin with a finger. “Brother Zheng Ran said it’s just an upper limit, not the final count. He insisted it’s at most seven, no more.”

Lily’s face flushed as she shot back, “That’s still too many! No way! That’s just playing around. And if he says seven, it might really end up being seven!”

She let out a breath and crossed her arms. “I get why you two pulled me in. You want to team up and protest against Zheng Ran, right?”

Heqing and Han Wenwen suddenly fell silent.

Heqing said innocently, “Protest against Zheng Ran? I wouldn’t dare.” She quickly refused.

Han Wenwen shook her head fast. “I’m not that bold either. Talking back to Brother Zheng Ran is something I’d never think of doing.”

They both asked Lily, “So, Lily, are you thinking of protesting against him?”

Lily sweated a little, stammering, “Me? You think I have that much guts? I can argue with others, but that’s Zheng Ran—the big idiot. Who’d dare go up against him?”

She countered, “But if none of us wants to protest, how are we going to handle this? Seven is way too many.”

Heqing suggested:

“If we can’t go hard, let’s go soft! Here’s our plan: After lunch barbecue, we have the afternoon free. We’ll take turns dating Lin Zheng Ran—one at a time, no more than three hours each!”

Han Wenwen continued:

“During the date, the others stay out of it. For example, if it’s Lily’s turn with Brother Zheng Ran, Heqing and I will cover for you and keep our distance. No interruptions. But it’s not about getting cozy.”

The Little Fox held up one finger. “Just one goal: Figure out how to get Brother Zheng Ran to cut down on girlfriends. Even dropping from seven to six counts as a win. If anyone succeeds, then…”

Heqing raised her hand: “We’ll treat her to a big meal—the other two foot the bill!”

Lily frowned. “A big meal as a reward? That doesn’t sound all that exciting.”

Heqing blinked curiously. “It sounds pretty motivating to me. So, what would you want as a reward, Lily?”

Han Wenwen thought it was a good idea too.

Lily waved it off, looking at these two foodies. “Forget it, the reward isn’t the point. It’s the plan that matters! I’m in!”

Han Wenwen tilted her head and clapped. “Great! Let’s name this plan. How about the Barbecue Plan?”

Heqing and Lily looked at Han Wenwen and asked together: “The Barbecue Plan? Does that relate to what we’re talking about?”

Han Wenwen innocently held her stomach. “Not really. I’m just hungry. Brother Zheng Ran is grilling right now, and it smells amazing. Aren’t you two starving?”

The other two were speechless.

Heqing said, “Let’s keep it simple. How about the Girlfriend Alliance Plan? This is our first team-up—victory is ours!”

The three girls placed their hands together, officially teaming up.

Lily reminded:

“Since we agreed this plan isn’t about getting romantic, no one cheats. If anyone goes beyond holding hands or hugging during the date, they have to do the ice bucket challenge back at the hotel—three times!”

The three exchanged determined looks. “Deal! It’s settled!”

Han Wenwen asked, “So, who goes first on the date with Brother Zheng Ran?”

Heqing suggested, “Rock-paper-scissors. Winner goes first.”

The three played intensely, and Lily won.

Heqing and Han Wenwen fist-pumped together: “Go for it!”

Lily wiped sweat from her forehead. Her earlier excitement faded—changing Zheng Ran’s mind seemed tough.

A few minutes later, while Lin Zheng Ran was grilling, he saw the three silly girls return from the parking area.

They even brought more snacks.

“You three are back?”

The three girls responded and sat back on the blanket.

Lily: “We’re back.”

Heqing: “Yeah, we’re here.”

The Little Fox: “Yep.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned the skewers on the grill, the meat sizzling with a mouthwatering aroma. “I just started grilling—it’ll be a bit longer.”

The three girls were dying to dig in.

They sat next to Lin Zheng Ran, helping out where they could.

Soon, the first batch was ready.

Naturally, they fed the first bites to Lin Zheng Ran before enjoying it themselves, savoring every delicious morsel.

With his All-Encompassing Mastery, Lin Zheng Ran’s grilling was far beyond ordinary.

After eating, the three widened their eyes—this was the best barbecue they’d ever tasted.

The flavor lingered, juicy and aromatic.

If Lin Zheng Ran set up a stall, he’d probably sell out instantly and make a fortune.

They chatted and laughed through the meal.

As it wound down, Heqing and Han Wenwen glanced at Lily.

Their eyes said, “Time to start the plan, Lily. You got this—victory!”

Lily chewed her food, feeling awkward, but nodded.

Meaning she’d try her best.

So Lily looked at Lin Zheng Ran, who had finished eating and was washing his hands, and after swallowing her last bite, she stood up. “Zheng Ran, I need to use the restroom. Come with me?”

Lin Zheng Ran saw Lily’s flushed, embarrassed face—she was never good at lying.

He pointed toward the restroom near the parking area. “Isn’t it right there?”

“Yeah, it is. But… could you still come with me?” She avoided his eyes, looking elsewhere.

Lin Zheng Ran smiled. “Sure, I’ll wash up and go with you.”

“Thanks…”

Heqing and Han Wenwen saw Lily’s plan kicking off. Though a bit jealous, they stuck to their agreement and didn’t interfere.

They kept eating the remaining barbecue.

“This stuff is so good, we could eat it all day,” the two friends said.