Chapter 31: Whispers of Youth

The upper bunk’s boards stretched out, covered only by a blanket as Han Wenwen lay there with her legs curled up, her snow-white leg reaching for the wooden board above.

Even stretching her pink sole straight, she couldn’t quite reach it.

“Even now, it still feels unbelievable—the boyfriend fate dropped in my lap is actually Xiao Qingqing’s childhood sweetheart she’s always dreamed about. Honestly, I was stunned when I saw the photo.”

Her face was expressionless, almost blank as she said, “Good thing Xiao Qingqing didn’t notice that day, or it would’ve been a real mess.”

Han Wenwen held the little notebook up, flipping through it quickly. If she paid attention to the details, she could see how many of Lin Zheng Ran’s habits matched her own, and where they complemented each other perfectly.

“Looking at it this way, we’re pretty well-matched. Fate’s connections are amazing, though for someone like me, having a boyfriend doesn’t really matter anymore…”

She rolled over onto her stomach on the bed, grabbed her phone, and dialed her best friend’s number. After a few rings, it connected.

Han Wenwen asked with a smile, “What are you up to, Xiao Qingqing? Did your enrollment go smoothly?”

Her legs kicked up and down in a steady rhythm as she said, “Oh? You’re coming next week? Great! I’ll meet you at the station then. And hey, I took care of that thing I promised you. Your dream brother is really impressive—handsome too.”

A week later, Heqing arrived at the small town junior high, with Han Wenwen waiting at the station to pick her up along with Aunt He.

The two best friends hugged each other excitedly the moment they met, calling out each other’s names.

Aunt He gave Heqing some instructions and handed her some money.

Though Aunt He had been worried about her daughter, knowing Han Wenwen would be there studying with her eased her mind a lot.

While unpacking in the dormitory, Aunt He watched her daughter’s joyful face and advised,

“Heqing, you’re a young lady now. Even though you’re close to your brother Zheng Ran, you can’t just drop by his house like when you were little. If you go, bring a gift for Lin’s Aunt—remember your manners.”

Heqing nodded obediently as she helped her mom make the bed, with Han Wenwen pitching in nearby.

“I get it. If I visit him again, I’ll bring something for Uncle Lin and Lin’s Aunt.”

Once everything was packed, Aunt He stood up and said, “Alright, that’s all set. I’ll head back by bus this afternoon. You and Han Wenwen can stay in the dormitory on weekends, and call me if anything comes up. Come home together during breaks.”

She turned to Han Wenwen, “Han Wenwen, I’m counting on you to look after Heqing. Help each other out here.”

Han Wenwen tilted her head, smiling, “Aunt He, you’re too kind. Don’t worry, Heqing and I will take care of each other.”

Heqing said seriously, proving to her mom that she’d grown up, “Mom, I’ll be fine.”

Without more instructions, Aunt He said goodbye to them at the school gate and left the small town.

Waving farewell to the elder, Heqing and Han Wenwen locked eyes, and the two friends suddenly burst into smiles.

They giggled and teased each other.

Han Wenwen whispered something in Heqing’s ear, making her blush and pretend to be annoyed as she said, “Han Wenwen, what are you saying?”

“Just that you have great taste in brothers. Come on, I left the little notebook in the dormitory. It’s got all the details—you’ll find everything you want to know.”

Heqing was just as curious, so the two linked hands and headed back to the dormitory to check the notebook.

On the way, Han Wenwen asked, “By the way, are you picking up your dream brother at the school gate tomorrow afternoon?”

Heqing’s face turned red, “Of course I am—how else would he know I’m here? And you said I need to be proactive to have a chance.”

That weekend, the two friends had a blast, but Lily was at home sneezing nonstop, just like Heqing had years ago.

“What’s going on? It’s so hot, I can’t be catching a cold, can I?” She wondered.

On Sunday evening, junior high students trickled back to school, ready for a new week.

Ever since starting junior high, Lin Ying Jun and Lin Xiao Li rarely dropped Lin Zheng Ran off at school anymore.

They just gave him money to take a taxi or bus.

Of course, it was Lin Zheng Ran who suggested it—he felt he wasn’t a kid anymore and didn’t need the constant escorting.

On his way to school, Lin Zheng Ran rarely checked his status panel.

[Your spiritual energy level is now thirty-six. Having left the beginner’s village, you’re stepping into the vast world of cultivation. Though you haven’t made a name for yourself yet, with your current strength, it’s only a matter of time.]

[Strength: Twenty-seven. Reach fifty to gain the special ability of maintaining muscles without exercise.]

[Energy: Twenty-three. Reach sixty for the special ability of seven encounters in one night without fatigue.]

[Stamina: Thirty. Reach seventy for double stamina and triple endurance in tasks.]

[Charm: Thirty-three. Reach forty to gain double favor in conversations and actions.]

Every time Lin Zheng Ran saw the breakthrough rewards on his panel, he could barely keep a straight face.

Not a single one was straightforward, but you couldn’t say they were useless—they all had their practical uses.

A ding sounded as the bus arrived, the pleasant female voice announcing the stop.

“New City First Middle School has arrived. Passengers for New City First Middle School, please exit from the rear. Repeat, New City First Middle School has arrived.”

Lin Zheng Ran lined up with the other students to get off.

The bus stop was just two blocks from the school—pretty close.

His phone rang then—it was Lily calling.

As soon as he answered, her grumbling voice came through, “You big idiot, have you gotten to school yet? Since I didn’t ride with you today, you didn’t get lost, did you?”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to it, “You’re the one with nerve to say that—who couldn’t even find the enrollment office on the first day?”

Lily huffed, and from her tone, he could picture her tsundere expression:

“That was me testing you! As if I wouldn’t know where it was. Anyway, I’m waiting at the school gate. Mom dropped me off while running errands this morning, or I would’ve taken the bus with you.”

“So why are you waiting for me?”

Lily said offhandedly, “Just in case you get lost— not like I want to wait for you.” Then she spotted him, “Oh, I see you. Hanging up!”

At the school gate, Lily stood in her uniform with twin ponytails, watching the approaching figure.

She flashed her little tiger teeth and waved happily, “Hey, you big idiot! Over here!” She ran toward him.

“Lin Zheng Ran, you’re here?”

As soon as Lily spoke, another girl with a ponytail who’d been waiting jumped forward to greet Lin Zheng Ran.

The two girls spoke and stepped forward almost in unison.

They glanced at each other, their eyes widening in silent understanding as they both stopped.

This was Heqing and Lily’s first real meeting, though they might have crossed paths before and forgotten.

But when their eyes met now,

they both realized instantly that the girl in front of them was the one who’d been by Lin Zheng Ran’s side all those years.

From a distance, Lin Zheng Ran spotted both Heqing and Lily, and even Han Wenwen arriving late with drinks.

“Heqing, has Lin Zheng Ran classmate arrived?” Han Wenwen paused at the sight.

The four stood frozen at the four corners of the intersection.

Cars and people bustled through the crossroads.

The gate guard sat in his booth, admiring the calligraphy in the newspaper, sighing, “What a beautiful sight—this is true art.”

New story, new book—daily pleas for votes and follows.