Chapter 322: Bustling University Secrets

Today is the weekend, and at Qingbei University’s gate, crowds hustle by in a rush.

Han Wenwen, dressed in a floral skirt with those sly fox-like eyes, crouched at the flower bed’s edge.

She tore open a bag of chicken-flavored chips, her fingers tipped with pink nail polish constantly grabbing pieces and popping them into her mouth.

Her eyes followed a ladybug on the tree leaves above the flower bed, moving slowly.

An invisible fox tail swayed behind her.

Heqing knelt beside Han Wenwen, timidly clutching her arm: “Wenwen, aren’t you scared of bugs?”

“What’s there to fear about a ladybug? I haven’t seen one in years. Back in our old hometown, we only had those high-star ladybugs, but this one’s a rare find.”

Lily stood nearby, yawning with teary eyes: “Where’s Zheng Ran? He’s not here yet.”

Heqing asked curiously: “Lily, didn’t you sleep well last night? I saw you tossing and turning in bed before I fell asleep.”

Lily paused at that, waving shyly: “Who said I didn’t sleep well? I just went to bed a bit late.”

Han Wenwen munched on chips: “Lily was probably sneaking peeks at those little comics in her covers again. I’ve caught her a few times lately.”

Lily clenched her fists, face flushing: “Nonsense! Who’d look at that stuff?”

Han Wenwen fixed her with those meaningful fox eyes: “Oh really? I accidentally glimpsed you checking it out once.”

“You sly fox, that’s a lie! Shut it! I’d never look at that—I could sue you for slander!”

Han Wenwen smiled:

“So innocent, Lily? Let’s make a bet then. Hand over your phone. If I find anything inappropriate, I win and you wash my socks for two days. If not, I’ll wash yours.”

Lily’s face grew more embarrassed, arms crossed as she huffed: “What a childish bet. I’m not doing that. No deal!”

“Scared?”

“Taunts won’t work. Why bet on this? Zheng Ran says it right—the pure stay pure! I haven’t looked at that stuff and don’t want to.”

Han Wenwen glanced at Heqing: “What about you, Xiao Qingqing? Seen any lately?”

Heqing froze, blushing: “Why ask me, Wenwen? Let’s change the topic, okay? I won’t answer that!”

Han Wenwen chewed her chips:

“Fine, new topic. Do you two have photos of Brother Zheng Ran? We could swap. I’m running low on mine—I’ve stared at them too much.”

“What do you mean by ‘use’ them?” Heqing stammered, sounding confused.

Han Wenwen bit her chip-dusted finger matter-of-factly:

“Well, after learning stuff online or reading up, you need his photos for those relaxing moments. Imagining alone isn’t enough, right? Don’t you two do the same?”

Heqing and Lily fell silent, their faces burning hot.

Lily clasped her hands behind her back, gazing up: “I have no idea what this fox is babbling about, but swapping sounds fine. I want more of Zheng Ran’s photos.”

Heqing fidgeted with her fingers, head slightly down: “I’ll swap too, hehe…”

Han Wenwen pulled out her phone: “Come on, let’s make a photo group. Share all your years of pics there for us to exchange.”

The three huddled together, sending photos in the group.

They admired the various shots, one by one.

“This one’s great! Lin Zheng Ran looks so handsome here!”

“Heqing, how do you have photos of Zheng Ran from when he was little? Doesn’t that feel wrong to use?”

“Ah! Lily, what are you saying? I wouldn’t use those! For that, I’d only go as far back as middle school—no, wait, I’ve never used any!”

Han Wenwen stared at the photos in surprise, her face lost in thought:

“You two have so many saved up. I need to grab them all—these are treasures. No more worrying about material now. Too bad I didn’t know Brother Zheng Ran back then.”

Lily eyed a photo of Lin Zheng Ran shirtless in bed: “Han Wenwen, where did you get that shirtless shot? When was this taken?!”

“I snapped it once when Brother Zheng Ran was sleeping in my bed. Wait, you’ve got some too, right? And he’s slept at your place that many times!”

Heqing was shocked: “You two have sneaked so many shots of him? I hardly dare to.”

As the three focused on swapping photos, someone leaned in curiously.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t quite get what these three were up to—he’d called out earlier, but they hadn’t heard: “What are you all looking at?”

His words startled them senseless.

Like cats with puffed fur, they jumped up, clutching their phones and mumbling excuses.

“We’re not doing anything!”

“We weren’t looking at anything!”

Heqing just nodded shyly: “Nothing at all.”

Lin Zheng Ran reached out: “Hand them over, let me see.”

At that, the three teared up in embarrassment, begging: “Please, not this time, Zheng Ran, we’re asking you.”

Heqing squeezed her eyes shut, hugging her phone tightly as if her life depended on it.

“We’re begging you too.”

From their expressions, Lin Zheng Ran suddenly realized what photos they meant.

He sighed: “You three, really. Don’t spread those around, got it?”

They played dumb but nodded together: “We don’t get what you mean, but we won’t!”

Lin Zheng Ran flicked each of them on the forehead—one, two, three.

With three sharp thwacks, they yelped in turn.

Seeing them quickly tuck away their phones, Lin Zheng Ran said: “Let’s go. We’re house hunting. I’m thinking of a two-story villa for good measure. What about you all? Any preferences?”

Han Wenwen exclaimed: “We can pick whatever? I’m easy—as long as it’s a home with Brother Zheng Ran.”

Lily asked: “Wait, we’re buying a villa today? I know you’ve got money, Zheng Ran, but it sounds so fancy.”

Heqing shook her head: “This topic’s way out of my league. I have no thoughts on it.”

Lin Zheng Ran had noticed during his last visit to Jiang Qian and Jingshi’s place that their house setup was pretty nice.

Though some parts could use tweaks, a two-story villa would be convenient—living room and bedrooms on separate levels.

It wouldn’t feel cluttered at all.

Lin Zheng Ran added: “Since none of you mind, just follow me. We’ll check out the styles, and if anything catches your eye, speak up.”

They all nodded.

So, they hailed a cab and headed off to see houses.