Chapter 49: Whispers of Jealousy and Bonds

Han Wenwen said with a twinge of guilt, “Anyway, I think you should ask Lin Zheng Ran about this yourself, Xiao Qingqing. Otherwise, you won’t sleep a wink tonight.”

Heqing nodded on the phone like a little bird pecking at grain, “Yeah, I agree. I’ll call him tonight for more details. Thanks, Wen Wen. Talking to you has made me feel so much better.”

She felt better, but Han Wenwen was panicking inside, “Don’t overthink it. Lin Zheng Ran wouldn’t do anything like that. I’ve got some things to handle here, so I’ll hang up now, okay?”

“Bye, Wen Wen.”

“Bye, Xiao Qingqing.”

The call ended, and Han Wenwen let out a breath, but then she turned to the person next to her with a forced smile, “Lin Zheng Ran, if Xiao Qingqing calls you tonight, could you not tell her you’re here with me? She’d get mad at me for sure.”

“I’m not stupid, but…”

Lin Zheng Ran handed her the breakfast, “Speaking of Heqing, you mentioned on the playground that once we start high school, you won’t see me and Heqing anymore. Is that what you really think?”

Han Wenwen took the meat bun and bit into it with her small mouth, easing her rumbling stomach:

“Yeah, I’m struggling with both earning money and studying, let alone balancing them. And once Xiao Qingqing starts high school, she’ll make new friends, just like you will…”

As she spoke, she chewed her bun with a hint of jealousy, “You’ll have new, prettier desk mates, Lin Zheng Ran. Who’ll remember that little fox who sat next to you? You’d forget, since even the best friendships need effort to keep alive.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded, “True.”

Han Wenwen shot him a glare, suddenly turning away, “Hmph! I knew it—you’re the type to ditch friends for looks, not a good guy at all!”

Lin Zheng Ran felt awkward, thinking the comment was odd, “But you said before that Heqing is your only friend. Don’t you think it’s a shame to give up like that?”

Han Wenwen clenched her fingers, calming herself, “Of course it’s a shame. Xiao Qingqing is my best girlfriend, and I’d love to go to school with her if I could.” She looked at Lin Zheng Ran, her voice fading, “But… what can I do?”

Then Lin Zheng Ran reached out his hand, and Han Wenwen wasn’t sure what he meant.

Lin Zheng Ran said seriously, “When I taught Lily and Heqing, there was a process. The condition is that they have to willingly and truly commit to following me for life, then I’ll teach them. If you’re up for it, I can teach you how to make money and improve your studies too.”

Han Wenwen found it intriguing and covered her mouth with a fox-like grin, “That sounds fun. What do you mean by willingly following you for life? And if I do, will my grades really get better and will I actually make a lot of…”

She didn’t finish the word “money,” because looking into Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes, she saw he was unusually serious.

It didn’t seem like he was joking at all.

Han Wenwen’s smile froze, her fox-like eyes trembling, “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re serious?”

“Why not? This is your only invitation. If you’re not interested, forget it—I’m busy enough as it is.”

As soon as he finished, Han Wenwen placed her delicate hand in his palm.

Without hesitation, “In that case, whatever you meant by following you—whether it’s just for making money or even if it means I’m all yours—I agree.”

She smiled at him, her slender fingers intertwining with his, her expression sly and hard to read.

But Han Wenwen knew she meant every word; her sly fox act was just a mask.

Lin Zheng Ran knew she was sincere too.

Because only if they truly followed would the system notify him.

[The Demonic Cult Enchantress accidentally contracted fire poison; you used your connections in the martial world to get the antidote for her. After saving her, you proposed a contract. Though she seemed to tease you and agree for fun, your fates successfully connected, proving she truly wants to follow you.]

[You successfully formed a contract with the Demonic Cult Enchantress. When she cultivates, you’ll gain double the cultivation progress.]

[Special Event: You’ve successfully contracted three jade maidens from different sects. Your sect’s influence is taking shape. The triple yin fate boosts your cultivation greatly. You gain one level in spiritual power, three in strength, three in energy, three in stamina, and three in charm.]

[Congratulations on breaking through to spiritual power level forty. You’re now somewhat known in the martial world; ordinary cultivators can’t threaten you anymore.]

[You’ve acquired the new level forty skill—Creating from Nothing.]

[Creating from Nothing: No matter the era, resources are essential for founding a sect. Even the strongest sects deal with trading pills, herbs, weapons, and clothes. A penny can stump a hero.]

[With Creating from Nothing, you won’t worry about this anymore. From now on, whenever your contracted jade maidens gain gold, spirit stones, or other resources in the martial world, you’ll get double.]

Hearing the system’s voice, Lin Zheng Ran perked up.

He’d only meant to connect fates with Han Wenwen, but it not only boosted him a level but also gave him a new rebate skill. He was planning to start earning startup funds after high school anyway.

This saved him time.

Lin Zheng Ran looked at the seemingly carefree Han Wenwen, “It’s settled then.”

Han Wenwen pulled her hand back, a slight blush on her face.

“Okay.”

Though he said he’d teach Han Wenwen about making money and studying, Lin Zheng Ran didn’t rush, since this little fox still had a fever.

Resting a couple of days before getting to work wouldn’t hurt.

That evening, when Lin Zheng Ran got home, Heqing’s call came through as expected.

She asked carefully, probing, “Lin Zheng Ran, where were you last night? I called and your aunt said you weren’t home—you went to a classmate’s for the night. I was a bit worried.”

Lin Zheng Ran leaned back on his bed answering, “What’s there to worry about? I just went to a classmate’s to hang out.”

“Hang out? What kind of…”

“Huh?”

“No! I mean…” On the other end, Heqing crouched on her bed, drawing circles on her knee, “Can I ask… was it a guy or a girl? Do I know them?”

Lin Zheng Ran replied casually, “It’s not a girl, what are you thinking?”

He wasn’t exactly lying, since there are no female foxes, only vixens.

“I wasn’t thinking anything.” Heqing relaxed immediately upon hearing that; she trusted Lin Zheng Ran completely and said happily,

“As long as it’s not a girl, that’s fine. Hehe, so what are you up to now? I want to chat. Today, I went to the supermarket with Mom.”

That night, Heqing chatted with Lin Zheng Ran about all sorts of things. Despite being the shyest, she was the boldest when it came to calling first.

In the rental house that night, Han Wenwen lay in bed alone, still a bit feverish, gazing at the spot where Lin Zheng Ran had slept the night before.

Her pale hand gently stroked the half of the pillow where his head had rested.

“He actually stayed with me all night last night,” she thought, her face growing hot. “I’m getting more drawn to Lin Zheng Ran every day. Just thinking about him talking to Xiao Qingqing tonight makes me a little jealous…”