Chapter 5: Childhood Promises

Lin Zheng Ran froze for a second, then burst out laughing: “You protecting me? You’ve got that backward, haven’t you?”

Xiao Heqing nodded at first, then realized it didn’t make sense and shook her head, bobbing like a little chick as she spoke:

“In kindergarten, you’re always making the teachers and classmates mad, and no boys want to play with you. I thought that if anyone bullies you later, I’d step in and teach them a lesson for you.”

Lin Zheng Ran couldn’t help but chuckle, leaving Xiao Heqing’s face flushed with embarrassment as she hung her head in silence.

“But you’re still getting picked on every day. How can you protect me if you can’t even look after yourself?” Lin Zheng Ran asked with a smile.

Xiao Heqing bit her lip, her voice even softer than before: “Not anymore. Lately, you’ve been teaching me to do bad things, and the teachers say I’ve been led astray by you. No one’s bullying me now—except you.”

Lin Zheng Ran’s smile faded: “True, thinking back, no one else has been giving you trouble lately except me. But if you know I’m the one bullying you, why bother protecting me?”

She kept her head down, not really sure why, but the feeling was there all the same.

Lin Zheng Ran reached out, and Xiao Heqing thought he was going to pinch her cheek again, so she quickly shut her eyes and tucked in her neck.

Instead, he just patted her on the shoulder.

He smiled and said, “I don’t expect you to protect me, but thanks anyway.” He glanced at the taekwondo ad: “If you really want to learn taekwondo, ask Aunt He to sign you up. Who knows, you might turn out to be pretty amazing one day.”

Xiao Heqing looked at Lin Zheng Ran in surprise: “For real?”

“Of course, you never know with these things,” Lin Zheng Ran replied casually.

Kids often mix up their feelings, but even so, Heqing was starting to realize why she didn’t mind being picked on by him—it was because Lin Zheng Ran never shot down her ideas.

In fact, whenever she was too scared or timid to try something, he’d push her to do it and give her the confidence.

From a distance, Lin Xiao Li’s voice called out, their mom summoning Lin Zheng Ran back.

Lin Zheng Ran answered her, then said goodbye to Heqing: “I need to find my mom. See you at school tomorrow, and don’t forget to bring snacks for me.”

[Your words have subtly influenced Fairy He’s inner world, altering her future path in some way.]

[Hidden Reward: Charisma +1]

Hmm? Is this some kind of hidden event?

Watching Lin Zheng Ran walk away, Xiao Heqing waved her little hand, a faint blush creeping across her face. A moment later, she turned and headed back to the cafe where her parents were.

That evening, Aunt He took Xiao Heqing home, fuming all the way. Xiao Heqing watched her mom cry endlessly on the sofa.

This always happened after meetings with her dad.

Today was the first time she’d stepped in, fetching a glass of water for her mom: “Mom, why don’t you divorce Dad? Stop being so unhappy.”

Aunt He froze in shock at the words, staring at her usually quiet daughter as the tears flowed even harder.

Then she broke into a teary laugh and asked shakily, “Who taught you that? Since when do you say things like this?”

Xiao Heqing wasn’t dumb, just not much of a talker. She’d wanted to say these things for ages, and Lin Zheng Ran’s month of “corrupting” her had given her the courage to speak up.

Aunt He hugged her daughter and stroked her head: “Okay, I’ll listen to you. From now on, I’ll try to be happy.”

Another month passed.

It was Wednesday morning, and Lin Ying Jun drove Lin Zheng Ran to school.

In the car, Lin Zheng Ran flipped through a kindergarten book.

When the system’s voice kicked in, his eyes welled up with emotion.

Finally! After two months of tricking and coaxing Xiao Heqing, plus grinding away at training, he’d hit level 10!

[After two months of training, you’ve broken through to level 10! This is your first milestone on the cultivation path! You’ll unlock your first exclusive talent. However, the low-grade pills from Fairy He won’t provide any more benefits.]

Lin Zheng Ran wasn’t surprised by the system’s message. Over these two months, he’d eaten so many snacks that the flavors had lost their appeal, like building up a tolerance to pills.

[Your current attributes are:]

[Strength: 3]

[Energy: 2]

[Stamina: 4]

[Charisma: 2]

[Your first exclusive skill has been unlocked.]

[Fate Link: Your bond with Fairy He has changed your cultivation journey. Over these two months, you’ve noticed that whenever she improves, you do too. In the cultivation world, this is known as fate veins, key to founding sects. You’ve delved deep and made some progress.]

[How to use: Form a contract with an immortal willing to follow you. When they level up, you’ll gain double the boost. But remember, they must agree wholeheartedly, or it won’t work.]

Forming a contract? Why does this setup feel so familiar?

Still, this ability is powerful—I love that recharge refund vibe.

[Fairy He appears before you today. As your companion for the past two months, do you want to form a contract with her or choose someone else?]

“Ran Ran, we’re at school. Dad’s off to work.”

Lin Ying Jun parked at the school gate, and Lin Zheng Ran hummed in response, opening the door and jumping out.

“Drive safe, Dad.”

Glancing around, he spotted Heqing near the school entrance, chatting with her mom.

Aunt He looked healthier than usual today, stroking her daughter’s head and saying something to her.

Probably just the usual reminders about listening to teachers at school.

Xiao Heqing, with her little backpack on, smiled and waved goodbye: “Bye, Mom! Drive safe at work.”

Lin Zheng Ran walked over, and Xiao Heqing straightened up at the sight of him, her voice sweet.

“Good morning, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed Aunt He as she got into a taxi: “Your mom seems in a good mood today.”

Xiao Heqing nodded lightly, watching her go: “Ever since Mom and Dad divorced, they’ve both been a lot happier.”

She pulled a pack of candy from her pocket and handed it to Lin Zheng Ran: “Here! This is today’s candy. I asked Mom to get your favorite flavors.”

After two months, Xiao Heqing had shaken off some of her old habits thanks to Lin Zheng Ran.

She talked more now and wasn’t as withdrawn, though still a bit reserved at times—but way better than before.

Lin Zheng Ran waved it off: “Starting today, don’t bring me candy anymore. I’m done with it.”

“Ah?” Xiao Heqing’s face fell, panic setting in as she stood there, eyes welling up: “Why? Aren’t you going to take my things anymore? Why not?”

“What do you mean ‘take’? When have I ever taken your stuff?” Lin Zheng Ran said, exasperated.

“I didn’t mean that… Why are you suddenly not wanting it?” she asked frantically, thinking she’d done something wrong.

Lin Zheng Ran shrugged it off: “I just don’t feel like eating it. You keep it for yourself.”

Eating this stuff doesn’t boost me anymore, so no point.

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her with a hint of disdain: “Why are you crying?”