Chapter 51: A Cozy Afternoon Visit

Han Wenwen had a delightful nap in the rented room at noon.

With Lin Zheng Ran around, she always felt much safer, even while sleeping.

In the afternoon, she checked her temperature again—it was back to normal—so Han Wenwen suggested taking a shower and picking out some nice clothes. She couldn’t go to Lin Zheng Ran’s house looking like this.

Lin Zheng Ran thought it was unnecessary to make such a big deal.

“Won’t you risk getting sick again if you shower? Besides, you’re just coming over to my place to hang out. A quick tidy-up is enough.”

Han Wenwen slipped on her slippers and headed to the bathroom: “Washing my hair should be fine, right? It’s my first time going to a guy’s house, and I’m a bit shy about it.”

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled, at a loss for words.

“If you’re washing your hair, make sure to dry it properly. If you get a fever again, I won’t stay up with you all night.”

Han Wenwen smiled at him: “Got it, thanks for caring so much, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Once in the bathroom, she closed the door, her face flushing as she took deep breaths. She was about to visit Lin Zheng Ran’s house and meet his parents…

No one realized just how nervous this little fox was feeling right then.

After washing her hair and drying it, she changed into a skirt that reached her thighs and a off-shoulder short-sleeve top.

Han Wenwen’s style was completely different from Heqing’s—one always looked innocently sweet no matter what she wore, while the other exuded a beautiful, charming vibe.

From appearances alone, no one would guess these two were the closest of best friends.

As Lin Zheng Ran walked with Han Wenwen, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, she turned heads everywhere they went.

People couldn’t help but marvel at how such a stunning girl existed.

Lin Zheng Ran was used to the jealous glares from his peers.

Since it was Saturday, Lin Xiao Li and Lin Ying Jun were both off work, lounging on the sofa watching TV.

At home, Lin Xiao Li always acted sweetly dependent, leaning against her husband’s chest and playing with his hand.

Hearing the knock, she called out curiously: “Who’s there?”

Lin Zheng Ran answered from outside: “Mom, it’s me.”

“Oh, Zheng Ran, you’re back? Why so early today?” Lin Xiao Li went to the door, about to ask why he was home early, but as soon as she opened it, she spotted Han Wenwen standing next to him.

That exquisite, fox-like face startled Lin Xiao Li.

Lin Xiao Li froze, her mind blank, while inwardly murmuring.

“Oh my… Zheng Ran’s brought another new girl home… and she’s so beautiful. Each one is prettier than the last.”

It was rare for Han Wenwen to feel this nervous; she smiled awkwardly and bowed slightly: “Hello, Auntie. I’m Han Wenwen, Lin Zheng Ran’s classmate and desk mate.”

“Oh, his desk mate. Hi, little Wenwen…”

Lin Xiao Li eyed Han Wenwen closely, then panicked and called back: “Honey! Honey, come quick! Zheng Ran’s back! Get over here!”

Lin Ying Jun, who was watching TV, muttered in surprise. Why was his son shouting for him just because he was home?

He turned off the TV and walked over.

Seeing the beautiful Han Wenwen, the couple both froze. Lin Ying Jun whispered softly: “How did he bring another girl home? That’s the third one.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t get it: “Dad, Mom, why are you staring like that?” He gestured to Han Wenwen: “Come on in. I’ll show you to my dad’s study.” He stepped inside and said to Lin Ying Jun: “Dad, you’re not using the computer today, right? My classmate and I want to play on it in the study.”

Han Wenwen nodded politely at Lin Ying Jun: “Hello, Uncle. I’m Han Wenwen. Sorry to disturb you and Auntie today.”

“Hello, hello… No disturbance at all…”

The little fox slipped off her shoes and followed Lin Zheng Ran to the study, closing the door behind them.

In the quiet living room, the couple still wore dazed expressions.

After a long pause, Lin Xiao Li nudged her husband’s stomach with her elbow: “Do you think Zheng Ran’s going a bit overboard? Who does he take after? I only ever had one romance as his mom.”

Lin Ying Jun glanced at his wife and swallowed hard: “Why are you looking at me like that? You could say he got my good looks, but not this part—I only ever dated you. And our son’s pretty traditional; they’re probably just friends. Let’s not overthink it.”

“Even if they’re friends, does he only make friends with gorgeous girls?”

Lin Xiao Li pondered: “Honey, do you think this girl, Han Wenwen, knows about Heqing and Lily?”

Lin Ying Jun clicked his tongue: “Hard to say. If she does, I don’t even want to imagine the scene.”

The couple exchanged looks and sighed in unison.

In the study, Han Wenwen watched Lin Zheng Ran sit at the computer desk and recalled what Lin Ying Jun had said: “Lin Zheng Ran, what about your uncle and auntie just now?”

Lin Zheng Ran powered on the computer and hummed: “You think my parents overreacted? Don’t worry, if you come over often, they’ll get used to it. They were the same when Lily first visited. It’ll become normal.”

Han Wenwen smiled helplessly, thinking to herself that Lin Zheng Ran really had a way with women—it was almost annoying.

Lin Zheng Ran launched the game and let Han Wenwen take the controls first while he watched.

The games in this world weren’t much different from his original one—mostly team-based multiplayer competitions.

Before starting, Han Wenwen warned him: “Just so you know, I’m pretty bad at this.”

Lin Zheng Ran shrugged: “No problem. Start with the bots. How bad can it be? There’s no way you’re that—”

Half an hour later, Han Wenwen’s bot match record was 0-17—she died almost every time she stepped out.

When the victory screen popped up, Han Wenwen cheered: “We won! Even though my teammates carried me, I helped out a few times. That felt pretty good!”

Spotting Lin Zheng Ran’s gloomy face, she teased: “Lin Zheng Ran, you look so scary right now.”

Lin Zheng Ran took a deep breath and said seriously: “No wonder your streams didn’t make money. With skills like yours, even the dead skin on my heel could play better. Viewers might think you’re throwing the game on purpose.”

Han Wenwen blinked her fox-like eyes innocently and pulled a bottle of moisturizer from her pocket: “This can get rid of dead skin, you know.”

“You little—!”

Lin Zheng Ran launched into a sharp critique of her bot game performance.

Han Wenwen listened, stunned, and muttered softly: “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re being so mean right now~”

Lin Zheng Ran paused and stared at her disapprovingly.

“What did you say?”

Han Wenwen wiped sweat from her brow, one hand covering her face: “Nothing, keep going—I’m listening.”

Lin Zheng Ran explained everything in detail, even guiding her hands-on. At first, Han Wenwen didn’t quite get it, but as he taught seriously, her understanding clicked.

“Oh! So that’s how you play it. What other tips do you have, Lin Zheng Ran?”

“Every game has its tricks, and this one’s no different…”

As he explained and demonstrated, Han Wenwen might have been unskilled, but she diligently jotted down Lin Zheng Ran’s advice in her little notebook.

She’d tried learning these things online before, but it never stuck. Under Lin Zheng Ran’s guidance, though, she picked it up quickly and retained it easily.

Finally, after several practice rounds, in the last bot match of the day, Han Wenwen went on a killing spree.

Her score: 32-0.

When the “Victory” message flashed on the screen, Han Wenwen jumped up in excitement, her heart racing.

She’d played like a pro against bots!

“We won! I’m amazing!” She beamed at Lin Zheng Ran, her eyes sparkling: “You’re incredible, Lin Zheng Ran! I’ve tried this so many times on my own and never got it, but today I improved so fast!”

Lin Zheng Ran laughed contentedly, knowing it was thanks to his skills giving her a boost.

Otherwise, her gaming streams really would have been hopeless.

Lin Zheng Ran encouraged her: “Hey, you’re improving. I’ll teach you step by step over the next month. In about a month, you’ll be good enough to make videos. Add some voiceovers, and with your voice and skills, even edited clips should bring in money.”

Han Wenwen was thrilled: “So, can I come over tomorrow, Lin Zheng Ran? My fever’s almost gone, and after that round, I really think I can make money from games!”

Lin Zheng Ran declined: “No, not tomorrow or the next day. I have to help Lily with her singing practice.”

Han Wenwen’s happy expression faded; she pouted and turned away with a huff: “You’re always so busy, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “What’s with that face?”

Han Wenwen looked back at him, her fox-like eyes captivating: “Can’t you tell I’m jealous, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “I can see it. You’re not fully recovered yet.”

Before they knew it, a month of training slipped by, and summer vacation was nearly over.