Chapter 61: Whispers of Ambition and Family Ties

Lily clutched her head and answered first, “Gone to work. And who’s got a split personality?” Lin Zheng Ran headed to the bedroom, with Lily following behind, smoothing her freshly washed pigtails that slid through her fingers like silk.

Lin Zheng Ran sat on the bed and said, “A few days ago, I checked the Child Star Studio’s video updates. Are you all holding a competition in town next summer?”

Lily hummed in agreement and sat beside him, “The studio folks said anyone with time can sign up, and most everyone has. I haven’t yet though.”

Lily blushed and said with a touch of pride, “It’s not that I think I’m not good enough—my skills are top-notch in the studio. I’m just worried that if I sign up on my own, you might get upset about it.” She complained,

“After all, I got this far thanks to a certain big dummy’s help. If I just do whatever I want, you’d probably say I’ve grown too independent and am off doing my own thing. So, I figured I should ask your opinion first, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran watched her, seeing she couldn’t lie to save her life.

“Is that so?”

Caught off guard by Lin Zheng Ran’s gaze, Lily snapped back in embarrassment and anger,

“Well, what else? Do you think I need you to tag along? I can handle everything on my own! If that’s what you believe, I’ll call them right now and say I’m signing up!”

Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously, “So I don’t have to go?”

Lily froze, her proud expression faltering as fear crept in, “Of course you’d go, right? Wait, you’re not going?” She stammered, pointing a finger,

“The place we’re going has great scenery. If you come, you could enjoy it too. And since you know me, I can get you a spot in the front row—something no one else can. Even the travel costs could be waived for you.”

“Oh.” Lin Zheng Ran replied flatly, “But I’m not really into scenery.”

Lily stared at him, then gritted her teeth, shut her eyes, and pounded Lin Zheng Ran’s arm with her small fists, “Why not go? What’s the harm? It won’t cost you anything!”

Lin Zheng Ran just looked at her wordlessly; her punches felt like light taps.

“Just kidding. This is your first big performance, so how could I miss it? You’re someone I helped build up, after all. I can’t just ignore you.”

Lily thought his words sounded odd, like he was claiming her as his own—almost like she was his girlfriend or wife.

Lily turned away shyly, her forehead heating up, pretending to be mad but actually thrilled enough to make her pigtails seem to dance. She fiddled with her hair, “What nonsense are you saying? Go if you want. Who cares anyway?”

Her last two sentences came out in a whisper, afraid that if Lin Zheng Ran heard, he might change his mind.

Lin Zheng Ran lay back on the bed and yawned, “By the way, didn’t you mention at school last time that you had something to discuss? What was it?”

“Ah? Me?” She blushed and stuttered, “Did I say that? I don’t think so.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t press, “If it’s nothing, let’s start practicing your singing. I’ll nap for a bit.”

Lily glanced back as he closed his eyes and muttered, “You really treat this place like a hotel, lying there like it’s your own bed.”

“Don’t worry, if you mess up a note, I’ll wake up and correct you even if I’m asleep.” He pulled the covers up and fell silent.

Lily got up to grab her guitar.

As she practiced, watching the quiet Lin Zheng Ran, Lily wondered why she hadn’t asked him yet. Now was the perfect time—he’d probably say yes.

She hesitated, her lips parting slightly.

Just then, the home phone rang.

Lily set the guitar down and answered, with Lin Zheng Ran opening his eyes to watch.

Lily saw it was Mom calling, “Hello? Mom?”

Mom said on the phone, “Lily, your grandma misses you and took a bus here on her own! I’ll go to the station to pick her up. Can you stay home and wait? Maybe spend some time with her this afternoon?”

Lily paused and glanced at Lin Zheng Ran on the bed, “Grandma’s coming? Okay, I got it. Do you need me to come along?”

“No need. Your grandma’s quite bold—ever since I told her you’re learning to sing, she’s been eager to see you. Who knew she’d hop on a bus at her age? Anyway, you can come if you want. Just take a ride and meet me.”

“Alright, Mom.”

After hanging up, Lily turned to the now-up Lin Zheng Ran, “Big dummy, we might have to skip practice today. Grandma’s coming this afternoon, and I need to find Mom.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded and got out of bed, “I heard. Let’s practice tomorrow then? You can chat with your grandma this afternoon— the competition’s not until next year, so no rush.”

He slipped on his slippers and headed to the living room, with Lily following.

“You’re leaving already?”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded, “Aren’t you heading out to meet your mom?”

Lily pursed her lips, “Then wait for me so we can go downstairs together.” Drawing from last time, she didn’t overthink it and just delayed a bit with him on the way down.

At the stairwell, she blurted out, “Hey, big dummy, could you come by this afternoon? I have something to give you.”

“This afternoon?” He remembered Heqing’s meeting at five and her plan to give him something.

Lily said, “Five o’clock, under that small bridge by the park where the pigeons hang out.”

I said it! I actually said it! I’m amazing!

She suddenly shouted so loudly it echoed, “Big dummy, you have to be there at five! I’ll meet you by the bridge—I have something to give you! Don’t miss it!”

With that, she dashed off, overwhelmed by embarrassment and unable to stay near Lin Zheng Ran another second.

Even when Lin Zheng Ran called after her, saying something, she didn’t hear it.