Chapter 88: Whispers of the Fox

Little Fox pouted playfully, “I should’ve just asked Brother Zheng Ran directly. I’d climb right on you—would you really have the heart to hit me?”

Lin Zheng Ran flicked her forehead.

Little Fox let out a dramatic “Ouch!”

It didn’t hurt, but that didn’t stop her from acting hurt, burying her face in his arm and covering her forehead. “That hurts so much!”

“Stop faking it. I didn’t even hit you hard.”

Peeking out with one eye, she said, “Even if it didn’t hurt, I have to say it does. How else would Brother Zheng Ran feel bad for me? It hurts so bad!”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to her cheeky ways and just huffed without replying.

Han Wenwen settled down, using her hands as a pillow on the desk, her imaginary nine fox tails swaying—some gently, others wrapping around Lin Zheng Ran’s leg.

She quietly studied the side of his face as he wrote.

Of course, before school ended, Han Wenwen had to tell Heqing, or their secret meeting would be exposed:

“Heqing, the afternoon rehearsal might take a while. You and Lily go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for us. I’ll keep an eye on Lin Zheng Ran and make sure no other girls get near him.”

Heqing heard she couldn’t join for dinner and nodded. “Thanks for the hard work, Han Wenwen. I’ll cheer you on tomorrow during the performance.”

Han Wenwen linked arms with Heqing. “Thanks, Heqing.”

Lily overheard and walked over. “Wait, is that guy really performing with that Jiang Qian girl?”

Han Wenwen replied, “It’s what the school arranged. They were supposed to perform solo, but the teacher thought a piano duet would be better, so they teamed up.”

At first, Lily and Heqing were surprised about the piano duet, wondering how he could play since they’d never heard of it.

Lily sighed, “He has so many secrets. I feel like I’m not even his childhood friend anymore.”

Heqing nodded, but since she’d been away from Lin Zheng Ran for years, she figured not knowing everything was normal.

Han Wenwen glanced at the time and figured it was about right. “Alright, I’ll head back to the rehearsal room. See you, Heqing and Lily! Bye!”

She waved goodbye.

Lily and Heqing waved back.

Watching Little Fox leave, Lily shivered and rubbed her arms. “Even after half a month, I still haven’t gotten used to her calling me Lily.”

Lily and Heqing exchanged looks and suddenly both smiled.

Though they’d been rivals in a fierce battle, after spending so much time together, a bit of friendship had grown. Beyond the rivalry, they were good friends.

Heqing said softly, “How about we eat together tonight?”

Lily smiled and nodded slowly. “Sure, let’s eat together tonight.”

In the program rehearsal room, as dinnertime hit, everyone headed to the cafeteria, but Han Wenwen returned to Lin Zheng Ran’s side.

She asked if he’d finished his speech draft.

Lin Zheng Ran nodded, tucked the draft away, and stood up. “I just jotted down the basics. No one really cares about these speeches anyway, as long as the main points are there.”

Han Wenwen tiptoed up, adjusted Lin Zheng Ran’s hair, and smoothed his bangs. “Oh, I don’t think so. I’ll hang on every word when you speak, Brother Zheng Ran. I’m always fully supportive of you, no matter what.”

As they walked toward the school gate, with few students around, Han Wenwen asked curiously, “How are we getting out? Don’t they lock down for boarders at night?”

Lin Zheng Ran smoothly reached the gate and greeted the security guard, pulling out a pass.

“Uncle, I’m just stepping out to buy something.”

The security guard opened the gate for them. “Again, Lin? Go ahead.”

Lin Zheng Ran put the pass away. “Thanks, Uncle.”

Han Wenwen was surprised at how easy it was. “What’s that pass? Where did you get it?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Little Fox’s shocked expression. “I asked my homeroom teacher. Said I might need to run out for stuff for the performance, and she gave it to me.”

After a pause, he didn’t say more.

“Just like that?” Little Fox didn’t get it.

Lin Zheng Ran thought about how his System-granted Charm always worked wonders—people agreed as long as his reasons made sense. Plus, the key was his good grades:

“What else? Mainly, teachers trust good students when they ask for things. A troublemaker might not get it, or it’d get taken back quick, in case they do something stupid outside.”

Han Wenwen suddenly smirked and tilted her head. “So, as the good student, Brother Zheng Ran is sneaking out with a girl for snacks?”

“Want me to take you back to the cafeteria instead?”

Han Wenwen clutched her stomach. “No! You promised, Brother Zheng Ran. My stomach hurts!”

“If you’re faking, at least make it believable. Is your stomach in your belly?”

Han Wenwen moved her hand to her chest.

“That’s your heart. The stomach’s lower down.”

“Brother Zheng Ran knows everything.”

They walked to a snack street two blocks from school.

The vibrant, endless snack street bustled with people—residents from nearby areas, all ages mingling, with a huge entertainment plaza next door.

Little Fox lit up. “I had no idea the school was near a street like this! We can come on weekends to explore.”

Then she realized something. “Wait, how did you know about this snack street, Brother Zheng Ran? I never heard of it.”

Lin Zheng Ran replied casually, “Some senior invited me here once, but I didn’t go, so I knew about it.”

Little Fox eyed him jealously and muttered, “Figured it was a girl who told you. I wish I hadn’t asked.”

They stepped into the crowded street, but with so many people, Little Fox couldn’t even get close to some stalls without nearly getting bumped.

Seeing her being careless, Lin Zheng Ran grabbed her arm to keep her safe. “Watch out.”

Han Wenwen looked at his hand on her arm and smiled. “Thanks, Brother Zheng Ran. But it’s so crowded—mind if I link arms with you? We might get separated.”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed the packed crowd and thought it made sense; it wasn’t the first time anyway, so he agreed.

Little Fox beamed, quickly linked her arm with his, and pumped a little fist. “Thanks, Brother Zheng Ran! Let’s go explore! I want chicken steak!”

“Looks like there’s one up ahead. Let’s check it out.”

They reached the chicken steak stall, and the vendor asked, “How many for you two?”

Han Wenwen held up two fingers. “Two, please.”

Seeing them linked arms, the vendor pointed to a new item. “This just launched—couple’s chicken rack, fifteen each. Want to try?”

Han Wenwen said without hesitation, “One, please!”

Lin Zheng Ran remembered past events. “We’re just starting, so let’s not overdo it. We might not finish.”

Han Wenwen pouted. “But it’s new, and the portions are small. Come on, please?”

The vendor laughed. “Don’t worry, kid. It’s delicious. Treat your girlfriend to it.”

Little Fox caught that word and glanced at Lin Zheng Ran, her tone drawn out:

“Please?”

Lin Zheng Ran saw her playful act. “Fine, get it. As long as you eat it.”

Han Wenwen’s eyes widened with joy, thinking how Lin Zheng Ran hadn’t denied the girlfriend comment, and she bit her lip shyly. “Thanks, Brother Zheng Ran!”

She tightened her grip on his arm.

Handing them the food, Han Wenwen eyed the distance. “I also want chicken cartilage, wings, legs—”

Lin Zheng Ran stuffed a piece of chicken steak in her mouth. “Stomach hurting? You seem hungry as ever!”