Chapter 107: Encounters in the Arena

Jiang Jingshi heard the sound and looked toward the field.

“Today’s competition is over. As expected, no one except Lin Xue is a match for Heqing’s sister. Zheng Ran, I have some things to do tonight, so I’ll head out first. There are two final matches tomorrow, and we’ll see who the champion is then.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded: “Goodbye, Jiang Jie.”

“Goodbye, Zheng Ran. It was nice chatting with you.”

Jiang Jingshi started to turn and leave, but her high heel suddenly caught in a small pothole on the audience area floor.

She stumbled and nearly fell, but Lin Zheng Ran reacted quickly and steadied her.

Jiang Jingshi leaned against Lin Zheng Ran’s chest, their hands clasped together.

A wave of fragrance enveloped him.

Lin Zheng Ran asked: “Are you okay, Jiang Jie?”

Jiang Jingshi slowly looked up at Lin Zheng Ran’s face, so close to hers, and blushed slightly: “I’m fine, thank you.”

Meanwhile, on the field, little Heqing was still smiling after her win, but when she glanced toward the audience seats and saw Jiang Jingshi in Lin Zheng Ran’s arms, her face turned pale with jealousy.

And their hands were still holding.

Little Heqing’s face went white with envy; she yanked off her headgear and hurried off the competition area.

“Lin Zheng Ran!”

Jiang Jingshi’s near fall caught the attention of the other coaches and venue leaders, who rushed over in a panic: “Boss Jiang! Are you alright?”

Jiang Jingshi steadied herself and glanced at the pothole: “I’m fine. Get someone to fix this, though. We don’t want anyone else tripping.”

The person in charge nodded nervously: “Yes, yes. I’ll have it done tonight. I’m so sorry about that.”

Jiang Jingshi wasn’t angry; she turned back to Lin Zheng Ran, her face still a bit flushed, and said thanks again. But out of the corner of her eye, she saw Heqing approaching from the stage, so she smiled and whispered to Lin Zheng Ran:

“See you tomorrow, Zheng Ran.”

Jiang Jingshi’s phone rang; she had something urgent and left under the escort of the crowd, answering the call as she headed away.

Little Heqing soon reached the stands, but by then Jiang Jingshi had already left the competition hall.

Sweat-drenched from the match, little Heqing stammered anxiously: “What… what happened just now?! What’s going on?”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her worried expression, still catching her breath: “Why did you come over here?”

She didn’t know how to put it: “Of course I came! I saw… I saw…”

Lin Zheng Ran knew what she was upset about and explained: “Jiang Jie just tripped by accident, so I helped her up. It’s nothing serious.”

Little Heqing stared at Lin Zheng Ran blankly.

Lin Zheng Ran pointed to the pothole: “Right there.”

Little Heqing stared at the hole but still asked: “Really?”

“What else could it be?” Lin Zheng Ran noticed sweat dripping from her forehead, even on her eyelashes.

He reached out and wiped the sweat from around her eyes: “You did amazing in the competition today. I’ll walk you to the changing room to get changed and relax. You’ve worked hard.”

Little Heqing felt that small act of kindness from Lin Zheng Ran was enough to melt away her frustrations.

Blushing and overwhelmed, she nodded: “Okay, I’ll go change.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her wrist, her eyes fixed on him.

But before she left, Lin Zheng Ran’s coach ran over with excitement: “Heqing, why are you rushing off like that? You fought great today and made it to the top four. Two more matches tomorrow!”

Little Heqing smiled and nodded: “Yeah!”

At the same time, many students from the Taekwondo dojo came over to congratulate Lin Zheng Ran, even though they had lost; they felt proud seeing little Heqing dominate everyone.

Little Heqing noticed the admiring looks and words from everyone, and it made her feel a bit proud inside.

Back in kindergarten, she was often picked on, but now she was the expert they all looked up to.

That sense of satisfaction was something only she understood.

Later, Lin Zheng Ran accompanied little Heqing to the changing room. The venue had a special post-competition massage area where female instructors taught athletes how to relax and recover their stamina.

Little Heqing stayed in there for a while, then took a shower after.

Afterward, she felt completely refreshed and relaxed.

With her hair tied back and in fresh clothes, little Heqing stepped out looking renewed: “Lin Zheng Ran! Let’s head to the car. Did you watch my matches today? Are you satisfied? I didn’t lose a single one.”

Lin Zheng Ran hummed in agreement as they walked to the car: “I was there the whole time, of course I saw. You were really impressive. Are you feeling tired or uncomfortable anywhere?”

Little Heqing shook her head: “Not at all. Though, none of them were really my match. But one girl mentioned there’s someone named Lin Xue who’s supposed to be tough tomorrow.”

“I saw that girl, the one with the short hair. She’s different from the others, for sure. But don’t worry, rest up tonight, and I’ll teach you a new move tomorrow, just in case.”

“Okay!” She replied like an obedient little sparrow.

They got back in the car and headed home; it was already evening.

Lin Zheng Ran led little Heqing inside, where Lin Xiao Li and Lin Ying Jun had dinner ready. Lin Xiao Li beamed with affection: “Oh, Xiao Qingqing and Zheng Ran are back! I heard you went to a competition?”

Little Heqing greeted politely: “Hello, Aunt! Yes, I competed, but it’s not over yet—two more matches tomorrow.”

“Still more to go?” Lin Xiao Li adored little Heqing: “How did you do today? Did you win?”

Little Heqing grinned happily: “I won! With Lin Zheng Ran teaching me, there’s no way I could lose.”

“Oh, you’re amazing, Xiao Qingqing! You’ll win the next two for sure!”

Lin Ying Jun didn’t know much about it but said: “Alright, let’s eat. Xiao Qingqing and Zheng Ran, wash up and join us.”

The four of them sat at the table, chatting easily, feeling just like family.

After dinner, it was already past seven.

Outside, it was dark; little Heqing and Lin Zheng Ran sat on the bed in the bedroom as he carefully checked her for any injuries, relieved when he found none.

He stepped out, saying he was going to the bathroom.

Little Heqing quickly straightened the bed covers while he was gone.

She arranged the pillows neatly.

Because tonight, she was more nervous than during the competition—sleeping in the same bed had been on her mind all day.

But when Lin Zheng Ran returned from the bathroom, things took a different turn.

He saw little Heqing tidying up on the bed and said:

“You don’t need to fuss with that. Just lie down and rest. After a competition, rest is what matters most.”

As he spoke, Lin Zheng Ran grabbed a blanket and pillow and started heading to the study.

Little Heqing stared in confusion as he walked away with them: “Where are you going? Why are you taking the blanket and pillow? I just fixed everything.”

Lin Zheng Ran replied matter-of-factly: “I’m sleeping on the single bed in the study, so I need these.”

“Huh?” Little Heqing jumped out of bed and followed him: “What study? Didn’t you say you’d sleep in the bedroom with me, on the same bed?”

Lin Zheng Ran set up the single bed in the study and put the blanket and pillow on it, casually saying:

“Did you really believe that? I was just kidding. You’re not a kid anymore, so does it make sense for us to share a bed?”

“But when we were little, I slept on your bed sometimes. Why not now?” She suddenly tried to argue back.

“That was during naps, and things are different now. I gave you the big bed so you can sleep comfortably. It’s all yours—stretch out however you want.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned and saw her standing there blankly behind him.

“What are you standing there for? Go back to the bedroom and rest. I’ll wake you in the morning.”

A few minutes later, Lin Zheng Ran led little Heqing back to his bedroom. She climbed into the big bed, and he tucked her in, turning off the light and closing the door.

“Goodnight. If you need anything, just call me— the study is right nearby.”

The door closed.

But little Heqing lay alone in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, feeling a sudden wave of disappointment that made her want to cry.

After all the buildup from the day, she didn’t want to sleep alone at all…

After tossing and turning, little Heqing got an idea: she’d sneak over to him…