Chapter 118: Whispers of Jealousy

Heqing pulled out her phone to check the time: “Oh right, I need to go!”

She had planned to linger a bit longer, maybe rest her head on Lin Zheng Ran’s shoulder while those two weren’t around, but time had slipped away so fast.

Every moment alone with him just flew by in a flash.

Heqing glanced back toward the distance: “Is Lily still not here? Well, I can’t wait for her. I’ve got to catch the high-speed train, Wenwen. If Lily shows up later, tell her I’ve headed out.”

“Okay, Xiao Qingqing, don’t worry.”

Heqing said goodbye to Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen: “See you, Lin Zheng Ran and Wenwen! I’m off in the car!”

She sounded shy when she called out to Lin Zheng Ran, then hurried to the street corner where rows of taxis waited at the school gate. Before getting in, she waved at him one more time.

Han Wenwen waved back at Heqing and watched until she drove away.

The little fox shot a sideways glance at Lin Zheng Ran, pretending to be upset as she looked away: “So cozy, huh? Warming hands first thing in the morning.”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed the fox: “Did you show up early?”

Han Wenwen huffed lightly: “Not just me—someone else beat us here too. This morning was quite the scene.”

From the bushes in the distance, Lily slowly approached, her expression neutral as if she hadn’t seen a thing.

Yet, her eyes held a trace of hidden grievance as she waved to Lin Zheng Ran: “Good morning, Zheng Ran!”

Lin Zheng Ran turned: “Good morning.”

Han Wenwen glanced back at Lily’s slightly hurt expression, then at Lin Zheng Ran, her own jealousy bubbling up.

This week was supposed to be Zheng Ran brother’s time with Lily, and on the first day of break, this had to happen.

This week, Zheng Ran brother would probably spend a lot of time with Lily.

On the bus back to the small town, the three sat together.

Suddenly, Lily felt a stomachache and clutched her belly.

Lin Zheng Ran asked what was wrong.

Lily shook her head with a smile: “It’s nothing, probably just from the cool morning air. I’ll warm up my stomach once I get home.”

After smiling, she avoided Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes and stared out the swaying bus window.

She couldn’t stop thinking about that morning scene of Heqing holding Lin Zheng Ran’s hand.

That kind of gesture was clearly something couples do.

Zheng Ran and Heqing…

When the bus stopped, the three got off, and despite what had happened, Lily almost instinctively said: “Hey, Zheng Ran, this week is the competition…”

But she stopped herself mid-sentence.

Lin Zheng Ran nodded: “I know. I’ll head home, pack up, and come find you to talk about the competition details.”

Lily chuckled and teased him playfully: “Actually… no rush. You can handle your stuff first. It’s still early today, and the competition’s days away anyway.”

With that, she waved to Lin Zheng Ran: “I’m heading home. You go pack your things too, Zheng Ran.”

As she turned to leave, another wave of stomach pain hit, and she clutched her belly, wondering if it was from eating something bad yesterday. She’d need to find some medicine for diarrhea at home.

Once Lily was gone, Han Wenwen looked at Lin Zheng Ran: “Looks like you’ll have to sweet-talk me and her. Lily’s clearly jealous too. Having three girlfriends has its perks and pitfalls—greed has its downsides.”

Lin Zheng Ran watched Lily walk away, knowing that wanting too much always leads to complications—he’d thought about that long ago.

Han Wenwen studied his expression: “Seems like Zheng Ran brother has a plan in mind.”

When alone, she slipped back to her usual nickname: “So, when will Zheng Ran brother finish helping Lily with the competition?”

“Around the sixth, I think. The singing competition is two days, ending by six in the evening.”

Han Wenwen had hoped for sooner and paused: “Then I’ll call you at six. She poked his chest with her finger:

“I’ve had my fill of watching you and Heqing being all lovey-dovey this week. Seeing the guy I like getting close to other girls—do you know how unhappy that makes me, Zheng Ran brother? If you don’t make it up to me, you’ll find out that this little fox can bite!”

Han Wenwen fixed her charming eyes on him, lips pursed in thick jealousy.

Unable to hold back, she grabbed Lin Zheng Ran’s arm and gave it a gentle nip—not hard, since she couldn’t bear to hurt him.

It just left a bit of saliva on his hand.

“Remember to cheer me up by six that afternoon. I’ll be waiting, or I’ll bombard you with calls. Got it, Zheng Ran brother?!”

Lin Zheng Ran agreed and wiped the saliva off his hand with her clothes: “Got it. I’ll come find you at six.”

Han Wenwen wrinkled her nose: “Ew, that’s gross!”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Isn’t that your saliva?”

“Exactly, that’s why it’s gross. If it were yours, I wouldn’t mind. Oh well, I’ll just wash my clothes when I get home.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself that she was even picky about her own.

The little fox looked up: “I’m heading back to the rental house. Don’t forget about six.”

“Okay, take it easy on the way.”

The little fox waved to Lin Zheng Ran, and they parted ways.

As she walked back to the rental house, she calculated the days—six more to go. It would be tough.

And right now, Zheng Ran brother only had three girlfriends. If he got one or two more, how long would it take for him to spend time with her?

She needed to think of a way to get more time with him.

The three went home to sort their things.

But once home, Lily’s stomach hurt even more, so she crouched on the road for a bit before heading out.

She had no choice but to go to the nearby clinic.

She registered and saw the doctor.

The doctor was a kind aunt in a white coat, experienced with minor ailments.

“Name?”

“Lily.”

“Age?”

“Sixteen.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My stomach’s been hurting since this morning, and it’s getting worse.”

“Extend your hand.”

Lily sat in the chair and held out her hand. The female doctor took her pulse and glanced at other files.

Lily whispered: “What’s going on, doctor? Can you tell what’s wrong?”

“Hmm, you’re pregnant.”

Lily froze, then stammered: “Wait, what?! Pregnant? That’s impossible!”

The doctor handed the record to the previous patient entering: “For you, I said you’re pregnant—go to the hospital for a proper check.”

That woman took the record and nodded: “Thanks, doctor. I’ll go today.”

After she left, the doctor turned to Lily: “So, where does it hurt?”

Lily sighed in relief, her heart racing from the scare.

She knew that couldn’t be right.

Sweat beading on her forehead: “I said my stomach hurts, doctor, since this morning.”

“Had it before?”

“No.”

“On your period today?”

“Uh? Yeah…”

“Did it hurt during past periods?”

“Sometimes, but not badly.”

“Any sexual experiences?”

“Sexual? Oh no, absolutely not!” Lily waved her hands quickly: “I’ve never even held a boy’s hand! I swear!”

The doctor pulled back, eyeing Lily’s embarrassed face: “From that reaction, I can tell you’re honest. So, did something upset you today? Mood can affect these things a lot.”

“Something upsetting…” She thought of the morning: “Yeah, I guess.”

The doctor said: “It’s probably menstrual cramps. I’ll give you some medicine that’ll help. Try to stay positive, drink plenty of warm water, and keep your spirits up. Next!”

Lily acknowledged it, thinking at least it wasn’t serious, but how could she cheer up after seeing them hold hands?

That big idiot had just confessed to her—he should be her boyfriend!

And Zheng Ran was supposed to come over this morning. How could she practice singing with period pain?