Chapter 121: Awakening Affections

After waking from a nap, Lily’s eyes were still hazy as she turned to look behind her at Lin Zheng Ran, who was leaning against the bed reading a book, and blinked clumsily.

Her stomach didn’t hurt as much anymore, and her mind was clear.

But this time, an unprecedented wave of embarrassment hit her faster than her thoughts.

That morning, her stomach pain, Lin Zheng Ran’s gentle care, and the silence of her heartbreak had made her chatter endlessly without thinking straight.

Now, it suddenly dawned on her what she’d said…

She’d admitted she liked him, claimed that wanting to marry him was no excuse because no one else did, and even said that even if he dumped her, she’d still chase him relentlessly, with only him in her heart.

Though it was all true, she never imagined she’d blurt it all out to his face!

Lily’s face turned red so fast it looked ready to burst.

Luckily, Lin Zheng Ran noticed her odd behavior and flicked her forehead just in time to deflate that tension.

Otherwise, she’d have thrown a punch with her little fists. She acted so normal and grown-up at school, but alone with him, she turned back into that kid from years ago.

Heqing was the same way, and Little Fox even more so—when alone, she always loved to sprawl on him, not acting human at all, just pure fox.

At that moment, Lily clutched her forehead, wincing from the flick.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “Awake now?”

Her face still flushed, Lily pouted at him, her voice soft and whiny, “Hey, Lin Zheng Ran, why’d you hit me for no reason?”

“Still hurting?”

Lily checked herself. “No, not hurting anymore, but I feel a bit off. I think I can practice singing this afternoon though.”

Lin Zheng Ran reached out, and Lily thought he might flick her again, but he just gently brushed a strand of hair stuck to her mouth from sleep. “If you’re practicing this afternoon, stay in bed. I’ll bring the guitar over.”

Lily watched his careful movements, her eyes full of that shy glow only a young girl could have.

Her ears burned red.

She figured maybe spilling those words that morning wasn’t so bad—sure, it was embarrassing, but saying that stuff to her boyfriend felt pretty normal anyway.

As Lin Zheng Ran got up to grab the guitar, he glanced back curiously, “By the way, do you need clothes? I didn’t expect you to be so restless in your sleep—especially your legs, they keep slipping out from under the covers. I’ve tucked you in a couple of times already.”

“Huh?” Lily looked down at her smooth leg sticking out, and through the gap in the covers, she could even see a bit more than that since she wasn’t wearing leggings.

She stammered in embarrassment and quickly pulled her leg back under the blanket. “Perv!”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed, “So, should I get your clothes or not?”

“Of course!” She poked her clever little head out from under the covers. “You big flirt!”

He let out a sigh, “You girls are all so spoiled by me. Do you even know what a real flirt looks like? Let me show you.”

With that, Lin Zheng Ran started to pull off his shirt.

It scared Lily witless, and she ducked her head back under. “Stop! I was wrong! What are you doing? Don’t get carried away!”

Lin Zheng Ran thought teasing these girls now and then added some fun to life. “Just kidding. I’ll get your clothes.”

And with that, he left the bedroom.

Once she heard him go, Lily peeked out again, huffed softly, then giggled. “Lin Zheng Ran can be kinda cute sometimes, even if he’s a bit of a player.”

Soon, Lily changed into her pajamas right there on the bed.

She sat with the guitar in hand, even tying her long hair into twin tails with a hair tie.

Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously, “Why bother tying your hair up when you’re not going out?”

Lily answered as if it were obvious:

“I just feel like it makes singing more fun. Oh, and about twin tails—I saw it on some online post recently,

The post said this hairstyle lets your boyfriend hold both with his hands. What does that even mean? I checked the comments and still didn’t get it; everyone just said, ‘If you know, you know.'”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled, instantly figuring out what the netizens meant. “Want to know?”

Lily nodded. “So, what’s it mean? Do you get it, Lin Zheng Ran?”

“I do. I’ll tell you—since you’re grown up now, you’d find out online eventually anyway. Come closer, and I’ll whisper it in your ear.”

Lily said curiously, “That mysterious, huh?”

She straightened up on her knees and leaned her ear toward him.

Lin Zheng Ran quietly explained what it meant.

Lily froze for a second, then her face turned bright red as she hugged her twin tails to her chest, yelling in embarrassment, “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re such a perv—and a huge one at that! What are you even saying?”

Lin Zheng Ran looked innocent. “You asked, didn’t you? I didn’t bring it up.”

“Well… well, that’s still pervy!” She buried her head in her hands, eyes shut in regret. “I shouldn’t have asked; now I’ve got images in my head!”

Lin Zheng Ran tapped her head. “Snap out of it! Time to practice singing!”

One tap and she settled down.

Of course, she’d never forget this—because she had a feeling Lin Zheng Ran might try that with her twin tails someday…

That afternoon, Lily strummed her guitar in bed, happier than she had been since military training ended, her joyful mood making her performance spot-on.

Lin Zheng Ran brought up something. “By the way, Lily, I used to think you were too young for this, but now that you’re an adult, have you considered turning your original songs into videos for online? It could earn you some extra cash and boost your fame.”

Her playing paused. “Lily, Lily?” Lily fixated on those two words—Lin Zheng Ran had never called her that before.

She zoned out for a bit, and when she saw him frown, she scratched her cheek, eyes darting to the ceiling as her face reddened. “Oh, that… Let me think. Yeah, I did consider it before, but I felt my singing wasn’t good enough back then, so I didn’t. Plus, once it’s online, everyone’s going to comment, right? And with all the school stuff, I just forgot.”

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Comments won’t be that many, actually. Most video creators post and get zero interaction, even from bots. The ones with lots of comments are just the viral ones.”

Lily blinked. “Is that so? I’m not sure, but I see it’s tough for them to go viral.”

“Anyway, doesn’t your studio allow this? Musicians usually have their own video accounts; it’s standard.”

Lily replied, “I think so—I’ve seen others post videos online, but none seem to make money from it.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought for a moment:

“Before the competition, ask about it. If it’s okay, start with this week’s town event. I’ll record your performance separately and upload it to your personal account. That could double your chances of going viral.”

Even his filming, with his mastery of all things, would outshine anyone’s.

Lily nodded. “Okay, I’ll go with whatever you say.”

“Got it.”

But then, Lily remembered something. “Oh, right, Lin Zheng Ran, you haven’t forgotten, have you? You promised that if I win the championship, you’d take me to the zoo and then to a movie.”

“Of course not, I remember.”

Lily grinned widely. “Good, as long as you haven’t forgotten.”

The zoo… Now that she and Lin Zheng Ran were a couple, maybe on that date, she could get away with some bold moves.

After all, it would be a real couple’s outing—holding hands, hugging, or even… Lily daydreamed about it.

Autumn and winter nights fell quickly, and Lin Zheng Ran said goodbye to Lily and headed home.

As they parted, she got out of bed and stood at the door, smiling and waving. “Bye, Lin Zheng Ran! Come over tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure.”

Crossing the intersection downstairs, Lin Zheng Ran got home and was surprised to find his grandfather there, sitting on the sofa sipping tea.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Grandfather? What brings you here?”

Grandfather saw him and sighed, “My good grandson! You’re taller already after just a month!”

Lin Xiao Li and Lin Ying Jun were in the kitchen cleaning up.

Lin Xiao Li called out, “Ran, you’re back? Ran, Dad, you two wash up; dinner’s almost ready.”

Grandfather and Lin Zheng Ran both agreed.

Lin Zheng Ran added, “Grandfather, I haven’t grown that much in a month. Anyway, is there a reason for your visit?”

Grandfather stood up. “I brought some things from home for your parents, but I also wanted to chat with you about your arranged marriage. Now that you’re in high school, have you met that girl yet?”

Lin Zheng Ran thought of Jiang Qian. “Not exactly met, but I’ve seen what she looks like.” Jiang Qian probably didn’t know he was her arranged match—they’d never mentioned it.

“Oh, like that? I’m not following, grandson.” Grandfather went on, “Anyway, I arranged with my old comrade for you two to meet on the second, but then I thought you young folks are busy, so set your own time. She’ll add you tonight, so pick a day to meet. My old comrade says she’s looking forward to it.”

[Strange Encounter: A Marriage Contract]

——

In an office of a certain music team in Green Vine City.

Many singers, staff, and leaders sat neatly in a large office for a meeting.

The woman at the front was naturally the team’s boss, Jiang Jingshi.

Elegant and mature, she flipped through the materials on other studios for the competition:

“I’ve said all I need to. Make sure to give it your all in this competition and win that championship—there’ll be big rewards. Oh, and are there any standout people from the other studios?”

One leader spoke up, “Boss Jiang, I heard about one—a singer named Lily from the neighboring studio. She’s got amazing talent. I heard her sing once, and she’s incredible.”

“Lily? What’s her background? How old is she?”

“No real background, just sixteen or seventeen. Pure talent. And from what I hear, she’s not trained by the studio; she has her own teacher, a guy about her age.”

Jiang Jingshi paused her flipping, the description sounding familiar. She looked up. “What?”