Chapter 131: Whispers of Affection

Lin Zheng Ran had barely raised his hand when Han Wenwen tumbled straight into his arms, wrapping herself around him.

She deliberately lowered her head.

It was her way of saying, Brother Zheng Ran, go ahead and stroke my head—I’m all ready for it.

Lin Zheng Ran couldn’t help but admire this little fox’s talent for acting cute—it seemed utterly natural to her.

He gently stroked Han Wenwen’s long hair, and she melted into it, burying half her face in his chest while her legs curled up, resting on his lap.

“Brother Zheng Ran’s hands are so big, and his body is packed with muscle…”

Han Wenwen closed her eyes, her hand wandering restlessly over his chest.

Her fingers glided lightly from his abdomen to his chest, then back down again.

The firm muscles had her secretly captivated.

In the end, she even thought those clothes were getting in the way.

She wanted to slip her hand under his shirt.

But Lin Zheng Ran gave her a quick flick on the forehead as a warning.

Han Wenwen let out a soft whine, “Brother Zheng Ran isn’t a girl, so what’s wrong with me touching a little?”

“Stop being so restless here.”

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “What are we having tonight? You mentioned there are other things besides the chicken cutlet at home?”

Han Wenwen looked up at his profile, her hand still roaming over his stomach, “Yeah, let me tell you what’s left. Brother Zheng Ran can pick whatever you want for dinner.”

She ticked them off on her fingers, “There’s the overcooked chicken cutlet, some expired snacks that aren’t great, and of course, me—all fresh and tasty. Pick any one as our meal.”

She finished with a grin, ignoring the expression he already expected on his face.

Lin Zheng Ran played along, “Are you sure?”

“Yep, totally sure.”

“Then I’ll go with you. But have you washed up as food?”

Han Wenwen said proudly, “Of course I have! I showered first thing this morning, so where do you want to start, Brother Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed her closely, “Let’s start with the neck.”

He suddenly felt like he had to put this little fox in her place—after all, her hands had been wandering for ages.

“Okay.”

Han Wenwen straightened up, but she wasn’t tall enough, so she knelt in front of Lin Zheng Ran, tilting her neck toward his mouth. She pulled her shoulder aside to reveal her smooth, swan-like neck, “Go ahead, Brother Zheng Ran.” Her face flushed slightly.

Lin Zheng Ran reached out, not holding back like before.

Instead, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist and pulled her into his lap.

She let out a soft gasp.

His breath brushed against Han Wenwen’s neck.

Though Han Wenwen was usually bold with her flirting and teasing, even initiating it herself,

she was still an untouched girl at heart, and her true feelings showed in moments of closeness.

That simple embrace and the warmth of his breath made her body tremble, her face instantly turning a deep shade of red.

She glanced down at Lin Zheng Ran’s serious expression.

He looked like a predator eyeing his caught prey, making her heart race wildly.

Lin Zheng Ran noticed the fear creeping into her eyes and said slowly, “Let me ask again—are you sure I should really do this?”

Han Wenwen’s eyes glistened as if they might spill over, feeling his arm still around her waist. She bit her lip and turned away slightly, a hint of moisture in her gaze:

“I-I was wrong… Let’s not rush into that. I’m not ready yet, and besides, you’re not staying the night. If we did that, I’d be scared alone here tonight.”

Her fingers clenched tightly, “Maybe we can find a better time, like when you’re staying over, or if you really can’t wait, I could try something else tonight, like…”

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled at her words and released her waist.

He slowly got out of bed, “Come on, get changed. I’ll take you downstairs to buy some things.”

Once free, Han Wenwen sat there, glancing back at him blankly, worried he might be upset since she’d turned him down.

Of course, if he’d insisted, she would’ve gone along with it.

But seeing his amused smile, she muttered, “Such a tease.”

Then it hit her—he’d been messing with her the whole time, and she’d almost believed it was real.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she buried herself in the bed, turning away from him, “Brother Zheng Ran, you’re the worst! You used to be so proper, but lately, you’ve turned into this.”

Her heart pounded furiously as she clutched the blanket tight.

Her breathing grew quick and tense.

She’d even started thinking about ways to please him in that way, which only made her feel more ashamed now.

“Wenwen?”

At his call, Han Wenwen’s body jerked again, her flushed face slowly turning back to him.

“What?”

Seeing she was still red-faced, Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously, “Not over it yet? Come on, change and let’s go buy some stuff downstairs.”

The little fox looked at him, then slowly sat up on the bed with her arms open wide, looking pitiful, “Hug me~”

Lin Zheng Ran saw she seemed genuinely shaken, so he stepped over, and she quickly knelt up to hug him.

It took her a while to calm down, and only then did they head downstairs for their evening shopping.

On the way, Lin Zheng Ran asked if she wanted to eat out to skip the hassle of cooking at home.

But Han Wenwen loved the idea of ‘home’—she felt that staying in with Lin Zheng Ran was perfect and they didn’t need to go out unless others were involved.

Except when there were other people around.

“No, let’s eat at home.”

That night, they carried back some veggies, noodles, and a roasted chicken to the rental house.

Han Wenwen sat softly beside Lin Zheng Ran on the blanket spread on the floor, with a simple table in front of them.

She tore off a chicken leg and held it up, “Ahh~ You first, Brother Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran took a big bite.

Han Wenwen asked, “By the way, how did Lily’s competition go these past couple of days? Did she win? Last time, Xiao Qingqing got first place, and she was so excited about it back at the dorm.”

Thinking about it, Lin Zheng Ran replied:

“Lily’s made it to the final rankings for now, but the exact results won’t be out for another couple of weeks.”

“A couple of weeks? That’s so slow.”

“Yeah, there were some issues, so the organizers stretched it out to ensure everything’s legit.”

Han Wenwen shared her thoughts, “Well, since the competition’s over, what’s your plan for tomorrow, Brother Zheng Ran?”

“I’m taking Lily to the cinema—we’ve got it planned.”

Han Wenwen froze like a statue, then quickly pulled back the half-eaten chicken leg and chomped on it grumpily.

“I knew you wouldn’t have time for me tomorrow.”

“This week’s for Lily, but next week, I’ll be all yours properly.”

Han Wenwen munched on the juicy chicken leg, knowing there was no way around it—they had to keep things fair among the three girlfriends, and sneaking in time with her today was already a treat.

She reminded him again, “Don’t forget, next week you’re staying over here at night. You promised, no backing out!”

“Yeah, no backing out.”

Han Wenwen smiled and leaned against Lin Zheng Ran’s shoulder.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Can’t you sit properly while eating? Last time I took you to Snack Street, I got back to the dorm and my clothes were all oily from you.”

“No way? I’ll be careful this time! I’m just leaning while eating, I promise I won’t—”

Before she finished, a drop of oil from the chicken leg dripped onto Lin Zheng Ran’s pants.

Lin Zheng Ran just stared at her wordlessly.

Han Wenwen blinked awkwardly, grimacing as she wiped at his pants with her hand, only to spread the oil more, “It’s fine, it’s fine—I’ll wash it for you. And hey, Brother Zheng Ran, you could keep a few spare clothes here. My place is your place, after all. How can you not have extras at home? That way, you won’t worry about oil stains.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought it made sense—he’d been coming here so often, it was practical to leave some things.

“I’ll bring a few over sometime.”

“Really? Great! I’ll clear out a spot just for your clothes!”

After dinner, Lin Zheng Ran chatted with Han Wenwen at home for a bit.

They talked about this and that, though no one could say exactly what.

Time slipped by unnoticed until it was nine o’clock, and Lin Zheng Ran headed home amid Han Wenwen’s reluctant gaze.

She even walked him downstairs, watching until he vanished from sight before going back in.

That night, in a house near the crossroads,

a girl with twin ponytails lay in her bedroom, wide awake again.

Last time it was from unhappiness; this time, it was pure excitement and joy.

Just thinking about going to the cinema with Lin Zheng Ran to watch a romance movie had Lily buzzing.

Her bright, lively eyes stared at the ceiling until three in the morning.

She hummed to herself, “Movie day tomorrow~ Movie day tomorrow~”

Her heart felt full and content.

The next day, as the sun rose, the girl with hair that gleamed golden in the light sat up in bed, staring at the bright window.

“Oh no, I pulled another all-nighter! Seriously?”

But glancing at the time, she realized there was no time to catch up on sleep, so Lily jumped out of bed, showered, freshened up, and put on the outfit she’d agonized over yesterday for their date.

After getting ready, she checked herself in the mirror and thought,

“I should be fine, right? This is happy insomnia, not like last time. I won’t doze off during the movie! Definitely not!”

At eight in the morning, Lily called Lin Zheng Ran on time.

They met at the crossroads.

“Zheng Ran! Good morning! So, where are we heading for the movie?”

Lily waved energetically, her little tiger teeth flashing cutely.

Lin Zheng Ran led her to a taxi, “We’re going to the city. You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? We’ll grab some on the way.”

“Alright”