Chapter 177: Whispers in the Hallways

Lunchtime arrived, and with the teacher’s call of ‘Class dismissed,’ students wearily sat up one by one, chatting about random topics as they headed to the cafeteria.

Jiang Qian got up and made her way to the cafeteria, while only Fang Meng and Lin Zheng Ran stayed seated.

All morning, ever since the Guidance Director mentioned the heroic act earlier, students—especially many girls—kept crowding Fang Meng during breaks to ask what happened.

No one dared ask Lin Zheng Ran, though, because Jiang Qian was right by his side.

Over the past three years in class, everyone knew the Deputy Class Monitor had a thing for the Class Monitor—at least, that’s what people thought. Their relationship was always a bit mysterious.

“What’s going on, Fang Meng? When did you and the Class Monitor get together?”

“Yeah, Fang Meng, did you snatch him from the Deputy Class Monitor?”

“Have you two been on dates? How far have things gone? Kissed yet? Or more?”

“Does the Class Monitor act all sweet with you?”

“I’m so jealous of you, Fang Meng.”

The barrage of random questions gave Fang Meng a headache, even though she kept insisting they weren’t in that kind of relationship.

But some questions were so awkward they made even her blush, and her flushed face made no one believe they were just friends. Everyone figured it was something they couldn’t talk about at school, especially after the teacher might have warned them.

Still, with the video on the public account showing Fang Meng so close to Lin Zheng Ran, no one bought her denials—they all assumed the two were a couple.

Those silly questions made Jiang Qian, sitting against the wall, tense up, her fingers clenching without thinking.

Fang Meng noticed Jiang Qian’s reaction.

She sighed inwardly, thinking things were getting more complicated. Could they ever patch things up?

Now at midday dismissal, Jiang Qian left the classroom like a thorny ice flower.

Fang Meng watched Jiang Qian’s retreating figure, then helplessly laid her hands on the desk and buried her face in her arms.

“It’s over…” she muttered to herself.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t turn around; instead, he glanced outside the classroom. Those three little ones hadn’t shown up yet—probably still in class.

Fang Meng lifted her head slightly and looked at Lin Zheng Ran: “Lin Zheng Ran, why aren’t you going to eat?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Waiting for someone—those three to finish class.”

Fang Meng recalled the three pretty girls from the next class:

“By the way, everyone knows about your heroic act now. Those three probably do too. I’m sorry, I dragged you into this. If you need me to vouch for you, just say the word.”

Lin Zheng Ran had guessed how those three would react since the Homeroom Teacher mentioned it that morning.

He sighed: “Thanks, but it’s fine. We’re not really a couple, so it’s easy for me to explain. You, though—what’s your plan with Jiang Qian? You’ve sung together, shared drinks; you must have the courage by now?”

Fang Meng stared at the desk: “Tonight. Even with this extra mess, I’ll talk to Jiang Qian tonight. Whatever happens, happens.”

She stood up and headed to the cafeteria: “I’m off to eat.”

“Alright, take your time.”

As Fang Meng reached the door, another question popped into her head:

“Wait, I’m still curious—which of those three is your girlfriend? I thought it was Heqing at first, but then I heard Lily is really close to you too. Han Wenwen’s harder to read, but she feels deep, like a little fox.”

Fang Meng casually voiced what she thought was impossible: “You said you’re not playing the field, so that doesn’t mean you’re juggling three, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran turned to look at Fang Meng.

The two stared at each other again, locking eyes for what felt like the umpteenth time.

They’d done this so many times before.

Usually, Fang Meng stayed expressionless, but after the KTV incident, she suddenly remembered Lin Zheng Ran’s comforting profile when he sang.

His gaze made her face heat up; she shyly turned away:

“Forget I said that. I know you wouldn’t do something like that. It’s none of my business anyway. I’m heading to eat. If you need me to explain anything, just find me. Oh, and I still owe you a favor.”

Fang Meng left the classroom and walked down the hall, her hand slowly clutching at her chest.

Her heart raced for no reason.

She couldn’t figure out what was going on…

Maybe it was just from not sleeping well last night; her heart was beating fast, but that was normal.

A little later, Class Three finally dismissed for lunch.

In the bustling crowd heading to the cafeteria, Heqing, Lily, and Han Wenwen appeared at Lin Zheng Ran’s classroom door.

The three gazed at him intently, as if they all had something to say.

Lin Zheng Ran stood up, sweating a bit, ready to face whatever came next.

Sure enough, as they left the Teaching Building, Heqing walked with her hands in front, head down; Lily had her hands behind her back, lips pressed tight; and Han Wenwen linked arms with little Heqing, glancing at Lin Zheng Ran now and then.

Each had their own little habits.

Lin Zheng Ran broke the silence: “You three know about what happened last week?”

They all paused, turning to him.

They even started with compliments.

Little Heqing said softly: “I saw it. You were so heroic, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lily: “Yeah, pretty impressive. You took him down alone—I thought it was cool when I watched the video.”

Han Wenwen laughed: “The school has a bunch more little fans of you now.”—whether that was a compliment was anyone’s guess.

But after that, the three fell quiet, waiting for Lin Zheng Ran to speak.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t beat around the bush: “Last week, I was just helping her out. She took care of my mom, so I returned the favor. We’re not like the news said. You three trust me, right?”

Han Wenwen: “Took care of your mom?”

Lily: “Returned a favor?”

Heqing: “That’s a lot of info—does that mean she knows your uncle and aunt and has been to your house?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “.”

Clearly, this wasn’t something he could explain in a sentence or two.

Han Wenwen smiled knowingly; Lily turned away with a huff; only little Heqing said timidly:

“Okay, I believe you two aren’t together. I trust you on everything, but this? I can only believe a little because you wouldn’t hang out alone with someone you dislike, right? And your flirty ways aren’t new—you’ve always liked playing with pretty girls and winning their hearts.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought that sounded off, and he didn’t remember being flirty as a kid—where did that come from?

Lily added proudly:

“I think so too—if I don’t keep an eye on you, you start charming pretty girls. Can’t get enough, can you, flirt?”—the last part she kept to herself, thinking about the other two.

Han Wenwen followed up:

“Anyway, Lin Zheng Ran, you can’t just brush off a scandal like that with a few words. Plus, you spilled so much info just now—in front of Lily and little Heqing, it’s not easy to explain. Better do it one-on-one; that way, it’s clearer.”

Lily and Heqing nodded; they agreed private talks were best—one, because they all wanted time alone with Lin Zheng Ran, and two, because they figured hugs or something might be needed to really clear the air, not just words.

Han Wenwen smiled: “See, everyone thinks so.”

She said that to give Lin Zheng Ran an out for now.

But her simple words hid a lot of layers.

Once they had a chance alone, the little fox would dig into every detail of what happened between Fang Meng and Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran said they weren’t a couple, and Han Wenwen believed that.

Yet, she had a strong feeling that Fang Meng might be starting to like him…

Lin Zheng Ran saw they all agreed, so he nodded: “Alright, I’ll chat about it properly when we’re alone?”

They nodded.

Lily suggested: “How about this afternoon? Our classes have PE then. Heqing, you and I can split up and talk to Lin Zheng Ran one-on-one.”

Little Heqing nodded: “Sure.”

Lily and little Heqing each had their own plans.

And so did Han Wenwen.