Chapter 185: Shadows of Ambition

She headed to the kitchen cabinet that specifically stored instant noodles and pulled out two packs.

Fang Meng tore open the packaging and poured in hot water.

She placed them on a plate and carried it toward Jiang Qian’s bedroom.

Jiang Qian’s bedroom was spacious yet cluttered, with a massive dark bed surrounded by stacks of books nearly as tall as a person.

They piled up in layers.

Like walls of a fortress, they enclosed the bed, leaving only a wide path, but even the young maid who cleaned daily didn’t dare touch them—not even the books that had fallen to the floor.

Because if the arrangement got messed up, Jiang Qian would have to spend a lot of time searching for what she needed.

Fang Meng moved a table over and asked curiously, “Have the books in your room increased a lot lately?”

While the noodles soaked, Jiang Qian had already changed out of her school clothes into comfortable black pajamas. Her cool eyes scanned the surrounding books as she said, “With you away, no one else dares touch them. Later, help me take out the ones I’ve read.”

She quickly pointed out about forty books.

Fang Meng nodded, noting them down. “Okay, I’ll clear them out after we eat the noodles.”

Jiang Qian said flatly, “It’s so much easier with you here. Sometimes I tell others, but they forget. Oh, and Xiao Meng, tell me everything about you and Lin Zheng Ran.”

She patted the spot next to her on the bed, signaling Fang Meng to sit and explain.

Fang Meng sat on the edge of the bed and began describing how she had met Lin Zheng Ran over the past year and a half and observed him.

Jiang Qian remarked, “So that’s how it was. That’s why you took leave to go see him?”

Fang Meng nodded. “Let me share my observations from watching him for over a year.”

Fang Meng went into many details:

“I’ve noticed Lin Zheng Ran’s schedule isn’t packed; he does what he wants. He reads when he has time, but it’s nothing like your intense focus, Qian Qian. That guy is a true genius through and through.”

Jiang Qian stared at Fang Meng without blinking, showing she was listening intently.

“Also, he has a great build. I haven’t seen him work out, but his muscles are solid, and his genetics are perfect—the shape is really impressive…”

Jiang Qian’s cheeks flushed slightly as she cupped her face. “Hmm, keep going…”

“Actually, his approach to studying is similar to yours, Qian Qian. The rest is just about his daily life.”

Jiang Qian interrupted, “Focus on the details of his life, like what he loves to eat, his favorite colors, when he eats, what paper he uses in the restroom, that sort of thing.”

Fang Meng paused, realizing Jiang Qian’s curiosity about Lin Zheng Ran had shifted—it was more comprehensive now than just his studies.

She pulled out a notebook from her pocket. “Lin Zheng Ran prefers a brand of toilet paper called Shufeng from the supermarket. It’s soft and gentle on the skin…”

——

With only two months left until the college entrance exam, time felt incredibly tight, each day chasing the next. Most senior students barely had time to rest, everyone buried in their tasks.

The three little ones and Lin Zheng Ran no longer met once a week; instead, they gathered every Saturday and Sunday at his house.

They sat together in his bedroom around a table, studying.

Lin Zheng Ran acted like an old teacher, circling around them or sitting across to watch them solve problems.

If any of the three got stuck, they’d raise their hand and ask.

For instance, Han Wenwen, with the weakest study skills, raised her hand the most. “Teacher! I can’t do this problem!”

Lin Zheng Ran came over and pointed things out.

Han Wenwen’s foggy mind suddenly cleared. “Got it! You’re amazing, Lin Zheng Ran.”

“Call me teacher.”

Han Wenwen smiled brightly. “Teacher.” Then she went back to her work.

Lily raised her hand second most often. “Teacher Zheng Ran!”

He pointed things out for her too.

Heqing was the smartest in studies, but she always choked under pressure during big exams, like that first high school test where Lin Zheng Ran assumed she’d be in the same class as Han Wenwen and Lily because of it.

So during tutoring, Lin Zheng Ran didn’t guide her studies much; instead, when she seemed troubled, he’d gently pat her head.

“Take your time with the questions. Same in the exam—most of them you’ll know. Just stay calm, and you’ll do better than expected.”

Heqing blushed at his kindness and nodded shyly. “Okay, got it, Teacher Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lily and Han Wenwen felt a twinge of jealousy as they worked.

Still, over these weeks, Lin Zheng Ran treated the three fairly, addressing each one’s weak points in their studies.

He hoped they’d all achieve the scores they wanted.

The door opened, and Lin Xiao Li, his mom, came in with a fruit plate. “Here you go, Teacher Ran Ran.” His bubbly mom loved joining in the fun.

Lin Zheng Ran took it. “Thanks, I’ll handle it.”

Lin Ying Jun wandered in to join the excitement. “Keep it up, you four!”

The three little ones replied together.

Two months later, the college entrance exam arrived as scheduled.

Exam day was tense, with crowds of students and parents at the school gate. Banners stretched across the road read: ‘No through traffic during exams.’

Lily’s parents, Lin Ying Jun, Lin Xiao Li, and even Heqing’s mom showed up, all squeezed at the crowded school entrance.

As students entered, many received encouraging words from their parents.

Though it was mostly the usual ‘don’t be nervous, just do your best,’ it still helped a bit.

Han Wenwen had no one there, but her uncle sent a text: ‘Hao Hao’s sick, so I can’t make it. Good luck on your exam, Wen Wen.’ Hao Hao was her uncle’s son’s nickname.

Han Wenwen replied to her uncle’s well-wishes and looked toward approaching Lin Zheng Ran.

The two exchanged glances and stepped into a quiet corner.

Han Wenwen hugged Lin Zheng Ran tightly, feeling a mix of grievance and nerves.

Over the years, she’d gotten used to it, but with Lin Zheng Ran’s embrace, her hidden sadness surfaced.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Don’t be nervous. Do your best—I’m right here with you.”

Han Wenwen nibbled his neck. “I’ll do great and go to the same university as you, Brother Zheng Ran.”

She gazed at him with eyes full of admiration and excitement.

Then she nipped his neck again.

The tension peaked before the exam; once it started, it eased up a lot.

In the exam hall, Lin Zheng Ran looked at the questions that baffled others.

To him, they were straightforward, almost like the answers were written on the page.

He filled them in casually.

And just like that, the exam ended swiftly.