Chapter 192: Whispers of the Heart

After leaving the hospital, Jiang Qian and Fang Meng took a car back to the villa.

In the bedroom, Jiang Qian slipped off her shoes and sat on her bed, swallowing two of those so-called pills.

Fang Meng tucked the blanket around her and said, “Rest up today, Qian Qian. Skip school and relax at home so you’re in top shape for tomorrow’s graduation ceremony.”

Jiang Qian nodded lightly and slowly lay down.

Fang Meng gathered her loose hair and continued,

“The graduation ceremony setup is short on hands, so I need to help Lin Zheng Ran organize the site. I’ll head to school and check things out. If anything comes up, Qian Qian, call me right away.”

The second miss lay on her side in bed, watching Fang Meng. She knew about this:

“When you get to school, if Lin Zheng Ran asks why I’m not there today, just say I’m busy with something. I’ll make it on time tonight to rehearse the piano with him. If he doesn’t ask, don’t mention it.”

“You’re still going tonight?”

Jiang Qian nodded again: “Since it’s a piano duet, we should rehearse a few times at least.”

In reality, Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Qian had already discussed this over the past couple of days. They agreed to rehearse just the night before, not wasting time during the day.

Otherwise, if they rehearsed during the day too, Jiang Qian might rush to school right now and stick with him every second.

Fang Meng said, “Alright, I get it.”

Once Jiang Qian closed her eyes, Fang Meng left the room and headed to school.

But after Fang Meng left, Jiang Qian lay in bed with a hazy look in her eyes. She opened them slightly, recalling what the doctor had said at the hospital.

She bit her plump lower lip gently, and images of Lin Zheng Ran’s everyday moments flashed in her mind.

“So, lovesickness means I’ve fallen for him,” she murmured, her hand under the covers resting on her heart. “Liking someone feels this tough—so desperate to be with him, to have him hold me…”

The high school graduation ceremony stage was set in the school’s large gymnasium, used for all major events with special modifications.

Students from various classes who signed up for performances were now rehearsing in the gymnasium’s backstage rooms.

Lin Zheng Ran was there too, serving as the student representative overseeing and supervising all the class programs.

Interestingly, that Han Wenwen was around as well.

Lin Zheng Ran sat in the corner of the practice room, where rows of tables and chairs were set up for the judges tomorrow.

He glanced over at Class Three’s rehearsal area.

Han Wenwen was performing as an unmoving tree in their class’s skit.

Basically, she just had to hold up a sign.

During rehearsal, the little fox’s eyes kept darting toward Lin Zheng Ran. He watched her with a half-smile, wondering how many odd performances she’d done now.

Once Class Three finished rehearsing and Han Wenwen took a break, she scampered over, leaned on the table with both hands,

and said, “What did Teacher Lin Zheng Ran think of my performance just now? I noticed you watching me the whole time.”

In public, this fox didn’t cling as much; her words carried a sly, teasing edge—like green tea, if you will.

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her standing by the table: “You did well, standing still like a log.”

Han Wenwen laughed and slyly trailed a finger across his back before sitting beside him, tilting her head. “That’s high praise then, since I’m playing a tree. Standing still means I nailed it.”

Lin Zheng Ran agreed: “Exactly right.”

The little fox gazed at him with flirtatious eyes as he watched other classes’ programs.

With the table and some clutter blocking the view in front of them, no one in the busy backstage room could see what was happening under it.

Han Wenwen teased, “I’ve sat down, but Teacher Lin Zheng Ran is looking at everyone else instead of me?”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t even glance her way and just gave her a casual kick.

Because while she spoke, this fox had slipped off her shoe under the table and was gently rubbing his leg with her foot.

After the kick, she pouted but went right back to it, her smooth foot making him unsure how to react.

Lin Zheng Ran eyed the crowd in the backstage room and said, “Why not just rest in the dorm or classroom? You always insist on performing these random acts.”

Han Wenwen leaned back in her chair: “Because I’m deeply passionate about performing.”

Lin Zheng Ran stared at her.

Seeing him look, Han Wenwen couldn’t help but smile and whisper in a low, flirty tone:

“Mainly, how else can I get some alone time with you in the backstage room? You’ve been so busy lately. Everyone else is out having fun after exams, but you’re swamped.”

Lin Zheng Ran replied, “It’s just these couple of days. After the graduation ceremony, I’ll have plenty of time to hang out with you all.”

He placed his hand on her leg, trying to stop her from rubbing his with her foot.

Instead, Han Wenwen grinned and slipped her hand under the table to hold his.

She kept his hand on her leg, stroking it gently back and forth.

Then, playing innocent, she whispered so only they could hear, “Why’s Brother Zheng Ran touching my leg? Taking advantage?”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed her: “What are you up to today? Acting out? And with all these people around.”

Han Wenwen blushed and murmured in his ear, “Girls get a bit restless before their period. I just want Brother Zheng Ran to spoil me a little.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed, at a loss.

He gave her leg a light squeeze, like gripping her thigh.

Han Wenwen’s face turned bright red, and she almost yelped.

She quickly covered her mouth and shot him a loving glare.

No longer letting him touch her thigh,

she just held his hand under the table, their fingers laced.

Han Wenwen gave a shy hum and asked seriously:

“No more beating around the bush, Brother Zheng Ran. What’s the deal with Fang Meng and Jiang Qian? It’s just us now, so spill. Why did you go singing with Fang Meng, and why say she took care of Aunt?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at the still-rehearsing crowd: “It’s simple. Fang Meng and I have a childhood betrothal. She’s been visiting my home a lot lately.”

“Wait!”

Han Wenwen stared at him, her fox-like brows furrowing.

“That’s a lot to take in. Another childhood betrothal? How many do you have, Brother Zheng Ran? This is endless!”

Lin Zheng Ran said casually, “Just two. One’s Fang Meng, the other’s Jiang Jingshi.”

“Two’s still too many!” The little fox’s lips parted in surprise, then she realized something. “Wait, Jiang Jingshi? I thought your first betrothal was Jiang Qian?”

Lin Zheng Ran saw her shocked expression:

“Didn’t I tell you? My grandfather arranged it with Jiang Jingshi, not Jiang Qian. I mentioned seeing her that night over the Lily music competition thing.”

“You did say you met her that night.” Han Wenwen shook her head slowly. “But you never mentioned it was a betrothal. I wouldn’t forget anything about you, Brother Zheng Ran.”

She puffed up, glaring at him, jealousy bubbling over:

“So, behind my back, you’ve been getting cozy with three other girls?”

“What do you mean ‘getting cozy’? I haven’t done anything like that.”

“Three betrothals! That’s cozy enough!”

“Your wording is way off.”

The little fox bit her lip in frustration, brows knitting. “This is making my stomach hurt!”

She let go of his hand and ducked under the table, nipping at his thigh.

Just then, Fang Meng pushed open the practice room door and walked in, noticing Lin Zheng Ran sitting alone, her expression shifting slightly as she approached.