Chapter 212: Fateful Encounters

Lin Zheng Ran and Lily set off in the car.

But after the taxi pulled away, in the hotel lobby on the first floor, the little fox hid in a corner, eavesdropping on their conversation.

She was a bit shocked.

Is Xiao Qingqing planning to share a room with Brother Zheng Ran tonight? Not staying at his place?

Earlier, when Brother Zheng Ran came to find her, he had mentioned it briefly.

But she was busy with something else, so she didn’t ask for details or think much about it. Now, it turns out Xiao Qingqing came to the small town from the south without even telling me.

Han Wenwen pulled out her phone to check if Heqing had sent any messages about coming.

Since there were no messages, that meant Xiao Qingqing didn’t plan to tell anyone this time. In other words, if Brother Zheng Ran went to pick her up alone, something was bound to happen tonight.

It seems after high school graduation, everyone’s got their eyes on Brother Zheng Ran, all wanting his first time…

Han Wenwen thought to herself, then instinctively touched her lips.

A faint trace of Brother Zheng Ran’s taste still lingered in her mouth.

Her face flushing, she held up the room key card and went to the front desk: “Check out.”

After checking out, Han Wenwen headed out to hail a cab to the station.

In the taxi, Lily sat next to Lin Zheng Ran, her eyes stealing glances at him the whole time.

Lin Zheng Ran gazed out the window at the scenery, then suddenly turned and asked, “Why keep staring at me?”

Lily froze, thinking the driver hadn’t even turned on the radio, so any loud talk might be overheard. She muttered, “Nothing much, just a question I want to ask. We’ll talk at the station.”

Lin Zheng Ran was curious but not in a rush.

With that, Lily gently leaned against Lin Zheng Ran’s shoulder in a tentative way.

She sighed quietly.

The hour-long ride passed with Lily staying very quiet.

Once they reached the station, they found a secluded spot to sit, and Lin Zheng Ran asked, “Okay, what’s up now?”

Lily responded:

“It’s nothing big, just about Fang Meng—you never explained it to me. It’s been days now. Are you close to her? Why did you go singing with her and start those rumors? And what about her taking care of your uncle and aunt?”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked: “Oh, that.”

Lily said with a hint of jealousy:

“You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?! Of course I wouldn’t on something this important—I’m not slacking as your girlfriend! You’re the most important person to me!” She tended to clench her little fists when nervous.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t hesitate:

“Look, with Fang Meng, it’s just that—nothing happened. We went to the KTV because she was arguing with Jiang Qian back then. As for why I helped her, it’s because…”

Lin Zheng Ran quickly recapped the events.

Lily’s lively eyes widened: “What?! You have a childhood betrothal with Fang Meng too? Another one?!”

Her voice rose a bit, and some nearby waiting passengers heard it. Lily awkwardly apologized to them.

Then, full of jealousy, she added: “What’s going on, Zheng Ran?! Another childhood betrothal? Wasn’t Jiang Qian the first one?”

Lin Zheng Ran thought her reaction was just like Han Wenwen’s—probably the next thing he’d say would get a similar response:

“My childhood betrothal with Fang Meng was arranged by my parents. As for Jiang Qian, that’s not it—my other one is actually with Jiang Jingshi.”

“Jiang Jingshi? Wait, who? Jiang Jing!”

Lin Zheng Ran covered her mouth, signaling her to keep it down, since they were at the station after all.

With her mouth covered, Lily recalled the elegant and gentle Boss Jiang from Zheng Shi Group and realized why she had felt something off about her at first sight.

Because she seemed especially kind to Zheng Ran…

And as the general manager of Zheng Shi Group, Jiang Jingshi as the deputy manager had a very close relationship with him.

Though nothing had happened between Zheng Ran and her yet, this wasn’t good news at all.

Lily mumbled a couple of times, indicating Lin Zheng Ran could remove his hand from her mouth since she wouldn’t speak loudly.

Lin Zheng Ran finally let go.

With her golden hair fully done, Lily gave him a proud, tsundere glance, then turned away with a huff.

“I don’t even know what to say anymore. Every pretty girl seems connected to you! You’re turning into such a playboy.”

“Have I been playing around lately? It’s still just you and the others.”

Lily wanted to argue but thought about it and realized the betrothals weren’t his choice—they just fell into his lap.

Still, Fang Meng, Jiang Qian, and Jiang Jingshi—all three women seemed high-maintenance, each beautiful and deeply involved with Zheng Ran.

Spotting that Lin Zheng Ran’s collar was crooked, she reached out, a bit resentfully, to fix it for him.

Just then, Lily glanced around and suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

The figure slowly approached them.

Lily thought it was quite the coincidence—this was the second time today: “Han Wenwen?”

There was Han Wenwen in a yellow and white dress, carrying a handbag as if she’d been shopping.

“Lily, Lin Zheng Ran? What a surprise running into you two again.” She waved with a smile.

Lin Zheng Ran and Lily both looked at Han Wenwen.

Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes held a subtle question: Why aren’t you at home?

Han Wenwen lightly bit her lip, and from that gesture, Lin Zheng Ran knew what she meant—this little fox’s clingy habits weren’t new.

Han Wenwen smiled: “What brings you two here? And Lily, did you dye your hair? It looks great!”

Lily felt pleased by the compliment and smoothed her hair, though she also thought it was too coincidental.

“Thanks. Han Wenwen, what are you doing shopping here? Came to the city alone?”

Han Wenwen made up a quick excuse:

“With the break, I had nothing to do, so I saw a video online about a new dessert shop in the city and decided to check it out. Just wandering around, and boom, I run into you. So, why are you two at the station?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “We’re here to pick up Heqing.”

Han Wenwen sat down on Lin Zheng Ran’s other side: “Heqing’s coming?”

Lily asked curiously: “Heqing didn’t tell you?”

Han Wenwen shook her head: “No, on graduation day she said she’d come in a week. I figured it was then.”

Lily pondered for a moment, thinking that since Heqing hadn’t told Han Wenwen either, she must have some plan for tonight…

Han Wenwen: “Well, since we’re all here, let’s wait together.”

Lily nodded.

Han Wenwen pulled a lollipop from her bag and offered one to Lily and Lin Zheng Ran; Lily took it and said thanks.

Lin Zheng Ran declined.

Han Wenwen unwrapped one for herself but winced as it touched her lips.

Lily asked: “What happened?”

Han Wenwen’s cheeks turned slightly red as she brushed it off: “Nothing, just my mouth’s a bit tired and numb.”

“Your mouth’s tired? How does that even happen?” Lily didn’t get it.

“Probably from chewing gum too much today. I’ll skip this candy.” She wrapped the lollipop in a tissue and tossed it in the nearby trash bin.

As Lin Zheng Ran watched Han Wenwen’s movements, she settled back and sneakily bit her lower lip, giving him a playful, coy look that seemed to say, It’s all your fault, Brother Zheng Ran.