Chapter 22: Whispers of Childhood Bonds

Summer was fast approaching, and the evening breeze carried a gentle warmth.

On the road, the two faced each other; the little girl’s twin tails swayed, making the atmosphere oddly strange.

But Lin Zheng Ran just pressed his hand on her head and kept walking. “I don’t know. And do you even understand what getting married means before saying you’ll marry me?”

Lily swatted his hand away. “Who says I don’t know?! It’s just about marrying you and having kids, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran turned back in disbelief, seeing her bashful expression. “But I’m only marrying you out of pity, so we’ll have just one kid. Don’t get your hopes up for more.”

He ignored her completely.

Kids’ words weren’t worth taking seriously—whoever did would lose out.

Seeing him walk farther ahead, Lily chased after him. “Hey! Slow down! Don’t you have any reaction to what I’m saying? You big dummy!”

When they got back to Lin Zheng Ran’s house, his dad opened the door. Today was a rest day, so both parents were home.

“Ran Ran is back?” Lin Ying Jun asked, hearing the knock and seeing Lily behind his son.

This wasn’t Lily’s first visit to Lin Zheng Ran’s house. Ever since she found out they lived nearby, she’d come over about three or four times.

Lily greeted them shyly and awkwardly. “Hello, Uncle. I’m just walking Lin Zheng Ran home.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself, If you’re walking me home, why come all the way to the door?

Lin Ying Jun was usually carefree, but as a parent now, he felt a bit awkward. “Hi, Xiao Li.”

The awkwardness came because his wife, Lin Xiao Li, was in the living room on the phone. Hearing her son return, she grabbed the phone and hurried over. “Ran Ran’s back? Perfect, Heqing is calling for you. Take the phone quick.”

She held out the phone and spotted Lily at the door, her urgent look turning to stunned confusion.

Half understanding, Lily still managed a greeting. “Hello, Aunt. I’m here to walk Lin Zheng Ran home.”

Lin Xiao Li glanced at her husband, and he glanced back. She smiled awkwardly but politely. “Hi, Xiao Li. Have you had dinner? Why not stay and eat with us?”

“No, thanks, Aunt. I still have homework to do, so I need to get back.” Lily looked at Lin Zheng Ran. “Well, I’m heading home. See you next week, Lin Zheng Ran.” She waved and said goodbye to his parents too.

Lin Zheng Ran nodded. “Take it easy on the way back.”

“Got it.”

Lin Zheng Ran stepped inside, took the phone from his mom, and headed to his room. “Hey, what are you calling me for now?”

Lily paused on the stairs, listening to Lin Zheng Ran’s tone on the phone.

“Heqing”—that sounded like a girl’s name, and it rang a bell. Was she a classmate?

She slowly descended the stairs, her mind wandering back to first or second grade.

Lin Zheng Ran did have a girl who always stuck by him!

But then she vanished. Did she move or transfer schools? If so, why were they still in touch? Was she family, like a sister?

Her steps slowed, her twin tails bouncing with each step as if echoing her thoughts.

Lin Ying Jun and Lin Xiao Li peeked out from the room door.

They whispered, “Xiao Li, be safe on your way back. You’re always welcome to visit.”

Lily froze at the words, then shyly turned back. “Thank you, Uncle and Aunt! If I get the chance, I’ll come play with Lin Zheng Ran again. Goodbye!”

With that, she hurried down the stairs.

Lin Xiao Li elbowed her husband. “Wasn’t that awkward? You could’ve warned me!”

Lin Ying Jun sighed. “How was I supposed to know she’d walk our son right to the door? I never got that kind of treatment as a kid. Did Heqing hear?”

“She definitely did. The call was still on.”

The couple both sighed.

Lin Ying Jun said, “I suddenly feel like our son’s future marriage might be a real headache.”

Lin Xiao Li shook her head with a sigh. “I think so too. Both Xiao Li and Heqing seem nice, and… well, Ran Ran’s only in elementary school.”

In his room, Lin Zheng Ran shut the door. Heqing asked on the other end, “Lin Zheng Ran, are you just getting back? Did you go out today?”

“Yeah, I was out since it’s Saturday.”

Heqing hesitated. “I might’ve misheard, but was that a girl’s voice just now?”

Lin Zheng Ran plopped onto his bed casually. “Just a classmate. I helped her out because I wanted something, so I went to her place to get it.”

“Oh.” Heqing paused, her tone uncertain. “Then why did she walk you home?”

Lin Zheng Ran rolled his eyes. “How should I know? Maybe she felt bad for not giving me the gift. Anyway, what do you need?”

Hearing his usual tone, Heqing relaxed a bit:

“Oh, I made a new friend lately—the girl I mentioned before, the one who looks like a little fox. Even though lots of boys chase her, she’s really nice and helps me out. Turns out we’re neighbors too, so we go to school, eat, and come home together every day…”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed the water glass on his desk and headed to the living room for a drink. But as soon as he stepped out, he saw his parents watching TV and they straightened up instantly.

His mom even asked, “Ran Ran, are you getting along with Heqing? No arguments?”

“Huh?” Lin Zheng Ran poured his water. “Why would I argue with Heqing?”

Time slipped by, and another two months passed.

The spiritual energy finally hit level thirty just as he entered fifth grade.

[After more time cultivating, you’ve successfully broken through to level thirty. A new hidden ability is unlocked, making you even more unstoppable in the martial world.]

[The new ability is the medium limit—once each of the four stats reaches a certain value, you’ll gain a qualitative change effect.]

[Your current stats are:]

[Strength: 13] [Reach 50 to gain the special ability of having muscles without exercising]

[Energy: 15] [Reach 60 to gain the special ability of seven times a night without fatigue]

[Stamina: 19] [Reach 70 to gain double stamina and triple endurance for tasks]

[Charm: 20] [Reach 40 to gain double favor in conversations and actions]

So, the extra effects after these numbers are what they call the medium limit?

At first glance, Lin Zheng Ran thought the descriptions seemed a bit unserious—what was up with that?

Another year went by.

Sixth grade—the last year of elementary school—had arrived in the small town of the south.

Today was the Heart-Link Festival. Legend had it that hanging a wish red rope on the Heart Intention Tree would bring a good match to singles and happiness to couples.

So, Heqing specially invited her best friend Han Wenwen, keeping it secret from the adults, to go hang red ropes at the festival.