Chapter 259: Whispers of Affection

Han Wenwen pulled out two tissues from the side.

She carefully wiped away Xiao Heqing’s tears.

Before long, the two best friends sat together on the edge of the same bed, no longer playing cards.

Instead, they both hugged their knees and sat side by side.

Xiao Heqing stared ahead and said:

“I know it clearly. Even if Lily, me, and now you, Han Wenwen, all became Lin Zheng Ran’s girlfriends and so-called sisters,

we’d still each have our own little secrets. It’s unavoidable because we’re all independent girls who can’t truly be selfless. I’ve got plenty of things I did with him that I never told you or Lily, and I’m sure Lily has her own stories too. We’re all the same.”

Han Wenwen laughed. “In the end, it’s because we all like Brother Zheng Ran so much. Even knowing he’s fickle and a total playboy, none of us want to leave him. So, we just make it work like this.”

As she spoke, Han Wenwen highlighted a key point:

“But aside from things about Brother Zheng Ran, I haven’t hidden anything else from you, Xiao Heqing. I’ve told you everything. In my heart, you’re right up there with Brother Zheng Ran.”

Heqing stared at her.

Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes narrowed slightly. “Brother Zheng Ran is first, Xiao Heqing is second. And I think in your heart, Brother Zheng Ran is the biggest too, right? I’m second. I can tell that much.”

Xiao Heqing blushed and looked down, a bit embarrassed:

“Well, what can I do? When a girl has someone she likes, he becomes number one. You give him your whole heart, so how can anyone else compare? But besides Lin Zheng Ran, you’re the most important to me, Han Wenwen.”

“Same here.”

Heqing studied Han Wenwen’s expression, which was completely different from usual.

“Han Wenwen, you’re so different now from how you normally are. I can see with my own eyes how much you like him.”

Han Wenwen smiled warmly and whispered in Heqing’s ear, covering her mouth:

“I’ve changed bit by bit too. I never thought I’d fall for someone this hard. I didn’t even know I could act so spoiled around him. It’s like I have a split personality; my voice just gets all soft without me trying.”

Xiao Heqing burst out laughing, feeling the same way:

“Me too! I’m always arguing with you, but with Lin Zheng Ran, I’m so obedient. I never dare go against him, not even in my thoughts.”

Then, Xiao Heqing sighed helplessly. “I get why you could hide it from me, but even Lin Zheng Ran kept it secret for you.”

The little fox bit her lip and said softly, “I asked him not to tell. Brother Zheng Ran really spoils me.”

Heqing’s face was full of jealousy.

Han Wenwen quickly linked arms with her. “Are you jealous, Xiao Heqing?”

“How could I not be? You get treatment that neither Lily nor I have! How long have you two been together?”

“Emmm…”

“It hasn’t been that many years, has it?” She looked at the little fox’s smiling face. “And I’ve only just found out after all this time!”

“Sorry, Xiao Heqing, don’t be mad.” Han Wenwen stroked her head.

Xiao Heqing puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

She huffed.

“It’s partly my fault for not being more cautious with you before. Now that I think back, you got jealous over Lin Zheng Ran plenty of times, but you always brushed it off.”

Han Wenwen said awkwardly, “Sometimes I just can’t help it. Jealousy hits hard.”

“Han Wenwen, can you tell me how you fell for him?”

“Sure.”

The two best friends chatted about how Han Wenwen had fallen for Lin Zheng Ran back then.

Han Wenwen gave a rough account of that time she had a fever and the events over the New Year.

Heqing listened and felt so touched that tears welled up in her eyes.

Han Wenwen smiled. “It might not seem like a big deal to others, but to me, Brother Zheng Ran was incredible that day. How could I not fall for him when he was so good to me? I ended up liking him a lot.”

“That’s so heartwarming. If he weren’t my boyfriend, I’d be crying right now.”

Han Wenwen laughed out loud.

Heqing looked at Han Wenwen with sympathy. “But Han Wenwen, I had no idea your uncle knew about your family issues so long ago…”

Han Wenwen knew why she hesitated and said openly:

“Before I met Brother Zheng Ran, Mom’s passing hit me hard. My uncle has his own life now, but every day feels great for me!

Just seeing Brother Zheng Ran makes me look forward to the future. I’ve never felt the world so beautiful before.”

Xiao Heqing and Han Wenwen leaned their heads together.

Han Wenwen said, “Xiao Heqing, let’s both take care of Brother Zheng Ran together from now on.”

“Take care…” Xiao Heqing blushed. “That’s such a strange way to put it, though it’s not wrong.” She added softly, “From now on, you and I will still be the best of friends.”

“Yes, Xiao Heqing has always been my best friend.”

Xiao Heqing asked curiously, “But with this, Lin Zheng Ran has three girlfriends now. We can’t add more, right? Any more and it might get too crowded.”

“Um…” Han Wenwen recalled the past and held up a hand to show a number. “Actually, I asked Brother Zheng Ran about this before, and he said up to seven.”

Heqing was shocked and shouted, “Up to what? Seven?!”

The trees on the lookout platform rustled gently in the soft wind.

A faint sound came from the storeroom.

Lily gripped the railing.

Her ponytail was in Lin Zheng Ran’s grasp.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

Lily, with her golden twin tails, changed her clothes.

She quickly hugged Lin Zheng Ran tightly, her face still flushed.

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at the time and thought it had been over three hours again.

“Lily?”

Lily’s voice had changed, still a bit tsundere but incredibly gentle: “What? Go on.”

“Are you tired?”

She shyly didn’t know how to respond: “I’m okay. If you want to go again, that’s fine…”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled and held her close. He still had plenty of stamina, unlike most people: “If we keep going, I’d really wear you out, and I couldn’t bear that.”

“I never would have guessed. Hmph, you’re such a fool.”

“Still jealous?”

Lily clutched his clothes tightly: “How could I be after all this? I’m not. We’re all even now, and I got something out of it too.”

She looked up at him shyly: “I just… I want you to kiss me more. I didn’t get enough.”

Lin Zheng Ran touched her warm face: “Then let’s kiss a bit more before we head back. I’ll carry you to the hotel.”

“Okay. It might be embarrassing if people see, but I can’t walk anyway.”

She leaned in and kissed him, savoring his gentleness once more.

Only then did Lin Zheng Ran carry Lily out of the storeroom.

Their jackets were ruined, the fabric torn.

But Lily didn’t feel cold because Lin Zheng Ran was so warm.

“Cold?” he asked.

She shook her head in his arms: “Not at all.”

“Then sleep for a bit. You’ll wake up at the hotel tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

As he carried her down the mountain, she thought before drifting off that this was how Heqing must have felt being carried back.

Now she understood.

Her eyes fluttered open slightly, sparkling.

But today, Lily had the big win. She loved Zheng Ran so much.