Chapter 27: A Long-Awaited Meeting

Lin Zheng Ran asked her on the road, “Where are you in the car ride? Didn’t you say you got on ages ago? Give me an update on your location.”

Xiao Heqing had just hailed a taxi and stammered, “I, um, that…”

Lin Zheng Ran thought of something, his eyes showing disbelief. “Why are you stuttering? You’re not about to tell me you lied just now, that you haven’t even started moving yet?”

Afraid he’d get angry, Xiao Heqing quickly explained, “I’m going, I’m going! I’ve already hopped in the taxi! We’re almost at the station.”

“Heqing! You’re lying to me now, aren’t you?! You said hours ago you’d gotten in the taxi, and you’re still not at the station?! How far is your place from there—hundreds of kilometers?!”

Lin Zheng Ran’s shout startled Xiao Heqing; she pulled the phone away, cutely shutting one eye as she waited for him to finish before soothing,

“Don’t be mad, okay? I only lied because I was scared you’d say no… Anyway, once I get to the station, how do I buy a ticket? I’ve never done this before.”

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Wait till you get there—I’ll deal with you then.”

With things as they were, he had no choice but to guide her step by step. “Don’t hang up. When you arrive, find the front desk attendant and tell her you want to go to”

With Lin Zheng Ran’s guidance and Xiao Heqing’s determination to see him, the journey went fairly smoothly—from leaving in the morning to buying tickets, boarding, and switching stations.

There were a few minor hiccups along the way, like her panicking about getting the wrong ticket or figuring out how to answer staff questions, but Lin Zheng Ran’s help kept things from going off the rails.

Finally, at 4:30 PM, they arrived at Xin Chun Grand Bus Station.

Xiao Heqing stepped off the bus with the crowd, gazing at the unfamiliar yet beautiful city as she reached the meeting spot.

This was her first trip away from home since getting her ID, not too far but still a big adventure.

She held her phone and hid to the side, scanning the crowd. “Lin Zheng Ran? I’ve reached Xin Chun Bus Station. Are you here too? Where are you?”

Lin Zheng Ran reminded her, “Don’t wander off. After getting off, go to the service desk nearby and wait for me under the camera. I’ll come find you. One more time—don’t run around in the crowd.”

“Got it, I’ll be good,” Xiao Heqing said, heading to the station service desk, her excitement building.

She glanced at the reflective glass door, using it like a mirror to fix her hair, then decided her ponytail looked messy from the ride and carefully redid it.

Satisfied it looked great, she checked the sweets in her backpack—everything perfect—before waiting some more.

A few minutes later, Lin Zheng Ran, who had already arrived, scanned with his phone. “I see you. You’re to your right. Hang up.”

Xiao Heqing heard his voice on the line and turned her head.

She felt a daze; in her memories, Lin Zheng Ran was just a little kid, strong in her eyes but still a child.

But four years on, both in their growth spurt, he had changed so much—he looked completely different, strikingly handsome now.

He towered over her by half a head.

Dressed simply in a short-sleeve shirt and pants, he had a powerful presence, his eyes bright and confident, making her feel shy just meeting his gaze.

Xiao Heqing clasped her hands in front of her, blushing more by the second, and slowly looked down.

Though annoyed at her boldness, Lin Zheng Ran was genuinely stunned at first sight of her after four years.

The once kitten-like Xiao Heqing had grown into a graceful beauty—around 1.55 meters tall, slim, with a sweet and vulnerable face and pure, innocent eyes.

At a glance, she gave off the vibe of a first love heroine from a romance novel.

As they stood together, Xiao Heqing bit her lip and whispered, “It’s been so long, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran took a deep breath, feeling the weight of it all, and slowly raised his hand.

He knocked hard on her head several times—bam, bam, bam.

Xiao Heqing yelped, “Ah, ah, ah!”

It was like hammering nails; each knock made her shrink a bit until she just crouched down, hugging her head.

“Long time no see, my foot!” Lin Zheng Ran snapped. “You idiot, do you even know how far apart we are? If you’d ever traveled alone, fine, but you can’t even buy a ticket and you dare come all this way? Without me guiding you, you’d be lost right now!”

Crouching with her arms over her head, Xiao Heqing said in a pitiful voice, “Stop yelling, okay? I know it was impulsive, but I wanted to see you so bad. And with you directing me, I knew it’d be fine. Besides… you’re here now.”

“I’m here because you told me you’d already started! What else could I do? If I didn’t come, you’d be crying to me every day about how much you miss me and how unfair it is! And now you’re lying to me?!”

Despite the scolding, Xiao Heqing pouted but felt incredibly happy—it had been ages since she’d been chewed out face-to-face.

She even stuck out her tongue in delight.

Lin Zheng Ran caught it and flicked her forehead again.

Xiao Heqing winced, “Ouch!”

“Now you’re sticking your tongue out? You haven’t heard a word, have you?!”

Xiao Heqing pursed her lips, cautiously looking up. “Don’t be mad, okay? It’s been years, and you’ve grown so tall and handsome—I almost didn’t recognize you. But seeing how fierce you are, I knew it was you.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “…”

He sighed heavily, wondering why he knew someone like her. “I could’ve had Aunt He keep an eye on you and stop this nonsense, even pull you back from the trip. That’d be safer. But here I am, coming out like an idiot.”

Xiao Heqing smiled happily, but one glare from Lin Zheng Ran made her quickly cover her mouth, just like when she was little.

“Anyway, let’s eat first,” Lin Zheng Ran said, extending his hand. “Get up. You’ve been on that bus all day—you must be starving. Let’s find a spot for food and figure out lodging later.”

Xiao Heqing grasped his hand and stood, beaming with joy, her mind bubbling with excitement.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “What do you feel like? The station has a bunch of dinner options.”

“Anything’s fine. I’ll eat whatever you do.”

“Noodles it is, then. That shop over there doesn’t look too crowded.”

“Sounds good!”

Xiao Heqing walked beside Lin Zheng Ran, stealing glances at how he’d grown up.

He really was handsome; she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Why are you staring and grinning like that?” Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously.

Xiao Heqing snapped back to a straight face and shook her head. “Nothing, I’m not grinning.”

Lin Zheng Ran eyed her current look and casually said, gazing ahead, “It’s been years, and you’ve turned into quite the beauty, you silly girl.”

Xiao Heqing blushed and looked down, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

Lin Zheng Ran added, “By the way, we’re not heading back tonight. What did you tell Aunt He? She wouldn’t just let you stay out.”

“I said I was sleeping over at Wen Wen’s. If Mom calls, I pre-recorded a message for Wen Wen to cover for me.”

Lin Zheng Ran was stunned. “You’ve learned nothing good in all this time.”

“That’s not true…” Heqing explained, “I know girls shouldn’t stay out alone, but I’m with you, so it’s okay.” She whispered, her face flushing as she stared at him. “Right?”

Lin Zheng Ran paused, wondering what nonsense her best friend had taught her.

With no other option, he gently knocked on what felt like her stubborn heart again.

“What are you implying, you little rascal?!”

Xiao Heqing clutched her head, feeling wronged. “I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t thinking that this time!”

“Really?”