Chapter 271: Whispers Under the Stars

Jiang Jingshi’s kiss was gentle and tentative.

Though she was nervous, it felt like she was soothing Lin Zheng Ran.

After the kiss, the vice president of Zheng Shi Company, with her oval face flushed, leaned against Lin Zheng Ran’s chest.

They lingered in that moment for a while.

Lin Zheng Ran: “Is the company busy these days?”

“Not really, just some minor matters,” she said. “It’s all because of those news stories after I left the hospital, but ever since your unexpected hand-holding incident last time, I’ve been more efficient at work. Handling these things feels effortless now.”

“You’ve worked hard, Jingshi.”

Jiang Jingshi’s gentle eyes narrowed slightly: “Not at all. Your embrace chased away all my fatigue.”

Their time embracing under the moon was short.

Soon, Jiang Jingshi’s phone rang with company business.

She bid Lin Zheng Ran farewell: “Zheng, I’ll head out. We’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning at the company.”

Lin Zheng Ran touched her face but didn’t comment on whether her long trip was necessary. He simply said, “Drive safely on the way back.”

“Okay, you have fun too.”

“Where’s your car? I’ll walk you there.”

“No need, it’s right over there. Pan Lin is waiting in the car for me. You go back,” she said, pointing to a path in the distance.

Lin Zheng Ran spotted the familiar Rolls Royce.

Reluctantly, she pulled away from his arms: “I’m off. Bye.”

She stood on tiptoe for a farewell kiss, then walked away with glances back every few steps.

Lin Zheng Ran returned to the rented car, grabbed a case of water, and headed back to the campsite.

Jiang Jingshi, in her high heels, walked quietly to the car. Pan Lin got out and said respectfully, “Boss Jiang, was that just a quick visit?”

Jiang Jingshi gazed into the darkness where Lin Zheng Ran’s figure had vanished.

Her voice full of longing: “Yes, there’s so much company work I couldn’t stay longer, and he’s busy too.”

Then Jiang Jingshi suddenly laughed: “I thought he’d scold me for coming all this way just to see him for a moment, but instead he hugged me. This trip was worth it.”

Pan Lin reflected on how Boss Jiang had changed since meeting Lin Zheng Ran.

She recalled three years ago when Boss Jiang first met him at the dojo—she was gentle then, with an elegant presence.

Her demeanor was quite noble too.

Though to outsiders, Jiang Jingshi’s personality hadn’t changed much in three years,

Pan Lin, who knew her well, realized Boss Jiang was different now—most of her thoughts were centered on Lin Zheng Ran.

Whenever Lin Zheng Ran was mentioned, no matter the time or place, Jiang Jingshi’s face lit up with joy and a hint of anxiety.

For instance, that morning when an employee mentioned seeing Lin Zheng Ran on Lin Mountain, Boss Jiang got excited, changed clothes, did her makeup, and dropped everything to come here without hesitation.

The six or seven-hour drive didn’t dim her enthusiasm at all.

It was hard to imagine what level of affection could lead to such behavior.

“Boss Jiang, about those three girls who came with Lin Zheng Ran to the mountain this time…”

Jiang Jingshi didn’t answer directly, just said softly, “He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”

“Yes, Lin Zheng Ran must have his own plans.”

Pan Lin opened the car door, and Jiang Jingshi finally tore her gaze away and got in.

Pan Lin closed the door, and the driver started the car.

As the Rolls Royce headed down the mountain,

Pan Lin sat in the passenger seat, thinking that after high school, Lin Zheng Ran would have university ahead and hoped he’d make more time for Boss Jiang in the coming years.

Jiang Jingshi, staring out the window, spotted something in the sky and her eyes brightened with a smile.

When Lin Zheng Ran returned to the campsite, he saw the three little ones standing at the edge, gazing at the sky.

Lin Zheng Ran looked up too.

A small shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving a trail of starlight.

Heqing, Han Wenwen, and Lily all had their eyes wide open.

“A shooting star!”

“It’s a shooting star! I’ve never seen one before.”

“Me neither. Who knew you could see shooting stars on the mountain? What a magical place!”

Lin Zheng Ran joined them, and the three girls chattered excitedly about hearing the commotion outside their tent.

They rushed out and realized a shooting star had just passed.

Lily said joyfully, “I wonder if there are more? Was that the only one?”

Han Wenwen stared at the star-filled sky: “There might be more, right?”

Heqing, standing next to Lin Zheng Ran, said anxiously, “Oh no! I forgot to make a wish!”

Lin Zheng Ran reminded them, “There’s another one!”

Another shooting star shot across.

The three girls looked up in delight and quickly made their wishes.

Though the wishes were silent, all four shared the same one—including Jiang Jingshi.

The three little ones and Jiang Jingshi all wished to be with Lin Zheng Ran forever.

As for Lin Zheng Ran, he had no wishes; this life was already going his way.

[After battling the beast army, you head to the Summer Resort Villa with Fairy He, Miss Jiang, and the Demonic Cult Enchantress to relax and clear your mind.]

[Though this trip avoided wild beasts, you encountered plenty of romantic luck and even a rare starlight phenomenon that boosted your strength.]

[After dual cultivating with Fairy He, both your fates greatly increased, and your spiritual energy surged.]

[After dual cultivating with Miss Jiang, both your fates greatly increased, and your spiritual energy surged.]

[After practicing forbidden arts with the Demonic Cult Enchantress, both your spiritual energies soared, and yours successfully broke through to the next level.]

[The starlight phenomenon allows your spiritual energy level to break through once more.]

[You successfully reached level seventy-two. At such a young age, you’re already among the elite masters. The Imperial City might not hold you much longer. Soon, you’ll venture to the greater continent, where dangers lurk, the strongest enemies emerge, but new opportunities await.]

Hmm?

What does the strongest enemy refer to?

In the system’s view, the college entrance exam is already a formidable foe, like a million beasts attacking a city.

So, does the strongest enemy mean university?

“Lin Zheng Ran, are there only a few shooting stars like that?”

Hearing Heqing’s question, Lin Zheng Ran explained, “That’s already quite a few. Shooting stars depend a lot on luck—many people go out of their way to see them and still miss out. Seeing two tonight is great.”

Heqing gazed at the sky: “You’re right. Even if there are fewer, as long as the wishes come true, it’s fine!”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Alright, everyone’s tired today. Let’s all head back to our tents and rest.”

At his words, the three girls froze, their faces flushing red, and they nodded quickly.

Lin Zheng Ran said goodnight and went into his tent first.

The three little ones exchanged glances, wished each other goodnight, and crawled into their tents.

The night was quiet.

Lin Zheng Ran lay in his cozy tent, not sleeping, with the flap slightly open, waiting for something.

A moment later, the tent flap quietly opened.

Lily slipped in quietly.

Soon after, Heqing crept in hesitantly, and the two bumped into each other with a soft gasp.

Finally, Han Wenwen arrived.

The little fox pulled open the tent flap and saw Heqing and Lily huddled inside, heads covered.

The small tent was now full.

The three girls looked at each other.

Each felt awkward and shy.

Lin Zheng Ran lay on the bed, watching them quietly: “Don’t just stand there. Come sleep beside me. Heqing and Lily, one on each side, and Han Wenwen, you can lie on top of me. Come on.”