Chapter 276: Whispers in the Springs

Lin Zheng Ran explained, “She’s Jiang Jingshi. I think Lily and Heqing have met her too—she’s the current deputy general manager of Zheng Shi Company.”

In the quiet atmosphere,

Lily and Heqing fixed their big eyes on Lin Zheng Ran.

Lily jumped to her feet, clenching her small fists: “Jiang Jingshi?! Boss Jiang? Zheng Ran, did you go and win her over too?!”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded.

Jealousy flashed across Lily’s face. She stared at Lin Zheng Ran for a moment before sitting back down, muttering under her breath, “I knew it—that woman had a funny look in her eyes when she first saw you. My sixth sense was spot on.”

Heqing knew exactly who Lin Zheng Ran meant by Jiang Jingshi—she was Jiang Qian’s sister.

What a twist—Jiang Qian herself hadn’t ended up with Lin Zheng Ran, but her sister had.

Little Heqing asked softly, “When did this happen, Lin Zheng Ran?”

“It was last week when I went to the company. That’s when it started.”

Little Heqing pursed her lips, her small hands resting on her thighs.

She said sweetly, “Oh, I see. Well, okay… that makes one more. Make sure to introduce us to her sometime.”

Lin Zheng Ran patted Little Heqing’s head: “Once we’re back from this trip, I’ll arrange for you all to meet her in a few days.”

Little Heqing blushed and smiled.

“She really is quite pretty, that sister.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned to Lily, who was pouting: “Lily?”

“Huh?” Lily snapped back, her face awkward: “What?”

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“What can I say?” Lily sighed, resigned: “If Zheng Ran likes her, then that’s how it is. We’re aiming for six girlfriends anyway, so the fourth was bound to happen. And I don’t mind Boss Jiang that much.”

She looked at Lin Zheng Ran: “But Zheng Ran, Jiang Jingshi is the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family, right? Can someone with her background really accept you having so many girlfriends? I mean, big families usually have strict rules.”

“I’ve thought about that. So after the trip, I’ll visit her family. As for family rules, even if they’re not super strict, it’s still tough for any parent to accept their daughter with a guy who likes multiple girls. It’s all the same deal.”

Heqing and Lily blinked at him.

Han Wenwen, with her playful charm, said confidently:

“Whether they accept it or not, if they don’t, I’ll just run away with Brother Zheng Ran. I’m set on him for life. And I don’t think my parents would care—heck, I don’t even know who my dad is.”

Lily chimed in: “I want to say something too. I know this will be a hassle, but I’ll do my best to convince my parents. After all, you’re the only one I’ve ever liked from the start! I couldn’t fall for anyone else.”

Heqing nodded and raised her hand: “Same here. Even if Mom won’t let me marry you, I still want to be with you and not be apart.”

Usually timid, Little Heqing showed extra stubbornness on this big issue, and Lily was unusually straightforward too.

Lin Zheng Ran promised: “You three, don’t worry. It’s tricky, but I’ll go to each of your families to propose, one by one, until your uncles and aunts agree.”

As he finished, Lily suddenly shivered.

Lin Zheng Ran suggested: “Feeling cold? Let’s not chat here—let’s head back to the hot spring and talk while we soak.”

The three girls agreed.

The four of them headed back to the hot spring together.

On the way, Lily asked, “Hey, if all these people end up marrying you, Zheng Ran, won’t we be able to get marriage certificates?”

Han Wenwen nodded: “The law says one husband and one wife, so Zheng Ran can’t get certificates with all of us. But we can still have wedding ceremonies—that’s personal and fine.”

Little Heqing pressed her hands together in front of her and smiled:

“Marriage certificates don’t matter much—it’s just a piece of paper. If people don’t like each other, it’ll end in divorce anyway. If they do, they’ll stay together forever without it. Like my mom always said, couples without real feelings will split up eventually.”

Han Wenwen cut in: “I agree. What keeps people together is their hearts.”

Lily sighed: “You two make it sound so ideal, and yeah, that’s often true. But what about the kids’ household registration?”

Han Wenwen tapped her chin: “That should be okay. I read that in the news, even illegitimate kids might get registered in the next few years.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself that it had indeed been like that before his rebirth.

After all, society in the future was a bit short on people.

“Wenwen’s right—don’t worry about the kids.”

Lily put her hands on her hips and laughed: “Then we’re good. Though talking about this might be a bit premature.” She added shyly: “Zheng Ran, when do you plan to propose?”

“After university graduation. But I’ll tell your uncles and aunts about having multiple girlfriends before that—it’s going to take time for them to agree.”

Back at the hot spring pool, they soaked comfortably for a long while.

They hadn’t realized how the conversation had wandered off track, but they kept chatting and laughing about other things.

While soaking, Lily thought about how Zheng Ran even liked someone like Jiang Jingshi—the mature sister type.

This guy really goes for all kinds of girls—a total flirt.

After thoroughly enjoying the hot spring, the four of them walked through the backyard corridor and returned to the hotel on the first floor.

Just as they passed the entrance, they spotted an old man and an old woman sitting under a tree outside, washing her hair in a wooden basin.

The old man held an ancient gourd dipper, carefully pouring hot water over the old woman’s head.

From a distance, they could hear the old woman scolding: “You’re getting water all over my shoes! Can’t you go slower? You never take this annual ritual seriously!”

The old man muttered something under his breath.

The couple kept talking.

Heqing was the first to notice this scene, finding it quite curious.

Lily and Han Wenwen saw it too, and Han Wenwen smiled: “What a warm moment.”

Little Heqing’s eyes sparkled, but she stayed quiet.

Lin Zheng Ran glanced outside and caught Little Heqing’s subtle reaction.

Back in the hotel room, it was their last night—tomorrow morning, they’d drive back to Ziteng City.

Everyone packed their things simply.

At eight in the evening, Lin Zheng Ran sat on the bed in his pajamas, reading a book.

The door to the room suddenly opened.

The three little ones walked in.

Little Heqing said, “Lin Zheng Ran, we’ve packed our things.”

Lily, never good at lying, added as part of their plan: “Do you have anything left to pack in your room? We can help.”

Han Wenwen just smiled, her eyes saying it all.

Lin Zheng Ran got their drift: “You all want to sleep together again?”

The three girls hesitated, then nodded shyly.

Lin Zheng Ran patted the bed: “Come on up. Let’s all sleep together tonight.”

The three little ones grinned and climbed onto the bed together.