Chapter 29: Fated Reunions and School Adventures

[Though Fairy He is about to leave the sect again to adventure with you, her longing made her slip away early to meet you and share the black blood condensation paste she carefully made.]

[You take the exquisite black blood condensation paste, gaining three points in strength, two in charm, four in stamina, and two levels in spiritual energy.]

[Your current spiritual energy level is thirty-six.]

The next morning, bright sunlight pierced through the glass and lit up Heqing’s face, stirring her from a hazy sleep.

She glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings and took a moment to remember where she was.

Turning her head, she saw Lin Zheng Ran still fast asleep. She held her breath, her small mouth tight, as the light highlighted his sharp features, making him look even more handsome than usual.

The shy Heqing noticed his blanket had slipped off a bit and reached out to pull it up, but her hand accidentally brushed against something hard in Lin Zheng Ran’s pants pocket.

It felt like a card?

Curious, she leaned down for a closer look. Since it was already peeking out, she easily slid it free.

Heqing unfolded it and saw it wasn’t a card but a small folded poster.

“Child Star Music Studio? What’s this?” As she flipped the poster, her finger touched something sticky on it. The substance was colorless, and she brought it to her nose to sniff.

It smelled sweet and familiar, but she couldn’t place it right away.

Her movements woke Lin Zheng Ran, and she quickly tucked the poster back into his pocket.

Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously, “Awake already?”

Heqing sat up straight. “Yes.” She smoothed the stray hairs on her face, worried she might look messy. “Did you sleep well last night? I slept great next to you.”

Lin Zheng Ran yawned and checked the time. “Not bad,” he replied, thinking to himself how youth made even uncomfortable spots feel cozy for sleep.

“It’s seven o’clock. I’ll take you for breakfast soon, then you can catch your ride back.”

“Okay.” She nodded eagerly, like a bird pecking at grain, and helped fix his tousled hair.

They left the large courtyard, grabbed a quick breakfast, and Lin Zheng Ran bought her ticket.

The young girl stayed cheerful throughout, but her mind kept puzzling over that scent until they waved goodbye.

As she settled into the opposite train, Heqing’s eyes widened in sudden realization.

“Hand cream—it’s a girl’s hand cream!”

By evening, the city had one more heartbroken soul.

In Han Wenwen’s bedroom, the fox-like girl hugged a pillow and stared puzzled at the safely returned Heqing.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” Heqing said, sniffling with teary eyes as she shook her head.

“Did you have a bad time with your good brother yesterday?”

Heqing wiped her tears, her words spilling out. “I had a great time—we ate noodles and my chocolate that I made. He said it was delicious, and we talked for hours. I was so happy yesterday.” Her tone mixed joy and hurt.

“So did he bully you or do something you didn’t want?” Han Wenwen asked, confused.

“No, he’s always kind to me and wouldn’t do anything I dislike.” She grew even more upset.

Han Wenwen tilted her head, baffled. “Then why the tears? Don’t tell me you’re crying from happiness?”

Heqing sobbed, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left him alone all these years… He…” She burst out, “He seems to have another girl in his life, and she’s probably beautiful. What do I do, Wenwen!”

Heqing had always expected Lin Zheng Ran to attract attention, even before she left.

Over the past four years of calls, she’d noticed girls popping up around him, so she’d braced herself for a fight.

But smelling that trace of another girl’s item on him firsthand made her emotions crumble.

Still, the new Heqing wasn’t the old one. A few tears wouldn’t mean defeat—not until Lin Zheng Ran spoke up. She wouldn’t back down!

A few days later, with the end-of-summer heat lingering, New City First Middle School officially started.

Lin Zheng Ran went to school registration with Lily.

“You big dummy, do you even know where registration is?”

“Just follow me.”

Lily walked behind him, daydreaming, but said, “I hope we’re not in the same class. I don’t want to see you every day, but maybe life just works out that way?”

Soon, they reached the spot. Lin Zheng Ran pointed to the class list. “See? You’re in luck—we’re not together. Happy now?”

Lily clenched her fists in annoyance. “Happy? You’re impossible! I hate you!”

Women could be so odd—get what they want and still feel upset.

But as Lin Zheng Ran scanned the list closely, he froze.

Something about this setup felt off.

Junior Class One had Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen.

Junior Class Three had Lily and Heqing.

Sweat beaded on Lin Zheng Ran’s forehead. Nothing had happened yet, but he sensed his junior high life would be anything but ordinary.

He parted ways with the grumpy Lily and headed to his classroom.

Class One buzzed with energy, full of fresh faces that somehow felt familiar, like old friends.

Little cliques were already forming.

Han Wenwen arrived late, with the room packed.

The moment she entered, Lin Zheng Ran knew this fox-like girl would captivate every boy her age.

Her figure, looks, eyes, and demeanor weren’t perfect individually, but together they created an almost flawless charm.

In the coming years, many boys would remember the unattainable Han Wenwen from junior high, dreaming of her and regretting missed chances.

They’d mutter, “If only I’d tried harder…” But it wouldn’t have worked.

On the first day, each new student introduced themselves at the front. Han Wenwen smiled with narrowed eyes: “Hi everyone, I’m Han Wenwen. I hope we all become the best of friends this year.”

Lin Zheng Ran watched the boys blush below and sighed inwardly at how intimidating girls could be, though it didn’t concern him.

Until the homeroom teacher said, “Great. Han Wenwen, please sit next to Lin Zheng Ran. You two are desk mates now.”

Lin Zheng Ran froze, and even Han Wenwen looked surprised as she glanced his way.

They locked eyes from across the room. Han Wenwen gracefully made her way over, smiling as she echoed her words from half a year ago: “If we’re fated, we’ll meet again.” Her expression held a playful tease: “And look, it came true, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “…”

[You truly encounter the demonic cult’s enchantress again. She entrances thousands of fellow cultivators on arrival, and you sense she’s oddly interested in you. You realize the world is full of dangers—stay cautious. Yet, this might be some kind of opportunity.]