Chapter 320: Whispers of the Heart

As the three little ones outside the large classroom fixed their eyes on Jiang Qian,

no one noticed Fang Meng, with her side ponytail and jacket tied around her waist, slipping into the classroom unnoticed.

While reading, Lin Zheng Ran sensed something off and turned to see Fang Meng.

Their eyes met.

Fang Meng paused, notebook in hand, and said, “Lin Zheng Ran, are you interested in joining our solitude club?”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked in surprise. “What’s the solitude club?”

Fang Meng explained, “It’s a place just for you and Qian Qian to be alone and talk about anything.”

Lin Zheng Ran was speechless. “Do you really think I’d join a club like that? No, I refuse.”

Fang Meng wasn’t shocked; after all, Qian Qian’s plan sounded unreliable from the start. She’d just lured those three girls away for this.

“Okay, I’ll tell Qian Qian the plan failed.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed and went back to his book:

“Actually, I’ve noticed Jiang Qian seeking me out lately, probably to explain what happened that night at the Jiang family. But she’s already apologized on WeChat.

And that piano piece at the welcome party? I got her message there too. No need for a face-to-face; I won’t interfere with her thoughts. Whether she likes me or not is her call, and I have no right to meddle.

For now, though, I don’t feel that way about her at all.”

Fang Meng gazed at Lin Zheng Ran’s profile:

“Is that so? Can I ask why? From my view, Qian Qian is beautiful, poised, and relentless. She never gives up, even after setbacks—especially since high school, where she became gentler under your influence.

I just don’t get why you wouldn’t like her.”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced curiously at the pretty Fang Meng:

“Sure, those are all great qualities, but just because someone’s excellent doesn’t mean everyone will like them. Liking someone is all about the feeling.”

Fang Meng:

“I get that. Everyone has different tastes in women—some like certain personalities, others certain features. But from what I’ve observed about you,

Lin Zheng Ran, you seem to have a wide range of interests. Just look at the three girls outside plus the eldest miss—they’re all different types. So, it’s not that you dislike the cool type, right?”

Lin Zheng Ran hesitated. “That’s not what I mean. I do have broad tastes, but simply put, take me for example—I’m pretty good, right?”

Fang Meng nodded. “You’re quite excellent.”

Lin Zheng Ran finished speaking and felt a bit odd praising himself like that.

Lin Zheng Ran: “But when you first met me, you didn’t like me, did you? That’s what I mean—it’s about the feeling.”

Her face suddenly flushed red. Indeed, when they first met in high school, no matter how outstanding Lin Zheng Ran was, she hadn’t felt that way.

But later on…

She lightly bit her lower lip:

“I see. So Qian Qian still has a chance; she just needs to find that spark that clicks with you. Once she hits on what really draws you to a girl, you might fall for her.”

Surprisingly, she nailed it.

Lin Zheng Ran blinked and let out a breath:

“Let’s change the subject. Anyway, tell her not to worry about that night; it’s not worth dwelling on. And as for clubs, I’m not joining any—I’ve got other commitments with those three.”

“Oh? Got it, Lin Zheng Ran isn’t into clubs.” Fang Meng noted it in her notebook.

Lin Zheng Ran wiped his forehead, sweating a little—wondering why she’d bother writing that down.

Fang Meng:

“One last thing—I want to ask about your relationship with those three girls. You already have the eldest miss as your beautiful girlfriend who likes you,

so why are you always hanging out with them? Could you tell me? Don’t worry, I’ll keep it quiet.”

Before Lin Zheng Ran could answer, the three little ones walked in from outside and froze seeing Fang Meng beside him, then rushed over.

Lily stepped between them. “Hey, you two! What’s this—a diversion tactic?”

Fang Meng saw the trio return and quickly apologized. “Sorry to interrupt; I’ll head out.”

As she left, Lin Zheng Ran called out and answered right there:

“I can’t tell you that because if I do, it would cause trouble for those three at school. So, asking is pointless.”

Fang Meng nodded. “Okay.”

She glanced at Lin Zheng Ran one more time before turning away.

After Fang Meng left, Heqing asked, puzzled, “What was that about? What did Fang Meng ask you, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lily was just as confused. “Yeah, what did she mean by causing trouble for us three? What did she say?”

Lin Zheng Ran waved them over.

The three leaned in close.

Lin Zheng Ran whispered, “Fang Meng knows I’m with Jingshi, so she asked about my relationship with you three.”

The three girls’ faces turned red.

Lily opened her mouth, embarrassed. “Yeah, that’s not something we can share. Just thinking about it spreading would be a mess.”

She then whispered to Heqing and Han Wenwen:

“We four have to keep this under wraps, especially us three at university—let’s just stick to the story that we all like Zheng Ran. That way, no issues. Dating four people would be huge news anywhere.”

Han Wenwen agreed, and Heqing nodded but added:

“Still, it makes Lin Zheng Ran look like a player to outsiders. We all like him, yet he’s unclear with any of us and keeps things ambiguous.”

Lily straightened up, defiant. “Heqing, is there a chance Zheng Ran is just a bit of a flirt?”

Heqing covered her mouth in surprise. “Really? I’ve never seen him that way. At most, he’s a little flirtatious! A real player would ditch people, but that’s not him.”

Lily added, “That’s not a player; that’s worse. But thinking about it, he’s not really one—just a flirt at heart. Aside from that, he’s always been great to us.”

Han Wenwen looked at Lin Zheng Ran. “Zheng Ran brother is all positives except for being a flirt.”

The three girls wore mixed expressions.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t comment on whether he was a player; he always saw himself as a pure romantic.

He put down his book and stood. “Alright, let’s go eat.”

The three girls followed him out.