Chapter 335: Bonds and Approvals

On the street, waving goodbye to Lin Xiao Li and Lin Ying Jun.

Lin Zheng Ran drove the car, taking the four of them back to the university.

As they left the city district, the girls in the car slowly relaxed, letting out a collective sigh.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, puzzled, “What’s up with you all? Weren’t you having a great time the past couple of days? Why the sighs?”

From the back seat, Lily clutched her chest and replied, “It’s not sighing exactly—just that discussing this for the first time with elders, I kept thinking they wouldn’t agree, so I’ve been on edge. My heart’s been racing nonstop for days.”

The others chimed in agreement.

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself, As if your heart ever stopped before?

Heqing nodded. “Same here. If Lin Zheng Ran hadn’t acted so fearless yesterday, I felt like Lin’s Aunt might not have let us be with him at all.”

Lin Zheng Ran drove on, helpless. “So, it’s only now you’re all unwinding, even though it was settled last night?”

Han Wenwen said, “It’s because Uncle and Aunt have been around these past two days. Even though they agreed yesterday, we couldn’t chat freely about this like we are now. We’ve been on high alert the whole time.”

Hearing this, Lin Zheng Ran understood their situation—it was like when he’d propose in the future.

“I get it,” he said. “Anyway, we’ve cleared the hurdle with my parents. Now we can live together.”

Everyone was happy, but Jiang Jingshi suddenly asked, “Wait, Zheng, did you get Uncle and Aunt to sign off on your day student application?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Jiang Jingshi. “You didn’t give me the day student application, did you, Jingshi?”

“I didn’t?”

“No, because when I called my mom and she didn’t agree at first, we dropped it. I never went to the office to pick it up from you.”

Jiang Jingshi blinked her peach-blossom eyes as it hit her. “Oh, right. Once we’re back at school tonight, I’ll grab the day student application from the office and mail it to your uncle and aunt. Let’s just hope they don’t change their minds.”

“That won’t happen. If my mom agreed, she’s sticking to it.”

After a long drive, they reached the school late. The three little ones headed to the dormitory to sort through the bags of stuff they’d bought over the past two days.

Lin Zheng Ran followed Jiang Jingshi to the office to get the day student application.

By that hour, most teachers had already clocked out.

Jiang Jingshi’s office was empty, so Lin Zheng Ran decided to make the call right there.

He dialed his mom’s phone.

It rang a few times before connecting. “Hey, Mom?”

“Hey, Zheng Ran?” His mom’s voice turned gentle. The background wasn’t quiet at first, like a movie was playing, but it stopped soon after.

Lin Zheng Ran guessed they were probably in a couples’ theater.

He got to the point: “Tomorrow I’ll mail my day student application home. Just remember to sign it, and our teacher will call you to confirm.”

Lin Xiao Li went silent on the other end.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “What’s wrong? Why the quiet?”

Lin Xiao Li whispered, covering her mouth, “Zheng Ran, is anyone around you right now?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Jiang Jingshi, who was pouring water. “Just Jingshi. Why?”

She whispered back, sounding nervous, “Find somewhere private, and I’ll explain.”

Lin Zheng Ran recalled what Jingshi had said in the car that afternoon.

Was Mom about to back out?

Probably not.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Okay,” then turned to Jiang Jingshi. “Jingshi, cover your ears.”

“Huh?” Jiang Jingshi stood there, and Lin Zheng Ran pointed at the phone.

She caught on and obediently covered her ears with her hands.

She sat next to Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran spoke into the phone again: “Alright, Mom, Jingshi can’t hear now.”

Lin Xiao Li said, “.Zheng Ran, I heard what you just told Jingshi. Covering her ears like that seems a bit half-hearted.”

“Not at all. Jingshi isn’t the type to eavesdrop.” He turned to her. “Right, Jingshi?”

Jiang Jingshi nodded, ears still covered.

Lin Zheng Ran added, “See, Mom? She can’t hear a thing.”

Lin Xiao Li sighed. “Fine, fine. Look, your dad and I agree about you being with them, but Zheng Ran, I need to remind you about living together.”

Lin Xiao Li cleared her throat and got serious:

“You’re smart, so you know what I mean. At your age, boys can be impulsive, especially with four girls who all like you so much. If you’re going to take responsibility, you have to be careful, got it? At least until after graduation—that’s the line we draw.”

“I understand, Mom. You know you can trust me. I’ve known them for years; I know what to do and what not to.”

Lin Xiao Li thought about it and figured he was right. Though she wasn’t sure how far things had gone with the girls, Zheng Ran had always been more mature than most.

“Alright. I know even if you didn’t live together, some boys would still mess up. So, I’ll trust you to look after them. Mail the application tomorrow, and we’ll sign it.”

“Thanks, Mom. I won’t interrupt your date night with Dad. Bye.”

He hung up, and Lin Zheng Ran shared a knowing smile with Jiang Jingshi.

On the other end, Lin Xiao Li pulled the blanket up in bed, blushing in her husband’s arms.

Lin Ying Jun, face red too, asked, “Hung up?”

Lin Xiao Li set down the phone and leaned against her husband. “Our son—where does he get that charm? Managing so many girlfriends out in the open like that.” She eyed Lin Ying Jun.

Lin Ying Jun sweated nervously. “It’s not from me, that’s for sure.”

Lin Xiao Li poked his chest, annoyed. “So it’s from me? Is that what you’re saying? Come on, husband—spill it!”

Lin Ying Jun sighed and held her hand. “Wife, let’s just say our son’s no ordinary guy. Though it surprised me at first, he’s got the makings of a great one from birth. We can’t compare him to the average person.”

“Always so poetic. But listen,” she pointed at him, “if you ever pull what Zheng Ran’s doing, I’ll grab a carrot from the fridge, carve it into a knife, and send you packing to a monastery!”

Lin Ying Jun hugged her tight, panicked. “Don’t worry, wife. You’re my first and only love. I have no interest in anyone else!”

Lin Xiao Li smiled proudly. “Good.” Then she sighed. “I just hope things go smoothly when Zheng Ran proposes. It’s no small feat.”

“He’ll handle it. I’m his dad, and I believe in him.”

The next morning, Lin Xiao Li got a call from the school teacher.

Jiang Jingshi kept it professional, with colleagues around. “Yes, I’m calling about Lin Zheng Ran’s day student application.”

Lin Xiao Li felt a strange familiarity in the teacher’s voice.