Chapter 338: Echoes in the Rental

Back at the small town rental house, this modest thirty-something square meter space had held Han Wenwen’s life for over six years.

Exactly as long as she’d been smitten with Lin Zheng Ran.

Thinking about vacating and leaving forever, Han Wenwen felt a sudden wave of nostalgia.

Lin Zheng Ran sat on her single bed as usual, scanning the room.

“This place is small, but the location and views are pretty great.”

“Brother Zheng Ran was the one who helped me rent it, so of course it’s good.” Han Wenwen, barefoot, pulled a box from under the bed and rummaged through it on the rug for things to take.

“Brother Zheng Ran, when we get to the new place, can I lay out a rug on the bedroom floor? It feels so much better to go barefoot than wear slippers.”

“Sure, it’s our bedroom, so feel free to arrange it however you like.”

Han Wenwen smiled, then dug out a few pairs of Lin Zheng Ran’s socks and underwear from the box.

These were from times Lin Zheng Ran had changed here; the little fox loved washing his personal items.

In her words, anything Brother Zheng Ran wore smelled wonderful and made her feel intimately close.

So every time Lin Zheng Ran visited, Han Wenwen kept his socks and swapped them for fresh ones.

As for that pair of underwear, it wasn’t old—it was new from the store.

Han Wenwen had planned to have him change into it if he stayed overnight, but after the high school trip, he never spent a night here.

Staring at the brand-new fabric, Han Wenwen felt a pang of regret: “This underwear is still new, and Brother Zheng Ran hasn’t even worn it.”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at the underwear: “Take it to the new place; maybe I’ll wear it sometime.”

Han Wenwen looked at him unenthusiastically and asked out of the blue:

“Why not try it now? I bought it specially. I once said I’d set aside a spot in my room for your clothes, but I never did, so these socks and underwear can stand in for that.”

Lin Zheng Ran saw her holding the men’s underwear in both hands and resisted: “How would I try it now? I’d have to change all my clothes just for that.”

“Oh, come on, we have nothing else today.”

“No.”

Han Wenwen pouted and stood up, pushing Lin Zheng Ran onto the bed: “Just try it? Why not, Brother Zheng Ran? It’s expensive stuff; it’d be a waste not to wear it.”

Lin Zheng Ran lay back on the pillow, watching the determined little fox with her hand on his chest.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “I’m not saying I won’t wear it, just not here. And is this really about trying it? Aren’t we supposed to pack the room?”

Han Wenwen bit her lip shyly, her fox-like eyes captivating as she traced her fingers with the underwear along Lin Zheng Ran’s lips and smiled:

“Who said we have to pack all day? Even a morning together would be fine; we can pack in the afternoon. Otherwise, what’s the point of this alone time? I’d have to be out of my mind to just clean.”

As she leaned in to kiss him, Han Wenwen’s phone suddenly buzzed with messages.

The little fox froze visibly, her eyes wide with fear, fingers clenching into fists.

Lin Zheng Ran reached over from the bed and picked up her phone to check.

Han Wenwen stayed silent, not moving.

It wasn’t what she dreaded; it was from her uncle.

Actually, it was a voice message from Lily:

“Han Wenwen, I know today’s special for you, but you better behave! Don’t get handsy with Zheng Ran while moving. I’ve seen how your eyes linger on him like melted candy—you can’t fool me, you sly fox.”

Han Wenwen, who had paused, suddenly relaxed and laughed.

“Lily’s way too watchful, though she’s not wrong.”

The message continued with Lily’s voice turning softer and more playful:

“Also… have you been dealing with something lately? Yesterday in the dorm, when you mentioned moving, you seemed off, but I can’t put my finger on it.

If you’re in trouble, just tell us girls, or even just Zheng Ran if you prefer. We’re all in this together; we’ll help out. Reply when you see this, or maybe I’m just imagining things.”

After the voice message ended, Han Wenwen pursed her lips, and Lin Zheng Ran asked her: “Want to reply?”

Han Wenwen nodded.

Lin Zheng Ran hit record and held the phone to her mouth; Han Wenwen tried to sound normal, saying everything was fine and even teased Lily a bit.

But Lin Zheng Ran noticed Han Wenwen’s eyes lacked their usual spark as she sat there; he sat up and held the distracted girl close.

“Wenwen, if you’re not in the mood today, let’s skip it.”

Han Wenwen explained: “It’s not that I’m not in the mood; I just…” She trailed off and hugged Lin Zheng Ran, knowing lies wouldn’t work with him:

“I’m sorry, Brother Zheng Ran. Here with you, and I’m still getting distracted by other things. What a waste of our time.”

Lin Zheng Ran pulled her tight: “Don’t overthink it; let’s just pack up the room first.”

“Okay, but hold me for a few minutes before we start.”

After the hug, they worked together to gather all the odds and ends in the room and pack them into boxes.

They kept at it until noon, when Han Wenwen, exhausted, leaned against the bedhead and dozed off.

Clearly, the little fox hadn’t slept well last night due to her worries.

Lin Zheng Ran finished the last box and turned to see Han Wenwen asleep.

He gently laid her flat on the bed.

In her sleep, tears streamed from Han Wenwen’s eyes, her face twisted with faint resentment and unwillingness.

After all these years, Han Wenwen had thought she’d moved on from the mother who abandoned her; whether she lived or died meant nothing now.

Though memories of childhood still stirred resentment, she’d embraced a new life.

But seeing the photo her uncle sent made her realize the pain was still buried deep; she hated that heartless woman.

She felt the woman deserved it, yet pitied her for the good years in her memories.

Han Wenwen wanted answers from her.

Not long after dozing off, Han Wenwen jolted awake from her dream, her red-rimmed eyes meeting Lin Zheng Ran, who had been watching over her.

She burst into tears and threw herself into his arms: “Brother Zheng Ran… what should I do? I don’t want to see her, but why…”

Lin Zheng Ran comforted Han Wenwen, who was usually so bold and passionate but now lost:

“I know you want to see her but can’t forgive her yet. Meeting doesn’t mean forgiving, though. Don’t be afraid—I’ll be with you. Once this is over, you won’t hurt so much over old dreams. I’m here for everything.”

Han Wenwen bit her lip and clung to Lin Zheng Ran tightly, her eyes wet with tears.

That day, Lin Zheng Ran held Han Wenwen’s hand as he called the school for leave, and they boarded the train heading south.