Chapter 39: Freshmen Spotlight

This year’s freshmen welcome party is about to begin! Welcome to all the teachers and students here today. Next, please welcome our principal to the stage for a speech.

Not many township junior highs actually hold a formal freshmen welcome party. Most schools just have the principal gather the new students during the day for a quick talk.

It’s only in the last couple of years that the small town’s economy improved and the school started making money. Now, they’re putting more effort into these events for publicity.

The welcome party’s stage is set up in front of the teaching building, using the steps to create a platform.

At the front, the judges include the guidance director, principal, and other key staff. Behind them sit the homeroom teachers from each class, and further back are the students.

Hundreds of people sat in neat rows below, with banners hanging around and rows of lights sweeping back and forth to set the mood. It all looked pretty professional.

As the top student in his class, Lin Zheng Ran wasn’t performing but got to act as a student supervisor, moving between the audience and the performers’ backstage area.

Why did he have that privilege? Simple—because he excelled in studies and always got along well with the teachers.

During the principal’s speech, Lin Zheng Ran and Lily stood off to the side, glancing at the second row where the homeroom teachers sat. A few people in casual clothes with professional equipment stood out—they were from outside the school.

From his investigations into the Child Star Studio, Lin Zheng Ran could recognize them:

“Those with the cameras are probably from the Child Star Studio. They collaborate with our school, so they’re handling the program editing and filming. If you sing well with great breath control and technique, they’ll notice you right away.”

Lily clutched her chest, taking deep breaths in and out.

She looked incredibly nervous.

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at her, and as usual, she shot back, “You big idiot, why are you staring at me? I’m not nervous at all.”

For once, Lin Zheng Ran didn’t tease her like he normally did. Instead, he smiled and said, “It’s okay to be nervous. I believe in you—with your talent, you’ll do great.”

He didn’t say things like that often, mostly saving them for key moments. Lily hadn’t heard that gentle tone from him in a while, and it only made her more anxious.

She looked away, shyly mumbling, “You’re so annoying. I get it already.” But her chest still heaved with heavy breaths.

“Your performance is seventh, so there’s still some time before it starts. Take a moment to settle your nerves—I’ll check around elsewhere.”

As Lin Zheng Ran walked away, Lily suddenly called out, “You big idiot!”

He turned back.

Lily stared at him blankly. He always gave her confidence— in her eyes, Lin Zheng Ran could do anything. “Say that line again… you know, the one from before.”

He got the hint. “I’ll be down there watching your performance closely. I know you’ll nail it.”

Lily slowly smiled. “I won’t let you down.”

Once the show started, Lin Zheng Ran returned to his class and sat down to rest.

Han Wenwen sat next to him, eyeing him playfully. “Lily seems a bit nervous, huh? I saw you two chatting earlier—she was clutching her chest the whole time.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked ahead and replied, “She’s just a kid, so it’s normal to be nervous. But with her skills, she’ll grab attention easily. Even if she makes a small mistake, it won’t matter.”

Han Wenwen smiled:

“You sound just like a big brother, Lin Zheng Ran. I was surprised to learn you’re helping Lily get noticed by the Child Star Studio people. Most kids our age are just playing around, but you two are plotting big things!”

“Lily doesn’t have any connections. In this environment, if no one gives her a chance, her amazing singing and songwriting talent will just get lost in the crowd. Even gold can sink to the bottom of the sea.”

After saying that, he noticed Han Wenwen staring at him strangely.

Her eyes full of admiration and a deeper meaning, she propped her elbow on her knee and rested her chin on her hand. “So, Lin Zheng Ran, could you help me become a star too?” She grinned. “Name your price—once I make money, I’ll pay you back.”

Lin Zheng Ran kept his eyes on the stage. “Honestly, if you can really sing, you wouldn’t need my help. You’ve got way more drive than Heqing or Lily. You’re not the type to just sit and wait.”

Han Wenwen was taken aback. “That’s an odd way to compliment someone, Lin Zheng Ran. But even if I think a lot, it’s nothing compared to you. I’ve met plenty of boys, but you’re the one I can’t figure out at all.”

She straightened up. “And you’re right—if I had any talent, I’d have gone after it by now. But not everyone has that gift. I just wish someone could tell me what mine is.” She added:

“Then I’d definitely thank them properly.”

After the first performance, Han Wenwen asked softly, “Lately, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Lily. Haven’t you noticed Heqing looking a bit upset? You haven’t hung out with her much in the last three weeks.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded. “I’ll make time for her once this is over.”

“Having two childhood friends must keep you busy. So, what’s your take on their feelings? Can you spill the beans?”

“I don’t have any thoughts about twelve-year-old girls. They don’t know what they want— their minds aren’t mature yet.”

Han Wenwen chuckled and glanced at him again, then leaned on her knees, tilting her head to study him:

“I don’t buy that. Even if you’re stubborn, you’re still twelve. Can a boy your age really not care about pretty girls? Let me be blunt—Heqing will win. I’ll make sure you two end up together by the end of junior high.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her boredly, but then remembered that day—after junior high, Han Wenwen would be homeless.

With her personality and current grades, she’d struggle to get to high school on her own. She wasn’t joking—this clever girl knew her days of being best friends with Heqing, sharing meals and school, were numbered.

Seeing him stare, Han Wenwen smirked, not backing down:

“Staring at your childhood friend’s bestie like that isn’t cool. If you weren’t so different from other boys, I’d think you don’t want Heqing because you like me.”

Her eyes had that usual captivating spark, but Lin Zheng Ran wasn’t affected at all. They locked gazes until the end.

In the end, Han Wenwen looked away first. Memories of that snowy day at the bus stop flashed in her mind—she’d lost to him again.

Her slender fingers clenched unconsciously, a faint blush on her face as she whispered, “I told you not to stare. I’m a girl too, you know—it makes me shy.”

But it was hard to tell if her blush and words were genuine.

“Let’s just watch the show,” Lin Zheng Ran said.

They sat close together, and Han Wenwen opened a pack of snacks, sharing half with him. From afar, they looked like a perfect pair.

Lin Zheng Ran took the snacks, of course—in the System’s eyes, anything from this clever girl was like a magic elixir.

Lily’s performance began, and everything went just as Lin Zheng Ran had expected.

This girl with her double ponytails, under his four years of careful guidance, had surpassed most professionally trained peers her age.

Her original songs, bright voice, smooth techniques, and playful charm instantly amazed the talent scout from the Child Star Studio—the female boss in the audience.

“What a talented girl! I’ve never seen anyone with such natural ability!”

Han Wenwen was hearing Lily sing for the first time and was shocked by her voice.

Beyond her singing talent, Han Wenwen was impressed by her stage presence. A proud girl like Lily shouldn’t be this confident on her first try—unless someone had been building her up, slowly changing her shy nature.

Han Wenwen quickly realized what was going on and glanced at Lin Zheng Ran beside her.

Was all of Lily’s success so far thanks to Lin Zheng Ran?

If so, could I shape my own life with his help too?

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