Chapter 4: Childhood Secrets and Systems

This system really knows what I’m thinking.

I’m not some big villain, so if I took her stuff, I should give something back.

“Ranran, Qingqing, dinner’s ready! The big shrimp are all steamed!” Mom called from the kitchen.

Lin Zheng Ran and little Heqing responded and left the bedroom, the two kids sitting side by side at the table as Lin Xiao Li placed a plate of big shrimp in front of them: “You two peel and eat up. Qingqing, don’t be shy at Auntie’s place.”

Little Heqing waited for Lin Zheng Ran to reach out first before she dared to take any.

Despite her timid movements, she couldn’t hide her inner craving; she broke open the shrimp head and bit into it with her little mouth.

The fresh, sweet flavor brought a clear look of happiness to little Heqing’s face.

She placed the shrimp body in front of Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran ate the shrimp meat and asked curiously, “Why give it to me? Are you picky? Don’t like the body?”

Little Heqing suddenly had nothing to say: “It’s not that I’m picky…”

Lin Zheng Ran knew she wanted to give him the best part; deep down, Heqing was a good kid with a sense of repaying kindness with even greater kindness.

But her way of showing it was always quiet, and as kids, they couldn’t understand—only Lin Zheng Ran, with his reborn perspective, could guess her thoughts.

“If you’re not picky, take your shrimp back.”

Little Heqing had wanted to say, “The shrimp body is good, that’s why I’m giving it to you,” but one look from Lin Zheng Ran scared her into taking it back, head down and neck shrunk as she nibbled the meat.

That evening, Aunt He returned from her shift and took little Heqing home. Aunt He was a stern person, always with a serious face that made her seem burdened by life, especially with her father’s absence.

That might be the root of why Heqing was so timid.

When Aunt He walked home holding her daughter’s hand that night, she asked, “Qingqing, why do I feel like you’re afraid of your brother Ranran? Don’t you like playing with him?”

Little Heqing gripped her mom’s hand without hesitation: “I like him.”

Aunt He didn’t understand: “Then why do you always call him Lin Zheng Ran? Why not call him brother Ranran?”

Little Heqing had started by calling Lin Zheng Ran “brother Ranran,” but since he didn’t like it, she stuck to his full name.

Seeing her daughter stay silent, Aunt He didn’t press: “How about we go back to our hometown this winter to visit Grandma? We haven’t been in a while.”

“Mm, okay.”

That night in his bedroom, Lin Zheng Ran ate the box of candy Heqing had given him, and with each piece, he felt a boost in strength, energy, or stamina.

It was like eating magic pills, so he finished the whole box that night.

Kids have strong teeth—eating a box of candy didn’t hurt at all!

For the next month or so, Lin Zheng Ran started asking little Heqing for snacks every day, and in his free time, he read kindergarten books.

In exchange, Lin Zheng Ran shared the snacks his parents gave him with little Heqing, since he was after the system’s rewards, not the snacks themselves.

Besides that, Lin Zheng Ran did one more thing: he taught Heqing how to be mischievous.

For example, during class, if he heard kids gossiping about little Heqing, he’d tell her to throw paper balls at them.

Little Heqing didn’t want to do it.

Lin Zheng Ran would scowl: “Didn’t you hear them bad-mouthing you openly? Quick, throw the paper balls!”

If little Heqing hesitated out of fear, Lin Zheng Ran would pinch her cheek: “Hurry up! Didn’t you say you’d listen to me? Trying to back out?!”

Under the tyrant’s rule, little Heqing obeyed, but when those kids saw it was her throwing, they’d glance at Lin Zheng Ran and say nothing.

On top of that, Lin Zheng Ran did other things, like if little Heqing didn’t eat enough at lunch, she’d usually go hungry until dinner, but now he’d make her raise her hand and shout, “Teacher, I’m not full!” to get more food.

If her voice wasn’t loud enough, Lin Zheng Ran would poke her thigh: “Keep shouting! Who’s going to hear that whisper?”

And for activities without partners, or going to the bathroom without calling the teacher, and so on.

This month, little Heqing couldn’t figure out what was up with Lin Zheng Ran.

He bullied her more than ever, but at first she didn’t dare do anything; later, she realized fighting back was useless, so she’d just do whatever he said, and gradually, she even shouted without feeling as shy—because it happened so often.

One day after that month.

Lin Xiao Li took Lin Zheng Ran out to the mall; she loved new clothes and shoes, always browsing in stores for ages.

Lin Zheng Ran couldn’t stand waiting and stood at the door looking out when he spotted a familiar figure with a ponytail at the children’s taekwondo gym, staring at the looping promotional video for a long time.

[Today, you unexpectedly see Fairy He studying some sect technique when you go out, and you’re curious whether to approach.]

Lin Zheng Ran walked over and tapped her shoulder: “Heqing?”

It startled her, but when she saw it was Lin Zheng Ran, she relaxed, her little hands clasped in front like she’d done something wrong.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “Why are you always looking down every time I see you? Next time, lift your head when you talk, okay?”

Little Heqing looked up at his words, though her eyes still showed timidity.

Lin Zheng Ran shook his head: “What are you doing here? Did your mom bring you?”

Little Heqing pointed back toward the distant café, and when Lin Zheng Ran looked, he saw Aunt He chatting with a man, her face full of displeasure, like she might snap at him any second.

Lin Zheng Ran realized: “Is that your dad?”

Little Heqing nodded: “Yeah, Mom’s arguing with Dad again. I don’t want to hear them fight.” Her voice dropped low: “They only see each other once in a while, and yet they always argue. I hate it.”

Despite the heavy atmosphere, Lin Zheng Ran paused then burst out laughing: “You’re actually voicing your thoughts now and know what you hate? Guess my month’s worth of bullying wasn’t for nothing.”

Little Heqing’s face turned red as she quickly covered her mouth and shook her head, meaning she hadn’t meant to slip up.

Lin Zheng Ran pulled her hand down and frowned: “Why shake your head? Speaking your mind is a good thing, not bad. Do you think hiding and staying silent all day is helpful? Do you think people like that?”

Little Heqing pursed her lips, her little hands clasped together, hesitating before saying: “But if I talk too much, I might annoy people.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed, imagining how Aunt He, with her stern face after work, must have scared little Heqing into not disturbing her.

“That’s still better than staying quiet all the time. When you’re with me, say whatever’s on your mind, got it?”

Little Heqing nodded repeatedly.

Lin Zheng Ran turned to the taekwondo promo video nearby: “Youth taekwondo? I never thought you’d be interested in this. Planning to learn it?”

Little Heqing blushed and shook her head: “Not to learn it, I just think it’s cool. I want…” She trailed off again.

Frustrated, Lin Zheng Ran gave her a light flick on the head.

It hurt, and little Heqing covered her head with her arm, tears welling up.

Lin Zheng Ran asked sternly: “What do you want to say? Didn’t I tell you to speak your mind?”

Little Heqing gathered her courage, her voice trembling: “I just want to protect you. If anyone bullies you later, I can step in and protect you.”