Chapter 42: Whispers of Jealousy
by xennovelHan Wenwen had promised to keep an eye on someone for Xiao Qingqing.
So when a pretty classmate showed up in the classroom to borrow something from Lin Zheng Ran,
Han Wenwen would sprawl on her desk, eyeing Lin Zheng Ran with a sly fox-like grin, her voice soft and teasing: “Lin Zheng Ran, are you coming over to my place this week? I bought a new dress, you know.”
Girls catch on to romance early, so that comment sparked all sorts of ideas, leaving her blushing as she hurried away.
Lin Zheng Ran shot Han Wenwen a speechless look: “What are you babbling about?”
Han Wenwen laid it all out: “I’m just watching over Xiao Qingqing’s childhood sweetheart. One rival like Lily is enough trouble for her— I can’t let any more slip in. That would hurt Qingqing.”
Lin Zheng Ran didn’t want to comment on this fox’s antics, but he noticed the guys in class shooting him jealous glares. Ever since Han Wenwen joined the class, she’d been their unattainable dream.
So when she said those things, the boys looked at him with pure murder in their eyes, like they’d love to chew him up and swallow him whole.
[Ever since the Demonic Cult Enchantress appeared by your side, the righteous folks have started seeing you as an outsider. Whispers are spreading that you’ve joined the Demonic Cult— you need to watch your step on the path ahead.]
Lin Zheng Ran: “.”
This wasn’t a one-off; over the days before winter break, it happened again and again.
It wasn’t just about girls talking to him— sometimes if another girl stole a glance at Lin Zheng Ran, Han Wenwen would sidle up close, peering curiously with a smile, staking her claim for her best friend.
And one day during PE class, she took it to another level.
That day, a girl from another class mustered her courage and asked Lin Zheng Ran for his phone number.
Han Wenwen slipped quietly to his side, clutching his sleeve with a pitiful look: “Brother Zheng Ran, who’s she? Aren’t I enough for you? Are you breaking up with me?” She looked ready to cry.
Hearing he had a girlfriend, the girl backed away and bolted.
Han Wenwen doubled over, laughing so hard she held her stomach.
Lin Zheng Ran gave the giggling fox a disdainful glance: “Han Wenwen, if you keep this up, everyone really will think you’re my girlfriend. Enough is enough.”
After laughing, Han Wenwen straightened up and met his eyes: “Lin Zheng Ran, are you actually worried about rumors like that? Don’t be— by now, the whole class assumes I’m yours anyway.” She added with a reminder, “After all, the guys have been giving you some pretty nasty looks lately.”
“Can I take that to mean you’re using me as a shield because you’re tired of all those guys confessing to you?”
Han Wenwen feigned surprise, covering her mouth as she stared at him blankly:
“Oh, Lin Zheng Ran, you’re so clever— you always see right through what I’m thinking. Truth is, ever since everyone misunderstood me as your girlfriend, it’s saved me a ton of hassle. Call it an unexpected bonus.”
She gazed into the distance, tapping her lip with a finger:
“But my main goal is to keep other girls away from you. Who can blame it, though? You’re so outstanding that they keep flocking in. I have to get creative to block them out. As for the rumors, I already warned Xiao Qingqing— I’m not bothered.”
She deliberately studied his expression: “Hmm? Does Lin Zheng Ran actually like me? Is that why you’re blushing at the idea of me being your girlfriend?”
Then she pretended to be shy, covering her face as she said slowly: “If that’s the case, I’d have to tell Xiao Qingqing. We can’t do anything to hurt her— even if I do think you’d make a great boyfriend.”
Lin Zheng Ran sighed and walked away. Talking to this vixen was pointless; she didn’t play by human rules anyway.
A fox wouldn’t understand human talk.
Luckily, winter break arrived soon enough.
Lin Zheng Ran wouldn’t have to deal with this green tea fox and that silly girl acting up around him every day.
As break began, the school was quieter than expected, with no major incidents.
Xiao Qingqing and Han Wenwen were heading back to their southern hometown for the holiday, so the four parted ways at the station.
Han Wenwen and Xiao Qingqing pulled their suitcases along, waving goodbye.
The little fox grinned: “See you next year, Lin Zheng Ran and Lily. This semester was a blast.”
Xiao Qingqing gazed at Lin Zheng Ran reluctantly, her waves small and quiet: “Lin Zheng Ran, Han Wenwen and I are heading back. See you next term. I’ll call if anything comes up. And Lily, see you next year.”
Lily waved back.
Lin Zheng Ran waved too: “You two stay safe on your trip.”
The high-speed train pulled away into the distance, signaling a temporary truce in Lily and Heqing’s romantic battle. Finally, Lin Zheng Ran could catch his breath.
On the way back, Lin Zheng Ran asked Lily if she had any performances lined up for the break.
Lily shook her head: “Not this year— the studio’s updating equipment and all that. They’ll have me back on programs next year. Will you come with me then? I don’t mean anything by it; I just know you like the excitement.”
Lin Zheng Ran didn’t argue: “I’ll be there for your first show to make sure nothing goes wrong. Sounds like the rest of this year will be pretty relaxed, though.”
Lily perked up at that, biting her lip as she bounced along behind him.
“Yeah, this break will be a good rest.”
The holiday flew by, with the days before New Year’s vanishing in the blink of an eye.
On New Year’s Eve, Lin Zheng Ran’s level unexpectedly hit thirty-nine.
Just one more level to unlock a new skill.
[From your early days in the cultivation world, you met Fairy He coming down from the mountains, then crossed paths with the wandering Jiang girl, and now the Demonic Cult Enchantress has joined your journey. Through trials and tribulations, you’ve reached level thirty-nine, stepping into the realm of the strong.]
[Your current attributes are]
[Strength: 34][Reach 50 to gain the special ability of maintaining muscles without exercise]
[Energy: 29][Reach 60 to gain the special ability of seven nights without fatigue]
[Stamina: 36][Reach 70 to gain double stamina and triple endurance in tasks]
[Charm: 40][Reach 40 to gain the special ability of earning double favor in conversations and actions][Unlocked]
[You’ve gained the ability to earn double goodwill in your actions. This will greatly improve your relationships while wandering the Jianghu, making strangers more open to talking with you.]
The new year arrived.
At the door of a simple house in a southern small town, a fox-like girl finished dressing and chatted with her best friend over a New Year’s call.
In her hand, the little fox held a wooden plaque— the one she’d gotten from the Heart-Linking Festival before, engraved with the character for Lin.
Today, she planned to go back there alone.