Chapter 45: Independence and Hidden Strengths

Han Wenwen turned her head away, her fox-like expression puffed up in annoyance: “Hmph! I’m done with Lin Zheng Ran! Your words make me feel like a total clown every day.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked bored: “Why keep up the cute act all the time? But you’re moving out to rent a place—trying to go fully independent?”

Han Wenwen’s expression softened; she lowered her hands and crossed her legs, suddenly smiling with exhaustion:

“Yeah, I need to stand on my own. Though my aunt and uncle said they could support me until junior high, I could keep asking for money, but I”

she said with a smile: “but I can’t stay at my uncle’s house anymore. That feeling of depending on others is awful, and for my uncle’s family’s happiness, I should leave as an outsider.”

She put a finger to her lips, beaming cheerfully:

“Think about it—when I was little, even my mom didn’t want me, but my uncle took me in. I’ll never repay that kindness. Now he has a girlfriend”

and my aunt is pregnant. How could I keep freeloading and asking for money? If I’m sensible, I shouldn’t burden them anymore.”

Lin Zheng Ran hummed in agreement, but knew this little fox was still too naive: “If I were you, I’d do the same. But from this rented place, it looks like money’s hard to come by.”

Han Wenwen blinked her fox-like eyes, full of confidence: “It’s the internet age now. There are tons of ways to make money without a job. So many paths to cash in. That five hundred? I earned it by posting girls’ fashion tips online!”

Fashion tips—Lin Zheng Ran recalled how she’d been sneaking peeks at her phone lately, including that day on the playground; turns out she was doing this online stuff.

She leaned closer to Lin Zheng Ran: “Are you worried I’ll go astray? Don’t be. I won’t follow my mom’s path. I’d starve before doing that.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t know about her mom; this was the first time Han Wenwen let it slip.

He sighed: “Want me to help you?”

Han Wenwen was surprised: “Help me? How? You’re not lending me money, are you?”

“Of course not. Give it a week. I’m helping Lily with singing practice this week. After that, I’ll come back and show you how to make money. If you’re serious about following me, you’ll earn way more than on your own.”

Han Wenwen stared at him blankly. If any other guy said that, she wouldn’t believe it, but with Lin Zheng Ran, she didn’t doubt it. She laughed:

“Okay, thanks, Lin Zheng Ran! Oh, and about what I mentioned earlier, keep it secret, don’t tell anyone. As payment for renting the place for me, keeping quiet, and teaching me to earn, I’ll treat you to lunch today. Hot pot sound good?”

“Don’t worry, I don’t go around spilling secrets.”

“I figured. Otherwise, how could you have kept things from me this long?” Han Wenwen said shyly, biting her lip:

“Well, since you’re helping this much, one more favor? Later, help me carry my moving stuff? Some of it I can’t lift alone as a girl.”

Han Wenwen tugged at Lin Zheng Ran’s sleeve, acting cute: “Brother Zheng Ran, please?”

[Today you saw the Demonic Cult Enchantress trying to leave the Demonic Cult and venture into the world alone, but she’s still weak and knows her limits.]

[Considering how she’s given you spirit pills and helped Fairy He along the way, you decide to help. You find her a temporary hideout and teach her a technique. She offers a Flame Blood Soup as reward.]

[Flame Blood Soup is a Demonic Cult secret; it’s painfully spicy when you drink it, but it greatly boosts cultivation and strengthens the body—a rare ability.]

Flame Blood Soup… sounds like hot pot?

Hearing this, Lin Zheng Ran held up four fingers: “I can help, but you have to treat me to four hot pots.”

Han Wenwen blinked: “Four? But I don’t have that much money…”

“You can’t even afford four hot pots? So how were you planning to live this summer—earn as you go?”

Han Wenwen just chuckled.

Lin Zheng Ran stood up helplessly: “You’re one bold fox. Fine, you handle the broth, and I’ll get the ingredients.”

“Really? You’re the best, Lin Zheng Ran! Once I have money, I’ll treat you to a proper feast!”

Han Wenwen followed him, and they headed to school to get her things.

For Lin Zheng Ran now, carrying that big bundle of bedding was as easy as holding a water bottle.

It left Han Wenwen stunned: “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re so strong… feels like you could lift me with one hand.”

Once they got everything to the rental and set up the bed sheets and stuff, it was already four or five in the afternoon. That little fox had everything she needed.

Kettle, small frying pan, hair dryer—all sorts of things were there.

Clearly, she’d been planning to move out for a while and bought all these supplies.

They put the small pan on the table and added the hot pot base he’d bought.

Han Wenwen threw the ingredients Lin Zheng Ran brought into the pot, then pulled two cans of beer from her bag and handed one to him.

“Here, one each.”

Lin Zheng Ran took it but stared at the beer curiously: “Heqing isn’t sneaking drinks with you in the dorm on weekends, is she?”

Han Wenwen, who was about to change clothes by the bed, froze, sweat beading on her forehead as she turned back: “Of course not. Heqing wouldn’t touch this stuff. Besides, I just bought it—first time trying.”

With that, Han Wenwen grabbed a skirt and headed to the bathroom to change.

Before closing the door, she glanced at him with her fox-like eyes: “Moving made my clothes so dirty. I’m just changing into a skirt and top. Don’t peek, Lin Zheng Ran.”

“I’m not that bored.” He picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and ate it.

Han Wenwen blinked, thinking this guy never got embarrassed no matter how she teased him.

Was that normal for a teenage boy?

[You and the Demonic Cult Enchantress share a pot of Flame Blood Soup, greatly boosting your cultivation—strength up by three, stamina up by one.]

A week later, Han Wenwen’s uncle and aunt visited the rental. They were shocked to see she’d found a place and paid the deposit herself.

The adults signed the contract with the landlord, and midway, the couple tried to sneak her five thousand yuan, but Han Wenwen refused, saying she could earn online and would ask if she needed it.

Though she didn’t want it, they felt guilty and left it anyway.

Han Wenwen stood in the hallway, smiling and waving: “Bye, Uncle and Aunt. I can handle it. Don’t worry.”

They waved back and left. From the window, Han Wenwen watched them drive off with their new baby, looking happy as a family.

Han Wenwen smiled: “I hope after I left, Aunt won’t argue with Uncle anymore. Those three should have a great life.”

But some things just happen that way. The next morning, after Lin Zheng Ran finished with Lily, he went to see Han Wenwen

planning to teach her ways to earn money, only to find the little fox had a fever.

When she opened the door, she looked groggy and weak: “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re here…”

She lost her balance and collapsed straight into his arms.