Chapter 54: Whispers of Youthful Crushes

The air seemed to freeze.

Han Wenwen even wondered if she’d misheard and asked again: “Xiao Qingqing, what did you say?”

Xiao Qingqing had mustered that burst of courage just for a moment; she couldn’t say it again.

Her face flushed red as she struggled, mumbling and stuttering, but the words wouldn’t come out. Only after she sat back on the bed and wrapped herself in the blanket like a dumpling, leaving just her cute head visible, did she finally speak:

“I said… I plan to spend this winter with Lin Zheng Ran… I mean, I want to be with him…”

Han Wenwen blinked at her and leaned closer, curiosity bubbling up: “I still didn’t catch that. Say it again.”

Xiao Qingqing’s shyness made her head feel like it was steaming; she buried it completely under the blanket, her voice muffled even more: “I mean, I plan to… I want to be with him… Oh, Wenwen, stop asking! I can’t say it. You know what I meant.”

Han Wenwen covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She poked a finger at the blanket, and Xiao Qingqing peeked out through a small gap.

Han Wenwen whispered, “Want to chat inside?”

Xiao Qingqing nodded, and the two best friends ducked under the covers together, forming one big, cozy bundle that felt safe.

Inside, Han Wenwen’s invisible fox tail swished behind her as she eyed her close friend with gossip in her eyes: “Xiao Qingqing, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Ready to end the game right now?”

Xiao Qingqing crouched on the bed, her small hands drawing circles on the sheets: “It’s not that I’m brave; I just don’t have a choice. Ever since middle school started, haven’t you noticed everyone’s talking about romance? Back in elementary, no one mentioned it, but now it’s everywhere.”

She stared blankly at the little fox: “It’s all about who’s dating who, who likes who, who confessed to who—that kind of stuff.”

Han Wenwen tapped her cheek thoughtfully: “I’ve noticed that too. Books say it’s tied to puberty. At this age, girls are extra sensitive, and in ancient times, we’d be old enough to get married.”

She felt a bit shy:

“I guess so… I’m not too sure about that. But lately, these topics are everywhere. I hear about people who were childhood sweethearts, only for one to fall for someone else in another class. And then there are those hit TV shows, right?”

She grew a little scared: “I watched a few when I was bored, and it seems like the childhood sweetheart always loses. The one who wins is always the new girl who shows up out of nowhere!”

Han Wenwen didn’t deny it; she’d seen plenty of novels, anime, and TV shows where the childhood friend never stood a chance.

Xiao Qingqing pouted in grievance, her head resting on her knees as she muttered unhappily:

“Why is that? Childhood sweethearts should have the best shot, right? Why can’t two people who’ve grown up together beat someone who just appears?”

“Maybe it’s like I said before—the familiarity thing.” Han Wenwen explained: “But Lily isn’t exactly a newcomer; she’s Lin Zheng Ran’s childhood friend too. Technically, you’re the one who’s new on the scene.”

Xiao Qingqing jolted, her thoughts in a tangle: “Wait, I’m the newcomer? But we’re childhood friends!”

The little fox held up two fingers, pointing to one: “You’re the childhood friend,” then to the other: “Plus the newcomer—double the traits, because you only popped up in middle school!”

Xiao Qingqing suddenly brightened, her eyes wide as she poked her head out from under the blanket: “Oh yeah! When you put it that way, I am the newcomer!”

Han Wenwen popped her head out too with a “pop”: “Not you too—only you are. Lily’s been by Lin Zheng Ran’s side all along. Where’s her newcomer vibe?”

Xiao Qingqing grinned: “So does that mean I have a huge advantage?!”

Han Wenwen closed her eyes and smiled: “That’s why I’ve always thought you’d win, Xiao Qingqing.”

Xiao Qingqing’s newfound determination faded as she remembered last year’s incidents that upset Lin Zheng Ran: “But that doesn’t make sense. If I have the advantage, why hasn’t our relationship moved forward? Lily’s gotten closer to him instead.”

She hugged her knees and shrank back into the corner, feeling down: “Thinking about what happened earlier this year makes me regret it. I wanted to do things to get closer, but I just kept making him angry. He’s been even stricter lately.”

“Well…” Han Wenwen hesitated: “About that, I still don’t get why my ideas upset Lin Zheng Ran. Even if they didn’t help, they shouldn’t have backfired.”

Heqing stayed quiet because she knew she couldn’t fully follow through with the plans:

“Maybe they’re just not right for me. I think I need to do it my way. So, I’m planning to knit him a scarf this winter and confess.” She recalled the romantic chats among classmates.

The thought of being kissed or hugged by him excited her: “I want to date him, to have him spend more time with me.”

Han Wenwen looked at Xiao Qingqing’s face, shy yet determined, and leaned closer: “You’ve really grown, Xiao Qingqing. Since you’ve decided, I’ll cheer you on. Hope you fulfill your wish soon.”

Xiao Qingqing blushed and murmured like a mosquito: “Thanks, Wenwen…”

Then, she couldn’t hold back anymore and poured out her frustrations, eyes closed and fists clenched:

“But I really don’t have the courage. Lately, he’s spending less time with me. It used to be every two weeks, now it’s every three. And in our class, there are so many girls who like him! I’m getting scared he’ll end up with someone else.”

Han Wenwen smiled as she listened to her best friend vent, thinking how much Xiao Qingqing really liked Lin Zheng Ran.

Despite her usual timidity, she kept trying to take the initiative.

But

Han Wenwen’s eyes drifted to the window, her fox-like gaze lost in thought.

Soon, the weekend arrived—the one Xiao Qingqing mentioned, where Lin Zheng Ran wouldn’t hang out with either of them for three weeks.

Who knew what he was up to.

On Saturday morning, the four gathered briefly as Lin Zheng Ran grabbed his backpack and headed home: “I’m not joining you two this week. Just practice on your own or take it as a rest week.”

Lily watched Lin Zheng Ran’s retreating figure, full of curiosity:

“What’s that big dummy been up to lately? It used to be every two weeks, but now it’s every three. It’s been like this since last summer.” She turned to Heqing: “Heqing, do you know what he’s been doing?”

Heqing shook her head. If she knew, she wouldn’t have to resort to such a big move. Otherwise, it might turn into once every four weeks, or worse, never seeing him again.

I don’t know, and I didn’t dare ask him.

“I have no idea, and I haven’t dared to ask.”

Lily sighed. She’d tried asking in her own proud way, but it never yielded anything.

She waved goodbye to the two: “Alright, I’m heading home too. See you next week, Heqing and Han Wenwen.”

Han Wenwen and Heqing waved back farewell.

After Lily left, Heqing asked Han Wenwen: “Are you still making videos this week, Wenwen?”

Han Wenwen’s game video work was something Heqing knew about; the little fox had shared it at the start of the school year.

As her best friend, Heqing had a rough idea of Han Wenwen’s finances and family situation.

So she never interrupted her work.

Han Wenwen smiled: “Yeah, I have a few to shoot this week. I won’t be around the dorm during the day, Xiao Qingqing.”

“That’s fine. But I never asked before—where do you film your videos? An internet cafe? We’re not old enough to get in, and those places seem kind of scary anyway.”

“No, my uncle rented a house for me. It’s just for filming. When I’m free, I can take you to check it out.”

Heqing was surprised: “Oh, so you rented a place? Cool! Let me know when you’re not busy, and we can go see it.”

Han Wenwen nodded and said it was no problem, then bid farewell to Heqing: “Alright, I’m off. Be good in the dorm, Xiao Qingqing. See you tonight.”

“Okay, see you tonight, Wenwen.”

Han Wenwen waved goodbye to her.

She slipped away to meet Lin Zheng Ran at the rental house.