Chapter 7: Festival Surprises

As for why Lin Zheng Ran knows Taekwondo, it’s all down to the System’s level 10 talent being overwhelmingly powerful. Every time Heqing’s skills improve,

Lin Zheng Ran’s Taekwondo level shoots up to double the strength, and even theoretical knowledge about it pops into his mind naturally.

So whenever Heqing hits a plateau, Lin Zheng Ran uses theory and practice to help her level up even more.

For instance, today is Saturday, and Lin Zheng Ran and Heqing are on the bed practicing throws.

Heqing strikes a fighting pose and yells ‘Ha!’ trying to throw Lin Zheng Ran like a pro, but he counters with a swift reversal, slamming her onto the bed.

Heqing lies flat on her back, legs arched up, frozen in place, her clear eyes looking up at Lin Zheng Ran standing over her: “Lin Zheng Ran, you’re amazing! How did you do that?”

Lin Zheng Ran sits on the bed and explains the key moves to her, and Heqing listens intently.

But halfway through, Lin Zheng Ran notices Heqing sitting there like a little duck, clutching the bedding with her small hands, and she suddenly smiles.

His face turns stern: “What’s so funny? Am I getting it wrong?”

Heqing quickly shakes her head, stifling her laugh, her ponytail swinging: “No, not at all! But Lin Zheng Ran, how do you know everything? You didn’t even sign up, yet you’re better than me.”

Lin Zheng Ran crosses his arms, acting all grown-up and cocky: “Isn’t it normal that I’m better than you?”

Heqing nods like a bobblehead: “Totally normal!”

The two kids lock eyes, and Lin Zheng Ran feels her gaze on him getting weirder, like intensely focused: “What’s with that look?”

Heqing pauses, then shyly lowers her head, gripping the bedding tighter: “Nothing really. I’m just really grateful to you. You’ve been teaching and training me all along, Lin Zheng Ran. Why don’t you sign up for Taekwondo too? That way, we could practice together every day.”

Lin Zheng Ran closes his eyes, straightens up, and firmly refuses: “I’m not signing up for that. I have no interest in Taekwondo. I’m only helping you so you can get stronger and not get pushed around.”

Heqing can’t hold back, her face flushing: “You’re so good to me.”

Lin Zheng Ran opens his eyes: “What did you say?!”

She quickly shuts her mouth and shakes her head.

“Nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, then practice more of what I’ve taught you these past few days. Aren’t you aiming for a top three spot in this year’s dojo tournament?”

“Yeah!”

No one can quite figure out what Heqing is thinking about Lin Zheng Ran right now, or maybe even she doesn’t know. Her little head is just full of wanting to be with him every day, even if it means getting teased.

Though her mind is pretty empty otherwise, she does realize she’s not the only one who wants to hang out with Lin Zheng Ran—lots of girls like being around him too.

She’s noticed this for a while: Lin Zheng Ran is really good-looking and excels at everything, so who’s not going to like him?

But over the past two years in kindergarten, because Lin Zheng Ran was so aloof, the other kids kept their distance.

Now that they’re in elementary school, with more classmates, things have started to change a bit.

This year, both Lin Zheng Ran and Heqing are seven, having successfully moved on from kindergarten to first grade.

In first grade, miraculously, Lin Zheng Ran and Heqing ended up as desk mates.

But when second grade started, the teacher reassigned classes.

So Heqing wasn’t in the same class as Lin Zheng Ran anymore.

Of course, that doesn’t stop them from hanging out on weekends—they’re neighbors, after all, so they can see each other anytime.

Today is Friday.

In this small town, they’re holding some kind of beer festival—nobody knows where they got the idea from.

It’s basically just an excuse to set up a market, since there are more stalls selling rice wine than beer anyway.

Maybe the town mayor is really into this event, because there are a bunch of police officers patrolling around.

Lin Zheng Ran is tagging along with his mom and dad, wandering through the beer festival.

After walking for an hour, Lin Zheng Ran still feels fresh and energetic, not tired at all.

It’s been two years since the System activated.

With weekly Taekwondo sessions teaching Heqing, plus her own practice, she’s now become the strongest girl in their dojo under Lin Zheng Ran’s guidance.

And Lin Zheng Ran has naturally leveled up a lot himself.

[Your current spiritual energy level is 18, showing some real progress.]

[Your current attributes are:]

[Strength: 5]

[Energy: 6]

[Stamina: 10]

[Charm: 4]

[Today, as you wander the market under the bright sunshine, your mood lightens up. Maybe you’ll stumble upon some ancient map fragment—after all, that’s straight out of fantasy novels. But while you’re checking the stalls for bargains, you hear a beast’s roar in the distance!]

[This sets off your alarms—a beast has entered the human world. If you don’t stop it, the market could turn into a bloodbath! Do you go investigate or make a quick escape?]

A beast?

Lin Zheng Ran looks around the bustling market, packed with people but super safe, wondering what this so-called beast could be. It can’t be an escaped tiger from the zoo, right?

And the System didn’t even say where it is.

“Ran Ran, Dad, what do you think of this hat? Maybe get one for me and one for Ran Ran?”

Lin Ying Jun sees his wife crouched at a stall, holding a cute cartoon hat, and laughs: “If you like it, buy it. We’re here to shop today anyway.”

“Let me check if there are other nice ones.” Lin Xiao Li bends down to look at more styles and asks Lin Zheng Ran: “Ran Ran, which hat do you like? How about this little cat one?”

Lin Zheng Ran thinks the hat looks too girly and not cool at all.

“Mom, I want to go sit in the car. I’m a bit tired.”

“Huh? Tired already? We’ve barely started.”

Lin Zheng Ran plays up the kid act: “But I’m just a little kid; I can’t walk that far.”

Lin Xiao Li gives him a skeptical look, her expression mirroring the way he looks when he’s judging someone: “Nonsense. I know you and Heqing are always practicing Taekwondo in your room. Your stamina’s fine.”

Lin Ying Jun sees his son’s sweaty face and gets it—it’s not about stamina; it’s his wife’s shopping that’s dragging on. She lingers at every stall they like.

So the tiredness has nothing to do with fitness; it’s just shopping fatigue.

“It’s okay, if Ran Ran’s tired, let him rest in the car. The parking area’s full of patrolling officers, so he’ll be safe on his own.”

Lin Xiao Li pouts: “Alright then. Dad, take Ran Ran back to the car. Once we’re done here, we’ll meet him there.”

Lin Zheng Ran agrees and finally gets taken back to the car by his dad.

After his dad leaves, as Lin Zheng Ran wonders where this beast could be,

On the road, a little girl with double ponytails in a yellow dress holds a small dog in one arm and waves a thin branch with the other, eyes closed, gesturing at a golden retriever in the distance.

“Stay back! Stay back! If you come any closer, I’ll call the police!”