Chapter 71: Holiday Hustle and Heartfelt Bonds

In the noisy school, students buzzing with holiday excitement crowded into the dorms to pack their bags and head home.

Many parents had already arrived, cars idling at the gate to pick up their kids.

Even though classes ended at different times, Lin Zheng Ran, Han Wenwen, and the others stuck together on their way to the dorms.

Along the path, Xiao Heqing walked at Lin Zheng Ran’s side and asked her best friend, “Wen Wen, you’re not heading back home this holiday? Staying up north with your uncle?”

Han Wenwen nodded with a bright smile, “Yeah, my uncle’s been tied up with business the last couple of years. If I went back alone, I’d be by myself, so I have to tag along.”

Xiao Heqing murmured in agreement, “Well, I’ll be going back on my own then. Let’s keep in touch, okay? If you change your mind and come back, just let me know—I’ll meet you at the station.”

“Sure, thanks Xiao Qingqing. If I head south, I’ll call you right away,” Han Wenwen said casually, lying as if it were nothing, without a hint of blush. Lin Zheng Ran just glanced at her and stayed out of the friends’ farewell chat.

At that moment, Lily nudged Lin Zheng Ran’s arm with hers, “Big dummy, my mom says we’re heading back to our old home this afternoon as a family. The studio’s on break too, so I might be gone for a couple of weeks.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her curiously, “Going to your old home? Got it. Have fun there for the next couple of weeks, and we’ll train again when you’re back.”

Lily nodded with a grin, “I’ll call you when I get back.”

That afternoon, the four of them packed their luggage, and Lin Zheng Ran, Lily, and Han Wenwen first went to the station to see Xiao Heqing off.

After that, Lily headed home to join her parents for the trip back to their old home.

So, under the evening dusk at the station, only Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen remained standing there.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “When do you plan to tell Xiao Heqing you’re not going back south for good?”

Han Wenwen gazed at the departing high-speed train:

“Once I’ve earned enough to fully support myself. That way, Xiao Qingqing won’t worry about me. If I tell her now that I’m living on my own, with her gentle nature, she’d probably cry her eyes out and insist I stay at her place or give me money.”

She glanced at Lin Zheng Ran with her fox-like eyes, “I don’t want to accept handouts, especially from my best friend. If I did, our friendship would feel off-balance, no longer equal.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked back at her.

He thought she was way more mature than most her age.

The little fox said with a sly smile, “Of course, I’ll never repay Lin Zheng Ran classmate’s kindness. As payback, I’ll do my best to meet any of your requests—even something as big as me offering myself up, I could consider it.”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to her playful teasing and just headed toward the station exit without responding, “Do you have any money left?”

Han Wenwen walked alongside him, “A little. Since school started, I’ve been posting game videos less often, so earnings have dropped.” The clever little fox picked up on the vibe and added:

“How about I treat you to dinner tonight, Lin Zheng Ran classmate? You can help me carry my luggage—it’s a lot for one person.”

“Sounds good.”

“What do you feel like eating, Lin Zheng Ran classmate?”

“Stewed chicken.”

“We’re on the same wavelength.”

[You consumed Demonic Cult Red Blood Chicken Soup and gained one Stamina point]

That evening, Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen moved their school stuff to the rental house, ate dinner, and then he said goodbye to the little fox and headed home.

Han Wenwen waved from the doorway as Lin Zheng Ran left.

With the new year approaching, families everywhere started preparing—buying goods, cleaning up, and putting up spring couplets to freshen things for the year ahead.

But Han Wenwen had never done any of that. Growing up depending on others, she was always just an observer.

Every New Year, her uncle’s house had guests, and Han Wenwen would hide in her room, trying not to bother him or let visitors ask, “Oh, you have a kid in the house?”

There were ten days left until the new year.

That morning, Han Wenwen got up, took a hot shower, put on some nice clothes and shoes, and went downstairs to the supermarket to buy snacks for the house.

This was her first New Year on her own.

On the way, she saw kids in new outfits running down the street, people chatting on the phone about their companies closing for the holidays, and discussing what spring couplets to buy.

The lively atmosphere made it feel like the old year was winding down in a festive rush.

Alone, she grabbed a shopping cart and wandered the mall, surrounded by crowds buying New Year supplies.

Some kids stared at the pretty sister Han Wenwen and blurted out, “That sister’s so beautiful.”

Each time, Han Wenwen would smile, bend down, pat their heads, and say, “What a cute little one.”

Standing in front of the shelves, Han Wenwen tapped her lip with a finger, unsure since it was her first time, “What should I stock up on for the New Year? No need for fresh ingredients—the rental house doesn’t have a fridge. Snacks will do.”

She picked out some of her favorite snacks and instant noodles, knowing the town’s supermarket would be closed for the holiday.

She had to make sure she didn’t go hungry those days.

She also grabbed some ready-made food and fruit, then headed to the checkout.

The cashier rang it up, “That’ll be three hundred seventy-three yuan.”

Han Wenwen was shocked at the price, thinking how everything jumped up for the New Year.

Especially fruit—it had nearly tripled.

Her little savings were taking a hit, and it stung.

Back home, she lugged the food inside, stashed the snacks in a box, washed the fruit, and cut up some of the ready-made food for tonight’s dinner.

When you’re busy, thoughts don’t creep in—but once it’s over…

Han Wenwen lay on her bed, staring out the window at the occasional fireworks streaking the sky.

She sighed, “Guess there’s not much to it. This New Year, I’ll probably just be here alone watching fireworks.”

A knock echoed at the door.

Han Wenwen knew exactly who it was and quickly got up to answer.

Opening it, she saw Lin Zheng Ran standing there.

Lin Zheng Ran stepped in with some fruit in hand, noticing hers on the table, “You bought fruit? Should’ve said something—I could’ve brought something else.”

Han Wenwen replied blankly, “Yeah, I wandered the supermarket and picked up a few New Year things.”

“New Year things?” Lin Zheng Ran sat on the bed and spotted the box full of chips and cookies, surprised, “That’s a ton of snacks. Eating them like meals? What else did you get?”

Han Wenwen shut the door, “Not much. Just stocked up in case the supermarket closes and I run out.” She sat next to Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran said casually, “You’ve got that small wok, right? A couple days before the new year, I’ll come with you to buy some ingredients. Winter keeps things fresh longer, so we can cook here. Three dishes and a soup should do.”

Han Wenwen was surprised, “Lin Zheng Ran classmate, aren’t you eating at home for the New Year?”

“Of course I am, but you’ll probably want to film New Year videos, right? That’s prime time for views—you can’t miss it. To make sure it turns out well, I’ll swing by after eating at home to help with editing. Earning money’s key.”

Han Wenwen fixed her fox-like eyes on him, feeling a sudden warmth—this wasn’t the first time he’d caught her off guard like that.

She tilted her head and smiled at him.

The ever-perceptive Han Wenwen knew he was just finding an excuse to keep her company so she wouldn’t be alone.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you here then, and we’ll eat together.”

Outside the window, a string of small fireworks burst into the sky.