Chapter 72: Holiday Morning Vibes

Another three days had passed, with seven days left until the New Year.

Early that morning, Han Wenwen sat at her computer with her long hair flowing over her shoulders and wearing strawberry pajamas, firing up a competitive game.

A knock echoed at the door of her room.

Han Wenwen’s face lit up with surprise: “Lin Zheng Ran?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“I’m in the middle of a game, Lin Zheng Ran. Just let yourself in.”

Lin Zheng Ran pulled out a spare key from his pocket, opened the door, and saw the little fox perched on her chair: “You’re up early today?”

Han Wenwen clicked her mouse: “Got to earn some meals, you know. Might as well rack up games during the break for later.”

Lin Zheng Ran set the breakfast aside, grabbed a chair, and sat down next to Han Wenwen.

Her screen recording software was already running, but it wasn’t capturing sound. She grinned and asked: “What did you pick up this morning, Lin Zheng Ran?”

“Buns.”

“I’ll transfer the money to you later. What kind of buns?”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t answer; instead, he gently tapped the little fox on the head: “You’re leaking info. Stay quiet and focus on the game.”

Han Wenwen pouted.

He wasn’t sure why, but whether it was Heqing or Lily…

Though both girls had a subtle fragrance, it wasn’t as rich as Han Wenwen’s.

When they first met, Lin Zheng Ran thought it was from her shampoo or body wash. But one time, he realized she used the same brand as him.

So, where that delightful scent came from remained a mystery.

“First blood!” Han Wenwen cheered as she returned to base in the game, leaning sideways to bump Lin Zheng Ran with her shoulder: “Aren’t you going to praise me, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran kept a straight face: “Nice one. Keep it up.”

Her fox-like eyes glanced at him, and she switched it up: “Brother Zheng Ran can be such a tsundere sometimes~ You never know how to give a proper compliment~”

Lin Zheng Ran tapped her head again.

The little fox played along with an “Oof!”

After finishing the game, Lin Zheng Ran grabbed Han Wenwen’s phone, opened her video platform stats, and saw she’d earned over forty yuan for several days straight.

“No surprise it’s the New Year season. If school updates could pull in this much, it’d be great.”

Han Wenwen leaned in close, her hand resting on Lin Zheng Ran’s leg for support, their faces just a fist’s width apart:

“Yeah, but it’s only big earnings during breaks. Normally, it’s around twenty yuan, and after rent and other odds and ends, not much left. Still, I’m happy with it.”

“No worries. I’ll join you for more games this break, maybe drop a few New Year videos to catch the wave. That could cover half a year’s rent and meals.”

Han Wenwen stared at the side of Lin Zheng Ran’s face from inches away, suddenly recalling the He Lin strategy she’d shared with Xiao Qingqing.

She wondered if the tips in that really didn’t work on Lin Zheng Ran.

Slowly, she blew a warm breath near his ear.

It made Lin Zheng Ran stumble over his words. He turned back, exasperated: “What are you doing? Are you nuts?”

Han Wenwen bit her lower lip and shyly whispered back: “Why scold me? I read in novels that when a girl blows in a guy’s ear, his heart races. Does yours, Brother Zheng Ran?”

She reached out to touch his chest, but Lin Zheng Ran caught her arm.

Another tap on her head: “Behave.”

Han Wenwen sulked, covering her head with both hands, then playfully—or maybe not—rested her forehead on his shoulder, peeking up at him:

“You always hit me like that, so rough. But even if Brother Zheng Ran is grumpy all the time, I won’t get mad. I’d just worry if your hand hurts~”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t want to deal with her cheeky chatter. He pushed her head away gently: “I noticed some neighbors putting up spring couplets. Are you doing any this year?”

The little fox pulled her chair closer, as if it were obvious: “Of course! Why not? I want to.”

“Didn’t you say you’re short on cash?”

She shot back, gazing at him from close range: “We’ll make it work. Especially since this is my first New Year on my own—got to prepare properly.”

Lin Zheng Ran stood up, heading to the bed to read: “If that’s the case, finish dubbing your latest video edits, and I’ll go with you to the Market Fair to grab some couplets for the door. It’s not expensive—just a pair of vertical ones and a horizontal piece.”

Han Wenwen nodded with a smile, then suddenly turned to her computer and said:

“Having you here with me this year, Lin Zheng Ran, makes me really happy.”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at her while reading, watching as she started recording the video, but he said nothing.

Once she finished recording, Lin Zheng Ran checked it over, confirmed it was good, and uploaded it to the video app.

Comments from loyal fans rolled in quickly.

[Grandpa, the video from your subscribed UP has updated!]

[Finally a new video—once a week or more? At this rate, it’ll never blow up.]

[Keep ’em coming if you love it. I just enjoy hearing the UP’s voice. It’s rare to see a girl this skilled at gaming.]

Lin Zheng Ran scrolled through the comments, thinking that aside from the gaming tricks he’d taught her, the little fox really had a natural edge in this area.

Soon after, Han Wenwen and Lin Zheng Ran finished breakfast. She picked out a few clothes from her box and headed to the bathroom, calling out: “Don’t peek while I change, Brother Zheng Ran, even though I’m wearing underwear.”

Lin Zheng Ran flipped through his book: “Can’t you lock the door?”

“I don’t like locking it.”

“Doesn’t matter. I won’t look anyway. Not interested.”

Han Wenwen blinked and smiled: “Really? In that case, I’ll just change here. Going to the bathroom is a hassle.”

“Suit yourself.”

Han Wenwen hummed in agreement, then actually started slipping off her pajamas, letting out soft, teasing sounds as she did.

“This pajama’s stuck~ Brother Zheng Ran, help me out.”

A vein pulsed on Lin Zheng Ran’s forehead. He grabbed a pillow and tossed it at the pesky fox: “Cut the act! That thing’s loose as can be—how’s it stuck? Go change in the bathroom!”

Han Wenwen caught the pillow in a flash, biting her lip with a flushed face and a light giggle: “Looks like Brother Zheng Ran isn’t totally uninterested in girls. Xiao Qingqing and Lily just haven’t found your weak spot yet.”

He shot her a disdainful look: “No, you’re just distracting me from my book.”

Han Wenwen gave a knowing smile, her eyes saying, “Brother Zheng Ran’s getting shy.”

With that, she dashed to the bathroom, but poked her head out to add:

“I might act bold, but I wouldn’t actually change in front of you, Lin Zheng Ran. It was just to tease you. I’m still a girl and get shy about it.”

Lin Zheng Ran was done with this girl. And he wondered when she’d started calling him Brother Zheng Ran.

It felt like it began last break, and lately, she’d been saying it non-stop.

But Lin Zheng Ran knew better than to try changing it.

Otherwise, the rebellious fox would just say: “Brother Zheng Ran doesn’t want me to call him that? Okay then, Brother Zheng Ran. No problem, Brother Zheng Ran. I won’t say it anymore, Brother Zheng Ran.”

She definitely would.

Once changed, the little fox stepped out in a skirt and sweater.

Even in winter, she seemed to care about her appearance—a common trait for girls her age.

Walking along the road, Han Wenwen held out her chilled, reddened hands to check the recent comments, smiling: “You know, Brother Zheng Ran, all these compliments from fans don’t make my heart flutter like yours would.”

Lin Zheng Ran walked beside her: “Do you enjoy spouting nonsense every day?”

Han Wenwen glanced at him, lips pursed: “It’s not nonsense. If you won’t talk, I have to start conversations. I just want to chat with you more, that’s all.”