Chapter 78: Graduation Day Gathering

The middle school graduation ceremony was quite grand, with the school hanging a banner at the gate to celebrate the third-year students’ graduation.

As Xiao Heqing sighed in her school uniform, Han Wenwen linked arms with Heqing and glanced at the report card nearby.

“Yeah, this year flew by so fast—it feels like it happened in the blink of an eye. And Lin Zheng Ran is incredible, full marks in everything except Chinese, wow.”

Xiao Heqing was used to it: “That’s just how he is. He only skips writing in regular tests, but always gets perfect scores in big exams.”

Lily, standing with them, said, “By the way, where’s that dummy? Where did he go?”

Han Wenwen looked back, her fox-like eyes blinking: “Lin Zheng Ran was just here a moment ago.”

Heqing scanned around until she spotted him and smiled: “There he is—Lin Zheng Ran!”

Lin Zheng Ran, just coming out of the restroom, heard the teacher calling everyone for photos and walked over to the trio: “Stop chatting and let’s go—the teacher wants us for the graduation picture.”

Xiao Heqing and Lily headed off to line up with their class, while Han Wenwen followed Lin Zheng Ran to the first class group.

The little fox pulled two tissues from her pocket and handed them to him, staying true to her role as his secretary: “Brother Zheng Ran, wipe your hands.”

Lin Zheng Ran took them as usual. She only called him ‘Brother Zheng Ran’ when they were alone; if Heqing or Lily was around,

she switched to ‘Lin Zheng Ran classmate’ or something similar.

Lin Zheng Ran knew why this fox did it—it made things sound more distant with that ‘classmate’ added on.

Of course, it was all a deliberate smokescreen she created to mislead others.

Seeing Lin Zheng Ran staring at her, Han Wenwen blinked her fox-like eyes: “Why are you looking at me like that?” She blushed and teased, “You’re making me shy.”

“Hah.”

Lin Zheng Ran tossed the used tissues into the nearby trash bin.

Over these three years of middle school, Lin Zheng Ran hadn’t done much else—he’d spent most of his time reading and building his strength.

After all, he was originally an adult and knew full well that at this age, focusing on other things was pointless. In any world, without power, you’re nothing.

But Heqing, Han Wenwen, and Lily were just coming into their own—their first year was full of confusion, and by the second, they started thinking about romance.

It cut into Lin Zheng Ran’s reading time every day.

Luckily, last year—in ninth grade—after going through those events, the three of them grew up and stopped obsessing like they did in the second year, though they still brought it up now and then, just not as often.

That’s why ninth grade flew by.

They were all busy improving themselves, preparing for the high school entrance exams and the new life ahead.

Lin Zheng Ran and Han Wenwen joined the first class line, with the teacher directing everyone up front.

“Everyone get into your positions and stay still—no moving or talking once you’re set.”

The photographer adjusted the camera and said to the teacher, “Teacher, why don’t you stand in front of the group?”

The homeroom teacher nodded and took a seat at the front of the line.

The photographer crouched down and called out, “Okay, time for photos! Everyone keep your eyes open, look at the lens, not me. Ready—three, two, one!”

There was a click as he took the shot. He checked it and said, “Perfect! Next class, please.”

Lin Zheng Ran waited until the third class photos were done, then the four of them gathered their things and left school.

This year, the four of them turned sixteen.

In just over a month, they’d be high school students.

On the way out, Lin Zheng Ran glanced at Xiao Heqing on his left. Han Wenwen was arm-in-arm with her as usual. Last year, the small town delayed many events for some reforms, so:

“Heqing, once high school starts, the taekwondo tournament in town should begin, right?”

Xiao Heqing replied softly, “I checked the schedule—the taekwondo competition is set for a month after school starts. I can come back for it on the weekend.”

Lin Zheng Ran then looked at Lily, who walked with her hands behind her back, her twin tails bouncing: “What about you? Any changes with the studio lately?”

Lily shook her head: “No changes. The town’s music concert is scheduled for two months from now, so it won’t overlap with Heqing’s event.”

“Great. I’ll be there for both of your competitions. After three years of practice, it’s time to see the results.”

Heqing and Lily exchanged glances at his words, then one blushed and looked away while the other shyly bowed her head.

Han Wenwen watched the three with her usual curiosity, but this time she couldn’t stay out of it—there was a hint of jealousy in her eyes.

They reached the school gate.

There, they saw Lin Ying Jun and Lin Xiao Li waiting. Mom grinned: “Ran Ran, school’s out? And Heqing, Lily, Wen Wen—I’m here to pick you up!”

Lin Ying Jun chuckled to himself, thinking how his son always had so many pretty girls around him after standing here for a while.

Lin Zheng Ran asked curiously, “Mom and Dad? What brings you here?”

Lin Ying Jun replied, “Today’s your graduation, and we didn’t have anything else on, so we made a big meal at home to celebrate.”

Han Wenwen, Lily, and Heqing quickly greeted the uncle and aunt politely.

In unison, they said, “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”

Lin Xiao Li smiled, used to it: “Hello, hello. Xiao Heqing, are you heading back this afternoon?”

Xiao Heqing nodded: “Yes, the three o’clock bus.” She whispered to Han Wenwen, “Is your uncle still doing business up north this year?”

Han Wenwen nodded: “Yeah, I probably won’t get to go back, but he called yesterday and said he’ll stop once high school starts. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

Xiao Heqing lit up: “Really? Great!” She nodded with a smile.

The little fox figured it was time to tell Heqing about living alone once they reached high school.

Lin Xiao Li clapped her hands: “Perfect! Let’s all go to our house for a celebration meal. Ran Ran can drop you off one by one afterward. Oh, and I just bought a new car—let’s take a drive!”

Lin Zheng Ran felt a bit awkward, but with his parents having planned it for the day, he didn’t want to spoil the mood.

The three girls weren’t new to visiting Lin Zheng Ran’s home, so they didn’t refuse.

Together, they said, “Thank you, Uncle and Aunt.”

The four of them split into Lin Ying Jun’s and Lin Xiao Li’s cars.

They headed to Lin Zheng Ran’s house for a graduation lunch.

Once home, the three girls politely helped the elders with serving dishes and cutting fruit.

Lin Zheng Ran thought the kitchen was buzzing with activity.

Lin Xiao Li and Lin Ying Jun had only thought about celebrating the graduation and remembered the girls often visited, but forgot this was their first time all together.

When the steaming hot dishes were on the table, they finally sat down to eat.

Looking at the array of delicious food,

Lin Zheng Ran was about to pick up his chopsticks after his mom started, but Xiao Heqing habitually peeled a shrimp and put it in his bowl.

“Here, Lin Zheng Ran, eat this.”

Lily, though tsundere, had grown more forward this year and picked some food for Lin Zheng Ran too.

“Hey, big dummy, try this—Aunt’s cooking is amazing.”

Han Wenwen, sitting next to Lin Zheng Ran, whether from jealousy or just joining in, added a rib to his plate.

“Lin Zheng Ran classmate, have some ribs.”

The three girls watched each other and then Lin Zheng Ran, while his mom and dad sat there stunned.

Lin Xiao Li leaned over and whispered to her husband, “Oh no, did we accidentally stir up trouble? We just wanted to treat them to a meal.”

Lin Ying Jun whispered back, “I was so excited about Ran Ran’s perfect scores that I forgot about this. With those three together, it’s bound to get complicated.”

The couple exchanged looks and asked in unison, “Wonder which one he’ll eat first?”

At the table, everyone watched Lin Zheng Ran intently, eyes fixed on his chopsticks.