Chapter 80: Jealous Hearts and School Farewells

Lin Zheng Ran grabbed an apple from the side and took a bite, his natural curiosity pulling his gaze for a quick look.

Chewing the apple with a crisp crunch, he gave an emotionless verdict: “Hmm, she’s really pretty.”

The three girls immediately turned their eyes toward Lin Zheng Ran.

Each one green with jealousy.

Mom, Lin Xiao Li, grinned with admiration at her son’s boldness: “Right in front of them, huh? You’ve got guts to say that, Ran Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran shrugged casually in response to his mom: “I’m just stating the facts. Why is it okay for you all to call her pretty, but not me?”

Heqing pouted unhappily, Lily huffed and turned away with a snort, and Han Wenwen shot Lin Zheng Ran a sharp glare, acting like she wanted nothing to do with him.

Since Heqing had to catch an afternoon train, they didn’t linger at home despite the drama.

Before leaving, they said goodbye to Grandfather, then Lin Zheng Ran headed to the station with Han Wenwen and Lily to see her off.

As Heqing dragged her suitcase toward the ticket gate, she looked at Lin Zheng Ran, who had come to say farewell alone: “See you in high school, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded in goodbye: “Take it easy on the road. Text me when you get home.”

Heqing nodded, but after a few steps with her suitcase, she hesitated and doubled back, whispering so only Lin Zheng Ran could hear:

“Do you really think that girl is pretty? I look good in a white dress with a sun hat—I’m not ugly at all. If you like it, I can wear it for you sometime and let you look all you want.”

Lin Zheng Ran felt awkward: “What do I have to be idle about? It was just a casual comment. I know you’re beautiful too. Now get on the train.”

Heqing said “Oh” still a bit jealous, but his compliment lifted her spirits a little. Her almond eyes stared at Lin Zheng Ran longingly: “See you in high school then. Bye.”

She waved at Lin Zheng Ran, then waved again to Han Wenwen and Lily in the distance: “Wenwen! Lily! I’m off. Catch you at the new school.”

After their farewells, Heqing boarded the high-speed train home.

As for Lily, Lin Zheng Ran glanced at her slightly jealous expression and walked over, gently tapping her on the head.

“It’s getting late—you should head home too.”

Lily rubbed her head and turned away: “Why’d you hit me? Fine, let’s go.”

With a flick of her twin tails, she added: “Don’t forget to come over in a few days to practice singing with me!”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded.

Lily flagged down a taxi, but as it pulled up, she suddenly ran back to Lin Zheng Ran, clenching her fists.

She closed her eyes and vented: “You’re such a flirt!”

With that, she dashed back to the taxi and sped away.

Lin Zheng Ran just shook his head, left with only Han Wenwen.

Han Wenwen covered her face, her earlier jealousy oddly gone, though her tone had shifted: “Lin Zheng Ran, you wouldn’t send me away, right? This week’s supposed to be for hanging out and playing games, you know.”

The little fox had turned sly.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “If you keep that look, I’m heading home. I don’t have to stick around for you all.”

Han Wenwen quickly dropped the act, her fox-like eyes flashing with jealousy as she turned away: “Who asked Brother Zheng Ran to compliment other girls? And you have a childhood betrothal I didn’t even know about!”

“If I didn’t know, you definitely didn’t. Besides, what era are we in? A betrothal doesn’t mean I’ll end up with her.”

Han Wenwen paused, stepping closer and tilting her head: “Brother Zheng Ran actually explained himself. Does that mean you’re trying to soothe me because you’re worried about my jealousy?”

Lin Zheng Ran wanted to retort—her mind always worked in such unexpected ways.

“Anyway, that’s what I think,” Han Wenwen said suddenly, turning serious:

“But Brother Zheng Ran, you’re underestimating your own charm. In my eyes, if some girl gets close to you, she might not like you right away because of her personality or experiences, but over time, even I can’t resist. What makes you think others can?”

Han Wenwen poked Lin Zheng Ran’s chest with her slender finger: “Just in middle school, I don’t know how many vixens I had to fend off.”

Lin Zheng Ran stopped bantering and walked out of the station: “You’re the one calling others vixens?”

He hailed a taxi: “You’re overthinking it. Even if what you say is true, I won’t chat with every girl. I’ll only connect with the ones I care about.”

Han Wenwen protested: “There are more vixens in the world than just me. I’m just your favorite one.” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing something, and froze, her face flushing: “Wait… care about?”

Lin Zheng Ran regretted speaking: “Forget I said anything.”

“Brother Zheng Ran, explain what you mean by ‘care about’! Does that mean, even if you won’t admit it, you really do care about us deep down? Hmm?”

In a villa bathroom in Ziteng City.

A girl in black pajamas gathered her hair into a single strand, her cool eyes fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

She was brushing her hair.

Behind her, a pretty girl with a side ponytail and a neutral expression held a report card:

“The high school grades have been sent over. You’re the female representative for the speech, and the male one is someone named Lin Zheng Ran.”

The girl brushing her hair, Jiang Qian, gave a soft hum.

The girl with the side ponytail hesitated: “But…”

“What is it?”

“Well, the report shows your grades are just behind his, but not by much.”

Jiang Qian paused her brushing: “Let me see.” She took the report card.

She saw that this Lin Zheng Ran had scores almost identical to hers—all top in every subject, except she was a bit lower in language.

The girl behind added: “Oh, and Grandfather just emailed you the details of your betrothed. He says you both go to the same high school, so you might want to meet him first.”

Jiang Qian stared at the name on the report:

“I’m not interested. What era is this for Grandfather to arrange that? But out of politeness, I’ll turn him down in person when we meet.”

“As for this Lin Zheng Ran, so what if his scores are higher? I don’t care much about that. Maybe he just got lucky. There’s a class placement exam at the start of school, so we’ll see then.”

The girl with the side ponytail took back the report, thinking to herself that if Jiang Qian didn’t care, why had she asked about grades every day before…

“Yeah, you’ll definitely surpass him next time.”