Chapter 82: High School Bound

Originally, Lin Ying Jun was supposed to drive the three kids to high school, but that day he had work obligations.

So they had to hire a van instead.

Luckily, with Lin Zheng Ran leading the way, both Lin Ying Jun and Lily’s parents felt at ease.

The van was packed full of luggage in the back.

In the back seat, from left to right, sat Han Wenwen, Lin Zheng Ran, and Lily.

“Alright, kids, make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Let’s hit the road,” the driver said, starting the van toward the city.

During the drive, Han Wenwen opened a big pack of filled cookies and first offered some to Lin Zheng Ran, who declined.

Then she handed a piece to Lily: “Lily, here you go.”

Lily paused, looking puzzled: “Lily? What’s with that nickname? You usually call me Lily, you know…”

Han Wenwen smiled: “From now on, I’m changing how I address you. I’ll call you Lily—it sounds more friendly.”

Lily took the small pack of cookies without much fuss, mumbling a thanks. She didn’t care much about nicknames, but this sudden warmth gave her chills.

“Whatever you say.”

Of course, after taking it, she quietly asked Lin Zheng Ran: “What’s up with Han Wenwen?”

Lin Zheng Ran had no idea what the little fox was thinking: “How should I know?”

Han Wenwen opened her own pack and started eating, then asked Lin Zheng Ran: “Are you sure you don’t want any?”

“Nah, I just had breakfast.”

“Okay then.”

The little fox gazed at the passing scenery, munching on cookies with a lot on her mind.

She used to be a firm supporter of Xiao Qingqing, but after recent events, picking sides didn’t seem realistic anymore.

After all, Lily had already become Brother Zheng Ran’s, so being sisters with her was set in stone.

Oh, wait—could she still be on Team Xiao Qingqing?

Maybe she could make Xiao Qingqing the main one, and position herself as the most favored. All she wanted was to be Brother Zheng Ran’s favorite anyway.

Thinking about it, Han Wenwen bit into her cookie with a huff.

Though she could accept Lin Zheng Ran dating a few girlfriends in special circumstances,

three seemed a bit excessive.

In matters of the heart, the young Han Wenwen was quite stubborn—once she fell for someone, she’d stick with them no matter what, even if they weren’t perfect.

But that also meant her jealousy ran deeper than most, since Lin Zheng Ran was the only one she couldn’t live without.

Lin Zheng Ran, sitting in the middle, listened to the crunching beside him and saw the little fox chewing as if she wanted to shred the cookies to pieces:

“Han Wenwen, what’s the cookie ever do to you? Why all the noise?”

Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes glanced at Lin Zheng Ran and she laughed:

“Nothing much. I’m just imagining it as you, Lin Zheng Ran. I think players like you deserve to be chewed up, but since I can’t do that for real, the cookie will have to do.”

Lily, on the other side, thought Han Wenwen was talking about Lin Zheng Ran’s arranged marriage stuff. Yeah, as a loyal Heqing fan, Han Wenwen would be upset if her spot was threatened, and as her best friend, she felt the same:

“You’re right, Han Wenwen. Guys who play around should get chewed up!” She backed her up.

With that, Lily crunched on her cookie too, shooting Lin Zheng Ran a sassy look before turning away with a huff.

Lin Zheng Ran just sighed and ignored the two with their wild imaginations.

His phone rang—it was Xiao Heqing calling.

Answering, her soft voice came through: “Lin Zheng Ran? When are you guys getting here? I’m already waiting at the school gate.”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced out the window: “Should be another ten minutes or so.”

The van soon arrived at the new school, pulling up to the impressive high school where the three felt a surge of excitement.

Though it was a public high school and not overly fancy, the wide entrance and the statue of Confucius made it far more grand than their middle school back in the small town, sparking a rush of novelty.

Xiao Heqing, who had been waiting at the gate, waved enthusiastically at Lin Zheng Ran and the others: “Over here! Lin Zheng Ran! Wen Wen! Lily, I’m right here!”

The three approached, and Han Wenwen hugged Xiao Heqing first, their friendship deep. Lily chatted with Heqing, asking when she arrived and such.

Suddenly, voices nearby murmured: “Look at those three girls over there—they’re stunning!”

“Yeah, especially that one with the long hair. I’ve never seen anyone so pretty; she looks a bit like a little fox.”

Passing students whispered about Han Wenwen, Xiao Heqing, and Lily, their faces flushing slightly.

Lin Zheng Ran was used to people praising pretty girls; they always turned heads. He just watched the three chatting.

He thought they hadn’t changed much since middle school—just a bunch of kids.

But after a closer look,

he realized that wasn’t quite true.

Maybe because they spent so much time together, Lin Zheng Ran had never noticed until now how much they’d matured—sixteen really was a turning point for girls.

For instance, aside from their slim figures, Xiao Heqing stood out with a more developed upper body compared to the others.

Han Wenwen had an incredible waist-to-hip ratio that made her stand out in her pleated skirt, not to mention how it showed in fitted clothes at home.

As for Lily… well, she hadn’t changed much from middle school.

Lily caught Lin Zheng Ran staring and blushed as she walked over: “Hey, dummy, why are you just standing there zoning out? What’s on your mind?”

In that moment, Lin Zheng Ran felt a bit sorry for her—that’s just how tsundere types were.

He reached out and ruffled her hair: “Nothing much. Just make sure you eat more and take care of yourself.”

Maybe there’s still time for a second bloom.

Lily had no clue what he was thinking. His sudden head pat and comment made her face turn red: “What do you mean? Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? Do you need something from me?”

Lin Zheng Ran pulled his hand back: “No reason. Just saying what’s on my mind.”

That only made Lily blush more. What’s with this dummy now that we’re in high school? Why’s he being so gentle? She looked down, hands behind her back:

“I eat plenty usually. Do you think I’m too skinny? I was actually thinking of losing weight this year, but now you’re saying that—should I or shouldn’t I?”

“You don’t need to lose any weight at all…”

Before he finished, a Rolls Royce pulled up at the school gate, drawing everyone’s eyes.

The door opened, and a cool girl with long hair stepped out in a short skirt and long sleeves. Her oval face was striking, and her icy eyes ignored the stares as she walked gracefully toward the school.

Beside her was another pretty girl in jeans with a side ponytail, equally expressionless, following close behind.

People at the gate buzzed with curiosity:

“A Rolls Royce! That girl’s family must be loaded, and she’s gorgeous.”

“No idea, but she looks like a new student, not an upperclassman.”

Han Wenwen and Heqing naturally noticed the pair too.

Xiao Heqing said sincerely: “What a beautiful girl. But what’s a Rolls Royce?”

Han Wenwen gave her friend a helpless look and pointed to the departing car: “That’s the name of that car. It costs millions.”

“Wow, that expensive?!”

Han Wenwen studied the girl’s profile: “Yeah, but I’m not worried about the price. Xiao Qingqing, doesn’t she look familiar? Like we’ve seen her somewhere?”

Xiao Heqing blinked: “Really? I don’t think so.”

Lily joined in: “I feel the same—she seems familiar, but I can’t place it.”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked, suddenly at a loss for words… he recognized her.

Xiao Heqing added blankly: “Now that you mention it, I think I have seen her before. Does she look like that girl in the photo?”