Chapter 80: What Does "Caring" Mean, Zhengran? |
Lin Zhengran grabbed an apple from the side and took a bite. His natural human curiosity made him glance at the photo as well.
Crunch, crunch, crunch. While chewing, he casually remarked, “Yeah, she’s really pretty.”
The three girls instantly turned their heads to stare at him.
One was more jealous than the other.
His mother, Lin Xiaoli, grinned, impressed by her son’s nerve. “Ranran, you’ve got guts, making that comment right in front of them.”
Lin Zhengran answered nonchalantly, “I was just stating a fact. Why is it okay for you all to say she’s pretty, but not for me?”
Little He Qing pouted unhappily. Jiang Xueli huffed and turned her head away. Han Wenwen shot Lin Zhengran a glare, looking like she didn’t even want to acknowledge him.
Since He Qing had to catch a train that afternoon, despite the awkwardness, they didn’t linger at home for long.
After saying goodbye to Grandpa, Lin Zhengran, along with Han Wenwen and Jiang Xueli, accompanied He Qing to the station.
Lin Zhengran nodded. “Take it slow on the way home. Send me a message when you get there.”
He Qing nodded but hesitated after taking just a few steps. She suddenly turned back, stepping closer to Lin Zhengran. Lowering her voice so only the two of them could hear, she whispered:
“Do you really think that girl is pretty? I wear white dresses and sun hats too—I look good in them! I’m not ugly at all. If you like that kind of look, I can wear it for you to see anytime.”
Lin Zhengran felt speechless. “Do I look like I have that much free time? That was just a casual comment. I know you’re pretty too. Now go catch your train.”
He Qing let out a small “Oh” and was still a little jealous, but hearing him acknowledge her looks made her feel slightly better. Her almond-shaped eyes gazed at him expectantly. “Then, see you in high school. Bye-bye.”
She waved at Lin Zhengran before turning to wave at Han Wenwen and Jiang Xueli in the distance. “Wenwen! Jiang Xueli! I’m off. See you at the new school!”
They all said their goodbyes, and He Qing boarded the train home.
Jiang Xueli, still looking a little jealous, was next. Lin Zhengran walked up beside her and lightly flicked her forehead.
“It’s getting late. You should go home too.”
Jiang Xueli covered her forehead and turned to glare at him. “Why’d you hit me? Fine, I’ll go.”
She flicked her twin ponytails and turned back before getting in the cab. “Don’t forget to come practice singing with me in a few days!”
Lin Zhengran nodded.
Jiang Xueli called for a taxi, but just as the car arrived, she suddenly turned back. Clenching her small fists, she closed her eyes and blurted out:
“You’re such a damn flirt!”
Then she bolted into the taxi and sped off before Lin Zhengran could react.
Now only Han Wenwen remained.
Covering her face, she no longer looked jealous. Instead, she changed her tone. “Lin Zhengran, you wouldn’t dare send me home, would you? Technically, this week was supposed to be our gaming time.”
The little fox had gone dark.
Lin Zhengran was exhausted. “If you keep making that face, I’m just going home. It’s not like I have to spend time with you guys.”
Han Wenwen instantly dropped the act, her mesmerizing fox-like eyes flashing with discontent. “Who told Zhengran-gege to praise another girl’s looks? And how come I didn’t even know about this childhood engagement?”
“I didn’t know either. Besides, it’s not like this is ancient times. Just because there’s a childhood engagement doesn’t mean I have to end up with her.”
Han Wenwen suddenly froze. She tilted her head, stepping closer. “Zhengran-gege actually explained himself to me. Does that mean you’re afraid I’ll get jealous and are trying to appease me?”
Lin Zhengran really wanted to roll his eyes. This girl’s thought process was always on another level.
Han Wenwen, however, spoke seriously this time.
“But Zhengran-gege underestimates his own charm. In my opinion, if a girl forms any kind of bond with you, she might not like you right away because of her personality or circumstances. But if she’s around you long enough, even I can’t resist. What makes you think other girls can?”
She poked Lin Zhengran’s chest with her slender finger. “Just in middle school alone, I had to block so many little vixens from getting close to you.”
Lin Zhengran stepped out of the station. “And you have the nerve to call others vixens?”
He hailed a cab. “And you’re overthinking it. Even if what you’re saying is true, do you think I go around chatting with every girl I meet? I only interact with the people I care about.”
Han Wenwen pouted. “It’s not like I’m the only fox in the world. At best, I’m just your favorite one—” She paused, suddenly realizing something.
Her face turned red.
“Wait… care about?”
Lin Zhengran immediately regretted his words. “Forget I said anything.”
“Zhengran-gege, explain properly! What do you mean by ‘care about’? Are you saying that, even though you won’t admit it out loud, deep down you actually do care about us? Hm?”
—
Meanwhile, in a villa in Zitong City, inside a luxurious bathroom.
A girl wearing black pajamas gathered her long hair into a bundle, her cold eyes gazing at herself in the mirror as she brushed her hair.
Behind her stood another beautiful girl with a side ponytail, expressionless, holding a document.
“The school has sent out the high school transcripts. As always, you’ll be giving the speech as the top female student. The male student representative is someone named Lin Zhengran.”
The girl brushing her hair, Jiang Qian, gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
The girl with the side ponytail hesitated. “But…”
“What is it?”
“It’s just… according to the transcript, your score is right below his. Though the difference isn’t much.”
Jiang Qian’s hand paused mid-brush. “Let me see.”
She reached out and took the transcript.
The name Lin Zhengran stood out—his scores were nearly identical to hers, ranking first in almost every subject. The only difference was that his Chinese score was slightly higher than hers.
The girl behind her continued, “Also, your grandfather just sent an email. He forwarded the details of the boy you’re engaged to. He said that he’s attending the same high school as you, and you can meet him if you’d like.”
Jiang Qian stared at the name on the transcript.
“Not interested. It’s ridiculous that Grandpa even set that up. But out of courtesy, when I meet him, I’ll reject it in person.
"As for this Lin Zhengran… his grades being higher than mine doesn’t mean anything. I don’t really care about these things. He probably just got lucky. Besides, there’s another placement test after school starts. We’ll see how well he does then.”
The girl with the side ponytail took back the transcript, thinking, If you don’t care, then why are you asking about the scores every day…?
“Of course, you’ll definitely surpass him.”
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