Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 46: The Feverish Little Fox

Lin Zhengran reacted quickly, catching Han Wenwen before she could collapse.

Leaning against his chest, Han Wenwen murmured, confused, "Why do I feel so weak? My legs feel so heavy…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "And Lin Zhengran, you smell really nice…"

Noticing her flushed cheeks, Lin Zhengran placed a hand on her forehead. It was burning hot.

"You're running a fever."

Han Wenwen closed her eyes and stubbornly shook her head. "I don’t think so. I was fine this morning… Just suddenly feel a little tired."

Lin Zhengran didn’t argue. He simply picked her up and placed her on the bed, pulling the blanket over her.

Surprisingly, the little fox, usually so lively, lay there obediently, her fox-like eyes looking up at him, pitiful and droopy. If she had actual fox ears, they would be flattened against her head.

"Where’s your room key? I’ll go downstairs and get you a thermometer and some fever medicine. If your fever gets too bad, I’ll take you to the hospital."

Her long hair spread out on the pillow, and in her quiet state, she looked especially beautiful. "You’re overreacting… The key is… on me."

She reached under the blanket, feeling around for a long time but failing to find it.

Lin Zhengran lost patience. "Where is it? I’ll get it myself."

"In my skirt."

Lin Zhengran raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, in your skirt?"

Han Wenwen lifted the blanket slightly, reached into the pocket of her short skirt, and pulled out the key, handing it to him. "Here, in my skirt."

Lin Zhengran, who had lived for so many years, learned something new that day… Skirts have pockets?

You learn something new every day.

He took the key, tucked the blanket around her, and turned to leave.

Han Wenwen hesitated before whispering, "Come back soon."

"Got it. Just wait here."

He went to the pharmacy downstairs and bought fever medicine, cold medicine, a thermometer, and some fruit. It was the middle of summer, and recovering from a fever in this heat wouldn’t be easy.

When he returned, Han Wenwen had curled into a ball under the blanket.

Lin Zhengran closed the door and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing… Just waiting for you," she replied weakly, her fox-like eyes half-lidded.

"I mean, why are you curled up like that?"

Lin Zhengran set a kettle on the stove to heat some water and sat beside her, unpacking the medicine.

The usual charm in Han Wenwen’s demeanor was gone. She was weak and fragile, almost reminding him of He Qing. But there was a difference—He Qing would get shy, while Han Wenwen just kept watching him.

After a long pause, she finally answered, "Oh… I feel cold. Curling up makes me warmer."

Lin Zhengran placed the thermometer under her arm. Han Wenwen flinched at the cold sensation and pouted, "Lin Zhengran, you’re so mean~ This thing is freezing!"

Ignoring her complaints, he asked, "Have you eaten lunch?"

She nodded.

"Are you sure?"

Han Wenwen blinked. "Sure about what?"

"I’m asking if you actually ate lunch."

She frowned and thought for a moment before answering, "I forgot… Maybe not."

Lin Zhengran sighed. These girls never take anything seriously…

Fortunately, he was experienced enough to know that you had to ask a sick person the same question multiple times. Otherwise, she’d take the medicine on an empty stomach and end up feeling worse.

"I’ll help you sit up and eat something first. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take the medicine."

Han Wenwen didn’t want to move, burying her face into the pillow. But she also knew her own condition, so she slowly pushed herself up—only to shiver from the effort.

Lin Zhengran let her lean against him and covered her with the blanket.

He unwrapped a piece of bread and peeled a banana, handing it to her. She ate slowly, resting against his arm.

Suddenly, her phone chimed with a message.

"Someone texted me… Where’s my phone?" She looked around.

Lin Zhengran picked up the pink phone by her pillow and checked the screen.

There were a ton of messages.

Someone was asking if she had finished writing a makeup tutorial and how much it cost.

Someone else was demanding to know when their mobile game account would be leveled up, complaining that she was too slow.

Another person insulted her, saying the commissioned fanfic she wrote was garbage and demanding a refund.

New messages kept popping up constantly.

Lin Zhengran checked the timestamps and noticed that she had been replying to people at 3 or 4 AM—not just last night, but for several nights in a row.

"You sure have a lot of side gigs," he commented. "How many nights have you gone without sleep?"

Han Wenwen nibbled on her banana, her usually bright fox-like eyes looking vacant. "I have been sleeping… I just reply whenever I get a message, so I don’t sleep for very long at a time."

"I told you I’d come in a week to teach you how to make money. Did you really have to grind this hard?"

Han Wenwen exhaled wearily. "I've been looking for ways to make money for a long time. Nothing comes easy… So…"

She tossed the banana peel into the trash and stared at him.

"I feel like even if you teach me, it won’t be much different. Besides, I don’t want to owe you too many favors. You’ve already helped me a lot lately."

Lin Zhengran set her phone aside. When she reached for it, he pulled it away.

"Did you think I was helping you out of pure kindness?" He smirked. "I expect something in return, so don’t worry about owing me favors. And don’t underestimate me—I guarantee you’ll make way more with my help."

Han Wenwen pouted, puffing up her cheeks. "Underestimating me~ Do you really think you’re that good, Lin Zhengran? We’re the same age! I don’t believe you can make more than I do."

"Facts speak louder than words. I don’t have time to argue with you right now. Just take your medicine first."

He had planned to hand her the cup, but seeing how out of it she was, he decided to feed her instead.

"I’ll help you drink it."

Han Wenwen started to reach for the cup but hesitated, her face turning a bit red—whether from the fever or something else, she wasn’t sure.

After swallowing the bitter medicine, she collapsed onto the bed with a groan.

Lin Zhengran checked the thermometer—nearly 39°C.

How did it get this high?

He shook the thermometer and placed it under her arm again. If her fever didn’t drop soon, he’d have to take her to the hospital.

Luckily, the medicine worked quickly, and her temperature dropped to a little over 38°C.

Seeing that she had finally fallen asleep, Lin Zhengran got up to buy dinner.

But the moment he stood, Han Wenwen suddenly grabbed the hem of his shirt.

She opened her eyes slightly, looking pitiful. "Where are you going? Are you leaving me alone?"

Lin Zhengran raised an eyebrow. "You’re still awake? I’m just going to buy dinner. I’ll be back soon."

Han Wenwen didn’t let go. She looked up at him with a mix of hesitation and sadness. "I don’t believe you… My mom used to say that too, but after she left, she never came back. I know I’m just a burden to you guys, but at least today… Can’t you stay with me a little longer?"

Lin Zhengran gently pried her hand off and tucked it back under the blanket. "Who said everyone sees you as a burden? He Qing definitely doesn’t. She’s always considered you her best friend. I’ll go get food. If your fever gets worse, I won’t leave tonight."

Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes studied him skeptically. "Really?"

"Really. Besides, I’ve never thought of you as a burden." He smirked. "Just a little annoying sometimes. But I still consider you a friend."

Han Wenwen smiled softly, finally closing her eyes.

"Lin Zhengran… do you know why I keep trying to set you up with Qingqing?"

Her voice grew slower, like she was falling asleep.

"Because as long as you two are together, I can be at peace. She’s my only friend… I’ve broken up so many couples in my life, so this time, I don’t want to. Even if you’re my true destined one…"

Lin Zhengran frowned. "True destined one?"

Han Wenwen cracked one eye open and grinned. "Oops, slip of the tongue. Not telling you what I just said~"