Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 76: The Destined Prince Charming

The streetlights had long since flickered on.

Large, fluffy snowflakes drifted down, covering the two figures locked in an embrace. Han Wenwen had clearly been waiting for quite a while—snow had already begun to settle on her head.

As usual, Lin Zhengran looked at her in confusion. "What are you doing now?"

But this time, Han Wenwen clung tightly to his coat, her face buried in his chest. "I thought… I thought you weren’t coming."

Her voice was different from usual, carrying a slight tremor.

Lin Zhengran knew about her childhood, and in that moment, he understood everything. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pulled her away.

That’s when he saw her red-tinged, reluctant fox-like eyes staring at him.

Letting out a long sigh, Lin Zhengran said, "Have I ever broken a promise? Besides, if you wanted to wait, couldn’t you have done it inside? It’s not like your room doesn’t have a window."

Han Wenwen bit her lip, then suddenly smiled. "Because I was scared. Scared that I wouldn’t see you tonight. So I panicked and came down to wait."

Lin Zhengran was momentarily stunned. This fox was really too straightforward. He sighed and muttered, "You really don’t mind the cold, do you?"

Han Wenwen suddenly turned her head with a huff, pretending to be angry. "Then why doesn’t Zhengran-gege feel bad for me and hold me a little longer? Why did you push me away?"

That line was practically begging for a flick to the forehead—and sure enough, she got one.

But after flicking her, Lin Zhengran casually brushed the snow off her head and started walking toward her apartment. "Enough nonsense. Let’s go back and eat."

Han Wenwen smiled and followed behind him.

Of course, the little fox was never one to behave. She tentatively slipped her arm around his, only to be swiftly rejected.

"Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?" Lin Zhengran frowned.

Han Wenwen rubbed her hands together and pouted. "I waited too long, and now I’m freezing. My hands are red from the cold." She blew warm air into her palms.

"If you know it’s cold, maybe next time you’ll learn. Just wait inside like I tell you to." He urged, "Hurry up. You’ll warm up once we get home."

Han Wenwen stole a glance at him.

For someone as perceptive as her, sweet words might not mean much, but Lin Zhengran’s small promises always made her heart race.

"I got it… But Zhengran-ge, are you feeling a little bad for me right now?"

"Heh, it’s not like I told you to come outside."

Han Wenwen’s face flushed. "So, that means you won’t say you don’t feel bad for me either, right?"

"If you could talk a little less, maybe this winter wouldn’t feel so cold. There’d be fewer cold jokes, after all."

Han Wenwen stifled a laugh.

A vein twitched on Lin Zhengran’s forehead. "Laugh one more time and see what happens."

"I wouldn’t dare," she giggled. "By the way, how’s Uncle doing?"

"He’s fine. Already back home. Just needs to rest for a couple of months."

Han Wenwen sighed in relief. "That’s good. I’ll bring something over to visit Uncle and Auntie soon."

—

Back at the apartment, the warmth of the room made Han Wenwen shiver slightly before sighing in comfort.

She and Lin Zhengran kicked off their shoes and sat by the bed where a blanket was laid out.

Lifting the lid off the pot, she took a whiff of the chicken soup. Now that her mood had improved, she could finally smell how delicious it was. "Smells amazing~ Let’s heat it up a bit more. I’ll cook the dumplings too."

Lin Zhengran set his coat aside and spotted the neatly wrapped dumplings. "You already finished all of them?"

"Of course! I was just waiting for you. You didn’t eat much at home, right?"

"Only half-full. I’ll eat more here."

Han Wenwen grinned and tossed the dumplings into the pot.

After a warm and satisfying dinner, all traces of the cold had disappeared. Han Wenwen clutched her bowl of soup, beaming with happiness as she snuggled against Lin Zhengran.

"It’s so good. Zhengran-ge, want a taste?"

"Aren’t I already drinking it?"

"I meant mine. It’s better because I drank from it."

"No thanks."

"Why not?"

"Could be poisoned."

—

After dinner, Han Wenwen bundled up warmly and went outside with Lin Zhengran to set off fireworks.

Though they hadn’t bought the big ones, the small sparklers were enough fun.

The tiny bursts of fire crackled from the sparklers, their golden light flickering against the winter night. It wasn’t even midnight yet, but fireworks could already be heard going off in the distance.

They strolled to the town’s largest market square, where at midnight, a massive crowd would gather to light up the sky with countless fireworks.

Lin Zhengran gazed at the bustling crowd and the fireworks waiting to be ignited, thinking about how in his past life, these things had been banned. Who knew how much longer people would get to enjoy this sight?

Meanwhile, Han Wenwen was amazed at how many people were gathered here. Her hometown in the south had never had a place like this.

As midnight approached, a man with a microphone stood at the center of the square, announcing, "Ten seconds until the New Year! Let’s count down together! Ten! Nine! Eight…!"

The crowd joined in, some shouting along, others quietly watching the sky, waiting for the fireworks to bloom.

Han Wenwen also spoke softly, "Zhengran-ge, this is the happiest New Year I’ve ever had. But… I’m greedy. I don’t want this to be the last. So, from now on, will you spend every New Year’s Eve with me?"

Lin Zhengran glanced at her. "Isn’t that asking a bit much? ‘From now on’ is a pretty big commitment."

The countdown continued, the announcer’s voice growing louder. "Four!... Three!... Two!..."

Just as worry flickered in Han Wenwen’s eyes, Lin Zhengran looked up at the sky and said, "But since I already told you you’d be with me for a lifetime… this, I can promise."

"One!"

With that final shout, fireworks burst into the night sky.

Hundreds of dazzling colors shot upwards, illuminating the faces of the crowd as they cheered in unison, "Happy New Year!"

Yet, no matter how bright the fireworks were, in Han Wenwen’s eyes, nothing shone more brilliantly than the person beside her.

Her lips parted slightly in shock, her eyes reflecting the exploding fireworks.

Then, stepping forward, she cupped Lin Zhengran’s face in her hands.

Without hesitation, she stood on tiptoe, closed her eyes, and kissed his forehead.

Lin Zhengran’s eyes widened.

After a moment, Han Wenwen shyly dropped back down, her face tinged with a soft, girlish blush. "Don’t say anything yet! Let me finish first!"

She reached into her coat and pulled out a small, red fox plush—just palm-sized.

Tilting her head with a playful smile, she said, "I wonder if Zhengran-ge plans to take care of an adorable pet for the rest of his life? This is my New Year’s gift to you—a little fox. She represents me. It means I’m giving myself to you."

Then, leaning up once more, she whispered in his ear, "Happy New Year, my destined Lin Zhengran~"