Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 77: Han Wenwen’s Letter

Colorful fireworks were still crackling in the sky.

While the New Year celebration wasn’t over yet, before Lin Zhengran could get mad and scold her, Han Wenwen quickly waved goodbye to him, smiling brightly: “Brother Zhengran, don’t forget! After the New Year rush is over, come to the rental apartment and teach me how to play games to make money. I’ll be waiting at home for you!”

Lin Zhengran watched her run off, sweat forming on his forehead.

But after walking a few steps, Han Wenwen turned back, her cheeks flushed: “Oh right, don’t forget to wipe off the lipstick on your forehead, or Uncle and Auntie might notice.”

Lin Zhengran touched his forehead and realized there really was a bit of red.

He wiped it off speechlessly. “That d*mn fox.”

After her figure disappeared, Lin Zhengran turned to leave too, still holding the little pink fox plushie in his hand.

He had no idea where she had found this thing—it actually really looked like Han Wenwen.

Squeezing it, it even felt fluffy.

Lin Zhengran squeezed it again and felt something like a note inside the back of the fox.

He turned the plush over and unzipped the back. Sure enough, there was a note inside.

He took it out and read it, his expression gradually darkening.

The letter read:

[Brother Zhengran, did you know? In the small town where I was born, there’s a festival called the Lianxin Festival. At the center of it is an ancient tree where people can pray for love. I’ve been there twice, and both times, the name that appeared was your surname.

I never thought I’d ever really like a boy, because honestly, way too many boys have chased after me. But ever since I met you, Brother Zhengran, I realized I overestimated myself. In front of you, my heart races and I get butterflies.

I used to think about backing off and letting Qingqing have you, but after that time I had a fever, I realized—I just can’t do it. I know I’m selfish like that.

So I swear, everything about Brother Zhengran, all of your firsts, I want them all. But I also have this faint feeling… that Brother Zhengran will become amazing one day. And maybe in the end, both I and Qingqing will be your… wings?]

[P.S. There’s more on the back.]

Lin Zhengran flipped the note over.

[I imagined that scenario, and knowing my personality, I’d probably agree to it. After all, I never dare talk back to Brother Zhengran. And Qingqing’s a good person too. But… even if Brother Zhengran doesn’t want just one girl, I still want to be the one you love most. That’s everything I’m thinking.]

[P.P.S. If I confessed to Brother Zhengran directly, I know I’d get rejected. But everything I did today—Brother Zhengran wouldn’t reject that, right? I never said I wanted to be your girlfriend. I just want everything that’s yours.]

[P.P.P.S. Make sure to tear up this note after reading, okay?

Lastly—thank you for spending this New Year with me, Brother Zhengran. I’ve never been this happy. I’ve never looked forward to the future like this.]

Suddenly, a text message popped up on his phone.

It was from Han Wenwen: “Make sure you destroy that note! Also, don’t say anything bad about me on such a festive day. I’m home now~ Goodnight, Brother Zhengran~”

Lin Zhengran sighed, put away his phone, tore the note into pieces, and tossed it in the trash can.

He stuffed the fox plushie into his pocket and started heading home.

[While traveling alone with the Demon Cult Maiden over the past few days, you encountered a vicious, massive Nian Beast. This Nian Beast is an ancient divine beast—formless, immortal, impossible to defeat.

So, you and she found an ancient technique and, with help from the townspeople, lured the beast into an open area and activated the formation it fears most—the Seven-Colored Firework Formation, trapping it until it vanished.]

[After this life-or-death battle, the Demon Cult Maiden saw your strength and confessed she wanted to have you. Whether this is fortune or misfortune remains to be seen.]

[You defeated the Nian Beast and absorbed its soul power: Spirit Cultivation +1, Strength +4, Stamina +1, Endurance +1.]

[You also received a gift from the Demon Cult Maiden: the Transformed Little Fox. With this, you gain Strength +1, Stamina +1, Endurance +5, Charisma +10, and a large amount of EXP. You are now one step away from breaking through to Level 50.]

As Lin Zhengran walked away, he felt all kinds of attribute boosts and figured—he’d probably reach Level 50 next year.

Just after he left, a Maserati completely out of place in this small town pulled up along the road where fireworks were bursting overhead.

The passengers were just passing through.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a slender silhouette inside—a girl of breathtaking elegance watching the dazzling fireworks above.

Her pretty, fair face framed a pair of icy-cold eyes. After a few moments, she looked away.

Her expression didn’t change much.

“Keep driving.”

The driver nodded, and the car moved forward.

After the New Year, everything sped up. Once the holiday greetings were over, winter break was almost done.

A few days later, Jiang Xueli returned to the small town. Before, she only called Lin Zhengran in really important situations.

But in this one winter break, she had already called him twice.

And for no particular reason.

“Big dummy? I’m back. What are you doing?”

Lin Zhengran, lying at home reading: “Reading.”

Jiang Xueli: “Oh…”

A minute of silence passed.

Lin Zhengran: “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

“Hey! Wait a sec! When are you going to practice singing with me?!”

Lin Zhengran thought about it: “After school starts. I’ve got a few things to take care of right now.”

Jiang Xueli answered with another “Oh…”: “What’s keeping you so busy? Don’t forget after school starts, okay?”

Lin Zhengran replied, “Got it.”

After the call ended, in her room, Jiang Xueli shook her little fists angrily: “It’s been twenty days and this guy doesn’t even miss me! Ugh, I hate him so much!”

Of course, He Qing also called Lin Zhengran often. But compared to Jiang Xueli, Little He Qing’s topics were even more random—but also more frequent.

So every time, she kept Lin Zhengran on the phone for a while.

With just a few days left of winter break, at the rental apartment, the little fox was recording a video while playing a game.

She froze when she heard a knock at the door.

Because since the New Year, this was Lin Zhengran’s first visit.

She was so startled that her gameplay fell apart.

“Brother Zhengran?”

Lin Zhengran opened the door with his key and saw Han Wenwen smiling at him, sweat on her forehead: “This is the first time we’ve seen each other this year, Brother Zhengran.”

No matter how sly the little fox was, she was still a girl at heart.

So ever since she sent that letter, she hadn’t slept at all on New Year’s Eve. She’d hidden under her blanket all night, blushing nonstop.

Now, facing Lin Zhengran, Han Wenwen smiled with squinted eyes.

He glanced at her screen: “What are you looking at me for? Keep playing. Weren’t you recording?”

Han Wenwen let out an “Oh,” saw that her screen had already gone dark, and quickly bought gear and waited to respawn.

As Lin Zhengran walked past her, he gave her a flick on the forehead without saying a word.

Han Wenwen cried out: “Why’d you hit me for no reason? You don’t even know how to treat a girl gently~”

Lin Zhengran pulled up a chair and sat beside her.

“Han Wenwen.”

Han Wenwen bit her lip and suddenly said shyly: “Brother Zhengran, can you not be so mean? Can’t you wait until I finish playing to say whatever you want?”

“Sure.”

She finally finished the match, and just as the word “Defeat” appeared on the screen, Han Wenwen quickly covered her ears with both hands.

Her fox-like eyes sparkled as she looked at him: “Okay, Brother Zhengran, whatever you want to say, go ahead.”

Lin Zhengran: “.....”

Just as he opened his mouth—

Han Wenwen quickly cut in softly: “I’m hungry. How about we eat first? I’ll make tomato scrambled eggs for you.”

Suddenly, Lin Zhengran’s phone rang. He picked it up—it was a call from an unfamiliar girl.

This time, Han Wenwen immediately covered the ear he was using to answer.

Looking jealous and annoyed: “Actually, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. When you’re spending time with me, unless it’s something really important, you’re not allowed to take calls from other girls—not even Qingqing’s.”

Lin Zhengran: “And what business is that of yours?”

Han Wenwen took his phone, hugged it to her chest, and laid on the table with just her fox-like eyes peeking out: “It just is~ I won’t let you talk to other girls.”

The new semester started, then ended… and started again… and ended again.

Middle school graduation was right around the corner.

At the graduation ceremony, Little He Qing blinked and looked up at the graduation banner, sighing: “Feels like ninth grade went by so fast.”