Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

The wooden slats of the upper bunk were spaced apart, and Han Wenwen lay on her bed with only a blanket covering her. She curled up, stretching out a long, snow-white leg to try and reach the wooden board above.

Even with her soft pink foot fully extended, she still couldn't reach it.

“Even now, thinking about it still feels unbelievable… The boyfriend that fate granted me just happens to be the childhood friend that Xiaoqing has been dreaming about day and night… To be honest, I was completely shocked when I saw the photo.”

Her expression was blank, or maybe just dazed. “Good thing Xiaoqing didn’t notice anything that day, or it would’ve been a real hassle.”

Flipping through her little notebook, Han Wenwen casually skimmed over its contents. If she looked closely, she could tell that many of Lin Zhengran’s habits matched her own, and in the areas where they differed, they actually complemented each other quite well.

“Looking at it this way, we’re actually pretty compatible. The Lianxin Festival is really something… But honestly, whether I have a boyfriend or not doesn’t really matter…”

She turned over and lay on her stomach, picking up her phone and dialing her best friend. After a few rings, the call connected.

Han Wenwen grinned. “Xiaoqing, what are you up to? Did your school enrollment go smoothly?”

Her legs swung up and down in a rhythmic motion. “Oh? You’re coming over next week? That’s great! I’ll pick you up at the station. By the way, I took care of everything I promised you. Your amazing brother is really outstanding~ and super handsome too.”

As soon as the two best friends saw each other, they squealed, covering their mouths with their hands before hugging tightly, calling out each other's names.

Aunt He gave He Qing some last-minute advice and handed her some money. She had been a little worried about her daughter, but knowing that Han Wenwen would be studying with her put her mind at ease.

While helping He Qing settle into the dorm, Aunt He watched her daughter, who was practically beaming with joy, and reminded her:

“Qingqing, you’re a big girl now. Even though you and your Brother Ranran are close, you can’t just go to his house whenever you want like when you were little. If you do go, you should bring a gift for Aunt Lin. You have to be polite now.”

He Qing obediently helped her mother make the bed, with Han Wenwen assisting on the side.

“I got it. If I go see him, I’ll bring something for Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin.”

After everything was sorted, Aunt He stood up. “Alright then, everything is settled here. I’ll take the bus home this afternoon. You and Wenwen will stay in the dorm on weekends, and if anything happens, just call me. When the holidays come, we’ll all go home together.”

Then she turned to Han Wenwen. “Wenwen, I’m leaving Qingqing in your care. Look out for each other, alright?”

Han Wenwen tilted her head and smiled. “Aunt He, you’re too kind. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

He Qing, trying to prove she was all grown up, also responded seriously. “Mom, you can trust me.”

Without adding too many more words of farewell, Aunt He said her goodbyes at the school gate and left town.

As they waved goodbye, He Qing and Han Wenwen turned to each other and suddenly burst into laughter, teasing each other in giggles.

Han Wenwen leaned close to whisper something in He Qing’s ear, making her blush and glare in mock anger. “Wenwen, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying you have great taste in picking a brother. Come on, I left my notebook in the dorm. It’s all written down in detail—everything you want to know is in there.”

He Qing was obviously interested, so she linked hands with Han Wenwen and they returned to the dorm to check the notebook.

On the way, Han Wenwen asked, “Oh yeah, tomorrow afternoon you’re picking up your dear brother at the school gate, right?”

He Qing blushed. “Of course I am. Otherwise, how would he know I’m here? And didn’t you say I need to take the initiative if I want a chance?”

While the two of them were happily enjoying their weekend, Jiang Xueli, back at home, kept sneezing non-stop. It was eerily similar to what had happened to He Qing years ago.

“What’s going on? It’s so hot—there’s no way I caught a cold…” She was confused.

Sunday evening arrived, and the junior high students trickled back to school, ready to start a brand-new week under strict dormitory rules.

Since entering junior high, Lin Yingjun and Lin Xiaoli rarely accompanied Lin Zhengran to school anymore.

Instead, they just gave him money so he could take a taxi or bus on his own.

Of course, this was something Lin Zhengran had requested himself. He felt that he wasn’t a little kid anymore, and there was no need to be dropped off and picked up every day.

On his way to school, he rarely checked his status panel, but this time, he did.

[Current Spirit Level: 36]

You have stepped out of the beginner’s village and taken your first steps into the vast world of martial arts. Although you have yet to make a name for yourself, with your current strength, it’s only a matter of time.

[Strength: 27] Reach 50 to unlock the ability to maintain muscle mass without exercise.

[Endurance: 23] Reach 60 to unlock the ability to last seven rounds in one night without fatigue.

[Stamina: 30] Reach 70 to unlock double stamina and triple endurance for any activity.

[Charisma: 33] Reach 40 to unlock double favorability when speaking or taking action.

Every time Lin Zhengran saw these upgrade perks, he struggled to keep a straight face.

Not a single one sounded like a serious ability, yet somehow, they were all undeniably useful…

Ding-dong!

The bus arrived at its stop, and a sweet female voice announced:

“Xincheng First Middle School has arrived. Passengers heading to Xincheng First Middle School, please exit through the rear door. Repeating—Xincheng First Middle School has arrived...”

Lin Zhengran and the other students lined up to get off the bus.

The bus stop was only two intersections away from the school—fairly close.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Jiang Xueli.

As soon as he picked up, her exasperated voice came through. “You big idiot, did you make it to school yet? I didn’t ride with you today—don’t tell me you got lost?”

Lin Zhengran was unfazed. “You’re really one to talk. Who was it that couldn’t even find the registration office on the first day of school?”

Jiang Xueli huffed. He could practically see her tsundere pout through the phone.

“That was—! That was just me testing you! Of course I knew where it was! Whatever, I’m waiting for you at the school gate. My mom came shopping nearby this morning and dropped me off early. Otherwise, I would’ve ridden with you.”

“…So why are you waiting for me at the gate?”

Jiang Xueli huffed again, contradicting herself. “I was worried you’d get lost, okay? Not like I want to wait for you or anything!”

Then she suddenly spotted him. “Oh! I see you. Hanging up now!”

At the school gate, dressed in her uniform with twin ponytails, Jiang Xueli spotted Lin Zhengran from a distance.

Flashing a grin with her little tiger teeth, she waved excitedly. “Big idiot! Over here!” She ran toward him.

“Lin Zhengran, you’re here?”

Before she could finish, another girl—her long ponytail swaying—had also been waiting at the gate. As soon as she saw Lin Zhengran arrive, she ran forward too.

The two girls spoke at the same time, stepping forward in unison.

Their eyes met, and both of their pupils widened.

This was technically their first formal meeting. Maybe they had seen each other before, but neither had remembered the other's face.

But now, as they stared into each other’s eyes—

Both instantly realized that the girl in front of them was the one who had been by Lin Zhengran’s side all these years.

From a distance, Lin Zhengran also saw them—He Qing, Jiang Xueli, and… Han Wenwen, who had just arrived late with a drink in hand.

The four of them stood at the four directions of the intersection, frozen.

Cars and pedestrians bustled past the crossroads.

Meanwhile, the school gate's security guard leisurely admired the calligraphy in his newspaper and sighed in appreciation.

“Now this—this is true art.”