Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

On the way to the teaching building—

To Lin Zhengran’s left, the twin-ponytailed girl had her hands behind her head, tilting her face away. Lin Zhengran himself walked calmly in the middle, as if nothing had happened. On his right, Little He Qing had her hands clasped in front of her, head slightly lowered. Han Wenwen, meanwhile, was holding onto He Qing’s arm. Whenever Lin Zhengran looked in her direction, the little fox would flash him a playful smile and wave.

“Good afternoon, Lin Zhengran~”

No one spoke along the way. After their brief introductions, the four of them walked forward in a slow but steady rhythm.

The atmosphere was so subtly tense that even the passing dogs seemed tempted to buy some sunflower seeds, squat by the roadside, and watch the show unfold.

Jiang Xueli discreetly observed He Qing—fair-skinned, delicate, and stunningly beautiful even from the side.

Meanwhile, He Qing sneaked a glance at Jiang Xueli—lively, adorable, and full of energy, the type that was naturally likable.

Their gazes met, and immediately, both looked away—one turning her head, the other lowering her gaze.

Fortunately, Lin Zhengran was unaffected.

Both Jiang Xueli and He Qing looked at him at the same time.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

Han Wenwen stood to the side, clearly enjoying the drama, her expression practically screaming, He’s not asking me, right?

Lin Zhengran blinked. “Why are you all staring at me? I was asking He Qing.”

Jiang Xueli turned away, her lips pursed, while He Qing whispered shyly, “I came with my mom yesterday. I’ve already completed my enrollment, so I’ll be studying here for the next few years.”

Lin Zhengran nodded. “Did Aunt He go back already?”

“Mhm, my mom already left. From now on, I’ll be staying at school on weekends, so if you ever need me…” He Qing glanced at Jiang Xueli’s turned face, her voice growing softer. “…you can come find me anytime, or just call me…”

“Got it.”

As they continued walking, Lin Zhengran suddenly noticed Jiang Xueli puffing up her cheeks like a pouting frog.

“What’s with that face?” he asked.

He Qing fell silent, while Jiang Xueli muttered, “Nothing, this is just how my face naturally looks.”

Lin Zhengran rolled his eyes and changed the subject. “When did you arrive this afternoon?”

Jiang Xueli’s puffed-up cheeks immediately deflated. Though she was clearly pleased, she tried to act indifferent. “A little after noon. I had lunch with my mom, then came straight to the dorm to sleep.”

“Oh.”

After a few more steps, Han Wenwen suddenly let out a snicker.

All three turned to look at her.

Covering her mouth, she blinked innocently. “Sorry, I just thought of something funny. Don’t mind me, carry on.”

Both Jiang Xueli and He Qing blushed, staying silent.

He Qing nudged Han Wenwen with her elbow, signaling What are you laughing at?

Still covering her mouth, Han Wenwen whispered into He Qing’s ear, “Sorry, Xiaoqing, but you guys are just too entertaining—I couldn’t hold it in.”

He Qing pouted adorably, pressing her lips together in silent exasperation.

They walked all the way to the first floor of the teaching building before parting ways, without saying anything else.

There was nothing left to say.

Standing in the hallway, Lin Zhengran told the girls, “Alright, I’m heading to class. You two are in the same class, right?”

Jiang Xueli nodded, and He Qing, who had been surprised when Han Wenwen told her yesterday, nodded as well. She hadn’t expected to be in the same class as Jiang Xueli.

“Alright then, I’ll see you after evening study. Bye.”

Jiang Xueli and He Qing waved. “Bye.” The atmosphere remained awkward as they turned and left.

Han Wenwen, however, stayed put, watching them walk into Class 3-3 before covering her mouth and laughing again.

Lin Zhengran glanced at her. “What now?”

Han Wenwen tilted her head playfully. Unlike the others, she never blushed when looking at Lin Zhengran. But her gaze wasn’t ordinary either—her eyes always carried an innate allure.

“Oh, nothing~” she teased. “Hasn’t Lin Zhengran ever found something amusing before? But… Lin Zhengran, when did you realize I was Xiaoqing’s best friend? You didn’t seem surprised at all when you saw me earlier.”

Lin Zhengran sighed. “I’ve known for a long time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you follow me around all month.”

Han Wenwen tapped her chin with a finger, pretending to think. “That makes sense. I did wonder why you never stopped me from observing you. You must’ve already figured out who I was.” She smirked.

“But we really are fated, aren’t we? Last winter, we kept running into each other at the bus stop. And now, not only are we in the same class—we’re even desk mates! If this were a novel, at this rate, I’d start wondering if I’ll end up having your kids someday, waiting for you to come home from work and eat dinner.”

Lin Zhengran: “…..You’d better not start wondering.”

Ignoring her, he turned and walked into the classroom.

Han Wenwen watched him go, amused. He’s really not interested in me at all, huh?

If it were any other guy, he’d at least be flustered by that comment.

After all, there was once a boy who, upon seeing Han Wenwen smile, immediately declared, Han Wenwen, I just thought of the names for our future kids! I really, really like you!

Han Wenwen elegantly took her seat beside Lin Zhengran.

Then, in a voice only he could hear, she whispered, “But Lin Zhengran, secretly two-timing girls isn’t good, you know? It’ll break their hearts. I suggest you pick Xiaoqing soon. I’m firmly on Team Xiaoqing.”

Lin Zhengran stared at the blackboard, completely baffled by these girls who thought about nothing but romance.

“Can’t you guys focus on something serious for once? And don’t worry—I wouldn’t do something like secretly two-timing.”

Han Wenwen smirked. “Oh, so you’d do it openly? That’s even harder~” She rested her chin on the desk, her fox-like eyes gleaming mischievously. “And just so you know, I don’t support that.”

She locked eyes with Lin Zhengran, scrutinizing him with a knowing look.

After a moment, her gaze shifted in mild surprise.

Then, she smiled meaningfully.

“You really don’t seem like a junior high student, Lin Zhengran. You act more like an adult who’s been in society for years. Your way of thinking is completely different from everyone else in class.”

—

Morning sunlight shone warm and bright.

Jiang Xueli, He Qing, and Han Wenwen washed up in separate dorms, then headed to different classrooms for class. But ever since that morning, they found themselves spending every school break, mealtime, and lesson change with the same boy.

No one talked much.

This strange, awkward atmosphere lasted for over a week.

Until Tuesday of the second week—

That day, the teacher assigned a classroom cleanup. By coincidence, He Qing and Jiang Xueli were paired together.

At first, things were a little awkward. They hadn’t spoken all week despite being in the same class. But when it came to cleaning, they worked together surprisingly well.

It wasn’t until they were both standing on desks, wiping the blackboard, that He Qing accidentally dropped her blackboard eraser.

Jiang Xueli picked it up.

He Qing said, “Thanks.”

But when Jiang Xueli handed it back, she hesitated—her hand paused mid-air before she withdrew it.

He Qing blinked in confusion, then stared at her in surprise.

Jiang Xueli grinned. “This one’s kinda worn out, isn’t it? I’ll get you a new one.”

He Qing quickly whispered, “It’s fine, really. I just dropped it by accident. I can still use this one.”

Just then, the class monitor walked by, snatched the eraser from them, and started wiping the board.

“What are you two doing? Arguing over a blackboard eraser? There’s still so much left to clean—hurry up! School’s almost out!”