Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

"The Freshman Talent Showcase is about to begin! Welcome to all the teachers and students joining us today. Now, let’s invite our principal to the stage for a speech..."

In small-town middle schools, it's rare to see an official Freshman Talent Showcase. Most schools just have the principal gather the new students during the day for a quick talk, and that's it.

It was only in the past two years, as the town’s economy improved and the school gained more funding, that they started emphasizing the event for promotional purposes.

The showcase took place in front of the teaching building, utilizing its steps as a makeshift stage.

The front row of the audience consisted of judges, including the principal and the head instructor. Behind them sat the homeroom teachers of each class, followed by the students.

Hundreds of people sat in neat rows, banners hung around the venue, and spotlights moved back and forth, creating a lively atmosphere. It actually looked quite professional.

As the top student in his class, Lin Zhengran wasn’t performing in any acts, but he had the privilege of acting as a student supervisor, moving between the audience and backstage.

Why did he have such authority? Simple—good grades make everything negotiable with teachers.

During the principal’s speech, Lin Zhengran stood to the side with Jiang Xueli, glancing toward the second row where a few casually dressed outsiders were holding professional filming equipment.

"Those people with cameras are probably from the Children’s Talent Agency. Our school collaborates with them, so they're in charge of filming and editing this event. If your voice is strong, your breathing steady, and your technique impressive, they’ll definitely notice you."

Jiang Xueli clutched her chest, taking deep breaths in and out.

She looked incredibly nervous.

Lin Zhengran glanced at her. As expected, Jiang Xueli snapped back, "Idiot, what are you looking at? I'm not nervous at all!"

For once, Lin Zhengran didn’t tease her like he usually did. Instead, he smiled.

"It’s okay to be nervous. I believe in you. With your skills, you’ll be fine."

Words like this were rare from him—he only said them at critical moments. Jiang Xueli hadn't seen this gentle side of him in a long time, and it made her even more anxious.

She looked away shyly and muttered, "You're so annoying... I got it." Her chest still rose and fell heavily.

"Your act is seventh in line. You’ve got some time to adjust. I’ll check out the rest of the venue."

Just as Lin Zhengran turned to leave, Jiang Xueli suddenly called out to him.

"Idiot!"

Lin Zhengran turned back.

Jiang Xueli stared blankly at him. Around him, she always found confidence, because in her heart, Lin Zhengran was capable of anything.

"Say that again... what you said just now."

Lin Zhengran instantly understood.

"I’ll be in the audience watching your performance. I believe in you."

Jiang Xueli slowly smiled.

"I won’t let you down."

Once the performances started, Lin Zhengran returned to his class and sat down to rest.

Han Wenwen sat beside him, eyeing him with amusement.

"Jiang Xueli seemed a bit nervous just now, huh? I saw her clutching her chest the whole time while talking to you."

Lin Zhengran looked forward and casually responded, "She’s just a kid. It's normal to be nervous. But with her skills, she’ll stand out regardless. Even if she makes a small mistake, it won’t matter."

Han Wenwen smirked.

"Lin Zhengran, you sound like such a big brother. So this whole plan—to get Jiang Xueli to perform—was really so she could get scouted by the Children’s Talent Agency? That honestly shocked me. Most kids our age are just playing around, but you two are already scheming about future careers?"

"Jiang Xueli doesn’t have connections. In an environment like this, if no one gives her a chance, even with her talent in singing and songwriting, she’ll just end up blending into the crowd and living an ordinary life. Even gold sinks if it’s buried deep in the ocean."

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Han Wenwen looking at him oddly.

Her gaze was filled with admiration and intrigue.

Leaning on her knees with her hand supporting her chin, she smiled slyly.

"So, Lin Zhengran... can you help me become a singer too?"

She grinned. "Name your price. Once I start making money, I’ll definitely repay you."

Lin Zhengran continued watching the stage.

"Honestly, if you were really talented at singing, I don’t think you’d even need my help. Besides, you're much more ambitious than He Qing and Jiang Xueli. You're not the type to just sit around and wait for opportunities."

Han Wenwen paused, momentarily surprised.

"Huh. That’s an unusual way to compliment someone. But you’re right—I’ve met plenty of guys before, but you’re the only one I can’t figure out."

She straightened up.

"And you’re right about another thing. If I had any special talent, I would’ve already found a way to use it. But talent isn’t something everyone has. I just wish someone could tell me what I’m really good at."

She added softly, "If that ever happens, I’ll be sure to thank them properly."

As they watched the first act together, Han Wenwen suddenly asked in a gentle tone,

"Lately, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Jiang Xueli. Have you noticed that Qingqing seems a little upset? You haven’t spent much time with her these past three weeks."

Lin Zhengran hummed in acknowledgment.

"I’ll make it up to her once this is over."

"Must be tough having two childhood friends. So, what do you really think of them? Wanna tell me in secret?"

"I don’t have any thoughts on twelve-year-old girls. What do they even know? Their minds haven’t matured yet."

Han Wenwen chuckled and leaned on her knees, tilting her head as she studied him.

"I don’t buy it. No way a twelve-year-old boy isn’t at least a little interested in pretty girls. Let me be blunt—Qingqing will win. By the time we graduate middle school, I’ll make sure you two are together."

Lin Zhengran gave her a bored glance, but then he remembered something—after middle school, Han Wenwen would be homeless.

With her personality and current grades, getting into high school on her own would be nearly impossible.

She wasn’t joking about this.

This sly little fox was well aware that her days of casually eating lunch, going to school, and walking home with He Qing as her best friend were numbered.

Han Wenwen noticed him staring and smirked confidently.

"Staring at your childhood friend’s bestie like that is a bit much, don’t you think? If you were any other boy, I’d assume you’re into me instead of Qingqing."

Her gaze was as mesmerizing as ever, but Lin Zhengran remained unaffected.

The two of them locked eyes, neither backing down.

In the end, Han Wenwen was the first to avert her gaze.

Images of the snowy day at the bus stop flashed through her mind, and she lost to Lin Zhengran.

Her slender fingers clenched slightly, a faint blush appearing on her face.

Her voice lowered.

"Stop staring already. I’m a girl too, you know? I can get shy."

But whether that blush and shyness were real or fake, who could say?

"Just watch the show," Lin Zhengran said.

The two sat close together.

Han Wenwen opened a pack of snacks and shared half with Lin Zhengran.

From a distance, they looked surprisingly well-matched.

Of course, Lin Zhengran accepted.

To the system, anything this fox gave him was basically a spiritual elixir.

Jiang Xueli’s performance began.

Everything went exactly as Lin Zhengran had expected.

With four years of careful guidance, her skills far exceeded most kids her age—even those with professional training.

An original song, an impressive voice, flawless technique, and an adorable stage presence—the moment she started performing, the talent scout in the audience gasped in shock.

"What an incredibly gifted girl... I’ve never seen someone this talented before!"

Even Han Wenwen, hearing Jiang Xueli sing for the first time, was stunned.

And she realized something.

Jiang Xueli’s confidence wasn’t natural—it had been shaped over years.

She glanced at Lin Zhengran.

Was all of this his doing?

And if that were the case...

Could he help me take control of my life too?