Chapter 101: Long-Awaited Alone Time

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Long-Awaited Alone Time

Having finally played the piece smoothly all the way through, Jiang Qian felt a surge of joy, followed suddenly by a tinge of disappointment. She knew Lin Zhengran wouldn’t keep teaching her forever. Today’s guidance was only because of the key she had just given him.

"Excellent," Lin Zhengran praised. "You finally played it all the way through. Your talent really is impressive. With just a little guidance, you caught on very quickly. If you practice this piece a few more times on your own, you should be able to master it."

Suddenly, a soft, sweet voice drifted in from outside the building. "Lin... Lin Zhengran? Are you there? Lin Zhengran?"

The sugary tone naturally belonged to Xiao Heqing. She stood at the main entrance, poking her head inside. Hearing no response, she didn’t walk in. Instead, she turned to Han Wenwen and Jiang Xueli, who were also waiting outside. "He’s not in there, either. Why did Lin Zhengran ask us to wait for him here today?"

Han Wenwen squatted on the ground, watching a small shelled bug slowly crawl through the grass. Her invisible fox tail swayed back and forth. "Lin Zhengran probably got assigned another task by the teachers. After all, he’s the freshman representative for our class. They basically look for him whenever there’s something major."

Jiang Xueli crouched beside Han Wenwen, also staring at the little shelled bug. However, she remained silent, lost in her own thoughts.

"What a tiny bug."

Seeing both of them squatting there, He Qing crouched down as well. But upon noticing the little bug, she nervously grabbed Han Wenwen’s arm. "What are you looking at? I feel like there are so many bugs in this grass. It’s so scary."

Han Wenwen chuckled. "We’re just watching the little bug crawl around. We have nothing better to do anyway. Lin Zhengran should be here soon."

Inside the piano room, Lin Zhengran had heard Xiao Heqing’s voice. Naturally, Jiang Qian had heard it too.

Lin Zhengran stood up. "Someone is looking for me. Since I’ve taught you the piece, I’ll be going now. I’ll take good care of the classroom key."

Jiang Qian parted her lips slightly, wanting to say something, but closed her mouth again and nodded. With that, Lin Zhengran turned, pushed the door open, and left without another word.

Jiang Qian waited until he was completely gone before slowly standing up and walking out of the classroom. Standing in the corridor, she gazed from afar at Lin Zhengran meeting up with the three girls, her eyes flickering with a faint trace of emotion.

Emerging from the multimedia building, Lin Zhengran spotted the three silly girls squatting on the curb. "What are you three doing?"

Hearing his voice, the three of them looked back. Xiao Heqing beamed. "Lin Zhengran! Where did you come out from? Are you done being busy?"

Lin Zhengran gave an affirmative grunt and jangled the key in his hand. "Didn’t the school just set up a piano room? I got the key. If we ever have nowhere else to go, we can come here to rest."

Han Wenwen smiled delightfully. "Is that so? Lin Zhengran has his own private office now?"

Lin Zhengran cast a glance at her, and Han Wenwen just smiled without saying another word.

Jiang Xueli watched jealously as He Qing and Lin Zhengran stood together. For the past few days, she had been trying to find a chance to talk to Lin Zhengran alone about what happened that time, but a good opportunity had never presented itself. She figured she would just have to wait until the week after next, when it was her turn to be taught how to sing, to ask him about it properly.

"Zhengran, let’s go eat then. I’m getting a little hungry."

Lin Zhengran nodded and led the three of them toward the cafeteria. "Let’s go."

With Lin Zhengran at the center, the four of them walked toward the dining hall. They chatted and laughed, though each harbored their own hidden thoughts.

Meanwhile, back in the corridor of the multimedia building, Jiang Qian watched Lin Zhengran chatting happily with the three girls. She remained silent.

Fang Meng had naturally witnessed the entire scene as well. She wondered, "Isn’t that girl named He Qing Lin Zhengran’s girlfriend? But why are there two other girls... And besides..."

Fang Meng reassessed Jiang Qian and walked up to her side. "Qianqian..."

---

The Saturday morning sun shone brightly. After more than a year, the day of Xiao Heqing’s competition in town had finally arrived. She got up bright and early to wash her hair, freshen up, and pick out a nice outfit.

Han Wenwen lay on her bed in her pajamas, resting her cheek in one hand. "What a girl in love. Look at how anxious our Qingqing is just to see Lin Zhengran."

Xiao Heqing shot Wenwen an embarrassed look. "Stop teasing me." Slipping into a pretty dress, she stood before her. "How is it? Does it look good?"

Han Wenwen scrutinized Qingqing’s outfit for the day. Though the little skirt and thin white sweater were incredibly simple, they perfectly complemented Qingqing’s unique aura, giving her a clean, pure, and innocent look.

Even the Little Fox couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Qingqing’s smooth, jade-like calf. "It’s beautiful. Good luck today."

Xiao Heqing shyly swatted her hand away. "Ah!" She checked herself in the mirror once more. "I’m heading out now, Wenwen. I’m going home with Lin Zhengran."

Han Wenwen nodded. "Good luck with the competition. Also, don’t forget to ask him if you smell nice!"

"Wenwen!" she cried, rolling her eyes shyly before waving with a smile. "Bye-bye!"

"Bye-bye."

Xiao Heqing jogged out of the dormitory building to find Lin Zhengran.

Han Wenwen crossed her arms over her pillow and rested her chin on them. After staring blankly for a while, she suddenly pulled the quilt over her head. "That annoying Zhengran... Always being such a playboy. I’m going to beat Zhengran up in my dreams!"