Chapter 205 - 173: So-called Weakness

Chapter 205: Chapter 173: So-called Weakness

A little after ten in the morning, Fang Meng went into the bedroom to check on Lin Xiaoli again. She asked how she was feeling, then wiped her face and gave her a massage.

It made Lin Xiaoli feel a bit embarrassed.

Then, Fang Meng went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

She planned on making a nourishing soup, preparing corn, carrots, and pork ribs. She went about peeling and chopping them with a familiar yet not-so-practiced hand.

Lin Zhengran walked into the kitchen as well, puzzled. "Why are you starting on lunch already? And so early?"

Fang Meng glanced at Lin Zhengran.

"If I start now, we can eat right at eleven. Besides, I thought about it, and you’re right. There’s no point in agonizing over it here. Since I want to make up,

"I have to talk things out with Qianqian. I’ve decided to accept whatever happens after—whether we’re still friends or if we can ever go back to how we were."

Lin Zhengran let out a long breath. "It’s good that you figured it out so quickly. And you don’t have to be so pessimistic. I think she wants to make up with you, too."

That was exactly what Fang Meng wanted to hear. "Do you really think so?"

Lin Zhengran nodded. "Of course. You two might think this is a huge deal, but to everyone else, it’s just a fight between best friends. I bet most people think you’ll have made up by next week."

Fang Meng met Lin Zhengran’s gaze for a long moment before lowering her head to continue chopping the vegetables. Her tone was nonchalant as she said,

"I think I finally get why so many girls like you. Even Qianqian and the ’Young Miss’ were drawn to you. Classmate Lin Zhengran, you really do have a unique kind of Charm. The kind that makes a girl’s heart flutter when you talk."

Lin Zhengran had no reaction to her words. "Is that so?"

"Mhm," Fang Meng said honestly. "Even I’m starting to have a good impression of you. But it’s just a good impression, not to the point of actually liking you."

Lin Zhengran blinked.

"So... is this your reason for staying here to make lunch instead of going home? Are you planning to stay here all day?"

"Am I not welcome?"

"It’s not a question of being welcome or not. I just don’t see a reason for you to be here. I mean, what girl spends a whole day taking care of another guy’s mom? Especially when I’m here, and my dad is coming home for lunch too."

"Hm, I guess you have a point." She turned on the stove to simmer the soup.

"But I have a motive. Didn’t I say that agonizing over it is useless? Well... I still lack the courage to be honest with Qianqian. I was hoping that after your dad gets back, you could go sing and have a drink with me. To give me a little push."

Lin Zhengran let out a sound of surprise. "You’re still on about that? Can I say no?"

Fang Meng stirred the soup with a ladle, and as the pot began to bubble, she added the pork ribs.

"You could, but you won’t. Because now I know your weakness. As long as I’m nice to you and your mom, you’ll help me, right? After all, it’s not a big favor."

"You really think that’s my weakness?" He watched Fang Meng carefully preparing the nutritious pork rib soup. "Even if it were, it might have worked if you hadn’t said it out loud. Now that you’ve said it, why would I agree? It’s too calculating." Lin Zhengran didn’t quite get it.

"We won’t know until we try, right? I have been observing Classmate Lin Zhengran for over a year and a half, after all. Though there are still things I haven’t seen, my familiarity with you is no less than my familiarity with Qianqian."

"You’ve certainly been observing closely."

"Not really. It’s mainly that you’re just so good at piquing people’s interest. I’ve never seen a guy as handsome as you. All girls are interested in handsome guys."

Seeing Fang Meng’s calm tone, Lin Zhengran said, "I really haven’t noticed."

Fang Meng said no more, focusing on the soup. Once it was ready, she brought a bowl to Lin Xiaoli.

She helped Lin Xiaoli sit up in bed.

"Auntie, time for some soup. I made this especially for you."

Lin Xiaoli was being tended to with meticulous care by Fang Meng.

She was overwhelmed by the attention. "Meng, dear, I just have a cold. And your uncle will be back soon. You don’t have to go to all this trouble."

Fang Meng sat on the edge of the bed, holding the bowl of soup.

Lin Zhengran also entered his parents’ bedroom, feeling like a third wheel.

Fang Meng scooped up a spoonful of soup from the bowl and blew on it to cool it down.

"How could I not go to the trouble? This is the modern era, but if this were ancient times and we had been betrothed at birth, I would have been born to be a daughter-in-law of the Lin Family, Classmate Lin Zhengran’s future wife. It’s only natural for a daughter-in-law to take care of her future mother-in-law."

She brought the spoon to Lin Xiaoli’s lips. "Ah~ Open up, Auntie."

Both Lin Xiaoli and Lin Zhengran were stunned.

’What is this girl talking about?’

Lin Xiaoli flushed, flustered. "D-Daughter-in-law?"

"I know I might not end up with Classmate Lin Zhengran, but I want to do my best to fight for that little glimmer of hope." Her voice softened. "Please, have some."

Lin Xiaoli took a sip of the soup. ’Does Meng like Ranran this much?’

She had suspected before that Meng liked Ranran; after all, the girl had been visiting frequently for over a year. But she was the first one to say it so openly.

Fang Meng stated her intentions directly. "Auntie, after Uncle gets home, I’d like to ask if Classmate Lin Zhengran can go sing with me. Today is a very important day for me. I hope he can be with me, even if it’s just for a little while. I’m begging you to put in a good word for me."

"Ah? This... Is today really that important to you?"

"Mhm. I can’t tell you the details, but it’s truly very important to me."

Lin Xiaoli knew her son had a lot of luck with women, and she didn’t want to cause more trouble. "That’s not for me to decide, but..."

Lin Xiaoli looked toward the doorway at Lin Zhengran, who was completely dumbfounded.

"Ranran... you... what do you think?"

Beads of sweat formed on Lin Zhengran’s forehead.

He looked at his mom, who seemed to really feel for Fang Meng, and then at Fang Meng, who looked so pitiful and helpless in that moment.

Fang Meng said with utmost sincerity,

"Classmate Lin Zhengran, I know it’s a little unreasonable of me to use taking care of your mom to get you to go with me, but... you know what today means to me. I just need a little encouragement." As she spoke, tears actually started to fall. "Please help me... As a reward, I’ll do anything."

Lin Xiaoli comforted Fang Meng, then looked at Lin Zhengran. "Ranran..."

Lin Zhengran sighed internally. ’When women decide to act like a ’green tea’, each one is more skilled than the last.’

Especially since Fang Meng’s words sounded so sincere.

’Forget it. It’s just a small favor anyway. Since I’ve already helped, I might as well see it through.’

Lin Zhengran slowly nodded. "Fine. I’ll go with you this morning."

Tears streamed from Fang Meng’s eyes, but when she saw that Lin Zhengran had actually agreed, she broke into a happy smile. "Thank you, Classmate Lin Zhengran! Thank you so much!"

A short while later, his father, Lin Yingjun, returned.

Lin Zhengran and Fang Meng went downstairs together.

Once downstairs, Lin Zhengran was about to ask which KTV they were going to when Fang Meng suddenly bowed deeply to him.

"I’m sorry for using such a sly method to get your help. I know the tactic itself was useless. It was because you, Classmate Lin Zhengran, are a good person that you were willing to help me, not because I found some weakness by being clever.

"If I ever take care of your mom again, I will never do something like this. This is the last time! And as payment, I’m willing to do one thing for you, Classmate Lin Zhengran. Anything other than sleeping with you! I’ll agree to anything else."

Lin Zhengran looked at Fang Meng, who was bowing a full ninety degrees with utmost seriousness.

"You really know what to say. I’ll remember this reward. I’ll use it one day. You said anything, right? Except for sleeping with me."

Fang Meng slowly straightened up, studying Lin Zhengran with a smile playing on her lips. "Okay. Thank you. You’re the most handsome guy I’ve ever met, Classmate Lin Zhengran."

"You can skip the last part, it sounds so fake."

Fang Meng didn’t reply.

She actually meant it. And she was beginning to understand why Qianqian was so concerned about Lin Zhengran’s choice of university.

For someone as strong yet gentle as Classmate Lin Zhengran, Qianqian probably just wanted his life to get better and better.