Chapter 76: Destined Prince Charming

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Destined Prince Charming

The streetlights had been on for a while.

Large, thick snowflakes fell on the embracing pair. Perhaps because she had been waiting for so long, Han Wenwen’s hair was already dusted with white.

Lin Zhengran asked with his usual puzzlement, "What are you doing now?"

But this time, Han Wenwen’s hands clutched his clothes tightly, her face buried in his chest. "I thought you weren’t coming, Zhengran."

Her voice was different from usual, thick with choked-up emotion.

Lin Zhengran knew about her childhood and instantly understood. He took her by the shoulders and gently pushed her away from his chest.

He was met with the sight of Han Wenwen’s reddish, fox-like eyes staring at him, full of reluctance to let go.

Lin Zhengran let out a long breath. "I’ve never broken a promise in my life. Besides, even if you were waiting for me, couldn’t you have just waited at home? It’s not like your room doesn’t have a window."

Han Wenwen slowly bit her lip, then suddenly smiled. "Because I was scared. I was afraid I wouldn’t get to see you tonight, so I got anxious and came down to wait."

Lin Zhengran was taken aback. ’This fox is surprisingly honest,’ he thought, then retorted, "You really don’t mind the cold, do you?"

Han Wenwen suddenly turned her head away with a huff, feigning anger. "Then couldn’t you have taken pity on me and held me a little longer, Zhengran? Why did you have to push me away?"

Saying something like that was just asking for it. Sure enough, she earned a light rap on the head.

But after rapping her head, Lin Zhengran casually brushed the accumulated snow from her hair and started walking toward her place. "Enough nonsense. Let’s go home and eat."

Han Wenwen watched his back, then smiled and followed.

But the Little Fox wasn’t one to behave. She tentatively linked her arm with Lin Zhengran’s, and was, of course, met with his resistance. "Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?"

Han Wenwen deliberately rubbed her little hands together. "I was waiting for so long, I’m cold. My hands are frozen red." She blew on her palms.

"If you knew it was cold, you should learn your lesson for next time. If I say I’m coming over, just wait at home," he reminded her. "Hurry up. It’ll be warm once we get inside."

Han Wenwen stole a glance at him. A fox skilled at reading people might not be moved by certain sweet nothings, but Lin Zhengran’s occasional small promises always made her heart race.

"I know. By the way, are you feeling a little sorry for me now, Zhengran?"

"Hah. It’s not like I told you to come down."

Han Wenwen blushed and said, "It seems Zhengran doesn’t dare to say he *doesn’t* feel sorry for me."

"If you talked a little less, maybe this winter wouldn’t be so cold. After all, there would be fewer lame jokes."

Han Wenwen covered her mouth and giggled.

A vein throbbed on Lin Zhengran’s forehead. "Laugh one more time. I dare you."

"I wouldn’t dare! Anyway, how is your father?"

"He’s fine. He’s already home now. He just needs to rest for two months and he’ll be all better."

Han Wenwen breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good. I should buy some things and go visit your parents another day."

Back at the rented apartment, the warmth of the room made Han Wenwen shiver involuntarily. It felt heavenly.

She and Lin Zhengran took off their shoes and sat down on the fuzzy rug by the bed.

Han Wenwen lifted the lid of the pot of chicken soup to take a look. Now in a much better mood, she could finally smell the aroma. "Smells so good! Let’s heat it up again, and we can boil the dumplings too."

Lin Zhengran set his coat aside and saw the dumplings that were already prepared. "You already made all this?"

"I finished a long time ago. I was just waiting for you to get here, Zhengran. You probably didn’t get to eat your fill at home, did you?"

"I’m half-full. I can eat a bit more here."

Han Wenwen smiled and dropped the dumplings into the pot.

They enjoyed a comfortable dinner, the earlier chill completely gone. As she drank the chicken soup, Han Wenwen held her bowl with a blissful expression.

She leaned in close to Lin Zhengran. "It’s so good. Want a taste, Zhengran?"

"Aren’t I drinking it right now?"

"I mean, taste mine. The soup I’ve drunk from is even better."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I’m afraid it’s poisoned."

After dinner, Han Wenwen, bundled up warmly and looking pretty, went out with Lin Zhengran to the streets to set off fireworks.

They hadn’t bought any of the big ones, but the small fireworks were plenty of fun.

Tiny, fleeting sparks sputtered from the hand-held fireworks known as "fairy wands."

Han Wenwen waved the trail of sparks around. Although it wasn’t yet midnight, the sound of other fireworks occasionally echoed through the sky.

The two of them went to the town’s largest market square. At midnight tonight, many people would gather there to shoot countless fireworks into the sky.

Lin Zhengran looked at the bustling crowd and the fireworks waiting to be lit. ’In my last life, you weren’t allowed to set these things off anymore,’ he thought. ’I wonder how long the smell of gunpowder will be allowed to linger in this life.’

Han Wenwen, on the other hand, was surprised by how many people were here. There was no place like this in the small town in the South where she lived.

When it was almost time, a man in the center of the square who looked like an emcee shouted into a microphone, "Only ten seconds left until the New Year! Let’s all count down together! Ten! Nine! Eight!..."

Many people joined in the chant, while others simply watched the sky in silence, waiting for the fireworks to bloom.

Just then, Han Wenwen spoke softly. "Zhengran, this has been the happiest New Year I’ve had since I was a little girl. But I’m very greedy. I don’t want this to be the last one. So, from now on, for every year’s end... can you be with me?"

Lin Zhengran glanced at her. "Aren’t you asking a lot? ’From now on’ is a very long time."

The emcee was still shouting, his voice even louder. "Four!... Three!... Two!"

Just as Han Wenwen was starting to worry, she heard Lin Zhengran, who was also looking up at the sky, say, "But since I already said I’d let you follow me for a lifetime, I can agree to this."

As the emcee shouted "One!", countless people lit their fireworks amid a storm of cheers.

Hundreds of fireworks of all different colors shot straight into the sky, bursting in a brilliant display.

Everyone, along with the fireworks, shouted out in unison, "Happy New Year!"

But no matter how dazzling the fireworks were, in Han Wenwen’s eyes, they were no match for the person beside her. After hearing his words, her red lips parted slightly as she stared at him blankly. The bursting light of the fireworks made her eyes glitter.

Han Wenwen moved in front of Lin Zhengran and cupped his face in her hands.

Without hesitation, she stood on her tiptoes, closed her eyes, and kissed him on the forehead.

This sudden action made even Lin Zhengran’s eyes go wide.

A moment later, Han Wenwen shyly dropped back onto her heels, her face flushed with a youthful blush. "Don’t say anything yet! Let me finish." She pulled a small, palm-sized, red fox doll from her coat.

She tilted her head and smiled. "I wonder if Zhengran has any plans to raise a cute pet for the rest of his life? This is my New Year’s gift to you, Zhengran. A little fox. She represents me. It means I’m giving myself to you, Zhengran."

She stood on her tiptoes again and whispered in Lin Zhengran’s ear, "Happy New Year, my fated classmate, Lin Zhengran~"