Chapter 77: Han Wenwen’s Letter

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Han Wenwen’s Letter

Colorful fireworks still CRACKLED and POPPED in the night sky.

Before the New Year celebrations had even ended—and seizing the moment before Lin Zhengran could get angry and scold her—Han Wenwen quickly waved goodbye. With a beaming smile, she said, "Zhengran, don’t forget to come to the rental apartment and teach me how to make money playing games once you’re done with the New Year festivities. I’ll be waiting for you at home!"

Lin Zhengran watched her flee, a bead of sweat on his forehead.

She had only taken a few steps before she turned back, blushing. "Oh, right! Remember to wipe the lipstick off your forehead, or your parents will notice."

He touched his forehead, realizing there really was a speck of red there. Speechless, he wiped it clean and muttered, "That pesky fox."

Seeing her figure disappear into the distance, Lin Zhengran turned to leave as well, his gaze dropping to the small, pink fox plushie in his hand. He had no idea where she had dug up such a thing, but it bore an uncanny resemblance to Han Wenwen herself. It felt soft and furry when he squeezed it.

Huh?

He squeezed it again and felt something crinkly inside the fox’s back, like a piece of paper. Flipping the plushie over, he unzipped its back and found a note hidden inside. As he pulled it out and read the contents, his eyes inexplicably darkened.

The letter read:

"Zhengran, did you know? In the town where I was born, there’s a holiday called the Heart Connection Festival. At the center of the festivities stands an ancient tree where people can pray for marriage. I’ve been there twice, and both times, the tree revealed your surname.

"I never thought I’d be interested in any boy, mainly because far too many of them were already chasing after me. But ever since I met you, I realized I overestimated myself. Whenever I’m around you, my heart truly races like a frightened little deer.

"I used to think about stepping aside and letting Qingqing have you, but after that time I had a fever, I couldn’t bring myself to do it no matter what. I know I’m quite a selfish person.

"So, I swore that I would have everything of yours, including all your firsts. However, I have a faint premonition that you’re going to become incredibly formidable in the future. Perhaps, in the end, both Qingqing and I will be your... wings?

"P.S. There’s more on the back."

Lin Zhengran flipped the note over.

"I’ve imagined that scenario, and knowing my personality, I feel like I’d just have to agree to it. After all, I’ll listen to whatever you say; I wouldn’t even dare talk back to you. Plus, Qingqing is a very sweet person too. But... even if you want more than one, I demand to be the most favored. That’s everything I’ve been thinking about.

"P.P.S. If I confessed to you directly, I’d only get rejected. But after everything I did today, you wouldn’t reject me, right? After all, I’ve never even thought about becoming your girlfriend; I just want all of you.

"P.P.P.S. Remember to tear this note up after reading it! Lastly—thank you for spending this New Year with me. I’ve truly never been this happy, and I’ve never looked forward to the future this much."

His phone suddenly buzzed with a text message.

It was from Han Wenwen: "Make sure to tear up the note and throw it away! Also, you’re not allowed to scold me on such a joyous holiday. I’m home now. Goodnight, Zhengran~"

Lin Zhengran sighed, pocketed his phone, and ripped the note to shreds before tossing it into a nearby trash can. Shoving the fox plushie into his pocket, he headed toward his own home.

[During your solitary journey with the Demon Sect Witch over the past few days, you encountered a massive, ferocious Nian Beast. This creature, an Ancient Divine Beast, was formless, rootless, and immortal, making it exceptionally difficult to defeat. Thus, the two of you discovered an Ancient Secret Technique and rallied the commoners to lure the Nian Beast into an open area. There, you unleashed the formation it feared most—the Seven-Colored Fireworks Array—trapping it and dispersing it from this world.]

[Following this life-and-death battle, the Demon Sect Witch witnessed your formidable strength and candidly expressed her desire to possess you. Whether this is a serendipitous encounter or a fateful tribulation for you remains to be seen.]

[You have vanquished the Nian Beast and absorbed the Nian Beast’s Power of the Soul. Spiritual Energy Cultivation +1, Strength +4, Energy +1, Physical Strength +1.]

[You have received the Little Fox of Incarnation gifted by the Demon Sect Witch. Upon possessing this item, you gain Strength +1, Energy +1, Physical Strength +5, and Charm +10. You have also earned a massive amount of experience points and are now only one step away from breaking through to Level 50.]

As he walked away, Lin Zhengran felt his various attributes surging. He figured he would definitely break through Level 50 sometime next year.

Shortly after he left, a Maserati—a car completely at odds with the rustic style of the small town—pulled up to the side of the road he had just walked down, pausing to watch the fireworks ascend into the sky.

The passenger inside was merely passing through.

The rear window rolled down to reveal a slender silhouette seated within. An elegant, breathtakingly beautiful teenage girl gazed up at the brilliant display overhead. After a brief moment, she averted her frosty, aloof eyes from the sky, her pretty, pale face betraying little emotion.

"Keep driving," she ordered.

The driver nodded, and the car continued on its way.

After the New Year, time seemed to fly by. Once the traditional holiday visits were over, only a few days of winter break remained.

A few days later, Jiang Xueli returned to the small town. In the past, she would only call Lin Zhengran under extremely important circumstances, but over the course of this short winter break, she had already called him twice. And neither call had been about anything significant.

"Hey, you big dummy! I’m back. What are you doing?"

Lounging at home with a book, Lin Zhengran replied, "Reading."

"Oh..." Jiang Xueli said.

A minute of silence passed.

"If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up," Lin Zhengran said.

"Hey! Wait a second! When are you going to practice singing with me?"

Lin Zhengran thought about it for a moment. "After school starts. I have some other things to take care of over the next few days."

Jiang Xueli let out another "Oh." Then she added, "What could you possibly be so busy with? Well, don’t forget about it once school starts."

"Got it," he answered.

The call disconnected. In her bedroom, Jiang Xueli angrily shook her small fists. "We haven’t seen each other in twenty days! Doesn’t this guy miss me at all? I hate him so much!"

He Qing naturally didn’t miss the chance to call him either. However, compared to Jiang Xueli, even though Xiao Heqing’s topics were just as mundane, she had far more of them. As a result, she ended up dragging Lin Zhengran into long conversations every time.

With only a few days of winter break left, the Little Fox was busy recording a gaming video in the rental apartment. At the sound of a KNOCK on the door, she suddenly froze. This was the very first time Lin Zhengran had come to see her since the New Year. She was so startled that her in-game movements went completely haywire.

"Zhengran?"

Lin Zhengran unlocked the door with his key and walked in to find Han Wenwen looking at him with a smile, a sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"This is our first time seeing each other this year, Zhengran."

No matter how cunning the Little Fox was, she couldn’t escape the fact that she was still a teenage girl. After sending that letter, she hadn’t slept a wink on New Year’s Eve, hiding her head under the covers and blushing the entire night. Now, as Lin Zhengran looked at her, she simply smiled back, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

He glanced at her monitor. "Why are you looking at me? Keep playing. Aren’t you recording a video?"

"Oh," Han Wenwen replied. Staring at her game screen—which had long since turned gray—she hurriedly bought some equipment and waited to respawn.

As Lin Zhengran walked past her, he rapped her on the head without a word.

Han Wenwen let out a yelp. "Hitting me for no reason at all... You don’t know how to dote on a girl at all~"

Lin Zhengran pulled up a stool and sat down beside her. "Han Wenwen."

Biting her lip, Han Wenwen suddenly acted bashful. "Don’t be so mean, Zhengran. Can’t whatever you have to say wait until I finish my game?"

"Fine."

She struggled through the rest of the match. The moment the word "DEFEAT" flashed across the screen, she swiftly clamped her hands over her ears. Looking at him with bewitching eyes, she said, "Go ahead and say whatever you want to say, Zhengran."

Lin Zhengran was speechless.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Han Wenwen immediately interrupted in a soft voice, "I’m hungry. Should we eat first? I’ll make you tomato and egg stir-fry."

Suddenly, Lin Zhengran’s phone rang. When he answered, an unfamiliar girl’s voice came through the line.

This time, Han Wenwen reached out and directly covered the ear he was holding the phone to. With a jealous and angry expression, she said, "Actually, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time. When you’re spending time with me, you’re not allowed to casually chat with other girls on the phone unless it’s something important. Not even Qingqing."

"Is that any of your business?" Lin Zhengran retorted.

Han Wenwen snatched his phone away, clutching it to her chest as she lay her head on the desk, leaving only her foxy eyes visible. "It is my business~ I just won’t let you talk to other girls."

The new semester began, then ended, and then... began and ended once more.

Junior high graduation was right around the corner.

At the graduation ceremony, Xiao Heqing blinked at the graduation banner and sighed, "It feels like ninth grade went by so fast."