Chapter 82: First Meeting at the School Gate

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: First Meeting at the School Gate

Originally, Lin Yingjun was supposed to drive the three kids to high school, but since something came up at his workplace that day, they had to hire a minivan instead. Fortunately, with Lin Zhengran leading the group, both Lin Yingjun and Jiang Xueli’s parents felt completely at ease.

The back of the minivan was packed full of luggage. In the backseat, from left to right, sat Han Wenwen, Lin Zhengran, and Jiang Xueli.

"Are you sure you didn’t leave anything behind, kiddos? Then let’s head out." The driver started the vehicle and headed toward the city.

During the ride, Han Wenwen opened a large pack of sandwich cookies. She first offered one to Lin Zhengran, but he declined. She then handed one to Jiang Xueli. "Lili, here."

Jiang Xueli froze for a moment, her gaze strange. "Lili... what kind of weird nickname is that? Don’t you usually call me classmate Jiang Xueli?"

Han Wenwen smiled. "From now on, the way I address you has changed. I’ll call you Lili going forward; it sounds more affectionate."

Unable to understand, Jiang Xueli took the small packet of cookies and muttered a thanks. She didn’t really care much about how people addressed her, but the sudden display of affection gave her goosebumps. "Whatever you want..."

Of course, after taking and opening the cookies, she still whispered to Lin Zhengran, "What’s wrong with Han Wenwen?"

Lin Zhengran didn’t know what that fox was thinking either. "How should I know?"

Han Wenwen also opened a pack for herself and munched on a cookie, asking Lin Zhengran again, "Are you sure you don’t want any, Lin Zhengran?"

"Yeah, I just had breakfast."

"Alright then."

The Little Fox looked at the scenery as she slowly chewed her cookie, her mind heavy with thoughts. Previously, she had been a staunch supporter of Team Qingqing, but after the events of the past few days, dividing into factions was clearly no longer realistic. After all, Jiang Xueli had long since become Zhengran’s woman, which meant that becoming sisters with Jiang Xueli was a done deal.

"Oh, wait, can I still be on Qingqing’s side?" she wondered. "I can just let Qingqing be the main wife, while I become the most doted on. Either way, I just want to be Zhengran’s favorite."

At this thought, Han Wenwen bit into her cookie with a huff. Although her personality allowed her to accept Lin Zhengran having multiple girlfriends under special circumstances... wasn’t three girlfriends a bit much?

Due to her childhood experiences, Han Wenwen was actually quite paranoid and obsessive when it came to relationships. She was so obsessive that once she truly liked and committed to someone, even if that person wasn’t a good guy, she would follow him with absolute devotion and never leave him. But this also meant that her possessiveness made her far more jealous than others, because in her heart, Lin Zhengran was the only person she could never leave.

Sitting in the middle, Lin Zhengran listened to the CRUNCH CRUNCH coming from beside him. Seeing a certain fox looking as if she wanted to grind the cookie into dust before swallowing it all, he asked, "Han Wenwen, how did this cookie offend you? Why are you making such a racket over eating?"

Han Wenwen fixed her fox-like eyes on Lin Zhengran and smiled. "It’s nothing. I’m just imagining it as you, Lin Zhengran. I think playboys should be chewed up and eaten. But since I can’t actually eat you, I can only use the cookie as a substitute."

On the other side, Jiang Xueli heard this and assumed Han Wenwen was talking about Lin Zhengran’s arranged marriage. It made sense; Han Wenwen was a staunch supporter of He Qing, so when He Qing’s status was threatened, she would definitely be angry on behalf of her best friend.

"Han Wenwen is right. Playboy guys should be chewed up and eaten!" she said in support. After speaking, she also CRUNCHED on a cookie, gave Lin Zhengran a haughty glare, and turned her head away with a hmph.

Speechless, Lin Zhengran ignored the two girls and their overactive imaginations.

His phone rang. It was Xiao Heqing.

Upon answering, her soft, sweet voice came through, "Lin Zhengran? When will you guys arrive? I’m already waiting for you at the school gate."

Lin Zhengran looked out the window. "We’ll be there in about ten minutes."

Before long, the minivan arrived at the new school. Stepping onto the grounds of their brand-new high school, the three of them were a bit amazed. Although public high schools weren’t overly luxurious, the spacious entrance and the statue of Confucius standing on campus were much grander than their middle school back in the small town, filling them with an overwhelming sense of novelty.

Xiao Heqing, who had been standing at the gate for a while, saw the trio and waved at them. "Lin Zhengran! Wenwen! Jiang Xueli! I’m over here!"

The three walked over. Han Wenwen was the first to embrace Xiao Heqing, showing their deep bond as best friends. Jiang Xueli also chatted casually with He Qing, asking when she had arrived and so on.

Suddenly, voices drifted over. "Look at those three pretty girls over there!"

"They really are pretty, especially the one with her hair down. I’ve never seen anyone that beautiful. She looks a bit like a little fox."

Passing students quietly marveled upon seeing Han Wenwen, Xiao Heqing, and Jiang Xueli, their faces turning slightly red.

Lin Zhengran was unfazed by the praise from strangers. Pretty girls would indeed be popular wherever they went. However, as he watched the three girls chatting, he initially wanted to lament that they hadn’t changed at all since middle school, that they were all still little kids. But after observing them, he realized...

That didn’t seem to be the case.

Perhaps because they were together so often, Lin Zhengran hadn’t even noticed when they had developed so maturely. Indeed, sixteen was a turning point for girls. For instance, setting aside the fact that all three had very slender figures, Xiao Heqing was noticeably more well-endowed in the upper body compared to other girls. As for Han Wenwen, her waist-to-hip ratio was visibly worlds apart from ordinary girls at a single glance; even wearing a pleated skirt, her natural advantage was obvious, not to mention when she wore form-fitting clothes at home.

As for Jiang Xueli... umm, well, she was exactly the same as she was in middle school.

Jiang Xueli turned around and saw Lin Zhengran looking in their direction. Blushing, she walked over. "Big dummy? Why are you standing there spacing out? What are you thinking about?"

Lin Zhengran suddenly felt a bit of pity for this girl. Perhaps this was the destiny of a tsundere. He reached out and patted her head. "Nothing. Just eat more normally and nourish your body."

Maybe there was still a chance for a second growth spurt.

Of course, Jiang Xueli had no idea what Lin Zhengran was thinking. Seeing him inexplicably pat her head and say such things, her face flushed redder. "Wh... what do you mean, suddenly caring about me so much! Are you going to beg me for something?"

Lin Zhengran pulled his hand back. "It’s nothing, just saying what came to mind."

Jiang Xueli blushed even more at those words. She wondered what was up with this big dummy now that they were in high school; why was he being so gentle? Lowering her head and clasping her hands behind her back, she muttered, "I... I eat quite a lot normally. Do you think I’m too skinny? I was actually planning to diet this year. Now that you’ve said that, should I diet or not?"

"There is absolutely no need for you to diet..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a Rolls-Royce suddenly pulled up by the curb at the school gate. All the freshmen turned to look at the car.

The door opened, and a cold, aloof girl with long hair draped over her shoulders stepped out, wearing a short skirt and a long-sleeved top. She had an exquisite, oval-shaped face, and her frosty eyes paid no heed to the gazes of the crowd as she walked elegantly toward the school. Beside her followed a pretty girl in jeans with a side ponytail, equally expressionless. The two walked in tandem, one behind the other.

The crowd at the school gate grew even more curious.

"A Rolls-Royce! Is her family that rich? Plus, she’s so beautiful."

"I don’t know, but she should be a freshman too. She doesn’t look like an upperclassman."

Han Wenwen, He Qing, and the others naturally noticed the pair as well.

Xiao Heqing gave a heartfelt evaluation. "What a pretty girl! But what’s this Rolls-Royce everyone is talking about?"

Han Wenwen looked at her best friend helplessly and pointed at the car that was already driving away. "It’s the name of that car. They basically cost several million."

"Ah, it’s that expensive?!"

Han Wenwen stared at the girl’s side profile. "Yeah, but I don’t really care whether it’s expensive or not. The main thing is, Qingqing, don’t you find this girl a bit familiar? Like we’ve seen her somewhere before?"

Xiao Heqing let out a confused sound. "No way, right? I don’t have any impression of her."

Jiang Xueli walked over at that moment. "I also think she looks familiar, but I just can’t remember where I’ve seen her."

Lin Zhengran blinked, suddenly feeling somewhat speechless... He recognized her.

Xiao Heqing spoke blankly, "Now that you guys mention it, I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere too. Doesn’t she look a bit like the girl in that photo?"