Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 252: Impossible Things

As the sky gradually darkened, beneath the covers—

Lin Zhengran looked at the utterly exhausted little He Qing in his arms.

There was a bit of sweat on her forehead, and a few strands of hair had stuck to her face.

Her little hands curled up in front of her, exuding an oddly tender beauty.

Lin Zhengran gently brushed the strands of hair from her face.

He Qing stirred at the movement, slowly opened her eyes, and shyly smiled at him:

“Lin Zhengran... what time is it?”

“A little past four.”

“Four-something... So more than three hours have passed already. Time flies...”

Lin Zhengran asked her how she felt—though what he really meant was, was she tired?

Because with He Qing’s personality, she was always obedient. Whatever Lin Zhengran asked her to do as a kid, she would do.

Naturally, today was no exception. She had been obedient to the point of being unreal.

He Qing replied in a soft, sweet tone:

“Other than being nervous at first...”

She trailed off, feeling shy even saying it. Her pure eyes fixated on his neck instead of meeting his gaze.

“After that, not anymore. I’m completely yours now. Although... I always have been.”

Lin Zhengran smiled and stroked her hair.

Little He Qing smiled happily and closed her eyes.

Lin Zhengran asked, “Sleepy?”

“Mm. I’ve got no energy left at all... just want to sleep.”

“How about you nap here? I’ll extend the room, and once you wake up, we’ll head back.”

He Qing shook her head. “No, let’s go back and sleep in the room. I want to rest properly.

Because I know... you won’t be able to stay here with me the whole time.

I’d be scared sleeping alone here.”

Lin Zhengran smiled. “Alright then, get dressed.”

He Qing nodded, “Okay. I’ll help you put your socks on.”

Lin Zhengran thought, She’s so out of it she can barely talk. How is she going to help me?

“I can do it myself.”

He helped her sit up.

He Qing sat on the bed and used the last of her strength to get dressed.

Completely powered down. No fuel left in the tank.

So Lin Zhengran had no choice but to scoop her up in a bridal carry after he got dressed.

He Qing panicked for a second.

Lin Zhengran explained, “Just sleep. I’ll carry you back. You probably can’t walk anyway.”

She knew he was right. Her face turned red as she rested her head against his chest and completely passed out, sinking into the warmth.

Lin Zhengran carried her to check out.

Then headed back up to the fifth-floor room of the lodge.

He opened the door with his key card.

Inside, the little fox (Han Wenwen) was still napping. Jiang Xueli had just finished filling out her registration form when she received a contestant list from Wang Lan.

She had spent the entire afternoon poring over it excitedly—

until she saw Lin Zhengran return, carrying He Qing in his arms.

Seeing that he was carrying her, Jiang Xueli, who had been immersed in the joy of her upcoming competition, suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Zhengran, you’re back. Huh? What happened to He Qing...”

Lin Zhengran closed the door and explained, “She fell asleep downstairs. Don’t wake her. Let her rest.”

Jiang Xueli acknowledged quietly and watched as he gently laid He Qing on her bed.

He Qing was fast asleep, with a dreamy, blissful smile on her face.

Lin Zhengran even thoughtfully covered her with a blanket, which made Jiang Xueli’s eyes glaze over a little.

She picked up her phone to check the time—

It was already past 4 PM!

After getting the message from Sister Lan, filling out the sign-up form, and reviewing the competition list, over three hours had passed without her realizing.

Which meant she had let He Qing and Zhengran spend nearly four hours alone together that entire afternoon!

But seeing He Qing sleeping peacefully made her quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

If she’s asleep, then it should be fine.

She figured He Qing must’ve gone down to find Zhengran around 1 PM, and the two of them probably just chatted on the lobby couch, with He Qing falling asleep on his shoulder.

Just like when she and Zhengran went to the movies.

They probably stayed like that until now, and Zhengran didn’t want to wake her—so he carried her back.

Yeah... That must be it.

Jiang Xueli smiled softly and whispered,

“Zhengran, I’ve got some good news. Sister Zhang called me this afternoon and told me to fill out the application for the Music Candidate show.

If all goes well, I’ll get to compete this year!”

Lin Zhengran perked up. “Really? They finally reached out? Perfect timing. We’ll have free time during college. I’ll go with you.”

Jiang Xueli nodded happily, her twin ponytails bouncing. “Okay!”

But right after she nodded, she noticed Lin Zhengran looking at He Qing again—

with a gaze full of tenderness and deep affection.

Sure, he was usually gentle with He Qing,

but never with that kind of expression.

That look... made Jiang Xueli’s heart skip a beat.

A sudden surge of jealousy slammed into her.

Her eyes blurred, lips parted slightly.

She tried to recall—Where had she seen that gaze before...?

Oh.

It was...

the time she and Zhengran had booked a hotel room together.

After they kissed,

that was the same look he’d given her.

Could it be... that he kissed He Qing just now too?

Or even...

She stared at Lin Zhengran, unable to let her thoughts go any further.

Only one phrase echoed in her mind: Impossible.

First of all, it was daytime.

And second, there was no place to do that kind of thing.

What was she even thinking? Something like that couldn’t possibly happen so easily.

...Right?

Just then, Lin Zhengran said, “It’s still not too late. Let’s head out for dinner in about an hour?”

Jiang Xueli snapped out of it. “Mm, okay.”

“I’m gonna lie down for a bit. If you need anything, come find me. I won’t lock the door.”

Because the room was a combination of a triple and a single, naturally, the single room went to Lin Zhengran.

He headed into the private room, shut the door, and lay down to rest.

Jiang Xueli kept watching him until he disappeared inside.

Then her eyes fell back on the sleeping He Qing.

He Qing looked so peaceful.

Suddenly, Jiang Xueli curved her lips into a strange smile.

“I’m overthinking things. Just imagining nonsense,” she whispered to herself with her eyes closed and raised a hand as if trying to wave away the thought.

“Zhengran’s still a decent guy. Not like most boys out there.”

Her cheeks flushed. “It was probably just a kiss.

Yeah, I’m a little jealous...

but it’s not like I can’t accept it. After all, she’s his girlfriend too.”

Just as she finished whispering to herself—

The sleeping He Qing, maybe half-dreaming, suddenly murmured, “Lin Zhengran...”

Jiang Xueli’s ears perked up, and she looked over.

Then heard He Qing continue:

“I love you...”

“Keep bullying me...”

“I like it when you bully me.”

Jiang Xueli’s beautiful eyes slowly widened.

Her pupils trembled and flickered in shock.