Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 9: The Rumor

“Huh?”

Jiang Xueli never expected anyone to say such a thing. But once someone started, the rest of the class eagerly followed, taking it as an entertaining joke rather than a serious matter.

“Wow! So the discipline officer likes Lin Zhengran! No wonder she didn’t write his name earlier!”

“Oh, I see now!”

“Be together, be together, be together!”

“Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!”

Jiang Xueli’s face turned bright red as she flailed helplessly, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet. She could only shut her eyes and yell, “Stop talking nonsense! Who said I like Lin Zhengran?! I never said that! If you keep this up, I’ll tell the teacher!”

“Marry him! Marry him!” The class continued their chant, drowning out her protests.

Jiang Xueli glanced at Lin Zhengran, then sat back in her seat, buried her face in her arms, and covered her ears, hoping the problem would vanish if she ignored it.

Lin Zhengran, however, remained indifferent. He understood that arguing with fools only made you one of them.

What did a bunch of seven-year-olds even know? Explaining would only encourage them further.

Instead, he rolled a large paper ball and threw it at the first kid to start the commotion. Without changing his expression, he said coldly, “What’s wrong with you?”

The class quickly fell silent. Everyone knew Jiang Xueli couldn’t do much about their antics, but crossing Lin Zhengran could lead to an actual fight—and the teachers usually took his side because of his good grades.

Soon, the teacher entered the classroom and put an official end to the chaos: “What were you all shouting about? The principal’s office is right next door. Do you want to get kicked out of class?!”

After class, Jiang Xueli approached Lin Zhengran. On their way home, she nervously pulled him into a secluded corner when no one was around.

Lin Zhengran looked at her quizzically.

“Lin Zhengran!” Jiang Xueli said with a conflicted expression. “About what happened in class—don’t take it seriously. I don’t like you. I just didn’t write your name earlier because I was afraid you’d tell everyone about the golden retriever incident. That’s all! Please don’t misunderstand!”

Staring intently at him, she added, “But since I helped you by not writing your name today, we’re even now. So you won’t tell anyone, right?”

Lin Zhengran smirked, suspecting there had been some reason behind her actions. But receiving an unearned “good person card” felt absurd.

“Oh, so that’s why you’ve been avoiding me lately?”

Caught off guard, she bit her lip awkwardly. “Y-yeah. I was afraid if we met, you’d tease me about it in front of everyone. You boys are all the same—always bullying girls.”

Then, in a quieter voice, she added, “Though… you seem a little different from them...”

Lin Zhengran sighed. “Anything else?”

Jiang Xueli hadn’t expected him to be so nonchalant. Shaking her head, her twin braids swayed. “No, that’s it.”

“Good. Don’t worry—I don’t like spreading rumors. And next time I’m asleep, go ahead and write my name on the board. We’re even now. I’m leaving.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Jiang Xueli watched his retreating figure, muttering to herself, “Doesn’t he get tired of acting so cool all the time? He’s like a little adult.”

From a distance, Lin Zhengran glanced back, catching her gaze. She quickly turned away, pretending to whistle and look elsewhere.

Although most of the class forgot about the incident, a few mischievous kids kept bringing it up whenever Jiang Xueli enforced discipline.

“Discipline Officer, don’t write my name on the board! I’m close friends with Lin Zhengran!”

Each time, Jiang Xueli gritted her teeth and retorted, “What does your relationship with him have to do with me?! I told you, I have nothing to do with him! I’ll write your name first and make sure the teacher punishes you!”

The absurd rumor lingered through the second semester of second grade and even persisted into the following year.

As summer approached and the end-of-term exams loomed, the school announced a sports competition, supposedly to prepare students for future exams.

As the star of Class 2-2, Lin Zhengran dominated the competition, easily clinching first place. With the System’s rewards, no peer could match his level.

This victory, labeled a “master-level battle” by the System, advanced Lin Zhengran to Level 20.

[Today’s martial arts duel earned you first place. You’ve learned several advanced techniques and made a name for yourself. Spirit Level: 20. New skill unlocking soon. Rewards: Strength +1, Charisma +3, Stamina +2.]

The System’s commentary reflected reality. The win greatly boosted Lin Zhengran’s popularity among his classmates.

Girls from various classes began noticing him. “There’s a boy in Class 2-2 who’s super handsome, gets great grades, and is amazing at sports!”

From the sidelines, Jiang Xueli watched Lin Zhengran take the crown.

A boy beside her teased, “Discipline Officer, your Lin Zhengran is incredible! But it looks like a lot of girls from other classes are eyeing him. You’re in danger!”

Blushing, she snapped, “Say that again, and I’ll rip your mouth off! I told you, I have nothing to do with him!”

Still, her gaze lingered on Lin Zhengran, lips pursed.

“Why should I care if others are watching him? It’s so annoying...” Her voice softened as her lively eyes flickered with an indescribable emotion. “...So annoying.”

In Class 3-3, the quiet He Qing sat in the stands, secretly cheering for Lin Zhengran instead of her own classmates.

Every time he won, she smiled brightly, thinking, He’s amazing. He’s always been amazing.

But today, she overheard a troubling rumor:

“Did you see Lin Zhengran from Class 2-2? I heard he has a special relationship with their discipline officer. People are saying they’re dating!”

He Qing’s cheerful expression faltered. She anxiously glanced at the gossipers.

“I heard that too! The discipline officer’s name is Jiang Xueli, right? She’s a bit fierce but actually kind of cute. They say they’ve been like this since the first semester!”

Clenching her small hands, He Qing felt deeply upset.

That’s impossible! Lin Zhengran never told me anything like that. It has to be fake. I have to ask him.

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I need to know the truth.