Chapter 338: A Long Journey Ahead - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 338: A Long Journey Ahead Returning to the small rented room in the town, this humble abode of only a few dozen square meters has hosted Han Wen Wen for over six years – precisely the same period she has loved Lin Zheng Ran. As she contemplated the impending move and permanent departure, a wave of nostalgia washed over Han Wen Wen. Lin Zheng Ran sat on her single bed, as usual, surveying the room. "Aside from being small, the location and scenery here are actually quite nice." "After all, it was Zheng Ran who helped me rent it. Of course, it's wonderful," Han Wen Wen replied, barefoot as she reached under the bed for a suitcase, digging through it on the carpet to find things to take along. "Zheng Ran, when we move to the new house, can I lay a carpet on the bedroom floor too? It feels more comfortable to walk barefoot in the bedroom than wearing slippers." "Of course, it's everyone's bedroom, so you can arrange it as you like." Han Wen Wen laughed and suddenly pulled out a few pairs of Lin Zheng Ran's socks and underwear from the suitcase. These items belonged to Lin Zheng Ran, left here for changing purposes, and a certain little fox delighted in washing his intimate apparel. As she often said, the things Zheng Ran had worn smelled wonderful, and washing them gave her a sense of closeness. So every time Lin Zheng Ran visited, Han Wen Wen would keep a pair of his socks behind and offer him a fresh one instead. As for the underwear, it wasn't old; she had bought it from a store, intending for him to change into it whenever he spent the night there. However, since returning from the high school trip, Lin Zheng Ran never stayed the night. Gazing at the brand-new fabric with a tinge of regret, Han Wen Wen remarked, "This underwear is brand new, and Zheng Ran hasn't even worn it." Lin Zheng Ran glanced at the underwear. "Bring it to the new house; there'll be a chance to wear it." Not quite content with his response, Han Wen Wen gave him a quizzical look and asked abruptly: "Why not try it now? I purposely bought it a while ago. I even said I'd reserve a specific space in my room for your clothes, but it never happened. So, these few pieces of underwear and socks are sort of substitutes." Seeing her holding the men's underwear in both hands, Lin Zheng Ran resisted, "How do I try it now? I'd have to take everything off just to try it on." "Oh, we're not doing anything else today anyway." "No." Han Wen Wen pouted and, in a playful yet insistent manner, stood up to pin Lin Zheng Ran to the bed. "Come on, try it. Why not, Zheng Ran? They were quite expensive. It'd be a waste not to wear them." Lying back on the pillow, Lin Zheng Ran watched the persistent little fox with her hand resting over his chest. Feeling exasperated, he said, "It's not that I refuse to wear them. I'm just not wearing them here. Moreover, is your intention genuinely to make me try these on? Aren't we supposed to be packing?" Biting her lip shyly and with her foxy eyes full of allure, Han Wen Wen toyed with his lips with her fingers, chuckling lightly: "Who says packing takes all day? We could just spend the morning together and tidy up in the afternoon. Otherwise, wasting such a perfect opportunity for intimacy on packing would be crazy." Just as she was about to lean in for a kiss, Han Wen Wen's phone suddenly buzzed with a few notifications. The small fox visibly froze, her expression wary, her fingers slightly clenching into a fist. Turning his head, Lin Zheng Ran reached for her phone and checked it while she remained silent and still. Fortunately, it wasn't what she feared; it was from Jiang Xue Li instead, in a voice message. "Han Wen Wen, although I understand today is special for you, it's better to behave yourself! Avoid getting too handsy with Zheng Ran during the move. Lately, the way you look at him is all too obvious, don't think I haven't noticed." Hearing this, Han Wen Wen visibly relaxed and smiled. "Li Li is really on guard against me. But she's not wrong." There was a second message, and Jiang Xue Li's voice carried a softer, more gentle tone: "Also... is something troubling you lately? Yesterday, when you mentioned the move to me in the dorm, you seemed a bit odd, though I can't quite put my finger on it. Anyway, if you have any troubles, feel free to talk to us sisters, or if you prefer, just tell Zheng Ran. We're all here for you. When you get this message, remember to reply, and maybe it's just me overthinking." After the message ended, Han Wen Wen bit her lip quietly. Lin Zheng Ran suggested, "Shall we reply?" Han Wen Wen nodded. Lin Zheng Ran held down the record button and placed the phone near Han Wen Wen's mouth. Trying her best to sound nonchalant, she sent a voice message back, assuring Li Li she was fine and even joking with her a bit. Watching Han Wen Wen's unusually subdued demeanor, Lin Zheng Ran sat up and embraced the dazed Han Wen Wen. "Wen Wen, if you're not feeling up for it today, it's okay." "No, it's not that," Han Wen Wen replied, wrapping her arms around Lin Zheng Ran. She knew there was no point lying to him. "I'm sorry, Zheng Ran. Even though I'm with you, my mind wandered elsewhere, wasting such wonderful time." Lin Zheng Ran held her tightly, "Don't worry about it. Let's start packing the room first." "Okay, but hold me for just a few more minutes before we start." After the comforting embrace, they began to pack everything in the room into boxes together. Busy till noon, Han Wen Wen leaned back against the bedpost, exhausted, dozing off in her spot. Clearly, the little fox hadn't rested well the previous night due to her troubles. Lin Zheng Ran carefully finished packing the last box, then turned to see Han Wen Wen in a peaceful, if slightly forlorn, slumber. He gently laid her down on the bed, the teardrops that escaped her closed eyes betraying her inner turmoil. Over the years, Han Wen Wen had believed she no longer cared about being abandoned by her mother. Whether she was alive or dead had little relevance to her now. Although recollections of childhood sometimes sparked resentment, she had embraced a new life. Yet, upon seeing the photos her uncle sent, she realized the old wound hadn't entirely healed; she still harbored feelings toward the mother who had once been kind to her. She yearned for answers, though meeting her didn't necessarily mean forgiveness. It wasn't long before Han Wen Wen awoke with a start, her eyes red-rimmed, seeing Lin Zheng Ran seated beside her, keeping vigil. She broke into tears, seeking solace in his arms. "Zheng Ran... what should I do? I don't want to see her, but why do I feel this way…" Lin Zheng Ran comforted her, knowing that even the bravest and most passionate Han Wen Wen could be uncertain at times. "I understand you want to meet her, yet find it hard to forgive. But meeting her doesn’t have to mean forgiving. Don’t be scared, I’ll be right there with you. Once you get through this, memories will no longer haunt your dreams. I’m here for you always." Han Wen Wen clung to him tightly, her tears soaking his shoulder. That very day, Lin Zheng Ran held her hand as he called the school, requesting a leave of absence, and they boarded a bus heading south. (End of chapter)