Chapter 362: Intrigued - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 362: Intrigued Outside the girls' restroom, Han Wen Wen was the first to emerge, as Xiao He Qing and Jiang Xue Li were taking a bit longer. "Hurry up, Qing Qing, Li Li! I'll be waiting for you outside." Unexpectedly, Fang Meng approached Han Wen Wen just as she was washing her hands, speaking earnestly, "Han Wen Wen, may I have a moment to speak with you alone? I have a few questions I'd like you to answer truthfully. In return, you can ask me something or request a favor—anything within my capabilities." Previously, when Fang Meng interviewed He Qing and Jiang Xue Li, she easily offered compensations. However, Han Wen Wen—this woman, or rather, this cunning fox—wasn’t so easily swayed. Seemingly indifferent to anything other than Lin Zheng Ran, she had already used Lin Zheng Ran's photos before. Furthermore, she didn't know more about Lin Zheng Ran than Han Wen Wen. Thus, she was at a loss for convincing compensation, hindering a successful conversation with Han Wen Wen. Han Wen Wen, her fox-like eyes fixed intently on Fang Meng, assessed her. "You're here again? I already said I don't want to answer your questions," she remarked, smoothing her bangs in front of the mirror. "Though we're high school classmates, I'm quite petty, and I have no desire to converse with a rival." Fang Meng faced Han Wen Wen's captivating demeanor, wanting to ask something but unable to voice it. Han Wen Wen, guessing Fang Meng's thoughts, said, "I know you're wondering why I'm close with Qing Qing, Li Li, and Sister Jiang despite being so petty. Isn’t that contradictory? I can answer that." Looking Fang Meng directly in the eye, Han Wen Wen explained, "Our matters aren’t easily explained in a few words, and Brother Zheng Ran's wishes override mine. If my ideas clash with Brother Zheng Ran's, I’ll listen to him. Understand?" Fang Meng nodded, "Compared to He Qing and Jiang Xue Li, I can see you're more complex. Honestly, it surprises me how you tolerate Lin Zheng Ran being so flirtatious.” Han Wen Wen chuckled, "I was just as surprised then, so give up on talking to me. I won't answer your questions." "Even if you say so, I won't quit. As I said, I'll meet any demand you make as long as you agree to answer my questions. Please consider it carefully." "Is that so?" Han Wen Wen raised an eyebrow. "What if I said I want you to never like my Brother Zheng Ran, or to have any thoughts about him? If you can promise that, I’ll agree to your interview." Fang Meng’s eyes trembled slightly. This fox was indeed the toughest of them all. Whereas He Qing and Jiang Xue Li only realized Fang Meng's interest in Lin Zheng Ran due to slip-ups, Han Wen Wen had clearly been aware from the start—evident just from her gaze. "Sorry, that’s the one thing I can’t agree to. Liking someone isn’t dictated by my thoughts." "I figured as much." Han Wen Wen withdrew her gaze, took a small pack of tissues from her pocket, and wiped her hands dry. “Then there’s nothing more to discuss.” Soon, Jiang Xue Li and He Qing came out of the restroom. They greeted Fang Meng before washing their hands together and leaving as a group. Watching them leave, Fang Meng suddenly called out, "Wait up!" The three turned back, Han Wen Wen looking curiously at Fang Meng. Fang Meng sought clarity, "Han Wen Wen, you're the only one who knows, aren't you? You've already guessed my purpose for interviewing and what answer I’m after, which is why you're avoiding our talk, fearing I'll find out." Han Wen Wen’s surprise quickly gave way to a smile, "Perhaps. Regardless, don't think you'll get information about Brother Zheng Ran from me. There's no chance." He Qing and Jiang Xue Li appeared puzzled, unaware of the exchange’s meaning. Fang Meng said earnestly, "Seems interviewing you is a lost cause, but I will find the answer eventually." Han Wen Wen smirked, "Try then, but don’t say I didn’t warn you—it’ll be useless. From the moment you focused on finding this, you've already lost." Her fox-like eyes gleamed with deeper meaning. Fang Meng frowned tightly, her curiosity piqued, her resolve strengthened. In the end, Fang Meng bowed slightly to Han Wen Wen before turning to leave. After Fang Meng’s departure, Han Wen Wen frowned slightly, "This Fang Meng...she’s more relentless than I imagined, no less than Jiang Qian." He Qing spoke up, "Wen Wen, what were you discussing?" Jiang Xue Li added, "What were you and Fang Meng talking about, so seriously?" Han Wen Wen smirked at her good friends, "Qing Qing, Li Li, you really ought to be more vigilant! You both recognize Fang Meng likes Brother Zheng Ran now, right?" Both nodded. Han Wen Wen continued, "Do you know why she interviewed you two?" They shook their heads. He Qing piped up, "I know, Jiang Qian suggested she interview us!" Han Wen Wen sighed, raising a finger to explain, "That’s not the crux. Fang Meng was seeking common traits among us four. She's looking for what makes Brother Zheng Ran interested. If she finds out, Brother Zheng Ran could be at risk." The two were shocked, "Really? Is that why?" He Qing pondered, "But, I don’t even know what catches Lin Zheng Ran’s fancy. Do you, Wen Wen?" Han Wen Wen smiled meaningfully, "Of course I do. It’s actually quite simple, an often unnoticed trait." Jiang Xue Li realized something, "I think I know too! I asked Zheng Ran last week why he liked me! His answer truly surprised me." He Qing was frantic, "You both know? What is it? I genuinely don’t." Jiang Xue Li whispered in He Qing’s ear. He Qing blushed, "It's so simple. Isn’t it something all girls have?" Jiang Xue Li crossed her arms, "Not at all. Though I thought so initially, Zheng Ran told me this trait is very rare in girls, and since he’s met so many, it particularly appeals to him." Upon consideration, they realized their unique possession of this trait was rare, despite their assumption that everyone had it. Han Wen Wen warned, "So you two indifferently agreed to Fang Meng's interview. What if she figures it out? Can Zheng Ran withstand it over time? We barely have room for two more." He Qing nodded rapidly, "True... Fang Meng has a childhood engagement with Lin Zheng Ran. If she knows, and time stretches on, Lin Zheng Ran might eventually develop feelings for her. She’s so beautiful, and Lin Zheng Ran's so fickle, plus she can use the engagement as an excuse to visit his home often." Jiang Xue Li suddenly realized, "If that's the case, Fang Meng and Jiang Qian have known Zheng Ran for three years! If they possess the trait, does that mean Zheng Ran might already have feelings for them?” Han Wen Wen’s face clouded with jealousy, "Exactly. Otherwise, why would Zheng Ran converse with them when other girls don’t get a response? I doubt even Zheng Ran is fully aware of it." He Qing, fists clenched nervously, her voice soft and worried, "We need to be even more vigilant! Fang Meng and Jiang Qian mustn't succeed! We must watch over Lin Zheng Ran! Four is already a lot. Six would wear him out!" Han Wen Wen and Jiang Xue Li's cheeks tinged pink, understanding He Qing's implications. They nodded in agreement. Just as they returned to the classroom, Lin Zheng Ran mentioned his dinner plans with Jiang Qian that evening. (Chapter end)