Chapter 381: Battle of the Girlfriends - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

## Chapter 381: Battle of the Girlfriends Fang Meng signaled to the current vice-chairperson standing beside her, who nodded in response. They brought over a massive mobile display board. The board showcased five categories: Virtue, Intelligence, Physical, Art, and an additional category, Music. Fang Meng shouted, deliberately ensuring that everyone around could hear her: "The categories on the board correspond to four competitions: Virtue, Intelligence, Physical, and Art, with Music being the area where our president excels the most. If Lin Zhengran can comprehensively outmatch our president in these five areas, then all current student council members, including myself, will cast our votes for you in this year's president election, willingly and wholeheartedly." Fang Meng's announcement sparked a wave of discussion among the crowd. "Five competitions? That's a lot! Wasn't it supposed to be just one?" "Considering it's for next year's presidency, excelling in just one area wouldn't be enough to convince everyone." "These five competitions promise to be quite a spectacle. Skipping class today was definitely worth it. I'd skip it again if it's for a good show like this." All eyes turned towards Jiang Qian and Lin Zhengran, the center of the unfolding drama. Han Wenwen succinctly explained the situation, and Lin Zhengran understood why Jiang Qian was present almost the instant he saw her. Setting aside his phone after playing a game against the vice-chairperson, he turned to face the three young women—Han Wenwen, He Qing, and Jiang Xueli—who met his gaze. Lin Zhengran assured them, "Don't worry too much. Even if she does become the secretary, it won't mean I'll share a lot of time with her. I'll go and compete now." The three exchanged glances, realizing there was little more they could do, and nodded in agreement. But just as Lin Zhengran began walking towards Jiang Qian, little He Qing suddenly remarked: "Don't you two have a feeling that Lin Zhengran has never been wary of Jiang Qian? Though we only began noticing this now, Lin Zhengran is quite clever. If he were cautious, I think he would have realized it... That flyer was too coincidental." Jiang Xueli, a gleam in her eye, mused, "Honestly, I also sense that Zhengran is a bit lax when it comes to Jiang Qian... Even if everything is as Han Wenwen explained, and we can only watch Jiang Qian become the secretary, Zhengran would definitely express some reluctance if he didn't like Jiang Qian. But I see no displeasure on his face." He Qing blinked her innocent almond eyes, "Earlier, when Wenwen mentioned Zhengran's fondness for Jiang Qian, I didn’t quite feel it. But now, it seems there might actually be something there." Han Wenwen looked worried: "The key is that the second miss has tact. Ever since high school till university, she's faced off against Zhengran several times. But each contest has been perfectly timed, aligning with what Zhengran was already going to do—be it high school competitions or today’s presidential race. She inserts herself into activities he was already planning to engage in, which has not only avoided annoyance but somehow gained favor in his eyes." At this point, Jiang Xueli sighed inexplicably: "It all stems from the six-girlfriend rule issue. Although Zhengran is flirtatious, he follows rules, yet as girlfriends, we left him a loophole by allowing him two extra slots beyond the four of us. Isn’t this just leading him to be flirtatious by design?" Proudly covering her mouth with the back of her hand, she suggested, "I think we need to revisit this six-girlfriend rule. How about we try discussing it with Zhengran again tonight? We should include Sister Jiang too." Han Wenwen and little He Qing exchanged a look. Though Han Wenwen was known for her jealousy, she was sensible enough to laugh, covering her face: "We can do that, but do any of us truly have the courage to negotiate with Zhengran? I think little Qingqing and Lily are well aware of how the last negotiation turned out, right?" Little He Qing and Lily looked embarrassed. Recollecting the last negotiation... it never really happened. Whenever they were alone, none dared to broach such topics; intimacy always muddled their resolve, and they simply yielded to Zhengran’s inclinations. The seven became six only because Zhengran proposed it himself. Suddenly, He Qing was struck by a revelation: "Wait! Why is it six?" Jiang Xueli, puzzled, asked, "Six what?" Understanding the crucial truth, He Qing lit up as she explained: "Lin Zhengran said he could have up to six girlfriends! Why not five? Or four? Why exactly six?" Jiang Xueli frowned, "What are you talking about, He Qing? Wasn't it initially seven, as Wenwen mentioned, which we reduced to six?" The clever fox, observing He Qing's anxious demeanor, quickly grasped the situation. He Qing hastily continued: "That's precisely it! Think about it! Our boyfriend, Lin Zhengran—the Lin Zhengran we know—doesn't do anything without a perfect plan! He never takes uncalculated risks or shifts his stances! He never lies to us, which means when he initially said seven, he genuinely intended seven! Why change to six later? Why not five or four?! It's because he was already with the three of us! He didn't plan on finding new ones but unconsciously reserved three spots—one for Sister Jiang! And for the remaining two, those towards whom he felt a slight attraction—Jiang Qian and Fang Meng!" Han Wenwen picked up on He Qing’s reasoning: "Indeed... I hadn’t given this detail much thought initially. But now, why did Zhengran only reduce from seven to six? It implies that by the time he graduated high school, he had unconsciously developed some amount of fondness for Jiang Qian and Fang Meng." Jiang Xueli, completely understanding now, exclaimed with bright eyes, "Oh my? Doesn’t this mean our chance of becoming six sisters is increasing?" Han Wenwen scrutinized Lin Zhengran, who had now joined Jiang Qian, and shook her head after contemplating: "No, there's still a chance! Judging from Zhengran's gaze, he only unconsciously feels some fondness for them; he hasn't realized any deeper feelings yet. We still have a chance, but similarly, so do Jiang Qian and Fang Meng! It depends on which side ultimately secures victory." The little fox sensed through her seventh sense that since Jiang Qian initiated her move, the final showdown could not be far off. The opposing side had declared war. Han Wenwen turned to He Qing: "We need to call Sister Jiang! Emergency meeting for us four sisters this afternoon! While it’s just a feeling, I really think the result will be decided before the winter holiday." He Qing, holding her phone, nodded, "I had the same feeling, which is why I already messaged Sister Jiang! She said she's on her way!" Jiang Xueli marveled, "He Qing, you’re quick! When did you text her?" "Just when I asked why it’s six! From now on, we can't take this lightly anymore! Jiang Qian and Fang Meng are attacking!" Just as they finished speaking, Fang Meng approached calmly and invited, "Han Wenwen, He Qing, Jiang Xueli, I’ll take you to the competitors’ area. As Lin Zhengran’s girlfriends, you certainly shouldn’t have to watch the competition from outside like others." Predictably, the three were instantly wary, casting vigilant glances at Fang Meng. In unison, they declared, "The battle has begun. From now on, we won't give an inch." Caught under their hostile stares, Fang Meng chuckled, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Yet moments later, she relaxed, exhaled calmly, and, dropping any pretense, adopted a confident gaze: "Yes, indeed, the battle of the girlfriends has already begun." The four met each other’s eyes, the air between them crackling with intensity. (End of chapter)