Chapter 89: Will Zhengran-ge Feel His Heart Flutter Because of Me? |
Han Wenwen took another bite of her fried chicken before holding it in her hand again. “I was having a stomachache, but now that Zhengran-ge is taking me out for a private stroll, wouldn’t it be rude if I didn’t cheer up?”
She deliberately leaned in close, her face just inches from his, staring at him. “Aren’t I easy to cheer up? So next time I’m mad, as long as Zhengran-ge coaxes me a little, I’ll be happy again. The question is… will Zhengran-ge be willing to spare just a bit of time to care about me?”
Lin Zhengran curled his lips into a half-smile, saying nothing.
They continued strolling through the snack street.
In the end, Han Wenwen managed to get everything she wanted to eat. After all, Lin Zhengran wasn’t picky, and truth be told, he liked everything she mentioned too.
Of course, with such an appetite, buying too much was inevitable. By the time they finished, they were carrying two large bags filled with snacks. Lin Zhengran pointed at the steps near the plaza ahead.
Many couples were already sitting there, eating.
So they walked over and found a spot near the edge.
Han Wenwen took out the chicken cutlet she had been eating earlier, munching on it while watching the kids running around the plaza, as well as the passing crowd.
Lin Zhengran picked up a drumstick and took a bite, reminding her, “You’re eating, so don’t cling to my arm. Isn’t it uncomfortable? You’ll end up getting oil on your clothes.”
Han Wenwen continued munching on her chicken cutlet and pulled out the drink she had brought in the afternoon, inserting a straw. “Nope. I’m holding on. Zhengran-ge, do you want a drink?”
Lin Zhengran reached out to take it, but Han Wenwen simply brought it up to his lips. “I’ll hold it for you.”
After he took a sip, she took it back and, with a blush, bit the same straw he had just used and took a sip herself.
Lin Zhengran glanced at her curiously.
Han Wenwen, of course, knew exactly what she was doing. She blushed even deeper and said shyly, “What? There’s only one drink. Can’t we share? It’s not like I mind sharing with Zhengran-ge.”
Lin Zhengran didn’t care about this small detail and just continued eating his drumstick. “So… still having a stomachache?”
Han Wenwen shook her head slowly. “Not anymore.” Then, biting her lower lip, she whispered, “So Zhengran-ge really was worried about me?”
Lin Zhengran kept eating as he gazed into the distance. “Why else would I bring you out? I just wanted to get you something better to eat. Plus, I’ve had enough of the school cafeteria’s food. I don’t know what they put in it, but even I can’t stomach it anymore.”
Han Wenwen stared at him in a daze.
Just then, a little kid ran past, playing too roughly and nearly bumping into her.
Instinctively, Lin Zhengran used his other hand to shield her.
The child ended up colliding with his arm instead.
Han Wenwen found herself leaning into Lin Zhengran’s chest, staring up at him.
The kids quickly apologized, “Sorry, big brother, big sister! We didn’t mean to!”
Lin Zhengran didn’t make a fuss and just told them to be careful.
But Han Wenwen remained in place, still thinking about how he had instinctively protected her. Her face turned slightly red.
The little moments like these—moments most people wouldn’t even notice—were what made her heart race the most.
Lin Zhengran was about to sit up properly, but the little fox had other plans. Instead of moving away, she clung to his arm and slowly leaned her head onto his shoulder.
The scent unique to her filled the air, making Lin Zhengran freeze for a second.
Before he could say anything, Han Wenwen murmured shyly, “That scared me just now. If I lean on you for a bit, I’ll feel better. So don’t push me away, okay?”
Lin Zhengran knew she was faking it.
But seeing her expression, which seemed genuinely flustered this time, he didn’t say much.
“…At least let me sit properly first.”
Han Wenwen looked at him. “Go ahead. It won’t stop me from leaning on you.”
Lin Zhengran adjusted his posture and continued eating his drumstick.
Han Wenwen also took small bites of her chicken cutlet, but her appetite was already being overshadowed by something else entirely.
She asked suddenly, “Has Zhengran-ge ever had a girl lean on his shoulder before?”
Lin Zhengran answered honestly, “Yeah.”
Han Wenwen’s expression darkened instantly. “Who?”
“He Qing. Back when we met at the train station before starting middle school. We stayed overnight in town, remember? She thought I was asleep and leaned on my shoulder. Given the situation, I didn’t mind—she was scared.”
Lin Zhengran glanced at her sulking face. “You already knew this, didn’t you?”
Han Wenwen did remember. He Qing had told her back in elementary school. At the time, she hadn’t felt anything about it—in fact, she had even shipped them a little.
But now?
Hearing the same story, she hated it. It just made her jealous and uncomfortable.
“Oh… Then was she clinging onto your arm like this, too?”
“No, she wasn’t as bold as you.”
That made Han Wenwen feel a little better. “Did she lean on this side?”
“Why does that even matter?”
“It does matter! Tell me, Zhengran-ge!”
Lin Zhengran tossed the finished drumstick into the trash bag and picked up another chicken cutlet. “No, she leaned on my left side. Not the same as you.”
Han Wenwen finally smiled. “Really? That’s good. At least this side has only ever been mine.”
The setting sun painted the sky a deeper red.
Despite the late hour, the night market was only getting livelier.
Lin Zhengran’s shoulder was firmer than it looked, making it surprisingly comfortable to lean on.
So comfortable, in fact, that Han Wenwen naturally shifted, her legs tilting toward his, lightly resting against them.
She continued nibbling on her food, but somehow, she wasn’t as hungry anymore.
“…In two weeks, Zhengran-ge is going back to town with Qingqing for the competition, right?”
“Yeah. She’s been preparing for a year, so of course I have to go with her. I promised.”
Han Wenwen kept going, “And then the week after that, you’re going with Lily for her competition? Another whole week?”
“Yeah. She’s been preparing for a year too.”
Han Wenwen subtly tilted her head, her smooth hair brushing against Lin Zhengran’s face and even sticking to his back.
“So that means… it’ll be next month before Zhengran-ge has time for me again?”
She sighed. “I’ve already earned enough to pay for my tuition this year. Next time Zhengran-ge spends time with me, I don’t think I’ll want to play games anymore.”
Her fox-like eyes locked onto him. “Instead, I want Zhengran-ge to take me around the city. And…”
She hesitated for a second before finishing softly, “At night, I want you to stay over at my place. Just to keep me company. That’s all.”
She gazed up at the darkening sky, recalling the past.
“I… actually get really scared at night sometimes. When I wake up in the middle of the night and see my room all dark, I can’t fall asleep again. When I was little, I used to think about my mom to get through it. But now… I think about Zhengran-ge.”
Lin Zhengran turned to look at her.
“So that’s why you randomly text me at night? Or call just to bother me?”
Han Wenwen grinned sheepishly, remembering how she had done that a lot during middle school. “I missed you! What else could I do?”
She gently poked the back of his hand.
“I never thought I’d be this clingy when I liked someone. But reality is different from what I imagined when I used to read romance novels and dramas.
Like right now…”
She tilted her head, resting even closer to him.
“Just leaning on Zhengran-ge’s shoulder makes my heart race. It’s pounding so fast.
Zhengran-ge, what about you?
Do you feel your heart flutter because of me?
Are you feeling shy?”
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