Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Jiang Xueli's mind was a complete mess.

She slowly shook her head. “I don’t know… What is it?”

Lin Zhengran almost laughed at her dazed expression. “Close your eyes.”

Jiang Xueli swallowed nervously but obediently shut her eyes, tilting her head up slightly without realizing it. Her hands clenched tighter.

What is Zhengran planning to do…?

She heard Lin Zhengran rummaging around for something, and after a few moments, he said, “Found it.”

At that moment, Lin Zhengran picked up the remote from the bedside table.

He pointed it at the wall and pressed a button.

Something dropped down from an inconspicuous spot above.

Jiang Xueli furrowed her brows, blushing. The sound was unfamiliar.

It seemed… far away?

Lin Zhengran leaned against the headboard. “Alright, you can open your eyes now. Take a look.”

Jiang Xueli nervously opened her eyes.

The once-dim room, darkened by the drawn curtains, was now illuminated by a faint glow.

The light came from the wall. She turned her head—

A giant screen had appeared, displaying various movie options, with a beam of light projecting onto it.

Jiang Xueli looked up at the ceiling and discovered a projector hidden near the lighting fixture.

“This is…?”

Lin Zhengran explained, “It’s a movie-themed hotel. Didn’t you always want to watch a movie with me alone? But every time we went to the theater, you’d fall asleep before the movie even started. You never once made it through a full film.”

He looked at the large screen. “I originally planned to buy a projector so we could watch movies at home, but since we had this chance today, I figured—why not just book a movie-themed hotel? The experience is the same. This way, your wish is granted, it’s quiet, and it’s just the two of us. Plus, watching in bed is way more comfortable.”

Jiang Xueli stared blankly at the large screen on the wall, the moving images reflecting in her shimmering eyes.

Her heart hadn’t calmed down one bit.

She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t expected him to remember.

A wave of emotions surged through her, making her eyes glisten.

“A movie… You actually remembered this?”

“Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I? You’re my girlfriend.” Lin Zhengran’s voice was warm. “You even bought clothes for me earlier. Watching a movie with you is nothing. I still remember how last time, you cried because you regretted falling asleep. I thought—I have to make sure we properly watch a movie together at least once.”

Jiang Xueli bit her lip and then, unexpectedly, let out a soft laugh. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled that moment.

“That’s because every time I try to watch a movie with you, I somehow end up falling asleep… But I actually cherish my time with you, Zhengran. That’s why…” She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. “I’m just really touched right now. I never expected you to remember something like this. I really didn’t.”

Lin Zhengran smirked. “It’s not like I set it up myself. This place is literally called ‘Movie-Themed Hotel.’ Didn’t you see the sign?”

Jiang Xueli’s face instantly turned red. She awkwardly shook her head.

How could she have noticed those words? She only saw the word hotel at the end.

Lin Zhengran wiped the remaining tears from her eyes, then lifted the remote. “And the remote was right on the bed. You didn’t think to connect the dots?”

Jiang Xueli’s blush deepened.

She had seen the remote…

But she thought it was—

For… something else.

Since they were in a hotel, her mind just… went in a different direction.

Lin Zhengran studied her expression and gave a knowing smirk. “You must watch a lot of those… questionable things when you’re alone, huh?”

Jiang Xueli panicked, waving her hands frantically. “No, no! Don’t make stuff up, Zhengran!”

She averted her gaze. “I’m just a normal girl! I don’t watch that kind of thing at all. I have zero interest in it! I’m totally pure! I don’t know anything about that stuff!”

Lin Zhengran chuckled. “Oh? Is that so?”

“Of course it is! Absolutely!”

Lin Zhengran was about to tease her more when his phone suddenly rang.

It was He Qing.

Jiang Xueli watched as he picked up the call.

Lin Zhengran gently wiped the tears from her face once more. “Hello? He Qing?”

Little He Qing was still on the high-speed train. Her voice was sweet and delicate.

“Lin Zhengran, I’ll be there in three to four hours. I won’t take the bus when I arrive—I’ll just grab a taxi to find you. Have you had lunch yet?”

Lin Zhengran reminded her, “No need to take a bus or taxi. Didn’t I say I’d pick you up tonight? I’ll leave an hour and a half early so I’ll be there when you get off the train. You should see me right away.”

On the train, He Qing’s lips curled into a happy smile.

She’d get to see him sooner.

“Okay! I’ll listen to you, then. But… have you eaten lunch yet?”

Since the hotel room was so quiet, Jiang Xueli could faintly hear parts of their conversation.

It was He Qing’s voice…

And the way she talked to Zhengran—so soft and sweet, so delicate and affectionate…

Lin Zhengran replied, “Not yet. I’ll eat soon.”

He Qing checked the time, twirling a strand of her hair before stopping. Her voice carried a hint of concern.

“It’s already late! You haven’t eaten yet? That’s bad for your health! Go eat something, okay? It’s already afternoon.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll eat now. Nothing else? I’ll hang up then.”

“Okay, bye-bye, Lin Zhengran.”

“Bye-bye.”

He Qing hung up, blushing as she hugged her phone, looking forward to seeing him that night.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhengran looked at his phone, where another batch of messages was popping up.

Not from He Qing.

But from a certain little fox.

Clearly, the fact that he was staying at a hotel with Lili had completely freaked Han Wenwen out.

At first, she had sent a bunch of aggressive, clawing-cat emojis.

Then they gradually turned into pitiful, teary-eyed ones.

And just now, she had sent:

"Zhengran-gege, don’t come out to find me later. I booked a room here too—104. Just come straight to my room. Don’t take too long. I’ll be waiting for you."

Lin Zhengran replied:

"Got it. Rest for a bit. I’ll come over later."

Han Wenwen instantly sent another sulky cartoon fox sticker, looking completely deflated.

Jiang Xueli finally processed everything and asked, “Zhengran, is He Qing coming this afternoon? You’re going to pick her up?”

Lin Zhengran put his phone under his pillow. “Yeah. She was supposed to come in a week, but she suddenly decided to come early. I’ll head out around four.”

“Four…” Jiang Xueli did the math. That was only about three hours away.

“So that means… we’re really just here to watch a movie? You’re leaving at four?”

Lin Zhengran glanced at her complicated expression. “What? You don’t like watching movies?”

Jiang Xueli bit her lip.

She was deeply moved by everything he’d done for her today.

And precisely because of that…

She wanted more.

Stammering, she said, “N-no… I do like it. I really do. But… but…”

She clenched the bedsheets tightly.

Lin Zhengran noticed her ears turning red.

He suddenly held her hand and sighed, speaking honestly.

“I was planning to just watch the movie. But… the atmosphere now isn’t the same as before. And with you like this… it’s hard for me to just sit here and do nothing. I don’t think I can hold back.”

Jiang Xueli’s heart skipped a beat.

She had felt a little disappointed earlier, but now—her eyes instantly brightened.

She held her breath as Lin Zhengran’s arm wrapped around her waist.

Her chest rose and fell, her previously conflicted gaze now becoming crystal clear.

“I-I’m the same as always… right?” she whispered. “And… Zhengran, what do you mean by ‘hold back’…?”

Lin Zhengran pulled her into his embrace.

She leaned closer.

He murmured, “You’re way different. Your face is so red it could drip water.”

Then he cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing against her lips.

Jiang Xueli trembled.

Then, slowly, she parted her lips—

And bit his finger.