Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

After getting out of the taxi, Lin Zhengran led the three girls to a hotel near his home in town.

He picked a place with the best environment he could find.

Since He Qing had lived in town when she was little and often came to visit during middle and high school, she was very familiar with the area. So even though it was her first time staying at a hotel, Little He Qing wasn’t all that nervous.

Pulling her suitcase along, she entered the hotel.

When the front desk lady saw the four of them, she asked curiously, “Staying overnight?”

“Yeah. One room with a big bed, for one week. If we need more time after that, we’ll extend the stay.”

“One room for a week? Just one? For all of you?”

Little He Qing glanced at Lin Zhengran, as if asking how to respond.

Lin Zhengran told the clerk and gestured at He Qing, “Yeah, just her. We’re just here to drop her off—we’ll leave in a bit.”

The front desk nodded and processed her ID, then handed over the room card. “All set. Room 203.”

Lin Zhengran thanked her, and the four of them headed upstairs to the second floor.

On the way, Han Wenwen linked arms with her and asked curiously, “So Little Qingqing, you planning to stay at the hotel for the whole trip?”

Little He Qing nodded. “Yeah, hotels are more convenient. I actually thought about staying at Lin Zhengran’s or your place, Wenwen, but I didn’t want to bother you guys. It might not be convenient.”

Han Wenwen looked puzzled. “Bother? You and I have been roommates for years—why would it be inconvenient to stay with me?”

Little He Qing looked at her shyly, eyes saying more than words.

Han Wenwen instantly got it—she clearly wanted to have some alone time with Lin Zhengran, so staying at anyone’s house would be awkward. A hotel was definitely more convenient for that.

They swiped into the room, and since all four were present, what would usually be a somewhat ambiguous place suddenly felt like a dorm. The atmosphere wasn’t romantic at all.

Lin Zhengran moved naturally, inserting the card to turn on the power. Little He Qing sat on the bed, pulling her suitcase over, clearly tired from the day.

She let out a soft sigh. “Sitting on a train all day really wears you out. So you’re all staying here with me tonight?”

Everyone agreed.

Lin Zhengran took off his jacket and put it to the side.

“You just got here today, so I’ll stay tonight. Tomorrow, you all can take a day to rest. The day after that, let’s pack up and head out for the trip.”

Everyone chimed in with a “got it.”

At that moment, Little He Qing snuck a glance at someone, thinking if only Wenwen and Lili weren’t here...

Lili stood nearby thinking the same thing—thank goodness she’d dragged Zhengran out to get her hair dyed today. Otherwise, He Qing definitely would’ve ended up doing that with him tonight. It was obvious Zhengran had no intention of going home.

Han Wenwen didn’t say a word. She just kept staring at Lin Zhengran, her mind replaying what had happened during their alone time earlier in the day.

Later that night, the small town was quiet and still.

Lin Zhengran lay in the center of the bed. Fully clothed, Little He Qing was on his left, and Jiang Xueli was on his right.

Next to Little He Qing was Han Wenwen.

The four of them lay flat on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Han Wenwen held the remote. “Should I turn off the light?”

All together: “Yeah.”

The lights went out.

Total darkness.

In the dark, Lin Zhengran asked, “Isn’t it a little cramped?”

Jiang Xueli sighed. “Well, there are four of us. Even if it’s a big bed, four people is kind of a lot.”

Little He Qing whispered, “I really didn’t expect everyone would end up sleeping together tonight.”

Lin Zhengran thought, If a double bed is this cramped, I’m definitely going to need a bigger one in the future when I marry these little ones. At least one big bed at home—since they’ll probably end up sleeping together sometimes. Especially girls—they love bonding like that.

Jiang Xueli asked, “Zhengran, why’d you go quiet? What are you thinking about?”

Lin Zhengran answered honestly, “I was thinking, once we start college, maybe I should buy a place. A bigger one. That way, none of you would have to stay in the dorms—you could all just live with me.”

The girls were all shocked.

First, because the idea of living together was already wild. Second, buying a place? Even crazier.

Han Wenwen gasped. “Lin Zhengran wants to buy a house?! That’d cost a fortune!”

Little He Qing agreed. “Renting sounds more realistic. If we all pitch in, maybe. But buying? That’s impossible. We’re in a first-tier city. A 100-square-meter place would be, like, several million!”

Jiang Xueli also felt the topic didn’t quite match the moment.

But... if Zhengran did want to buy one, it probably wouldn’t be an issue. After all, he was the general manager of Zhengshi Group… though she didn’t know exactly how much he made per year.

Still, no way he couldn’t afford it.

Wait, did He Qing and Han Wenwen not know that Zhengran was a GM?

Lin Zhengran closed his eyes and said, “It’s just an idea for now. We’ll talk about it after college starts. If I really do buy a place, I’ll bring you all to check it out together.”

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhengran suddenly added, “By the way, you girls all smell really nice. Did you all shower before coming out? I don’t remember you smelling this nice at school. It feels like I’m lying in a bed of flowers.”

All three girls blushed in the dark.

Well, of course we showered and did the full beauty routine before seeing our crush—you think we’d slack on that?

But almost immediately, Little He Qing felt something off—why did Lin Zhengran say “you girls”?

Technically... even though Wenwen and Zhengran were close, talking about how she smells was kind of private. And Lin Zhengran never said that kind of thing to girls who weren’t his girlfriend.

【A few days ago, after you and Princess He Xianzi, Jiang the Discipline Officer, and the Demon Sect enchantress led your forces to repel the enemy outside the city, the capital held a multi-day feast to celebrate.】

【During this time, when a civilian woman confessed to you, the cold and battle-hardened princess kissed you in public to help you out. Though she didn’t say she liked you, her actions spoke volumes—she had never done anything like that for a man before.】

【After the celebration, the princess’s personal assassin, the strongest woman in the royal city—Fang Meng—also kissed you on the cheek in private. She had clearly developed feelings for you.】

【Later, during the peaceful days after the battle, you spent your time cultivating at home. Jiang invited you to the market, showing off a new hairstyle and outfit. While shopping, she even bought some high-quality clothes for you. The two of you, feeling the romantic mood, checked into an inn.】

【Though you didn’t have time for anything too intimate, you still shared a passionate moment. Unfortunately, it was interrupted when the Demon Sect enchantress, who had followed you, took full advantage of the situation.】

【Seeing that Jiang had aroused your qi and blood and left you overheated and unable to concentrate, the enchantress used her unique technique to relieve your pressure—and in doing so, received your unique Supreme Spirit Liquid.】

【From these events, you’ve gained: +2 Stamina, +1 Energy, +1 Spirit Level】

【Current Attributes】

【Spirit Level: 67】【Core Formation Stage】

【Spirit Control: Level 2】【You can control objects with spirit power, and walk across rivers with ease】

【Stamina: 99】【Unlocked: Lifespan Limit Breakthrough, Enhanced Physical Strength, Double Cultivation Speed】

【Energy: 99】【Unlocked: Strong Offspring, Seven Times a Night Ability】

【Affinity with All Things: Level 2】【You possess unparalleled affinity with all beings; all disciples you teach receive buffs, and contract partners gain a 3x boost】

Lying in bed, almost asleep, Lin Zhengran listened to the system settling the results again. He thought, Stamina and Energy are just one point away from max. Looks like this mountain trip might be a serious breakthrough.

The next morning.

Everyone woke up early. Han Wenwen, for some reason, felt full of energy. The soreness in her lips from yesterday had vanished—her whole body felt light.

She got up, planning to wash her face in the bathroom. On her way down from the bed, Little He Qing, rummaging through her clothes, suddenly asked:

“Huh? Wenwen, what did you do last night? Why does your skin look so good today?”