At the shot put field.
The previously lively area had fallen into complete silence.
Everyone quietly stared at Sheng Qingxi, with her thin arms and legs, almost creating a crater in the ground. The shot put drew a long arc in the air, speeding forward at an astonishing rate.
“Bang!”
A dull thud echoed.
Xie Zhen swallowed nervously. Once again, the fairy was about to break the school record.
The spectators were feeling a mix of emotions. They didn’t know whether to feel sorry for Lin Ran or for Sheng Qingxi. What would happen if these two ended up fighting one day? How could someone as small as Sheng Qingxi be so fierce?
Lin Yanyan gazed at Sheng Qingxi with stars in her eyes. Tugging at He Mo’s sleeve, she exclaimed, “Brother Mo, Sister Sheng is amazing! How is she so good at everything?”
He Mo replied stiffly, “You’re right.”
He couldn’t help but worry about Lin Ran’s future safety.
Meanwhile, Sheng Qingxi, who was at the center of attention, felt nothing at all. After throwing the shot put, she calmly walked off to the side and stood there quietly, looking as obedient as ever.
Sheng Qingxi moved her arms slightly. Compared to her past life, she still felt that her strength was a bit lacking.
She realized she needed to adjust her training plan in the near future.
Just as Sheng Qingxi was lost in thought about her future plans, a school uniform suddenly covered her head, and before she could lift it off, she was pulled into someone’s arms. A warm, broad chest pressed against her, and a low, slightly hoarse voice sounded from above, “I told you to wear long sleeves this morning. You’re not listening, are you?”
Still enveloped in darkness, Sheng Qingxi instinctively smiled. “Lin Ran!”
Lin Ran tugged his jacket down slightly, revealing the girl’s fair and delicate face. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement.
Lin Ran stared at her for a long moment before suddenly breaking into a smile.
She was really happy today.
He flicked her forehead gently. “Put the jacket on properly.”
Lin Ran’s jacket was wide and large, and when Sheng Qingxi wore it, it looked like a dress on her.
Lin Yanyan, seeing that Lin Ran had returned, quickly ran to his side. She had something to say to him, and it was safer to say it while Sheng Qingxi was around.
Tugging at Lin Ran’s clothes, Lin Yanyan whispered, “Brother, Aunt Xu called me today. She asked if you had time tonight. It seems she wants to talk to you. She said she won’t be going home but would like to take us out to dinner.”
Xu Yirong?
Lin Ran raised his brows. That woman wouldn’t reach out to him without a reason.
He didn’t need to think too hard to figure out what this was about. His cousin had mentioned that Cheng Jiayue had been acting out lately. Lin Ran had no desire to return to the Lin family, but meeting Xu Yirong wasn’t a big deal. He also had some questions for her.
Upon hearing Lin Yanyan’s words, Sheng Qingxi subtly clenched her fists.
Lin Ran was very sensitive to Sheng Qingxi’s emotions. He almost instantly noticed that she was upset.
He lifted his chin slightly, speaking lazily, “Alright, tell her I’ll be bringing someone with me.”
Lin Yanyan was speechless.
There was no need to guess who Lin Ran was referring to. But wasn’t this a bit too much? Sheng Qingxi had no real connection with him right now, and yet he planned to take her to dinner in front of his stepmother.
Though Lin Yanyan thought this in her heart, she wasn’t foolish enough to say it aloud.
Sheng Qingxi paused and looked at Lin Ran. “Lin Ran, I’m not going.”
Lin Ran raised his eyebrows slightly. “Then I won’t go either. I promised you earlier at lunch that I’d have dinner with you tonight.”
Sheng Qingxi looked away in frustration. Every time, Lin Ran used this tactic to bully her.
By the time evening came, Lin Ran still left with Lin Yanyan because Sheng Qingxi had spent the entire afternoon ignoring him with a stern face. Worried that he’d truly upset her, he hurried off with Lin Yanyan, planning to smooth things over when he returned.
…
At Yuyu Private Kitchen.
Xu Yirong poured water for Lin Ran and Lin Yanyan before handing the menu to Lin Yanyan and sitting down. She made a few casual remarks, which Lin Yanyan politely responded to, while Lin Ran acted as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Xu Yirong had grown used to Lin Ran’s personality over the years.
She didn’t intend to beat around the bush and forced a smile in Lin Ran’s direction. “Xiao Huo, Auntie usually doesn’t bother you unless it’s important. This time, Auntie… really doesn’t know what else to do.”
Having spent time with Lin Ran, Xu Yirong knew he wasn’t a bad kid; he just couldn’t reconcile with his father.
Lin Ran had heard bits and pieces about Cheng Jiayue but hadn’t paid too much attention.
Xu Yirong took a sip of tea before continuing, “At first, when your father cut off Cheng Jiayue’s support, she didn’t do much, just asked about the reason. Initially, she behaved herself. But when summer break came, she submitted a resume to Lin Corporation. I didn’t know about this at the time. Your father and his assistant kept it from me. I only found out when Aunt Jiang happened to visit Lin Corporation and saw Cheng Jiayue there.”
A girl who resembled He Wanqiu couldn’t be unattractive, and when this news first spread, her photos had circulated among their social circle, becoming a topic of gossip among the rich ladies.
Xu Yirong’s hand tightened slightly around her porcelain cup. She composed herself before saying, “Xiao Huo, your father kept this from me, and during those two summer months, he had Cheng Jiayue stay by his side as his assistant.”
Xu Yirong could tolerate Lin Youcheng not loving her, but she couldn’t tolerate him betraying their marriage.
When Lin Ran and Lin Yanyan were still living at home, no matter how late Lin Youcheng worked, he would always return home. But in the past two years, the nights he spent at home had grown fewer and fewer. This past summer, he didn’t come home for an entire week. Xu Yirong had thought it was because of work. When she found out about Cheng Jiayue’s presence at Lin Corporation, she was nearly driven mad with rage.
People said she had a good temperament, that she was gentle and considerate.
What was once praised about her in their social circle had now become shackles. She had to maintain her composure in public, and no one knew the bitterness and loneliness that had plagued her for years. Two conflicting emotions constantly tore at her.
Xu Yirong was a smart woman.
She knew this confrontation couldn’t come from her. It had to be Lin Ran who faced Lin Youcheng.
Lin Yanyan, hearing all this for the first time, was a little stunned. She glanced at Lin Ran, asking in a small voice, “Brother, what’s going on with Dad? Who is Cheng Jiayue?”
That night, after Lin Ran left the villa on the hillside, he had no more expectations for Lin Youcheng.
Whether as a husband or as a father, Lin Youcheng had failed.
Lin Ran patted Lin Yanyan’s head, signaling her to focus on the menu. Lin Yanyan could only obediently shut her mouth.
Lin Ran didn’t really want to get involved in this matter, but it was the first time Xu Yirong had ever asked him for help.
His fingers twitched slightly as his gaze slowly shifted to the woman across from him. In a calm tone, he said, “Aunt Xu, I’m afraid I can’t help you with this.”
Xu Yirong’s expression changed slightly, but before she could say anything, Lin Ran continued, “However, I know someone who might be able to help. Have you heard of my aunt, He Yiling?”
Xu Yirong froze for a moment.
He Yiling was He Wanqiu’s younger sister. Xu Yirong had only heard of her and wasn’t familiar with her personally.
Lin Ran didn’t elaborate further. He turned to Lin Yanyan. “Finished looking?”
Lin Yanyan, having been distracted by their conversation, hadn’t paid any attention to the menu. She shook her head.
Lin Ran smiled slightly, took the menu from her hands, and stood up, lifting the little girl with him. “Then let’s go. We’re done here. I still need to go back and calm your Sister Sheng down.”
Lin Yanyan: “……”
So what exactly was the point of coming here?
–
The school’s sports day was a rare event, and the teachers didn’t enforce evening study sessions that night. However, the students still needed to keep quiet in the school building, so the teachers had them stay in the classroom to watch a movie.
After the experience from the summer camp, no one suggested watching a horror movie this time.
The only sound in the dim classroom was the movie playing.
Sheng Qingxi was a little distracted. She was holding a slip of paper in her hand, which had been given to her by a girl during the break after the first evening class. The girl had shoved it into her hand and then quickly ran off.
It was a note from Ding Minghui.
He wanted to meet her and talk.
This kind of situation was something Sheng Qingxi had encountered many times, both in this life and her previous one, whether in private or in public.
In the past, she would always say sorry because she couldn’t respond to their feelings or impulses. But Lin Ran had once told her it wasn’t like that. She didn’t have to apologize—being unable to respond wasn’t her fault.
Sheng Qingxi unconsciously tightened her grip on the note.
Five minutes later, at the sports field.
The lights on the field weren’t very bright, and the faint outlines of a few scattered figures could be seen on the track.
In the distance, under a tree by the stands, stood a person. He seemed anxious, pacing back and forth, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Sheng Qingxi sighed softly. He was still just a kid.
She began walking towards Ding Minghui.
As she drew closer, Ding Minghui noticed her presence. He stopped pacing and stood still, waiting for her. There were no lights on the path she took, and when she stepped from the shadows into the light, Ding Minghui was momentarily stunned.
It had been love at first sight for him with Sheng Qingxi.
In his short life, he had never really understood the concept of “liking” someone, until that first day of school when he saw Sheng Qingxi. At the time, he had even unconsciously ignored Lin Ran, who was by her side.
Her beauty was unique.
Pure and clean, yet not fragile. She was like a snowflake.
He didn’t want this snowflake to melt.
Ding Minghui gathered his courage, standing his ground as he said, “Sheng Qingxi, I’m sorry for being so impulsive last time, but I still want to tell you seriously that I fell in love with you at first sight. I… I really like you!”
He raised his voice slightly at the end of his confession.
After he finished speaking, Ding Minghui scratched his head, as if finally releasing the breath he had been holding.
He adjusted his glasses, returning to his usual calm demeanor. In a serious tone, he continued, “Sheng Qingxi, I’ve thought it over. Lin Ran’s grades aren’t good enough to get into the same university as you, and besides, his temperament is a bit odd. It might not be obvious now, but based on probability, there’s a 75% chance you two will break up in the future.”
Outside the fence.
Lin Yanyan cautiously glanced at Lin Ran, who was watching the two figures in the distance with an expressionless face. They were hidden in the shadows, unnoticed by those inside.
The stands were to the left of the entrance to the sports field, and Lin Ran and Lin Yanyan had spotted Sheng Qingxi as soon as they approached.
Even in the dim lighting, she stood out, strikingly beautiful.
Lin Yanyan had a feeling that Lin Ran might charge in and punch someone at any moment.
Just as she was about to say something, she heard Sheng Qingxi’s soft, calm voice from within: “I’ve heard everything you said. As for your feelings, I don’t have any response. What I want to talk about is Lin Ran.”
Ding Minghui looked a bit surprised. “Lin Ran?”
Sheng Qingxi paused for a moment before continuing, “My grades, my future—they are all within my control for now. I can adjust them at any time, for Lin Ran.”
“Lin Ran… Lin Ran is the only optimal choice for me.”
The two terms in her statement were inherently contradictory.
Yet, at that moment, everyone listening understood what Sheng Qingxi meant.
In her world, Lin Ran was a single-choice answer.