Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 177: Any Request Will Do

After agreeing to discuss things further during PE class in the afternoon, the four of them headed to the cafeteria.

Even though the news about Lin Zhengran’s "heroic act" had stirred jealousy in the three girls, they still treated him as they always did—picking food for him, pouring water for him.

They weren’t the type to stay upset for long. After all, Lin Zhengran had already given them a general explanation.

Though he hadn’t shared every little detail, he hadn’t tried to hide anything either. The three girls fully trusted him. If he really had started dating someone, he would’ve just told them directly.

After lunch, everyone returned to the classroom early to study.

In order to get into the same university next year, Han Wenwen, He Qing, and Jiang Xueli had been working incredibly hard. Aside from their weekends spent with Lin Zhengran, all their time was devoted to their studies.

Once the four of them split up, Lin Zhengran headed to the restroom.

When he stepped out, he was surprised to see Jiang Qian, her long, straight black hair cascading over her shoulders, standing outside the restroom, waiting for him.

As he met her cool gaze, she spoke, “Class monitor, do you have a moment? I’d like to talk.”

Lin Zhengran had a good idea of what she wanted to talk about.

Before he could reply, Jiang Qian pulled out a bank card.

“I know your time is valuable, so consider this as payment for five minutes of it. There’s twenty thousand on this card. It may not be enough, but that’s all of my allowance for the week.”

“Twenty thousand?! You sure put a high price on my time,” Lin Zhengran remarked in surprise.

Jiang Qian explained calmly, “I just don’t want you to refuse. After all, what I want to ask might seem trivial to you.”

Without a word, Lin Zhengran turned to leave.

Jiang Qian watched him go, thinking he was rejecting her outright.

But then, he said, “Let’s find a place to talk.”

It was best to get this over with as soon as possible. Since he was already involved, he might as well deal with it. At least he’d get some system rewards out of it.

Now that he thought about it, his system seemed to have changed. Instead of appearing before a task, it now gave him summaries after the fact.

Jiang Qian, slightly surprised, gave a small nod and followed him.

At noon, the school was bustling—there wasn’t a single quiet place to be found.

Except for the piano room on the first floor.

As a senior, Lin Zhengran didn’t visit the piano room as often anymore, but back in his first and second year, whenever there was nowhere else to go, he would always bring the "three little ones" here.

He still remembered how Han Wenwen used to pester him to play the piano.

The little fox had clapped excitedly after his performance, eyes full of admiration. “That was amazing! As expected of Lin Zhengran!”

Now, inside the piano room, Lin Zhengran found a seat.

“Go ahead,” he said.

Jiang Qian wasted no time getting to the point.

“Have you and Fang Meng slept together?”

Lin Zhengran froze mid-motion, his body going stiff.

He turned his head to look at her, stunned.

“…Where did that idea come from?”

Jiang Qian remained expressionless.

“I was watching the video during lunch and thought about it. After all, KTVs are places for those kinds of things, right? I heard they even provide condoms. Since you two went there, I figured you must’ve already done it.”

Lin Zhengran wiped the sudden cold sweat from his forehead.

“…Where are you getting all this nonsense from? KTVs are just for singing.”

Jiang Qian replied honestly, “I know that’s what they’re supposed to be for. I’ve never been to one, but from what I’ve read in famous books and seen in movies, KTVs are places criminals frequent… or places where men and women go to have those kinds of encounters. No exceptions. The same applies to bars, internet cafes, and underground clubs.”

Lin Zhengran sat down, completely speechless.

“You’ve been brainwashed by movies. That’s just dramatization. A normal KTV is just a place to sing, and not full of criminals.”

“Oh? Then how do you explain the fact that you caught a criminal inside a KTV last week?”

Lin Zhengran: “…”

Okay, fair point.

It was an extremely rare event. In reality, police arrests weren’t something you saw every day.

Letting out a deep sigh, he said, “It was a rare occurrence. You can’t judge an entire place based on one unlikely incident. Even elementary school exams teach that rare events don’t define the whole.”

Jiang Qian sat across from him.

“Fair enough. But even if you did sleep together, it’s fine. Fang Meng is already eighteen—she has her own freedom. I was just surprised that she would get pregnant so early.”

Lin Zhengran gave her a look.

“…What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Were you even listening to me?”

“I was listening. But you didn’t outright deny it. Instead, you tried to change the subject.”

Ridiculous.

“…I didn’t sleep with her. And even if I had, you aced middle school biology, didn’t you? Don’t you remember the chapter on reproduction? Pregnancy isn’t that easy—it’s a low-probability event.”

Jiang Qian’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.

“Pregnancy is rare? I didn’t know that. I mean, I studied biology, but the chapter on sex education was only two pages long. The teacher skipped it, saying it wouldn’t be on the test. So, I only know the basics.”

Lin Zhengran sighed.

Sex education in this country still has a long way to go…

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Most schools left students to self-study that part. But for Jiang Qian to be this clueless was surprising.

She really had spent all her time purely on academics.

Jiang Qian met his gaze, asking again, “So… you really haven’t done anything?”

“No. And I’m not dating her either. We’re just friends.”

“Really? So the girlfriend rumors are false too? What about the other girls in our school? Have you slept with any of them?”

“No.”

Wait, why am I even answering this?

Jiang Qian seemed genuinely surprised.

Then, for some reason, she suddenly smiled.

A small, rare smile.

And, strangely, she felt lighter.

Lin Zhengran frowned. “What are you so happy about?”

Jiang Qian blinked, confused. “Happy? Am I happy?”

Her smile faded as she tilted her head in thought.

Lin Zhengran let out another long sigh.

“So, you just wanted to ask whether I slept with Fang Meng?”

Jiang Qian’s expression changed slightly, her voice losing some of its usual coldness.

“That was just one part. Honestly, I always thought you two weren’t close. This really caught me off guard.”

Lin Zhengran remained silent.

Jiang Qian clenched her slender fingers into a fist, still looking at him.

“I came to you today because I need advice about me and Fang Meng. I know it has nothing to do with you, but… I can’t solve it on my own.

“It’s affecting my studies. I haven’t been able to sleep for days. No matter how much I think about it, you’re the only person I can ask for advice.

“If you’re willing to listen, I’ll compensate you. You can ask for anything—anything at all.”

Lin Zhengran suddenly thought of Fang Meng.

These two best friends were more alike than they realized.

Both of them were offering “anything,” with one specific exception.

Smirking, he mimicked Fang Meng’s words.

“Anything? Except sleeping with you?”

Jiang Qian was startled by his response.

Her face turned slightly pink.

“Sleeping together? You mean… you want me to be your girlfriend?”

She hesitated.

“That’s a big request. I’ll have to think about it. I never imagined you’d ask for that. But… out of all the guys, you’re the only one I don’t dislike.”

She paused.

“…Fine. We can try dating.”

“…Huh?”