Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 181: Xiao Meng, Do You Like Lin Zhengran?

Jiang Qian looked at Fang Meng and said,

"That day in the car, I didn’t mean to stop you from studying abroad with me. I only said that because a year ago, I heard your parents say your dream was to go to Tsinghua."

Fang Meng hadn’t had a real heart-to-heart with Jiang Qian since elementary school. Over the years, Jiang Qian had always been cold and distant, never opening up to anyone.

But today, Fang Meng smiled.

"Tsinghua? That must’ve been something I told my parents when I was a kid. I changed my mind in middle school—I’ve always just wanted to be with you."

Jiang Qian chuckled.

Fang Meng continued,

"And that day in the car, I got upset for no reason. I shouldn’t have snapped at you… I’ve always known you considered me a friend, but…"

She had so much she wanted to say, but at this moment, neither of them knew how to put their feelings into words.

Fang Meng lowered her head.

"The real reason we fought this time is still because of what happened back then, isn’t it? Jiang Qian… can we finally talk about it properly?"

Jiang Qian took a deep breath.

"Alright, let’s be honest today. Back then, when I got into that fight and asked you that question, you didn’t answer me. I… I was really angry."

Fang Meng’s eyes widened.

Jiang Qian stared ahead, lost in memory.

"I never brought it up all these years, and I kept telling myself it didn’t matter. That your hesitation didn’t mean anything. But… every time I think about it, it still hurts. Back then…"

Her voice suddenly wavered, becoming raspy with emotion.

"Why didn’t you answer me? Even if you had just nodded, I would’ve felt like everything I did for you as a kid wasn’t a joke. I always thought of you as my best friend. Anyone else could hesitate, but not you. And yet…"

Fang Meng clutched Jiang Qian’s sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Jiang Qian, I’m sorry… I really am. I’ve regretted my hesitation so many times over the years. I’ve always wanted to tell you that if I could do it over, I’d say yes without a second thought.

"I just… I didn’t react in time. And later, no matter how many times I wanted to talk to you about it… no matter how much I tried…"

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Tears slipped down her cheeks, her voice trembling as she tightened her grip on Jiang Qian’s sleeve.

"Every time I tried to bring it up, I could see the doubt and resentment in your eyes. I knew that no matter what I said afterward, you wouldn’t believe me. But I swear—I always thought of you as my best friend. How could I not have helped you?"

Jiang Qian’s eyes reddened as she met Fang Meng’s gaze. Tears rolled down her face as well.

Outside the sports equipment room, Lin Zhengran stood at a distance, watching the students who had finished their physical fitness test playing around on the field.

Having heightened senses wasn’t always a good thing.

Sometimes, even when he didn’t want to eavesdrop, if he focused just a little, he could hear everything clearly.

But no matter what, it seemed like the conflict between these two best friends was finally coming to an end.

A little while later, in the corner of the storage room, Fang Meng took some tissues from the torn pocket of her clothes and wiped Jiang Qian’s tears.

With a smile, she said,

"It’s been so long since I’ve seen you cry, Jiang Qian. You actually remind me of how you used to be when we were kids."

The two best friends sat hand in hand.

Jiang Qian sighed.

"I always knew you did a lot of things for me. My sister told me. She said you trained in martial arts so you could protect me if I ever got into fights. And that you studied medicine because of that time I took you to the school infirmary."

Fang Meng lowered her head shyly.

"Yeah… Your sister asked me about it once. I didn’t want to admit it, but I can’t really keep secrets from her."

Jiang Qian took a deep breath and suggested,

"Come back and be my assistant, Fang Meng. Ever since you quit, everything’s been a mess. I can’t sleep well, I can’t study properly. Forget about surpassing Lin Zhengran—I can’t even surpass my past self anymore."

Fang Meng smiled and nodded.

"Okay. But Jiang Qian… are you still trying to find Lin Zhengran’s weaknesses? Honestly, maybe you should just give up. He’s… different.

"I observed him for over a year, and he’s just not a normal person. If he actually wanted to be famous, he’d be number one in everything. He can even think while he’s asleep." She laughed lightly. "Though I know you’d never admit defeat."

Jiang Qian thought about Lin Zhengran, her face heating up slightly.

"Honestly… after fighting with you, I realized my curiosity about him changed a long time ago.

"At first, I just wanted to compete with him and surpass him. But ever since he taught me piano… and then two days ago, when I went to talk to him about us… I finally admitted to myself that it’s not just about his abilities anymore.

"I feel like I know him. He’s so similar to how I used to be… but so much stronger. I don’t even understand my own feelings right now.

"All I know is… I want to understand everything about him. And yesterday, he even confessed to me—though he took it back right after."

Fang Meng had been listening carefully, but then—

"Wait. What? Confessed?!"

Jiang Qian explained,

"Yesterday, when I asked him to make a request, he suddenly said ‘anything except sleeping together.’ I thought he meant he wanted me to be his girlfriend, and I figured… why not? I was open to trying. But then he immediately clarified that’s not what he meant."

Fang Meng stared blankly at Jiang Qian.

For some reason, hearing the word confession made her feel… odd.

Empty.

Jiang Qian suddenly asked,

"By the way, Fang Meng, I’ve been meaning to ask—you and Lin Zhengran seem really close. Last week, you even went to KTV together.

"And if I heard correctly just now, you said you’ve been watching him for over a year? You even know he thinks while he sleeps? What, are you watching him sleep now?

"Does that mean… every time I gave you time off, you were spending it with him?"

Seeing Jiang Qian’s curiosity, Fang Meng suddenly chuckled.

"That’s a long story. The short version is… I have a childhood engagement with him."

Jiang Qian’s eyes widened.

"WHAT?! You too?! Just how many childhood engagements does he have?!"

Fang Meng answered but immediately turned the tables.

"As far as I know, just two—me and your sister. But this is a complicated story. I’ll explain everything tonight.

"But we’re not done talking about this yet.

"Why did Lin Zhengran even mention sleeping together in front of you? Why did you misunderstand it as a confession? And most importantly—why did you agree?"

Fang Meng locked eyes with Jiang Qian.

"Tell me the truth. You’ve already fallen for him, haven’t you?"

Jiang Qian stiffened.

"I…"

She averted her gaze, cheeks flushed.

"I don’t even know what ‘liking’ someone feels like. So… probably not?"

Jiang Qian then turned to Fang Meng.

"But recently, everyone’s been saying you’re his girlfriend. He told me you’re not. Fang Meng, you don’t like Lin Zhengran, right?"

Fang Meng immediately waved her hands.

"Of course I don’t li—"

She didn’t even finish.

All the moments she had spent alone with him suddenly flashed through her mind.

For a second, she couldn’t say the last word.

Did she really not like him?

Before she could figure out her answer, Jiang Qian’s phone rang—it was the driver.

At the same time, Lin Zhengran, who had been waiting outside, finally walked back in.

He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell are you two going on about now?"