Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 107: Wish

It wasn’t too late at night. Through the window, lights from neighboring homes were still visible.

After forming her little plan, Little He Qing slowly sat up in bed.

Just as she was about to get out, she suddenly heard Lin Xiaoli’s voice from the living room:

“Ranran, has Little Qingqing lain down yet?”

Frightened, He Qing’s body stiffened, not daring to move.

Outside, Lin Zhengran was tidying up the single bed in the study when he heard his mom’s curious question. From the sound of it, she had just plopped down onto the bed.

“She just lay down. She’s probably still awake,” he replied.

Lin Xiaoli said, “Really? Then I’ll go check on her. This is her first time staying over at our place, after all.”

He Qing quickly heard Aunt Lin knocking on her door.

Panicking, she hurriedly shrank back under the covers, anxiously tidying her blanket. Her small hands clutched the edges tightly, acting all obedient.

Outside, Lin Xiaoli, dressed in her pajamas, knocked and asked, “Little Qingqing? It’s me, Auntie. Are you asleep?”

Pretending to be drowsy, He Qing still had a bit of cunning in her. If she seemed sleepy, she wouldn’t have to chat too long with the adults and could sneak away later.

“Mmm, Auntie, I’m not asleep yet. What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing much, just checking if you’re comfortable. It’s your first time staying over, after all.”

He Qing replied politely, “I’m sleeping very well. Also, Auntie, you can just come in and talk. No need to stay outside.”

Lin Xiaoli opened the door and poked her head in. Seeing He Qing blinking up at her, they both ended up giggling foolishly at each other.

Walking over, Lin Xiaoli sat on the bed. “Is it comfy, Little Qingqing? When I got back this afternoon, your uncle told me you were staying the night, and I was so surprised!”

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Grinning widely, He Qing said, “Sorry for intruding, Auntie and Uncle. Next time I come over, I’ll bring you guys some tasty treats!”

“Haha, you’re too cute, Little Qingqing. No need for that! Just treat this place like your own home. If you ever want to stay, just stay. Ranran can always sleep in the study.”

…

In the study, Lin Zhengran shut the door, lying in bed with just a bedside lamp on, reading under the covers. A few minutes later, he heard his mom leaving his room after talking with He Qing.

As she passed the living room, she turned off the lights.

“Little Qingqing, have a good rest. Auntie is going to bed too.”

He Qing’s voice responded, “Okay, Auntie, sleep well. Good night.”

“Good night, Little Qingqing.”

Then came the sound of doors closing and lights switching off. Through the crack under his door, Lin Zhengran could see the living room turn completely dark.

But about two minutes later, he suddenly heard rustling noises—like a little mouse sneaking around.

The sound came from He Qing’s room.

This mouse was moving slowly, even closing doors quietly.

Then, in a hushed whisper:

“Lin… Lin Zhengran? Lin Zhengran? Are you asleep? Are you?”

Lin Zhengran glanced at the door, wondering what this little mouse was up to.

Outside, He Qing, not getting a response, hesitated to knock for fear that Auntie and Uncle would hear.

Spotting the small gap under the door, she suddenly had the idea to lie on the floor and speak through it. That way, he should hear her better.

But just as she whispered, “Lin—”

The door swung open.

At first, Lin Zhengran saw no one, then looked down and spotted He Qing sprawled on the floor.

So he hadn’t misheard.

“What are you doing, crawling around like a little mouse?” he asked.

Terrified that Auntie and Uncle would hear, He Qing quickly put a finger to her lips and hushed him. “Shh! Keep your voice down! They’ll hear us.”

Lin Zhengran had no idea what she was so nervous about. So what if they heard? It wasn’t like they were doing anything bad.

He Qing slowly got up from the floor, patting the nonexistent dust off her clothes. The floor was actually quite clean since they had mopped after dinner.

She anxiously glanced at Lin Zhengran, fidgeting with her fingers.

“I… can I come in and talk?” she asked.

After closing the door again, Lin Zhengran sat on his bed, looking at He Qing standing in front of him. She still spoke like a guilty child explaining herself.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.

The room was dim, lit only by the small bedside lamp, making everything feel quiet and intimate.

He Qing looked at him, but now that she was here, she didn’t know what to say.

“I just… can’t fall asleep alone,” she murmured.

“Are you scared?”

She shook her head. “No, not scared. You’re right next door, so I’m not afraid. I just… I just can’t sleep alone.” She repeated herself.

Lin Zhengran blinked, puzzled. “So? How can you fall asleep then?”

Head down, she nervously twisted her thumbs together, sneaking glances at him.

“I don’t know. I just can’t sleep alone,” she mumbled.

Lin Zhengran was speechless. But he had a good guess what this little girl wanted. So, he came up with an idea.

“How about you sit in my bed for a bit? See if it makes you sleepy. If it does, then go back to your room.”

He Qing’s eyes widened, surprised by the offer. Slowly, she nodded. “Okay.”

Lin Zhengran moved to the side and lifted the blanket near the wall. “Come sit under the covers. Warm your feet up first.”

Hurriedly slipping off her slippers, He Qing climbed onto the bed, sitting next to him with her lower body covered by the blanket.

Lin Zhengran smirked at how happy this little fool looked.

“Think this will make you sleepy?” he asked.

She eagerly nodded. “Mhm! It will.”

Ignoring her foolish excitement, Lin Zhengran continued reading, the warm light casting sharp shadows on his features.

Meanwhile, He Qing felt her heart racing. Far from feeling sleepy, she was getting more and more excited.

Her heart pounded wildly.

“…Lin Zhengran,” she murmured, “do you think that older sister from the daytime is pretty?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

She hesitated, then asked, “I mean, do you like her type more, or do you like my type more?”

Lin Zhengran glanced at He Qing’s determined little face, realizing she had mustered a lot of courage to ask this.

After thinking for a moment, he kept his eyes on the book and answered:

“If you’re talking about ‘type,’ it’s about the same. Whether it’s a cool older sister or a silly little sweetheart, they’re both fine to me. But if you’re asking about a person… right now, I like you more. You’re with me all the time, after all.”

He Qing felt like she was floating. Her eyes widened, shoulders tensed.

Mouth slightly open, she stared at him in disbelief.

“R-really?”

“Really. Why would I lie to you?”

She rubbed the blanket with her little hands and whispered, “Then I’ll answer too… I like you too.”

Lin Zhengran’s hand paused mid-page flip. He turned to look at her flushed cheeks and her dazed expression.

“…What did you say?”

Blinking once, He Qing spoke softly but clearly.

“I said—I like you.”

A brief silence.

Then, unable to contain herself, she covered her burning face with both hands, curled up, and buried her head in her knees.

“I don’t mean anything by it!” she hurriedly explained. “It’s not a confession or anything, just… just saying it.”

Like a tiny mosquito, she muttered, “I just wanted to tell you that I like you.”

Lin Zhengran exhaled a chuckle and set his book aside.

“If I win the championship tomorrow, what wish do you want granted? I did say I’d grant you one.”

He Qing peeked up cautiously, seeing that he wasn’t angry.

“…I thought about it,” she murmured.

“And?”

She bit her lip.

“I want to hold hands… I want to hold hands with you.”

Their eyes met.

“…Is that so? Alright.”