Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten
Chapter 377: Lily's Ring

Lin Zhengran could tell Jiang Xueli was truly worked up.

Her breathing was scorching hot.

So he pulled the small blanket over her back.

The guitar leaned forlornly against the bedside, waiting in vain for its owner to practice for over two hours.

Miraculously, no one had disturbed them during these two hours to ruin the intimate atmosphere.

Only half an hour earlier, He Qing had called from downstairs: "Lin Zhengran? Sister Jiang and I are going shopping, we'll be back soon." That was all.

On the single bed in the music room during late afternoon.

The small blanket covered both of them.

Lin Zhengran gazed at Jiang Xueli, whose twin pigtails had come undone, her hair now cascading over her neck and shoulders.

The golden locks gave Lily a completely different vibe as she avoided his gaze.

"Idiot...why do you always stare at me like that? It makes my heart race..."

"I just didn't expect Lily to be so enthusiastic today, taking charge like that..."

"Ah!" Jiang Xueli immediately covered his mouth with reddened cheeks: "Don't say it! Don't say it!"

Muffled by her hand, he mumbled: "There's nobody else here."

Jiang Xueli pouted shyly: "That doesn't matter! Stop bullying me! Didn't He Qing tell you? Girls have needs too, of course we have moments when we're in the mood!"

Lin Zhengran removed her hand: "'Have too'? Does that mean you also have moments when you're not in the mood?"

Jiang Xueli blinked, caught off guard: "When you're not around, our mood naturally drops...when you're here, it rises..."

Lin Zhengran fell silent.

So there were only highs, no lows.

He lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling:

"Though having multiple girlfriends is nice. You girls always come up with new tricks. Though since we started living together, my free time's been shrinking."

Jiang Xueli didn't know how to respond to the first part - what did he mean by 'new tricks'?

She bit her lip and called him an idiot, but snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder: "What do you mean about time shrinking?"

"Literally. Since implementing the rotation system, plus surprise visits like yours today, out of 168 weekly hours, nearly 42 are spent doing this."

"42 hours?" Jiang Xueli tilted her head: "Only 42? That's nothing."

Lin Zhengran turned and flicked her forehead.

"Ouch!" She rubbed her head: "Hitting me again! I swear this is why I can't grow taller!"

Lin Zhengran laughed: "Now you're just making excuses."

Jiang Xueli hmphed, then asked with concern:

"But 42 hours weekly means 6 hours daily. Spread among us it's not much, but Zhengran...are you okay physically? You seem fine, but if you're strained, we can prepare tonics. Just don't reduce the time." She pouted jealously: "Serves you right for having so many girlfriends."

Lin Zhengran wrapped an arm around her shoulders, amused: "You girls would know best if I'm okay. Besides, this benefits me too, so I quite enjoy it."

Jiang Xueli blushed at the implication - of course they all enjoyed it: "What...what benefits?"

"Various."

Every intimate encounter actually fed spiritual energy back to him as their health and vitality improved.

Mutually beneficial.

Though the real reward was simply the joy and fulfillment.

Lin Zhengran stroked Jiang Xueli's golden hair, admiring her adorable yet tsundere face.

"Has your unlucky streak ended?"

Jiang Xueli blinked: "Not sure..." she whispered: "Probably?"

She felt wonderfully relaxed, just physically drained.

Cuddling closer, she murmured contentedly:

"Actually, my recent 'bad luck' wasn't so bad. When I scraped my elbow and you noticed the bandage, you comforted me and patted my head. I secretly loved getting your special attention, dummy..."

She continued:

"Then my parents' factory crisis seemed awful, but with you handling it, everything was resolved that same day. And afterwards, they kept messaging me to take good care of you and thank you properly, always asking about us."

She giggled: "If you propose after graduation, even with your harem, they wouldn't refuse now. You literally saved our family - who knows what would've happened without you."

She reached up to touch his face:

"And today's juice spill seemed unfortunate...but it led to this secret rendezvous. Totally worth it."

They shared a laugh. Jiang Xueli concluded: "So...maybe I never had an unlucky streak? Everything turned out wonderfully, even if the process was messy. I wouldn't mind more 'misfortune' like this."

"Definitely sounds like your bad luck's gone."

Jiang Xueli chuckled smugly.

After a comfortable silence, Lin Zhengran spoke softly: "Lily, I have a gift for you."

"Gift? What gift?"

"In my pants pocket. Go get it - made especially for you."

Curious, Jiang Xueli sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest.

She retrieved his pants and pulled out a delicate box from the pocket.

Without thinking, she opened it.

Silence—then her lively eyes widened comically as her face turned beet red.

"WAAAAAH! WHAT IS THIS?!"

Still as dramatic as ever.

Lin Zhengran sighed: "Must you scream? My ears..."

Jiang Xueli trembled, brandishing the box accusingly: "Wh-what is this?! You can't just give people things like this!"

"'Like this'?"

Lin Zhengran took out the ring, its diamond glittering brilliantly.

"It's a proposal ring I made for you. Handcrafted."

Jiang Xueli recoiled in shock: "Pro-proposal?! Did I hear that right?!"

Lin Zhengran sat up seriously: "Marry me, Lily."

"Y-yes?! I mean—wait!" Overwhelmed, she regressed to childhood speech patterns:

"Y-you can't just propose! Even if we're dating, I won't accept so easily! And if I do, it's only to spare your feelings! Definitely not for any other reason!"

Lin Zhengran teased: "Not because you're worried I can't find other girlfriends? That was your childhood excuse."

Mortified, Jiang Xueli covered her face:

"Same difference! They're all made-up reasons! But once I accept, you have to cherish me! No more bullying!"

"Mm."

Jiang Xueli glared through teary eyes, abruptly thrusting out her hand:

"Don't just 'mm'! Idiot! Jerk! Put it on me already!"

Her rare moment of pure honesty made Lin Zhengran smile as he slid the ring onto her finger.

Staring at the diamond in stunned silence, Jiang Xueli suddenly burst into happy tears.

Lin Zhengran held her close—girls were all the same during these moments.

"There there."