Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 5: A Changed Fate

Lin Zhengran froze before bursting into laughter. “You’re going to protect me? You must’ve misspoken, right?”

He Qing nodded, then realized something was off and quickly shook her head. She opened her mouth like a nervous little chick:

“Because you’re always making the teachers and classmates mad at you in kindergarten, and none of the boys play with you. I thought if someone bullies you in the future, I could help you teach them a lesson... and stand up for you.”

Lin Zhengran couldn’t stop laughing, while He Qing’s face turned bright red. She lowered her head, too embarrassed to make a sound.

“But aren’t you the one who’s always getting picked on? You can’t even protect yourself—how are you going to help me?” Lin Zhengran teased.

He Qing bit her lip, her voice dropping even lower. “Not anymore. Since you’ve been teaching me to do bad things, the teachers say I’ve been led astray by you. Now no one picks on me... except you.”

Lin Zhengran’s laughter came to an abrupt stop. “True. Thinking about it, lately, no one but me has been bothering you. But since you know I’m bullying you, why would you still want to protect me?”

She lowered her head, unsure of the reason herself. It was just how she felt.

Lin Zhengran reached out his hand. He Qing flinched, thinking he was about to pinch her cheek again, and quickly shut her eyes and hunched her shoulders.

But all he did was pat her on the shoulder.

“Even though I don’t expect you to protect me, thanks anyway,” he said with a smile. Then he turned to the taekwondo ad playing on the screen nearby. “As for this taekwondo thing—if you really want to learn, ask Aunt He to sign you up. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become pretty awesome at it one day.”

“R-Really?” He Qing asked, wide-eyed with surprise.

“Of course. You never know with these things,” Lin Zhengran replied casually.

Children don’t always fully understand their feelings, but He Qing was starting to realize why she didn’t dislike being bullied by him. Lin Zhengran never dismissed her ideas.

Every time her timidity held her back, he pushed her forward, giving her confidence.

From afar, Lin Xiaoli’s voice called out, “Ranran! Time to go!”

Lin Zhengran turned and shouted back, “Coming!” He waved goodbye to He Qing. “I have to go find my mom. See you tomorrow at school. Don’t forget to bring me snacks!”

【Your words have subtly influenced Fairy He’s heart, altering her destiny in some way.】

【Encounter reward: +1 Charm.】

“Huh? A hidden event?”

As Lin Zhengran walked away, He Qing waved her small hand, her cheeks tinged pink. A moment later, she turned and headed back to the café where her parents were.

That night, Aunt He returned home in a huff, dragging He Qing along. He Qing sat watching her mother sob silently on the sofa.

Every time her mom met with her dad, it ended like this.

But this time, He Qing intervened for the first time. She poured a glass of water and handed it to her mom. “Mom, you should just divorce Dad. Stop being so upset.”

Aunt He froze in shock, staring at her usually quiet daughter. Tears welled up even more before she suddenly laughed through her sobs. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Who taught you to say that? When did you learn to talk like this?”

He Qing had always been quiet, but she wasn’t dumb. She’d wanted to say these things for a long time. Lin Zhengran’s month of “bad influence” had finally given her the courage.

Aunt He pulled her daughter into her arms and stroked her hair. “Okay, I’ll listen to you. I’ll be happier from now on.”

A month passed.

It was Wednesday morning, and Lin Yingjun was driving Lin Zhengran to school.

Sitting in the car, Lin Zhengran flipped through a kindergarten workbook.

When the system’s voice chimed in, his eyes filled with tears of joy.

Finally! After two months of conning He Qing and diligent cultivation, he’d reached Level 10!

【After two months of cultivation, you’ve finally broken through to Level 10! This marks your first milestone on the path of cultivation! You’ve unlocked your first exclusive ability. As proof of your progress, the low-grade elixirs provided by Fairy He will no longer have any effect.】

Lin Zhengran wasn’t surprised by the system’s announcement. Over the past two months, he’d eaten so many snacks that they no longer tasted as good. In cultivation terms, it was probably a case of developing resistance.

【Your current attributes are as follows:】

【You’ve unlocked your first exclusive skill: Fortune Link.】

【Your bond with Fairy He has created a unique change in your cultivation path. Over the past two months, you’ve discovered that whenever Fairy He improves, you gain progress as well. In the cultivation world, this is known as a Fortune Meridian. Establishing a sect often relies on this principle. After delving deeply into this method, you’ve made modest progress.】

Skill: Fortune Link

“A contract? Why does this feel so familiar...?”

Still, this ability was powerful. He couldn’t deny he liked the sound of it.

【Fairy He is just ahead of you today. After two months together, do you want to form a contract with her or choose someone else?】

“Ranran, we’re here. Dad has to go to work now,” Lin Yingjun said as he pulled up to the school gates.

“Got it. Drive safe, Dad,” Lin Zhengran replied, jumping out of the car.

Sure enough, not far from the school gates, He Qing was standing with her mom. Aunt He seemed in better spirits than usual, stroking her daughter’s hair and giving her reminders about listening to the teachers.

With a bright smile, He Qing waved goodbye to her mom. “Bye, Mom! Be careful on your way to work!”

As Lin Zhengran approached, He Qing immediately straightened up and greeted him sweetly. “Lin Zhengran... good morning.”

Watching Aunt He leave in a taxi, Lin Zhengran remarked, “Your mom looks happier today.”

He Qing nodded lightly, following his gaze. “Ever since my parents got divorced, they’ve both been a lot happier.”

From her pocket, she pulled out a bag of candies and handed it to him. “Here, I asked Mom to buy these for you. They’re all your favorite flavors.”

Two months had passed, and He Qing had shed many of her bad habits. She spoke more freely now and wasn’t as secretive as before. Though she was still a little reserved at times, it was a big improvement.

Lin Zhengran waved his hand dismissively. “You don’t need to give me snacks anymore. I don’t want them.”

“Huh?” He Qing froze, panic flashing across her face. Tears welled up as she stammered, “Why? Are you mad at me? Why don’t you want them anymore?”

“What do you mean mad? I just don’t want them,” Lin Zhengran said, exasperated.

“But why? Did I do something wrong?” she asked anxiously.

“I just don’t feel like eating them anymore. Keep them for yourself,” he explained casually.

They no longer boosted his progress, so there was no point in eating them.

Visit freewebnoveℓ.com for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience.

“Why are you crying now?” Lin Zhengran asked, giving her an incredulous look.