Since it was Saturday, Lin Zhengran’s dad, Lin Yingjun, was ho from work. Hearing the knock at the door, he went to check and found He Qing standing outside.
Today, He Qing was wearing a pretty white dress, her ponytail resting on her shoulders. Her big, bright eyes sparkled, and it was clear she had dressed up—like a little white swan. “Uncle, is Lin Zhengran ho? I ca to see him.”
Lin Yingjun smiled and opened the door wider. “Oh, it’s Qingqing. Co on in. Zhengran is resting in his room.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Hearing that Zhengran was resting, He Qing tiptoed to his room and, instead of knocking, softly called out, “Lin Zhengran? It’s , He Qing. I need to talk to you.”
Lying on his bed with a book in hand, Lin Zhengran replied, “Just co in. Make sure you close the door.”
“Okay!”
He Qing carefully pushed open the door, saw Lin Zhengran on the bed, and closed it quietly behind her. Standing by his side, she clasped her hands in front of her like always, looking as obedient as ever.
Lin Zhengran turned his head, puzzled.
He Qing’s watery eyes stared at him, her lips pursed. “I have three things to talk to you about today. Two are questions, and one is sothing I need to tell you.”
“That many? Just say it.”
Lowering her head, He Qing slowly worked up the courage to ask the question that had been bothering her for days. “Last week at the school sports event, I overheard people saying that… you and your class’s discipline officer are a couple…”
Lin Zhengran’s expression was blank. “Oh, that. Yeah, I heard about it. So?”
His indifference made He Qing’s heart ache. Her eyes began to redden, and she sobbed as she choked out, “Is it true? Do you really like another girl?” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she finished.
Lin Zhengran, exasperated, closed his book and sat up, flicking her on the head. “Why are you crying? Do you always have to cry in front of ? Of course it’s not true! Do you even need to ask?”
Covering her head where he had flicked it, He Qing imdiately stopped crying when she heard it wasn’t true. Her eyes brightened as she exclaid, “Really? It’s fake?”
Sitting cross-legged with his arms folded, Lin Zhengran scoffed. “Do you think I’d be into little girls like you?”
It was the truth. Before his rebirth, he’d been 28. What 28-year-old man would be interested in a seven or eight-year-old kid? To him, this noisy little group of children was nothing but a headache.
He explained, “Sothing happened before, and rumors started spreading in class. But who cares what others believe?” He glared at He Qing. “But you? I spend ti teaching you taekwondo every week, and you still believe it? Where’s your brain?”
Being scolded by Lin Zhengran only made He Qing happier.
A shy smile almost appeared on her face, but she quickly suppressed it, muttering, “I didn’t believe it. I thought it was fake… just a silly rumor.”
“Then why were you crying just now?”
Blushing, He Qing lowered her head and muttered, “Because I don’t have a brain. It’s empty in here.”
Lin Zhengran was speechless. “… At least you’re self-aware. What’s your second question?”
Now that she knew he didn’t like anyone else, He Qing grew bolder. “The second question is related to the third thing I need to tell you. Can I say them together?”
After receiving his permission, He Qing told him about her grandma’s situation.
“My grandma has been sick lately, and her health isn’t good. Mom has to go back to take care of her, so…” Her voice grew softer. “So I’ll be transferring schools next month… I might not co back until middle school.”
Lin Zhengran hadn’t expected such big news, though he had anticipated it to so extent. After all, Aunt He always went back to take care of her mom during winter and sumr breaks, sotis staying for a month. This showed her grandma’s health had been poor for a long ti.
It was inevitable that they would return soday.
This was also why he had been teaching He Qing to speak up for herself since kindergarten—to avoid her being bullied after transferring.
He patted the bed, signaling her to sit down.
He Qing cautiously sat beside him, looking at him with clear reluctance.
Lin Zhengran chuckled. “Transferring is good. Now that you’ve learned taekwondo, no one bullies you except . Once you leave, not even I can bully you anymore. Isn’t that sothing to be happy about?”
He Qing shook her head. “Not happy.” Lowering her head again, she fidgeted with her hands. “I’d rather you bully every day… I want to be bullied by you…”
Lin Zhengran didn’t respond imdiately but flicked her forehead again, making her clutch her head protectively.
“You’re seriously ssed up in the head! You’re not normal!” His face darkened as he leaned back against the headboard. “Listen, I’m your teacher now—and your childhood friend. When you transfer schools, don’t embarrass . Don’t let others bully you, okay?”
He Qing nodded. “They won’t. Not many boys can beat now. I’m really strong…”
“I know you’re strong. But the main problem is your temperant. If soone gives you trouble, stand up for yourself. You don’t cause trouble, so just focus on protecting yourself.”
He Qing nodded again and again but felt tears welling up.
Even soone as clueless as her had figured out why Lin Zhengran had made her do all those "bad" things back in kindergarten.
But her tears were quickly silenced by one sharp look from him.
He reminded her to get to her second point.
“My grandma knows I’ve been learning taekwondo. I told her I’d win a championship to show her during the New Year. But if I transfer, I won’t be able to do it. So… could you teach more this month? Maybe I can win it early. Also, the coach said champions get to pick a prize. There’s sothing I want.”
Without much thought, Lin Zhengran agreed. “Alright. Since you’re leaving soon, I can help with that. I’ve made so new insights recently, so winning a championship should be easy.”
He hadn’t expected his latest skill to co in handy so soon. Without the double learning speed, helping He Qing win a taekwondo championship half a year early would have been a tall order.
He Qing bead with confidence, trusting his promise completely. Whenever Lin Zhengran agreed to sothing, he always delivered.
From that day onward, Lin Zhengran dedicated as much ti as possible to training He Qing. Whether it was after school, during lunch breaks, or weekends, the two were almost inseparable.
With ticulous instruction, Lin Zhengran not only taught He Qing techniques but also analyzed all her potential opponents at the taekwondo center.
anwhile, He Qing trained diligently, taking every lesson seriously. She dared not slack off even a bit.
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