Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

“This is amazing! How is this happening?! I really feel different! As soon as I look at the info, I notice things I never did before!”

Seeing her shocked expression, Lin Zhengran chuckled and asked, “Feels like things aren’t as hard as they used to be, right? Should save you a lot of energy.”

Jiang Jingshi stared at him, incredulous. “Yeah, but how does it work… Is it some kind of psychological suggestion or something?”

Lin Zhengran smiled without answering.

“Who knows.”

That left Jiang Jingshi shaking her head with a helpless laugh. From the day she met him, she could never figure him out. And now? Still the same.

There was always something mysterious about him, something that just pulled people in. Her heart was always drawn to him.

Thanks to that little detour, the two of them finished lunch quite late.

As Lin Zhengran and Jiang Jingshi said goodbye to Yuan Yuan and walked out of the cat café, he chatted with her:

“Jingshi, I’m heading out tomorrow. I’ll be gone for around ten days. Before I head back to Zitong City, I’ll give you a call and stop by to see Uncle and Auntie.”

Jiang Jingshi followed closely at his side, reluctant to see him go, but she nodded.

“Alright. Be careful out there. Don’t rush, whether it’s on the way there or back—safety first. If you need anything, call me. I’ll handle it right away.”

“Okay, but it probably won’t be that dramatic.”

Pan Lin, who’d been waiting outside the cat café, saw the two come out and quickly stepped out of the car for the next stop.

But from Jiang Jingshi’s expression, she could already tell—their date was about to end.

Lin Zhengran glanced at his phone. It was 3:40 in the afternoon.

Time to go find those three little troublemakers.

“You’re not going back to the office today, are you? You just got better—don’t push yourself too hard.”

Jiang Jingshi’s gaze was gentle and trembled slightly. Her fingers curled slightly as she whispered:

“No, I’m not going to the office tonight. I’ve spent so much time with you today, I wouldn’t be able to focus anyway.”

Her eyes were filled with reluctance, not wanting to part at all.

She just wanted to stay with Lin Zhengran a little longer.

The feeling was so strong, the softness in her eyes had that bittersweet sadness after something beautiful.

From a distance, Pan Lin picked up on Jiang Jingshi’s emotions. She turned and gave a subtle wave to the cat café’s manager, telling them to head back inside.

The manager nodded respectfully and returned to the café, closing the door and getting back to work.

Pan Lin quietly slipped back into the car, not wanting to interrupt.

That left just Lin Zhengran and Jiang Jingshi outside the cat café.

She moved in close and hugged him, resting her cheek against his chest, listening to the heartbeat of the man she loved.

“I’ll wait for you. Come find me in ten days—I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Lin Zhengran held her tight in return.

“Yeah. Rest up well these next few days. Hopefully by the time I’m back, you’ll be fully recovered.”

Jiang Jingshi’s breath trembled as she slowly closed her eyes.

Tears glimmered in the corners.

“I’m already better.”

Inside the Rolls-Royce, Pan Lin sat in the front seat and glanced through the window, eyes wide in surprise as she watched the two hugging outside.

Her jaw dropped.

Did President Jiang finally get together with President Lin for real? she wondered. She couldn’t remember ever seeing them hugging so openly on the street like this.

Finally… President Jiang had gotten the person she wanted most.

Even the driver, who’d spent every day chauffeuring President Jiang around, was stunned. He’d never seen this side of her—so soft and affectionate.

In Lin Zhengran’s arms, Jiang Jingshi seemed like just an ordinary woman in love, enjoying the warmth of her man’s embrace.

Compared to the occasional polite kindness she showed others, this emotion was far more natural.

They hugged for several minutes.

Then Lin Zhengran whispered, “I should go now?”

Time really did fly. Jiang Jingshi looked up at him. “Let me drive you.”

“No need. It'll take at least twenty minutes round-trip. Just head home and rest. I’ll grab a cab.”

She frowned slightly and reached out to gently touch his cheek. “Then I’ll see you in ten days.”

“Yeah.”

Lin Zhengran leaned in, and she immediately parted her lips, eyes closed, meeting him halfway. They kissed again for a little while.

Pan Lin and the driver couldn’t even bear to look—they turned their heads to stare at the road instead.

Lin Zhengran hailed a cab and looked back at Jiang Jingshi, who was standing beside Pan Lin outside the car.

“Jingshi, I’m heading out!”

She slowly waved.

“Safe travels.”

The cab sped off and disappeared down the road.

Pan Lin and Jiang Jingshi stood there, watching it disappear into the distance. Pan Lin glanced at her boss’s face—both happy and a little heartbroken.

“President Jiang? Is President Lin not coming to the office again for a while?”

Jiang Jingshi didn’t look away. “He’s always busy. Every time we’re together, it feels like he’s gone in a flash.”

Ten days felt so long...

Pan Lin smiled. “But he’ll always come back. I mean, you two are officially together now.”

That finally brought a smile to Jiang Jingshi’s face. She looked at Pan Lin.

“Don’t go around telling people about us. It’ll just cause him trouble. That includes the driver.”

“Of course.”

“Let’s go home. I’ll take it easy tonight. Back to work tomorrow.”

Pan Lin opened the car door for her. Jiang Jingshi took one last look at the end of the road before getting in.

Pan Lin closed the door and got in the front seat.

“Let’s head back to the villa.”

The driver stepped on the gas, and the Rolls-Royce disappeared into the city streets.

Meanwhile, in a hotel room…

Jiang Xueli, wearing her hair in twin ponytails, had a cloth tied over her eyes and was facing the wall.

Han Wenwen and He Qing were both hiding in different corners of the room, trying to hold in their giggles.

“Are you guys ready? I’m gonna start looking!” Jiang Xueli called out.

Han Wenwen and He Qing both nodded.

Jiang Xueli teased them, “Say something! How am I supposed to start if you don’t answer?”

He Qing answered sweetly, “We’re ready.”

Han Wenwen was exasperated with her and quickly waved at her to move spots. Jiang Xueli heard the sound and instantly began to reach around.

The three girls were having a blast.

Until Han Wenwen happened to glance through the peephole—and saw someone walking up to their door.

Smiling, she immediately opened it.

Hearing the door open, Jiang Xueli froze.

“Hey! No leaving the room, that’s cheating! How are we supposed to play if people walk out?!”

Lin Zhengran stepped into the room and saw Jiang Xueli blindfolded. “What are you guys doing?”

The second he spoke, Jiang Xueli ripped off the cloth, and He Qing ran over, grinning from ear to ear.

Everyone was excited to see him.

“Lin Zhengran! You’re here!” He Qing beamed.

Jiang Xueli was just as surprised. “Zhengran?! Didn’t you say you’d come tonight? Why so early?”

Han Wenwen laughed from the side.

The three of them had missed him a lot.

They all gathered around him.

Lin Zhengran smiled. “It’s already four—close enough to evening. But seriously, you three still playing hide-and-seek at eighteen?”

Jiang Xueli blushed in embarrassment and quickly hid the cloth behind her back. “W-what about it? Who says only little kids can play?”

He Qing giggled. “Girls are just like that. Come sit down, Lin Zhengran. It’s been days since we saw you! Are things at the company settled?”

“Yeah, all done. I came to talk to you guys about the trip tomorrow.”