Chapter 38: Lin Zhengran’s Plan

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Lin Zhengran’s Plan

In the blink of an eye, three weeks had passed.

Xin Cheng First High School’s annual freshman gala was finally about to begin.

During these three weeks, Lin Zhengran spent more time with Jiang Xueli, as her situation was a higher priority. He would visit her on weekends, lounging on her bed as he listened to her play the guitar or sing a cappella from the edge of the mattress.

Whenever there was an issue, he would point it out. For example, he tapped the back of his hand against her thigh. "Your breath control is a little off. Lower the air pressure on the first line and try again."

Jiang Xueli murmured in agreement, lightly touching the spot on her leg he had just tapped as her heart fluttered. She then stole a glance at Lin Zhengran, who was resting his head on her pillow and staring up at the ceiling.

She thought, "How does this big dummy have such incredible musical talent when I’ve never even seen him practice? I’ll never be able to catch up to him."

"This part is hard to practice. I’ve worked on it by myself for a long time, but I still make mistakes and go off-key," she explained.

"That’s because I wasn’t here. It’s fine as long as I’m around."

She thought, "This big dummy is so narcissistic."

Following Lin Zhengran’s instructions, she tried again. To her surprise, her performance improved dramatically, and astonishment painted her face.

Lin Zhengran gave her an approving look. "Not bad. If you’re not entirely comfortable with it yet, just sing it a few more times. Use my method and adjust the pitch..."

Jiang Xueli took his words to heart and sang it a few more times, improving with each attempt.

She couldn’t help but marvel, "It’s so weird. I actually noticed this a long time ago. Whenever you teach me, I learn at least twice as fast as when I practice alone. It’s not just the basic techniques. There are many skills I know in theory but could never master on my own, yet the moment you’re here, I get it immediately. This... this is way too bizarre, isn’t it?"

Looking at him curiously, she asked, "Big dummy, are your words magically blessed?"

Lin Zhengran sat up unhurriedly and, under her bewildered gaze, curled his finger and flicked her on the forehead.

Jiang Xueli cried out in pain, clutching her head and pouting as she complained, "Why did you hit me?!"

Lin Zhengran lay back down on the bed. "Stop being so glib and keep practicing your breath control. The freshman gala is coming up soon. Whether you get selected depends entirely on your own skills. This is the first step to fulfilling your dream, so take it seriously."

He yawned, rolled over so his back was facing her, and pulled her blanket over himself as if preparing to sleep.

Jiang Xueli blushed as she watched him cover himself with her personal blanket.

She thought, "How am I supposed to use it tonight? Doesn’t he know I don’t like wearing pajamas to sleep?!"

Squeezing her eyes shut, she yelled in flustered anger, "Big dummy!"

Lin Zhengran kept his eyes closed. "Leaving aside the fact that your insults always sound like you’re acting spoiled, could you at least tell me the reason when you scold me? Otherwise, how am I supposed to know why you’re mad?"

Teased by him, Jiang Xueli’s face turned bright red at a visible rate. She stammered, "A-acting spoiled?!" Her small fists rained down on his back in a rapid-fire barrage of punches, though the force was just right.

"Who’s acting spoiled! Why would I ever act spoiled with you?! And what does it matter why I’m scolding you?! I can scold you for no reason at all! Big dummy, big dummy! I hate you to death! I hate you the most!"

Lin Zhengran ignored her outburst, merely enjoying the pressure of her small fists. "Punch a little higher," he reminded her.

"Do you think I’m giving you a massage?!" Jiang Xueli retorted defiantly, but her hands honestly moved up to pound his upper back. When she finished, she stubbornly muttered, "How was that?"

Lin Zhengran hummed in approval. "The pressure wasn’t bad."

"Hmph! You’re crazy." She grumbled another "so annoying" before returning to her vocal practice.

However, there was one thing Lin Zhengran didn’t know. Every time he lay on her bed, Jiang Xueli would tell herself that she needed to change the sheets—she had to swap out the blanket immediately because that big dummy had made it dirty.

But in reality, after she saw him out and returned to her bedroom alone, the pubescent girl would inspect the bedding he had used. Blushing and biting her lip, she would slowly sit on the bed, ceremoniously set aside her guitar, and gather the blanket into her arms to take a deep sniff.

Her face flushing even redder, she would grumble to herself, "What is this... The blanket is completely covered in his scent now. Even though it smells pretty good..."

She took off her shoes, sat properly against the headboard, and hugged more of the blanket to her chest. Pursing her lips, she rationalized, "But... I just changed this blanket yesterday. Changing it again would be too much trouble. I’ll just sleep with it tonight."

She even lied to herself, "It’s all his fault for dirtying my blanket."

Lying down, she covered herself with the blanket infused with Lin Zhengran’s scent. She closed her eyes with a blissful expression and slept soundly, almost as if he were right there beside her.

A week before the competition, Lin Zhengran and Jiang Xueli were walking along the school path.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Jiang Xueli asked, "Big dummy, if I get selected, will I have to practice in the training room all the time?"

"Not necessarily," Lin Zhengran replied. "It depends on the person. Most newcomers definitely have to practice in the training room because studios provide professional instructors. But if a singer has their own resources, then it really isn’t needed."

Jiang Xueli looked ahead hesitantly. "But... I don’t really like practicing with other singers. I still want you to teach me how to sing..." Finishing her sentence, she tilted her head up proudly. "Don’t misunderstand! I just think you’re pretty skilled when it comes to singing, that’s all. There’s no other reason."

Lin Zhengran gave her a disdainful glance. "Is that so? Then I suppose I should thank Miss Jiang for thinking so highly of me."

Biting her lower lip, Jiang Xueli scoffed. "What do you mean ’thank you’? That sounds so sarcastic."

Lin Zhengran already had a plan in mind. The reason Child Star Studio was still operating in a small town with poor profitability was that its boss was a middle-aged woman clinging stubbornly to her dreams. She refused to cut corners and only valued genuine talent. Therefore, Lin Zhengran’s idea was to have Jiang Xueli build up her popularity during the early stages of her enrollment. Once he made enough money in the near future, he would buy the studio outright. That way, Jiang Xueli would become a singer under his own management, guaranteeing a foolproof path for her future. It would also shield her from the messy, underhanded politics of the industry, since he would be the boss.

Lin Zhengran assured her, "Don’t worry. Having you join the studio just gives you a temporary platform to showcase yourself to the world. With the studio’s backing, you can systematically participate in various performances early on to gain experience. This will prevent a young girl like you from going at it alone and getting scammed. After all, I can accompany you to some of your performances, but I can’t be there every single time."

"Why can’t you be with me every time?" she asked softly, her curiosity piqued.

Lin Zhengran told her the truth. "Because I still have to tutor He Qing. She’s going to participate in various competitions in the future too, so shouldn’t I be there for her as well?"

"You! How can you be such a two-timer! I hope you work yourself to death!" she shouted, stomping her foot in anger.

Lin Zhengran continued, "As for your training, I’ll definitely still be the one teaching you. After all, you’re practically a star I produced single-handedly. I’ll be expecting a reward in the future."

Jiang Xueli didn’t deny that. Without Lin Zhengran’s help, she absolutely wouldn’t have reached her current skill level on her own.

But as for a reward...

She jogged in front of Lin Zhengran, completely oblivious to the fact that in the distance, a pure-looking girl with a ponytail had just spotted him. The girl had wanted to run over but stopped in her tracks upon seeing the two of them together.

Jiang Xueli clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward, pointing a finger at him. Having taken the initiative once before, she was at least less conflicted in moments like this.

"Big dummy, even if I become super, super famous in the future, what I said back then still counts! Out of pity and to repay your kindness, I can marry you. But that’s only to save you from dying alone, so don’t get the wrong idea!"

Lin Zhengran knocked her lightly on the head and walked past her. "Who said that was the reward I wanted? Besides, does a twelve-year-old girl like you even know what it means to get married?"

Jiang Xueli grew flustered and annoyed. "How old do you think I am?! I might not have known when I was little, but you think I don’t know now?! Doesn’t it just mean marrying you?" Clenching her small fists, she shouted, "I’m not scared! Besides, I’m just paying you back!"

The two walked off into the distance, bickering and playing around as they went.

Xiao Heqing stood there in a daze. She had been looking joyfully at Lin Zhengran before overhearing their conversation. "Marriage... Jiang Xueli actually told Lin Zhengran she would marry him in the future?" she murmured.

A moment later, Han Wenwen walked over. Seeing her best friend standing there blankly, she asked what was wrong.

Suddenly, He Qing started to cry again. She hugged Han Wenwen. "What do I do, Wenwen? The two of them seem to be getting closer and closer. Am I going to lose? What should I do?"

Han Wenwen tilted her head and comforted He Qing.

She thought, "That shouldn’t be possible. Could a tsundere actually win? If Qingqing really is at a disadvantage, then I’ll just have to step in. I’ll get involved and work hard to deepen their relationship."

"Don’t worry," she said. "I’ll help you figure something out."