Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 222: The Gift

It was pretty big—so much that He Qing had to hug it with both arms.

“This much?”

He Qing grinned, a little shy. “I was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.”

Lin Zhengran took the box from her. “Actually, I’d planned to spend the whole day with you three today, but things came up. I’ll have to make it up to you during the trip.”

He Qing waved her hand understandingly.

“It’s fine, really! There’s always time to play! I’m sure Lily and Wenwen feel the same way. And as for hanging out… as long as you want to see me, just call me. No matter what I’m doing, I’ll drop everything and run to you! I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Lin Zhengran couldn’t help but laugh.

He Qing clasped her little hands in front of her chest, looking sweet and earnest.

“I don’t know what you’re busy with, but I hope you don’t wear yourself out. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know. I’ve learned a lot lately—I’m not like I used to be.”

Lin Zhengran smiled and set the box down for the moment.

He held out his hand.

He Qing wasn’t sure what he meant, but remembered some videos she’d seen online recently.

She bent down and placed her face into his palm, letting him cradle it.

Blinking up with those clear apricot eyes.

Lin Zhengran raised an eyebrow and reminded her, “What are you putting your face in my hand for? Give me your hand.”

“Oh! Okay!”

He Qing straightened up and cautiously took his outstretched hand.

Lin Zhengran pulled her into his arms.

The sudden warmth left He Qing stunned and blushing.

What she didn’t know was that upstairs on the second floor, behind one window, Han Wenwen and Jiang Xueli were both staring blankly at the scene below—watching the hug.

Each feeling a sting of jealousy in her own way.

He Qing asked softly, a little nervous, “What’s wrong, Lin Zhengran..?”

His tone was calm. “Nothing. I spent the whole day with Lily yesterday, right?” Not to mention what happened with Wenwen.

“Mhm.”

He continued, “But I didn’t get to spend any time alone with you. And I won’t get a chance in the next few days either. So I’m hugging you now to make up for it.”

He Qing buried her shy, red face in his chest. “I see…”

She wrapped her arms around him too, feeling how warm his embrace was.

Lin Zhengran said, “Your birthday’s coming up, right? Should be the Wednesday after next.”

He Qing nodded. “Yeah, if we stick to the plan and go on that one-week trip, the last day will be my birthday.”

“I was thinking of getting you something… but couldn’t decide. So why don’t you think about what you want over the next few days? I’ll grant you one wish—for anything you want, or anything you want to do.”

“Really? Then I’ll think about it carefully!”

Lin Zhengran thought to himself—this girl really was the easiest to please among the three of them. No matter what he said, she always sounded happy.

Same with gifts. Whenever it was her birthday, no matter what he gave, He Qing would treasure it like a priceless treasure.

A few years ago, he’d even picked a bug-bitten leaf from the roadside, handed it to her pretending it was her birthday present.

“This is your gift this year.”

He expected He Qing to look a bit disappointed—so that when he gave her the real gift later, she’d be overjoyed.

But to his surprise, she’d be thrilled by the torn leaf, carefully cupping it in both hands.

“A leaf bitten by a bug! So pretty! Thank you, Lin Zhengran! I’ll treasure it forever—I love it!”

That moment made Lin Zhengran realize—he had no idea what to get her, because no matter what it was, she’d be overjoyed like she could jump to the moon.

He slowly let go of He Qing. “Alright, I’m heading out. You should head back too.”

He Qing looked at him with reluctance and let go as well, but mumbled, “That hug was so short... not even two minutes.”

Lin Zhengran let out a sigh and held out his hand again.

“Then let’s hug for another three minutes—make it five.”

He Qing beamed and threw herself back into his arms, as sweet and soft as a little snow-white bunny.

Upstairs, Wenwen and Lily were both jealous all over again.

After the five-minute hug, He Qing stood at the street corner, waving shyly. “Be careful on the way home! Stay safe!”

Lin Zhengran, now in the car, replied, “Go back upstairs.”

He Qing nodded. “Drive safe!”

She kept watching until Lin Zhengran disappeared down the road before finally turning back toward the hotel, a goofy smile on her face.

———

That night, after getting home, Lin Zhengran ate dinner and stayed in his bedroom.

He began researching how to solve this issue. He gathered every bit of information he could find related to cardiovascular diseases and compiled a list of books to send to Pan Lin.

Pan Lin was stunned when she saw the densely packed list of titles, but she didn’t complain—just replied,

“I’ll gather everything as quickly as possible and have them delivered to you.”

Meanwhile, Lin Zhengran spent his time scouring the internet for any accessible medical texts.

———

That same evening, in the villa district of Zitong City...

A Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of a villa.

Jiang Jingshi stepped out slowly, dressed in a women’s suit and high heels.

She took a shallow breath to steady herself. At least until Lin Zhengran had some results, she wasn’t planning to tell her family anything that would worry them.

She entered the house.

The living room was already full.

Her father, mother, grandfather, Jiang Qian, and Fang Meng—who stood beside Qianqian—were all there.

The moment she stepped in, Jiang Jingshi knew tonight was going to be a full-blown family meeting.

Her gentle eyes smiled. “Grandpa, Dad, Mom, you’re all here?”

Father Jiang still felt great pride in his eldest daughter. Over the years, her achievements were clear as day—she’d even started a new company with someone and grown it to a respectable scale.

He said, “Back already, Jingshi? Have a seat. We’re holding a family meeting tonight.”

Jiang Jingshi sat on the same side of the couch as Jiang Qian.

Only when the sisters sat together did others notice how similar they looked—yet their temperaments were completely different.

Father Jiang first asked if Grandpa had anything to say. Grandpa shook his head.

So he got straight to the point.

“Now that both Qianqian and Jingshi are here, I’ll keep it short. I’m planning to officially let Qianqian join Jiang Corporation starting today. Within five years, she’ll fully take over my responsibilities. If anyone has thoughts on that, speak freely.”

One of the key reasons the Jiang family had held their position in Zitong City for so many years was their unity.

Even with a matter this closely tied to inheritance and wealth—despite the usual bickering between Jiang Jingshi and Jiang Qian—neither had the slightest intention of arguing now.

It was like neither of them cared that much about it.

After all, this wasn’t a fight over Lin Zhengran.

Jiang Jingshi even spoke first.

“I fully support letting Qianqian take over the core responsibilities of Jiang Corporation in the future. I’m also willing to take fewer shares and give more to Qianqian. I’ve got my own things to focus on now, and since I can’t dedicate myself fully to the company, it’s only fair that I step back a bit.”

Jiang Qian said, “No need. Like we agreed before, we’ll split things evenly—fifty-fifty. To be fair, you don’t have to be polite.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled. “I’m not being polite, just honest. Fewer shares mean less work for me. What I need now is time, and I think Dad knows best—I can’t handle both sides at once.”

Because what I want most right now…

isn’t more shares or status in the company—

it’s him.