Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 3: The Naive He Qing

Outside the school gate, Lin Xiaoli bent down with a cheerful smile to greet the two children. “School’s out! How were things today, Ranran and Qingqing? Did you have fun at school?”

Seeing that her mother hadn’t arrived, He Qing nodded and replied softly, “It was fun,” before hesitantly asking, “Auntie, where’s my mom?”

Lin Xiaoli, speaking in a tone as gentle as coaxing a child, patted He Qing’s head. “Your mom has to work overtime tonight, so she asked me to pick you up. You’ll have dinner at our house tonight, okay?” She held up a finger and added, “I bought shrimp today! They’re really delicious! Your mom already agreed!”

He Qing’s sadness over her mother’s absence was quickly overshadowed by her love of shrimp. She glanced at Lin Zhengran, biting her lip nervously, afraid he might disapprove.

Lin Kai opened the car door. “Ranran, you and Qingqing can sit in the back. Let’s hurry;traffic will get bad soon.”

Lin Xiaoli responded with a cheerful “Got it!” and ushered the children into the car. Lin Zhengran got into the backseat first, but when he saw He Qing still standing outside, he frowned. “What are you waiting for? Get in.”

“Oh,” He Qing murmured softly, her face lighting up slightly as she climbed into the car to sit beside him.

On the way home, Lin Xiaoli, seated in the front passenger seat, opened a bag of snacks and handed it to the children. “Ranran, Qingqing, here’s some chocolate for you.”

Remembering the system, Lin Zhengran took a piece but didn’t hear any prompts. Puzzled about why nothing was triggering, he handed the snack to He Qing instead.

“Here, you eat it,” he said.

He Qing looked surprised, and Lin Xiaoli was even more astonished, smiling meaningfully. “Oh? Ranran and Qingqing are getting along so well now? You’re even sharing your snacks with her?”

“I just don’t like sweets,” Lin Zhengran replied, turning to look out the window.

Lin Xiaoli chuckled, covering her mouth. “Really? There’s actually a kid who doesn’t like snacks?”

He Qing, less concerned about the deeper implications, looked flustered. “You really don’t want it?”

“Nope. It’s yours.”

Holding the snack, He Qing stared at it but didn’t open it, though she did swallow nervously.

Lin Xiaoli gently reminded her, “If you’re not going to eat it now, save it for later. Ranran said he doesn’t want it, so he definitely won’t eat it.”

“Okay,” He Qing whispered, stealing a glance at Lin Zhengran. In a tiny voice, she added, “I’ll show you the stuff I mentioned when we get home.”

“Mm,” he replied. Seeing that he wasn’t upset, He Qing carefully put the chocolate in her pocket.

When they arrived home, He Qing ran to her own house first, carrying her schoolbag. She entered the password and opened the door.

He Qing lived in a single-parent household. Her mother often worked overtime, so she was used to coming home alone.

From behind, Lin Xiaoli called out, “Qingqing, we’ll call you when dinner’s ready, okay?”

“Got it! I’m just grabbing something!”

He Qing put down her schoolbag, went to her bedroom, and found a box of candies. Then she crawled under her wardrobe, stretching to reach a small box hidden there. Wiping off the dust, she pursed her lips reluctantly but remembered what had happened earlier that day and decided to give it to Lin Zhengran.

Hugging the two boxes, she went over to Lin Zhengran’s house, where Lin Xiaoli and Lin Kai were busy cooking in the kitchen.

He Qing, naturally intimidated by Lin Zhengran, stood at the doorway of his bedroom, which he hadn’t bothered to close. She watched him organizing his things on the bed but didn’t dare step inside.

From the doorway, she called out timidly, “Lin Zhengran... I brought the stuff.”

“Mm,” he responded without looking up, assuming she had entered. But after a while, he noticed she was still standing there, staring at him with wide eyes.

“What are you standing there for?”

He Qing hesitated, lowering her head. She was afraid that entering without permission would anger him, but she didn’t dare explain.

Lin Zhengran patted the bed. “Come sit here. Give me the stuff, then close the door.”

“Okay.”

He Qing obediently followed his instructions. She sat on the bed, handed over the boxes, got up to close the door, and then stood there absentmindedly, looking lost.

Even her movements followed his sequence exactly, as if she didn’t dare alter them.

Though Lin Zhengran wasn’t usually quick to anger, a vein throbbed on his forehead at this moment.

He walked over, lightly pinched her cheeks, and scolded, “Why are you standing there again? Sit on the bed!”

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

“Sorry! Sorry!”

“You’re making it look like I’m always bullying you, but you’re the one who drives me crazy.”

Feeling wronged, He Qing murmured, “I don’t...”

Returning to the bed, Lin Zhengran opened the candy box.

Jackpot! It’s a box full of nourishing elixirs! While the quality isn’t particularly high, the quantity is exceptional. For someone new to cultivation, these are invaluable. If you consume and absorb them properly, leveling up several times within half a year is entirely possible!

That’s odd, Lin Zhengran thought, recalling the chocolate his mom had given him earlier. Could it be that only items from He Qing are considered treasures by the system?

“Where did you get these candies?” he asked.

“They’re from my mom. I save a few each time so I won’t run out someday,” He Qing explained.

Opening the second, flatter box, Lin Zhengran found the large chocolate bar He Qing had mentioned earlier. Inside was a block of dark chocolate studded with whole nuts. Unfortunately, it looked spoiled, likely due to its age.

Black Blood Paste. Though of excellent quality, environmental corrosion has rendered it ineffective. It is now useless.

Lin Zhengran was about to tell her the chocolate was expired but stopped when he saw her expression. Her small hands were clenched together, and she looked incredibly anxious.

“Are you reluctant to give it to me?” he asked curiously.

He Qing quickly shook her head. “No... It’s not that... It’s just...” She hesitated before whispering, “This is the only gift my dad ever gave me. If you really want it, could you leave me a small piece? Just a little...”

“What if I don’t?” Lin Zhengran asked, smirking. “What if I don’t leave you any? Not even a crumb?”

“Then... then where are you throwing the leftovers? I’ll go pick them up,” He Qing replied, tears forming in her eyes.

Lin Zhengran, at a loss for words, handed the chocolate back to her. “Don’t cry! I don’t like this stuff. You can keep it. But as payment for me saving you earlier—” he shook the candy box in his hand, “—this box isn’t enough. From now on, every time your mom gives you candy, you have to share some with me. And you have to listen to me. Got it?”

He Qing’s tears instantly stopped. Hugging the chocolate tightly, she nodded eagerly. “Okay! I’ll split my candy in half with you every time. I’ll listen to you!”

“Good,” Lin Zhengran said, nodding. “It’s a deal.”

You have chosen to temporarily team up with the fairy. Her naivety and gratitude have led her to agree to follow your lead. Perhaps out of obligation for taking her offerings, you consider teaching her about the dangers of the world during your time together, knowing you won’t remain companions for long. This will help her on her future cultivation path.