By the time the recording session ended, it was already late at night.


    Jiang Xueli’s singing had left everyone feeling hopeful about next year’s town competition. Maybe—just maybe—the studio could finally make a name for itself. Sёar?h the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With her hands clasped behind her back, Jiang Xueli walked alongside Lin Zhengran on the way home.


    The winter night had fallen quickly, and though the streets weren’t completely silent, the occasional passing cars made the surroundings feel a little less empty.


    “Big idiot, I heard that girls go through a huge growth spurt when they get to high school. Do you think I’ll grow super tall? Maybe even taller than you?!”


    Lin Zhengran glanced at her bouncing twin ponytails. She was a little taller than He Qing, but...


    “You’re overthinking it. I’m still gonna grow, but I doubt you’ll get much taller.”


    “Huh?! Why not?! I’m only right now! I’ve grown a lot these past few years!”


    “You never studied biology, did you? Middle school is when girls grow the fastest. While you keep growing in high school... it probably won’t be .”


    “Not height? Then what?” She was genuinely confused.


    Lin Zhengran rolled his eyes. “Go read a book.”


    “Tch, stingy. You act like the only smart one. My grades are pretty good too, you know? I’m always in the upper middle ranks.” Jiang Xueli snuck a glance at Lin Zhengran’s side profile, then muttered, “Though... you better than me.”


    Maybe it was just eyes, but Jiang Xueli always thought this guy looked ridiculously handsome, .


    If only he didn’t act cool—it made him seem like a total adult, never like a kid.


    Out of nowhere, she blurted out, “Middle school went by so fast. Winter break starts next week, and then we’ll be in ... Honestly, ever since elementary school ended, I’ve actually been a little scared.”


    “Scared?” Lin Zhengran was curious.


    Jiang Xueli turned away, too embarrassed to look at him. “I mean... scared that the world won’t be the way I imagined when I grow up.”


    Lin Zhengran let out a small laugh but didn’t say anything.


    Jiang Xueli stared at the ground as they walked. She knew what she had been afraid of these past two years.


    Afraid that when He Qing came back, her relationship with Lin Zhengran would change.


    Afraid that the big idiot would get stolen away by that adorable He Qing.


    Afraid that he would stop keeping her company, that he would forget about her.


    But now...


    “But after what you said this afternoon, I feel so much better.”


    “From now on, I’ll think about losing. I’ll win.”


    Her words were all over the place—some spoken aloud, some just in her heart.


    To an outsider, it would sound like a jumbled mess.


    But no matter what she said, Lin Zhengran never poured cold water on someone who was fired up.


    “Good luck.”


    Hearing those two words, Jiang Xueli’s heart thumped wildly. She bit her lip, feeling like steam was rising from her head.


    As they reached the intersection, she waved at Lin Zhengran. “Big idiot, see you at school tomorrow! And don’t forget your promise—if I win the competition next year, you have to take me to the zoo to the movies!”


    “Don’t worry. I always keep my word.”


    Jiang Xueli grinned and waved as she crossed the street. Lin Zhengran turned and headed home.


    But just as the twin-ponytailed girl reached the middle of the intersection, she suddenly stopped.


    She didn’t keep walking.


    Instead, she turned around and looked at Lin Zhengran’s retreating figure.


    Then, she took a deep breath and shouted—


    “Big idiot! Don’t forget the pinky promise we made at school—”


    She for a large truck to pass by, deliberately mixing her next words with the sound of the engine—before yelling at the top of her lungs:


    “We’re going to be together for a lifetime!”


    Lin Zhengran turned his head toward her.


    But by the time he looked, Jiang Xueli had already disappeared beyond the street corner.


    It almost felt like she hadn’t been the one shouting those words at all.


    The loud passing truck drowned out most of the sound—anyone else would have no idea what was said.


    But Lin Zhengran...


    He had heard her.


    With a soft chuckle, he exhaled and continued walking home.


    —


    Lin Zhengran had learned long ago that once a cultivation contract was signed, there was no way to break it.


    Which was why he never casually formed those contracts. After all, once the red thread of fate was tied, it was almost impossible to sever.


    —


    ???? System Notification: ????


    【Recently, both He Xianzi and Jiang Xueli have been struggling with inner demons, preventing their cultivation from progressing. If this continued, their minds would become unstable, leading them down a path of destruction, permanently halting their journey as cultivators.】


    【However, thanks to your guidance, they have both overcome their inner demons and broken through to a higher level of cultivation.】


    【As a token of gratitude, He Xianzi has gifted you a piece of hand-embroidered silk, crafted using her spiritual essence. This is a supreme artifact among immortals, permanently increasing your fortune, cultivation speed, and overall abilities.】


    【Your fortune link with Jiang Xueli has also grown stronger, further accelerating your cultivation in the future.】


    —


    ???? You have gained the following attributes: ????


    【Spirit Level: +3】


    【Cultivation Speed: x2】


    【Strength: +5】


    【Stamina: +5】


    【Charisma: +5】


    【Endurance: +7】


    ???? Current Spirit Level: 48


    —


    ???? Unlocked Abilities: ????


    ???? Strength (58) — At 50 points, you gained the ability to maintain muscle mass without exercise. ?


    ? Stamina (55) — At 60 points, you will gain the ability to exert yourself indefinitely without fatigue. ?


    ???? Endurance (63) — At 70 points, you will gain double stamina and triple endurance. ?


    ? Charisma (55) — Your charm is now doubled. ?


    ???? Additional Effect:


    Your body will no longer deteriorate from lack of exercise, and you are now immune to illnesses.


    —


    On the way home, Lin Zhengran listened as the system notifications into his brain.


    He could feel the enhancements to his body.


    The new strength boost surprised him the most.


    The system hadn’t explicitly mentioned before, but now that he had unlocked it, he realized how valuable it was.


    …But blankets were , so he was definitely still going to use one.


    As his figure faded into the distance, on another street corner, Jiang Xueli crouched behind a wall.


    Her chest heaved, her face burning red.


    She covered her mouth, her hands shaking from excitement.


    Then—


    Her phone suddenly rang, nearly making her out of her skin.


    She scrambled to grab it, checking the caller ID.


    It was her mom.


    She answered quickly. “Hello? Mom?”


    Her mother’s voice came through. “Nothing much, just wondering why you’re not home yet. Dinner’s almost ready.”


    Jiang Xueli let out a breath. “Oh, oh! I’m on my way now! I’m almost home!”


    She hung up in a hurry and rushed toward home, unable to stop smiling.


    But just as she left, no one noticed that, on another street, someone been watching.


    A certain girl, out shopping, had caught everything.


    Han Wenwen stood frozen in place.


    That moment had her for an day.


    “…That ... said it out loud... In public.”