Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten
Chapter 313: Teacher, What Did You Call Me Out For?

The Three Little Ones looked back in unison at Jiang Qian and Fang Meng sitting in the back row, their faces filled with confusion.

Detective Jiang—our very own famous detective Lili—covered her mouth and whispered in Han Wenwen’s ear:

“Hey, Little Fox, Jiang Qian definitely has a thing for Zhengran, doesn’t she? She’s not even pretending anymore. She literally joined our class, and she's sitting this close to us. Didn’t you hear what they said just now? Her original first-choice major wasn’t this one—she changed it just to be here.”

Han Wenwen gave a soft “mm,” then spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

“Isn’t it obvious? Jiang Qian might look all cold and aloof, but she totally melts when she’s around Brother Zhengran. She clearly came here for him.”

Even Little He Qing had picked up on the gossip game. She whispered sneakily,

“After all, Jiang Qian and Lin Zhengran were desk mates for three years. They’ve been through stuff together. There’s bound to be some lingering feelings.”

Jiang Xueli rolled her eyes, but didn’t deny it.

“I swear, Zhengran walks around like a human charm spell. Everywhere he goes, someone catches feelings. Do you two think he actually likes Jiang Qian?”

“Didn’t Lin Zhengran say he doesn’t like her? He wouldn’t lie to us, right? It’s just Jiang Qian who likes him.”

Han Wenwen raised a finger to make a point,

“Xiao Qingqing, while Brother Zhengran wouldn’t lie to us, not liking her now doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. And since Jiang Qian likes him, there’s always a chance something could happen between them later.”

Jiang Xueli added,

“Don’t forget, we’ve still got two open slots we haven’t filled yet.”

Little He Qing was startled,

“Ah? What should we do? Are we adding another sister?”

Jiang Xueli clicked her tongue,

“Big Dummy He Qing! Add what? Four is already plenty. Zhengran just said six is the maximum, not that we have to reach six. We should be trying to keep the number down!”

Lin Zhengran, standing off to the side, eyed the trio.

“What are you three whispering about?”

The three of them froze. One by one, they all straightened up and replied in unison:

“Nothing! The weather’s great today.”

Lin Zhengran: “...”

On the podium, Jiang Jingshi looked out over the class, noting that most people had arrived.

“Alright, looks like everyone’s here. I know you’re all excited about starting college, but let’s try to settle down a bit. I’ll take attendance to see if anyone’s missing. Jiang Xueli!”

Jiang Xueli stood up. “Here!”

“No need to stand, just say ‘here.’ Sit down.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Next, Zhang Xin.”

As Lili sat back down, she grew more certain that the teacher looked familiar. But where had she seen her before? Where?

Jiang Jingshi finished calling every student’s name.

Though she remained gentle with one particular person, just as Pan Lin had mentioned before, President Jiang’s usual demeanor was actually quite stern, with a naturally commanding tone. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made it to where she is now.

“Now that everyone’s here, I’ll introduce myself. I’m your advisor for the foreseeable future. My name is Jiang Qing. If you ever run into any problems you can’t solve on your own, you’re welcome to reach out to me. I’d like to support all of you through your college journey.”

Lin Zhengran had wondered how she’d handle her name. “Jiang Jingshi” was still a name with a lot of buzz—mentioning it would stir up trouble. He didn’t expect her to go with a fake name...

Jiang Qing. Just half of her real name.

Jiang Jingshi continued:

“Today’s our first meeting. I’ll take attendance again, and each of you will introduce yourselves briefly—just one sentence, to get to know each other.”

Like any normal college orientation, the advisor was trying to help the students adjust quickly to the new environment and to bond with their classmates. She also explained some basic university rules.

Everything seemed like a standard start to college life.

Of course, any “normalcy” was just surface-level. If three women make a drama, imagine what six can do.

After wrapping up, Jiang Jingshi glanced at the time.

“Everyone sit tight for a bit longer. Lunch will start in about ten minutes. You can take this time to mingle and chat in the classroom. Later, we’ll go to the cafeteria together to check out the food options. I’m sure the food here will surprise you—in a good way. It’s definitely better than what you had in high school.”

After saying that, she picked up a folder.

“Lin Zhengran.”

“Yes?” he replied.

Jiang Jingshi spoke seriously,

“Come with me for a moment. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Okay.”

The classroom buzzed with lively chatter.

Lin Zhengran followed Jiang Jingshi out of the room.

Two of the Three Little Ones were curious why the teacher had called him out. Jiang Xueli, on the other hand, had her brows so furrowed you could crush a mosquito in them.

She was still trying to place where she’d seen her before.

Meanwhile, in the back row, Jiang Qian was gritting her teeth, fists clenched.

Sis… You think that just because you’re a teacher, you can use your position to keep Lin Zhengran close? No way. This is college, not high school.

Advisors don’t have that much control over students in university.

I’ll get him anyway!

“Ah!” Jiang Xueli suddenly let out a yelp, causing a wave of commotion around her.

Han Wenwen and He Qing both jumped.

Little He Qing clutched her chest, puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Lili? Why are you yelling again?”

Han Wenwen smoothed her hair,

“You scared me.”

Beads of sweat suddenly formed on Jiang Xueli’s forehead as she turned to the other two.

“He Qing! Han Wenwen! I finally figured out who our advisor is! Don’t you think she looks familiar?! The aura, the voice, the face! Even though she’s wearing glasses and changed her outfit and hairstyle—you can still tell!”

He Qing and Han Wenwen both shook their heads.

In unison:

“Not at all.”

One had only seen her a few times three years ago, and the other had never seen her at all.

Jiang Xueli glanced around, then whispered behind her hand:

“Our advisor is the Vice President of Zhengshi Company—Jiang Jingshi! Zhengran’s girlfriend! Didn’t you notice?!”

In that moment, even Han Wenwen—usually super alert—was stunned. She had never imagined something like this.

“Lili, what did you say?”

Outside the large lecture hall, Jiang Jingshi walked ahead, high heels clicking, with the folder of campus rules she had just introduced.

Her dress fluttered slightly with each step, releasing a waft of fragrance.

Lin Zhengran followed silently behind her.

Finally, Jiang Jingshi looked back at Lin Zhengran, a shy smile on her face.

She pushed up her half-rimmed glasses with her ring finger and scanned the surroundings carefully. She found a spot hidden from the cameras and pulled Lin Zhengran over.

At a corner in the hallway, Jiang Jingshi looked at him.

Lin Zhengran stared back at her, blinked, and casually asked,

“Teacher, what’s up? What did you want to talk about?”

Jiang Jingshi puffed up her cheeks in adorable frustration.

Her peach blossom eyes locked onto Lin Zhengran, and she whined sweetly,

“What do you mean, ‘Teacher’? Don’t tell me you didn’t recognize me.”

Lin Zhengran pretended to be clueless.

“Teacher, what do you mean?”

Jiang Jingshi blushed.

“Zhengzheng, stop teasing me.”

Lin Zhengran finally chuckled.

“Alright, fine. Jingshi, you look really good in this outfit today. First time I’ve seen you in glasses.”