Lin Zhengran thought for a moment. “Of course you can, but I know you’re not that close with the other three yet. Would you be okay with staying together as a kind of test?”

Jiang Jingshi immediately replied:

“Of course! Your girl here is great at adapting. Besides, even if we’re living together, it’s not like it’d be that hard to get used to. We each sleep on our own anyway, and we’re all in school during the day—it’s really just the weekends we’d be around each other more.”

She spoke seriously: “Since we’re all Brother Zhengran’s girlfriends, we’re bound to live together sooner or later. Might as well get used to it early instead of late. Plus, there’s no way Zhengzheng would just leave your girl all alone, right?”

Lin Zhengran chuckled:

“Actually, Jingshi, the way we live together might not be what you’re thinking. We don’t each have separate bedrooms—we all sleep in the same bed. So the whole thing about ‘sleeping separately’ might not really apply.”

Jiang Jingshi’s beautiful face froze like she short-circuited on the spot.

Then she suddenly shot upright on the bed, both hands braced on the mattress, face both shy and confused: “What?! Zhengzheng, are you saying you sleep in the same bed with all three of them every night?!”

Lin Zhengran knew this would definitely sound bad if someone else overheard, so he explained: “We do sleep together, but it’s not what you’re thinking. That would be way too wild. We’re not at that level yet.”

“Y- yet?!”

“That’s just being precise with my words. Don’t overthink it.”

Jiang Jingshi was momentarily speechless. Then she puffed out her cheeks, blushing as she huffed: “Well... even if you’re not doing that, just sleeping together is already pretty... something.”

She mumbled in a small voice: “Though, I did kinda think about this possibility in the future, what with so many girlfriends and all.”

“Jingshi, what are you even saying…”

The higher her status, the more embarrassed Jiang Jingshi felt imagining that kind of situation.

“Nothing… I’m just saying, if it does come to that, I wouldn’t agree to it. No matter how much I listen to Zhengzheng, this kind of thing is just too much.”

Lin Zhengran: “...”

He hadn’t even said anything.

He pulled her back into his arms again, holding her close.

“So, like I said, considering you’re not close with them yet, putting you all together might be uncomfortable for you.” He let out a long breath. “Although I know, the more I say this, the more eager you probably are to go.”

Jiang Jingshi gripped her beloved tightly with her delicate fingers.

She spoke softly, though tinged with jealousy: “Of course. You’re already sleeping with them—if I don’t go, then I won’t be able to sleep after work every night. I’ll just be lying there imagining what you’re up to with them in bed.”

Lin Zhengran held the woman in his arms, her unique scent filling his senses.

She suddenly laughed: “But I can just treat them all like little sisters, right? Back when I was little, I used to sleep with Qianqian too. Though it’s been years since we shared a bed.”

Jiang Jingshi suddenly recalled some childhood memories while feeling Lin Zhengran’s hand gently stroking her hair.

She looked up curiously. “Zhengzheng, I’ve got a question. Do you really like touching girls’ heads?”

“Huh? Do I?” He paused mid-motion.

Jiang Jingshi nodded. “Yeah, like when I lean on your shoulder, or like now… It feels like anytime you’re being close with a girl, you instinctively do it, like you’re comforting them.”

Lin Zhengran hadn’t really noticed that before.

But hearing it pointed out, yeah, he did have that habit. When did that start?

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.

Brother Zhengran! Keep patting my head!

Brother Zhengran~ it feels so nice when you touch my head.

A certain Little Fox's tail wagged in his memory.

Beads of sweat formed on Lin Zhengran’s forehead as the realization hit.

That fox—over all these years—had subtly trained him into that habit?!

“Zhengzheng? Zhengzheng?”

When Lin Zhengran looked back at Jingshi, she’d puffed up her cheeks again like a sulking little wife.

He chuckled. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Jingshi: “It just felt like you were thinking about some other girl just now.”

Lin Zhengran didn’t deny it.

Jiang Jingshi suddenly covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Flirty Zhengzheng. But... if you like doing that so much, has any other girl ever patted your head?”

Lin Zhengran answered, “Nope, don’t think so. No one’s ever done that to me.”

Except maybe his mom when he was a kid.

Jiang Jingshi’s eyes lit up: “Then… can your girl try it? Just once, please? I really want to! Just one time, okay?” She held up a single finger.

Sure enough, having so many girlfriends meant he’d start getting unexpected requests.

“Alright.”

So next thing he knew, Jiang Jingshi was lying on the pillow, taking the dominant position.

She held Lin Zhengran in her arms.

Now he was the one lying on her chest.

Her slender, fair hand stroked his hair, her cheeks tinged a soft pink. “Zhengzheng is so cute.”

In the world of white mist, Lin Zhengran opened his eyes.

He pulled the blanket slightly—

Jiang Jingshi let out a soft gasp.

And then another round of passion followed.

Dinner that night was pasta with seafood.

Jiang Jingshi, having experienced the full depth of womanhood, seemed to exude a growing sense of maturity.

Even while cooking, she kept biting her lip, a faint blush lingering on her face.

After carefully preparing each fine and expensive ingredient—

She sat beside Lin Zhengran with a smile, and they finished their meal together.

After dinner, Lin Zhengran drew the curtains and carried Jiang Jingshi to the bedroom.

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The Next Morning

Sunlight streamed in.

To avoid gossip, Lin Zhengran and Jiang Jingshi naturally left for school separately.

Wearing her pajamas, Jiang Jingshi walked him to the door. “Zhengzheng, take it easy on your way to school. I’ll get the checkout done soon.”

Lin Zhengran gave a small nod. “I might come by during the day to help you with the day-student application.”

Jiang Jingshi responded gently: “Right, I’ll need a signature from Auntie or Uncle, otherwise I won’t be able to submit it.”

“Mm, I’m off.”

Jiang Jingshi grabbed his hand. “Zhengzheng~”

Lin Zhengran looked at the mature beauty in front of him and gave her a kiss on the lips. “See you at school, Teacher.”

“Mhm, see you soon, Lin Zhengran.” She looked very satisfied.

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That Day at Qingbei University

Jiang Qian happened to run into her older sister on campus.

The two sisters locked eyes from afar. Jiang Qian was still as cold as ever.

But today, to her surprise, Jiang Jingshi actually greeted her with warmth: “Morning, Jiang Qian~”

Jiang Qian gritted her teeth.

She let out a cold snort and brushed past.

Jiang Jingshi stopped in her tracks and turned her head: “Jiang Qian, you’ve still got such a bad temper. Not even greeting a teacher when you see one.”

“Tch.”

“My little sister is still so cute though, baring her teeth and all.” Jiang Jingshi chuckled.

Jiang Qian shot her a death glare over her shoulder and quickened her pace, trying to put as much distance between herself and her big sister as possible.