After class, everyone walked out of the classroom together.

Lin Zhengran stood in a corner of the campus.

The Three Little Ones surrounded him, with no one else around.

He Qing fidgeted with her small hands in front of her, nervously tapping her fingers: “I mean, I knew this day would come eventually, but I didn’t think we’d be sharing a bed with the class advisor right from the start…”

Jiang Xueli asked, “When exactly is the advisor moving in? Is she staying with us from day one?”

Lin Zhengran replied, “Jingshi still has to check out of her current place over the next couple of days, so maybe not the first night—but it could be. Anyway, it’s happening soon. She’ll move in as soon as she’s done with the checkout.”

Han Wenwen covered her face, silently staring at Lin Zhengran.

Greedy Brother Zhengran.

Jiang Xueli muttered under her breath, lips pursed: “I was okay with sleeping next to He Qing and the Fox, but now adding the advisor… it’s gonna be awkward.”

“I know you three aren’t that close with Jingshi yet, but she’s honestly a really good person. Just take your time getting to know her. There’s no need to force things or pretend to be super close from the start—that’s not realistic. Just be your usual selves.”

The three nodded.

Lin Zhengran’s phone pinged with a message—it was from Jiang Jingshi, asking if he’d talked to Uncle and Auntie yet. She said the day-student application was already printed and ready for pickup.

After replying, he looked up his mom’s number and walked over to a nearby bench to sit down:

“You three don’t just stand there—come sit too. I’m going to call my parents about the day-student stuff. Jingshi’s already printed out the form.”

The call went through.

After a few rings, his mom’s voice came through, mixed with background chatter—sounded like a lot of people were talking nearby.

“Zhengran? What’s up?”

“Mom, are you at work?” Lin Zhengran sat on the bench with the three girls.

“Yeah, I’m working. Sorting through a new shipment of cosmetics with the team. What’s going on, Zhengran?” Lin Xiaoli teased on purpose: “Yes, President Lin, do tell~”

Lin Zhengran chuckled awkwardly and explained, “So here’s the thing, Mom. I want to apply for day-student status.”

“Day-student? You mean not staying in the dorms, right?”

“Mm. The school needs a parent signature to approve it, so I wanted to tell you first.”

Lin Xiaoli thought for a moment. “Sure, that’s fine. I mean, Zhengran, you’re basically a big boss now, got a lot on your plate. Dorm life really isn’t that convenient anymore. Where are you planning to stay, though? The company? Or are you renting a place?”

“Renting. With the four of them.”

“Oh, that’s fine… w—WHAT?!”

Lin Xiaoli suddenly gasped, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. “Zhengran, what did you just say?! I think I just heard something earth-shattering!”

Lin Zhengran: “I didn’t say anything. Just said I’m renting a place.”

“I meant the last part! What did you say at the end?!”

“Oh.” He rephrased, “I meant I’m planning to rent a place with He Qing, Lili, Wenwen, and Jingshi. All four of them.”

“Zhengran!!” His mom’s voice was deafening, practically shrieking over the phone:

“Zhengran, where on earth did this idea come from?! Mom does not agree! Absolutely not! How can you let those girls live together? They’re definitely going to fight! Even just arguing would be the least of it—it could turn into something serious!”

On the phone, Lin Xiaoli was practically trembling. “Just thinking about it scares me! Girl drama is terrifying!”

The Three Little Ones, sitting beside Lin Zhengran, naturally heard the whole thing.

All of them blushed shyly, thinking Well, of course Auntie has no idea what our relationship is like now…

But honestly, if this were a normal situation, and if Lin Zhengran only liked one of them, who knows what could’ve happened between them all.

In a world where monogamy was the norm, when everyone liked the same person, the only outcome was pain all around.

Lin Zhengran broke into a cold sweat. “Mom, I…”

Lin Xiaoli wouldn’t even let him finish, cutting him off with a flustered tone:

“No, no, no! Absolutely not! I’m a woman, and I know exactly what girls feel. This is a huge NO. Zhengran, I know you’re capable and smart, but when it comes to relationships, you cannot handle things like this!”

Then she asked, “By the way, Zhengran, are you coming home this weekend?”

“Mm. I already said I’d be back.”

“Good! When you’re back, your dad and I are definitely sitting you down for a talk. You…” Her tone softened slightly, as if trying to comfort him:

“You should take these few days to really think this through. I know this might be hard for you, Zhengran—because you grew up with them all. But eventually, you have to choose. You’re an adult now. You can’t be vague about this.”

Lin Zhengran glanced at the expressions of the three girls next to him.

He let out a long breath. “Mom, I don’t need to think it over. I’ve already made up my mind a long time ago.”

“Huh?” Lin Xiaoli was clearly shocked. “What do you mean…? Are you saying you’ve already decided who you like most? Who is it? Little Qingqing? Wenwen? Lili? Or… Little Jingshi? It’s not Xiaomeng, is it?!”

He Qing, Han Wenwen, and Jiang Xueli all jolted at that.

Suddenly, they spoke in unison:

“Why is Fang Meng even an option?!”

On the other end of the call, Lin Xiaoli also sounded embarrassed and confused:

“Wait—Zhengran, it sounds like I just heard Little Qingqing and the others. Are they all… Are you calling me with them right there next to you?! You already told them about this whole moving in thing?!”

Lin Zhengran said bluntly: “Yeah, I told them. And as for the answer you asked about earlier—it’s none of them individually. I want all of them. And they’ve all agreed.”

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...

A breeze swept past Lin Zhengran.

Back at the office, Lin Xiaoli was left frozen on the other end of the line.

Her son’s shocking answer short-circuited her brain. For a moment, she couldn’t say a word.

Everything went silent.

“Zhengran, what did you just say…? Mom didn’t quite catch that.”

Jiang Xueli clenched her fists and blushed, jumping in:

“Wait, Auntie! Zhengran didn’t make that clear just now—except Fang Meng! She has nothing to do with this!! Seriously, why is Fang Meng even part of this conversation?!”

“Zhengran! Come home this Saturday to talk to your mom! And Lili, the rest of you—come too!”

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A few days later…

The weekend.

The Three Little Ones walked with Lin Zhengran toward the parking lot.

Jiang Jingshi stood beside an Audi and waved at them.

He Qing and the others also greeted her.

All five of them got into the car. Lin Zhengran was the one driving today—they were heading back to the small town.

As he started the car, he said:

“When we get to my place, I’m pretty sure my parents are gonna pull you each aside and ask a million questions. Just answer however you really feel—don’t overthink it. My mom might seem like she’s joking most of the time, but when it comes to relationships, she’s actually really sensitive. If you all try to coordinate your stories too much, she’ll get suspicious.”

The four girls responded in unison: “Got it.”