Chapter 392: The Date - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Chapter 392: The Date The sound of a violent beating mixed with wailing echoed through the underground gambling den. Zhang Yang's phone rang, and upon seeing who was calling, his expression immediately turned respectful. He raised his hand, signaling to his subordinates to quiet down. Frightened by Zhang Yang, the subordinates nodded and covered the beaten man's mouth in silence. Zhang Yang answered the phone and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. The harsh authority in his demeanor shifted to a fawning smile: "Boss? Do you need anything?" A woman's voice came through the phone: "Did you register me for all those competitions I wanted to join?" Zhang Yang replied, "Rest assured, it's all set. But I am a bit curious as to why you're entering these competitions? They don't serve much purpose, and you have to compete anonymously." The woman did not answer directly: "No need to ask too much. I have my reasons. Just focus on your duties." She continued, "And recently, I hope your people haven't been causing trouble for the company? Don't forget what we discussed before. Your crew's employment with the company hinges on them staying out of trouble, or they will be dismissed." Zhang Yang looked back at the room he'd just exited, a smile that didn't reach his eyes on his face: "Rest assured, I haven't forgotten. It was you who gave them a chance at a decent meal; they won't make the same mistakes again. I'm keeping an eye on them." "That's good to hear. I might visit the company sometime soon, so I'll end the call here." "Alright, take care, Boss." After the call ended, Zhang Yang sighed deeply as he looked at his phone. Meanwhile, in a dimly lit study with only a lamp glowing in Zitong City, the woman put down her phone. Her silver-white hair was tied into a ponytail, and her delicate, pretty face looked at the notebook on the desk. With a graceful hand, she wrote a note in the notebook. [Jiang Qian's traits: cool personality, doesn't talk much, likes certain foods.] —— The next day, in the master bedroom of the three-story villa, five individuals awoke from their sleep, each in their own peculiar position. Their sleeping postures varied, but all resembled sloths, leaning against a certain someone. Even after waking up, none of them intended to move; they continued to lie in bed. Lin Zhengran lay in the middle, feeling the weight of five women draped over him—legs, arms, heads—all somehow making contact. Some browsed their phones, others chatted; clearly alert, yet they insisted on clinging to him in some way. For instance, Jiang Xueli draped a leg over Lin Zhengran's abdomen, lying sideways while holding her phone up to the ceiling: "Zhengran, the competition is next week. I'm still a bit nervous." Lin Zhengran reassured her, "What's there to be nervous about? You've been practicing for so long; it'll be fine." He Qing was playing with Lin Zhengran's hair: "Lin Zhengran, Xueli, are you sure we shouldn't tag along for the competition next week? We could be there to cheer you on." Han Wenwen, lying on Lin Zhengran's stomach with her hand inside his shirt, chimed in with her alluring fox-like eyes: "Exactly, we could be your support group." Lin Zhengran responded: "There's really no need. Everyone already has their own commitments this year. If we all had to bring an entourage every time, it would be too cumbersome. I'll accompany her myself; you guys focus on your own stuff." He instructed, "Next week, I'll be accompanying Xueli to the competition and won't return for about a week. During that time, Wenwen should livestream, He Qing should keep practicing Taekwondo, and Jingshi should focus on managing the company's affairs. As for Qian Qian... Qian Qian, do you have anything planned?" Jiang Qian, clutching his right arm, replied in a cool tone: "I suppose I do. There's a small piano recital, but it's not important, just an ordinary performance." Lin Zhengran looked at Jiang Qian, her cold yet beautiful face watching him, a faint smile on her lips. It's been a week since becoming close with Jiang Qian, and the second young lady has integrated well into the group. However, during this week, Lin Zhengran hasn't spent as much one-on-one time with Jiang Qian, making them somewhat less familiar compared to the others. Lin Zhengran asked, "When is the piano recital?" "The week after next." "I'll accompany you then." Jiang Qian was surprised and nodded. "Sure." On the other side, Jiang Jingshi watched her sister flirt with Zheng Zheng, feeling both jealous and envious. She said, "Zheng Zheng, I should get out of bed now. It's seven o'clock, and I want to visit the company today." Lin Zhengran replied, "Alright, let's all get up, get ready, and have breakfast before tending to our own affairs." The women responded in unison, slowly getting up from the bed. They began picking clothes and tidying up. Living together has set certain routines, and Jiang Qian has adapted to the new home's lifestyle. While changing clothes, Jiang Qian donned an outfit she had brought along. But when she took out her makeup kit, she glanced at everyone, curious: "You all really don't use any makeup products, do you?" He Qing, Han Wenwen, and Jiang Xueli turned their heads toward Jiang Qian. Jiang Qian also looked at her sister, combing her hair without any makeup products in sight: "Even you, Sis. You've stopped using those brands you always loved?" Jiang Jingshi paused her hair-brushing, inexplicably smiling: "Well..." The four women shared an awkward smile, unsure of how to explain to Jiang Qian. Han Wenwen got up, approached her, and patted her shoulder: "I notice you typically wear light makeup, Qian Qian. You don't use much, right?" Jiang Qian opened her makeup box. Inside, the items were barely used: "I usually just apply some lipstick and lightly dab on some eyeshadow and face powder. I learned from my sister back in junior high, but I've noticed over these few days that you all don't seem to need it... Your skin looks amazing." She looked at her own face, spotting minor blemishes—no one has flawless skin naturally, despite being naturally beautiful. Everyone blinked, finally prompting Han Wenwen to bend down and whisper in Jiang Qian's ear: "We actually have a secret method. But it's quite unusual, and I think it's better for Brother Zhengran to tell you about it." "A secret method?" Jiang Qian's curiosity piqued: "Does Lin Zhengran know about cosmetics?" "Not quite..." Han Wenwen's smile was suggestive: "Just ask Brother Zhengran. Otherwise, I might spoil the surprise for you." Jiang Qian nodded softly, her curiosity rising from Wenwen's encouragement: "Understood, thank you, Wenwen." "No need to thank me, we're all family here." After breakfast, the family finished their meal. Lin Zhengran recalled the black Tibetan Mastiff from the student competition event. He had promised to visit to see its puppies, intending to adopt one if it had a suitable temperament. "Qian Qian, do you still remember where those dogs from the student council competition came from?" Jiang Qian tore a piece of fried dough and popped it into her mouth: "I do." "If you're free today, could you take me there?" Jiang Qian didn't ask why, simply nodding: "Sure." The other girls remained silent, but they all understood what it meant when Lin Zhengran and Jiang Qian went out alone... Was this a date? (End of the chapter)