This Was the Day Little He Qing Grew Up

As the stage lights converged, Jiang Xueli finished singing and gazed breathlessly at the audience, listening to everyone's applause.

The lights made it impossible for her to see the audience's faces clearly, but she knew for certain that some Big Dummy was smiling at her.

After the performance ended, Jiang Xueli bowed and went backstage to find Lin Zhengran.

In a corner outside the audience seats, Jiang Xueli wanted to show how amazing she was while also displaying her calm composure. "Big Dummy, how was my singing? It should have been pretty good, right?! Let me tell you, just now when I was standing on the stage..."

Jiang Xueli cheerfully rambled on to Lin Zhengran about her thoughts after singing, while Little He Qing, sitting in Class Three's audience area, saw the entire scene.

She could not hear what the two were talking about, but her pure, almond-shaped eyes stared blankly at them.

She saw the happy expression on Jiang Xueli's face, as well as Lin Zhengran responding from time to time.

Little He Qing clasped her little pale hands together. "Lin Zhengran."

The evening's performances had not even completely ended, but the Boss of Child Star Studio could no longer restrain her excitement. She went straight to the contestants' backstage area to find Jiang Xueli.

Seeing the girl who had sung chatting with a boy, she walked over without hesitation and handed them her business card.

"Hello, young lady. I'm the owner of Child Star Studio. Our company has always collaborated with your school. I just heard your performance and really liked it. Was that song an original? Your breath control was steady and your technique was polished. Have you received professional vocal training somewhere before?"

Jiang Xueli had not expected the other woman to come so quickly. She stiffly nodded with both hands held behind her back. "It was an original, but I haven't had any professional singing lessons. I usually just practice at home with my friend."

The Female Boss was even more surprised after hearing that. If Jiang Xueli had achieved such professional technique without any training, then with just a little cultivation, she would definitely shine in the music world in the future.

So she enthusiastically explained a great deal to Jiang Xueli.

In essence, she wanted to know whether Jiang Xueli had signed with an agency. If not, she wanted Jiang Xueli to join their studio. The next day, she would contact Jiang Xueli's parents. It would not take up any class time; they would only call her over when there were performances during holidays or festivals.

Whenever she had time, she could also go to their studio to practice singing. If she joined, she would receive a very generous share of the performance fees.

Jiang Xueli appeared to be listening attentively, but in reality, she kept sneaking glances at Lin Zhengran standing beside her.

When it came to matters like this, Jiang Xueli knew her own limitations. She knew she was still young, and that agreeing recklessly would probably get her cheated. When that happened, she could just let Big Dummy make the decision for her.

The Female Boss said, "Then shall we settle it like this? Tomorrow, I'll take the initiative to visit your parents. We'll contact you again then."

"Okay."

After saying goodbye to the Female Boss, Jiang Xueli hopped over to Lin Zhengran's side.

"Big Dummy, did you hear what that person just said?"

Lin Zhengran crossed his arms over his chest. "What she just said was more or less what I had in mind. The terms and conditions seem pretty good, so it looks like she really does appreciate you. I think it's fine. What do you think?"

Jiang Xueli looked up at him and replied arrogantly, "I think it's fine too. Mainly, I trust you more when it comes to this." She giggled. "I'll do whatever you tell me to do, Big Dummy."

Lin Zhengran sighed helplessly. It was obvious that Jiang Xueli had not really listened to what the Female Boss had told her at all.

But it did not matter. As long as she listened to him, there basically would not be any major mistakes.

Lin Zhengran said, "I'm really envious that you have such an all-around friend like me."

Little Jiang Xueli turned her head blankly and imitated Lin Zhengran's arms-crossed pose before snorting. "I'm also envious that you have such a pretty and patient Childhood Sweetheart like me. If another girl saw you being this dumb, she'd have been driven crazy by now. Only someone with my good temper would never take it to heart."

The very next day, the staff from Child Star Studio went directly to meet Jiang Xueli's parents. When her father and mother saw the school's recording of the performance, they were astonished that their daughter had been so dazzling onstage—and had even received an invitation from a professional company.

After several days of hesitation, investigation, and asking about their daughter's wishes, Jiang Xueli ultimately enrolled smoothly in Township Child Star Studio, officially setting foot on the path to becoming a singer.

At the same time, with Jiang Xueli's major episode coming to an end, He Qing and Han Wenwen's plan officially began during this period as well.

It was a Sunday, with half a month remaining before winter vacation, in the Female Dormitory.

Little He Qing, wearing cartoon pajamas, crouched on her bed like a tiny chick. She hugged a pillow in her arms, her aggrieved expression exceptionally adorable.

Han Wenwen sat on the edge of the bed eating potato chips. "Didn't Lin Zhengran go practice Taekwondo with you yesterday? Why are you unhappy again first thing in the morning?"

He Qing's limpid eyes remained fixed on the pillow. "I'm not unhappy. I was really happy being with him yesterday. He practiced with me all day, had lunch with me, and stayed with me the entire day."

"So? You were happy when you were together, and then unhappy again as soon as you weren't seeing each other? That medicine wears off way too quickly."

Little He Qing voiced the thoughts in her heart.

"It's mainly because we've been doing all these things together for so many years. Practicing, eating, even going to his house—we did all that when we were little, and we're still doing it now. There's been no progress at all. But Jiang Xueli... It feels like it's only been a short while, yet the two of them seem to be getting closer and closer."

She looked at Han Wenwen. "Haven't you noticed that Jiang Xueli has really liked sticking close to Lin Zhengran lately? And last time it was Jiang Xueli's birthday, Lin Zhengran even gave her a really nice pair of earphones."

Han Wenwen tilted her head. "Her birthday? Oh, didn't the two of us give her presents that time too?"

"We gave her presents because we're her classmates, and it's perfectly normal for girls to give gifts to girls. But Lin Zhengran..." Her voice grew quieter. "He's never given me earphones."

"Though, I think that's because you don't listen to music." Fox poked a finger against her lips.

Little He Qing hugged the pillow even more tightly, curling up completely into a little ball. "Anyway, I'm afraid that if this keeps up, one day I might wake up in bed, open my eyes, and find that he no longer needs me to accompany him. Sure enough, being separated for four years was just too long."

Seeing that she was about to start sobbing, Han Wenwen put an arm around He Qing and comforted her Bestie. "All right, all right. Don't feel wronged, okay?"

In Han Wenwen's eyes, although Little Qing Qing had been gentle by nature in Elementary School, she had basically never been so troubled. Sure enough, Lin Zhengran was simply too important to her.

The corners of Han Wenwen's lips curled up. "At this point, it looks like we have no choice but to use our killer move. I've actually analyzed the reason your relationship has been stuck in place all this time, and I've found a way to break through it!"

She looked meaningfully at Little He Qing and handed her a compiled martial arts manual.

"Take a look. The contents are all based on the wisdom of our predecessors, which I painstakingly pondered and summarized. I call this Secret Manual..." Han Wenwen enunciated each word. "The He-Lin Manual!"

Little He Qing took it doubtfully. "What is the He-Lin Manual? I've only heard of Henan-style stewed noodles."

Han Wenwen clicked her tongue. "They're not the same thing, okay? Do you think this is a cookbook? As long as Little Qing Qing follows the instructions in my manual, I guarantee you'll win over our handsome classmate Lin Zhengran within three years—no, within one year!"

He Qing curiously opened the book and slowly flipped through it. But after concentrating on just a few pages, her face visibly reddened. With a smack, she hurriedly shut the book.

Blushing, she stammered as she asked Han Wenwen, "W-What is this, Wen Wen?! Where did you even find it?"