Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 13: The Winner

The taekwondo coach stood to the side and blew the whistle.

“It’s time for our biannual competition! Just like before, the first-place winner will receive 500 yuan to choose their own prize. The second and third places will get special gifts prepared by the center. Now, let the matches begin!”

The competitors lined up neatly and followed the coach’s random draw to face off against each other.

Lin Zhengran quietly watched as little He Qing defeated her opponents one by one.

She was nothing like the girl from a few years ago who was constantly bullied.

Her aura, strength, and even her gaze had undergone a complete transformation.

[On the arena before her departure, He Xianzi wielded her celestial sword with an aura that could dominate thousands, as if to tell you that even when she returned to the sect, she wouldn’t forget the time spent with you and the days of cultivation together. Her overwhelming presence is proof. However, before the final victory, a trace of hesitation in her expression might affect the outcome.]

He Qing had already made it to the final round. Only four people remained in the arena.

After her match with the second-to-last opponent, she was thrown to the ground by a boy, though she eventually managed to win. However, it was clear she was in pain.

The coach asked if she was okay, and He Qing shook her head, saying she was fine.

After confirming there was no serious issue, the coach blew the whistle. “Take a break! The final match between He Qing and Xiao Long will begin soon!”

During the break, Lin Zhengran walked over. He Qing bit her lip and reported her progress: “I won again.”

Lin Zhengran glanced at her arm and asked, “What’s going on?”

“I won, but why did you zone out during the fight? What were you thinking about?”

He Qing’s voice became soft, and she lowered her head slightly. “It’s nothing… Just… do you remember when we were in kindergarten—” The rest of her words trailed off into a mumble.

Lin Zhengran looked confused. “What are you muttering about?”

He Qing mustered her courage, her face reddening. “Do you remember the pinky promise you made with me back in kindergarten?”

“Oh, that? Of course, I remember.” Lin Zhengran looked exasperated. “You’re talking about when I promised you’d follow me forever, right?”

He Qing’s eyes trembled, glimmering with disbelief. “You actually remember?”

Lin Zhengran lightly knocked her on the head.

She closed her eyes with a soft yelp.

“I’ve only made one pinky promise in my life. How could I forget it? Besides, this is a competition! You zoned out over something so trivial and nearly got yourself hurt!”

He Qing thought to herself that it wasn’t trivial at all. Looking timidly at him, she explained, “I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but I suddenly thought of it and got distracted… I promise it won’t happen in the next match.”

Feeling exhausted, Lin Zhengran didn’t reply but didn’t continue scolding her either.

Instead, he reached out and gently patted her head, leaving He Qing stunned.

“For the first time.”

“Go for it. If you beat Xiao Long, you’ll be the champion today. I believe in you.”

He Qing had never felt so clearly encouraged. Her face turned bright red, and goosebumps rose on her arms. In her memory, this was the first time Lin Zhengran had ever supported her like this.

Her heartbeat quickened, and she nodded enthusiastically. “Alright! I’ll definitely win!”

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He Qing’s aura grew stronger than ever, almost twice as intense as usual.

When she walked onto the stage, the tall and sturdy Xiao Long was shocked. “What’s with that expression?”

He Qing pressed her lips together, her powerful aura intact, while keeping Lin Zhengran’s advice in mind:

“When facing Xiao Long, don’t smile. Don’t show any expression. Just keep staring at him! Stare until he feels guilty!”

Only then could she win the psychological battle.

However, despite a month of devilish training, He Qing still hadn’t mastered how to look intimidating.

Lin Zhengran watched from the sidelines, covering his eyes. He couldn’t bear to look.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, He Qing’s “cute but serious” expression made Xiao Long blush and falter.

“She… she’s so cute… How is she this cute?” Xiao Long thought, completely flustered.

Putting on her most confident act, He Qing said in a sweet yet firm voice, “Again!”

Xiao Long, his face red, attacked, but He Qing noticed his punch lacked strength.

Seizing the opportunity, she executed a perfect back-throw and pinned him to the ground, securing her victory as the coach blew the whistle.

He Qing was stunned, while Xiao Long, lying on the ground, turned even redder. “I lost… You’re both cute and amazing.”

“I won?” He Qing exclaimed, raising her hand excitedly. “I won!”

She waved at Lin Zhengran from the stage, her eyes shining with delight, as if to say, “Your method worked perfectly!”

Lin Zhengran sighed, realizing her victory was largely due to Xiao Long being overwhelmed by her cuteness. Still, even without that, He Qing’s overpowering aura in the final moments would have secured her the win.

After the competition, He Qing happily received her reward. She led the coach to the mall to claim her prize.

When the pretty clerk saw her, she waved enthusiastically. “Back again, little one? End of the month already—are you just browsing or finally taking it home?”

“I’m buying it this time!” He Qing exclaimed joyfully.

“Oh? Did you actually win?”

“Yep!”

The coach paid with his phone, and the clerk handed over the carefully packaged item. “Here you go. That’ll be 499 yuan. Thank you for shopping, and see you next time!”

“Thank you, sis!”

He Qing cradled the chocolate dessert carefully, her face glowing with happiness.

As night fell, He Qing and Lin Zhengran sat on the steps outside their apartment building. The sunset painted the surroundings a warm orange hue.

Placing the chocolate cake on her lap, she announced, “Lin Zhengran, this is the champion’s prize!”

“Chocolate?” Lin Zhengran looked unimpressed. “What a kid’s prize.”

He Qing handed the cake to him with both hands. “It’s for you.”

“Huh? For me?”

“Yep! I chose this just for you. That time my dad gave me chocolate, you didn’t take any. I know it’s because you didn’t want to take it away from me, so I picked out a prettier one this time to make it up to you.”

Lin Zhengran was dumbfounded. His extreme reaction was to laugh.

“You’re ridiculous. That chocolate back then was spoiled—why would I want it?”

Still, he didn’t refuse her gesture. Instead, he opened the box, broke off one of the swan’s wings, and handed it to He Qing.

“Here. Let’s eat it together.”

He Qing took the wing with her small hands and waited for Lin Zhengran to take a bite before starting.

It was sweet.

She happily munched on the chocolate, her little feet tapping against the ground, her ponytail bouncing along.

Lin Zhengran asked, “Are you really coming back here for middle school? There’s not much going on here.”

He Qing swallowed her chocolate. “I’m mostly coming back to see you. Oh, can I call you when I’m back in my hometown?”

[The fairy won the match and surprisingly gifted you an exquisite Red Blood Elixir filled with her heartfelt intentions. Sharing it with her, you gained +3 Strength, +2 Charisma, and leveled up.]

Lin Zhengran replied, “Whatever. Call if you want, but I might not pick up.”