Chapter 129 : Aqua~
"Ye Ye, guess what Mom brought back for you~"
Ling Ye, who was watching TV, turned around with a puzzled expression, looking at her mother, who was grinning like Aqua, then silently shook her head.
"Look at this!"
Ling Ning pulled out the brand new "Zhixie GL-233" from the bag and waved it in front of her daughter. "Haven't you always wanted your own computer? See how much Mom loves you."
"Mom, you're the best!"
Ling Ye cheered and threw her arms around Ling Ning, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. She had always felt awkward asking her mother for the computer whenever she needed it for schoolwork or writing. But now, with her very own computer, the plan she'd been brewing for ages could finally take off.
Watching her daughter fiddle excitedly with the new computer, Ling Ning couldn't help but show a gentle smile.
"By the way, where's Sirou?" Ling Ning glanced around but saw no sign of Qin Sirou. Typically, she would be watching TV alongside Ling Ye.
"She's in her room, doing her homework~"
Ling Ye responded without even turning her head. As for her homework, she had already completed it at school—it was way too easy for her.
"Oh~"
Ling Ning nodded and began organizing all the bags of things they'd bought. It was Ye Xuan who had helped carry them upstairs, but just as Ling Ning was about to invite her in for dinner, Ye Xuan had said she had something else to do that evening and left. It was a rare occasion when Ling Ning had bought so many groceries, thanks to the massive sale.
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That night, Ling Ning had a dream.
In her dream, she saw little Ling Ning standing all alone in an ordinary courtyard, seemingly waiting for someone. It was the same courtyard she had dreamed about before the memory fusion. Back then, she dreamt of little Ling Ning playing there with another little girl. But ever since her memories had fused, that particular memory had disappeared completely—along with all recollection of the courtyard and the other little girl.
When Ling Ning woke up, she found herself crying, tears flowing uncontrollably as if a dam had burst. Why was this happening? Her memories had clearly fused, so why was there still this blank spot?
Ling Ning stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, trying desperately to recall something, but it was all in vain.
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"Ling Ning, why do you look so down?"
On the way to school, Xia You noticed Ling Ning's expression and cautiously asked.
Ling Ning shook her head. "It's nothing, really. Just thinking about some things."
"Oh~" Xia You nodded thoughtfully before asking, "By the way, Ling Ning, what do you like?"
"What do I like?" Ling Ning looked at Xia You in confusion before answering matter-of-factly, "Money, of course. My wish is to sleep on a bed made of money."
Hearing Ling Ning's answer, Xia You paused for a moment and then stubbornly continued, "Besides money?"
"Besides money? Well, free stuff is usually pretty great too."
"..."
Xia You found herself at a loss for words. No matter how much she pressed, she wasn't going to get anything different from Ling Ning. To be fair, aside from money and free things, Xia You had never seen Ling Ning show much interest in anything else.
When they arrived at school, Xu Qing asked Ling Ning the same question. Ling Ning answered Xu Qing the same way she had answered Xia You. After hearing her response, Xu Qing wore the same speechless expression as Xia You.
Ling Ning looked back and forth between Xu Qing and Xia You, wondering why they were both asking her the same question. Could it be that they were planning on giving her something?
"Something's fishy."
Ling Ning couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
Later, after class.
Ling Ning had been about to ask Xia You if she wanted to grab snacks from the convenience store, but when she turned around, she saw Xu Qing pulling Xia You out of the classroom. The sight left Ling Ning feeling rather confused.
Honestly, the relationship between Xia You and Xu Qing was always a bit tense—if they weren't fighting, that was already a good day. Seeing the two of them walking off hand-in-hand was just... not something she expected.
"Something's definitely fishy!"
Ling Ning thought for a moment and decided to follow them. Watching the two of them whispering to each other, Ling Ning walked over curiously. The moment they noticed her approaching, they immediately pretended to admire the scenery.
"What are you two talking about? Mind if I join?" Ling Ning asked with a cheerful smile.
"We... we're just talking about the scenery, right, Xia You?"
Xia You nodded vigorously.
Ling Ning narrowed her eyes at them, unconvinced. Even though they said that, something still felt off! However, even if they wouldn't spill now, she had ways to make them talk later.
Watching Ling Ning walk away, Xu Qing let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Xia You and whispered, "Remember, you mustn't say anything about Ling Ning's surprise birthday plan. Got it?"
Xia You gave Xu Qing a meaningful look and nodded.
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"Xiao Qing~"
Xu Qing, who was playing on her phone, suddenly heard Ling Ning's cutesy voice. It made her skin crawl as she turned to face her. "W-what is it?"
"Come on~ Tell me what you two are hiding from me~" Ling Ning clung to Xu Qing's arm, her eyes wide and watery.
"We... we're really not hiding anything from you." Xu Qing turned her head away, doing her best to avoid making eye contact with Ling Ning.
"Xiao Qing, you're the best. Please, tell me~"
The next thing Ling Ning saw was Xu Qing holding her nose and running out of the classroom.
"Tsk~"
Ling Ning didn't expect Xu Qing to be so stubborn—even with all that coaxing, she wouldn't spill a word. She then turned her gaze towards Xia You.
"Xia You, I know you're the best. Come on, tell me what you guys are plotting."
Under Ling Ning's intense gaze, Xia You felt a chill. She instinctively tried to escape, but Ling Ning moved faster.
Ling Ning straddled Xia You's lap, her slender arms wrapped around Xia You's neck. The position was incredibly suggestive, and Xia You was completely stunned, staring at Ling Ning in utter confusion.
"Come on~ Tell me, Xia You. You're the best."
At such close range, Xia You could even feel Ling Ning's breath on her face and see her enticing lips.
"I-it's nothing, we were just talking about the scenery, really," Xia You stammered.
"I don't believe you~"
"It’s true..."
Ling Ning wasn't convinced at all. She remained in that position, making it clear that she wouldn't budge until Xia You gave her an answer.
Just as Xia You felt herself about to cave, the bell rang, forcing Ling Ning to get off her. Xia You finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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Author's Note:
New Year's Eve is tomorrow, so today, three chapters for the salted fish! My heart aches—another wave of my saved-up drafts is gone~