Chapter 131 : Divine Fall!
Ling Ning and Xia You underestimated the appetite of the group. Even after finishing all the dishes, the foodies still weren't satisfied, and naturally, their eyes fell on Ling Ning's birthday cake.
The cake was custom-ordered by Chu Mengyao. Though it didn't look that big, it was certainly not small either.
"Come on, Ling Ning, make a wish already~" Luo Xiaoning stared at Ling Ning's cake with eager eyes... or rather, she was staring at the cake. Being petite herself, and sitting between two big eaters like Chu Mengyao and Jiang Xue, she barely got to eat anything earlier, and her stomach was still rumbling.
Ling Ning looked at the cake in front of her, wondering what she should wish for.
"I wish for my daughter to grow up happy and healthy~"
"May my friends have all their wishes come true."
"I want to make lots and lots of money."
Ling Ning paused for a moment, realizing that birthday wishes were usually just one, not three. Wouldn't wishing for all three be a little greedy? But whatever, greedy or not, she wasn't sure these wishes would come true anyway.
"Well? Well? Are you done with your wish yet? Hurry up and blow out the candles."
Luo Xiaoning kept staring at the cake, feeling like her eyes were about to light up green. Usually, she wasn't that into cakes, but now, looking at it, she felt an intense craving. She must really be starving.
"All done."
Ling Ning took a deep breath and blew out the candles.
"Happy Birthday!"
With the candles extinguished, the lights in the room flickered back on. Everyone placed their prepared gifts in front of Ling Ning.
"Thank you, thank you, everyone."
"No need for thanks, just hurry and cut the cake," Luo Xiaoning said eagerly, almost unable to contain herself.
"Alright." Ling Ning smiled slightly and began slicing the cake.
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"It's getting late. Be careful on your way home." Ling Ning stood by the door, bidding farewell as Chu Mengyao and the others prepared to leave.
"Don't worry about me. Do you even know who I am? If anyone without eyes tries to mess with me, I'll show them what real hell looks like," Chu Mengyao said with utmost confidence.
And she was right. Given her personality, Chu Mengyao was like a human-shaped tyrannosaurus; not many people would dare mess with her.
Ling Ning shot her a look. "I'm more worried about you making sure you don't accidentally kill anyone. Murder charges aren't something to joke about."
After seeing Chu Mengyao and her group off, Xu Qing and Ye Xuan also prepared to leave. They lived close by, not far from Ling Ning's place.
This left only Ling Ning, the two little ones, and Xia You in the apartment. Originally, Xia You had intended to go home too, but it was already very late, and her house was quite far. Ling Ning felt uneasy letting Xia You head home alone at this hour.
So Ling Ning convinced Xia You to stay the night. There were two bedrooms—her daughter and Qin Sirou could share one, and she could squeeze in with Xia You. Besides, after the birthday celebration, the mess in the apartment was overwhelming, and having Xia You's help would certainly make cleanup more efficient.
"Phew~ Finally done."
After tossing the last trash bag into the bin, the house was back to its original state, maybe even cleaner than before.
"Come on, let's take the trash downstairs and then wash up for bed," Ling Ning said to Xia You.
Xia You nodded, each of them picking up a bag of trash and stepping out the door.
The cool night breeze was refreshing. Ling Ning, who had felt slightly tipsy from the wine, found herself waking up a little as the chilly wind brushed past.
After tossing the trash bags into the dumpster, Ling Ning turned to Xia You. "Would you keep me company for a walk?"
"Of course." Xia You looked at Ling Ning. As long as it was something Ling Ning wanted, she'd do anything, not just take a walk.
There was no moonlight tonight, just the soft glow of the streetlights lining the walkway. Ling Ning and Xia You strolled slowly through the garden in the apartment complex.
Xia You, walking slightly behind Ling Ning, could clearly smell a faint fragrance coming from her—a mix of something fresh and a lingering hint of alcohol. To Xia You, the scent felt like an irresistible, intoxicating poison. She knew how dangerous it was, yet once she experienced it, she was hooked forever.
Ling Ning was deep in thought, completely unaware of Xia You's presence. She found herself thinking about that small courtyard, that unknown little girl, and why she kept having that dream.
When people think deeply, they're often unaware of their surroundings—Ling Ning certainly wasn't. She failed to notice a banana peel on the path, and before she knew it, her foot slipped.
Thankfully, Xia You had been watching Ling Ning closely. Seeing her start to fall, Xia You rushed forward to catch her. But she underestimated Ling Ning's weight, and both of them ended up tumbling to the ground.
And, in a completely cliché turn of events, their lips landed right on top of each other.
Ling Ning was stunned. Wasn't this kind of scene only supposed to happen in cheesy romance anime? How was it happening in real life? It didn't make any logical sense. The shock was so intense that she didn't even notice the pain from the fall.
Feeling the soft sensation on her lips, Xia You hesitated for a moment before slowly extending her tongue.
"Mmph!?"
Ling Ning looked at Xia You, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected Xia You to be so bold as to extend her tongue. Ling Ning tried to push her tongue away, but to her dismay, she realized she wasn't a match for Xia You.
And, what's more, her body felt strangely weak, almost like she couldn't muster any strength...
Seeing the dazed look in Xia You's eyes, Ling Ning instinctively tried to struggle, but her hands and feet were firmly pinned by Xia You. She couldn't break free at all. At that moment, Ling Ning realized just how feeble her own strength was.
After what felt like an eternity, just as Ling Ning thought she might pass out from lack of air, Xia You finally ended the kiss.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Ling Ning gasped for breath, nearly thinking she was about to suffocate.
"S-sorry, Ling Ning. I... I just..." Xia You hung her head, looking like a scolded child who didn't dare meet Ling Ning's eyes.
"It's late, let's go back." Ling Ning's mind was in turmoil. Judging by Xia You's behavior, was she... was she into girls? If so, things could get complicated tonight.
"Okay."
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Author's Note:
Three chapters done! Do you think I'm cool? Because I think so too.
Tomorrow's update might be a bit late—I plan to go out and have some fun~
Lastly, happy New Year to everyone, in advance!