Chapter 135 : Boyfriend Energy
"Oh no, oh no! I'm late!"
Li Qian stared at the time on her phone. She had already missed her scheduled meeting with Ling Ning, and here she was, still bundled up in her bed. She was doomed.
Last night, Li Qian wasn't sure why, but she had felt unusually restless and couldn't fall asleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts about going shopping with Ling Ning today.
Finally, unable to bear it anymore, she took out her phone and started playing a mobile game she usually wasn't even interested in. She played and played until she dozed off, completely forgetting to set her alarm, which was why she ended up oversleeping.
Without another thought, Li Qian threw off her blanket and hurried to wash up, brush her hair, and get dressed. Thankfully, she had already prepared her outfit for today last night; otherwise, she'd have wasted even more time deciding. Even her makeup was hastily done, just a simple touch-up.
As she was about to leave, she noticed that her sister had already gotten up and left the house, which puzzled her a bit.
She knew her sister was just like her—if there was nothing urgent, she would sleep in until noon. Moreover, whenever her sister came home, it was practically impossible to see her before midday.
For some reason, Li Qian felt an ominous premonition.
But there wasn't time to think too deeply about it now. She was already an hour late for her meeting with Ling Ning, and if she didn't get out the door soon, she'd be hopelessly late.
When Li Qian finally rushed to the school gate, she found it deserted. There wasn't a soul in sight—let alone Ling Ning.
"Did Ling Ning already leave?"
Confused, Li Qian tried calling Ling Ning's phone. However, Ling Ning's line was busy. Li Qian kept redialing but always got the busy signal. She refused to believe Ling Ning could be on a call for fifteen straight minutes—something must have gone wrong.
Given Ling Ning's personality, if she'd waited for this long without Li Qian showing up, she would've called her by now. But Li Qian hadn't received a single missed call from her.
Li Qian scrolled through her call log and suddenly noticed that there had been a call to Ling Ning at around nine last night. But at that time, she had been in the shower, and her phone had been charging in her room.
Recalling the strange smile her sister had given her last night, Li Qian felt a sense of realization dawn on her.
"Li Meng, I'm not done with you!!!"
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Meanwhile, Ling Ning and Li Meng were happily strolling through the streets.
As they passed by a clothing store, Ling Ning stopped and called out to the "Li Qian" walking ahead of her, "Wait a moment. I want to check out the clothes here."
Hearing this, Li Meng paused, turned around, and looked at the store. "Isn't this place a bit... unsuitable for someone your age?"
Ling Ning rolled her eyes. "Did I say I was buying for myself? I'm getting clothes for my dau... ahem, my sister."
"You have a sister!?"
Li Meng blurted out the question before she realized her mistake. Of course, her sister would know about Ling Ning's sister.
Luckily, Ling Ning didn't seem to notice anything amiss and casually replied, "Didn't you meet her last time? You really have a poor memory."
Li Meng gave an awkward laugh and silently cursed herself for her slip-up. Thankfully, Ling Ning didn't probe any further, or else her cover might've been blown.
Ling Ning had a keen eye for fashion, especially when it came to buying clothes for her daughter. Even though her daughter wasn't here, it didn't take long for Ling Ning to pick out several outfits that would suit her perfectly.
When it came time to pay, Ling Ning didn't even bat an eye at the amount and quickly swiped her card. Only Ling Ye could make Ling Ning spend money so freely.
"That was fast. You already picked everything out?" Li Meng asked, a bit surprised at how quickly Ling Ning had finished her shopping.
Ling Ning gave her a slight smile. "Don't doubt my taste. Did you forget what I do for a living?"
"Oh~" Li Meng nodded, half understanding. She knew Ling Ning was a student, but did she have a part-time job? That made Li Meng very curious, though it wasn't something she could outright ask, which left her feeling conflicted.
While Li Meng was lost in thought about what Ling Ning actually did, she didn't notice a step in the pavement and stumbled over it.
"Ah!"
Luckily, Ling Ning was walking right beside "Li Qian" and reached out to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Are you alright?" Ling Ning asked, concerned.
Li Meng carefully moved her right foot, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her ankle. It seemed she had twisted it. With teary eyes, she looked up at Ling Ning. "I... I twisted my ankle."
"You really need to be more careful." Ling Ning scanned the area and spotted a bench nearby. "Hold on for a bit. I'll help you over to that bench."
Li Meng nodded, and with Ling Ning's support, she hobbled over to the bench.
"Let me take a look."
Ling Ning knelt down, gently removing Li Meng's shoe and sock. Fortunately, Li Meng was wearing pants today; if she'd been in a skirt and tights, this would have been much more awkward.
Li Meng's fair foot was slightly swollen at the ankle, but it didn't seem too serious. Ling Ning pressed lightly on the swollen area.
"Ah!"
Li Meng yelped, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Ling Ning, as if asking why she had to press there.
"It's alright, just a little swelling. Rest for a few days and you'll be fine."
Ling Ning knew this kind of injury well. In her past life, she often twisted her ankle while walking and using her phone at the same time. It became such a common occurrence that she barely reacted to it—until the day she bumped into an elderly lady while distracted. After that, she finally broke the habit of using her phone while walking.
After assessing Li Meng's injury, Ling Ning carefully put her sock and shoe back on.
Watching Ling Ning help her put her shoe on, Li Meng's heart couldn't help but race a little. At that moment, Ling Ning seemed to exude an aura of boyfriend-like strength.
Once Li Meng was ready, Ling Ning took out her phone and checked the time before suggesting, "It's already noon. Let's head to a nearby restaurant for lunch. After that, I'll take you home."
Li Meng looked at Ling Ning and nodded.
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Author's Note:
I'm completely drained, like a dried-up salted fish.