Chapter 139 : Married Woman Version Ling Ning—Revised
"Mom, Mom. The teacher said there'll be a parent-teacher meeting tomorrow."
Ling Ning had just gotten out of the shower when she heard her daughter tell her this.
Parent-teacher meetings... In her previous life, she had only ever experienced them back in elementary school, and her impression of them wasn't exactly positive.
She vividly remembered a parent-teacher meeting from third grade, where somehow a teacher had informed her mother that she'd been sneaking off to the arcade. The result? A rather memorable bamboo-shoot stir-fry that evening—metaphorically speaking, of course.
After searching her memory, Ling Ning realized that she had never attended a single one of her daughter's parent-teacher meetings. Perhaps it was about time she did. Besides, it would also be a good opportunity to ask the teacher about her daughter's school performance.
Seeing her daughter's expectant gaze, Ling Ning smiled warmly. "Don't worry, even if I need to take leave, I'll definitely be there."
"Really?" Ling Ye looked at her mother with big, sparkling eyes.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you, Ye Ye?"
"Mom is the best!" Ling Ye cheered, wrapping her arms around her mother and planting a big, sloppy kiss on her cheek.
Ling Ning casually wiped her daughter's drool off her face, frowning slightly. "How many times do I have to tell you not to slobber on Mom's face when you've got candy in your mouth?"
"Hehe~"
Looking at her daughter, Ling Ning could only shake her head in exasperation. She started wondering about what to wear to the meeting. After thinking it over, she decided she should dress a bit more maturely.
Since Ling Ning often picked her daughter up from school, most of the parents and students were used to seeing her as an "older sister" figure. But for tomorrow, Ling Ning figured her daughter might prefer her to show up as her actual mother.
Moreover, tomorrow was Friday, and she'd need to request leave from work as well.
With that in mind, Ling Ning took out her phone and called Ye Xuan. After explaining the situation, Ye Xuan assured her that taking leave would be no problem at all.
Wanting to save herself some trouble tomorrow, Ling Ning even prepared the outfit she'd wear, just to avoid any unnecessary delays in the morning.
After getting everything ready, Ling Ning was just about to turn off the lights and go to bed when the door creaked open. In sneaked Ling Ye, clutching a pillow, her little face full of mischief.
Seeing her daughter's antics, Ling Ning couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright, Mom's not asleep yet. Come over here. And why did you come over in just one layer? Couldn't you have thrown on a coat or something?"
Having been caught, Ling Ye let out a silly laugh, quickly diving under her mother's blanket and settling into her warm embrace, eyes closing contentedly.
Ling Ning shook her head. It was about time to sleep. Even though she didn't need to get up early tomorrow, the cold weather made her less inclined to stay up late.
"Can't sleep?" Ling Ning asked, hearing her daughter toss and turn.
"Mm~"
"Come on, try to sleep. You've got school tomorrow." Ling Ning said as she herself yawned.
"Ye Ye can't sleep unless Mom sings to me~"
Hearing her daughter's request, Ling Ning felt a bit troubled. Singing wasn't exactly her strong suit, and apart from a few silly old songs, her repertoire was quite limited. And even those, she tended to forget the lyrics or go off-key.
After thinking it over, she suddenly remembered her alarm ringtone. Although the lyrics were a bit eerie, it was still better than songs like "Pomp and Circumstance" or "True Colors."
And so, Ling Ning softly began to hum a song called "Little Sister Carrying a Doll."
"Little sister carried her doll, walked to the garden to see the cherry blossoms. The doll cried for Mom, and the little birds on the tree laughed ha-ha..."
Ling Ning's voice was gentle and soothing, especially in the quiet room, making it feel warm and safe.
Ling Ye closed her eyes, comforted by her mother's soft singing. She hadn't heard this song before, but it seemed like a harmless children's tune... or so she thought, until the lyrics took a darker turn.
When Ling Ning got to the line "She peeled off my skin to make a doll," Ling Ye shuddered. She started wondering if maybe, just maybe, coming to sleep with her mother tonight had been a mistake.
Ling Ning finished the song with a satisfied smile. She hadn't forgotten a single word, and she hadn't gone off-key once. When she turned to check if her daughter had fallen asleep, she found Ling Ye shivering, curled tightly against her.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Ling Ning asked, puzzled.
"Mom, are you... are you going to turn me into a doll?" Ling Ye peeked up from her mother's chest, her voice trembling.
"It's just a song, Ye Ye. How could Mom ever do that to her precious little girl?" Ling Ning laughed softly, ruffling her daughter's hair. "You're too cute for that, silly."
"Alright, stop overthinking things and go to sleep."
"Oh... okay~"
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Since the parent-teacher meeting was in the afternoon, Ling Ning got the rare chance to sleep in. She didn't even notice when Ling Ye got up and left for school, finally waking up around noon.
After washing up, she ordered delivery—combining breakfast and lunch into one meal. Feeling the power of laziness overwhelming her, she had absolutely no desire to step into the kitchen.
Since she had decided to go as Ling Ye's mother, she figured she needed to dress the part, which meant looking more mature. Putting on makeup was an absolute must. Changing into the outfit she had prepared, Ling Ning sat down in front of her vanity and got to work.
Having learned from her last attempt, she was far more skilled this time around. But makeup required patience; it wasn't something that could be rushed.
After a while, Ling Ning finally stood up from her vanity, her face filled with satisfaction. She twirled in front of the mirror, admiring her mature, motherly look. She nodded approvingly—at least she hoped no one would recognize her like this.
Once everything was ready, Ling Ning checked her phone and realized it was about time to leave.
"Married Woman Version Ling Ning—Revised, ready for action!"
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Author's Note:
"Little Sister Carrying a Doll" is a great song. Feel free to look it up if you're curious~