Chapter 173 : Ugh, So Frustrating!
"Only two days off per month? Are they trying to kill me?"
Ling Ning lay on her bed, her face utterly expressionless, as if life had drained out of her. She had just received calls from two different magazines, both wanting to know when she could be available for a photoshoot.
It was only today that she had taken leave to finish her job with He Miao-miao and, along the way, completed the spring fashion shoot for Qin Qing. She wasn't expecting to get calls again so soon—felt like they were determined to wear her out. If it were just ordinary illustrations, she would have turned them down immediately. But this time, one of the magazines wanted her to shoot a cover.
Although it was just a small magazine, getting on the cover would still boost her reputation a bit. And with that, she could charge a higher rate for future work.
However, her next day off was still over ten days away, and the magazine needed her by the day after tomorrow. If she couldn't make it, they'd have to find someone else.
After some careful consideration, Ling Ning decided to just take another day off tomorrow. As for the lessons she would miss, she figured she could have Xia You take notes for her, then catch up with Ye Xuan later. There might be a small price to pay for that, but for the sake of her beloved cash, it was all acceptable.
Having made her decision, Ling Ning didn't hesitate. She picked up her phone and called Ye Xuan, explained her situation, and easily got permission for a day off. Then she contacted the two magazines and arranged the schedules.
After sorting everything out, she finally relaxed, lying on her bed and sighing deeply. She wished there could be forty-eight hours in a day—there just wasn't enough time.
She hoped the college entrance exams would happen soon. Only after the exams would she have enough free time. Otherwise, with just two days off a month, it felt almost unbearable.
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The next morning, Ling Ning got up early. Although the two locations for her shoots were both indoors, they were in completely different parts of the city, so she had to manage her time carefully.
The magazine cover shoot was scheduled for the morning. The office was pretty far from her house, requiring more than an hour-long subway ride. She originally thought about taking a taxi, but given the heavy traffic during S City's morning rush, she opted for the subway instead.
She had worked with this magazine several times already. They knew she was a senior in high school and didn't have much time, so they didn't waste any words. After giving her the requirements for the shoot, they took her straight to hair and makeup.
Thanks to her training under Yang Bingzhen, Ling Ning was a natural when it came to indoor shoots. Her skills rivaled those of professional models, and the staff had long gotten used to her outstanding performance.
When the editor had first brought in this unknown, albeit beautiful but somewhat immature girl for illustration shoots, they hadn't said anything, but they had their doubts. When they found out she was still in high school, many on the team even thought the magazine was making a mistake.
But Ling Ning’s performance soon proved them all wrong. Her expressions, her poses, her entire aura—she was leagues ahead of the amateur models they'd used before.
Each time they met, there was something new and surprising about her. They felt like they were witnessing her growth firsthand. And she was so approachable, always greeting the staff with sweet "brother" and "sister," chatting with them casually, talking about everything and anything. It was no wonder she was so well-liked by everyone there.
"All done~ As always, your performance was perfect, Ling Ning~"
The speaker was a stylish, mature woman—the chief editor of the magazine. She was also the one who had initially contacted Ling Ning through He Miao-miao. Ling Ning usually called her Sister Ding.
"By the way, how about staying for lunch with us today, Ling Ning?"
"Thanks, Sister Ding, but I'm really short on time today. Maybe next time?" Ling Ning was tempted by the idea of a free lunch, but when she remembered her afternoon schedule, she reluctantly declined.
Without even removing her makeup, she quickly changed clothes and left the magazine's office. After grabbing a quick lunch somewhere nearby, she took another hour-long subway ride to her next destination. She sighed, annoyed—why did the two magazines have to be so far apart?
She finally reached the second magazine office. She had worked with them many times before, but it had always been for outdoor shoots. This was her first time shooting indoors here.
Perhaps it was just because she was in good form that day, but the afternoon shoot went by quickly—much faster than she had expected, and she finished almost an hour ahead of schedule.
After leaving the magazine office, Ling Ning checked her phone and saw that it was still early, so she decided to take a stroll around the old district.
Although it was called the "old district," it was still bustling with people. Ling Ning walked aimlessly down the street, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. After thinking it over, she realized—it was near her old home. No wonder it felt so familiar.
Unintentionally, her steps took her to the building where she used to live. She looked at it, her emotions complicated. After a moment, she shook her head, turned around, and left.
Just as she was about to head home, she ran into someone she never expected to see.
Walking toward her was a middle-aged man—overweight, and all too familiar. It was her unscrupulous uncle.
At the same time Ling Ning saw Ling Zhizhao, he also saw her. The moment their eyes met, Ling Zhizhao’s expression turned somewhat fearful. The resemblance was uncanny—she looked almost exactly like his late sister-in-law, as if she were her spitting image.
But then he noticed that Ling Ning’s face was still far more youthful compared to his sister-in-law's.
"Uncle, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Ling Ning asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"You’re Ling Ning, right? You’ve grown so much, I nearly didn’t recognize you. You look just like your mother." Ling Zhizhao smiled at her, his face filled with a seemingly warm expression. In reality, he hadn't recognized her at first. The last time he had seen Ling Ning was two years ago, and back then, she looked like a completely different person.
He couldn’t understand how someone could change so much in just two years.
"If there's nothing else, I’ll be heading off—I’ve got things to do. The living expenses for this month have already been transferred to your account," he added, assuming that she had come to ask for money.
"Wait. There’s something I want to ask you."
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Author's Note:
In the next chapter, a new character will appear. Though I'm sure many of you already know who it is, I won't say more. Also, please feel free to drown this salted fish with recommendations, monthly votes, and support!