Chapter 253 : Please, I Must Have Your Bathwater~
“Ugh~”
Ling Ning slowly opened her bleary eyes, staring up at the familiar ceiling. Her head still felt a bit heavy, and she recalled drinking with Xia You last night.
Sitting up, she looked around to confirm that she was indeed in her own room. She figured that Xia You must have brought her home after she’d passed out.
She wasn’t wrong; it was indeed Xia You who had brought her back. However, what Ling Ning didn’t know was that she’d nearly ended up staying at Xia You’s place. If her daughter hadn’t come knocking with a question about her writing, she might have woken up somewhere else entirely.
Ling Ning sighed. She couldn’t believe her tolerance had dropped so low that she couldn’t even handle a few beers anymore. For someone who loved drinking as much as she did, this was a serious blow. Every time she got drunk, she told herself to cut back next time, but she always ended up losing control at the sight of alcohol.
“Sigh~”
Just as she was about to get up, she noticed someone lying next to her. It was none other than Xiao Dong Xue. Since it was Monday, her daughter was already off to school, leaving Dong Xue as her bedmate.
Ling Ning’s movements seemed to have disturbed Dong Xue, who opened her eyes briefly, looked at Ling Ning, then snuggled against her and closed her eyes again, drifting back to sleep.
With a small smile, Ling Ning gently lifted Dong Xue, setting her to the side before getting out of bed to take a shower. Her inner clean freak couldn’t bear the thought of not washing up after last night.
Ding-dong~
Just as she was about to grab a change of clothes and head to the bathroom, the doorbell rang.
Ling Ning approached the door, and before she could open it, she heard Bai Yiyue’s voice: “Ling Ning, don’t pretend you’re not home! I know you’re in there. You had the guts to make plans with me; now have the guts to open the door!”
At this, Ling Ning pulled her hand back. Perhaps she should take a shower, get dressed, and put on some makeup before answering.
Though she wasn’t exactly thrilled at the thought, Ling Ning decided it would be best to clarify things. She reached for the door and opened it.
The moment the door was open, Bai Yiyue lunged forward and hugged her, clinging to her like a lost child. “Ling Ning, you finally opened the door! I’ve been waiting outside for almost an hour! I even tried calling you, but you didn’t answer—I thought something might have happened!”
Hearing this, Ling Ning glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearly ten. Remembering that she’d agreed to meet at a certain time, she realized Bai Yiyue really had been waiting that long.
“Alright, I get it. Now, let go of me—I need to shower first.”
“Huh?! Why shower first thing in the morning?” Bai Yiyue asked, puzzled.
“Why not? A shower’s good anytime,” Ling Ning replied, heading to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the air.
Hearing the shower, Bai Yiyue felt an itch of frustration. She wished she could join Ling Ning. Why did the bathroom door have to be so sturdy, with no gaps for peeking?
Too bad Ling Ning’s bathroom didn’t have a bathtub; otherwise, she would’ve begged for some of Ling Ning’s bathwater.
After a while, Ling Ning finally emerged from the bathroom, her face flushed from the warmth of the shower, making her look especially radiant.
Seeing her with her wet hair, Bai Yiyue smiled and moved closer, taking the towel from her hands. “Let me do it.”
Ling Ning glanced at her, then let go of the towel, allowing Bai Yiyue to dry her hair. Despite her friend’s clumsiness and less-than-ideal technique, Ling Ning found she didn’t dislike it.
Bai Yiyue focused intently on drying Ling Ning’s hair. It was her first time doing this for someone else—even her own mother hadn’t enjoyed such attention.
After a while, Ling Ning gently spoke up. “Alright, I’ll take it from here.”
“Uh…was I doing a bad job?” Bai Yiyue asked hesitantly.
Ling Ning thought for a moment, then replied, “Well, your technique and control could use some work, but… I didn’t dislike it.”
“Ling Ning…”
Ling Ning quickly stopped her friend, sensing another incoming hug. “I have a job for you: go wake up Xiao Xue. If you actually want to go out today, do as I say.”
“Aye, aye, captain!”
Bai Yiyue gave a crisp salute before heading into the bedroom to rouse Dong Xue.
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“Should’ve stayed home today,” Ling Ning muttered, feeling the oppressive heat of the sunlight. Even with an umbrella, she could feel the scorching weather.
Dong Xue, still sleepy, clung to the hem of Ling Ning’s skirt, refusing to let go.
“By the way, don’t you get uncomfortable wearing a mask every time you go out? Especially in this weather,” Ling Ning asked, glancing at Bai Yiyue.
Bai Yiyue shook her head. “Nah, I’m used to it. If I don’t wear it, people recognize me right away. It’s just one of the drawbacks of being famous.”
She’d once hated wearing a mask, but after being chased through countless streets by overzealous fans without one, she’d quickly gotten used to it.
“It’s almost lunchtime, and I doubt any of you had breakfast. Why don’t we grab something to eat first?” Bai Yiyue suggested.
Ling Ning nodded without hesitation. After barely eating dinner last night, she was starving. Even Dong Xue’s sleepy eyes brightened at the mention of food.
“So, Ling Ning, anything you want to eat? Just name it, my treat~” Bai Yiyue said with a proud pat on her chest, though there wasn’t much to pat.
“Oh~”
Hearing there was a free lunch, Ling Ning’s eyes sparkled.
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Author’s Note:
Starting today, I’ll be posting three chapters daily through the end of February. Enjoy~
Also, here’s a recommendation for a new novel by the great Emiyal: The Holy Grail War of Fuyuki City Continues on a Peaceful Path/冬木市的圣杯战争依旧核平, a delightful blend of Carnival Phantasm and FGO.