Chapter 261 : Who Knew You Were So Capable
"This..."
Chen Ruo looked at Ling Ning, feeling conflicted. Judging by Ling Ning’s expression, it seemed she hadn’t realized yet that the heroine in the doujinshi was based on her. But if she actually gave it to Ling Ning, she’d eventually find out. However, refusing to give it to her now felt awkward, too. Chen Ruo was completely torn.
"Is it... not okay?" Ling Ning asked, giving Chen Ruo a pleading look. She genuinely liked the doujinshi.
"Oh, come on, it’s just a doujinshi. Here, take it~" Lin Yue couldn’t stand watching her mother struggle, so she grabbed a bag, placed the doujinshi in it, and handed it to Ling Ning. Although she didn’t particularly like Ling Ning, she recognized that Ling Ning had helped her mother countless times. One doujinshi was nothing in comparison.
"If Lady Ling Ning likes it that much, please take it~" Chen Ruo laughed awkwardly. Since her daughter had already handed it over, she decided to just go with it. She’d apologize to Ling Ning later if she ever found out the truth.
"Thank you so much~" Ling Ning smiled brightly, pleased to have gotten the doujinshi she wanted.
Just then, Ling Ning’s phone rang—it was Zhou Xiaoxiao calling.
"Hey, Ling Ning, did you fall into the restroom or something? What’s taking you so long?" Zhou Xiaoxiao was practically fuming. Reminded by Xiao Dong Xue, she finally realized she’d left Ling Ning alone somewhere.
"I ran into a friend, but I’ll be there soon," Ling Ning replied with an embarrassed smile, realizing she’d gotten completely absorbed in the doujinshi and forgotten about her friends.
"Whatever, where are you now? We’ll come find you."
"I’m just by—"
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Not long after, Zhou Xiaoxiao arrived with the rest of the group in tow. Xiao Dong Xue’s eyes lit up when she spotted Ling Ning, and she ran over, immediately grabbing onto her skirt. There was nowhere she felt safer than by Ling Ning’s side.
Ling Ye had been excited to see her mom again, but upon noticing Chen Ruo, she instantly realized why her mother had taken so long. Clearly, she’d been helping this clueless woman after she’d inevitably gotten lost again. Ling Ye didn’t even need an explanation—this had to be why her mom had spent so much time away.
How did her mom always end up meeting this “helpless lady” every time she got lost? Ling Ye even began to suspect that this woman was some kind of stalker—there was no other way such coincidences could keep happening!
"Wait a second—this art style, could this be from ‘Moe-Lost-Kitty’?" Zhou Xiaoxiao exclaimed, holding the doujinshi. She’d read nearly everything from Moe-Lost-Kitty, especially the 18+ works. The unique style of those doujinshi held a special place in her heart… cough, cough.
"Could it be that Teacher Moe-Lost-Kitty is here in person?" Zhou Xiaoxiao asked excitedly, looking at Chen Ruo with anticipation.
Hearing this, Chen Ruo’s eyes widened in surprise. She stammered, "N-No, it’s just a similar style, that’s all~"
"Really? The resemblance is uncanny, though! Never mind, I’ll take three copies anyway!" Zhou Xiaoxiao said, too thrilled to notice Chen Ruo’s flustered response. After all, in her mind, “Teacher Moe-Lost-Kitty” had to be some lecherous middle-aged man. The idea that the person before her—a delicate, wife-like “loli” woman—could be Moe-Lost-Kitty never even crossed her mind.
Thankfully, Zhou Xiaoxiao didn’t pursue the matter further. Chen Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, feeling strangely embarrassed. She wasn’t keen on revealing her identity as an 18+ manga artist in public—it felt a bit too shameful.
However, Zhou Xiaoxiao’s comment had caught the attention of others nearby. With so many doujinshi fans gathered around, most of whom recognized “Moe-Lost-Kitty’s” style, a small crowd quickly gathered around Chen Ruo’s booth.
Not great with strangers, Chen Ruo was completely overwhelmed by the sudden influx of customers. Her daughter, Lin Yue, was left to handle the booth alone, managing all the sales by herself. Seeing the situation, Ling Ning shook her head in mild exasperation and stepped up to help.
Lin Yue glanced at Ling Ning, muttering, "Don’t think I’ll thank you for this."
Ling Ning merely smiled, ignoring the remark, and turned to Zhou Xiaoxiao. "I’ll stay and help out here. Why don’t you take the others and check out the rest of the convention? Once things settle down, I’ll come find you."
"Need us to stay and help?" Zhou Xiaoxiao offered.
"No need. Too many people will just get in the way. You all go ahead and explore—I’ll catch up soon," Ling Ning replied.
With that, Zhou Xiaoxiao shrugged, leading the others back to the convention. Bai Yiyue initially insisted on staying, but there was no way Ling Ning would let her draw that much attention to their group, so she was eventually pulled away as well. Meanwhile, Ling Ye and Xiao Dong Xue stayed by Ling Ning’s side, both preferring her company over the rest of the convention.
Xiao Dong Xue, though quiet, was actually far more efficient than Chen Ruo when it came to handling the customers. She collected payments, handed over the doujinshi, and stayed silent, all while keeping the line moving smoothly. Chen Ruo, on the other hand, struggled to sell a single copy in the same time, fumbling through conversations that delayed each sale.
Realizing her limited usefulness, Chen Ruo quietly took a step back, focusing on organizing the stacks of doujinshi behind them. Surprisingly, this more behind-the-scenes role seemed to suit her better.
Meanwhile, Ling Ning and Lin Yue worked like machines, constantly taking orders and handing out doujinshi. Lin Yue was determined not to lose to Ling Ning, whom she viewed as a rival with questionable motives toward her mother. For her part, Ling Ning couldn’t let herself be outdone by a younger girl.
As time went on, Ling Ning noticed the line wasn’t getting any shorter—in fact, it seemed to be growing. To make matters worse, the stock of doujinshi was dwindling rapidly.
Chen Ruo noticed the same problem but was helpless to do anything about it. The books had already been printed in bulk, with over five hundred copies on hand, priced high enough to avoid quick depletion. Yet they were still selling out faster than expected.
"I'm really sorry, everyone," Chen Ruo announced. "We’ve sold out of all our doujinshi. For those still interested, please check back tomorrow."
As the crowd dispersed, Ling Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the brief respite.
"Who knew you were so capable," Lin Yue remarked, a hint of respect in her gaze. She’d previously thought of Ling Ning as nothing more than a pretty face, but today’s events had changed her perception.
Ling Ning smiled at her, replying, "You did well, too~"
Lin Yue was caught off-guard, momentarily dazzled by Ling Ning’s smile.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Author’s Note:
Three chapters done!