Chapter 267 : Don’t Rub It Anymore!
“We... should break up.”
“Why?”
“I just feel like we’re not right for each other.”
At that moment, fireworks bloomed brilliantly across the night sky.
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“Ugh, why did I dream about that?”
Ling Ning groggily opened her eyes and stared at the all-too-familiar ceiling above her. Despite how much time had passed, she was surprised to still be dreaming about such things. Her routine lately had been exceptionally consistent—early to bed and late to rise. It must have been the exhaustion from attending yesterday’s convention that triggered this dream.
Reaching out to grab her phone from the bedside table to check the time, she realized her arm was trapped by two loli-sized figures clinging to her. Carefully extracting herself from their grasp and tucking them back under the blanket, Ling Ning tiptoed out of the room with her phone in hand.
Although it was still early, she wasn’t in the mood to go back to sleep.
Stepping onto the balcony, she breathed in the fresh morning air. Memories from her previous life surfaced in her mind, ones she thought she had forgotten. Yet, it seemed she hadn’t let go after all.
What began amidst the fireworks had also ended amidst the fireworks. Why had she ever believed that flimsy excuse of “we’re not right for each other”? If only she had...
As Ling Ning immersed herself in these bittersweet memories, a small hand tugged at the hem of her clothes.
Dong Xue, the little loli, gazed up at Ling Ning silently. She couldn’t quite pinpoint why, but something about Ling Ning felt different today.
“Why are you up so early, Xiao Xue?” Ling Ning asked, smiling as she patted Dong Xue’s head. “Are you staying home today, or do you want to come with me to help sell things at the convention?”
It was Sunday, and the convention was still ongoing. Ling Ning hadn’t planned on attending again, as she had already explored everything yesterday and wasn’t looking to buy anything else. However, she had promised Chen Ruo to help sell some doujinshi, so she had no choice but to go.
“I’ll go with Ling Ning!” Without hesitation, Dong Xue responded. While Ling Ye, her other big sister, was nice and even bought her donuts, she always squished Dong Xue’s cheeks and sometimes drooled on her face. Ling Ning was much better—gentle and caring.
“Alright, then Xiao Xue will be my little helper today~”
After freshening up and getting ready, Ling Ning took Dong Xue out. It was just the two of them this time. Zhou Xiaoxiao had family matters to attend to, Bai Yiyue had a work commitment, and Ling Ning’s daughter was busy writing, leaving only her and Dong Xue to head to the convention center.
However, as soon as Ling Ning stepped outside, she ran into Xia You, who also seemed to be heading out.
This encounter was entirely coincidental. Xia You indeed had plans to leave, but unexpectedly crossing paths with Ling Ning felt like fate.
“G-Good morning, Ling Ning.”
“Good morning. Heading out this early, Xia You?” Ling Ning asked curiously, noticing Xia You was dressed quite heavily.
Xia You nodded and explained that she had received an invitation to participate in an offline event at the convention center. The event mainly involved chatting and playing games. Initially, she had been reluctant to attend due to her discomfort with public speaking, but the generous appearance fee had been too tempting to refuse.
“But aren’t you usually nervous speaking in front of strangers?” Ling Ning asked, puzzled.
“It’s... fine. I’ve already thought of a solution!” Xia You replied confidently.
“Oh~”
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“Ling Ning, you’re finally here!”
Upon arriving at the convention center, Ling Ning found Chen Ruo’s booth surrounded by a crowd. Without much time for pleasantries, Ling Ning and Dong Xue quickly joined the bustling activity. Even Xia You, after a brief pause of surprise, pitched in to help.
With their efforts—and a significant boost from their beauty—the doujinshi sales skyrocketed. More and more people lined up, drawn by the allure of the lovely staff.
“Why does it seem like there’s so much more stock today?” Ling Ning asked Lin Yue, Chen Ruo’s daughter, while helping with the sales.
“I had the printer make an additional 1,500 copies last night. If we sell them all...” Lin Yue’s eyes sparkled with the light of financial gain.
Ling Ning paused, impressed by Chen Ruo’s decisiveness in printing so many extra copies. Judging by the crowd, however, even 1,500 might not be enough.
“Xia You, don’t you need to head over to the other event?” Ling Ning asked.
“It’s fine; I don’t need to check in until the afternoon,” Xia You replied, shaking her head.
“Oh~”
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As the final copy of the doujinshi was handed to a customer, Ling Ning let out a deep sigh of relief. She could hardly believe they had sold 1,500 copies in less than a morning.
Just then, she noticed Chen Ruo was nowhere to be found. She had been at the booth earlier—where had she gone? Had she gotten lost again?
Hearing a rustling sound from a pile of empty boxes, Ling Ning curiously went over and opened one. To her astonishment, there was Chen Ruo curled up inside, fast asleep! She looked so peaceful that Ling Ning thought they could probably ship her home without waking her.
Lin Yue also spotted her mother in the box and nearly burst into tears of frustration. While they had been working tirelessly, her mother had been napping. She had even told her not to stay up late the previous night!
“Don’t rub it anymore!”
Chen Ruo stirred in her sleep, mumbling as if someone were rubbing her cheeks. Groggily opening her eyes, she found Ling Ning and her daughter staring at her with deadpan expressions.
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Author’s Note:
Alas, a lazy soul like me is destined for enlightenment, not the chaos of a magical path.