Chapter 298 : Is That... Makoto
“Why does that guy look so familiar?”
Ling Ning was sitting in a small restaurant with her daughter, Ling Ye. She was staring at a young man seated diagonally across from them, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. It was as if she’d seen him somewhere before, but her peculiar memory couldn’t quite place him.
Across from the young man sat a beautiful woman, though her makeup was a bit heavy.
“What’s wrong, Mom?”
Noticing her mother’s distraction, Ling Ye paused and looked at her curiously, then followed her mother’s gaze to the young man across the room.
Why is Mom staring at this guy? Could she… like him? But that didn’t seem right. Her mother’s taste couldn’t be that bad.
“It’s nothing,” Ling Ning said, snapping back to the moment. “I just feel like I’ve seen that man somewhere before. Ye Ye, do you recognize him?”
Ling Ye shook her head. Her memory wasn’t as quirky as her mother’s, but she still didn’t recognize the man. He looked like any regular guy to her.
Just then, the young man seemed to notice Ling Ning’s gaze. He turned his head slightly and smiled at her. He didn’t know why the beautiful girl sitting diagonally across was staring at him, but he figured a friendly smile couldn’t hurt.
The woman across from him noticed him smiling at Ling Ning and gave him a look. “Is she pretty?”
“N-no…”
“Not pretty? I think she’s very pretty~”
“N-no, it’s not like that…”
The young man sighed inwardly, giving up on trying to explain. This girl’s thoughts were impossible to decipher, but he was determined to endure it all, hoping it would lead to a peaceful future together.
Ling Ning raised her eyebrow. That smile of his only deepened the sense of familiarity. She felt as though she was on the verge of recalling something, yet it stayed just out of reach.
Forget it, she thought to herself, giving up. If I can’t remember, it’s probably not important. Let’s eat—I’m starving.
After they finished their meal, Ling Ning and Ling Ye strolled through a nearby shopping district. Although they’d already done their clothes shopping, it didn’t hurt to browse. In her past life, she’d hated shopping, but now she found it surprisingly enjoyable.
At the entrance of a convenience store, she suddenly spotted another familiar figure.
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“Sigh~”
Lin Xi stared at her empty refrigerator and sighed. There was nothing left—not even instant noodles. It was time to restock.
Her injured leg had mostly healed, though it still hurt a bit when she walked. Recently, her boyfriend, Fuji Makoto, had been busy, leaving her to handle errands herself.
If only Makoto were here, I wouldn’t have to go out, she thought, sighing as she recalled her boyfriend’s full name, Fuji Makoto.
They spoke on the phone daily, but lately, he seemed constantly rushed. Lin Xi assumed it was due to work.
After some thought, she pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
“Hey, Xiao Xi? I’m at work right now. Can we talk later tonight?”
Hearing his response, Lin Xi sighed again. She’d expected this, but it still disappointed her. It can’t be helped if it’s work, she reasoned.
“Got it. Good luck with work!”
After hanging up, she put on her shoes, left her apartment, and braved the scorching sun. She’d barely been outside lately, only venturing out to take out the trash. She resolved to grab her supplies quickly and get back to her air-conditioned apartment.
After a brief shopping trip, she exited the store, carrying a modest amount of instant meals. But just as she stepped outside, she ran into someone she hadn’t wanted to see.
“Oh? Lin Xi, doing some shopping on your own?” Ling Ning teased, noticing the bags Lin Xi was struggling to carry. Despite her playful tone, she stepped forward to relieve Lin Xi of her bags.
Lin Xi rolled her eyes. “Why do I keep running into you everywhere I go?”
“Must be fate,” Ling Ning replied with a smirk. “So, how’s your leg? Any better?”
Lin Xi looked down at her still-sore leg and nodded. “It’s almost healed, though it still hurts a bit when I walk.”
“Where’s your boyfriend? It’s Sunday, right? Shouldn’t he have the day off?”
Lin Xi gave a bitter smile. “He told me that his company is still in the startup phase, so every minute counts. I get it—it’s just something I have to accept.”
“Oh…” Ling Ning nodded thoughtfully. A startup, huh? Sounds like he’s pretty dedicated to his work.
Meanwhile, Ling Ye, who had been silent this whole time, looked puzzled. When had her mother befriended such a pretty older girl? And why were they already so close? But after hearing the woman mention a boyfriend, Ling Ye felt relieved. As long as this lady wasn’t trying to get close to her mother, she didn’t care who she was.
“Well, since you’re already out, why don’t we stop by that dessert café?” Ling Ning suggested. “I’ll help you carry everything home after.”
At the mention of dessert, Lin Xi’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t had any since she hurt her leg, and she missed it terribly.
“Fine, but you’re paying!” she replied with a grin.
“Of course—it’ll be a thank-you for finding my bracelet last time,” Ling Ning said with a smile.
“Hmph! I’ll take you up on that, then~”
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Author’s Note:
Three updates today! I finally managed to pull the Scarlet Dance in Honkai Impact 3rd, but only after dropping way too much money. Love you, Newton~