Chapter 313 : A Chance Encounter
“Why did I have to come watch this boring fashion show?”
Nanase Ren sighed, her eyes glazed as she watched the models walking the runway. She knew nothing about fashion. Originally, she’d planned to meet up with Ling Ning to experiment with some new recipes, but her parents had dragged her to the show, saying she needed to get out of the hotel and see more of the world.
She would’ve much preferred wandering around aimlessly than sitting through this. At least then she’d have some freedom.
But just then, a model stepped onto the stage, catching Ren’s eye. The figure looked familiar, and Ren stood up in surprise as she recognized her: It’s Ling Ning!
At the same moment, Ling Ning noticed Ren in the audience, but she maintained her professional composure, only glancing her way before refocusing on the runway. She was in the middle of a show, after all, and couldn’t afford distractions.
Still, Ling Ning was surprised to see her here. She made a mental note to go look for her after the show.
Ren’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she watched Ling Ning on the runway. She’d once thought to herself that with a body like that, Ling Ning would make an amazing model. But seeing her there, exuding such captivating charm, was beyond anything she’d imagined.
“What’s going on?”
Ren’s mother, sitting beside her, looked at her daughter curiously. She’d been sitting there slouched, but now she seemed so animated.
Realizing her excitement was showing, Ren quickly composed herself. “It’s nothing… I just saw someone I know.”
“Oh, is it that capable girl you’ve been mentioning?” her mother asked, perking up and scanning the stage to see who had caught Ren’s attention.
“I-I don’t talk about her that much,” Ren replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, though she subtly pointed to Ling Ning on the runway.
“Oh, she’s a lovely young woman. And you’re just as charming!” her mother replied with a smile. She’d heard that this girl was quite talented in the kitchen, and she was eager to meet her.
“Wait, does Xiao Ren know Ling Ning?”
The voice belonged to Qin Qing, who was sitting nearby. She hadn’t expected her business partner’s daughter to know Ling Ning. This was interesting.
Seeing Ren’s confused expression, Qin Qing switched to flawless Japanese and explained, “Ling Ning is my company’s official model. Once the show ends, I can take you backstage to meet her.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
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“Phew, it’s finally over.”
Ling Ning stretched contentedly. She’d nearly stumbled earlier, distracted by seeing Ren in the crowd, but thankfully she’d pulled through without any mishaps. She’d hate to mess up, especially for Qin Qing’s sake.
“Nice work out there,” Qin Qing said, looking at Ling Ning with a touch of pride.
She’d watched Ling Ning grow from a complete rookie—so clumsy at first—to a confident and capable model in less than a year. It reminded her of something Yang Bing had once said: “Ling Ning’s potential is even greater than you’d imagine.”
“Oh, I still have so much to learn,” Ling Ning said, embarrassed by the praise.
“By the way, Ling Ning, someone’s here to see you.”
“Huh?”
It was only then that Ling Ning noticed the two women standing behind Qin Qing. She recognized one of them as Ren from the audience, but the other woman—a beautiful lady with a striking resemblance to Ren—was a stranger. Judging by the resemblance, she was probably Ren’s mother.
“Hello, my name is Ling Ning. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello, I’m Ren’s mother, Nanase Miyuki,” the older woman replied, studying Ling Ning with interest. The view from the audience hadn’t done her justice. She wasn’t surprised that Ling Ning spoke Japanese—her daughter had already mentioned it.
Qin Qing smiled. “Let me introduce everyone. Nanase Miyuki is one of our company’s business partners. I didn’t know you spoke Japanese, Ling Ning!”
Ling Ning was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Ren’s mother to be one of Qin Qing’s partners. Small world.
With a shrug, she said, “Oh, I only know the basics. Anything more complicated would be beyond me.”
“Well, why don’t you go change out of your show clothes?” Qin Qing suggested. “It’s already noon. Let’s go out for lunch and chat. My treat!”
“I-I’ll go change right away!” Ling Ning replied eagerly. Free lunch? Absolutely.
When Ling Ning returned in her own clothes, she was surprised to see Qin Qing and Nanase Miyuki chatting in Japanese. She hadn’t even known that Qin Qing spoke Japanese.
Catching Ling Ning’s expression, Qin Qing laughed. “I spent some time studying in Japan, so I learned it then.”
“…”
Seeing the two of them deep in conversation, Ling Ning walked over to Ren, taking her arm with a playful smile. “So, Ren, what brings you here today?”
Feeling the soft warmth of Ling Ning’s arm, Ren blushed, stumbling over her words. Why did she feel this way? She was a girl, after all.
“My mother dragged me along.”
At that, she was suddenly grateful her mother had insisted. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have run into Ling Ning today.
“By the way, the clothes you lent me are still at the hotel. I forgot to bring them,” Ren added.
“That’s fine, Ren-chan. Just bring them over next time you visit,” Ling Ning replied in Japanese.
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Author's Note:
Surprised by the normal chapter title? It’s because the lazy fish finally got their favorite character! After three pulls, she’s here!