Chapter 314 : I... Won't Let Go!
“Ren, want to go for a walk?” Ling Ning leaned over to whisper in Nanase Ren’s ear.
They were seated in a high-end restaurant. Lunch was over, and Qin Qing and Nanase Miyuki were deeply engaged in a discussion about work. Ling Ning didn’t mind, but noticing Ren’s bored expression, she decided to ask.
“Huh?”
Ren looked at Ling Ning in surprise. She hadn’t expected the invitation, though she was more than a little interested in getting out. She’d spent so much time cooped up in the hotel lately that she felt she might start growing mold. But with her mother discussing business, she hadn’t known how to bring it up.
Seeing Ren nod, Ling Ning stood up immediately, announcing that she’d like to take Ren out for a bit. Nanase Miyuki agreed without hesitation, realizing that she’d gotten too absorbed in work to notice her daughter’s restlessness.
“Phew~”
Once outside, Ling Ning took a deep breath. It was a bit hot, but it was definitely better than listening to business chatter inside. Plus, with her limited Japanese skills, she’d only been able to understand bits and pieces.
“Where do you want to go, Ren?”
“I… I’m not sure.” Ren hesitated. She’d wanted to go out, but hadn’t thought of any specific destination.
“Hmm…” Ling Ning stroked her chin thoughtfully. “How about we explore the old town? It’s a bit far, but we can take the subway—it’ll be quick.”
“Alright~”
Ren didn’t really care where they went; she just wanted someone to go out with.
The two headed to the subway station, and as they waited, Ren asked, “Ling Ning, why did you suggest we go out?”
Ling Ning tilted her head with a smile. “Well, you looked pretty bored, so I figured you’d want to go out. Staying in a hotel all day must get dull. Or… did you not want to go?”
“No… it’s not that! How did you notice?”
“Hmm, well, you kept glancing out the window, so I guessed that maybe you wanted to go somewhere.”
To be honest, Ling Ning had been bored herself and didn’t want to mess around on her phone with people watching. So she’d simply watched Ren instead. Better to admire a beautiful girl than to zone out, right?
Hearing this, Ren felt a warm surge of emotion. She hadn’t expected Ling Ning to be so thoughtful. Her heart brimmed with gratitude.
“What?”
Seeing Ren’s sudden bright smile, Ling Ning was puzzled.
Since it was a holiday, the subway was quite crowded. Several stops later, it finally began to clear out. They were just a few stops from their destination when—
“Ah!”
Ren was deep in thought and didn’t notice as the train braked suddenly. With no warning, she lost her balance and pitched forward.
Luckily, Ling Ning was standing right in front of her. A pleasant fragrance filled Ren’s senses, and before she knew it, she was safely caught in Ling Ning’s arms.
“Be careful,” Ling Ning said with a sigh as she steadied Ren. If she hadn’t reacted quickly, Ren might have pulled them both down, which would’ve been embarrassing.
“I’m sorry. I got distracted,” Ren apologized, her face flushed.
“It’s alright. Just be careful next time. On subways, it’s best not to daydream; you might end up missing your stop, losing your wallet, or even attracting a groper.”
“Huh!?”
Ren was shocked. Growing up in Japan, her strict parents hadn’t let her go out alone often, and she’d always had her mother with her on outings. With her own driver taking her to and from school, she’d rarely ridden public transport, so this was all new to her.
Listening to Ling Ning’s warning, she suddenly felt that the subway was a pretty dangerous place.
Seeing Ren’s apprehensive expression, Ling Ning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was about to explain further when a little girl’s voice interrupted them.
“Mommy, why are those two pretty ladies hugging?”
“Maybe because they’re in love, sweetie. Just like me and Mommy.”
“When I grow up, I want a pretty girlfriend too!”
“That’s my girl!”
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Hearing the mother and child’s conversation, Ling Ning suddenly realized she was still holding Ren close, which explained the glances they’d been getting from other passengers.
When Ren stepped out of Ling Ning’s arms, she felt an unexpected reluctance.
“What were they saying?” Ren asked, having caught part of the conversation but not understanding Chinese.
Ling Ning chuckled awkwardly. “They were saying… how beautiful you look, Ren.”
“Really?”
Ren gave her a doubtful look. Her intuition told her that Ling Ning wasn’t translating accurately.
“Of course! Oh, we’re at our stop. Let’s get off!” Ling Ning quickly changed the subject, taking Ren’s hand and leading her off the subway and up to the exit.
“So many people…”
Ren murmured, looking around at the bustling crowd.
“Well, it’s a holiday, so it’s expected. Make sure you don’t let go of my hand, or I won’t be responsible if you get lost~” Ling Ning said with a teasing smile.
Ren nodded and instinctively tightened her grip, feeling the warmth of Ling Ning’s hand in hers.
“I… won’t let go!”
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Author's Note:
Good thing! Last night, Lazy Fish used some crystals for a single pull and got the new skin—perfection!