Chapter 321 : Striking it Rich~
"Xiao Xue, weren’t you going to bed? Why are you still wandering around?"
Yang Bing asked, watching her daughter, who had announced her plan to sleep after dinner, only to keep moving between the bedroom, the sofa, the floor, and even Yang Bing’s lap.
"I want to sleep, but I just can’t fall asleep," Xiao Dong Xue mumbled, clutching her small pillow as she snuggled up to her mom.
"Why don’t you try lying in bed and counting Gabriel in your mind? That might help you drift off," Yang Bing suggested.
Just as Dong Xue was about to give her mom’s suggestion a try, the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be in the middle of the day?" Yang Bing muttered.
Before she could get up to answer, Dong Xue darted over, carrying her little step stool to help her reach the door. Even with the stool, she couldn’t quite reach the peephole, so she was about to grab a higher chair when a familiar voice called out from outside.
"Xiao Xue, are you home?"
As soon as Ling Ning finished calling, the door swung open, and Dong Xue clung to her leg, hugging her tightly.
Seeing Dong Xue’s cheerful face as she clung to her leg, Ling Ning laughed and reached down to gently pat her little head.
Dong Xue’s delighted expression made Ling Ning feel all warm and fuzzy. Every time she saw this little girl’s happy face, it was like a balm for her soul. Cute little girls were the best.
From her seat on the couch, Yang Bing noticed Ling Ning’s arrival. She didn’t even need to look to know who it was—only Ling Ning, or her husband Dong Fei, could get her daughter to open the door so willingly. And since her husband was away on a business trip, there was only one possible visitor.
"I was visiting Sister Qin Qing today and thought I’d drop by to see you and Xiao Xue. I hope I’m not disturbing you."
"No worries at all. I’m not one to take afternoon naps, so you couldn’t disturb me even if you tried."
As Ling Ning sat on the couch, Xiao Dong Xue followed her and quickly settled onto her lap, curling up in a comfortable position. She even tossed her pillow aside without a second thought, as Ling Ning’s lap was clearly much cozier.
Yang Bing chuckled, watching her daughter snuggle up to Ling Ning. "Xiao Xue was just trying to fall asleep but couldn’t settle down. She kept looking for the perfect spot, but I guess your lap has done the trick."
"I… I don’t know what to say,"
Ling Ning stammered, flustered. Her own daughter also loved using her lap as a pillow for naps.
"Let’s talk about work instead," Yang Bing suggested.
Ling Ning pointed to Dong Xue, who was already fast asleep on her lap, conveying her concern without words.
"It’s fine. Once she’s asleep, Xiao Xue doesn’t wake up easily. We just need to keep our voices down."
"Alright~"
With that, Ling Ning began recounting her recent experiences in modeling to her mentor.
When she mentioned joining Qin Qing’s company, Yang Bing raised her eyebrows in surprise. She knew her old friend had made a shrewd move, especially with a talented protégé like Ling Ning. In a few years, she was certain that Ling Ning would be among the best in the industry.
Qin Qing was certainly generous, giving her five percent of the company’s original shares. If this were anyone else, Yang Bing wouldn’t be so sure of the outcome, but with her old friend, she knew Ling Ning was well on her way to striking it rich.
The two of them chatted for hours, their conversation only interrupted when Xiao Dong Xue woke up.
"Did you sleep well, Xiao Xue?" Ling Ning asked, smiling as the little girl rubbed her eyes drowsily.
Dong Xue nodded shyly, glancing at a damp spot on Ling Ning’s skirt from her nap. She felt a little embarrassed, realizing that she’d drooled in her sleep.
"Don’t worry about it, Xiao Xue. As long as you slept well, it’s all good!"
Encouraged, Dong Xue gave Ling Ning a quick peck on the cheek, just like she’d seen her mother do. It was a skill she’d clearly learned well, though Yang Bing had to hold back a laugh at her daughter’s smooth move.
"Well, Master, Xiao Xue, I should head back now. I want to check if Sister Qin Qing is up yet," Ling Ning said, stretching as she got up, her legs a bit numb from Dong Xue’s cozy nap on her lap.
As she stood up, Dong Xue grabbed her skirt, refusing to let go. Ling Ning laughed and gently patted her head, saying, "Be good, Xiao Xue. I’ll take you out to play next time, okay?"
Dong Xue nodded, holding out her pinky finger for a promise.
"Alright, let’s make a pinky promise. No breaking it for a hundred years!"
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Back at Qin Qing’s place, Ling Ning found her still asleep on the couch. She shook her head with a smile, wondering how long Qin Qing had been napping. Dong Xue had already woken up, but Qin Qing was still out cold.
Ling Ning quietly tiptoed over, adjusting the blanket that had slipped off of Qin Qing before heading to the balcony.
The sky was growing dark and overcast, and every so often, she caught glimpses of lightning in the distance, followed by faint rumbles of thunder. It looked like a storm was imminent.
Seeing the lightning reminded her of Xia You, who had always been terrified of thunderstorms. If a storm started while she was alone, she’d probably have another scare like last time. Ling Ning also wondered if her daughter had made it home safely yet. Deciding it was better not to risk it, she figured she’d head home before the storm hit.
Having made up her mind, Ling Ning went back to the living room. She left a note on the table for Qin Qing, then quietly left.
Once outside, she called her daughter, breathing a sigh of relief when she confirmed she was already home. She tried calling Xia You as well, but no one picked up, so she sent a message letting her know she was on her way back.
"Hope I can make it home before the rain starts," she murmured, glancing up at the increasingly ominous sky.
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*Author's Note:*
How did things turn out like this? I’d meant to get some writing done today…