Chapter 334 : Why... How Did This Happen
"Sorry, I’m late~" Ling Ning said apologetically to Zhou Xiaoxiao.
They had arranged to meet at the café at 9 a.m., but due to some "unavoidable circumstances," Ling Ning had ended up running late.
The truth was simpler—she had forgotten to set her alarm the night before and overslept.
"It’s fine, I just got here myself~"
As Zhou Xiaoxiao spoke, her gaze shifted to Ling Ye, who was still sleepy and standing beside Ling Ning. It had been a while since she’d last seen Ling Ning’s "younger sister," and she was growing cuter by the day. That half-asleep look was simply criminally adorable.
"Ahh!"
The groggy Ling Ye suddenly felt herself being hugged, letting out a startled cry. After a moment, she realized it was none other than Zhou Xiaoxiao—her usual source of unsolicited affection—and began struggling even harder.
Ling Ning looked at Zhou Xiaoxiao helplessly. No matter how you looked at her, Zhou Xiaoxiao resembled a child who had never grown up. In many senses of the word.
Noticing the bystanders starting to stare, Ling Ning quickly intervened. "Alright, alright, you two, stop messing around~"
Reluctantly, Zhou Xiaoxiao let go of Ling Ye. Why couldn’t she have a cute and capable little sister like this? Heck, she’d even settle for an adorable younger brother.
Once freed from Zhou Xiaoxiao’s clutches, Ling Ye darted behind her mother, glaring at Zhou Xiaoxiao with a wary expression as if to prevent any further "attacks."
"So, where should we go to shop for swimsuits?"
"For swimsuits, there’s a specialty store in the shopping mall. Let’s go there~"
Zhou Xiaoxiao had planned everything out in advance. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have arranged to meet at the café in the first place.
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"Ling Ning, what kind of swimsuit do you like to wear?"
"Me? I’ll take a look first..." Ling Ning chuckled nervously. Although she had mentally prepared herself, standing in front of rows upon rows of swimsuits made her inexplicably uneasy.
She turned to her daughter and casually asked, "Ye Ye, what kind of swimsuit do you want?"
"That one~"
Ling Ye pointed to an extremely revealing bikini nearby. Just looking at it made Ling Ning’s heart race. That wasn’t a swimsuit—it was just a few strings! How could anyone wear that in public?
"Uh... Ye Ye, how about picking something a little more... normal?"
"Aw~"
Ling Ye let out a disappointed sigh. She had wanted to wear something sexy to catch her mom’s attention.
"Ling Ning, what do you think about this one?" Zhou Xiaoxiao’s voice called out.
Ling Ning turned instinctively and was greeted by the sight of Zhou Xiaoxiao in a purple, deep-V one-piece swimsuit. On someone with a great figure—like Ling Ning herself—it would undoubtedly look stunning.
But on Zhou Xiaoxiao’s underwhelming frame, it somehow looked... comical.
"Xiaoxiao, you really need to acknowledge your body type. This swimsuit just doesn’t suit you," Ling Ning said earnestly.
Zhou Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, ready to argue, but realized Ling Ning was absolutely right. Unable to retort, she slumped back to the dressing room in defeat.
Ling Ning could still hear her muttering, "So what if I’m a bit short, my chest is small, and my butt’s flat? Once I hit my growth spurt, I’ll surpass you, you jerk!"
Ling Ning chuckled awkwardly and began browsing the store. She was impressed by the variety—one-piece swimsuits, boyshorts, high-waisted styles, bikinis, and even school swimsuits. But who would actually wear those?
As she pondered, she felt a tug on her skirt. Turning around, she found her daughter standing there wearing a school swimsuit, looking up at her with wide, innocent eyes.
"Mom, how’s this one?"
Ling Ning was momentarily stunned. The swimsuit did look cute on her daughter, but for some reason, it felt oddly... enticing. She blamed her recent overexposure to school swimsuit-themed manga. Yes, that must be it!
"That’s nice, but I think the boyshort style would suit you better~"
"Okay~"
Ling Ye’s eyes lit up and she immediately grabbed the suggested style before dashing back to the changing room.
"Ling Ning, what kind of swimsuit would suit me?" Zhou Xiaoxiao returned, looking utterly defeated. She had tried on every swimsuit she thought would work, only to find her body unsuited to all of them. Why was reality so different from her expectations?
"Try a skirted swimsuit," Ling Ning suggested after some thought. For someone like Zhou Xiaoxiao, a skirted design would flatter her figure by enhancing the lines of her hips and showcasing her legs beautifully. It was a solid choice.
"Alright, I’ll give it a shot~"
After Zhou Xiaoxiao left, Ling Ning waited quietly outside the dressing rooms. Despite browsing for so long, she still hadn’t decided on a swimsuit for herself. Or rather, she was hesitant to commit.
Not long after, Zhou Xiaoxiao emerged in her new swimsuit. Seeing the result, Ling Ning nodded in approval. This one looked much better.
"How’s this one?"
"Good, very good. It suits you."
Just then, Ling Ye came out of her dressing room as well, wearing the swimsuit her mom had picked for her. She looked lively and adorable.
"Mom, Mom, how’s this?" Ling Ye spun around in front of her mom, her face full of expectation.
Ling Ning chuckled, reaching out to pat her daughter’s head. "It’s perfect. Ye Ye is the prettiest~"
"By the way, Ling Ning, don’t tell me you haven’t chosen a swimsuit yet after all this time," Zhou Xiaoxiao teased, narrowing her eyes at Ling Ning’s empty hands.
Ling Ning gave a sheepish smile. "Well... it’s just indecision, you know~"
"Just try one on and show us—it’ll make deciding much easier~"
With a mischievous grin, Zhou Xiaoxiao edged closer to Ling Ning, who instinctively tried to flee. But her daughter was standing nearby, watching silently.
"When did you two get so in sync? Why... how did this happen?"
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Author’s Note:
This salted fish’s backlog is running out. Panic mode engaged!