Chapter 341 : What You Think About by Day, You Dream About at Night
"The ocean is so beautiful~"
"Mm~"
"Tomorrow, I want to go surfing and have a barbecue!"
"Oh~"
"Can’t you say anything other than ‘Ah,’ ‘Oh,’ or ‘Mm’?"
"Ah?"
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Ling Ning slowly opened her eyes, staring blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling above her. She couldn’t believe it—she’d had another dream about her past life. Is this what they mean by ‘what you think about during the day, you dream about at night’?
She reached for her phone on the bedside table and checked the time. It wasn’t even six o’clock yet. She couldn’t remember the last time she woke up this early. Perhaps it was because she’d slept so much the previous day?
Thinking there was nothing to do at this hour, she pulled the blanket over her head, planning to go back to sleep. But as soon as she closed her eyes, her past life girlfriend’s beautiful face filled her mind. There was no way she could fall back asleep now.
After tossing and turning for what felt like an eternity, Ling Ning finally gave up. By six, she decided to get up and go for a walk, maybe even pick up some breakfast from the town.
Washing up, dressing, and fixing her hair—all done in one swift motion. Truly, she was a heroine among maidens!
Before leaving, Ling Ning peeked into her daughter’s room and then into Zhou Xiaoxiao’s. Both were still sound asleep, oblivious to the world. She left a note on the table: Gone for a morning walk. Be back soon.
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Walking along the beach, Ling Ning felt the cool sea breeze against her skin and couldn’t help but smile. The early hour left the vast stretch of sand mostly empty, save for a few other morning walkers like herself.
As she admired the serene view of the ocean, someone unexpectedly collided with her. Unprepared for the impact, Ling Ning fell onto the sand. Thankfully, the soft surface cushioned her, preventing any injury.
Looking up, she saw the culprit—a girl around her age who had fallen on top of her. The girl, wearing sportswear and a startled expression, had headphones dangling from one ear, likely knocked loose in the collision. Her sun-kissed skin gave her a healthy, vibrant appearance, and her long hair was tied back in a ponytail.
"I-I’m so sorry!" the girl stammered, still lying on top of Ling Ning. "I got too into my music and didn’t see you!"
"It’s alright," Ling Ning said calmly. "But... could you get off me first?"
Realizing her position, the girl’s eyes widened in embarrassment. She scrambled to her feet and reached down to pick up her fallen headphones, all the while mumbling apologies.
Ling Ning stood up and dusted off her skirt. Thankfully, she’d opted for a long dress today, so she wasn’t too disheveled.
"I was so lost in the music I wasn’t paying attention. I’m really sorry!" the girl apologized again, bowing deeply.
Looking at her, Ling Ning resisted the urge to joke, "A proper apology should involve showing cleavage or baring your belly, right?" Instead, she smiled and said, "It’s okay. Just be more careful next time."
"I will! I promise to be more mindful," the girl replied earnestly.
Relaxing slightly, the girl finally took a proper look at Ling Ning. The flowing blue Bohemian chiffon dress, the sheer overlay jacket, her perfect figure, fair skin, delicate features, and gentle smile—it all left the girl momentarily stunned.
She must be a wealthy woman vacationing here, the girl thought. Though, she looks about my age...
"Are you a local?" Ling Ning asked, breaking the silence.
"Huh? Oh, yes, I am!" the girl replied. "Born and raised here. But next year, I’ll be moving out of town for university. By the way, my name’s Xia Li."
As she spoke, Xia Li crouched down and wrote her name in the sand.
"Xia Li, huh?" Ling Ning nodded and crouched down beside her to write her own name. "This is mine."
"‘Ling Ning’? Then I’ll call you Sister Ning. Are you here on vacation?"
"Yes, I brought my daughter here for a little break."
"D-daughter!?" Xia Li’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t expected this elegant girl, who looked her age, to already have a child. Are all housewives these days immortal?
Seeing Xia Li’s shocked expression, Ling Ning couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, I was kidding. I came here with my younger sister and a friend. Also, I’m about your age—I just graduated high school. So, no need for the ‘Sister’ part. Just call me Ling Ning."
"Wait, you’re my age? Did you get married in high school!?" Xia Li blurted out.
"What?" Ling Ning tilted her head in confusion. "I’m not married. What gave you that idea?"
Xia Li opened her mouth to reply but faltered. Her demeanor screams mature and wifely, she thought, but maybe I misjudged?
"Do I look old?" Ling Ning wondered aloud. On second thought, her clothing style, influenced by Qin Qing, did lean more mature than the typical high schooler’s.
"N-no, it’s not that! It’s just... you have this air about you," Xia Li stammered. "Anyway, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding!"
"It’s fine, really," Ling Ning reassured her.
"Really?"
"Really. By the way, do you know any good breakfast spots in town?"
Ling Ning hadn’t forgotten her mission to buy breakfast for her daughter and the lazybones back at the villa.
"Breakfast? I can show you!" Xia Li offered.
"No need to trouble yourself. Just pointing me in the right direction is fine."
"It’s no trouble at all. I was heading back that way anyway. Come on, I’ll take you there."
"If you’re sure, then thank you~"
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Author’s Note:
Today I watched A Dog’s Purpose. It moved me so much I cried. Now I really want to get a dog!