Chapter 350 : That Kind of Thing, I Don’t Have It!
“What’s wrong? You look so exhausted just from running a simple errand!”
Ling Ning stared in confusion at the visibly drained Bai Yiyue. Ever since Bai Yiyue had returned from the shopping trip with Xia You, she’d been like this. Oddly enough, Xia You seemed perfectly fine, and the items they had been asked to purchase weren’t particularly heavy.
“Nothing... It’s nothing. I just ended up discussing anime with Xia You on the way,” Bai Yiyue replied with a touch of melancholy.
The conversation had struck a nerve. Xia You casually rattled off a long list of anime featuring childhood friend characters who ended up losing in love. Meanwhile, Bai Yiyue struggled to name even a few shows where childhood friends actually won.
Why were there so few anime where childhood friends claimed victory in romance? Were childhood friends not good enough? Was the trope of growing up together unappealing? No! Bai Yiyue resolved to watch every anime featuring victorious childhood friends and prove their appeal to Xia You.
Seeing Bai Yiyue suddenly fired up, Ling Ning could only sigh and continue with her preparations.
“Ling Ning, you realize your outfit right now looks like a naked apron, right?”
“Huh?”
Ling Ning froze mid-motion, glancing down at her clothes. She was still wearing her swimsuit from earlier, paired with an apron. In her rush to prepare the barbecue, she’d forgotten to change. From behind, it probably did resemble the trope Bai Yiyue had just mentioned.
Raising a hand, Ling Ning gave Bai Yiyue a light smack on the head. “Why are you always thinking about weird things? Can’t you focus on something more wholesome for once?”
Bai Yiyue laughed, rubbing her head. “It’s not my fault! Ling Ning, you’re just too tempting—I can’t help myself~”
“Stop saying things that people could misunderstand! If you’re so free, then take these skewers and bring them out to the courtyard,” Ling Ning instructed, pointing at a plate of prepared food.
“Yes, ma’am!” Bai Yiyue replied, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. Then, with a mischievous smile, she gave Ling Ning a quick peck on the lips before grabbing the plate and dashing out.
“Bai Yiyue! Don’t you dare run! I’ll show you whether this kitchen knife is for decoration!” Ling Ning shouted after her, brandishing a knife in mock anger.
From the courtyard came Bai Yiyue’s carefree retort: “Sorry! I’m just a girl—I don’t have one of those things~”
Ling Ning sighed in exasperation. There was no dealing with her.
Hiding behind the living room sofa, Xia Li peeked out, her expression a mix of disbelief and shock. She’d been about to enter and offer to help when she’d witnessed Bai Yiyue’s bold move.
She couldn’t believe that her favorite celebrity, Bai Yiyue, was into women—just like her. And with Ling Ning, no less! If this ever went public, it would cause a media frenzy. But Xia Li had no intention of spilling the beans. Without photographic evidence, no one would believe her anyway.
Somehow, knowing Ling Ning had Bai Yiyue made Xia Li feel oddly reassured. At least Ling Ning wouldn’t compete with her for Xia You’s affections.
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“Wow! Ling Ning, your barbecue skills are amazing—way better than any street vendor’s!” Zhou Xiaoxiao exclaimed as she devoured her skewers.
“...I learned online.”
In truth, her barbecue skills came from her previous life, when she’d learned from a street vendor near her home. She’d even paid with several gigabytes of pirated resources as compensation for his teachings. In hindsight, it was a fair deal.
“Ah, the magic of the internet~”
Zhou Xiaoxiao sighed. She often tried to learn things online but inevitably ended up distracted by LGBTQ+ forums and matchmaking sites.
“The chicken wings are ready!”
At Ling Ning’s announcement, everyone’s eyes lit up with excitement as they reached for the freshly grilled wings.
Before Ling Ye could take a bite, she suddenly paused. Looking thoughtful, she carried her chicken wing to Ling Ning’s side and offered it to her.
Ling Ning chuckled softly and took a small bite, savoring the flavor. “Not bad,” she said, nodding in approval.
Only after Ling Ning had eaten did Ling Ye begin to enjoy her own wing. Occasionally, she would hand it back to Ling Ning for another bite. In no time, the large wing was gone.
“Ling Ning and her little sister have such a sweet relationship~” Xia Li remarked, watching the scene with a mix of envy and admiration.
Xia You nodded subtly. As Ling Ning’s neighbor, she was well aware of how much Ling Ning spoiled Ling Ye.
“Miss Bai, you can’t keep eating like this! If you do, your figure will be ruined,” Wu Zi, Bai Yiyue’s manager, scolded as she wrestled a skewer from her hands.
“Just one more skewer, please! Without Ling Ning’s barbecue, I’ll die!” Bai Yiyue wailed, reaching for the food.
“If you continue, you’ll have to face the horrors of fitness boot camp!”
At the mention of exercise, Bai Yiyue shuddered but quickly steeled herself. “So be it! I, Bai Yiyue, fear nothing!”
Wu Zi smirked, biting off the last piece of meat on the skewer before handing it back—with only vegetables remaining.
“As your manager, it’s my duty to make sacrifices,” Wu Zi declared, though the oil on her lips undermined her righteous tone.
“No... My meat...” Bai Yiyue stared mournfully at the skewer, looking utterly defeated.
“Tonight’s sky is beautiful, isn’t it?”
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Author’s Note:
This salted fish has been obsessed with Gwent lately. Looks like it’s all over for me~