How Could I Possibly Have a Daughter After Reincarnating?

“An acquaintance?”

“Just a sophomore. After lunch, I’ll take you to meet her,” Ling Ning replied with a slight smile.

The “sophomore” Ling Ning referred to was none other than Lin Xi. During the time she spent accompanying Lin Xi to clear her head, Ling Ning had learned a great deal about her.

For instance, Lin Xi was the president of the Manga Research Club.

Compared to the massive Anime Club, Lin Xi’s club seemed much smaller, consisting of around a dozen members. According to Lin Xi, the club focused on otaku culture research. In simpler terms, it was a group of people who gathered to eat, chat, and occasionally participate in events like conventions. They also produced self-made merchandise.

While this was all based on Lin Xi’s descriptions, Ling Ning figured she’d get a clearer picture after visiting the club herself.

Originally, the trio had planned to finish lunch quickly before heading to the Manga Research Club. But halfway through their meal, an uninvited guest appeared.

“Ladies, do you mind if I sit here?”

Looking up, Ling Ning saw Lin Hai standing before them. She raised an eyebrow, about to point out the availability of other seats, but a quick glance around the cafeteria revealed it was packed.

This wasn’t surprising—this particular cafeteria was reputed to have the best food on campus. Many students went out of their way to eat here, even if it meant passing closer alternatives.

Without waiting for a response, Lin Hai seated himself naturally, as if he belonged there. His demeanor was so casual that it almost made Ling Ning want to flip her tray onto his face.

To others, Lin Hai’s smile might have appeared normal, but to Ling Ning, it gave off an inexplicable “gay aura.” Not that she had anything against it—she simply wasn’t interested.

“Can I help you with something?”

“Not at all. I just needed a seat. By the way, where’s Ye Xuan?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Lin Hai raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Ling Ning’s frosty tone. In fact, her aloofness only intrigued him more. He enjoyed the thrill of “conquering” difficult women—it made the eventual victory all the more satisfying.

Though the conversation faltered, Lin Hai didn’t mind. If he remembered correctly, Ling Ning worked at a maid café. Maybe he’d pay a visit sometime—he might even discover something more intriguing.

Meanwhile, back at home, Chu Feng felt an inexplicable chill. An ominous feeling crept over him, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source.

To Ling Ning’s surprise, Lin Hai finished his meal quickly and left without causing further trouble. She had expected him to linger or pester them, so his departure was oddly anticlimactic.

As soon as he was gone, Xia You quietly asked, “Ling Ning, is he someone you know?”

“No, just a stranger. Why?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t like the way he looked at us,” Xia You replied softly.

Ling Ning blinked in surprise. Xia You rarely voiced strong opinions about others, so this remark caught her off guard. Smiling, she reached out to gently pat Xia You’s head. “Don’t worry about it. He’s just some random person—not worth your attention.”

“You two have such a great relationship,” Su Ya remarked, her tone tinged with envy.

“It’s alright, I guess.”

Ling Ning replied playfully, running her fingers through Xia You’s soft hair.

What the trio didn’t notice was a figure in the shadows quietly snapping photos of them.

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S University’s Old Campus Building

Thanks to rapid development in recent years, the school had modernized its teaching facilities, leaving the old campus building unused. While referred to as “old,” the building’s amenities were still in excellent condition.

Some students had suggested repurposing the building as a club center, solving the issue of limited activity space while giving the old facility new life.

Otherwise, small clubs like Lin Xi’s would never have gotten their own activity room.

At that moment, Lin Xi was sprawled lazily on a sofa in the clubroom. Though her club had about a dozen members, only a few actually showed up regularly. This included Xia You, who had recently joined. The rest were essentially “ghost members” who might appear once a year—if that.

“Are all club activities this boring?” Xia You asked, her tone a mix of boredom and resignation as she stared at Lin Xi.

On the computer screen in front of her, an episode of Magical Girl Xiao Ai was playing—episode 233, to be exact.

“Boring? No way! I told you to catch up on Xiao Ai to at least episode 1,000. Without a solid otaku foundation, you won’t fit in with our discussions.”

“But can’t I skip this kiddie stuff? It’s kind of dull.”

“Dull?!” Lin Xi shot up from the sofa, her earlier laziness gone. She fixed Xia You with an intense gaze. “Magical Girl Xiao Ai is a masterpiece! Sure, it looks like a kids’ show, but unless you’ve watched the first thousand episodes, you can’t grasp its brilliance!”

“Can’t you just explain the important parts to me?” Xia You asked with a sigh.

“Foolishness! True brilliance can only be experienced, not explained!”

Just as Lin Xi was about to launch into another impassioned lecture, there was a knock at the door. “Hold that thought!” she said, heading over to open it. To her surprise, Ling Ning was standing outside.

“Ling... Ling Ning? What brings you here?” Lin Xi asked, visibly flustered.

“Not happy to see me?”

“No, no! Of course not. Come on in.”

Seeing Lin Xi’s nervous expression, Ling Ning chuckled softly. “Relax. I’m just here to check out your club.”

“Oh, just a visit? That’s fine~” Lin Xi exhaled in relief. But as she opened the door wider, her mind wandered to certain... risqué scenarios she’d seen in manga. What if this was like one of those stories where the innocent-looking girl hides a darker side? If Ling Ning has ulterior motives, what should I do?!

Meanwhile, Ling Ning glanced around the nearly empty clubroom. Aside from Xia You and Lin Xi, there was no one else. The sparse turnout made the space feel even lonelier.

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Author’s Note:

If nothing goes wrong, I have no idea where I am right now~