Chapter 430 : So This Is a Thing
“Huh!? Xiao Ya, you’re not coming back tonight?”
“I can’t help it,” Su Ya said, sounding a bit exasperated. “With this heavy rain and wind, even with an umbrella, I’d be drenched the moment I stepped outside. I’ll head back tomorrow morning instead.”
“Alright. Just to check—are you with Ling Ning?”
“Mm-hmm. I’m with Ling Ning, so there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t overthink it, okay? That’s all for now.”
After ending the call with Lu Muyuan, Su Ya let out a long sigh. Being a “good girl,” this was her first time staying overnight anywhere outside her home or dorm. The thought filled her with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
She turned instinctively, wanting to chat with Ling Ning, only to find her leaning against the bed, wearing a soft smile while talking on the phone.
The gentle, doting tone Ling Ning used made it obvious she was speaking to her younger sister. Su Ya couldn’t help but feel curious about what kind of person Ling Ning’s sister was.
“Ye Ye? Mom might not be able to come home tonight.”
“Huh?! Mom, you’re not coming back?”
Ling Ye sounded disappointed. She had been looking forward to sleeping beside her Mom tonight, but it seemed that plan was now ruined. Still, given the storm outside, it wasn’t surprising.
“Sorry about this, Ye Ye. Tonight, I’ll have to leave the house in your capable hands.”
“Got it. Don’t worry about me, Mom. By the way… are you alone at the hotel?”
“No, I’m with a classmate.”
Hearing this, Ling Ye’s brows furrowed slightly. Something about this didn’t sit well with her.
“Are they male or female?”
“Of course, she’s a girl! What are you thinking? I would never stay overnight with a boy!” Ling Ning said, half amused and half exasperated.
Ling Ye raised an eyebrow. In her experience, girls could be more dangerous than boys—especially the swarm of admirers constantly orbiting her Mom. Their stares were anything but innocent.
“Well, okay. Just be careful, Mom.”
“I know. You had dinner at Xia You’s place, right? Before you sleep, make sure all the doors and windows are securely locked. And don’t forget to turn off all the lights, and when you—”
Before Ling Ning could launch into her usual litany of instructions, Ling Ye interrupted, “I know all that already, Mom! Relax! I need to get back to writing now. Bye-bye!”
Hearing the dial tone, Ling Ning smiled wryly. Maybe I was nagging a little too much. Ling Ye was quick-witted for her age and had heard these reminders so many times she could probably recite them in her sleep.
“Ling Ning, was that your sister?” Su Ya asked.
“Mm-hmm. I was just letting her know I might not be back tonight.”
“Then… why do you call yourself ‘Mom’?” Su Ya asked, her curiosity piqued. Hearing Ling Ning refer to herself that way had left her thoroughly confused. At her age, it seemed impossible for Ling Ning to actually have a child.
“Oh, that’s—”
Ling Ning launched into her usual explanation, walking Su Ya through the backstory. After listening, Su Ya finally understood their relationship: technically sisters, though their choice of titles was unconventional.
At the same time, she learned something new—Ling Ning was actually an orphan. The realization that Ling Ning had been supporting herself and her sister in the city for over a decade left Su Ya feeling a pang of sympathy.
Seeing the look on Su Ya’s face, Ling Ning chuckled softly. “It’s all in the past now. Life was tough back then, but things are much better these days.”
“Mm. You and your sister seem very close.”
“She’s… my reason for pushing forward, I suppose.”
“I see…”
“Tomorrow, why don’t you visit my place? You’ll get to meet her.”
“Sure!”
Ling Ning checked the time on her phone. It wasn’t even 10 PM yet. Though she was tired, she wasn’t ready to sleep. Unfortunately, the love motel they were in offered limited options for entertainment—or rather, inappropriate ones.
In an attempt to break the monotony, she grabbed the remote control and turned on the large TV opposite the bed.
A soft, sensual moan echoed through the room, and the screen displayed an explicit scene featuring two women. Ling Ning froze, completely stunned.
So this is a thing.
If Ling Ning was shocked, Su Ya was utterly overwhelmed. She had never seen anything like this before. At most, she’d overheard snippets of conversation from her classmates.
After a long, awkward pause, Ling Ning turned off the TV and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. “Uh… I didn’t expect that. My bad.”
“It’s… it’s fine.”
Su Ya stammered, her cheeks bright red. Even after the TV was off, the images lingered in her mind, leaving her flustered. A small, rebellious part of her even wished she could have watched a little longer.
Su Ya felt like there was something wrong with her.
The room descended into an awkward silence. After a while, Ling Ning finally spoke. “Well… maybe we should just call it a night. That way, we can get up early tomorrow.”
“…Mm.”
Su Ya glanced at the single bed in the room. If they were going to sleep, she’d have to share it with Ling Ning. For some reason, the thought made her heart race.
Sensing Su Ya’s hesitation, Ling Ning smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I sleep very peacefully—I won’t do anything inappropriate.”
“I-I wasn’t thinking that!”
Su Ya sighed softly and climbed into bed.
The bed was spacious enough for two people, so there was no issue with sharing.
However, as soon as Su Ya settled in, Ling Ning began undressing, leaving Su Ya dumbfounded. Her expression seemed to ask, What on earth are you doing?
“This outfit will get all wrinkled if I sleep in it,” Ling Ning explained. “By the way, Xiao Ya, you shouldn’t sleep in your clothes either.”
“Huh?!”
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Author’s Note:
Inspired by some amazing images I came across—it’s great stuff!