Chapter 465 : As Long As
“This time, there’s no way I’ll get lost!” Chen Ruo declared, standing confidently at her front door.
She had thoroughly prepared herself for her solo trip to Ling Ning’s house. Though she’d never been there before, Ling Ning had provided her with the exact address during their chat.
For Chen Ruo, venturing into uncharted territory was a monumental challenge. But she was determined! She had meticulously planned her route the night before, researched road conditions, and even had her phone’s GPS ready to guide her. With all this preparation, what could possibly go wrong?
...Probably.
Checking the time—it was just shy of 9 a.m.—Chen Ruo felt confident she could arrive at Ling Ning’s house before 10. Despite it being only a ten-minute direct walk from her own home, she factored in every possible contingency: getting lost, getting lost, and... getting lost again.
Clenching her fists, Chen Ruo encouraged herself. She could do it! It was such a short distance, after all!
Wasting no more time, she stepped into the elevator and descended to the ground floor. The moment she stepped outside, her grand adventure began.
Yet, as soon as she exited the building, Chen Ruo froze. She had no idea which direction led out of her complex.
Blinking in confusion, she was about to pull out her phone when a middle-aged woman passing by spoke up with a friendly smile. “Oh, isn’t it Ms. Chen Ruo? If you’re trying to leave the complex, just turn left and go straight.”
“Oh, thank you!”
Chen Ruo managed just two steps before crouching down and covering her face in embarrassment. Why did this happen? How did that woman know she didn’t know the way? Why did it feel like everyone knew she was directionally challenged?
After taking a moment to collect herself, Chen Ruo resumed her journey, determined. However, she immediately had to turn around, realizing she had started walking in the wrong direction.
Once she finally exited the complex, Chen Ruo found herself standing on a bustling street filled with traffic. She took out her phone and activated the GPS. Surely, with navigation, she couldn’t get lost this time!
...She could.
Staring blankly at the unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar surroundings, Chen Ruo wondered how things had gone wrong. She had been following the GPS, hadn’t she? And now, where even was she?
Her mind felt like it was filled with question marks. Looking at her phone’s map, then at her surroundings, she was completely at a loss.
At that moment, a police officer approached her. “Miss, are you lost?”
“Eh!?”
Chen Ruo’s eyes widened in surprise. How did he know she was lost? But now wasn’t the time to worry about that—she needed directions!
“Um... could you please tell me how to get here?” she asked, showing the officer her phone.
“Oh, that’s just across the street. Go straight from there, and you’ll find it.”
“Eh!?”
Chen Ruo blinked, realizing her destination was right in front of her. Was she secretly a space traveler or something?
Thanking the officer, Chen Ruo finally made it to Ling Ning’s residential complex. This time, she didn’t get lost, thanks to a kind security guard who personally escorted her to Ling Ning’s door.
Not long after ringing the bell, the door opened, reveaLing Ning Ling.
“Chen Ruo? Why are you here? Wait—did you come alone?”
Ling Ning stared at her in astonishment, even glancing behind her to confirm she wasn’t accompanied. It seemed almost impossible. How could Chen Ruo, who had once gotten lost within her own neighborhood, manage to find Ling Ning’s house by herself?
Ling Ning began to suspect this might be an imposter.
“O-of course I came alone!” Chen Ruo said, hands on her hips, puffing out her chest. Her tone, however, lacked confidence.
Ling Ning tilted her head, unconvinced. Something about this didn’t add up.
Just then, a familiar set of footsteps approached. A security guard appeared, holding a folding umbrella.
“Miss, you left your umbrella in the security office.”
“T-thank you...”
After the guard left, Ling Ning leaned against the doorframe, her expression one of amused disbelief. See? Without someone guiding her, Chen Ruo was incapable of navigating on her own. GPS or not, she’d still get lost.
Feeling provoked by Ling Ning’s look, Chen Ruo put on her best “angry face.” “I-I really came here by myself!”
Ling Ning chuckled, patting Chen Ruo’s head gently. “Yes, yes, you’re amazing. You made it all by yourself without getting lost. Well done~”
“Don’t treat me like a kid!”
Though she protested, Chen Ruo’s expression betrayed her enjoyment of the praise.
Entering Ling Ning’s home, Chen Ruo couldn’t help but glance around curiously. It was her first time visiting and, naturally, she was intrigued.
“Have you had breakfast yet?”
“I already ate.”
Chen Ruo had eaten the breakfast her daughter prepared before sneaking out. If her daughter had known she planned to go out alone, she’d have locked her in her room.
Thinking about it now, she felt like a failure as a mom.
Noticing Chen Ruo’s gaze drifting to her injured foot, Ling Ning reassured her, “It’s nothing serious. Just a sprain—it’s already much better.”
As they talked, Ling Ning noticed Chen Ruo’s unusually large bag. “Are you carrying all your drawing tools in that?”
“Yes. Since your leg is hurt, I thought I’d come to you! Don’t worry—it won’t be strenuous. All you have to do is...”
“Is... what?”
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Author’s Note:
What did the pangolin say?