Chapter 489 : The Person I Like
“Ugh, I’m exhausted~”
As soon as she got home, Ling Ning casually dropped her shopping bags onto the floor and collapsed onto the sofa, unwilling to move. She hadn’t realized how much she’d ended up buying again. If not for Xia You helping her, she doubted she could’ve carried it all home.
As for the home audio system, there was no way Ling Ning was lugging that back herself. Someone would deliver and install it in a few days—completely hassle-free.
“Xia You, why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? I bought a ton of food~”
“Sure.”
After putting the bags away, Xia You sat down beside Ling Ning. The faint fragrance from Ling Ning’s presence made Xia You’s lips curl into a subtle smile. Finally, she could openly do things she’d only dared to do in secret before.
Noticing something, Ling Ning turned to glance at Xia You and asked, “What are you sniffing? Do I smell like something?”
Ling Ning wrinkled her nose, sniffing herself, but didn’t notice anything unusual.
“It’s nothing. I was just enjoying Ling Ning’s natural scent~”
“Eh!?”
Ling Ning blinked, instinctively turning her head away to avoid Xia You’s fiery gaze. Ever since they had clarified their relationship, Xia You had grown bolder, freely saying and doing things she never dared to before.
How had this soft, adorable girl suddenly changed so much?
Xia You chuckled softly and stood up. “It’s still early. I’m going to work on some videos. Want to join me?”
“Work on videos, huh~” Ling Ning glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still quite early. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head. “I’ll join you tonight. For now, I want to go pick up Ye Ye from school.”
She hadn’t picked up her daughter from school in a while. The thought of Ye Ye’s surprised reaction filled her with excitement.
“Alright then,” Xia You replied, leaving Ling Ning alone in the living room.
Ling Ning quickly got up and sorted all the groceries she’d bought, leaving the house spotless and orderly. Satisfied, she nodded to herself. This was how a home should look.
After freshening up, Ling Ning left the house. Judging by the time, walking to the school should have her arriving just as classes ended.
The familiar surroundings lifted Ling Ning’s mood, and even her steps felt lighter as she walked.
When she arrived at the school gate, classes hadn’t let out yet, but it wouldn’t be long now.
Ling Ning glanced around and decided to pass the time by stopping at a nearby milk tea shop. She ordered two cups, and as she waited, a memory of drinking milk tea with Li Qian came to mind—how Li Qian had unashamedly ordered the most expensive option. It had been delicious, though, so no complaints there.
Just as Ling Ning collected her milk tea, the school bell rang. Students began streaming out of the gate in groups, chatting and laughing.
However, Ling Ning didn’t spot her daughter among them.
Her striking appearance caught attention, with some students recognizing her. After all, she had been quite famous during her school days.
After waiting for a while without seeing Ling Ye, she instead noticed Qin Qing’s daughter and Xu Qing’s younger sister walking out hand in hand. The two seemed close.
Upon spotting Ling Ning, Qin Sirou tugged Xu Xiaoxiao along and bounced over to greet her.
“Sister Ling Ning, what are you doing here? Waiting for Ye Ye?”
“Mm. Do you know where she is right now?”
“I think she was called over to the garden.”
“Oh~”
Ling Ning nodded thoughtfully, then headed into the school. The gate guard recognized her and didn’t stop her. After all, the principal himself had told her upon graduation that she was always welcome to visit.
Ling Ning was far more familiar with this school than with S University. Even with her eyes closed, she could find her way around.
When she approached the garden, she spotted her daughter talking with someone. From a distance, it looked like an intense conversation. Could it be a confession?
At the thought, Ling Ning’s gaze turned sharp. But then she noticed the other person was a girl, which made a confession seem unlikely… right?
Suddenly, Ling Ning heard the girl raise her voice, shouting, “Why does it have to be like this? Is it just because we’re both girls?”
Rin Ling Ye awkwardly twirled a lock of her hair. She had experienced confessions from boys before, but this was her first from a girl. Unfortunately, her heart had long been set on someone else.
Sighing softly, Ling Ye said, “It’s not that. It’s just… I already like someone else. I’m sorry.”
“Who do you like?”
“The person I like…” Ling Ye hesitated, her eyes darting around before she caught sight of Ling Ning standing nearby. She immediately stopped herself from blurting out a name.
“I’ll keep it a secret for now.”
Ling Ning’s eyes reflected a hint of disappointment. She had hoped to find out who her daughter liked. Why had she stopped midway?
Feeling embarrassed, Ling Ye gave the girl a sheepish smile before turning and skipping over to Ling Ning. “Mom, what brings you here?”
“Well… I thought I’d surprise you by picking you up from school~”
Ling Ning said, handing one of the milk teas to her daughter.
The sight of the milk tea made Ling Ye’s eyes light up. She leaned in and planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek.
“Hey! How many times have I told you—don’t leave saliva on my face!” Ling Ning said helplessly.
“Hehe~”
Ling Ye giggled as she sipped her milk tea, not saying anything more.
The girl in the garden watched Ling Ye’s cheerful demeanor and seemed to come to a realization. Biting her lip gently, she turned and walked away without another word.
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Author’s Note:
After the Azur Lane update, this salted fish eagerly logged in—only to find my dorm wiped clean. This fish is not okay…