Chapter 494 : The Image Problem
“I woke up early today, so I took Xiao Xue out for a stroll. I didn’t expect to run into you here,” Yang Bing said with a faint smile.
“Have you had breakfast yet, Teacher? Or would you like to stop by my place for a while?”
Yang Bing shook her head. “I’ve got some errands to run today, so I’ll pass. But judging by how Xiao Xue looks, she seems eager to go with you. You wouldn’t mind watching her for a bit, would you?”
Hearing her Mom mention her name, Dong Xue looked up at them curiously before lowering her head again to enjoy Ling Ning’s affectionate head pats.
“Of course not! I’d love to spend time with Xiao Xue. Why would I mind?” Ling Ning squatted down to look at Dong Xue. “Xiao Xue, would you like to hang out with me today?”
Hearing this, Dong Xue’s eyes lit up. She glanced at her Mom, who nodded, and quickly agreed. It had been a while since Ling Ning had spent time with her, and she didn’t want to miss the chance.
“By the way, Teacher, hasn’t Xiao Xue started school yet?”
Yang Bing sighed helplessly. “She doesn’t want to go, and there’s not much I can do about it. I can teach her the school material myself, but I’d prefer she goes to school to make friends.”
“Oh, I see.” Ling Ning nodded thoughtfully.
“Well, Xiao Xue, you stay with Sister Ling Ning today. Mom’s heading off now.”
Yang Bing nearly felt like crying when she saw her daughter’s lack of reaction. I’m your Mom, after all! Isn’t this indifference a bit much?
But she knew her daughter’s nature—only a select few people could elicit a response from her.
Once Yang Bing left, Ling Ning found herself with a small shadow following closely behind.
“Xiao Xue, why do you always like holding onto my skirt?” Ling Ning asked curiously as they walked.
Dong Xue tilted her head. She just felt secure holding Ling Ning’s skirt. Of course, clinging to her leg would also suffice.
Seeing her expression, Ling Ning chuckled softly and asked, “Is there anything you’d like to eat today, Xiao Xue?”
“I like whatever Ling Ning makes.”
Ling Ning raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t that Xia You’s catchphrase? But it didn’t matter. She already knew what Xiao Xue liked, so cooking for her wouldn’t be an issue.
When they returned home, Ling Ling Ye was already awake, slumped on the sofa with a sleepy expression. She must have just gotten up.
“Morning, Mom,” Ling Ye greeted before noticing the small shadow behind her.
“Xiao Xue, you’re here!”
At the sight of the disheveled Ling Ye, Dong Xue instinctively shrank back behind Ling Ning, gripping her skirt tighter.
“Ye Ye, your appearance is scaring Xiao Xue. Go wash up and come back looking presentable!” Ling Ning said with a wry smile.
“Oh.”
Realizing her messy state, Ling Ye shuffled off to the bathroom to freshen up.
“Xiao Xue, why don’t you sit here for a bit? I need to wake up another Sister, but I’ll be back soon, okay?”
Dong Xue shook her head and held onto Ling Ning’s skirt even tighter, showing no intention of letting go.
“Well… alright, you can come with me.”
At Xia You’s door, Ling Ning used her spare key to unlock it. From inside, she could hear the sound of running water. Walking toward the bathroom, she called out, “Xia You, come eat breakfast once you’re done. I already bought it.”
“Okay. Oh, Ling Ning, could you grab my clean clothes from the bed?”
“Sure thing.”
Ling Ning grabbed the clothes from Xia You’s bed and returned to the bathroom door. She knocked lightly, and the door opened. Xia You, completely unbothered by her lack of clothing, took the clothes from Ling Ning without hesitation.
But when Xia You noticed the small shadow behind Ling Ning, her expression froze for a moment before she calmly closed the door.
Ling Ning blinked, caught off guard by Xia You’s casual attitude. Glancing back at Dong Xue, she saw no particular reaction and felt relieved.
“Xia You, are we playing battle royale again this morning?” Ling Ning asked.
She was hooked on the game after last night and couldn’t stop thinking about it.
There was a pause before Xia You responded, “Sorry, Ling Ning. I’ve got something to take care of today. How about we play tonight instead?”
“Oh, okay…”
Ling Ning couldn’t hide her disappointment but was curious about Xia You’s recent busyness. What exactly was she up to?
Back at home, Ling Ye had finished freshening up and changed into clean clothes.
Dong Xue no longer seemed afraid of her, though she still refused to let Ling Ye pat her head. Only Ling Ning and Xiao Xue’s parents had that privilege.
Ling Ye pouted as she glared at Dong Xue, who had once again taken refuge in Ling Ning’s arms. Every time Ling Ye tried to approach her, Dong Xue would retreat to her Mom’s embrace. This isn’t fair—I was here first!
After breakfast, Xia You left to handle her errands. Ling Ning watched her daughter and Dong Xue engage in playful antics before turning to the little girl. “Xiao Xue, how about I take you somewhere fun today? There will be lots of pretty jiejies there.”
“I’ll go wherever Ling Ning goes.”
“Alright. Ye Ye, want to visit the café?”
“Sure!”
Going to the café meant a chance to chat with Luo Xiaoning-jiejie, which was always exciting for her.
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Author’s Note:
Here’s a clean recommendation for a novel titled “Reunion at the Future Singularity/在未来的特异点再会吧.” It’s a story about a person with a righteous heart and a devilish soul causing butterfly effects in the world of FGO.