Chapter 501 : It’s Fine, As Long As XXX, There’s Nothing to Worry About
“Huh?! Here? Really?”
Li Si stared at the small eatery before her. When they had left the café, Ling Ning’s playful comment had led her to expect a fancy restaurant. Instead, they were standing in front of a tiny, nondescript spot in a quiet corner of town.
How had Ling Ning even found this place?
“Don’t underestimate this restaurant! The food here is amazing. Honestly, if you weren’t treating me, I wouldn’t have come. But don’t worry—it’s very affordable,” Ling Ning said with a chuckle, leading the way inside.
Li Si glanced at Ling Ning thoughtfully. Was she choosing this place to be considerate of her?
This little restaurant happened to be one of Ling Ning’s frequent haunts. Though it looked old-fashioned on the outside, the interior was clean and cozy. It had been in business since Ling Ning was a child, and its popularity hadn’t waned over the years.
Its enduring success spoke volumes about the quality of its food.
The dinner rush was in full swing, and the restaurant was bustling with customers. Yet, using her well-honed familiarity with the staff, Ling Ning easily secured a private room that was usually reserved.
Once everyone was seated, Li Si blinked and asked curiously, “Ling Ning, are you close with the owner here?”
“Of course! I’ve been coming here for years—it’s only natural that we got to know each other.”
Ling Ning replied with a smile, gently stroking her daughter’s soft hair.
Back in her previous life, whenever Ling Ning got her paycheck from a part-time job, she’d treat her daughter to a hearty meal at this very restaurant.
Even now, with her finances more stable, she still liked to bring her daughter here from time to time. In fact, some of her cooking skills had been learned from the restaurant’s owner.
As if to confirm her fondness for the place, Ling Ye couldn’t stop murmuring in her ear about ordering the “Salted Fish and Eggplant Casserole,” a dish they never skipped when dining here.
Li Si browsed the menu, noting the surprisingly reasonable prices. Unfamiliar with the restaurant’s offerings, she hesitated before handing the menu to Ling Ning. “Um, I’m not sure what to order. Could you choose for us?”
“Sure. Any dietary restrictions? Can you handle spicy food?”
“Nope, I’m fine with anything.”
Li Si said with a light laugh. Her frugal lifestyle had taught her to enjoy even the simplest meals—like plain steamed buns with chili sauce. As long as the food wasn’t too bizarre, she could eat it.
“Alright, leave it to me~”
After a moment of deliberation, Ling Ning ordered enough food for four, careful not to overdo it since the kids wouldn’t eat much. Waste wasn’t something she condoned.
When the waiter left, Ling Ning sipped her tea and suddenly asked, “By the way, how’s your brother? Is he doing well at work?”
“My brother, huh…” Li Si’s lips curved into a faint smile at the thought of her rather silly sibling. “He’s doing great. In fact, he recently got a promotion thanks to his excellent performance. Though, he’s still just a security guard.”
“Not bad at all.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty good.”
Meanwhile, the little loli Dong Xue, seemingly bored by the adult conversation, buried her face in Ling Ning’s chest and promptly dozed off.
Ling Ning looked down at Dong Xue, both amused and helpless. She’d discovered yet another habit of the little loli’s—she loved curling up in Ling Ning’s arms and using her chest as a pillow. It reminded her of her own daughter’s tendencies.
Was her chest really that soft?
Upon reflection… it probably was.
Sitting beside her, Ling Ye watched this scene with a jealous expression. She had been there first! How had it come to this?
Still, there was no way she could compete with such an adorable younger girl for her Mom’s lap. No matter—she’d make up for it later tonight by getting double the “Mom Chest Energy.”
Li Si, seated across from them, noticed the interaction. Like Ling Ye, her face betrayed a fleeting look of envy, though she quickly masked it.
Honestly, Ling Ning’s chest seemed like the perfect pillow. Why couldn’t she have been born a little girl? Then she could enjoy it too.
Noticing Li Si’s distracted expression, Ling Ning tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing. I was just wondering if you guys wanted any drinks. I could go grab some.”
“Tea’s fine for me. Get Ye Ye a Vitasoy Lemon Tea—she’s been into that lately. As for Xiao Xue…” Ling Ning glanced at the sleeping girl in her arms and said softly, “Let’s skip it for now. Sorry to trouble you.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ll be right back.”
Once outside the private room, Li Si exhaled deeply. Being around Ling Ning always made her heart race. Why was it like this?
After calming down, she picked up the drinks and started heading back. Just as she reached the entrance, she heard a familiar voice. Turning instinctively, she saw Zheng Yun and Xia You standing outside the restaurant.
Judging by their expressions, they hadn’t noticed her yet.
Without a second thought, Li Si quickened her pace, slipping back into the private room.
Seeing her flustered state, Ling Ning teased, “What’s the rush? Did you run into Zheng Yun or something?”
“...Yeah.”
“What?! No way!”
“It’s true. She’s out front with Xia You. Looks like they’re planning to eat here.”
Ling Ning nodded thoughtfully. If Xia You was with her, it made sense—they often came here together. Their presence wasn’t surprising.
“It’s fine. As long as they don’t come in here, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Mm.”
Despite Ling Ning’s reassurance, Li Si couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding.