Chapter 510 : Don’t Say It, I
“Ling Ning, Ling Ning, we’re here. If you don’t wake up soon, I’ll leave you behind~”
Qin Qing glanced helplessly at the dozing Ling Ning. How could she fall asleep again right after dinner?
Ling Ning opened her eyes, covering her mouth as she yawned. She was genuinely exhausted, and no amount of sleep seemed to be enough lately.
“Would you really leave me, such a beloved and adorable beauty, all alone here?” Ling Ning batted her bright, sparkling eyes at Qin Qing, attempting to act cute.
But Qin Qing was no Xu Qing, and Ling Ning’s attempt to charm her fell flat. With an expressionless look, Qin Qing replied, “Alright, get out of the car already. I’m heading home to sleep. Yawn~”
“Such a heartless boss…”
After stepping out of Qin Qing’s car and watching her drive away, Ling Ning turned and headed upstairs to her apartment.
She pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. As she stepped inside, she saw her daughter Ling Ye playing games in the living room with Xia You. Ling Ning wasn’t surprised—she had asked Xia You to watch over her daughter during her busy period. With both of them loving games, there wasn’t much else they’d be doing.
Hearing the door open, Ling Ye put down her controller and ran to the entrance with a wide smile. “Welcome back, Mom~”
“I’m home. How was school today? Did you listen to your teacher?” Ling Ning asked warmly.
“Of course!” Ling Ye beamed as she leapt into Ling Ning’s arms. She planted a loud, wet kiss on her Mom’s cheek and declared, “Mom has been working so hard lately. That was your reward.”
Her logic was unassailable and delivered with such conviction that Ling Ning couldn’t even argue against it.
Helpless, Ling Ning wiped the slobber off her cheek before walking over to Xia You. “Thanks again, Xia You. Sorry to trouble you.”
Xia You shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing. But you’ve been so busy lately—are you sure everything’s okay?”
“It’s fine. I’ve finished most of the work, so starting next week, I’ll be able to go to school with you,” Ling Ning said, her smile bright.
“Really?” Xia You’s eyes lit up instantly.
“Of course. Now, I’m going to take a shower.”
Ling Ning grabbed a change of clothes from her room and headed for the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the apartment.
Meanwhile, Ling Ye and Xia You sat in the living room, seemingly focused on their game. But from the occasional clumsy moves, it was clear their thoughts weren’t entirely on the screen.
“Whew~”
Ling Ning exhaled deeply after her shower, feeling refreshed. The sleepiness that had plagued her earlier dissipated.
Returning to the living room, she found Ling Ye and Xia You silently staring at her. Raising an eyebrow, she teased, “Weren’t you playing a game? If you don’t move soon, your characters will die.”
Snapping out of their daze, both scrambled to grab their controllers, their game characters indeed on the brink of defeat.
Watching their frantic movements, Ling Ning chuckled and sat down to dry her hair. As she combed her damp locks, she said casually, “Ye Ye, winter is just around the corner. How about we go shopping for clothes tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” Ling Ye asked hesitantly, her reluctance evident.
Ling Ning smiled knowingly. “The weather will be just right tomorrow—not too hot, not too cold. But the day after, a cold front’s coming. Would you rather go tomorrow or freeze the day after?”
“Tomorrow!”
“Good. Then it’s settled. And if you try to sleep in tomorrow, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
“Sleep in? I’m not a kid! I won’t sleep in!”
“That’s what I like to hear~ By the way, Xia You, want to join us tomorrow? I can help you pick out some outfits.”
Xia You hesitated briefly before nodding. “Okay. Thanks, Ling Ning.”
“No problem. I’ll make sure you look stunning!” Ling Ning said confidently.
Over the past month, her time at the company had sharpened her eye for fashion. While she hadn’t delved deeply into design, her sense of style had improved significantly.
“Just something casual will do,” Xia You murmured, slightly flustered.
“Alright, then it’s settled. I’ll wake you both up tomorrow. For now, don’t stay up too late,” Ling Ning said with a yawn. She decided to blow-dry her hair before heading to bed.
“Goodnight.”
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In the middle of the night, Ling Ning, half-asleep, was suddenly roused by an urge to use the bathroom. She groggily opened her eyes, ready to get up, only to find someone nestled in her arms.
Of course, it could only be her daughter. At some point, Ling Ye had climbed into her bed.
Ling Ning’s movement seemed to disturb Ling Ye, who stirred and groggily opened her eyes. Clinging to her Mom’s sleeve, she mumbled, “Mom?”
“Ye Ye, be good. Let go of Mom. Mom needs to go to the bathroom.”
“Oh~”
Still half-asleep, Ling Ye released her Mom and curled up in a corner of the bed. Relieved, Ling Ning got up and stepped out of the bedroom.
The living room lights were still on.
“Ye Ye forgot to turn off the lights again,” Ling Ning muttered, walking over to switch them off. But as she reached for the switch, she noticed Xia You sitting on the couch, engrossed in a game.
“Xia You, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“It’s still early. What about you? Why are you up?”
“Bathroom, of course. What else?” Ling Ning said with a sigh. “Don’t stay up too late. We’re going shopping tomorrow.”
“I was just about to save and quit. Oh, by the way, Ling Ning, I’ve been meaning to ask… I have a bold idea. Can I share it?”
Still groggy, Ling Ning blinked at her, clueless. “What is it?”
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Author’s Note:
Let’s wish Salted Fish good luck at mahjong today!