Chapter 511 : A Pure Smile
“So sleepy~”
As Ling Ning walked down the street, she yawned widely, covering her mouth. From the faint dark circles under her eyes, it was clear she hadn't slept well the previous night.
Ling Ye looked at her Mom curiously and asked, “Mom, you went to bed before ten last night. Why are you still so tired?”
Hearing her daughter’s words, Ling Ning instinctively glanced at Xia You, who was acting as if nothing had happened, then sighed helplessly, “Oh, that? Mom doesn’t know either. Maybe I’ve just been a little overworked these days~”
Ling Ye nodded, as if the explanation made some sense.
Feeling Ling Ning’s gaze on her, Xia You lifted her head and gave Ling Ning a pure smile, just as she usually did.
Ling Ning sighed and rubbed her forehead. What could she even say?
The three of them casually flagged down a taxi and headed to a shopping district. Looking at the familiar surroundings, Ling Ning couldn’t help but feel nostalgic—it had been over a month since she last went shopping here.
While buying clothes for her daughter, Ling Ning suddenly noticed that Ling Ye had grown by nearly a centimeter in such a short time. Because of her busy work schedule recently, she hadn’t realized it until now.
Upon learning she had grown taller, Ling Ye was overjoyed. Even though it was less than a centimeter, every bit added up. One day, she would surely catch up to her mom’s height.
In her mind’s eye, Ling Ye pictured herself as a mature, elegant woman walking arm in arm with her mom into a chapel.
Noticing her daughter’s expression, Ling Ning lightly tapped Ling Ye on the head. “Ye Ye, you looked a bit creepy just now!”
“Eh?! Creepy? No way! I was just thinking about something, okay? And don’t knock on my head, or I won’t grow taller!”
“Actually, Ye Ye’s height right now is already perfect~ Just the right size for Mom to hold you in my arms—soft, fragrant, and delightful~” Ling Ning said with a mischievous smile.
“Mom’s just using me as a human pillow, huh~”
Exposed, Ling Ning gave an awkward laugh and quietly turned back to selecting clothes for her daughter. Since Ye Ye was now a middle schooler, it might be time to slightly adjust her style.
While browsing, Ling Ning suddenly spotted a familiar figure wandering aimlessly in the store. The person looked confused, as if lost.
No, it wasn’t just “as if.” She was definitely lost.
Ling Ning silently walked up to the woman, covered her eyes from behind, and said in a deep, exaggerated voice, “Hey there, little lady, guess who~”
The ambushed Chen Ruo froze. Just as she was about to let out a scream, a familiar scent reached her nose, and she blurted out, “Ling Ning?!”
Caught, Ling Ning released her hands and pouted. “How did you figure it out, Chen Ruo? I thought my voice was flawless. What gave me away?”
Recognizing the voice, Chen Ruo immediately turned around and hugged Ling Ning. “Ah, I knew it! Whenever I get lost, Ling Ning always shows up to save me!”
“So, you’re lost again, Chen Ruo?”
“Ahem, I-I’m not lost, okay? I just got separated from my daughter,” Chen Ruo replied, feigning composure.
“Oh really? I could’ve sworn I heard you admit you were lost just now~”
Before Chen Ruo could respond, an indignant voice interrupted them.
“Hey, you shameless woman, let go of my mom!”
Ling Ye stormed over, fuming. She had only been away from her mom for a moment, and now that hopelessly lost Chen Ruo was clinging to her! Why did this always happen? She had clearly been here first!
Hearing Ling Ye’s complaint, Chen Ruo realized she was still hugging Ling Ning. Feeling the amused gazes of nearby shoppers, she quickly let go and instinctively hid behind Ling Ning.
Seeing Chen Ruo’s sheepish demeanor, Ling Ning smiled helplessly. “So, Chen Ruo, what brings you here? And where’s your daughter?”
“I came to buy winter clothes, of course. As for how I got separated from my daughter…” Chen Ruo blinked as if trying to recall something. After a moment, she admitted sheepishly, “I forgot.”
Ling Ning covered her face. There was no hope for this woman. Perhaps locking her in a basement and turning her into a high-tech weapon would be safer.
As Ling Ning contemplated whether to head to the information desk for an announcement, the mall’s PA system suddenly blared: “Will Chen Ruo’s child please come to the first-floor information desk? Your sister is waiting for you there.”
Hearing the announcement, Ling Ning covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Did Lin Yue always use this method to find her mom? But could their perpetually lost Chen Ruo even locate the information desk?
Ling Ning had her doubts.
Noticing Ling Ning’s strained expression, Chen Ruo gave her a “fierce” look and said, “Hmph! I can totally find the information desk, okay? And if I can’t, I’ll just ask someone!”
“Sure, sure. I underestimated you, Chen Ruo. By the way, would you like me to escort you there?”
“If it’s Ling Ning, I’ll reluctantly accept.”
Watching Chen Ruo interact with Ling Ning, Xia You raised an eyebrow. This hopelessly lost woman seemed a lot like someone under some kind of spell.
After explaining the situation to Xia You, the group temporarily paused their shopping to take Chen Ruo to the information desk.
“By the way, Chen Ruo, would you like to shop together afterward?”
“Shop together? Of course!” Chen Ruo exclaimed, but then her excitement faded. “Wait, I’d have to ask my daughter first.”
Chen Ruo couldn’t help but feel a bit stifled in her role as a mom.
“In that case, don’t worry. I’m sure Lin Yue will agree~”
“R-Really?”
“Absolutely~”
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Author’s Note:
The consequence of my fun outing yesterday? Staying up until 1 AM to write this. Haha! I feel like I can’t love anymore.