Chapter 526 : What Goes Around Comes Around
“Free food is always the best~”
Ling Ning sighed contentedly after finishing her meal. Somehow, food she didn’t pay for always tasted better than when she footed the bill herself, even at the same restaurant.
“Ha ha ha...”
Meanwhile, Lin Xi’s defeated expression spoke volumes. Though the cost hadn’t been catastrophic, treating two people had still left her feeling drained. She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
“By the way, Xiaoyu, have you finished Magical Girl Xiao Ai yet?” Ling Ning asked curiously.
“Yeah, I’ve already caught up with the latest episodes. Now I’m binge-watching other series,” Luo Xiaoyu replied softly.
Before getting into anime, Luo Xiaoyu hadn’t been interested at all. But after giving it a try, she’d realized just how captivating it could be. While she enjoyed all genres, magical girl anime held a special place in her heart.
The contrasting themes of friendship and sudden, brutal betrayals fascinated her—especially when an innocent friendship turned into a point-blank magical attack.
Noticing Luo Xiaoyu’s strange expression, Ling Ning blinked. Had Luo Xiaoyu watched so much anime that she’d broken her brain?
Luo Xiaoyu coughed lightly, regaining her composure. She then turned to Ling Ning. “You watch a lot of anime, right? Any recommendations?”
“Let me think... Kiss on the Lily, Sakura Trick, and Strawberry Panic are all pretty good.”
Ling Ning listed several titles enthusiastically.
Before Luo Xiaoyu could respond, Lin Xi, a diehard otaku herself, interjected. “Ling Ning, are you serious about recommending those anime?”
“Absolutely! Moe big yes!”
Seeing Ling Ning’s expression, Lin Xi sighed deeply. She could sense the mischief behind Ling Ning’s choices.
“Got it. I’ll check them out as soon as I get back,” Luo Xiaoyu said, oblivious to the subtext. Since they were Ling Ning’s recommendations, she assumed they must be worth watching.
“Oh, just to be clear, these are my personal favorites. If you don’t like them, please don’t come blaming me!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a strong tolerance,” Luo Xiaoyu replied nonchalantly.
“Good, then.”
Watching the cheerful Luo Xiaoyu, Ling Ning suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Was she about to corrupt this pure-hearted anime newbie?
Lin Xi whispered to Ling Ning, “You’re going to regret this someday. What goes around comes around.”
“I-It should be fine, right?”
Before she could say more, Luo Xiaoyu stood up, her excitement evident. “You two keep chatting—I’m heading back to binge-watch now.”
As Luo Xiaoyu left, Ling Ning felt a sinking sensation in her chest. Still, she reassured herself, It’ll be fine... probably...
After returning to campus, Lin Xi headed to the clubroom while Ling Ning found a quiet corner and took out her phone. She decided it was time to call Bai Yiyue, her childhood friend who hadn’t contacted her in a while.
When the call connected, Bai Yiyue’s familiar voice came through, laced with a hint of drowsiness.
“Hello? Who’s this?”
“It’s me. Did I wake you up?” Ling Ning asked.
Upon hearing Ling Ning’s voice, Bai Yiyue immediately perked up. “Ah, Ling Ning! You called because you missed me, right?”
“Sort of. It’s just strange that you haven’t called me in so long.”
“Can’t help it—international calls are expensive.” Bai Yiyue said playfully.
Ling Ning rolled her eyes. She might believe that excuse from anyone else, but not Bai Yiyue. Still, one thing caught her attention: Bai Yiyue was abroad?
“Are you overseas right now?”
“Of course. It’s the middle of the night here~”
“Did I interrupt your rest?”
“Not at all. I hadn’t been asleep long. But wow, it’s rare for you to call me.”
“Have you been busy with work?”
“Kind of. But what about you? My mom mentioned you’ve been swamped lately. Are you taking care of yourself?”
Ling Ning smiled faintly. “I’m fine. What about your job? When do you think it’ll be done?”
“Almost finished. When I get back, I’ll have a surprise for you!”
“A surprise?” Ling Ning blinked, intrigued.
“You’ll see when the time comes~”
“Just don’t do anything reckless. Remember, you’re not just a student anymore. You need to be mindful of your image,”
“Got it, got it,” Bai Yiyue replied, her tone carefree.
Ling Ning could tell her words hadn’t sunk in, but there was no point in pushing further. Sighing, she said, “Alright, go back to sleep. I’ll hang up now.”
“Wait! Talk with me a little longer!”
Before Bai Yiyue could finish her sentence, the call disconnected. Ling Ning had already hung up.
Back in her room, Bai Yiyue tossed her phone onto the bedside table, wrapped herself in her blanket, and rolled around the bed. “Haha, I win!”
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Author’s Note:
Salty fish must be cursed to live like a fish from Africa!