Chapter 536 : Aftermath
“I didn’t expect your place to have heating, Ye Xuan~”
Ling Ning lounged comfortably on the couch, her long legs wrapped in stockings casually resting on Ye Xuan’s lap. Today, Xia You had something to take care of, and Ling Ning didn’t feel like going to the club, so she came over to Ye Xuan’s dorm instead.
To her delight, the dorm had heating, turning it into a sanctuary—warm in winter and cool in summer, the perfect spot for an afternoon nap.
“If you like it, feel free to come over often.”
As Ye Xuan spoke, her hand gently stroked Ling Ning’s long legs. Noticing the relaxed expression on Ling Ning’s face, a faint, almost imperceptible smile crept onto her lips. Ling Ning was becoming more and more accustomed to her presence. If this continued, the next phase could begin soon.
Ling Ning, who was engrossed in watching TV, didn’t catch the fleeting mischievous smile on Ye Xuan’s face. Curious, she suddenly asked, “Ye Xuan, New Year’s is in a few days. Why don’t you come over to my house for dinner?”
“For New Year’s, I might have to go back home.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. But if you come over, I’ll make a feast for you~”
“If I have time, I’ll definitely come by.”
As they chatted, Ye Xuan’s hand instinctively crept a little higher. But Ling Ning, absorbed in the TV, didn’t seem to notice.
“You’re becoming bolder than last time~”
Hearing Ye Xuan mutter this, Ling Ning turned her head quizzically. “What’s that?”
“Nothing, just that your legs are looking better and better, Ling Ning~”
“Really?”
Ling Ning raised one of her legs, scrutinizing it. It didn’t look any different than usual, so Ye Xuan must be mistaken. Shrugging it off, she yawned. The warmth of the room was making her drowsy.
Seeing Ling Ning close her eyes, Ye Xuan naturally picked up a small blanket and draped it over her.
As Ling Ning drifted into a light sleep, Ye Xuan prepared to escalate her “exploration,” but before she could, Ling Ning’s phone suddenly rang. The soft melody even made Ye Xuan frown slightly.
The sound woke Ling Ning from her slumber. She groggily picked up the phone, noting that the call was from Li Si. It was unusual for Li Si to call at midday, which piqued her curiosity.
Still, she answered the call.
“Hello, Xiao Si Si?”
“Ah... um!”
On the other end of the line, Li Si froze for a moment upon hearing Ling Ning’s voice before quickly responding.
“Calling me at noon—is there something you need?”
“Well, uh...” Li Si hesitated, glancing at Chu Mengyao, who was standing nearby. At Chu Mengyao’s encouraging nod, she continued, “I wanted to ask if you’re free this weekend?”
“This weekend?” Ling Ning rubbed her eyes and thought for a moment. “Unless something unexpected comes up, I should be free. Why?”
“Could you come out that day?”
“No problem~”
“Great, it’s a deal, then!”
“Mm.”
After hanging up, Ling Ning casually placed her phone back on the table. For some reason, she felt that Li Si seemed different today compared to usual, but it was probably just her imagination.
“You’re going out this weekend?”
“Mm, a friend asked me to meet them.”
With that, Ling Ning closed her eyes again, ready to resume her nap.
A while later, as Ling Ning fell back asleep, Ye Xuan’s gaze turned sharp. Her hands began to move under the blanket again, but before she could make contact, the doorbell rang.
Suppressing the urge to shout, “Not here! Go away!” Ye Xuan sighed and went to answer the door. Still, she couldn’t help but feel annoyed. She hated being interrupted, especially when she was in the middle of admiring Ling Ning’s long legs.
Ling Ning, sensing the disturbance, pulled her legs back to let Ye Xuan stand up. The ringing had woken her, but she didn’t bother opening her eyes.
At the door, Ye Xuan peered through the peephole and saw a familiar figure—someone whose face always made her want to tease them: Cang Kongjing.
Why was Cang Kongjing at her dorm?
With a puzzled expression, Ye Xuan opened the door. Cang Kongjing, visibly relieved, finally relaxed her tense shoulders. While Ye Xuan had given her this address, she’d still been worried about knocking on the wrong door.
As always, Ye Xuan’s expression was unreadable, and Cang Kongjing blinked in awe. Ye Xuan truly was the master of maintaining a poker face.
“What brings you here?” Ye Xuan asked, eyeing the tightly bundled Cang Kongjing.
“Well, uh, I have something I’d like to discuss with you. Is now a good time?” Cang Kongjing asked hesitantly.
Noticing Cang Kongjing’s slightly flushed cheeks from the cold, Ye Xuan sighed and stepped aside to let her in.
As the warmth of the room enveloped her, Cang Kongjing’s expression visibly relaxed. She hadn’t expected Ye Xuan’s dorm to be so cozy—it was wonderful. If her plan succeeded, maybe...
“Find yourself a seat.”
Ye Xuan disappeared into the kitchen with a kettle in hand.
Cang Kongjing looked for a place to sit, only to realize someone was already sprawled on the couch.
Sensing her presence, Ling Ning poked her head out from under the blanket. With a sleepy expression, she greeted, “Good afternoon, Teacher Cang~”
Seeing Ling Ning’s drowsy face and slightly disheveled clothes, Cang Kongjing immediately regretted her timing. The scene was far too suggestive—aftermath was the only word that came to mind. What kind of aftermath, she didn’t dare speculate.
Just as Cang Kongjing debated whether she should leave, a cup of hot tea appeared in front of her. Startled, she looked up to see Ye Xuan, who had silently returned.
“Drink some tea. Now, what did you want to discuss?”
“Well...”