Chapter 537 : I Think I’ve Lost My Mind
In the blink of an eye, the weekend had arrived. Since the weekend was connected to the New Year holiday, Ling Ning had three days off.
Early in the morning, Ling Ning was already preparing to head out. Her daughter was still curled up under the covers, refusing to get up, likely due to the cold weather. Ling Ning decided to let her be.
The weather was indeed freezing. If not for Li Si asking to meet her, Ling Ning wouldn’t have taken a single step out of her home.
Stepping outside, she sighed lightly and watched her breath dissipate into the cold air. It reminded her of her childhood, when she used to find joy in such a simple and silly action every winter.
Now that she thought about it, those days seemed so naive and carefree.
Arriving at the entrance of the maid café, the agreed-upon meeting spot, she noticed the door was already open despite the early hour. Seeing no one at the door, Ling Ning naturally walked in.
Chu Mengyao, who was sipping coffee at the counter, greeted her with a smile. “Well, if it isn’t our famous model and celebrated writer, Miss Ling Ning. What brings you here today? Did you finally grow a conscience and decide to help me out?”
Ling Ning rolled her eyes, walked behind the counter to make herself a cup of coffee, and then replied, “Li Si asked to meet me for something, so I came out. As for helping you... maybe when you’re truly overwhelmed, I’ll consider it~”
“Oh, I see. So it was Xiao Si who asked you out... Wait, what?! You said Li Si invited you here today?”
Hearing this, Chu Mengyao’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had just heard something incomprehensible.
Ling Ning tilted her head, puzzled by Chu Mengyao’s reaction. Wasn’t it just a simple meeting with Li Si? Why the shock?
Before Ling Ning could say anything, Chu Mengyao raised a hand. “Wait, don’t say anything yet. I need a moment to process this!”
With that, Chu Mengyao retreated to a room in the back. Moments later, Ling Ning heard a heart-wrenching scream from Luo Xiaoning, as if something catastrophic had happened.
Chu Mengyao eventually returned, looking dazed and muttering to herself, “So it wasn’t a dream... It’s really true. I should have figured this out earlier!”
“What’s wrong with you? Did you lose your mind or something?” Ling Ning asked cautiously.
Faced with Chu Mengyao’s peculiar behavior, Ling Ning debated whether to leave, worried that Chu Mengyao might suddenly punch her.
Chu Mengyao sighed, looked at Ling Ning, and said, “Let’s just say I’ve lost my mind.”
Raising an eyebrow, Ling Ning felt that Chu Mengyao was acting oddly today. Was it menopause? Or had she spent too much money on mobile games only to fail again?
Before Ling Ning could probe further, the café door opened, and Li Si walked in. Ling Ning casually greeted her, only to freeze in place.
Today, Li Si looked completely different from her usual self. Her long hair, normally left as it was, had been meticulously styled. The subtle makeup she wore made her features even more alluring. Her outfit, carefully chosen, added to her overall charm. Was this really the Li Si she knew?
Li Si walked in and greeted them with a perfectly timed smile. “Good morning, Ling Ning~ Good morning, Sister Mengyao~”
Before Ling Ning could respond, Chu Mengyao grabbed Li Si and pulled her aside.
Watching them huddle in the corner, whispering about something, Ling Ning blinked. Why did both of them feel so off today?
“Xiao Si, why didn’t you tell me the person you like is Ling Ning?!” Chu Mengyao whispered urgently after glancing at Ling Ning, who was still seated at the counter.
“Huh?!” Li Si froze for a moment before replying instinctively, “I thought you already knew, Sister Mengyao!”
Honestly, given Chu Mengyao’s earlier advice, Li Si had assumed she was well aware.
“I... I didn’t...”
Chu Mengyao opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. While it wasn’t that Ling Ning was a bad choice, her sharp instincts had long since noticed that several employees at her café harbored feelings for Ling Ning.
And recently, Ling Ning and Xia You had been spending a lot of time together. Could it be that the person Li Si mentioned liking was Xia You?
“Is there a problem?”
Problem? There were plenty of problems. But it was too late to back out now. The arrow had already been released. Although she might end up being chased by Xia You with a kitchen knife later, Chu Mengyao decided to push forward.
Shaking her head lightly, Chu Mengyao placed her hands on Li Si’s shoulders and smiled. “No problem. Even if there is, your big sister here will handle it. Just stick to the plan and show her your charm!”
With a thumbs-up for emphasis, Chu Mengyao made her point clear.
“Got it~”
Li Si nodded and returned to the counter with Chu Mengyao.
“What were you two talking about? All hush-hush~” Ling Ning asked curiously.
“Oh, just some girl talk.”
“So I’m not a girl now, huh?” Ling Ning raised an eyebrow.
“Fine, fine. I was just asking Xiao Si about some work-related matters. Nothing worth mentioning,” Chu Mengyao said with a shrug.
Ling Ning squinted at her. Her gut told her whatever they had discussed wasn’t so simple. But if Chu Mengyao wouldn’t spill, there was always Li Si. With a little coaxing, Li Si would probably confess everything.
Piece of cake.
Setting a freshly brewed cup of coffee in front of Li Si, Ling Ning said, “Xiao Si Si, drink this, and we’ll head out after~”
“Th-Thank you.”
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Author’s Note:
Today, I finally got the Happy Stick! I swear, I’m not going crazy, and it’s definitely not a fragment. Don’t drag me away—I don’t need medicine!
Also, time for a wholesome friend plug. Check out Brother Yuanxi’s new book, The Transformed Flower Sister’s Otherworld Journey/变身花姐异界之旅. It’s about games, transformations, and an unexpected journey into another world. Oh, and it’s Yuri~