Chapter 556 : Then, in a Place Without People
"So, tell me—didn’t you say you were going to Ling Ning’s house? Why did you come to the school instead? What if someone recognizes you, hmm?"
Bai Jie sat in her office chair, her expression blank as she looked at her daughter. During class, she’d almost thrown her out to scold her on the spot but held back, considering the potential fallout if her daughter’s identity was exposed. It would make big headlines.
Hearing her mom’s words, Bai Yiyue slightly averted her gaze, unable to meet Bai Jie’s eyes. She mumbled, "Well... I just wanted to experience campus life. Besides, with Ling Ning covering for me, there shouldn’t have been any issues."
Bai Jie’s sharp gaze shifted to Ling Ning, silently questioning if that was true.
Ling Ning coughed lightly and replied, "That’s more or less accurate, but… it was Yiyue who forced me. I tried to take her to you, but I wasn’t strong enough to pull her, and she dragged me into the classroom instead. Then, Sister, you walked in."
Ling Ning’s pitiful tone and expression could have brought tears to anyone listening.
Bai Yiyue, standing to the side, was at a loss for words. Ling Ning’s account twisted the facts slightly, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. What was she supposed to say?
Bai Jie sighed. "I’ve told you countless times, you’re not a child anymore. You can’t just do whatever pops into your head. Think about the consequences first, understood?"
"Okay~" Bai Yiyue lowered her head and responded meekly. She knew better than to argue. If she said even one word in protest, her mother would unleash ten arguments far more compelling.
The best strategy was to silently endure the lecture.
As for Ling Ning, she was filled with mixed emotions. She hadn’t done anything wrong—she was, at most, an accomplice. Why was she being dragged into this?
Fortunately, Bai Jie valued time efficiency. After a brief scolding, she wrapped it up.
"Ling Ning, you can go now. It’s almost time for class."
Hearing this, Ling Ning nodded and shot Bai Yiyue a "good luck" glance before leaving the office.
"And where do you think you’re going? Stay put. I’ve already called Xiao Zi, and she’ll come pick you up. You’re staying right here," Bai Jie said, exasperated.
"Come on, Mom! Sister Zi finally has some time off. Don’t bother her. I can go home on my own!"Bai Yiyue blinked innocently. The last thing she wanted was another round of lectures from her manager after being scolded by her mom.
"But I’ve already contacted her, and she said she’s on her way. She should be arriving soon," Bai Jie replied flatly.
"I…"
Bai Yiyue’s face turned to one of despair. She could already foresee spending her entire afternoon being lectured.
As if to confirm Bai Jie’s words, a knock came at the door before Bai Yiyue could say anything. Along with it came a voice she knew all too well.
"Excuse me, is Teacher Bai in?"
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"I wonder how Bai Yiyue’s doing…"
Ling Ning lay on her desk, blinking idly. Leaving like that felt a bit unkind, but what else could she have done? Bai Jie’s intimidating aura was too much for her to handle. Besides, her clingy childhood friend would forgive her eventually, right?
"Um… Ling Ning, I might need to leave right after class."
Ling Ning turned her head slightly and asked in a low voice, "Is it about Xia Li?"
"Yeah. She said there’s something important she wants to discuss with me."
"I see. If you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask."
Xia You nodded lightly. She wasn’t sure what Xia Li wanted to discuss, but the urgency in her tone had made her prioritize the meeting over her usual routine of walking home with Ling Ning.
Soon, the class ended.
Xia You packed her things and left the classroom first. Ling Ning, on the other hand, took her time, waiting until most of the students had left before lazily gathering her belongings.
As she exited the classroom, she noticed a familiar figure standing outside, seemingly waiting for someone. The person looked lost in thought, their expression a bit vacant.
Recognizing the figure, a mischievous smile crept onto Ling Ning’s face. She tiptoed up to the person and, leaning in close, stuck out her tongue to lightly lick their earlobe.
"Ah!"
The startled cry came from Su Ya, who instinctively turned her head, only to find Ling Ning grinning at her.
"W-What are you doing!?" Su Ya stammered, her cheeks flushed.
"Nothing~ You just looked so cute, I couldn’t help myself."
"What if someone saw us!? Honestly…"
Ling Ning chuckled. "Relax, no one saw. At most, they’d think we were whispering secrets. Or wait… does that mean it’d be okay in a place without people?"
"Of course not!"
Su Ya shot back without hesitation, immediately squashing Ling Ning’s hopes. If their roles were reversed, she might have agreed.
"Eh!?"
Ling Ning’s disappointment quickly gave way to her usual playful demeanor. "Did you come looking for me? Could it be you wanted to go on a date? Now that I think about it, we haven’t gone on one in over a year. I must’ve been neglecting Xiao Ya lately~"
Su Ya sighed. Ever since extending their "trial relationship," Ling Ning had grown increasingly bold. Perhaps it was time to set some boundaries and rein her in.
"Alright, enough jokes. I came to ask you something."
"Sure! Ask away—one question or ten, I’ll answer them all!"
"You’re close with Bai Yiyue, right? Then you must know if the rumors about her holding a concert at our school are true?"
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Author’s Note:
Guys, let me tell you—Xiniang is the best! Those qualities are absolutely killer~