Chapter 561 : You Already Licked It!
"What should we buy~"
Ling Ning and Lin Yue strolled through the produce section at a leisurely pace. Perhaps due to the cold weather, the supermarket was relatively empty. With plenty of time on their hands, they decided to pick the best ingredients to bring back.
"Just get whatever."
Lin Yue said absentmindedly. Ling Ning’s scarf was still wrapped around her neck, faintly scented with Ling Ning’s familiar fragrance.
"How about we have hot pot for lunch? It’s perfect for this cold weather~" Ling Ning suggested.
"That seems a bit much."
"It’ll be fine! There’s just the two of us preparing—it won’t take long."
Seeing Ling Ning’s eager smile, Lin Yue sighed softly. "Fine, do whatever you want."
Once the decision was made, Ling Ning’s shopping pace picked up. In no time, the cart was filled with various ingredients. Lin Yue glanced at it skeptically. "There’s only three of us. Isn’t this too much? Things like this and that are totally unnecessary—and expensive! This amount is already enough."
Hearing Lin Yue’s scolding tone, Ling Ning chuckled. "You’re so good at managing resources, Xiao Yue. Whoever marries you will be really lucky. I’m so jealous~"
Lin Yue’s cheeks flushed slightly but quickly returned to her usual serious expression. "I don’t quite understand what you’re saying."
"Never mind, then. Since we’re done shopping, let’s head back."
"Hmph."
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"You’re back~"
Chen Ruo, munching on spicy sticks on the sofa, greeted the duo with a bright smile. The thought of enjoying a meal prepared by her daughter and Ling Ning only made her grin wider.
After setting down their bags, Ling Ning exhaled heavily. She regretted buying so much—carrying it had been exhausting.
"Are you done with your drawings, Chen Ruo?"
"Of course! I’m always professional!" Chen Ruo puffed out her nearly flat chest, looking proud. However, her mood deflated when she seemed to recall something.
At that moment, Chen Ruo’s gaze landed on the scarf around her daughter’s neck. If she wasn’t mistaken, that was Ling Ning’s scarf.
Catching her mom’s puzzled look, Lin Yue coughed lightly and handed the scarf back to Ling Ning. For some reason, she felt reluctant to part with it.
"Th-thank you."
"It’s nothing~"
Ling Ning said, though she felt a slight resistance when taking back the scarf. Maybe it was just her imagination.
While Ling Ning took the groceries into the kitchen, Lin Yue explained the scarf situation to her mom. Understanding the context, Chen Ruo’s expression returned to her usual cheerful demeanor.
Ignoring her overly bubbly mom, Lin Yue entered the kitchen to help Ling Ning prepare the ingredients. Since they were having hot pot, there was quite a bit of prep work to do. If they didn’t hurry, lunch might be delayed.
Thankfully, both were experienced in the kitchen, so their speed was impressive.
While washing vegetables, Ling Ning suddenly heard a sharp cry from Lin Yue. Turning instinctively, she saw droplets of red seeping from Lin Yue’s finger—she’d cut herself.
"Let me see."
Ling Ning grabbed Lin Yue’s hand and noticed a small cut on her index finger. Although it wasn’t deep, it was still bleeding.
"W-what are you doing!?"
Lin Yue exclaimed as Ling Ning put her finger in her mouth.
"Just disinfecting it."
Ling Ning mumbled, her words muffled.
"There’s no need to disinfect it like that! We have alcohol and bandages at home!" Lin Yue’s face turned red. She could feel something warm and soft on her finger—Ling Ning’s tongue, no doubt.
After a moment, Ling Ning released her hand, rinsed her mouth, and said, "Why didn’t you mention that earlier? Anyway, I’ve already licked it~"
"I…"
Lin Yue bit her lip. She’d barely had time to speak before Ling Ning acted. What could she have said?
"By the way, you look really cute when you’re shy, Xiao Yue~"
"Do you want me to kick you out right now!?"
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. Let’s treat your wound first."
Returning to the living room, the two were met with Chen Ruo’s curious gaze. Upon noticing the injury on her daughter’s hand, Chen Ruo immediately panicked.
"It’s just a small cut," Ling Ning said with a sigh. "Chen Ruo, could you fetch some alcohol and a bandage?"
"Oh, oh~"
"Mom, they’re in the drawer under the TV stand. Why are you running around?" Lin Yue said, exasperated. She couldn’t believe she’d cut herself while chopping vegetables—a mistake she hadn’t made in years. And in front of Ling Ning, no less. She felt utterly embarrassed.
Unbidden, the image of Ling Ning holding her finger popped into Lin Yue’s mind. Her face, which had finally cooled, turned red again.
After carefully tending to Lin Yue’s wound, Ling Ning returned to the kitchen to finish preparing lunch. Lin Yue wanted to help, but Ling Ning firmly refused.
Most of the prep work had been completed anyway; only minor tasks remained.
"Alright, time to eat~"
As soon as Ling Ning said this, Chen Ruo leapt up from the sofa and approached the table. Seeing the neatly arranged ingredients, she asked in surprise, "We’re having hot pot for lunch?"
"You’re just realizing that now? Xiao Yue and I have been busy in the kitchen for ages."
"Ahaha, I… I just didn’t notice~" Chen Ruo mumbled, embarrassed.
"Never mind. If you hand over a few packs of spicy sticks, I might forgive you."
"Can’t we negotiate? I could offer my authentic panties instead—"
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Author’s Note:
Finally, the ring is coming out! I can’t wait any longer!