Chapter 563 : Let Me Explain!
"Eh!? Ling Ning, you want your compensation now?"
Hearing Ling Ning’s words, Chen Ruo immediately tensed up, instinctively clutching her skirt. While she’d known this moment would come eventually, she hadn’t expected it to arrive so soon.
"Of course! And remember, Chen Ruo, you promised two pairs, and they have to be 'authentic,' too~" Ling Ning said with a mischievous grin, her ears perked up, listening intently for any sounds from outside the room. If Lin Yue suddenly barged in while she was teasing Chen Ruo, there’d be no explaining her way out of it.
"T-two pairs? But I only have one pair on right now!"
Chen Ruo blinked, unsure how to meet Ling Ning’s demand. Would Ling Ning take her away if she couldn’t deliver the promised compensation? No, not as a bride—maybe as a "hot weapon."
Why did that thought send a strange thrill through her? No! Chen Ruo didn’t want to become a weaponized hot mess!
Seeing Chen Ruo’s conflicted expression, Ling Ning chuckled softly. She was about to reveal it was all a joke when Chen Ruo suddenly steeled herself and said, "I understand. While I only have one pair of authentic panties, my tights should count as one, right?"
"W-wait, I—"
Before Ling Ning could finish, Chen Ruo had already started lifting her skirt, clearly preparing to remove her panties and tights. Panicked, Ling Ning rushed forward to stop her but didn’t notice the table leg in her path. She tripped and lost her balance.
From Chen Ruo’s perspective, it looked like Ling Ning was lunging straight at her.
Chen Ruo’s room wasn’t small, but it was cluttered with various items, leaving little room to maneuver. Reflexively stepping back, Chen Ruo ended up falling onto the bed with Ling Ning landing on top of her.
Chen Ruo stared at Ling Ning in disbelief, her mind racing. Why had it come to this? Was Ling Ning finally succumbing to her base instincts? But then again, if it were Ling Ning…
Meanwhile, Ling Ning, now fully aware of their compromising position, couldn’t help but flash a bitter smile. She had only wanted to stop Chen Ruo from undressing—how had it turned into this?
Before Ling Ning could explain, Chen Ruo blushed and stammered, "L-Ling Ning, please… be gentle!"
Ling Ning nearly choked on her own breath. Did Chen Ruo really think she was that kind of person? Sure, teasing was fun, but this…
But looking at Chen Ruo’s flustered state, Ling Ning couldn’t deny there was something irresistibly tempting about it.
"So Chen Ruo doesn’t like it rough?" Ling Ning teased, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. Since Lin Yue was still asleep, she decided to push her luck and play along a bit more.
"Eh!?"
Chen Ruo froze for a moment, then averted her gaze and mumbled, "I-if Ling Ning prefers it rough, I suppose I could…"
Ling Ning barely managed to suppress her laughter. This situation was too ridiculous to let go of just yet.
"Well then, you’d better brace yourself, Chen Ruo. Once I start, I won’t stop~"
"Eh!?"
Startled by Ling Ning’s words, Chen Ruo instinctively shut her eyes, as if awaiting her impending doom. Yet, beneath her trepidation, she felt a tiny spark of anticipation.
Watching Chen Ruo’s tightly shut eyes, Ling Ning’s smile widened. Instead of doing anything untoward, she simply flicked Chen Ruo’s forehead.
"Ow!"
The sudden sting made Chen Ruo yelp. Opening her eyes, she saw Ling Ning sitting by the bed, looking down at her with an amused expression. The teasing glint in Ling Ning’s eyes left no doubt—she had been joking all along.
"I didn’t expect Chen Ruo to be this kind of person. I thought you were just an ordinary adult manga artist~" Ling Ning said with a playful smirk.
Chen Ruo puffed out her cheeks indignantly. "Ling Ning, you’re so mean! Always teasing me like this. Next time, I won’t fall for it!"
"Sorry, sorry. I just couldn’t resist—Chen Ruo is so adorable~"
Hearing the compliment, Chen Ruo’s mood instantly lifted. "Adorable? Isn’t it better to say I’m mature and charming?"
"Yes, yes. Chen Ruo is incredibly mature and overflowing with charm~" Ling Ning replied in an exaggeratedly casual tone.
Chen Ruo pouted, dissatisfied with Ling Ning’s dismissive tone, but decided to let it go. Being called adorable was still a compliment, after all.
"Let’s get back to work! Keep the pose from before, and make your expression… more alluring. Something like… like how you looked earlier would be perfect!" Chen Ruo suggested after some thought.
"You mean the face I made while teasing you just now?" Ling Ning asked, flashing a smile that was both delighted and full of mischief.
"That’s the one! But why does hearing you say it make me feel annoyed?"
"Don’t sweat the details~"
After agreeing on the adjustments, Ling Ning resumed her role as Chen Ruo’s model. This time, she was fully focused, delivering a flawless performance.
Even Chen Ruo’s strokes became faster and more confident.
It wasn’t until Chen Ruo exclaimed, "Done!" that Ling Ning relaxed. Honestly, being a model for an adult manga artist wasn’t any easier than her usual work. Maintaining an alluring demeanor was especially draining.
She couldn’t deny, though, that she seemed to have a natural knack for it.
As Chen Ruo admired her sketches with satisfaction, she muttered regretfully, "If only Ling Ning would allow photos… They’d be a great source of inspiration."
"That was exhausting~"
Ling Ning flopped onto Chen Ruo’s bed, inhaling the faint scent lingering on the pillow. Sleepiness began to creep in, but then she felt something beneath the pillow.
Curious, she pulled it out—and froze when she saw a pink, indescribable object in her hand.
"Th-that… Ling Ning, I can explain!"
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Author’s Note:
There’s nothing left to explain at this point.