Chapter 580 : Yes, That's Right, It's Me!
"As expected, I'm still not used to smoking~"
After extinguishing the cigarette, Ling Ning took a deep breath. She had only smoked in her previous life, but had quit later. Now, she had no desire to smoke at all.
"Cigarettes are a good thing, just like alcohol~" Zhao Rui said with a light chuckle.
Hearing Zhao Rui's words, Ling Ning tilted her head noncommittally, then asked, "Why is Senior smoking alone here so late? Did something troubling happen?"
"I suppose so~"
As if remembering something, a tinge of melancholy appeared in Zhao Rui's smile.
Ling Ning hesitated, then decided not to probe further. Instead, she said quietly, "Senior, it's getting late. It's not suitable for a girl to stay here too long."
"Are you worried about me? Don't worry, I've learned some judo. I'm not afraid of ordinary people~"
Ling Ning blinked. "I see. Well then, Senior, enjoy your smoke. I'll be going now~"
Just as Ling Ning was about to turn and leave, she suddenly felt Zhao Rui embrace her from behind. Zhao Rui whispered seductively, "Junior Ling Ning, I live nearby. Why don't you come over? We could have a deep chat about life~"
After saying this, Zhao Rui gently blew into Ling Ning's ear.
Ling Ning instinctively broke free from Zhao Rui's embrace and said awkwardly, "Um... Senior, it's quite late now. I need to get back. Maybe next time when we have time!?"
Watching Ling Ning flee in panic, Zhao Rui's lips curled into an alluring smile. Only after Ling Ning's figure disappeared into the darkness did she turn and leave.
Passing by a trash can, Zhao Rui seemed to remember something and casually tossed the barely-smoked pack of cigarettes into it.
Meanwhile, Ling Ning, walking briskly home, glanced back to make sure Zhao Rui wasn't following her. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. Why had things turned out like this? She felt like Zhao Rui was trying to flirt with her, though she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination.
Ling Ning sighed softly. Perhaps she was overthinking it. Who knows? More importantly, she wanted to get home quickly and take a good shower. The barbecue was nice, but now she smelled of grilled meat.
For the cleanliness-obsessed Ling Ning, this was absolutely intolerable.
As soon as Ling Ning got home, she saw her daughter lazily curled up in the kotatsu, typing away, while Xia You was playing a newly released game.
Seeing Ling Ning return, Ling Ye's expression brightened. She immediately crawled out of the kotatsu and walked up to Ling Ning, smiling, "Welcome back, Mom~"
Ling Ning gently patted her daughter's head. "Ye Ye is such a good girl~"
"Did Mom go for barbecue?"
At such close range, Ling Ye could smell the barbecue scent on Ling Ning.
"Yes, so I'm going to take a shower now. By the way, have you showered yet, Ye Ye?"
"Not yet. Let's shower together~"
Ling Ye's lips curled into a happy smile. She had deliberately not showered earlier, hoping to catch a chance to bathe with her Mom, which should be nice.
"Alright~"
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"Okay, I'll be there tomorrow morning then~"
After Ling Ning hung up the phone, Xia You asked curiously, "Ling Ning, are you going out tomorrow?"
"Yes, I need to go to the company. I'll take leave from school," Ling Ning said softly. The decision to go to the company had been made a few days ago, but Qin Qing had only called today.
Xia You nodded lightly, indicating she understood.
Just as Ling Ning was about to crawl back into the kotatsu, she suddenly remembered something and went to the balcony with her phone.
In the S University dormitory, Su Ya, curled up in her blanket reading some materials, suddenly felt her phone vibrate. She picked it up and saw it was Ling Ning calling.
Curious, she answered, "Hello, is this Ling Ning?"
"Yes, that's right, it's me! I am the most beautiful goddess in the universe, Ling Ning!"
Hearing Ling Ning's words, Su Ya had the urge to hang up immediately. However, she suppressed this impulse and said, "Is there something you need at this hour?"
"I just wanted to ask if you want to go to the company tomorrow?"
Hearing Ling Ning's question, Su Ya thought for a moment, then said somewhat helplessly, "I probably can't make it tomorrow. I'm planning to go on the weekend. Are you going to the company tomorrow, Ling Ning?"
"Yes, I might have some work to do. Since you're not available, forget it then. I can go by myself~"
"I'm sorry, I really have something to do tomorrow~"
"It's fine, I just wanted to know if you were going."
After hanging up, Ling Ning sighed softly. It looked like she'd have to go to the company alone tomorrow. But that was okay too; she could talk to Qin Qing about some things.
Seeing Ling Ning return to the living room, Xia You slowly asked, "Was that call to Su Ya?"
Ling Ning laughed dryly, "I was just asking if she wanted to go to the company together tomorrow~"
"Oh~"
Xia You nodded, casually defeating the boss with a righteous backstab before quietly turning off the console. "It's getting late. I should go back and work on my video~"
"I see. Remember not to stay up too late~"
Hearing Ling Ning's words, Xia You smiled slightly and nodded, indicating she understood.
Looking at the now quiet living room, Ling Ning tidied up a bit before returning to her room. After all, she needed to be at the company quite early tomorrow, so it was best to sleep early tonight.
Not long after Ling Ning climbed into bed, her room door opened. A small figure appeared and, without disturbing the already sleeping Ling Ning, climbed directly into her bed and snuggled under the covers.
Sensing something, Ling Ning slowly opened her eyes. She felt something in her arms, but the familiar sensation brought a helpless yet doting smile to her lips.
In the end, she said nothing and closed her eyes again.
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Author's Note:
Although this salted fish is going to the anime convention, the update won't be missed~