Chapter 608 : Drowning Sorrows in Drink
“Messed it all up, didn’t I?”
Ling Ning’s expression was complicated as she watched Su Ya’s retreating figure. She wanted to step forward and give chase, but what was the point? She had already said everything there was to say, whether it should have been said or not.
Lightly pressing her lips together, Ling Ning slowly stepped out of the secluded corner. Looking at the bustling crowd on the main road, she suddenly felt a deep weariness.
First Xu Qing, and now Su Ya—why had things turned out this way?
With a long sigh, she started walking toward the school gates. As much as she wanted to explain things to Su Ya, she knew it was futile right now. Nothing she said would get through to her.
It was better to give them both some time to cool off and think things through. Though Ling Ning couldn’t help but question if forcibly taking Su Ya for herself had been the right choice, she absolutely refused to regret it.
Su Ya was hers, and no one could take her away!
As one of the school’s most famous students, Ling Ning naturally attracted a lot of attention as she walked. Some students noticed that she seemed different this afternoon.
Ling Ning always carried a faint smile, one that exuded warmth and friendliness. But today, her face was devoid of any expression, radiating an icy demeanor. She looked like a cold beauty carved from frost, making the already chilly weather feel even colder.
Some students couldn’t help but wonder if Ling Ning had been rejected after confessing to someone. Then again, that seemed impossible. If Ling Ning were to confess to anyone, only a fool would say no.
Ignoring the speculative glances, Ling Ning walked out of the school gates and headed to the nearby subway station. She boarded the train heading to Bai Yiyue’s home. Though her emotions were a tangled mess of frustration, unease, and conflict, she still felt the need to check on her.
By the time Ling Ning arrived at the building, the sky had already darkened. She was surprised to find no paparazzi or onlookers near Bai Yiyue’s door. Then she recalled the building’s tight security, and it all made sense.
Taking the elevator up, she stood before Bai Yiyue’s door. After taking a deep breath and adjusting her expression to look as normal as possible, she rang the doorbell.
It didn’t take long for the door to open, but it wasn’t Bai Yiyue who answered—it was Bai Jie.
Bai Jie had changed out of her professional attire from school, now wearing a thin set of loungewear that accentuated her elegant figure. Her slightly flushed face and the faint smell of alcohol told Ling Ning she had been drinking.
Seeing Ling Ning, Bai Jie paused briefly before recovering and asking with some confusion, “Ling Ning? What brings you here at this hour?”
“Oh, I just came to check on Xiao Bai~” Ling Ning forced a smile as she answered.
Perhaps due to her tipsiness, Bai Jie didn’t notice that something seemed off about Ling Ning. She unlocked the door and gestured for her to come in.
“Yiyue left earlier today and hasn’t come back. She’s likely busy preparing for the press conference and might not return for a few days,” Bai Jie said with a trace of helplessness.
Thinking about the day’s news, Bai Jie couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
Ling Ning, aware of Bai Jie’s thoughts, felt a pang of guilt. This mess was her fault. If she hadn’t indulged Bai Yiyue so much, none of this would have happened.
Recently, everything had been too calm, and since nothing bad had happened before, Ling Ning had let her guard down. It was an oversight she could no longer afford.
“I see. I’ll come back another time to visit Xiao Bai, then.”
Just as Ling Ning was about to leave, Bai Jie stopped her. “Ling Ning, why don’t you stay for dinner? Eating alone while drinking is quite dull, you know~”
Ling Ning hesitated for a moment before nodding.
She wasn’t trying to score a free meal but felt that Bai Jie seemed troubled. Besides, she wasn’t in the best mood herself. A drink or two might help ease her own frustrations.
Bai Jie’s cooking skills were exceptional. The enticing aroma wafting from the dining table was enough to make Ling Ning’s stomach growl. Once seated, Bai Jie poured her a glass of red wine.
Taking a small sip, Ling Ning’s face relaxed into an expression of enjoyment.
“This wine is quite good. It seems to be from Old Yharnam, though not from Yosefka’s estate. I wonder where it could be from?”
Bai Jie raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Ling Ning, you know about wine?”
“A little. I don’t drink often, so my knowledge is pretty basic,” Ling Ning admitted, slightly embarrassed.
“No, no, even recognizing it from just a sip is impressive! You’re spot on. This is indeed from Old Yharnam, though it’s a friend’s private collection, so I’m not sure of the exact source. But the quality is excellent.”
Ling Ning had learned about Bai Jie’s love for wine from Bai Yiyue, so their conversation naturally turned to the topic. Discussing shared interests allowed them to set aside their troubles and simply enjoy the moment.
Perhaps because the conversation was so engaging, they quickly finished a bottle of wine. Before Ling Ning could say anything, Bai Jie retrieved another, even more expensive bottle from the wine cabinet.
Seeing the lavish wine, Ling Ning let out a helpless laugh. She was already feeling tipsy, and if she drank more, who knew what might happen? But with Bai Jie’s enthusiasm, she could only go along with it.
It was hard to say how much time had passed, but when Ling Ning noticed Bai Jie had passed out drunk, she couldn’t help but smile wryly. She herself was at her limit, though her unique resistance to alcohol had kept her upright.
Sighing, she helped Bai Jie to her room. After carefully placing her on the bed, Ling Ning finally allowed herself to relax.
But before she could fully catch her breath, the room spun around her. Unable to hold on any longer, she collapsed right on top of Bai Jie.
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Author’s Note:
Drunken chaos...