Chapter 627 : This Atmosphere Feels Off
“Ling Ning, I want to buy this place!”
Hearing Bai Yiyue’s declaration, Ling Ning chuckled softly, flicked her finger lightly against Bai Yiyue’s forehead, and said, “What are you even thinking?”
“But... but I don’t want this place to be torn down like this,” Bai Yiyue murmured, clutching her forehead.
To be fair, Ling Ning’s flick had hurt quite a bit. Her forehead was probably red by now.
“I checked. This area is government-owned land. Buying it is impossible, so you might as well give up on the idea,” Ling Ning remarked, glancing at Bai Yiyue.
“Huh!? Ling Ning, you actually checked? Could it be…”
“No, you’re overthinking things!” Ling Ning quickly dodged Bai Yiyue’s probing gaze and replied.
Hearing this, Bai Yiyue flashed a satisfied smile. “Ling Ning, you were just being a tsundere, weren’t you? Absolutely a tsundere!”
“Shut up. You’re the tsundere here!”
“Usually, tsunderes deny it like that.”
Ling Ning sighed, shaking her head helplessly before standing up. “Alright, we’ve been sitting here long enough. Let’s head out.”
“Huh!? Already?”
“How much longer do you want to stay? Also, tie your scarf properly and put on your glasses. If someone recognizes you, I swear I’ll kill you!”
“There’s no way anyone’s around here~”
Though Bai Yiyue protested, she obediently adjusted her disguise.
As they left, Ling Ning couldn’t help but notice the reluctant expression on Bai Yiyue’s face. Smiling wryly, she said, “Memories, you know, are meant to be cherished years later with the people you made those memories with. Like me—whether this orphanage stays or not doesn’t really matter. After all, Xiao Bai, you’re here with me now, where I can see you, touch you. That’s enough.”
“Ling Ning, are you confessing to me?”
Noticing Bai Yiyue leaning closer, Ling Ning quickly raised a hand to block her. She knew from experience that when her obsessive childhood friend showed this kind of expression, she wouldn’t hesitate to act recklessly!
Pouting, Bai Yiyue thought about pairing her earlier words with a deep kiss to complete the moment. But she figured it wasn’t necessary. Ling Ning was right there with her, within reach. That was more than enough.
After walking a stretch that felt neither too long nor too short, the two returned to the bustling streets. Compared to the isolated, forgotten atmosphere of the old district, this lively scene felt like an entirely different world.
“So, Ling Ning, where are we going next?”
“I don’t know. It’s getting late. How about we grab something to eat and head back?”
“Huh!? No way! I just got let out today. I want to have some fun! Let’s go there instead~”
Ling Ning followed Bai Yiyue’s gaze and immediately froze. It was a love hotel, unmistakable with its pink, suggestive ambiance.
Without hesitation, Ling Ning flicked Bai Yiyue’s forehead again. “What on earth is that dirty mind of yours thinking?”
“I can’t help it! I’ve never been to a place like that before. But I’ve done my research! They have all sorts of ‘plays’ there. Ling Ning, which one do you like?” Bai Yiyue teased, clutching her forehead.
“Shut up!”
Dragging the reluctant Bai Yiyue along, Ling Ning brought her to a nearby café. Sitting down, they ordered two blended coffees. The warm, rich liquid sliding down her throat brought a rare moment of peace to Ling Ning, who closed her eyes in contentment.
Meanwhile, Bai Yiyue wasn’t as composed. Her mind was still caught up on the love hotel. One thought led to another, and soon her head was filled with all sorts of wild scenarios.
Sensing Bai Yiyue’s train of thought, Ling Ning shot her a glare. “Not happening. A love hotel is never happening!”
“But I just want to see it! I wouldn’t do anything to you, Ling Ning~”
“Ha.”
As if struck by an idea, Bai Yiyue leaned closer to Ling Ning. “Ling Ning, are you coming to my place tonight?”
“No, I still need to cook dinner for Ye Ye.”
“Huh!? Then can I come to your place?”
“If I’m not mistaken, didn’t your manager specifically tell you to go home tonight~?”
Bai Yiyue’s smile froze instantly. Moments later, her entire demeanor deflated as if she’d suddenly lost all her dreams. An unmistakable air of ‘defeat’ hung around her.
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“I’ll drop you off here.”
Standing in front of Bai Yiyue’s house, Ling Ning said with a cheerful smile.
“Huh!? Come in for a bit!”
“No, it’s getting late. I need to head back.”
Only after Bai Yiyue went inside did Ling Ning breathe a sigh of relief. She simply didn’t want to run into Bai Jie. Even though they had cleared things up last time, there was still a lingering awkwardness between them.
Just as Ling Ning turned to leave and reached the elevator, she suddenly noticed Bai Jie standing behind her, a look of surprise on her face.
“Sis... Sister, weren’t you inside?”
“Mm, I just stepped out to buy groceries. Did you come to drop Xiao Bai off? Why not come in for a bit?”
Bai Jie’s gaze held a complicated emotion that Ling Ning couldn’t quite decipher. It was clear Bai Jie wanted to forget what had happened that day, yet she seemed incapable of doing so.
“I need to get back and make dinner for Ye Ye, so I’m afraid I’ll have to take a rain check.”
As Ling Ning turned to leave, her nerves got the better of her, causing her to misstep.
Without hesitation, Bai Jie dropped her groceries and grabbed Ling Ning to stop her fall. However, she clearly overestimated her strength, resulting in both of them tumbling to the ground.
When Bai Jie regained her senses, she found herself on top of Ling Ning. Though her initial intent was to catch her, this position eerily mirrored that day’s events.
Lying on the ground, Ling Ning met Bai Jie’s hazy gaze and couldn’t help but feel that something about this atmosphere seemed terribly off.
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Author’s Note:
It’s a salted fish’s birthday today, so here’s three chapters~!