Chapter 647 : Do You Think I'm Just a Pushover
"I... I'm going to the restroom for a moment!"
Not long after the movie had started, Ling Ning quickly slipped out from under the kotatsu. Xia You making a move with so many people around—it was just so unlike her.
In the restroom, Ling Ning splashed cold water on her face. Suddenly, a thought struck her: Could Xia You's unusual behavior have something to do with Xu Qing being present? If that were the case, maybe it would be wise to avoid her for a while.
Letting out a deep sigh, Ling Ning returned to the living room. However, instead of getting back under the kotatsu, she chose to sit on the nearby sofa.
Ling Ning’s sudden decision left Xu Qing puzzled. “Ling Ning, why aren’t you joining us under the kotatsu?”
“Well, I felt a bit warm earlier. I’ll wait for a bit.”
“Is that so?”
Xu Qing raised her eyebrow and instinctively glanced at Xia You. But Xia You's expression remained calm and collected, revealing nothing unusual.
At that moment, Ling Ye crawled out from under the kotatsu and nestled herself in Ling Ning’s lap.
“Ye Ye, why are you out here too?”
“I want Mom to hold me. Don’t tell me Mom doesn’t want to hold Ye Ye anymore?”
Faced with her daughter’s pitiful expression, Ling Ning knew it was all an act. Even so, she reached out and hugged Ling Ye tighter. After all, holding her daughter was always comforting.
There was a reason "daughter pillow" was no joke.
Once everyone had adjusted their positions, the living room grew quiet. Aside from the sound of the movie playing, nothing else could be heard.
However, this silence didn’t last long. Watching the movie, Ling Ning suddenly noticed the kotatsu starting to shake. Xu Qing and Xia You's expressions turned subtle as well.
As the trembling grew more intense, Ling Ning finally spoke up. “You two, focus on the movie. If you break the kotatsu, I’ll make you take its place!”
Do you think I’m just a pushover?
Sure enough, after seeing the gentle smile on Ling Ning’s face, the tussle under the kotatsu came to an abrupt halt.
Ling Ning sighed in resignation. How had it come to this? Xia You, who was usually so composed, was actually bickering with Xu Qing?
Whether it was due to her warning or the movie’s gripping storyline, peace returned as the movie progressed into its mid-section, with no further incidents.
By the time the movie ended, concluding with the protagonists' eventual happy endings, everyone wore expressions of amazement.
What they initially thought was a typical love pentagon unexpectedly turned into two yuri couples, one yaoi pairing, and a miserable loner ending.
What was there to say about this? Ling Ning decided it was best to simply offer her congratulations.
She casually glanced at her phone. “There’s still some time. How about we watch another movie?”
“No, thanks. My mom just texted me to come home. She says there’s something urgent.”
“So soon?”
“No choice. I’ll head out now. See you next year.”
Ling Ning hesitated for a moment before offering, “Let me walk you out. Don’t refuse just yet—I need to swing by the nearby pet store anyway.”
Xu Qing looked at her in confusion. “Why are you going to the pet store?”
“To buy pet food, of course. It’s the New Year—I can’t neglect my fish or my mischievous cat. Might as well get them something premium.”
For some reason, Xu Qing felt like Ling Ning’s words were hinting at something else entirely.
Shaking her head lightly, Xu Qing and Ling Ning left the house together. What surprised Xu Qing was that Xia You didn’t follow. Wasn’t she worried that she might make a move on Ling Ning?
Though the thought crossed her mind, Xu Qing knew deep down she didn’t have the courage to act on it.
When they reached the entrance of the residential complex, Ling Ning turned to her and said, “Alright, I’m heading that way. Xiao Qing Qing, be careful on your way home~”
“Mm.”
As if making up her mind, Xu Qing suddenly called out, “Ling Ning, wait. There’s something I want to tell you.”
Ling Ning paused and turned around, looking at Xu Qing in confusion, waiting for her to speak.
Taking a few quick steps forward, Xu Qing stood in front of Ling Ning. Under the astonished gazes of passersby—and Ling Ning herself—she hugged Ling Ning and kissed her directly.
Ling Ning stared at Xu Qing in shock. Since when had Xu Qing been this bold? To do something like this in public, where so many people who knew her were around... She felt doomed.
After a long moment, Xu Qing released Ling Ning and declared, “Even if you like someone else, even if you like many people, I will still be the one to win in the end!”
With that, Xu Qing spun on her heel and walked away.
Ling Ning blinked, watching her retreating figure. What had gotten into her? Normally, wouldn’t the response be to join her harem? What was this talk about winning in the end?
Though confused, Ling Ning couldn’t linger any longer under the piercing stares of the crowd. She had no choice but to flee.
Back at home, Xu Qing’s mother immediately noticed her flushed face and asked, “Xiao Qing, why is your face so red?”
“N-Nothing. Forget about that. Why did you call me back?”
“Well, your uncle came to visit, and I wanted you to see him. But he’s already left.”
“...”
Feeling speechless, Xu Qing went back to her room, only to find her younger sister playing on her computer. Despite having her own computer, why did she always use Xu Qing’s?
Grinning mischievously, Xu Xiaoxiao asked, “So, how was your wonderful time at Ling Ning’s place?”
“Wonderful, my foot!”
Despite her words, the smile tugging at Xu Qing’s lips betrayed her.
Seemingly realizing something, Xu Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Sister, did you use the move I taught you on Ling Ning?”
“...Yeah.”
“What was Ling Ning’s reaction?”
“She looked completely stunned.”
“That’s perfect! Come here, Sister. Let me teach you a few more tricks~”