Chapter 651 : Overdoing It
“The weather today doesn’t seem very pleasant~”
Ling Ning glanced out the window at the overcast sky. Though it was already around ten in the morning, it still looked as though dawn hadn’t fully broken. Everything pointed to a heavy rainstorm on the way.
Not that it mattered much to her. After all, it was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and she had no plans to go out. A little rain wasn’t going to bother her—it would only make things a bit colder.
Humming a random tune, Ling Ning strolled into the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.
Her daughter was already awake, and once breakfast was ready, she’d go wake Xia You. Normally, Xia You didn’t need help waking up, so why did it feel necessary today?
Though she found it odd, Ling Ning shrugged off the thought and focused on finishing breakfast. Once done, she stepped outside with her key in hand and unlocked Xia You’s front door.
The living room was as quiet as ever, but a mischievous smile crept across Ling Ning’s face as an idea struck her. She went to the kitchen, washed her hands with cold water, and tiptoed toward Xia You’s bedroom. A cold surprise would surely be the most effective way to wake her up.
Carefully opening the door, Ling Ning saw Xia You still lying in bed.
Her grin widened as she approached, but just as she was about to act, Xia You suddenly threw off the blanket, wrapped her arms around Ling Ning, and flipped her onto the bed.
Seeing that Xia You was already dressed, Ling Ning realized she’d been tricked.
“Xia... Xia You, weren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
“I was, but I woke up and thought I’d wait for you to come wake me,” Xia You explained nonchalantly, pinning Ling Ning beneath her.
“If you were already awake, you could’ve just come over to my place. Breakfast is ready, and it’s going to get cold if we don’t eat soon.”
“Breakfast can be reheated. What I’m more interested in... is you, Ling Ning~”
Ling Ning blinked, momentarily stunned. “W-well, it’s still morning! How about we wait until tonight?”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be quick~”
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After finishing her morning routine, Ling Ye walked out of the bathroom to find the breakfast ready and kept warm, but her Mom was nowhere to be seen.
Thinking for a moment, she figured her mom had probably gone to wake up Xia You.
A subtle pout formed on Ling Ye’s lips. Something was definitely going on between her mom and Xia You. Living together for so long, they may not have acted overly affectionate in front of her, but Ling Ye had noticed the way they looked at each other—something different, something special.
“I wish I could grow up already,” Ling Ye muttered to herself, letting out a resigned sigh. But wishing wouldn’t change anything. Time moved at its own pace, unhurried and unyielding.
As Ling Ye was about to dig into breakfast, the front door opened, and her mom entered with Xia You. For some reason, Ling Ye noticed that her mom’s face seemed unusually flushed.
“Mom, your face looks a little red~”
Startled by her daughter’s remark, Ling Ning blinked and quickly replied, “Oh, that? It’s because your Sister Xia You refused to get out of bed, so I had to drag her out. Probably overdid it a little~”
“Is that so?”
Her daughter’s skeptical expression seemed to say otherwise.
“Yes, that’s it. Anyway, haven’t you had breakfast yet, Ye Ye?”
“Just about to.”
As Ling Ye headed to the kitchen, Ling Ning shot Xia You a sharp look—kind but warning. If her daughter ever found out the truth, she’d have to work very hard to win her back.
Xia You leaned in close and whispered, “Actually, I was about to stop, but it was you who told me to keep going~”
“I...”
Ling Ning couldn’t find the words to respond.
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“So it’s raining after all~”
Listening to the gentle patter of rain against the window, Ling Ning glanced at the weather forecast. The rain was expected to last all week. At least this meant she could stay cozy at home for a while.
Her pantry was well-stocked—enough to make her apartment feel like a little fortress. If an apocalypse broke out, she could probably survive for several days without leaving.
As her thoughts wandered, she felt a tug on her sleeve. Turning, she saw Ling Ye looking up at her with excitement.
“Mom, let’s play a game together!”
“Sure~”
Holidays were best spent lounging in the kotatsu, playing games or watching movies. It was perfect.
Just as she became immersed in the game, her phone rang. Curious, she checked the caller ID—it was Zhao Rui. Surprised, Ling Ning stared at the screen for a moment before answering.
“Hello, Senior? Is there something you need?”
After a brief pause, all she could hear on the other end was the sound of rain mixed with faint music.
After a long silence, Zhao Rui’s voice finally came through. “It’s nothing. Just pretend I called by mistake.”
“Huh!?”
Before Ling Ning could respond, the call disconnected, leaving her puzzled. Calling on the first day of the New Year just to say that—what was going on? And Zhao Rui’s voice... it sounded a bit off.
At that moment, Ling Ning felt another tug on her sleeve. Looking down, she saw Ling Ye gazing up at her expectantly.
“Mom, let’s keep playing.”
“...I’ll play with you later. I think I need to go out for a bit.”
“Huh!?”
“I just remembered something.”
Ling Ning sighed, glancing at the pouring rain and the darkening sky. Something seemed wrong with Zhao Rui. She decided it would be better to check on her. Based on the faint music she’d heard, Ling Ning had a good guess about where Zhao Rui might be.
“Ah, well~”