Chapter 655 : Can't Afford to Keep You!
“Ling Ning, I find myself getting more and more interested in you~” Zhao Rui set down her chopsticks and looked at Ling Ning with a gaze that made her feel as though she was being scrutinized.
Ling Ning nearly choked on her noodles. What now? What had caused Zhao Rui to suddenly go off like this again? Sighing, she said, “Senior, could you not look at me like that? It makes me feel self-conscious.”
“It’s just that, if I were to marry you, I’d get someone who’s amazing at cooking and housekeeping, not to mention someone who can earn money. Thinking about it, maybe you should just keep me instead.”
“Can’t afford it, can’t afford it!”
Keep Zhao Rui? What a joke. Ling Ning knew full well how wealthy Zhao Rui was. Even if she sold herself, she still wouldn’t be able to afford that. No, wait—if she really did sell herself, maybe, just maybe, she could?
“In that case, how about I keep you instead? You wouldn’t even have to work—just stay home and take care of the kids for me,” Zhao Rui said with a playful smile.
“Allow me to refuse!”
Rolling her eyes, Ling Ning quickly finished the rest of her breakfast.
As she was washing the dishes, she suddenly felt Zhao Rui’s arms wrap around her from behind. Zhao Rui leaned in close and whispered seductively, “Ling Ning, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider my offer?”
“Not at the moment.”
The sensation of Zhao Rui’s breath against her ear made Ling Ning’s face flush slightly. She had always been sensitive to people speaking near her ear, and this was no exception.
Noticing the growing blush on Ling Ning’s face, Zhao Rui seemed intrigued. Smiling mischievously, she opened her mouth and gently nibbled on Ling Ning’s ear.
“Ah! What are you doing!?” Startled, Ling Ning pushed Zhao Rui away, her face a mix of shock and embarrassment.
“Nothing, really. Your ears just looked too cute, and I couldn’t help myself.”
“Eh!?”
“Judging by your reaction, could it be that your ears are one of your sensitive spots, Ling Ning?”
Looking at Zhao Rui, who seemed to find endless amusement in her embarrassment, Ling Ning felt utterly defeated.
She glared at Zhao Rui in warning before continuing to wash the dishes. Perhaps due to her glare, Zhao Rui finally refrained from further mischief.
After finishing up, Ling Ning stretched lazily and said, “Senior, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out now~”
Changing back into her clothes from the previous day, she prepared to leave.
Just as she was about to step out, Zhao Rui suddenly asked, “Ling Ning, do you know any good places to work?”
“Huh?”
Ling Ning paused, one shoe on, and turned to Zhao Rui. “Why do you ask? Are you planning to work?”
“Just curious. By the way, don’t you sometimes work at a maid café? How is it there? Are they hiring?”
“I’m not sure. If you’re interested, why don’t you go and ask?”
Fully dressed, Ling Ning waved goodbye and stepped out the door.
After she left, Zhao Rui sighed softly and murmured to herself, “Alone again, huh.”
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Walking under her umbrella, Ling Ning made her way through the streets. The rain had lessened to a light drizzle, but most of the shops lining the streets remained closed—it was only the second day of the Lunar New Year, after all.
Even finding a breakfast spot was proving difficult. Her thoughts drifted to her daughter, who was probably still in bed.
After a short walk, Ling Ning finally arrived home. Sure enough, her guess was correct—her daughter was still asleep, or perhaps just lounging in bed.
Entering her room, she found Ling Ye lying on her bed, dreaming peacefully. Smiling, Ling Ning decided to play a small prank. She leaned in and pinched her daughter’s nose. After a moment, Ling Ye’s brows furrowed, and her eyelids fluttered, clearly on the verge of waking up.
Right before she fully awoke, Ling Ning let go. Her experience told her that holding on any longer would earn her a “Good Morning Bite”—and a literal one at that.
Ling Ye slowly opened her eyes. Seeing her mom standing by the door, she immediately figured out how she had been woken up. But standing by the door wouldn’t save her—revenge was inevitable, even if delayed.
“Ye Ye, you’re sleeping in again~”
“I am not. I just slept in a little longer. Besides, it’s the holidays—why wake up early?” Ling Ye yawned, feigning indifference.
Seeing her daughter’s relaxed demeanor, Ling Ning thought she was off the hook.
But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, pain shot through her hand. Looking down, she saw her daughter biting her. Hard.
“Ye Ye, are you part dog?”
“It’s all your fault, Mom! Hmph!”
With that, Ling Ye stomped off to the bathroom to freshen up. She had been dreaming about marrying her mom, only to be rudely awakened. Even if it was her mom, that was unacceptable.
Ling Ning looked at the teeth marks on her hand and chuckled helplessly before heading to her wardrobe to change.
After preparing breakfast for her daughter, she settled into the kotatsu with her phone, as usual, to catch up on her daughter’s latest novel updates.
She followed Ling Ye’s work religiously—not just because her daughter wrote them, but because they were genuinely captivating. Many scenes were based on real-life events, creating a strong sense of familiarity.
The two latest chapters were a quick read, but instead of her usual amused smile, Ling Ning found herself puzzled. Something about today’s updates felt off.
The narrative carried a strange tone, and the chapters were packed with foreshadowing. Was Ling Ye planning a dramatic twist or perhaps preparing for the story’s conclusion?
It was odd. And knowing her daughter, asking her directly wouldn’t yield answers. She decided to simply wait and see how the story unfolded.
Glancing at the cloudy sky, Ling Ning muttered, “Feels like a storm is brewing.”