Chapter 656 : Sailing Too Many Ships
“Time flies so quickly~”
Walking alongside Xia You on the way to the café, Ling Ning let out a small sigh. Initially, they had planned to stay home and spend the day gaming, but then Chu Mengyao called, asking if Ling Ning could come help since the café was unusually busy.
Feeling like a change of pace might be nice, Ling Ning and Xia You decided to head out. As for Ling Ye, she had opted to stay home, citing some other matter that required her attention.
Ling Ning didn’t pry into her daughter’s decision, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Ling Ye had been acting strangely lately. She spent most of her days glued to her laptop, typing away, and every time Ling Ning tried to peek at what she was working on, Ling Ye would immediately shut her laptop or deflect the topic.
She sighed again. “Why does she keep shutting me out? I could give her useful feedback, after all.”
Xia You glanced at her curiously. “What’s wrong, Ling Ning?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t you think Ye Ye has been acting a bit odd lately?”
Frowning slightly, Xia You mulled it over before nodding. “She does seem off. She hasn’t joined me for games recently. Normally, she’d drop everything for a match.”
“So you’ve noticed too!”
Shrugging, Ling Ning added, “But I don’t think it’s anything serious. She seems to be pouring all her energy into writing. Her novels have been getting more exciting lately~”
Thinking of her daughter’s writing, a soft smile graced Ling Ning’s lips.
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the café. Even from outside, the bustling scene inside was apparent through the windows. Ling Ning raised an eyebrow.
She suspected Chu Mengyao must have done some promotion to draw in this many customers. Then again, the Lunar New Year was over, and school was about to start again, so a crowd wasn’t entirely unexpected.
The moment Ling Ning stepped inside, Chu Mengyao rushed over at lightning speed, grabbing Ling Ning’s hands. “Ling Ning! Finally, you’re here! We’re drowning in work. Oh, and Xia You, too~”
Clearly overwhelmed by Chu Mengyao’s enthusiasm, Xia You instinctively hid behind Ling Ning, embodying the perfect image of a shy and delicate girl.
“Alright, alright. You can stop buttering me up. You know I don’t work for free.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got your compensation prepared,” Chu Mengyao replied with a mysterious smile.
Nodding in satisfaction, Ling Ning followed Xia You to the changing room. She quickly changed into her uniform and said to Xia You, who was still changing, “I’m heading out first. I’ll help in the kitchen later~”
“Okay.”
Stepping out, Ling Ning noticed how complete the café’s staff lineup was today. Zhou Xiaoxiao, Li Si, and even Ye Xuan were present. Seeing Ye Xuan, who rarely showed up since transferring to S University, surprised Ling Ning.
As if sensing her gaze, Ye Xuan turned her head and smiled faintly at Ling Ning. A nearby regular customer, sipping coffee, was stunned—it was likely the first time they’d ever seen the “ice queen” maid smile, and it was a beautiful sight.
Ling Ning approached Ye Xuan with a grin. “When did you get back?”
“A while ago.”
“Why didn’t you call me to hang out? I’m so bored at home, I feel like I’m growing mold!”
“How about tomorrow?”
“Sure!”
Before they could continue chatting, a wave of hostility seemed to sweep over them. Looking around, they spotted Chu Mengyao flashing them a seemingly kind smile, as if saying, “With so much going on, you two are chatting?”
Sticking her tongue out at Chu Mengyao, Ling Ning quickly got to work.
The tasks came naturally to her despite her absence from the café for a while. She handled everything effortlessly, as if she had never left.
However, as she worked, Ling Ning couldn’t shake the feeling that her apprentice, Jiang Xue, was staring at her. Memories of Jiang Xue’s confession came flooding back, leaving Ling Ning unsure how to face her. She sighed. Why had things turned out this way?
It wasn’t just Jiang Xue. Zhou Xiaoxiao occasionally cast her some rather suggestive glances too.
It made Ling Ning want to ask Chu Mengyao if there were any fliers to hand out just so she could escape for a while. But during this busy time, handing out fliers was clearly not an option.
From the counter, Chu Mengyao observed the busy café. Her gaze flickered between Ling Ning and the other staff. She recalled a joke Ling Ning had once made to her. Now, it didn’t seem like much of a joke anymore.
As someone with experience, Chu Mengyao could tell—the way the staff looked at Ling Ning was anything but normal.
She could almost foresee Ling Ning’s downfall.
Still, it was an interesting spectacle, wasn’t it? So many people competing for Ling Ning’s affection. Who would ultimately win her heart? Chu Mengyao found herself genuinely curious.
Seeming to have an idea, she beckoned Ling Ning over.
Though puzzled, Ling Ning complied, walking up to the counter with a questioning look.
“Ling Ning, you seem a bit uneasy. Is something bothering you?” Chu Mengyao asked with a knowing smile.
“U-uneasy? Not at all. It’s just been a while since I’ve worked here, so I’m a bit out of practice.”
Chu Mengyao’s smile deepened. “If that’s all, then great. But if anything else is weighing on you, feel free to talk to me. Don’t worry, I’m great at keeping secrets. Even if it’s about you struggling with juggling multiple relationships, I won’t breathe a word~”
“Haha, you’re so funny, Sister Mengyao. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work~”
Watching Ling Ning’s retreating figure, Chu Mengyao murmured softly, “Looks like I wasn’t wrong~”