Chapter 660 : Everything Under Control!
"Are you sure this place is alright?"
Su Ya looked at the upscale Western restaurant before them, a tinge of doubt evident in her voice.
Hearing her question, Ling Ning chuckled. "Don’t worry. I have a membership card here, so we get discounts. Besides, it’s not like the two of us will eat a lot. And really, do I look like the kind of person who’d fret over a little money?"
Though she sounded confident, Ling Ning’s heart ached at the thought of the bill. This restaurant had been recommended by Qin Qing, and while the food was excellent, the prices were steep enough that Ling Ning typically avoided it.
"Fine, just don’t cry later~"
Su Ya teased, throwing her a sidelong glance before stepping into the restaurant.
Led to their table by a server, the two sat down in the cozy atmosphere. As Ling Ning browsed the menu, she suddenly noticed someone standing beside her. Turning her head, she found Zhao Rui smiling down at her.
"What a coincidence, Junior Ling Ning~"
"Good afternoon, Senior."
Ling Ning was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected to run into Zhao Rui here of all places. Was fate at play?
"It seems we’re truly destined to cross paths~"
Zhao Rui said with a laugh before taking a seat beside Ling Ning. Her gaze shifted to Su Ya, her curiosity evident. Based on what she’d heard, things between Ling Ning and Su Ya weren’t supposed to be this amicable.
Why were they dining together now?
Seeing Zhao Rui sitting so close to Ling Ning, Su Ya’s brows furrowed. She was already irked by Zhao Rui’s reputation for meddling in others’ relationships. And now, her proximity to Ling Ning only made Su Ya more uncomfortable.
"Ah, Junior Su Ya’s here too. Are you two having lunch together?"
"Yes, and I didn’t expect to see you here, Senior."
Zhao Rui, catching on to Su Ya’s discomfort, leaned even closer to Ling Ning. So close, in fact, that Ling Ning could feel the softness of her chest pressing against her arm. Though the sensation wasn’t unpleasant, Ling Ning could feel Su Ya’s increasingly hostile gaze.
Clearing her throat, Ling Ning gently pushed Zhao Rui away. "Senior, would you like to join us?"
"Of course. I’d much rather eat with others than dine alone. And since you helped me out recently, lunch is on me today~"
Zhao Rui’s cheerful tone caught Su Ya off guard. Helped her? When? Why didn’t she know about this?
Ling Ning sighed internally. Zhao Rui was clearly doing this on purpose. Still, she offered an explanation. "It was nothing major. I just gave Senior a ride home."
"Not at all. On the first day of the New Year, you braved the rain to come find me and take me home. It meant so much to me," Zhao Rui said, her eyes soft as if recalling a cherished memory.
Ling Ning quickly averted her gaze, knowing she couldn’t outmatch Zhao Rui in this kind of verbal sparring.
"Why don’t we order first?" Su Ya suggested, her tone light but carrying an unmistakable edge. To Ling Ning, her barely restrained irritation was clear evidence that Su Ya still cared deeply about her, which secretly delighted her.
As they waited for their food, Zhao Rui suddenly smiled and said, "By the way, Junior Ling Ning, I bought a new set of bedding. Next time you stay over, you won’t need to fight me for the blanket~"
The comment froze the smile on Ling Ning’s face. Glancing at Su Ya, she saw a similar look of shock.
"That was just a one-time thing because of the heavy rain," Ling Ning said hastily, hoping to defuse the situation.
"It’s no trouble at all. You’re welcome anytime, Junior Ling Ning~"
Taking a deep breath, Su Ya smiled sweetly. "Ling Ning, my mom mentioned she’d like to invite you over for a meal sometime. She promised to make a big feast just for you."
"Huh? Oh, sure."
"And by the way, did you forget a jacket at my place the last time you visited?"
Blinking, Ling Ning recalled she might have. "Oh, right. I did leave one behind. I’ll have your mom mail it back to me."
"Of course. I’ll let her know. Please thank her for me."
Watching their exchange, Zhao Rui clicked her tongue in irritation. She hadn’t expected Su Ya, who usually seemed so passive, to hold her ground this well. The tension in the air was palpable.
Thankfully, their food arrived shortly after, allowing everyone to focus on eating. The verbal sparring subsided, giving Ling Ning a much-needed break.
Once they finished lunch, Zhao Rui stretched and announced, "I’ve got some errands to run this afternoon, so I’ll take my leave now."
However, as she turned to go, she suddenly leaned down to whisper into Ling Ning’s ear, "Don’t forget about the bet we talked about. Whenever you’re ready, just call me~"
Before pulling away, she playfully licked Ling Ning’s ear.
While Su Ya couldn’t hear the whisper, she clearly saw the gesture, and her clenched fists betrayed her growing anger.
Rubbing her now-red ear, Ling Ning sighed in resignation. Zhao Rui truly loved stirring up trouble.
"What did she say to you just now?"
"Nothing important. Just inviting me over for a visit," Ling Ning replied quickly before flashing a mischievous grin. "Why? Could it be that you’re jealous, Xiao Ya?"
"No! Now shut up!"
"Don’t be so quick to deny it~"
As Su Ya glared at her, Ling Ning couldn’t help but smile. Visiting Su Ya’s house before the New Year had clearly been the right move. Su Ya’s lingering feelings for her were undeniable.
"Everything is under control!"