Chapter 680 : Desire Is Never Satisfied
"I’m so full."
Ling Ning rubbed her stomach. A free lunch this delicious? What else could she do but praise Bai Jie?
"As long as you enjoyed it," Bai Jie replied, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Bai Yiyue, sprawled on the sofa in a posture similar to Ling Ning’s, spoke up with a note of dissatisfaction. "Honestly, Mom, when I’m home, we never have such great meals. But when Ling Ning visits, it’s a feast. Mom, I’m starting to think you’re playing favorites."
"Because Ling Ning is a guest, of course. That’s normal, isn’t it? Besides, you’re not picky about food."
"That may be true, but... never mind. If it means I get to eat better, Ling Ning, you’d better come over often, okay?" Bai Yiyue said, scooting closer to Ling Ning with a grin.
Ling Ning gave her an exasperated look. Now it was clear—everything Bai Yiyue said before was just a prelude to this. The real goal was that last statement.
"If I have time~"
After the meal, Ling Ning wanted to help with the dishes but was promptly shooed out of the kitchen by Bai Jie, who insisted it was no trouble at all.
Sitting on the sofa, Ling Ning turned to Bai Yiyue and asked, "What do you usually do in the afternoons?"
"Sleep. If I nap from noon to the evening, the day’s basically over. It’s the perfect way to kill time," Bai Yiyue said with a casual smile.
"That sounds like a waste of life to me."
"How is it a waste? Sleeping is an important part of life—a very meaningful activity!"
"Tsk, tsk."
As the two chatted, the doorbell suddenly rang. Ling Ning glanced at the lazy Bai Yiyue, sighed helplessly, and got up to answer the door.
Standing at the entrance was Wu Zi, her elegant figure unmistakable.
When Wu Zi saw Ling Ning open the door, surprise flickered in her eyes. It seemed she hadn’t expected to find Ling Ning here.
"Hello," Ling Ning greeted.
"Hello. Is the young lady home?"
"Mm, come in and we’ll talk."
As Ling Ning spoke, she opened the outer security door and stepped aside.
Bai Yiyue, who had been lounging on the sofa, sat up with a puzzled look when Wu Zi entered. "Sister Zi, what brings you here at this time?"
"There’s work to do."
"Huh?! But wasn’t I told not to appear in public for now?" Bai Yiyue said, her tone lethargic. In truth, she simply didn’t want to work.
Had Ling Ning not been here, she might have been excited about it. But with Ling Ning present, she had no desire to leave the house.
"It’s just an audition for a movie today. According to the company’s plan, this film will take quite some time to shoot. By the time it’s ready for release, it’ll be the perfect opportunity for you to reappear in public."
"Huh?!"
Despite her reluctance, Bai Yiyue sighed in resignation and got up from the sofa. Turning to Ling Ning, she said, "Ling Ning, sorry about this, but I’ll have to head out first."
"Go on, go on~"
Ling Ning replied, not looking up as she focused on her phone.
"Emmmm!" Bai Yiyue pouted before reluctantly heading to her room to change.
A short while later, dressed and made up, Bai Yiyue returned to the living room. Glancing at her mom, who was still in the kitchen, she walked straight to Ling Ning. Without warning, she leaned in and kissed Ling Ning on the lips.
By the time Ling Ning processed what had happened, Bai Yiyue was already out the door with Wu Zi.
Ling Ning blinked, incredulous. Did Bai Yiyue not see that Wu Zi was standing right there? How could she be so brazen?
When Bai Jie came out of the kitchen after finishing the dishes, she looked around the living room and asked curiously, "Did Yiyue leave already?"
"Yeah, she left just now."
As the recent event replayed in her mind, a faint blush spread across Ling Ning’s cheeks.
"I see." Bai Jie nodded softly and sat down beside Ling Ning. She hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately stayed silent.
Noticing Bai Jie’s demeanor, Ling Ning asked, "Sister, what’s on your mind?"
"Never mind. It’s nothing."
Bai Jie turned away. She had resolved to keep her distance from Ling Ning, yet she couldn’t help but be drawn to her. Ling Ning seemed to have a magnetic pull she couldn’t resist.
To distract herself, Bai Jie turned on the TV. Although the program was one she usually enjoyed, her attention kept drifting to Ling Ning.
Even when she tried not to initiate conversation, Ling Ning would naturally strike up a topic with her.
They ended up chatting about amusing incidents from school. Unbeknownst to Bai Jie, Ling Ning had fallen asleep on the sofa mid-conversation.
Bai Jie blinked in surprise. Was talking to her really that boring? How could Ling Ning fall asleep so easily?
In reality, Ling Ning had simply stayed up too late the previous night and had woken up early to come over. After a hearty meal, sleep was inevitable.
Shaking her head, Bai Jie quietly got up and went to her room. She returned moments later with a blanket, which she carefully draped over Ling Ning. Then she crouched beside her, studying her peaceful, sleeping face.
Ling Ning must trust her deeply to fall asleep so defenselessly. But Bai Jie was no longer the person she used to be.
Hesitating, Bai Jie leaned in slowly, so close that she could hear Ling Ning’s steady breathing. Staring at her slightly parted lips, Bai Jie felt an inner turmoil.
She knew it was wrong, but she could no longer control herself.
Just once. Just one time, and she would stay away from Ling Ning afterward.
As her lips met Ling Ning’s, a fiery desire ignited within Bai Jie. Just a little longer, she told herself. Just a little longer before she would pull away.
Desire is never satisfied.
Unbeknownst to Bai Jie, Ling Ning’s eyelashes fluttered faintly, sensing something. But Bai Jie, lost in the moment, failed to notice.