Chapter 683 : The Scene Is Too Strong
"That’s it! I’ve decided on this one!"
Chen Ruo held up a dress that perfectly matched her aesthetic taste, nodding in satisfaction.
Hearing her decision, Ling Ning glanced at the dress. It was indeed nice, though she wasn’t sure if Lin Yue would actually wear it.
Ling Ning imagined Lin Yue in the dress—yes, the mental image was vivid, and it didn’t look bad at all.
"Well, if that’s the decision, then let’s go with it!"
After buying the dress, Chen Ruo beamed like a teenager in love. Honestly, from her appearance, she could easily pass for one.
"So, where to next?" Chen Ruo asked innocently, her face lighting up with joy.
"Well, it’s a birthday, isn’t it? Did you get a cake? And what about dinner? Didn’t you say Lin Yue would be coming back for dinner? Don’t tell me you expect the birthday girl to cook her own meal," Ling Ning replied.
Chen Ruo fell into deep thought. After a while, she scooted closer to Ling Ning and asked pitifully, "Um... Ling Ning, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Hm?"
"Could you maybe... help me prepare? I’m terrible at cooking. But don’t worry! I’ll give you two—no, three pairs of panties as thanks. How about that?"
Ling Ning sighed. By now, she was convinced that Chen Ruo had completely misunderstood her. Why did it always come back to panties? She wasn’t some perverted maniac!
Resigned, she said, "I’ll help with the preparations, but keep your panties to yourself."
"Huh?"
Chen Ruo gave Ling Ning a puzzled look but quickly assumed that Ling Ning was just shy. Secretly, she decided to sneak the panties into Ling Ning’s bag later. Yes, that would work!
Seeing Chen Ruo’s expression, Ling Ning could only sigh. Clearly, Chen Ruo had formed yet another strange misunderstanding about her. Whatever—explaining would just make it worse.
Afterward, Ling Ning took Chen Ruo to the supermarket to buy groceries.
As for the cake, she ordered one online to be delivered in the afternoon.
All that was left was to head back to Chen Ruo’s house, set up the place, and maybe have lunch. Speaking of food, Ling Ning realized she was starving.
She hadn’t even had breakfast before rushing out, and though she didn’t eat much, skipping meals left her hungry.
Once back at Chen Ruo’s house, Ling Ning set the bags on the floor with a groan, feeling like her arms were about to fall off.
"Sorry. I’m just too weak to carry much," Chen Ruo apologized sheepishly.
"It’s fine. I’ll rest for a bit before starting lunch."
"Okay!"
After a brief rest, Ling Ning carried the groceries to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Meanwhile, Chen Ruo disappeared into her room, only to return a little while later.
She peeked into the kitchen at Ling Ning, who was busy cooking, before sneaking something into Ling Ning’s coat pocket. Chen Ruo felt like the ultimate teammate at that moment.
Since it was just the two of them, Ling Ning only made a couple of simple dishes for lunch. Even so, Chen Ruo ate with enthusiasm. Whether or not the food was delicious didn’t matter; eating with Ling Ning made everything taste better.
Noticing Chen Ruo’s gaze, Ling Ning asked curiously, "What is it?"
"N-nothing. I just think you’re amazing at cooking, Ling Ning," Chen Ruo replied with a small smile.
"It’s nothing special. Practice makes perfect."
After lunch, while Ling Ning did the dishes, Chen Ruo started tidying the living room in preparation for her daughter’s birthday celebration.
As she cleaned the sofa, she pulled out a rubber rod-like object from under the cushions. It was something she’d used for her "research" and had been missing for a while. So, this is where it was!
Next, she found a notebook under the table—something she’d been searching for endlessly.
With time, the table filled up with increasingly embarrassing items.
When Ling Ning returned from the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks, staring at the pile of pixelated objects on the table. She sighed, rubbing her temples. Anyone unfamiliar with Chen Ruo would absolutely think she was some sort of deviant.
At that moment, Chen Ruo picked up one of the items, dramatically brandished it, and shouted, "竜神の剣を喰らえ! ("Devour the Dragon God's Sword!")"
TN: This particular phrase is famously used by the character Genji from the video game Overwatch when activating his ultimate ability, "Dragonblade." It emphasizes the ferocity and mystical power of the attack.
"Stop it, please!" Ling Ning exclaimed, covering her face in utter embarrassment. The scene was too much for her.
Realizing Ling Ning was standing there, Chen Ruo froze. She glanced at the object in her hand, then quickly ran over to Ling Ning. "L-Ling Ning, let me explain!"
"I get it, I get it. Just put that thing down!"
After much commotion, the embarrassing items were finally cleared away, and the living room was neatly arranged.
Chen Ruo sat on the sofa with her head down while Ling Ning lectured her. "You can’t just leave things like that lying around. It’s fine in your room, but what if Lin Yue saw them here in the living room? How would you even begin to explain?"
"I... I understand."
"Just out of curiosity, why was there so much of that stuff in the living room?"
"Because I don’t like reading study materials on my computer—the screen’s too small. Studying on the TV is much more efficient!" Chen Ruo answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
She didn’t specify what kind of study materials they were, but Ling Ning could guess.
As a doujinshi artist, the only "study materials" Chen Ruo would have were probably more of the same kind of "educational" content.
Ling Ning couldn’t help but wonder how Chen Ruo’s fans would react if they found out their favorite artist was a legal loli housewife. Their reactions would probably be hilarious.