"Then, Junior Ling Ning, are you saying you really don’t have a boyfriend or... a girlfriend?" Zhao Rui asked with an unwavering smile.
Caught off guard by the question, Ling Ning froze for a mont. Hadn’t Zhao Rui already asked this before?
"Um... didn’t Senior ask this question last ti?" Ling Ning asked cautiously.
"That’s true, but this ti, I’m asking very seriously~" Zhao Rui replied, her tone soft yet firm.
Ling Ning blinked before hesitantly saying, "Well... actually, I do like soone. We’re already in a confird relationship."
Zhao Rui’s smile grew even more pleased. "Oh, really? I see~"
Ling Ning watched Zhao Rui with growing unease. She couldn’t quite figure out what her senior was planning.
"Then, if I were to pursue you, Junior Ling Ning, that wouldn’t be a problem, would it?"
"Eh!?"
Ling Ning stared at Zhao Rui in disbelief. This turn of events was completely unexpected. Was this a confession? What was she supposed to do?
After a long mont of silence, Ling Ning stamred, "Uh... Senior, I already said I have soone I like, and... and I’m a girl! A girl!"
"I know~ That’s exactly why I’m interested in you. If you were single, I wouldn’t even consider it. As for gender, I’ve never cared about that~" Zhao Rui said with a playful smile.
"Eh!?"
Ling Ning was utterly baffled. Based on what she knew, Zhao Rui had a peculiar interest in people who were already in relationships. Every boyfriend she’d had was involved with soone else. Why on earth had this enthusiast of forbidden romances set her sights on Ling Ning?
Why... was this happening!?
"Ha ha ha, Junior, you’re so fun! Don’t tell you can’t tell whether I’m joking or being serious~" Zhao Rui suddenly burst into laughter, as though Ling Ning’s flustered reaction had hit her funny bone.
"Eh!? Y-you’re joking?"
Ling Ning stared at Zhao Rui. Her earlier expression hadn’t looked like she was joking at all. If it truly was a joke, then thank goodness. Otherwise...
As if sensing Ling Ning’s thoughts, Zhao Rui chuckled softly.
At that mont, the door to the private room opened, and a server entered with a cart laden with their ordered dishes. The soup base had been brought out earlier, so all that was left was the at and vegetables.
Seeing the array of beef on the table, Ling Ning couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
Zhao Rui laughed lightly. "Alright, Junior Ling Ning, no need to hold back. You can start eating~"
She began cooking her portion first, prompting Ling Ning to join in without further hesitation.
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"I’m... I’m stuffed!"
Leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile, Ling Ning patted her stomach. The beef hot pot here truly lived up to its reputation. Even she had eaten until she could barely move.
"Are you sure you’ve had enough? If not, I can order more~"
"Thank you, Senior, but really, I’m full~"
Ling Ning let out a small sigh of relief. Once the al started, Zhao Rui had stopped asking those strange questions or making odd jokes. Without that, Zhao Rui was surprisingly easy to get along with.
"I’m so envious of Junior Ling Ning. You eat so much but never gain weight. I can’t relate at all~"
"Don’t say that, Senior. You have an amazing figure," Ling Ning said earnestly. It was true—Zhao Rui had a perfect figure, with curves in all the right places, slender yet well-proportioned. Combined with her beautiful face and wealthy background, it was no wonder so many n fell for her.
The earlier joke Zhao Rui had made ca to mind. Was it really just a joke, or was there sothing more to it? Ling Ning couldn’t be sure. For now, she decided to treat it as a joke.
If it was just a joke, then that would be for the best.
"Really? I’ve always envied your model-like figure," Zhao Rui said, her gaze growing curious again, as though she were observing sothing particularly intriguing.
At that mont, the door opened again, and a pretty server walked in holding a box. "Excuse , due to the store’s promotion, each guest can draw a prize. Simply reach into the box and pull out a card."
The ntion of a prize imdiately caught Ling Ning’s attention. She eagerly placed her hand into the box, feeling around the identical cards before pulling one out.
Seeing "First Prize" written on her card, Ling Ning’s heart remained calm, though a faint smile crossed her lips.
"Congratulations! You’ve won our grand prize—a mbership card. This card allows you to skip the queue and enjoy discounts on every visit," the server explained before turning to Zhao Rui for her turn.
Zhao Rui casually drew a "Thank You for Participating" card. With that, the server left the room.
Holding the mbership card in her hand, Ling Ning hesitated before handing it to Zhao Rui.
Seeing this, Zhao Rui chuckled and pulled out an identical card from her bag. "You think I don’t already have one of these?"
Ling Ning blinked. Of course, why wouldn’t a wealthy young lady like Zhao Rui have one? She probably didn’t even need a card—her face alone would suffice.
"But Junior Ling Ning seems to have remarkable luck, doesn’t she?"
"Not... not really~"
Ling Ning twirled a strand of her hair, feeling a bit embarrassed. Luck was such an intangible thing. While hers seed good lately, that didn’t an it would always be.
"Just as my research suggested—luck beyond the norm. Interesting," Zhao Rui thought to herself, watching Ling Ning.
After sitting for a while longer, the two prepared to leave. The restaurant was still packed, so it wasn’t polite to linger after finishing their al.
Stepping out into the cold air, Ling Ning instinctively tightened her coat around herself. This weather really made her appreciate indoor heating. Add a kotatsu, and it would be perfect.
"Junior Ling Ning, would you like to co over to my place? It’s close to the school."
"I..."
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Author’s Note:
Lately, I really want to cuddle a cat!
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