“How was my performance just now?”
As soon as the runway show ended, Ling Ning hurried over to Su Ya, her expression resembling that of a child seeking praise from their parents after winning a school award. Su Ya didn’t even know where to begin with her response.
“It was amazing!”
Su Ya blinked, having already captured Ling Ning’s runway performance on her phone. She was even considering replacing her phone’s wallpaper with one of the photos. On stage, Ling Ning was nothing short of a goddess.
Although it might just be a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Ling Ning’s graceful presence on stage had completely captivated her. One day, Su Ya hoped to see Ling Ning wearing an outfit she had designed herself.
“That’s good. I was worried I might have made a mistake sowhere.”
“I didn’t see any… to , it was perfect.”
As the two conversed, Qin Qing appeared beside them at so point. “This runway show went off without a hitch. You did quite well, Ling Ning.”
“Of course! Who do you think I am?”
“My employee.”
Qin Qing’s blunt response left Ling Ning montarily speechless. She couldn’t deny it—she really was Qin Qing’s subordinate.
“By the way, soone ca to ask about your contact information earlier. They wanted to know if you had any interest in entering the entertainnt industry. Here’s her business card. She’s an old classmate of mine. I’m just passing along the ssage.”
As she spoke, Qin Qing pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it to Ling Ning.
After a casual glance, Ling Ning tucked the card away and said, “The entertainnt industry? Sister Qin Qing, you already know my answer, don’t you?”
“Who knows~”
Seeing the look of admiration in Su Ya’s eyes, Ling Ning couldn’t help but feel a bit exasperated. She had no interest in the entertainnt industry. What if so of her private matters got exposed? That would be a disaster.
“Alright, since the show’s over, you can have the rest of the day off. I’ve got so business to attend to. Oh, and Ling Ning, you’re coming into work tomorrow.”
“Huh!?”
“Did you think all the pending tasks were just a little pile? There’s plenty left for you to do.”
“Got it.”
The two left the convention center, stepping into the midday sun. Though it was spring, the sunlight felt warm enough to remind them of sumr.
Tilting her head slightly, Ling Ning asked, “Xiao Ya, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Hm? I’m fine with anywhere.”
Su Ya glanced at her phone, which displayed a photo of Ling Ning on the runway. She was choosing a new wallpaper, and this one seed perfect. That flawless profile and enchanting gaze captured in a split second were simply irresistible.
“Then let’s find a place to sit and grab a bite.”
At that mont, Ling Ning’s phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was a call from Zhou Xiaoxiao. She answered, and Zhou Xiaoxiao’s energetic voice imdiately ca through.
“Ling Ning, where are you right now?”
Although unsure why Zhou Xiaoxiao was asking, Ling Ning replied, “On the overpass next to the convention center. Why?”
“The one by the subway station? And there’s a girl with you, isn’t there?”
Ling Ning blinked, montarily puzzled. She instinctively looked around and soon spotted Zhou Xiaoxiao standing under the overpass. Dressed in a school uniform—not from her actual school but from an ani—Zhou Xiaoxiao waved at her with a bright smile.
Curious, Ling Ning led Su Ya down to et her. “What are you doing here?”
“I just stopped by a small comic convention nearby. It was boring, so I decided to head ho, but then I saw you on the overpass. I wasn’t entirely sure, so I called to confirm,” Zhou Xiaoxiao explained matter-of-factly.
“Huh!? I didn’t even know there was a convention here!”
“It’s just a small one, nothing special. They didn’t even have any R18 doujinshi.”
As Zhou Xiaoxiao spoke, she glanced at Su Ya, quickly recognizing her as one of the café employees. Though they’d only t a few tis, Zhou Xiaoxiao was surprised to see her with Ling Ning.
“I just finished work. Want to join us for lunch?”
“Sure!”
Zhou Xiaoxiao agreed without hesitation. Her instincts told her there was sothing unusual about the relationship between Ling Ning and this girl nad Su Ya. Plus, it had been a while since she’d last seen Ling Ning.
As they were deciding where to eat, Su Ya finally settled on her new wallpaper. But when she looked up, she saw Ling Ning chatting animatedly with a girl who looked like a middle schooler.
After a mont, Su Ya recognized the “middle schooler” as one of the café staff she rarely saw. Why was she here?
“Xiao Ya, let’s go. Ti to eat.”
“Oh, okay!”
Following Ling Ning, Su Ya noticed Zhou Xiaoxiao clinging tightly to one of Ling Ning’s arms. Though Ling Ning looked a bit helpless, she didn’t pull away.
Wait—was this her rival?
The thought made Su Ya unwilling to back down. Without hesitation, she grabbed Ling Ning’s other arm.
Ling Ning imdiately felt sothing was off. This situation felt far too familiar, as if she were stepping into a battlefield once more. She could almost sll the gunpowder in the air.
Clearing her throat, Ling Ning said, “By the way, Xiaoxiao, how are your grades lately?”
“Not bad, but still not great. Speaking of which, when will you have ti to co over and tutor ? My parents have been nagging about it forever.”
Whether intentionally or not, Zhou Xiaoxiao emphasized “co over to my house.”
Blinking, Ling Ning replied, “If I have ti, I’ll co.”
Thinking about how her carefully crafted disguise had long been exposed, Ling Ning felt a wave of despair. She had no idea how to face Zhou Xiaoxiao’s parents.
Su Ya, overhearing the conversation, pursed her lips before chiming in, “Ling Ning, my mom’s been asking when you’ll visit us again. She wants to cook your favorite dishes.”
“If… if I have ti.”
Ling Ning’s smile froze. The very scenario she’d dreaded the most had now co to pass.
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