“Why isn’t she here yet?”
Ling Ning stood outside the café, her usual bright smile tinged with hesitation. She seed uneasy about what lay ahead.
Her unease wasn’t without reason. After a week of nonstop work, she’d been looking forward to a day of rest before returning to her classes. But then, Zhou Xiaoxiao had called, inviting her to visit her house.
Initially, Ling Ning wanted to decline, but after so thought, she decided to et Zhou Xiaoxiao’s parents. They had extended the invitation multiple tis, and continuing to refuse would seem rude.
Besides, Ling Ning was staying in one of Zhou Xiaoxiao’s family properties.
So, early in the morning, she found herself at the café, not waiting for Zhou Xiaoxiao to arrive. Zhou Xiaoxiao was coming from school, and they’d travel together. Ling Ning felt it would be more comfortable to arrive with her.
“Standing here all day can’t be comfortable. Why not co inside? Even if I’m stingy, I can at least offer you a coffee or a milk tea,” Chu ngyao teased from the doorway, a grin on her face.
Ling Ning had already explained her situation to Chu ngyao, who seed all too amused by it.
“Stop grinning. If you laugh out loud, I’ll have a ‘life talk’ with Luo Xiaoning. And I an it,” Ling Ning retorted, narrowing her eyes.
At her words, Chu ngyao’s grin froze. Her expression twisted between wanting to laugh and feeling furious, though it ended up looking more awkward than anything else.
“Hm? Did soone ntion my na?” Luo Xiaoning appeared in full gothic attire, her head tilted in curiosity as she glanced between the two of them.
“It’s nothing! Go back inside—go!”
“What’s going on? Are you two hiding sothing from ?”
Before Luo Xiaoning could press further, Chu ngyao shoved her back inside, leaving her baffled.
Watching this scene, Ling Ning’s expression darkened. It was just a joke—did they really have to treat her like a criminal? She hadn’t even done anything!
Ironically, Ling Ning herself acted just as defensively whenever Chu ngyao got too close to her daughter, Ling Ye.
After dealing with Luo Xiaoning, Chu ngyao returned outside, her expression guarded against Ling Ning’s piercing gaze. “I sent her off to work. She sleeps till noon every day, so I figured an early start and so extra tasks would do her good.”
“You’re not fooling anyone. Don’t make use the photos I’ve got.”
“Fine, fine, I get it. Oh, look—here cos Zhou Xiaoxiao. You’re on your own now.” Chu ngyao clapped Ling Ning’s shoulder sympathetically before disappearing back inside.
Ling Ning briefly considered following her to find Luo Xiaoning but sighed as she noticed Zhou Xiaoxiao approaching.
Zhou Xiaoxiao was still in her school uniform, her hair loose instead of tied into her usual twin low ponytails. She was pulling a suitcase, looking as though she were heading off on a trip.
“You’re finally here,” Ling Ning said, taking the suitcase from Zhou Xiaoxiao. It felt surprisingly heavy.
“Sorry, I wasted so ti packing.”
Zhou Xiaoxiao smiled sheepishly but didn’t hide the fiery admiration in her eyes as she looked at Ling Ning. It made Ling Ning feel a little self-conscious.
Clearing her throat, Ling Ning asked, “What were you packing, anyway?”
“Winter clothes. The weather’s been warming up, so I brought them back to swap for lighter ones. Even our school uniforms will switch to sumr styles soon,” Zhou Xiaoxiao explained matter-of-factly.
“Got it. Have you eaten breakfast? If not, we could grab sothing here.” Ling Ning gestured toward the café.
“I already ate. But if you haven’t, I can keep you company.”
“No need, I’m good too.”
“Then let’s go.”
As Zhou Xiaoxiao moved to hail a cab, Ling Ning grabbed her hand. “Wait! Shouldn’t we bring sothing for your parents? Showing up empty-handed feels wrong.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. They don’t care about that stuff. Just having you there is enough.”
Ling Ning opened her mouth to protest but eventually let it go, getting into the taxi with Zhou Xiaoxiao.
Watching the scenery flash by, Ling Ning grew increasingly anxious. What was she supposed to say to Zhou Xiaoxiao’s parents?
Sensing her nerves, Zhou Xiaoxiao grabbed her hand. “Relax. My parents don’t bite, and it’s not like you haven’t t them before. What’s there to be afraid of?”
“This ti is different.”
“Different how? They already know your real identity. What’s there to worry about?”
Ling Ning sighed, realizing she had no choice but to take things as they ca. She could only hope nothing unexpected would happen.
The driver, overhearing their conversation, glanced at the two girls in the back through the rearview mirror. He couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. It seed like they were heading off to et the parents—kids these days were so bold.
“If I’d been braver back then, maybe things would’ve been different,” he mused. Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the light turning green until the honking from behind snapped him out of it.
After what felt like forever, they finally arrived at Zhou Xiaoxiao’s house.
Ling Ning stared at the large house before her, feeling a sudden urge to turn and run. Taking a deep breath, she stepped up to the door and rang the bell.
Her expression was one of pure apprehension, as though she were walking into a den of wolves. Even Zhou Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Ling Ning looked like she was preparing for an execution rather than a simple visit.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Author’s Note:
The atmosphere just got a whole lot more gay.
Reviews
All reviews (0)