LIGHTNOVELONLINE 101. Whatever Makes You Happy
Today was the day Qin Qing was leaving for her trip abroad, which meant that Ling Ning would be moving into Qin Qing’s house for a while. When Xu Qing found out, she eagerly volunteered to help Ling Ning move her things.
But in reality, there wasn’t much to move. Everything Ling Ning’s home lacked, Qin Qing’s home already had. Ultimately, all she really needed to take were her and her daughter’s clothes, which fit neatly into a single suitcase.
Seeing Xu Qing’s slightly embarrassed expression, Ling Ning couldn’t help but smile. “I told you there’s not much to move, but you didn’t believe me. Well, I’ll give you a very important mission—go to the nearby market and buy these groceries. I’ll cook you a nice dinner tonight.”
The moment Xu Qing heard there was a good meal involved, her eyes practically sparkled. She grabbed the list and dashed downstairs. As for why Ling Ning wasn’t buying groceries at the market near Qin Qing’s place—that was simple: the vegetables there were more expensive. Even if it was only a little more expensive, that still mattered.
After packing her suitcase, Ling Ning headed to the complex gate. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had forgotten something. Just as she was about to recall what it was, she spotted Xu Qing slowly returning with the groceries.
Ling Ning promptly gave up on trying to remember, trusting her subconscious that whatever she’d forgotten wasn’t important.
Once they reached Qin Qing’s home, Ling Ning didn’t bother ringing the doorbell since Qin Qing had already given her a spare key a few days earlier. She opened the door and walked straight in.
The house was dark. The curtains were drawn, and only the television emitted a soft glow. Two little girls were curled up on the sofa watching a movie. Judging by the eerie background music and the dim screen, they were watching a horror movie of some kind.
They seemed so engrossed that they didn’t even notice when Ling Ning and Xu Qing entered. A mischievous thought popped into Ling Ning’s mind. She turned to Xu Qing, made a shushing gesture, and then tiptoed up behind the sofa. Without warning, she grabbed both little girls in a sudden hug.
“AAAAAHHH!!!!” x2
The simultaneous screams almost shattered Ling Ning’s eardrums. It took quite some time for the shrieking to die down.
“Mom, you nearly scared Ye Ye to death!” Ling Ye looked at Ling Ning with a face still full of fear, visibly shaken by the unexpected scare.
“You two, just sitting here watching TV as soon as you get back—have you done your homework? Have you reviewed your lessons?” Ling Ning crossed her arms, looking at the two little girls sternly.
Ling Ye gave a smug smile. “Mom, Ye Ye has already finished all the primary school curriculum. I’m currently self-studying the third-year middle school material. Soon, I’ll be ready for high school~”
“Oh, is that so… Wait, what?! You’re self-studying the third-year middle school curriculum?” Ling Ning looked at her daughter in shock. Could it be that her daughter was actually a genius? Ling Ning had always known that Ling Ye had good grades, but she’d never realized it was to this extent.
Ling Ye nodded calmly. “The third-year material is pretty simple. I wonder if the high school material will be a bit more challenging.”
“Ye Ye is super good at studying. She always comes in first place in every exam. Even when she sleeps in class, the teachers don’t say anything. I can only get second place,” Qin Sirou said, clearly a little envious.
Ling Ning held her chest, suddenly feeling a pang of defeat. She thought back to what she was doing in sixth grade and compared it to her daughter’s accomplishments. It made her feel like she had somehow failed as a mom.
“Forget it, go ahead and keep watching your movie. I’m going to the kitchen to make dinner and calm myself down.”
“I’ll help too!”
“No need. I can handle it myself. You stay here and keep the kids company.” Ling Ning noticed that Xu Qing’s eyes had been drifting toward the TV the entire time. She seemed pretty interested in the movie.
Ling Ning grabbed the groceries and walked into the kitchen, humming as she began cooking. Recently, she had noticed that her cooking skills were getting more and more refined, and the taste was improving too.
From the kitchen, Ling Ning could hear occasional screams coming from the living room. She couldn’t understand why some people were so terrified yet still insisted on watching horror movies. Were they just looking for trouble?
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After dinner, Xu Qing looked at Ling Ning pitifully. “Ling Ning, can I stay over tonight?”
She regretted it deeply now. Despite her supposedly brave disposition, she was on edge after watching that horror movie. She kept imagining people lurking all over the house, even outside the windows. She was even afraid someone might crawl out of the TV. There was no way she could gather the courage to go home alone in this state.
Ling Ning looked at Xu Qing, both amused and exasperated. “Sure, there’s plenty of guest rooms here. Just pick one.”
Xu Qing shook her head fervently, her face filled with fear. “I want to sleep with you.”
“Whatever makes you happy.”
“Mom, I want to sleep with you too!” Ling Ye chimed in.
“Me too! Me too!” Qin Sirou added.
Ling Ning glanced at the two little girls and flicked each of them on the forehead. “You two, if you’re so scared, why did you even watch it?”
“Because… I was curious to see how scary it really was,” Ling Ye said, rubbing her forehead and mumbling softly.
Qin Sirou nodded in agreement beside her.
Ling Ning rolled her eyes at them and stood up, getting ready to take a bath. She’d worked up a bit of a sweat while cooking, and even though it had dried, she still felt uncomfortable.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Ling Ning raised an eyebrow as she saw three little tails following her.
“Can we take a bath together?”
“…” Faced with three pairs of pleading eyes, what could Ling Ning say?
So, the bath ended up involving all four of them. Although Qin Qing’s bathroom was spacious, it still felt a bit cramped with four people inside.
“Ling Ning, your skin is so nice!” Xu Qing said enviously as she admired Ling Ning’s smooth, porcelain-like skin.
“Th-thank you…” Ling Ning blushed, her eyes darting around uncertainly. She didn’t know where to look, especially since Xu Qing wasn’t her daughter. Taking a bath together with someone else like this was too stimulating.
“How about I wash your back for you?” Xu Qing suggested, lightly running her finger down Ling Ning’s smooth back.
“Eek!” Ling Ning squealed in surprise. She quickly stammered, “N-no, that’s okay.”
“Alright then~” Xu Qing said, a little disappointed. She had wanted to feel that soft, smooth skin just a little longer.
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After bathing together, it was only natural for them to sleep together too. Ling Ning had originally thought that staying at Qin Qing’s place would mean having a big bed all to herself, but it turned out to be more crowded than at home. Thank goodness Qin Qing’s bed was big enough, otherwise, there would have been no way to fit all four of them.
Ling Ning could only hope now that Xu Qing and Qin Sirou would be a bit more composed in their sleep.
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Back at Ling Ning’s home.
In the empty living room, the goldfish was still swimming leisurely in its tank, carefree and unbothered.
Author’s Note:
Played games all day, and now I feel totally drained.