Chapter 138

Her mother expected her to become someone just like herself, and her mother also expected her to be like her. How could a person split into two different forms? If she fulfilled one expectation, the other side would be disappointed.

Zhong Ning said it was fine.

Say what was truly in your heart.

It seemed that no matter what kind of person she was, no matter how much darkness or unspoken thoughts she hid inside, it would all be accepted.

She would be tolerant.

Xie Shiqing’s tears poured down uncontrollably. She heard Zhong Ning softly chuckle by her ear, the sound warm as well, and say, “Oh my, so our Shiqing is actually a little crybaby.”

“I’m not.” Xie Shiqing refuted in a muffled voice.

“All right, all right, you’re not.” Zhong Ning humored her. “It’s all Pine Mushroom’s fault for smearing drool all over your face. I’ll help you wipe it, okay? We won’t buy it ice cream later.”

“It’s all its fault, bad little dog.” Xie Shiqing gave a soft hum, but her tears slowly came to a stop.

She even cheered up, tilting her head so Zhong Ning could wipe her face.

Pine Mushroom sat nearby, head tilted, its smile vanishing from its face. It barked twice loudly.

Hearing it bark, Xie Shiqing’s smugness was impossible to hide, brighter than the sun outside.

“Some dog won’t be getting ice cream, and I won’t say who it is.” She spoke lazily.

Pine Mushroom let out a string of loud barks, so angry it stomped its paws on the car seat.

Zhong Ning couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, quickly stepping in to mediate. “Don’t argue, don’t argue. Shiqing, just say a couple of words, that’s enough. If it keeps barking like that, how noisy will it be for our ears?”

“And you too, Pine Mushroom—be good, no shouting and yelling in the car.”

She really couldn’t make up the ice cream now, and she couldn’t openly take Pine Mushroom’s side in front of Xie Shiqing. She secretly reached out to ruffle the dog’s head a few times, and when Xie Shiqing wasn’t looking, she winked and made a bunch of facial signals at it. She had no idea if the little dog could understand.

Today’s ice cream was gone. She would make it up with a can of food when they got back.

Sorry, Pine Mushroom, you’ve grown up—try to be a little more forgiving.

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Pine Mushroom: Is there no law left in this world?! I’m calling the police and hiring a puppy lawyer!

Chapter 53

The life Zhong Ning had now was, without a doubt, especially exhausting. The mental strain far outweighed the physical fatigue.

She had hardly any time to rest, and for someone who had always been lazy, it was no different from being locked in a prison.

Just thinking of Xie Shiqing, and of how everything she was doing now had made some progress, made all the hardship feel worthwhile to Zhong Ning.

After that day, Zhong Ning never went back to her own home, staying at Xie Shiqing’s place instead. They slept in the same bed, and now Xie Shiqing no longer told her to go back to her own room.

She was so clingy now, far too clingy.

Even the moment Zhong Ning got up, if she moved a little too much, Xie Shiqing would wake up and ask in a fluster what she was going to do.

It was like a kitten that hadn’t been weaned—meowing nonstop the moment there was no one by its side.

During the day, Zhong Ning was usually not home—either going to class or to the company—and Xie Shiqing’s clinginess only grew steadily. She even started following Zhong Ning to her classes.

Fengcheng University had strict rules; even for visits, an appointment had to be made in advance, and there were limits on the number of people allowed.

But Xie Shiqing was also a graduate of the university. She had donated a considerable sum to the school’s laboratory, and every year, a portion of her personal account was sent there. Many professors remembered her. When she came to sit in on classes, no one minded.

Teachers naturally had a good impression of students who studied well, and Xie Shiqing was naturally in that category. She was the kind of student who could receive scholarships, though she had declined the opportunity and given it to someone else.

Quite a few professors would come over before or after class to chat with her, asking about her recent situation. In this way, they learned of the two’s engagement and, without exception, showed teasing and knowing looks.

Young people in love really were sticky and inseparable.

Xie Shiqing wished the whole world knew Zhong Ning was hers. Zhong Ning, however, felt a little embarrassed when under the gazes of these elders.

Her fractured leg had long since healed. Though Xie Shiqing still wanted to enjoy the pleasure of being carried around by Zhong Ning, she had to respect the science of the human body’s self-recovery—it couldn’t be dragged on indefinitely.

One time, while sitting on the bed, she accidentally blurted out what was in her heart. Regret and embarrassment immediately appeared on her face, and the tips of her ears flushed with awkward red.

Zhong Ning was delighted. She didn’t let herself laugh out loud, so as not to hurt Xie Shiqing’s pride, but the amusement still flowed through her words.

“If you want me to hold you, just say it. I’ll hold you.”

“No need to be sick,” Zhong Ning said. “If Shiqing wants something, just say it. I’ll agree to it all. Being sick feels so uncomfortable.”

Xie Shiqing hid her hands under her sleeves, quietly clutching at the cuff buttons. After a pause, she said, “I want Ning Ning to feed me.”

“That’s fine.” Zhong Ning rubbed her head. “There’s no time in the morning, and I’m not home at noon, so only in the evening. Mm, from now on, I’ll feed you dinner every night. All right?”

Xie Shiqing couldn’t quite describe how she felt, and after a moment, she added softly, “I don’t want to walk. I want Ning Ning to carry me.”

“No problem. Wherever Shiqing wants to go, I’ll carry you there. If I get tired, I’ll switch to giving you a piggyback. All right?”

Zhong Ning coaxed her gently, the pad of her finger brushing along her hairline, then touching her cheek. Her eyes held a deep, tender warmth, and through the veil of her lashes, it was enough to turn even ice into boiling, bubbling water.

Xie Shiqing was softened by it too, like a fried beancurd roll dipped into hotpot—soon soaking up the broth, turning tender, warm, and surrounded by the love in Zhong Ning’s gaze.

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