Chapter 176: Floating Song of Ten Autumns (1)

“No, no, it’s not like that at all!”

Ning Dongli shook her head frantically. 

She had absolutely no intention of getting revenge on An Yu!

“Is that so?”

An Yu blinked expressionlessly. 

She didn’t seem to believe Ning Dongli’s words.

Of course, it could have just been her imagination.

After all, An Yu’s face truly revealed nothing. It was only the panicked Ning Dongli who interpreted it that way.

“It’s really true!”

In that instant, Ning Dongli threw all her shyness and fear of speaking to the wind.

There was only one thing she wanted to do—explain everything clearly to An Yu.

She didn’t want An Yu to hate her!

“I… I didn’t know… that it was you, An Yu… I genuinely wanted to play with you!”

A mix of truth and lies wove through Ning Dongli’s words.

She had known long ago that the nanny in the game was An Yu. 

An Yu’s voice was too distinctive for her to mistake.

But knowing was one thing. 

Ning Dongli had never considered revenge. 

She truly wanted to befriend An Yu.

Fearing that An Yu wouldn’t believe her, Ning Dongli hurriedly continued her explanation.

“This time, it’s because I regretted not being able to attend your birthday party last time, An Yu…!

So, the moment I had the chance, I wanted to meet up with you and play together!”

Everything Ning Dongli said came straight from her heart. 

If An Yu misunderstood her now, it would all be over.

The girl’s eyes were full of urgency. 

She desperately hoped An Yu would believe her.

Yet the An Yu before her simply stared at her in silence, her expression unchanging.

“An Yu… Everything I said is true…”

In that moment, Ning Dongli looked small and helpless. 

Her panic had somehow given her courage.

An Yu silently reached out and pinched her cheek again.

“Hm?”

“Calmed down yet?”

The girl’s voice was icy, yet carried a trace of gentleness.

“Huh…?”

Ning Dongli’s pupils trembled slightly. 

She was completely stunned.

“Let’s play games together.”

An Yu said nothing more. 

After pinching her cheek once again, she shifted her gaze back to the phone screen.

She had only asked casually. 

There was nothing special about it.

An Yu could tell Ning Dongli had been very tense.

She didn’t know why, but it seemed fine now.

“Mm… Mm!”

Ning Dongli nodded vigorously. 

The sudden pinch had actually made her forget her nervousness.

Subconsciously, she scooted closer to An Yu, wanting to be nearer. 

Her mood had relaxed a lot.

An Yu didn’t refuse.

“Then, let’s start!”

It was as if she had returned to the online world. Ning Dongli smiled in relief.

“Mm.”

An Yu expressionlessly accepted Ning Dongli’s friend request.

Seeing the new name appear on her friends list, Ning Dongli barely held back the urge to cheer with joy.

This had been her original goal, something she had thought about for a long time. 

It resolved one of her worries.

Today, having become friends with An Yu, she finally added her former “nanny” as a friend.

“Hehe, let’s start!”

In the kitchen, Ning Wanciu was washing fruits for the two little ones.

She had bought them beforehand, specifically to serve An Yu today.

She glanced back, watching the two little ones huddled together playing games. 

The corners of her mouth curved into a smile both gratified and helpless.

It was going much smoother than expected. 

She just wasn’t sure if it was thanks to An Yu or the game itself.

Either way, it was fine.

At least having something in common was good.

Ning Dongli seemed to be gradually opening up.

Even while talking with An Yu, who was essentially a stranger, smiles unconsciously appeared on her face.

Even Ning Wanciu, who had expected some positive outcome, hadn’t anticipated it would go this smoothly. It was wonderful that she knew An Yu.

Ning Wanciu smiled and turned back to continue washing the fruits.

However, just as she was about to proceed, her phone vibrated—

“Hm?”

Ning Wanciu blinked in confusion. She dried her hands and pulled out her phone from her pocket.

Seeing the contact name, she frowned, looking somewhat hesitant.

Mom…

The last time she had called was to ask her to attend the An family’s Recognition Banquet.

She had a bad feeling about this.

Despite that, Ning Wanciu hesitated only briefly before answering.

After all, it was a call from family. She couldn’t ignore it.

“Hello…”

As soon as Ning Wanciu picked up, a woman’s somewhat cold voice came from the other end.

“Wanciu, why did it take so long for you to answer?”

“Mm… I was washing fruits just now.”

“Is that so? No wonder it was slow.”

Ning Wanciu frowned. It hadn’t taken that long.

“Is there something you need?”

Ning Wanciu didn’t elaborate and simply asked about the matter. 

Her tone was extremely respectful, not resembling an ordinary mother-daughter relationship at all.

“Then I’ll ask directly. Is Dongli next to you?”

Upon hearing this, Ning Wanciu subconsciously glanced at the happily playing Ning Dongli. 

A flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

They had been out for so long, yet this was the first time their mother had actively asked about Ning Dongli.

“She’s resting in the room. What is it?”

“Resting at this hour? Why isn’t she studying? How is she supposed to keep up with her classes like that?”

Ning Wanciu frowned and stayed silent.

“It’s about time. She’s thrown enough of a tantrum. She should return to school. I’ve contacted her former homeroom teacher, and they agreed to let her resume classes.”

Ning Wanciu remained silent, but her grip on the phone grew tighter and tighter.

Their mother continued as if she noticed nothing unusual.

“Do you know how much effort I put in to convince the teacher? That school is the best high school aside from yours.”

“Besides, it’s been long enough. She should be done with her attitude. Time to go back to school. Otherwise, if people hear that she dropped out of high school, how would that look?”

“It was just a small misunderstanding with her classmates. Apologize to each other and it’s over. What kind of grudge lasts a lifetime?”

“She won’t answer my calls and is still acting up. Wanciu, remember to tell her for me.”

The girl’s grip on the phone tightened. Her pupils contracted slightly as she accidentally crushed a strawberry in her hand.

“Mom, you called just to say this?”

On the other side, their mother’s voice turned puzzled.

“What else?”

Ning Wanciu interrupted her mother, who was about to continue speaking. Her voice suddenly rose sharply.

“What else?”