Jiang Ling quietly continued to listen as Fang Wannan spoke: “Although they don’t mind me doing what I like, since it involves meeting many strangers, they still worry a bit. Luckily, we’re short-handed.”
“But wouldn’t that be too much trouble for your family?”
Bai Xue hesitated, not immediately agreeing.
“No, their daily work is basically to follow me around; it’s part of their job, so no need to worry about it.”
Fang Wannan shook her head in response.
At this point, Bai Xue naturally didn’t refuse anymore, instead smiling and expressing her thanks: “You’ve really helped a lot.”
“Nannan, you’re amazing!”
Jiang Ling cheered excitedly from the side, her eyes shining with admiration as she looked at Fang Wannan.
The intensity of her gaze made Wannan cough lightly and awkwardly change the subject: “By the way, are you coming to practice?”
“Yeah, since the performance is coming up soon, I just can’t calm down. I thought I might as well come practice.”
Hearing this, Bai Xue’s smile grew warmer as she patted Jiang Ling’s head: “So well-behaved.”
“Of course… Are you teasing me like I’m a pet again?!”
Touched on the head, Jiang Ling immediately recalled the scene from that day’s shoot, blushing furiously as she slapped Bai Xue’s hand away.
Speaking of pets, her mind involuntarily flashed to the fragile little kitten and Song Meng, who had saved her a ticket. So she looked up and asked, “About the ticket I mentioned before…”
“It’s saved, I gave it to you that very day.”
Bai Xue naturally hadn’t forgotten her request and replied without hesitation.
“Thanks!”
Jiang Ling smiled contentedly, then walked over to Fang Wannan and suggested, “Since you’re here, why don’t we run through the entire routine?”
“Sure, and since Sister Bai Xue is here, she can film us and give some advice.”
Fang Wannan didn’t refuse and handed her phone to Bai Xue.
This was an intimate partner dance that required perfect coordination. If it had been a month ago, Jiang Ling wouldn’t have even dared to learn it, but now she followed the rhythm seriously, performing smooth and flirtatious moves one after another with Fang Wannan.
By the final ending, they had gradually become proficient during practice, perfectly synchronized as they executed a cheeky assisted kiss to end the dance.
When the music stopped, Jiang Ling and Fang Wannan both looked toward Bai Xue, who was recording. She smiled broadly and applauded: “Amazing! You’re more than ready to perform on stage. I have a feeling this dance will spark a lot of buzz.”
“Hehe, it’d be great if that really happened.”
Jiang Ling smiled shyly, her breathing a little rapid.
Seizing the moment, she reviewed all the day’s performances thoroughly. At last, Jiang Ling sighed in satisfaction, looking at herself in the mirror.
Sweat from practice caused some strands of hair to stick to her skin, making her feel stuffy. She wiped them off with a tissue, then gulped down some cool mineral water. Her high ponytail swung, drawing a graceful arc in the air.
“Ha… looking at it like this, I really do feel young~”
Jiang Ling suddenly felt sentimental. After saying goodbye to Fang Wannan, who was still practicing, she headed to the kitchen to make some instant noodles for dinner. She remembered there were some pickles and sausages in the fridge—super deluxe ingredients!
But as she turned into the kitchen, she saw Mo Ran stir-frying something.
As if reading her mind, Mo Ran asked lightly, “Are you hungry after practice?”
“I was going to cook noodles…”
“Instant noodles again?” Mo Ran scooped something onto a plate, glancing at her. “How many times have I told you to eat healthy? You don’t listen. Whatever, come sit down.”
Jiang Ling felt a bit guilty and sat down, her mouth dropping open when she saw the plate of omurice: “Th-this is what you made?”
The color was perfect, the aroma enticing, and the egg shaped like a flawless fluid form, wobbling invitingly before her eyes. Jiang Ling swallowed helplessly.
“Maybe it was made by Snail Girl. If you see her, tell her to take over my shift. Then I won’t have to make extra dinner for someone.”
Mo Ran seemed a little exasperated, turning back to stir the pan again: “If you’re hungry, start eating.”
“No no no, I’ll wait for you.”
Jiang Ling obediently sat properly—how could she not wait for the chef sister to eat first?
A few minutes later, Mo Ran brought her own portion, steaming hot.
“Can I eat now?”
Jiang Ling’s eyes sparkled, looking eager.
“There’s actually one more step.”
Mo Ran turned to the fridge and took out ketchup. After shaking it in her hand to make sure it would squeeze out, she looked at Jiang Ling: “Need a service?”
“Ah… service?”
Jiang Ling paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth.
“The maid café exclusive service, you know—writing words on the omurice with ketchup. It also comes with a bonus magic spell that makes it taste better. How was it again…”
Seeing Mo Ran genuinely trying to remember the incantation, Jiang Ling quickly stopped her: “No need! Just a little squeeze is fine. Honestly, I’m starving, thank you, big sister!”
“Hmph, it’s rare that I’m in this kind of mood.”
Mo Ran looked a bit regretful, then wrote ‘LOVE’ on Jiang Ling’s omurice and drew a big heart. Smiling sweetly, she withdrew her hand: “Eat up.”
Jiang Ling nodded hesitantly but found it hard to start eating because the heart was so eye-catching. Just as she was about to stir it, Mo Ran scooped a spoonful and brought it to her mouth: “Ah—”
“I can eat myself.”
Jiang Ling felt a little embarrassed and tried to push her hand away, but Mo Ran immediately put on a pitiful face and covered her eyes with one hand, pretending to cry: “So, I’m not worthy of joining Little Bell’s feeding play, huh? Boohoo, so sad, why do newcomers always take over~”
“…Do I really have to eat?”
Jiang Ling was still conflicted.
“Really.”
Mo Ran nodded with a beaming smile.
Jiang Ling sighed helplessly in her heart and finally bit the spoon.
However, this scene was witnessed firsthand by Lin Xiaoyu, who had come out looking for food because she was hungry too.
“What are you two doing?”
Lin Xiaoyu asked, staring at the scene.
“Playing feeding play.”
Mo Ran blinked and answered.
Lin Xiaoyu thought for about two or three seconds, then walked straight over to Jiang Ling’s side and sat down. She picked up Jiang Ling’s spoon, scooped a bite, and quietly brought it to her lips—without saying ‘ah,’ just watching her silently.
Jiang Ling inexplicably felt a bit timid: “May I ask, Miss Lin, what are you doing?”
“Joining.”
Lin Xiaoyu didn’t act theatrically like Mo Ran; she simply shoved the omurice into Jiang Ling’s mouth.
“Ah, mmm—”
Jiang Ling’s eyes welled with tears as she tried to say she was already full, but as she opened her mouth, Mo Ran took the chance to stuff a big mouthful in.
“Mmm mmm! (I’m full!)”
“Eat in silence and don’t speak while eating.”
“Mm mm mm! (I hate you guys!)”
…
In the end, Mo Ran made another plate for Lin Xiaoyu, while Jiang Ling covered her belly and collapsed onto the table, physically and mentally exhausted.
What even was this!
She whimpered, wanting to retreat to her room to rest, when her phone on the table suddenly lit up.
Jiang Ling opened it and saw a message from Song Meng.
【My cat can do backflips after the show. Want to come see?】