A Pleasant Night / The Bill??

Although the two hadn't known each other for long, Ling Mengxue could always sense a rich range of emotions in Ma Xiaotong.

There are actually quite a few boys who like her, but she just doesn't realize it.

Ma Xiaotong blushed and felt inexplicably awkward under Ling Mengxue's stare. She awkwardly looked away and said, "I'm sorry, Xiaoxue, what I just said... just take it as me joking! I don't have many friends, and I just couldn't control myself... I said too much."

"It's alright. If you don't mind, I'd be happy to listen to your feelings and be your confidant."

At this point, Ling Mengxue paused slightly, "Of course, perhaps not 'close enough,' but being a listener should be sufficient..."

"Ah! Yuki-chan, you... you... I'm going to cry..."

"Ah?"

"I didn't expect you to understand me!"

"Huh? Isn't this a common comforting phrase used between friends?" Ling Mengxue asked, somewhat puzzled. "What do I 'know' about it?"

She might genuinely empathize, but she dislikes awkward situations and therefore refuses to admit it!

However, the atmosphere is quite awkward now...

Ma Xiaotong was speechless for a moment, then lowered her head and said dejectedly, "Little Xue, you really don't know how to talk, you're a total mood killer!"

"I don't really understand."

"I'm serious, if you keep going like this, you'll end up with no friends~ Don't be like me, at least I get along well with my roommates~ But you just admitted I'm your friend and even comforted me, I'm so happy!"

"..."

Ling Mengxue remained silent and did not respond.

Seeing that she didn't react, Ma Xiaotong was stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something, and her expression suddenly turned somewhat surprised, "No... no way? Little sister, you're my idol! Did I guess right??"

Seeing Ma Xiaotong's surprised expression, Ling Mengxue knew what she was referring to and simply nodded.

Even if someone was once an idol, are the concepts of "very popular" and "friend" the same?

However, mentioning this brought up a memory of several old acquaintances she hadn't seen for years, wondering if they were still around.

Seeing that Ling Mengxue was keeping her head down and not saying anything, Ma Xiaotong suddenly felt a pang of heartache. His nose tingled, and he walked forward, reaching out to hug her, but he failed and was "dodged" by her.

However, none of this stopped Ma Xiaotong from feeling sorry for her; on the contrary, he felt even more sympathetic. "Little sister, if you're too lonely, move in with me! I don't have much money, but I can still afford to support you. Come to our dorm, we can share a bed! You're so cute, you'll definitely be popular!"

"Th... thank you..."

Ling Mengxue was quite touched, but also somewhat speechless. She forced a smile and said, "But... have you ever thought that I'm not actually as miserable as you think? On the contrary, I'm quite happy?"

Ma Xiaotong seemed not to hear her words, her expression suddenly freezing, then her eyes filled with even more heartache. "Little sister, you... you've learned to use a smile to hide your sadness at such a young age??"

Ling Mengxue: "??"

[img=636,900]htt [img=700,700]htt 100+, all done in one go☆

Chapter Thirty-Four: A Pleasant Night

Smile?

Hiding sadness?

Ling Mengxue's mind went blank for a moment, her expression a mix of blankness and bewilderment.

Have I unknowingly learned to use sadness to mask my smile?

"Let's not talk about me anymore. Let's get back to you. You went to the West Suburb Park tonight to clear your head?" Ling Mengxue asked thoughtfully, as if she could read her mind.

"Uh..." Before Ma Xiaotong could even speak, her expression betrayed her, "I still can't hide it from Xiaoxue... But there's no use thinking about it now~ I've already made up my mind, I'm going to prepare, I plan to wait for him at the door every day!"

Didn't you just admit it?

Ling Mengxue thought of those words but didn't say them aloud. She silently prayed in her heart. "Yi Yun, I can't save you this time either. That girl is so devoted to you, won't you reconsider?"

It's a pity, but everyone has their own choices. Every path is carefully considered in one's heart. Regardless of right or wrong, she won't intervene or want to interfere.

I am just an observer. Sometimes I may have good intentions, but I am not necessarily wise. Different perspectives and personalities mean that some of my advice is often biased.

But as a friend, she also prioritizes considering things from their perspective and tries to think from their point of view.

The two chatted for a while longer, about all sorts of things, from life to their ideals. In the end, Ma Xiaotong was quite surprised to learn that Ling Mengxue was still a high school student, and they immediately started talking about college applications.

Ma Xiaotong really hoped that Ling Mengxue would have the opportunity to study in their area, but considering many factors, she was too embarrassed to ask.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Xiaotong slowed down and observed the area. When she reached a brightly lit spot, she took advantage of Ling Mengxue's inattention to carry both shoes in one hand, while secretly taking out her phone with the other and taking a picture of Ling Mengxue's back. She captured a close-up of her back and couldn't help but feel a little excited.

None of this escaped Ling Mengxue's notice.

Is this normal behavior for fans?

Or is it just to keep a memento?

Ling Mengxue didn't understand at all; in any case, she wouldn't associate it with the word "unrequited love," since they were all girls.

Of course, she firmly believes that she is not "gay," but rather "straight" to the core. She is just a girl physically, but mentally she is still a good young person of the times, and her sexual orientation is perfectly fine!

For a moment, Ling Mengxue was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

After leaving the beach, the two parted ways at an intersection on the street.

What happened tonight was just a "minor incident." Ling Mengxue continued walking, got into another car, and soon returned to the original garden community.

Ling Mengxue decided to stay in the apartment complex tonight. Living alone in such a large house made her feel rather uneasy and a little empty and lonely.

Thinking that Xi Yan had been living alone here, she suddenly had an urge to move out, but fortunately, she managed to control this dangerous thought in time!

Xi Yan invited Ling Mengxue to stay in her room, which she initially "refused," but since they were a couple, it wasn't unreasonable for her to sleep in her girlfriend's room, right?

Noticing a small note on the desk, Ling Mengxue immediately connected the dots. She picked it up and read the brief message:

[Xiaoxue, make yourself at home here. There are things I've prepared for you in the drawers and wardrobe. I hope you like them. Feel free to use anything you like. --☆ Xi Yan]

"Left for me?"

Ling Mengxue sat down in the chair and curiously opened the drawer.

Besides some exquisite daily necessities, there was also a beautiful little blue Xiaohua and a mysterious picture book without a cover...

Ling Mengxue took out the booklet, but as soon as she opened it and glanced at it, her face immediately turned bright red to her ears, and she slammed it shut...

Don't ask what's inside; she doesn't want anyone to know. If she insists on saying anything, it's about her own "photo album"!

I don't know when or how it was recorded without my noticing.

And there are all sorts of poses available!

Even... some "excessive" scenes that she never appeared in and had no recollection of were drawn, her sense of shame was overflowing, and there are all kinds of "compilations"!

That's outrageous!

That's outrageous!

This is absolutely outrageous!

That's absolutely outrageous!

Ling Mengxue suddenly remembered something, got up and opened the wardrobe, then sighed softly.

Phew... Sure enough, all sorts of pure and beautiful clothes match, with all kinds of clothes and skirts, mostly leaning towards a gentle and soft girlish style, which is quite normal, but there are still one or two very "criminal" outfits in the catalog!

"Xi Yan, you can see whatever I wear, but... it's too revealing, that's unfair!"

Ling Mengxue found a simple set of pajamas, went into the bathroom, turned on several taps, and filled the bathtub with warm water.

She stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, grabbed a bottle of chilled soda from the refrigerator, and nervously undressed. She took a bath while enjoying the iced drink and the night view of Capital City.

In a daze, Ling Mengxue thought of the lives of those successful people in the movies.

If you think about it, that's pretty much it, right?

He has a high-paying job, a luxurious mansion, no mortgage or car loan worries, and a super beautiful young woman as his wife—he's definitely a winner in life...

Etc?

Ling Mengxue, what are you thinking about?!

How long has it been, and it's already been corrupted by money like this??

Honestly, I'm so disappointed in you!

Remember, you must remain steadfast and never forget your original aspiration!

The college entrance exam is just one semester away, and you're still traveling?

Do you think you've lived up to the expectations of your teachers and parents?

"But... when you can enjoy yourself, do you have to be so hard on yourself?"

Ling Mengxue sighed with a helpless and complicated expression, squatted down, and shyly immersed herself completely in the water, only slightly raising half of her head.

However, taking a bath is so comfortable and relaxing.

Sigh~ I didn't eat anything properly with Xi Yan at the restaurant tonight, and I didn't replenish my energy while at the convenience store with Xiao Xiao either. A pancake alone wasn't enough for her.

Drinking soda doesn't make me happy anymore, no matter how much I drink. I think... I'm a little hungry.

I remember there were some ingredients I prepared for today in the refrigerator.

Cucumber, seaweed and pork floss, seasoned radish, sausage, luncheon meat, crab roe, raw cabbage... Steam some rice, make a simple rice ball or sushi, isn't this a surefire way to stave off hunger?

If we can't finish it, we can put it in the refrigerator and have it with some fried luncheon meat and a soft-boiled egg for breakfast. That would be great! Okay, that's settled then!

After indulging in a rather guilty late-night snack, Ling Mengxue played on her phone for an hour or two in a vengeful manner before finally plugging it in and falling into a deep sleep on the bed.

At nine o'clock in the morning, she sent a message to Blood Doll, telling the little girl to make preparations as soon as possible.

The message was brief: The boss is coming back for an inspection!

After tidying up the house, I immediately selected "Spatial Teleportation"!

[Img=700,611]htt [img=700,968]htt Chapter Thirty-Five: The Bill??

Star City, Ping'an Street, Second Alley intersection, "The Magical Potion Shop".

At dawn, as the faint glow of the outside world streamed into the room, Blood Doll knew her work for the day was about to begin.

"My master said sadness... no, no, I must have remembered it wrong..."

"My master said that a beautiful day begins in the morning~"

Blood Doll raised its head, put down the game console, and clumsily went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and then began to devour the food with gusto.

She wasn't picky about food; she ate whatever was available. In just one minute, the floor was covered with leftover fruit, bloodstains, broken Tomato, whole cucumber strips, eggshells...

While gnawing on a piece of raw meat, Blood Doll suddenly noticed the mess she had made of the ground beneath her feet. She blinked, not paying much attention, and continued to leisurely enjoy her breakfast.

"The owner also said that we can clean up after we finish eating, so we'll clean up later~"

"But my master hasn't been back for a while. He sent a message not long ago, and I don't know when he'll be back. It would be perfect if he could take me out to play and eat something delicious again!"

After eating and drinking his fill, Blood Doll closed the refrigerator door, calmly jumped off the chair, his pale face full of excitement, his eyes brimming with anticipation and longing.

Next, she needs to continue the daily cleaning and maintenance of the shop...

Around nine o'clock, Ling Mengxue appeared "on time" in her Potion House room.

Teleportation anchor point... oh no, I mean, Spatial Teleportation is so convenient.

If you could depict one scene in every important place, then traveling around the world... wow, you'll understand!

When she came downstairs, as expected, everything in the shop was just as it had been when she left—clean and tidy. Of course, apart from the rather bloody bottles and jars in the materials room, the rest of the decor was quite refreshing.

Hearing the noise, the Blood Doll immediately poked its head out from under the table.

Excitement! I'm so excited!