Chapter 173 - 172: Mother of My Child? (2)

"Alright, alright, it’s my fault. My fault for not paying attention."

Seeing Ning Ruoxi’s aggrieved look, Ye Ling’s heart softened. The words he’d been about to say got stuck in his throat.

’What could he do? His girlfriend was just too cute.’

’All he could do was spoil her!’

"Here, let me feed you another bite."

Seeming to feel a twinge of guilt, Ning Ruoxi fed Ye Ling another bite.

This time, Ye Ling had learned his lesson. He eyed the food she offered with a hint of suspicion. Seeing it was normal this time, he let out a sigh of relief and ate it in one go.

It was safe to say that after today, Ye Ling would subconsciously inspect any food Ning Ruoxi offered him from now on.

There was no helping it.

This Little Demon was such a handful!

"Let’s go for a walk around the track after dinner?"

Ning Ruoxi looked up at Ye Ling.

For college couples, a post-dinner stroll around the athletic field was an undeniable part of their daily routine.

That’s why many experienced upperclassmen (i.e., those single for three or four years) would advise new male students to head straight back to their dorms after dinner instead of wandering around campus.

A curious freshman might ask why, and the upperclassman would just tell him, "Go take a walk, and you’ll understand my well-meaning advice..."

"Sure."

Ye Ling nodded, agreeing immediately.

Come to think of it, it really had been a long time since he and Ning Ruoxi had strolled around the track. Since they lived off-campus, they didn’t spend that much time at Modu University.

Years ago, he had daydreamed about college romance. He’d imagined holding his girlfriend’s hand after dinner, strolling around the track, feeling the breeze, basking in the orange glow of the lights, and soaking in the lively atmosphere.

About half an hour later, Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi were done eating.

Both Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi were quite full from the meal, and they both agreed that the food at Modu University was delicious.

"Ready to go?"

With that, Ye Ling stood up, took Ning Ruoxi’s hand, and they headed toward the athletic field.

The temperature wasn’t particularly low tonight; it seemed the Indian summer had returned. A cool evening breeze drifted by, feeling wonderfully comfortable against their skin.

Ye Ling held Ning Ruoxi’s hand as they ambled along the rubberized track. The grass must have been mowed during the day; a faint scent of it hung in the air.

Carried on the gentle breeze, the subtle fragrance was incredibly relaxing.

"Mmmph... It’s all your fault. Now my tummy’s all big..."

Ning Ruoxi let Ye Ling lead her by the hand, then suddenly pouted.

University athletic fields are usually open to the public in the evenings.

The field was crowded, and many of the people weren’t students or faculty, but locals from the neighborhood out for some evening exercise.

Upon hearing Ning Ruoxi’s words, they couldn’t help but shoot surprised looks in their direction.

’Are students these days really this wild?’

’They’ve already gone and had a kid?’

’That girl is so pretty, too. How could she have a kid at her age?’

In reality, Ning Ruoxi was just saying that Ye Ling had ordered too many dishes, causing her to overeat until she was stuffed. But of course, the people around them wouldn’t assume that...

"You... what did you just say?"

Ye Ling froze, thinking he must have misheard. He turned his head and asked.

"I said it’s your fault my tummy’s gotten bigger..."

Ning Ruoxi tilted her head up and said with a huff.

"Um, could you maybe phrase that a little differently?"

Ye Ling suggested tentatively.

He knew what she meant, but it still sounded... off.

"What? Are you trying to get out of your responsibility? Not happening. You have to do this with me."

Ning Ruoxi immediately grabbed Ye Ling’s arm, her face a mask of mock resentment.

’This guy! He made me eat this much, so he has to go on a diet with me!’

"Young man, she went through this for you. You have to take some responsibility."

"That’s right, that’s right! Look how beautiful your girlfriend is. You’re a lucky man, aren’t you?"

"I get it, you young people do everything a bit early these days. Having a kid in college isn’t such a big deal."

Before Ye Ling could get a word in, a few middle-aged people in their forties or fifties standing nearby couldn’t resist chiming in with advice.

To Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi, the conversation was about something else entirely, but to the ears of the onlookers, it clearly sounded like Ye Ling had gotten Ning Ruoxi pregnant and was now refusing to take responsibility...

"Ahem... what?"

Ye Ling let out a cough, glancing at the group of avuncular men with an embarrassed expression.

’Since when did I suddenly have a kid?’

"Young man, you’re a man... Think about it. Why do men have broad shoulders? To carry responsibility!"

But the uncles continued their earnest lecture.

"Uh..."

Ye Ling finally understood what was happening. A moment later, a smirk played on his lips. "Alright. Thank you for the advice, sirs. I’ll take responsibility for her."

With that, Ye Ling turned his head and gave Ning Ruoxi a look full of affection.

"Silly girl, don’t you worry. I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life."

Hearing Ye Ling’s words, Ning Ruoxi froze, blinking in a daze.

’Didn’t I just want him to exercise with me and lose some weight?’

’Why is he being so dramatic about it?’

"Good, good! That’s it, young man! That’s excellent!"

"That’s right, that’s right! Stepping up and taking responsibility—that’s what it means to be a man!"

The uncles praised him one after another, their gazes now filled with approval.

Just then, Ning Ruoxi seemed to realize what was going on. Her pretty face instantly flushed red, and she glared at Ye Ling with mock indignation.

Ye Ling, however, feigned ignorance, staring straight ahead as if he hadn’t seen her glare at all. He simply wrapped his arm around her and continued walking.

Once they were well away from the uncles, Ning Ruoxi shoved Ye Ling away and glared at the scoundrel. "Why didn’t you explain anything?"

"Explain what?"

Ye Ling played dumb, even saying with a completely serious expression, "Honey, don’t be angry. It’s not good for the baby in your tummy."

’Baby, my ass!’

In that moment.

Ning Ruoxi ground her teeth. She was sure of it—Ye Ling was definitely getting revenge for when she’d fed him that spicy pepper!

’That had to be it!’

"Ye Ling!"

Ning Ruoxi growled his name through clenched teeth.

"Yes, mother of my child? What is it?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of Ye Ling’s lips as he continued to tease her.

"You... OMPH!"

Seeing the smug look on Ye Ling’s face, Ning Ruoxi couldn’t take it anymore. She lunged forward, grabbed his arm, and sank her teeth into it.

"Hsss..."

Ye Ling sucked in a sharp breath, the pain so intense it nearly brought tears to his eyes.

’What the hell...’

’What kind of girlfriend was this...’

’Is she part dog?’

Ye Ling frantically tried to shake his arm free, but Ning Ruoxi clung on tight, as if she were glued to him. He couldn’t get her off at all!