Chapter 1442: 1442: Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 1442: Chapter 1442: Unexpected Encounter

“Ziling, why is your mom willing to take me to meet the old man?” Luo Yuqing couldn’t help but ask as Luo Ziling accompanied her shopping. “I wasn’t mentally prepared. I’m a little nervous.”

“My mom actually mentioned it to me before. I think I… I probably told you about it, didn’t I?” Luo Ziling replied, somewhat uncertain.

“When did you ever tell me that?” Luo Yuqing pinched Luo Ziling angrily, “Hmph! You didn’t even tell me about something this important. And I’ve been treating you like my real little brother all this time.”

“If you don’t see me as your real little brother, then what do you see me as?”

The result? Another sharp pinch from Luo Yuqing, causing Luo Ziling to yelp in pain.

“Hey, Yuqing, Ziling, what are you two doing here?” A curious voice suddenly came from behind as the two were playfully squabbling. “What a coincidence!”

They turned around and saw Dai Shulan.

“Senior sister, such a coincidence,” Luo Ziling immediately put on a smiling face. “Didn’t think I’d bump into you while shopping.”

Dai Shulan was dressed beautifully today, with two braided pigtails. She wore an outfit that combined traditional charm—something between Hanfu and a flowing gown—that made her look incredibly fresh and elegant. Luo Ziling was certain her appearance guaranteed a 100% turn-around rate—he could tell from the curious and astonished gazes everyone, men and women alike, cast at her as they passed by.

The three of them standing together drew even more attention.

Under the scrutiny of those passing by, Luo Ziling felt a little pressured.

But the pressure didn’t actually come from the strangers’ gazes—it came from the strange looks Luo Yuqing and Dai Shulan were giving each other.

Luo Yuqing was eyeing the smiling Dai Shulan with an alert expression, while Dai Shulan’s smile faded slightly as she shot a peculiar look at Luo Yuqing, who was holding onto Luo Ziling’s arm.

At the moment, Luo Ziling and Luo Yuqing looked very close. Luo Yuqing was grabbing his arm, and neither of them had separated from their playful scuffle yet.

“School hasn’t started yet. I came out to buy a few things,” Dai Shulan said with a slightly awkward smile. “Classes start in a couple of days, so I needed to prep.”

“I’m helping my sister shop,” Luo Ziling explained with a cheerful grin as he pulled his arm free from Luo Yuqing’s grip. “Senior sister, you look absolutely stunning today!”

“Hmph, you look like you’ve lost your soul the moment you see a pretty woman,” Luo Yuqing growled before kicking Luo Ziling in slight annoyance.

She had been thinking about pretending to be Luo Ziling’s girlfriend to scare Dai Shulan off, but this idiot went ahead and told her directly that she was his sister.

“Your sister?” Dai Shulan asked in surprise as she glanced between Luo Ziling and Luo Yuqing. “You two are… siblings?”

“Yep. Are you surprised?” Luo Ziling exhaled in relief. “Haha, no one at school knows we’re siblings yet. You’re the first.”

“I thought you two were a couple!” Dai Shulan replied with a slightly embarrassed laugh. “It’s kind of unbelievable.”

“Same surname means no marriage, so we’re just siblings,” Luo Yuqing chuckled before grabbing Luo Ziling’s arm again. She immediately bid farewell to Dai Shulan, “Shulan, we won’t interrupt your shopping any further. We still have things to do, so we’ll head off first.”

“Alright, see you later.” Dai Shulan smiled and nodded at Luo Ziling and Luo Yuqing.

“Let’s have tea sometime. We can chat about your work and our potential collaboration,” Luo Ziling added just before being dragged off by Luo Yuqing.

“What collaboration? What work?” Luo Yuqing asked with barely concealed suspicion after pulling Luo Ziling away. “Are you planning to hit on her now? There are plenty of beautiful women out there. Do you want them all for yourself?”

“She writes online novels, and she’s quite famous. I’m planning to discuss a collaboration regarding her work. I’ve read her stories—they’re really good. If there’s a chance, I’d like to adapt them into a TV series.” Luo Ziling briefly explained before adding, “Luo Yuqing, can you stop being so unreasonable? Do you think everyone’s as infatuated as you are?”

“What? Are you calling me infatuated?” Luo Yuqing gave Luo Ziling another sharp pinch. “You’re the infatuated one!”

“Alright, fine! I’m infatuated! I like beautiful women and enjoy talking to them, okay?”

“Pervert! Lecher! No wonder you get up to no good after drinking!”

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing,” Luo Yuqing quickly shifted, realizing she had slipped. She tugged Luo Ziling forward. “Hurry up and finish shopping, or your mom will scold us for being slow. So, what else do we need to buy?”

“What did you just say?”

“Geez, why are you so naggy for a grown man?” Luo Yuqing replied, exasperated. “Let me remind you, hurry up and buy the stuff so your mom doesn’t have to wait.”

Luo Ziling, frustrated, dropped the topic and followed Luo Yuqing to continue shopping.

After buying some items, Ling Ruonan called to ask if they were done. She told them she was ready and waiting to head to the old house.

Luo Ziling quickly replied, saying they’d meet her in the Northern Group’s underground parking lot.

When Luo Ziling and Luo Yuqing returned, carrying large shopping bags, Ling Ruonan was already sitting in the car waiting.

Wuyue wasn’t accompanying Ling Ruonan this time, unlike usual. Luo Ziling didn’t ask, and he simply took the passenger seat beside the driver.

Luo Yuqing joined Ling Ruonan in the back seat.

The three of them chatted casually on the way. Luo Yuqing didn’t seem nervous at all, happily talking and laughing with Ling Ruonan.

Luo Ziling could sense Luo Yuqing’s excitement. This woman was probably excited because she was about to meet Ling Jinhua.

Luo Yuqing must have been aware of Ling Jinhua’s status.

Although the Li Family that Luo Yuqing previously belonged to was also prestigious, it couldn’t compare to the Ling Family’s standing.

In Luo Yuqing’s eyes, Ling Jinhua was someone truly formidable.

“Ziling, I’m a little scared,” Luo Yuqing whispered as they got out of the car, moving close to Luo Ziling.

Without realizing it, Luo Yuqing had started addressing him by his first name. Perhaps it felt more personal to her.

“The old man’s not going to eat you,” Luo Ziling said with a smile as he took Luo Yuqing’s hand. “I’ve already guessed why my mom is bringing you to meet him. She sees you as family and wants the old man to acknowledge that, too. Once he accepts it, your status will be like mine. If anyone dares mess with you again, you can go right to him.”

“I never thought about it that way,” Luo Yuqing said with an embarrassed chuckle. “I just hope things will calm down a bit after this.”

“Calm down?” Luo Ziling shook his head. “That’s impossible. Not until my dad returns to Yanjing, marries my mom properly, and reconciles with the other families.”

“Alright, I get it!”