Cough. Cough.
Ling Qingyu patted her chest, coughing nonstop. It just didn't halt. Her hand covered her mouth as she darted toward the nearest basin and spurted out.
Panting heavily, Ling Qingyu alleviated the discomfort inside her throat and lungs. Amorette rose from her seat and palmed hard on Ling Qingyu's back.
"There. There. You're already an adult and still choking on water." Amorette spoke in a blaming tone. "You need to keep up your concentration level."
Ling Qingyu wanted to roll her eyes at her mother. What concentration? Wasn't it Amorette's word that caused the mess?
"Are you okay, Sis?" Ling Yunxiang asked.
"I'm fine." Ling Qingyu coughed a few times and glanced at her sister, hearing her inquiry. She instantly regretted her behavior.
Her eyelids twitched. Laugh, just laugh, stop controlling yourself.
Ling Qingyu worried her sister's fragile bone might hurt from her trembling body.
"Why's your reaction so extreme? It's only about marriage." Amorette shook her head.
Ling Qingyu almost shed tears at her mother's words. She thought, Mom, your daughter's orientation had already changed; finding a husband would only make me puke.
At least, the most worrisome hadn't happened. Her mother likely had overcome her mental obstacles.
She didn't mind Ling Yunxiang's presence and that made Ling Qingyu sigh in relief.
"Alright, since you're fine, you, two sisters, carry on your chatter. I'll walk around for a while." Amorette said and nodded at Ling Yunxiang.
"Okay, Mom."
"Yes, Auntie." Ling Yunxiang stood up and sent away Amorette.
Soon, the maid arrived with the dishes and the two ate, without any conversation. Ling Yunxiang's eyes gleamed—her sister was right, eating here was better than at the restaurant.
As foodies, the two sisters enjoyed the meal till their stomach was full, without ever caring about the weight issues.
Ling Qingyu didn't need to care because of Miss System's intervention and her daily exercise routine.
Ling Yunxiang meekly forgot whenever she ate what she fancied very much. She rubbed her belly and leaned back lazily.
Ling Qingyu ordered an additional dish and continued her lunch. While she was regretting eating too much, Ling Yunxiang was amazed at her sister's stomach capacity.
Ling Qingyu accepted her compliment and grinned. "It's good that you're satisfied. Now that we're alone, without any distraction, you better tell me about your work." Ling Qingyu's face turned serious. "As my Mom says, although our relationship isn't close yet, I'm willing to help you."
Ling Yunxiang sighed and rubbed her face. "Although I have talked about this with Sis, on the phone, there is a lot that I haven't said."
Ling Qingyu nodded, knowing the past conversation didn't explain anything. But she had Athena—if she declared she was the second, nobody dared to be the first.
Athena listed out the summary of the events. The details should be better with a first-hand account from Ling Yunxiang.
That was the reason, why Ling Qingyu urged her sister. "You already told me, none of the black materials are true; what do you want to do next?"
"I don't know. Stay silent and disappear from the world for a while." Ling Yunxiang shrugged. "The netizens and fans will one day get tired of the bombardment."
"Come on if it is only the public, the terrifying effect shouldn't reach this level. You are not a kid, nor am I. We know what happens. So, who is it?" Ling Qingyu was direct with her question.
If everything was so simple, Ling Yunxiang's method should solve the entire problem. But with some parties leading the rhythm, and others trying to step on Ling Yunxiang to gain fame, her career should be over.
With Ling family behind, Ling Yunxiang should have no further trouble. Instead, the situation was the exact opposite.
If the enmity forged this time reached so high, it didn't matter how much preparation Ling Yunxiang made, every time her figure entered the entertainment industry, someone would blast her out.
The only solution, Ling Qingyu preferred was to face them head-on.
"I'm not so sure but I have a guess." Ling Yunxiang said, hesitating to speak next. "It's likely the male god, which I make a CP with, or someone with power who is in love with him."
"You're sure, you didn't mess up in any relationship behind the scenes." Ling Qingyu asked again.
"Of course not, Sis. How many times do I have to tell you, my innocence is still there?"
"Your innocence?" Ling Qingyu was confused.
"Sis, are you that dumb, you know what I meant." Ling Yunxiang covered her face, helpless against Ling Qingyu's dubious expression. "I'm still a virgin!"
"Oh, you mean that. Don't be ashamed I'm also a virgin too." Ling Qingyu said.
Not that my sis, Ling Yunxiang wanted to cry. What's there to be ashamed of being a virgin? Was her sister really a foreigner? Ling Yunxiang snapped her head down, burrowing between her knees.
"That's good to hear. The problem becomes easier to solve, given your words. I ask you because what I'm about to plan next don't want your past holding me back." Ling Qingyu continued, ignoring her sister's facade.
Ling Yunxiang's head rose again. "You have a solution then?"
Ling Qingyu nodded and stretched out two fingers. "Soft and violent methods. Which one do you prefer?"