The Overnight Chosen Wife: Darling, Kiss Me Deeper

That night when Li Lanni returned home after having dinner with Ah Chen, she felt relieved. 

Finally, she no longer owed Ah Chen. 

However, it wasn't all that bad to have a meal with that guy. As long as he wasn't going overboard, he was gentle and kind and generally the type of guy who could make a good friend. 

"Mom, you're still awake?" Li Lanni was surprised when she saw Li Yuming in the living room. She had lost track of time and returned a little late, so she had expected her to be asleep. 

"Lanni, come here." Li Yuming patted the space beside her. 

Li Lanni rushed over and habitually hugged her arm.

"Who did you go out with? Can you tell mom?" 

"A senior from the art class. I misunderstood him before." 

She kept it short and vague, and Li Yuming didn't probe further. She only reminded, "Girls shouldn't stay out late." 

Li Lanni nodded. "Got it, mom," 

Li Yuming was pleased. Although she had bodyguards, she couldn't really trust them after what happened the last time. She had wanted to employ new ones, but that lad from the Ji family had decided to send over two of the most highly trained bodyguards. She had wanted to reject the offer, but this was about Li Lanni's safety, so she could only thank Ji Xiehan. But even then, they would start their work in two days. These two days were still important. 

Since Lanni had promised to be careful, she felt relieved. Li Yuming dotingly rubbed her hair. Li Lanni's hair was quite soft and nice to the touch and over the years, Li Yuming had gotten quite used to rubbing it as a way of expressing her affection. "Your art classes in Star Art  International start tomorrow. What do you think about it?" 

"Nothing much." Li Lanni was indifferent. "It doesn't matter which class I go to, right? Cheng Yu is going with me so I won't be bored." 

Her exam results would be out in a few days. After that, they would have a break before the next semester. Li Lanni was thinking of switching to online learning after that. 

"Lanni," Li Yuming suddenly called. 

"What is it, mom?" 

Li Yuming tousled her daughter's hair, as though scared this might be the last time she was doing so. "Some things aren't always as they seem on the surface. You must always remember to think and never make decisions when you're not calm enough, alright?" 

"Yes, mom." Li Lanni only took this as a mother educating her daughter. That was what mothers should do anyway, so she didn't overthink it. 

"You must also remember that no matter what, mother loves you more than anything, and mother always wants the best for you." 

This time, Li Lanni felt it was strange. "Yes, mom, but why are you telling me all this right now?" 

Li Yuming flashed a gentle smile and brought Lanni closer into her embrace and kissed her forehead. "That's because I love my Lanni. Why can't I say it?" 

Li Lanni knew this already, but it still made her happier. She also returned her mother's hug and said with a light chuckle, "Mom, you sound like a bride's mother parting with her daughter."

Her crazy analogy amused Li Yuming. "I just realized my Lanni is growing up so fast. There are only a few months before you turn twenty. You will soon start making decisions entirely on your own. Not long later, you might meet someone you like and get married; then, I will not be able to see you and hug you every day." 

Li Lanni chuckled. Were all mothers so reluctant to see their daughters grow up?

Of course, she didn't know that her growing up was the least of Li Yuming's concerns. Her biggest fear right now was not that Li Lanni would grow up, but that when she recovered her memory, they might become estranged yet again. But then again, only by recovering her memory would Li Lanni be able to tell her what actually went wrong. There was no hiding from it.

"You have a long day ahead of you. Have a nice bath and go to bed early." Li Yuming tousled her daughter's hair again and let her go.

"Okay, mom. Goodnight." Li Lanni kissed her mother's cheek and ran off to her room upstairs.

The smile on Li Yuming's face slowly disappeared as she sighed. She could only hope that even after her daughter regained her memory, Lanni would sit with her and have a good talk with her.

___

The next day, Li Lanni arrived at Star Art International quite early. Cheng Yu arrived even sooner than her and was already waiting for her. 

"Lanni, you're here." Cheng Yu chirped. 

"You look super happy today. What's the good news?" 

Cheng Yu passed over a white plastic bag. "My brother baked cookies this morning. I brought some for you." 

Li Lanni was overjoyed. "Really? Thank you!" But she subconsciously touched her belly and grumbled, "But my mom especially made me breakfast this morning, and it was even so delicious. I'm stuffed already. What should I do?" 

"Pfft. You must have eaten your IQ along with your breakfast. Of course, you can eat the cookies later, dummy!" Cheng Yu mocked jokingly.

On that happy note, the girls made their way into the building. 

Their tutor had sent them temporary passes as well as maps of Star Art International on their phones. They knew where exactly to go. 

When they reached the trainee department, they both halted when they saw two familiar faces. 

"Ruby Chan and Cedric?" Cheng Yu was the first to express her surprise.

"It's understandable for Cedric to be here since he's an artist too. But what is Ruby Chan doing here?" Li Lanni whispered to Cheng Yu, puzzled. 

Cheng Yu answered dismissively. "She must be here to spend her daddy's money. It's not like she hasn't done it before." 

Li Lanni was amused. Why did it feel fun watching Cheng Yu mock Ruby Chan?