She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 10
Jing Ling’s hand trembled, nearly spilling the meat from the bowl. She took a step back, instinctively putting some distance between herself and Ning Xue.
Ning Xue, knowing her brother Fang Ningcheng’s personality all too well, remained calm. “This is just how we show friendliness. Is there a problem with that?”
Fang Ningcheng thought for a moment and replied, “No, no problem. My buddies and I also put our arms around each other, but we don’t hug that tight.”
A simple hug, and he made it sound like something else entirely.
Ning Xue shot him a look. “Either come out or go back inside. Don’t just stick your big head out like some sneaky thief.”
She had to stop him before he started spouting nonsense again. As his sister, she knew better than anyone that her brother could be completely unreliable, good at nothing except letting his imagination run wild.
Still, she had no reason to panic. It was just a normal hug between friends. She turned to Jing Ling, whose face looked as calm as ever, though there was a fleeting ripple in her eyes.
It disappeared quickly, but Ning Xue caught it.
Maybe Fang Ningcheng’s comment made her uncomfortable. Jing Ling never liked physical contact to begin with.
“What are you doing out here, anyway?” Ning Xue turned and blocked her brother’s line of sight.
Jing Ling blinked, looking at the top of her dark hair.
“Mom and Dad started arguing again,” he said with a sigh. “I came out for some air. How about we go out for a bit? My treat milk tea.”
He tilted his chin in a showy way, like some generous big spender, making Ning Xue both speechless and amused.
Five thousand yuan, and he already thought he was rich. What would he be like if he ever won more? Would his ego float right up into the clouds?
Ning Xue didn’t want to go home and get dragged into another fight anyway. She had said she’d speak up for their dad, but when their mom got angry, even she couldn’t handle it.
Hang in there, Dad, she thought. We’re going to get milk tea first.
She turned to Jing Ling. “Want to come with us? My brother’s buying.”
Jing Ling’s lips moved slightly. “No.”
Of course. It wasn’t just the two of them anymore. Why would she want to go?
The answer was expected. Ning Xue could already picture what would happen next Jing Ling would turn, shut the door, and that would be that.
But instead, Jing Ling stayed where she was, not moving, not going back inside.
Wait… did that mean she did want to go?
Then why say no?
Was it because she thought the invitation wasn’t sincere enough?
Sensing the situation, Fang Ningcheng jumped in. “Come on, come with us. I’ll find somewhere to play a few rounds of games, and you two can grab your milk tea.”
He threw Ning Xue a meaningful glance. She immediately caught on.
“Let’s go,” she said to Jing Ling, smiling. “The food’s gone cold anyway. We can get something better outside. My brother can cook for you another day.”
She knew Jing Ling lived alone, life must be hard enough. Treating her to dinner was just being considerate, wasn’t it?
She had to keep building goodwill, but without making Jing Ling suspicious. That delicate balance was tricky to maintain.
Jing Ling didn’t respond, so Ning Xue put on a playful pout. “Come on, just keep me company. You know my brother’s totally going to ditch me anyway.”
Fang Ningcheng nodded solemnly. “You know your brother well.”
Ning Xue gave her best look, how pitiful I am expression. Jing Ling turned, set the bowl down on the counter, and finally said, “Let’s go.
The siblings exchanged a quick, triumphant glance and headed out together with her.
Ning Xue wore a cute, fluffy jacket, her high ponytail bouncing with each step, full of youthful energy, making her look younger than her companions.
Fang Ningcheng looked older, used to being a bit scruffy. Jing Ling, on the other hand, had that cold, expressionless aura that drew attention without trying.
After ordering milk tea for the girls, Fang Ningcheng sat crouched by the shop entrance, gaming on his phone with his hands tucked into his sleeves. For my sister’s happiness, he thought, I sacrifice so much.
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Ning Xue asked Jing Ling what she wanted to eat. Jing Ling thought for a long while but realized she didn’t feel hungry. Not full, not starving just no appetite.
“You still need to eat,” Ning Xue said. “We’re still growing. Skipping meals makes you ugly.”
She pulled out her phone to look up nearby places. “There’s a spicy stir-fry pot place with good reviews. Want to try it?”
Jing Ling stared at her without blinking, and Ning Xue started to feel pressured.
“If you can’t handle spicy, maybe fish noodles? My brother and I tried them before—they were pretty good.”
“What do you want to eat?” Jing Ling interrupted softly.
Ning Xue blinked, caught off guard. “Me? I’m not really hungry.”
Jing Ling fell silent again.
If she was the only one eating, then what was the point?
It suddenly clicked for Ning Xue Jing Ling wanted someone to eat with her. Maybe it wasn’t about the food at all, but about not wanting to be alone.
“Then let’s get spicy stir-fry. I can handle spice just fine,” she said with a grin.
Jing Ling’s lips curved slightly. “Okay.”
It was faint, but Ning Xue noticed, and her eyes lit up.
Jing Ling was her target, after all. If Jing Ling was happy, she was happy.
When their milk tea was ready, they stepped out together, only to see Fang Ningcheng sitting on the steps.
“This is the ‘place’ you found?” Ning Xue looked down at him.
He stood, rubbing his frozen fingers. “Not bad, right?”
He wasn’t about to let two girls wander off alone this late at night, not in such a quiet area. What if something happened?
“Where to next?” he asked, putting his phone away.
Ning Xue frowned at his red fingers. “Just go home already. I’ll take Jing Ling to dinner.”
“So her name’s Jing Ling?” he said. “Pretty name.”
Ning Xue narrowed her eyes. “You’re not trying to hit on my friend, are you?”
Fang Ningcheng:
Hopeless. His sister’s imagination was something else.
“I’ll just drive you two there, and call me when you’re done. It’s late, and I’d rather not worry,” he said firmly.
With how striking the two of them looked, it wasn’t unreasonable. There were too many creeps out there.
Ning Xue stayed silent.
He had no idea if there really was trouble; he might be the one needing their protection. Especially since the girl beside her had beaten up a six-foot guy just a few days ago.
“We don’t need a bodyguard,” she muttered. “Go home.”
She glared at him, assuming he really was interested in Jing Ling. He pretended not to notice, unmoved.
“Let’s all go together,” Jing Ling finally said.
At this rate, they’d freeze to death before deciding. Ning Xue’s cheeks were already red from the cold.
Fang Ningcheng smirked in victory.
Ning Xue scowled. Damn it.
“You’d better not be thinking anything stupid,” she warned.
He didn’t bother replying, though inwardly he thought: Trust me, I’m not the one you should worry about.
Because something about the way Jing Ling looked at Ning Xue wasn’t right. It wasn’t just fondness it was complicated, heavy, almost possessive.
Still, if Ning Xue didn’t mind, neither would he. As long as she kept smiling, he’d quietly protect that happiness.
While Fang Ningcheng sat nearby gaming, Ning Xue and Jing Ling shared the spicy stir-fry. Ning Xue had completely underestimated the spice level after a few bites, her forehead was drenched in sweat, and she was gulping water nonstop.
“Who calls this ‘medium spicy’? This is fiery hell!”
She pouted, her flushed face and the tiny beads of sweat on her nose making her look adorably pitiful.
Jing Ling glanced up without meaning to and couldn’t look away.
Ning Xue’s face glowed a delicate pink, like a ripe peach, warm and sweet.
For a second, Jing Ling thought she could actually smell that sweetness, cutting through the sharp scent of chili oil and spice, winding its way toward her.
Her heart gave a tiny, strange flutter, and she quickly looked away.
What was she thinking?
Even if she’d never had friends before, she still knew those weren’t the kind of thoughts one should have about a friend.
And for the first time in a long while, Jing Ling felt utterly confused.
Meanwhile, Ning Xue was sulking at her blank face.
“How can you eat spicy food like that? That’s cheating!”
Jing Ling took a sip of water. “It is too spicy.”
Ning Xue laughed. “Then at least act like it!”
After dinner, the three of them headed home together. Ning Xue and Fang Ningcheng bickered as usual, while Jing Ling quietly listened, her expression soft and calm.
A car followed them at a steady distance, stopping only when they entered their neighborhood.
Inside the car, a cool voice spoke clear, with a trace of melancholy.
She’s never acted like this before.
What should we do then? the person in the driver’s seat asked.
Find out who that girl beside her is,” the woman replied. “Be discreet. Don’t let Xiao Ling notice.
She sat in the backseat, one long leg crossed over the other. Her face was half hidden in the shadows, but the sharp edges of her features made her look cold, almost austere like someone carved out of ice.