She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 14
Ning Xue’s lips hit against her own teeth, and the metallic taste of bl00d quickly spread through her mouth. When she looked at Jing Ling, the other girl didn’t seem much better her lower lip had a small cut that was still bleeding, and a red mark spread across her chin.
Maybe the fall had dazed them both, because Jing Ling just stood there, wide-eyed and disoriented, for a few seconds before finally getting up.
Ning Xue’s tailbone ached, so she stayed on the ground, half-propped up on one arm. Tilting her head up, she asked softly, “Are you okay?”
Jing Ling’s gaze landed on her rosy lips, and her face flushed in an instant. She didn’t even know where to look.
Because just now… it felt like they’d kissed.
The soft, fleeting touch on her lips was still vivid, and she couldn’t fool herself into thinking it was her imagination.
The more she thought about it, the louder her heartbeat grew, pounding irregularly in her ears until it drowned everything else out. That strange rush of emotion surged up, almost too much for her chest to contain.
Ning Xue had expected Jing Ling to reach out a hand and help her up, but instead she saw her blushing to the tips of her ears, eyes a little unfocused and breathing uneven.
Was she… embarrassed?
Feeling a sudden urge to tease her, Ning Xue deliberately spoke in a soft, slightly coquettish tone. “Help me up, will you? You’re crushing me, it hurts.”
Sure enough, Jing Ling’s face went even redder.
With obvious hesitation, she reached out. When Ning Xue’s fingertips brushed her palm, her fingers trembled ever so slightly.
Using that hand for support, Ning Xue stood up but as she leaned forward, she “accidentally” stumbled right into Jing Ling’s arms.
Jing Ling was about four or five centimeters taller. From this close distance, Ning Xue could see clearly the faint blush spreading beneath her eyes.
She blinked.
Usually Jing Ling’s expression was unreadable, cold and calm, like nothing in the world could get to her. This was the first time Ning Xue had seen her look so… flustered.
Would teasing her more reveal even more interesting reactions?
If she peeled back that calm, self-possessed mask, would she find a completely different Jing Ling underneath?
The thought sent a thrill through Ning Xue’s heart and so, she acted on it.
“Your lip’s bleeding,” she murmured.
Her fingertips brushed gently over the small, dried wound, tracing it lightly. As expected, Jing Ling’s expression shifted immediately.
She pushed Ning Xue away, her throat moving as she swallowed back her emotions. Without another word, she crouched down and began picking up the things that had fallen.
Ning Xue licked the inside of her cheek, then smiled faintly.
She’d always thought Jing Ling was the type who had everything under control, but it turned out she could be adorably shy, too.
Her gaze lingered on her, eyes glimmering like starlight.
When Jing Ling finished gathering the items, she straightened up, her movements stiff and hurried like someone making a strategic retreat.
Ning Xue took a step forward, pain twinging at her tailbone, but she gritted her teeth and followed anyway.
Ahead of her, Jing Ling’s ears were bright red, and she even seemed a little off-balance as she walked. The sight made Ning Xue want to laugh; it was just too cute. She quickly caught up and reached for one of the bags.
“Let me carry one,” she offered.
Jing Ling didn’t reply, only swapped it out for a lighter one. Her eyes still wouldn’t quite meet Ning Xue’s, drifting everywhere else instead.
She didn’t dare look directly at her if she did, that fleeting calm in her chest would shatter all over again.
But even so, when her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of those slightly swollen lips, her heart skipped another beat.
By the time she came back to her senses, they were already at Ning Xue’s door.
Ning Xue began taking out her own things, but before she could enter, Jing Ling handed her another big bag.
She blinked. “You should keep that for yourself, I already have food at home.”
Money was tight for both of them buying this much just to give away seemed excessive.
Jing Ling’s tone was calm but firm. “I bought it for you.”
So that’s why she kept asking for her opinion earlier. Ning Xue froze for a moment, then smiled and accepted the bag.
Before Jing Ling could react, she stepped forward, hugged her quickly, and just as swiftly pulled away.
“That’s my thank-you gift.”
She grinned playfully, turned the key, and slipped inside, leaving Jing Ling standing there, frozen in place, her expression unreadable.
When Ning Xue had let go, her lips had brushed against Jing Ling’s cheek, and her warm breath had tickled her ear sending a sharp, tingling shiver down her spine.
Jing Ling stayed like that for a long while, dazed, until voices from outside finally pulled her back to reality. She went inside as if waking from a dream.
Too many things had happened today, more than she could process all at once.
Why had Ning Xue looked so calm about it all? Did she really think being kissed by another girl was nothing unusual?
Or was it just because it was her that she didn’t mind?
Was it intentional?
Jing Ling’s mind spun in circles, headache throbbing behind her eyes.
Meanwhile, Ning Xue was at home eating dinner, feeling quite pleased with herself until she heard a familiar chime.
[Ding! Target’s favorability increased by one point.]
She smiled knowingly.
Looks like that trick worked. Maybe she should use it again sometime? A little charm, used wisely, could go a long way.
[Ding! Target’s favorability decreased by one point.]
Her smile froze.
Seriously? It goes down too? Jing Ling, what the hell is going on in that head of yours?!
[Ding! Target’s favorability increased by one point.]
[Ding! Target’s favorability decreased by one point.]
In just a few minutes, Jing Ling’s favorability bar went up and down so many times it nearly crashed.
By the end, Ning Xue had gone completely numb. She just kept eating, refusing to care anymore.
After finishing dinner, though, curiosity got the better of her. She decided to ask Jing Ling directly what was making her so conflicted how could her favorability fluctuate that wildly over something so small?
She knocked politely first, but there was no response. Growing impatient, she called Jing Ling’s phone instead.
The ringtone went on for a while before the line finally connected. The voice on the other end was quiet, weak yet carried a faint edge, sharp as a thorn.
“What is it?”
That tone… Ning Xue hadn’t heard it since before they’d become friends.
“You don’t sound well. Are you okay?”
The moment Jing Ling recognized her voice, her tone softened. “I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache. Did you need something?”
Nothing important. Just rest well. If it gets worse, see a doctor, okay? Do you have medicine at home?
Before she could finish the sentence, the door clicked open. Jing Ling stood there, squinting slightly, then grabbed Ning Xue’s wrist and pulled her inside.
Her back hit the door, shoulder blades pressing uncomfortably against it. Ning Xue looked up in surprise just as Jing Ling leaned in, her breath warm and close.
Jing Ling’s hand circled her waist, holding her firmly in place. Their faces were so close she could see the fine down on her skin.
The air between them was hot and heavy, their breaths mingling. Ning Xue’s heart fluttered as she lowered her gaze. “Can you… let go first?”
But Jing Ling only looked at her, emotions swirling in her dark eyes. Her grip tightened.
Wasn’t this exactly what Ning Xue had done to her earlier? Then maybe it was only fair she felt the same confusion now.
“At the mall this afternoon,” Jing Ling said quietly, “we kissed.”
Ning Xue froze. “That doesn’t count it was an accident!”
“Then what does count as a kiss?”
Jing Ling leaned in, lips brushing the tip of Ning Xue’s nose soft, fleeting, yet enough to make her heart stutter.
“It’s just… not like that,” Ning Xue said quickly, trying to turn her face away. But trapped between the door and Jing Ling’s arms, she had nowhere to go.
Jing Ling frowned slightly, unsatisfied with the answer.
“I don’t really know what a real kiss is,” she murmured, “so if you won’t tell me… I’ll just assume that one was real.”
Her tone was calm, but there was an unsettling stubbornness beneath it something Ning Xue had sensed before.
“This isn’t something you prove between friends,” Ning Xue tried to reason, blinking her wide eyes. “You get that, right?”
Jing Ling’s headache was pounding now, her brow furrowing deeply as irritation and confusion tangled in her chest.
“So that’s it? We just pretend nothing happened?”
You didn’t just kiss me you hugged me. And for me, both were firsts.
Jing Ling felt ridiculous for caring so much, but she couldn’t help it.
Their breaths mingled again, voices low and trembling with heat.
Hearing the faint hurt in Jing Ling’s tone, Ning Xue hesitated. It was an accident, so why did she sound so wounded?
Jing Ling’s gaze didn’t waver, eyes locked on hers as if waiting for an answer. After a moment’s pause, Ning Xue said softly, “I’m not saying it doesn’t matter, but… we’re both girls. You can’t seriously expect me to take responsibility, can you? If anything, I’m the one who lost out it was my first kiss, you know.”
Jing Ling caught the glint in her eyes, recognizing the evasion instantly. Her lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
“What if I insist that you do take responsibility?”
She tilted Ning Xue’s chin up and kissed her.
“Funny,” she whispered against her lips, “that was my first kiss, too.”