She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 19
Before leaving, Jing Ling had given her the house key, so Ning Xue could enter freely. But the person who should’ve been lying in bed recovering was nowhere to be found. The only traces left were a messy blanket and a few pills scattered on the floor.
Those were the painkillers and fever medicine Ning Xue had prepared for her. Even though Jing Ling hadn’t developed a fever yet, with so many wounds on her body, it could happen at any time. So Ning Xue had wanted to be prepared in advance.
But she hadn’t taken a single pill.
Remembering how badly injured Jing Ling was yesterday, Ning Xue panicked. She immediately went to the property management office to check the security footage.
This old apartment complex had plenty of blind spots, but fortunately, the path from the gate to the entrance of their building was fully covered. The footage showed Jing Ling walking out by herself.
The moment Ning Xue saw that, her heart finally settled. After thanking the staff, she went back home.
At least it meant Jing Ling wasn’t taken away by anyone—she was safe, for now.
But what could be so important that she’d go out, even with all those injuries?
At two in the morning, Ning Xue’s phone chimed. She’d been too worried to sleep anyway. Turning away from her mom, she lowered the screen brightness and opened the message.
It was from an unknown number, just six simple words:
I’m fine. Don’t worry.
The instant she saw it, Ning Xue knew it was Jing Ling. She could even imagine the calm, understated tone she’d use to say those words.
As long as she’s fine.
Relieved, Ning Xue replied, Take care of yourself, and fell asleep soon after.
A hundred days before the college entrance exam, the school held its annual oath-taking rally.
Though Yun City No. 1 High wasn’t among the top schools in the province its university admission rate hovered around sixty-five percent the administration still treated the ceremony with great importance.
They invited alumni who’d been accepted into prestigious universities to speak, sharing their study tips and stress-management methods. Parents’ video messages were also played mostly words of encouragement, though some were so heartfelt they brought half the audience to tears.
Ning Xue sat behind Fang Ningcheng and kicked his chair lightly. “Why are you sitting there like a statue? No reaction at all?”
“What reaction do you want?” he muttered. “Should I cry with them?”
That shut her up for a second. She was so used to seeing his easy grin that it was hard to imagine what he’d look like crying.
After picturing it for a moment, she shuddered. “Forget it. Stay the way you are.”
Fang Ningcheng rolled his eyes. When the videos ended and the principal began to speak, Ning Xue found herself oddly moved. Normally, she thought speeches like this were all fluff, but today she could feel the teachers’ genuine care and hope for their students.
She didn’t know most of the administrators well, but they were diligent, fair, and truly devoted to teaching.
When the seniors stood up to take their oath in unison, Ning Xue looked at Fang Ningcheng’s serious profile and felt a wave of emotion.
When it ended, she handed him a small bouquet hidden behind her back. “Mom and Dad aren’t used to being on camera, so they didn’t record a message. But they told me to tell you you’re their pride and joy.”
Fang Ningcheng froze, holding the flowers for a few seconds before roughly ruffling her hair.
“Aw, look at you, giving me surprises now. I love it!”
He said it with his usual nonchalance, but his eyes were faintly red. Ning Xue pretended not to notice.
After the rally, not only the seniors but even the juniors started to feel the pressure. Teachers kept emphasizing the importance of the coming year, and the atmosphere in school grew heavier.
Ning Xue’s grades were steadily improving every quiz and exam showed progress. By midterms, she had climbed into the top hundred of the entire school.
Since that day, Jing Ling hadn’t shown up for an entire week. Aside from that one text message, she hadn’t sent a single update. All of Ning Xue’s messages disappeared into silence, unanswered.
One afternoon, Ning Xue sat staring blankly at a page of practice problems when a hand suddenly appeared in front of her.
“What’s got you so spaced out? I’ve been calling you for ages,” said Lu Yue, leaning over her desk with her soft almond-shaped eyes, like a docile kitten.
For no reason, Ning Xue thought of Jing Ling. They looked nothing alike, yet she still recalled the way Jing Ling used to look at her like a loyal big dog, quietly watching.
I wonder how she’s doing now.
Lately, Ning Xue found herself thinking of her constantly when she saw Jing Ling’s empty seat, when she ate alone, even walking home.
She knew she missed her, but this frequency was… a bit too much. No matter what she was doing, her thoughts drifted back to Jing Ling.
Was this really just friendship?
Lu Yue called her name again, pulling her out of her thoughts. Ning Xue forced a smile. “Sorry, I was thinking about this problem. I’ve done it a hundred times, but it never sticks.”
Lu Yue peeked at her paper. “It’s easy if you use the right formula.”
“That’s the thing,” Ning Xue sighed. “They all seem right.”
Lu Yue giggled. “Xue’er, you have to be decisive. It’s like multiple-choice questions your first instinct is usually correct. Second-guessing yourself only makes you change the right answer to the wrong one.”
Ning Xue murmured, “Really?”
Her chest felt tight. Maybe she already knew what her “first instinct” was.
So… I really do like Jing Ling, don’t I?
“Of course,” Lu Yue said, tugging her arm. “Come on, forget the problems. Let’s go get ice cream. Maybe you’ll think more clearly after.”
No, Ning Xue thought, I think I already am.
She’d grown taller, more graceful. Her ponytail swayed in the breeze, drawing glances as she passed. Her face was delicate yet bright, with a quiet elegance like a snow lotus blooming high on a mountain peak. Beautiful, but untouchable.
Someone finally worked up the nerve to approach.
“Hi, junior. I’m from Class 5, senior year same class as your brother, Fang Ningcheng.”
The boy spoke quickly, afraid she might leave before he finished.
Hearing that he knew her brother, Ning Xue smiled politely. “Hello. What did you need? Is it about Fang Ningcheng”
“No, no, it’s not about him. It’s… it’s about me. He doesn’t know I’m here.”
The boy Du Qian wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. He could practically feel Fang Ningcheng strangling him already. Everyone at school knew her brother was fiercely protective. Mess with him, fine but touch his sister? Absolutely not.
Seeing his nervousness, Ning Xue could already guess what he wanted to say, though she kept her polite tone. “I see. So, what did you want to talk about?”
Lu Yue tightened her hold on Ning Xue’s arm, her eyes narrowing.
Why did trouble always seem to orbit around her? Why were there always people trying to get close?
“I, uh, I wanted to… to tell you… that I.”
“Du Qian! What the hell are you doing?!”
Fang Ningcheng’s voice boomed across the courtyard. He sprinted over, locked Du Qian in a chokehold, and glared murderously.
“Nothing! Nothing!” he said quickly to Ning Xue with a grin. “My classmate here’s got a screw loose, likes to babble nonsense. You two keep having fun, I’ll take him away.”
Then, in a low growl, “You little punk, I turn my back for one second and you pull this? If I ever catch you bothering my sister again, you’re dead!”
Ning Xue brushed it off as a harmless scene and turned to leave with Lu Yue until a stir rippled through the crowd nearby.
The principal was walking toward the office building with a middle-aged man who exuded an air of authority. The faculty members trailed behind respectfully, and a small group of bodyguards followed in formation an entourage straight out of a drama.
Ning Xue wasn’t interested in such displays, but just as she was turning away, she caught sight of a familiar figure surrounded by them.
That poised, striking silhouette.
Jing Ling?
Why was she with them?