She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 21

“It’s me.”

Jing Ling buried her face into Ning Xue’s shoulder, her voice soft, laced with tenderness and longing.

Ning Xue didn’t say anything. Her hand gently covered Jing Ling’s, which rested around her waist, and together they enjoyed the quiet stillness of the moment.

They stayed like that for a long time. If not for the sound of approaching footsteps, Jing Ling probably wouldn’t have let go.

“Let’s go back,” Jing Ling said, taking Ning Xue’s hand.

Ning Xue turned to look at her. “Your place or mine?”

Jing Ling felt that Ning Xue’s gaze was somehow different from before, but she didn’t dare think too deeply about it.

Ning Xue smiled faintly. “Of course, my place.”

Although Jing Ling tried to look relaxed, Ning Xue could still tell she was exhausted. Even in the dim light, the weariness on her face was obvious. Clearly, she hadn’t been doing well these days.

You should take a hot shower and change into something comfortable. I’ll ask Fang Ningcheng to make something nice and bring it over. We’ll eat together.

Jing Ling didn’t reply, but when they reached the door, she suddenly pulled Ning Xue into her arms.

“Don’t go. I want to stay with you.”

Not I want you to stay with me, but I want to stay with you.
A small difference in words, yet it carried a completely different meaning one of quiet submission.

Ning Xue’s heart tightened for a moment, and she followed her inside.

Jing Ling had become even clingier than before, wrapping her arms around her and refusing to let go. A few minutes later, Ning Xue glanced over and saw that she’d already fallen asleep.

She must have been completely worn out falling asleep the moment she sat down.

There were so many things Ning Xue wanted to ask: why she got involved with Gu Changfeng, where she’d been all this time, and why she’d pushed herself to such exhaustion.

She looked at her sleeping face Jing Ling was like a dog that had been abandoned by its owner but somehow found its way back after crossing mountains and rivers.

The image made Ning Xue laugh softly to herself. She leaned over and placed a light kiss on Jing Ling’s cheek just a fleeting brush of lips. The sleeping girl didn’t even stir.

After that day, Jing Ling began accompanying Ning Xue to and from school again. On the surface, their relationship seemed unchanged, but something between them had shifted.

Lu Yue could sense it most clearly. Ever since Jing Ling came back, there was no longer a place for her beside Ning Xue.

Xue’er, want to go to the supermarket? I’ll buy you ice cream.

As soon as she said that, an ice cream appeared in front of Ning Xue.

“Eat,” Jing Ling said softly. Her expression was calm, but her tone was full of gentleness.

Then she glanced at Lu Yue with a casual, almost indifferent look, but full of challenge.

Ning Xue smiled sweetly and thanked her, though she couldn’t help noticing the charged atmosphere between the two of them. The tension was thick enough to taste, and standing between them made her uncomfortable.

“Um, you two talk. I’m just gonna… use the restroom.” She turned and hurried off before either could stop her.

Jing Ling watched her go, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

Running off with an ice cream in hand. Such a blatant lie.

Lu Yue crossed her arms, her tone cold. Stay away from Xue’er. You and she aren’t from the same world.

Jing Ling let out a short, sharp laugh. “And why’s that?”

“Because I’ve known her longer. We’ve been friends for five years. I know her better than you ever could. You’re not the kind of person who should be around her.”

“That’s all?” Jing Ling brushed past her without even slowing down.

So what? She and Ning Xue had shared a bed that bond was far stronger than friendship.

Lu Yue frowned, her voice rising. “You’ve never treated Xue’er as a friend! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have hidden so many things from her.”

Jing Ling stopped in her tracks and turned back, her eyes sharp as ice.

“How much do you know?”

“Doesn’t matter. Just leave her, and I won’t say a word to her.”

Jing Ling’s lips curled in a mocking smile, her tone full of disdain.

“You call yourself her friend, but we both know what you really want. Don’t pretend to be so righteous we’re the same.”

Lu Yue bit her lip, her expression dimming.

When the time was right, she would confess to Ning Xue. But not yet. Not now.

There was no way Jing Ling could understand how she felt.

She doesn’t understand anything.

Meanwhile, Ning Xue was standing behind the teaching building, happily eating her ice cream without a care in the world.

Those two had been at odds for ages. Whatever was between them, they could sort it out themselves. Nothing was going to interrupt her dessert.

“So this is where you’re hiding.”

Jing Ling approached, hands in her pockets.

Ning Xue licked the ice cream from the corner of her lips, completely unbothered. 

 I’m not hiding I’m eating fair and square.

Jing Ling’s gaze lingered on her glossy red lips. Her voice dropped low. “Can I have a taste?”

Ning Xue glanced at the cone only the tip was left and offered it to her. 

There’s just a little bit left.

Jing Ling’s heart softened at her innocent expression. She bent down and captured Ning Xue’s lips instead.

Ning Xue’s eyes widened in shock, the cone falling from her hand and shattering against the ground.

Jing Ling gently licked her lips and whispered near her ear, “So sweet.”

Heat rushed up Ning Xue’s neck, her ears burning red.

Her voice low, teasing, and magnetic brushed against Ning Xue’s heart like a feather. Was she talking about the ice cream… or her?

Ning Xue took a small step back, her gaze flustered. “This is school. Behave yourself.”

Jing Ling leaned closer, smiling. “So… if we weren’t at school, I wouldn’t have to?”

“You know that’s not what I meant!” Ning Xue shot her a glare, cheeks still pink.

Jing Ling couldn’t help but laugh a small, hesitant smile, as if she’d forgotten how.

Ning Xue reached out, pressing two fingers against the corners of her mouth. “Like this. Smile like this it looks good on you.”

Jing Ling didn’t see her own smile; she only saw Ning Xue’s bright, gem-like eyes.

Under such a direct gaze, Ning Xue’s heartbeat stuttered. She quickly withdrew her hand and turned away.

“Class is about to start. Let’s go.”

Jing Ling followed lazily, eyes fixed on the tips of Ning Xue’s reddened ears. Her heart surged like a storm-tossed sea.

Does Ning Xue… like me too?

“Ning Xue…”

She paused and looked back. “What is it?”

Jing Ling opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Nothing.”

Ning Xue tilted her head in confusion but didn’t press further. She slowed her steps a little so they could walk side by side.

Maybe she was imagining things. After all, Ning Xue was kind to everyone—maybe she treated all her friends this way.

But then a thought flashed through Jing Ling’s mind, and her expression shifted.

They’d never said it out loud, never made it clear what they were to each other. What if Ning Xue thought… kissing a friend was normal?

If that was the case, then Lu Yue.

No. I need to make it clear.

This is something only lovers do.

After they left, Chen Caihui stepped out from behind the corner, her face still pale with shock.

No wonder those two were always together. So that’s what was going on.

She tightened her grip on her phone, a cruel glint flashing in her eyes.

Fang Ningxue, I’ve got your secret now. Let’s see how long you can stay on that pedestal.