She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 23

“Yueyue?” Ning Xue blinked, a little stunned.

She could clearly feel Lu Yue’s emotions suppressed, restrained, yet laced with danger.

She had never seen this side of Lu Yue before.

The Lu Yue she knew always had a gentle smile, round bright eyes full of life, and those neat bangs that made her look sweet and obedient.

But now, with her bangs brushed up, it felt like some sort of seal had been broken.

There was an unfamiliar sharpness to her a quiet intensity, and an ambition that came from wanting something she couldn’t have.

Could changing a hairstyle really make such a difference?

Lu Yue stared at her for a long while, her eyes dark and unreadable, before she finally released her grip.

“This outfit…” Her gaze flickered away from Ning Xue’s chest, voice rougher than usual. “It’s not suitable to wear outside. Tell Lin Xiaoxiao to change it.”

Ning Xue felt like she had found a kindred spirit and immediately nodded.
“Right? I thought so too. As expected of my best friend, you really get me!”

Lu Yue’s expression shifted slightly. She swallowed back the words that almost escaped her lips, her fingers tightening by her sides.

Who wants to just be friends with you? I don’t need more friends.

What I want isn’t friendship. When will you finally understand that?

Despite the waves crashing inside her, her face remained calm she’d long perfected the art of self-control.

She had a feeling that the day she could finally say it out loud wasn’t far away.

“Go change, I’ll wait for you outside,” she said lightly.

Watching her leave, Ning Xue couldn’t shake off the strange feeling in her chest. Today, Lu Yue felt… different. Almost like two souls were living inside the same body.

And her instincts told her the one she just saw was the real Lu Yue.

Lin Xiaoxiao still insisted on letting Ning Xue wear the original outfit it perfectly matched the character. But under Lu Yue’s dark, warning stare and Ning Xue’s reluctant expression, she quickly caved and agreed to alter it.

That afternoon, Lu Yue had piano and dance lessons. After lunch together, they parted ways. Ning Xue strolled around the mall for a bit, thinking of buying Fang Ningcheng a birthday gift. That’s when she caught a glimpse of Jing Ling’s figure.

It was just for a moment, but she was certain it was her.

She chased after her, but Jing Ling was nowhere to be found. The staff explained that the area ahead was for employees only she couldn’t enter.

It was just one hallway. How could she have lost her that fast?

Ning Xue frowned. Am I getting rusty? After all those missions where she’d honed her tracking skills, it felt like she’d thrown them all away.

“Guess I’ve been living too comfortably lately,” she sighed, dialing Jing Ling’s number as she walked back.

The call rang once before being abruptly cut off.

Ning Xue stared at her screen, thoughtful.

Jing Ling had told her she had no family, but her mysterious disappearances, her connection with Gu Changfeng, and that strange woman it all said otherwise.

There was no way her background was simple.

Ning Xue didn’t care what secrets she was hiding. Everyone had their own. She wasn’t the type to pry.

But she was worried especially after seeing Jing Ling come home battered and bruised that one time.

She could at least tell her something, right? Maybe Ning Xue could even help.

Meanwhile, Jing Ling looked down at her phone screen, fingers tightening around it.

Just a little longer. I’ll handle everything soon.

The elevator doors slid open. Under the watchful eyes of a row of high-ranking figures, she stepped out, her presence cold and commanding, like a queen descending her throne.

At the back, Gu Lan smiled faintly, satisfied.

Now that’s more like it.

Later that evening, Ning Xue bought a model airplane for Fang Ningcheng he loved tinkering with that kind of stuff. He was great with his hands, always fixing up broken electronics and turning scrap into something useful. Lately, he’d been obsessed with aircraft carriers. This would make the perfect gift.

Usually, he’d go out to celebrate his birthday with friends, but this year, his heavy workload kept him home.

Chen Jing had rented a small steel-framed room to clear out their clutter, making the living room bright and spacious. Since her son refused to go out, she told him to invite his friends over instead.

When Ning Xue was helping carry beer, her phone rang it was Jing Ling. It was already past nine.

After a few drinks (courtesy of Fang Ningcheng’s goading), her head was a little dizzy. She steadied herself before answering.

“Jing Ling? Are you home?”

“Yeah, just got back. I heard some noise from your side. What are you doing?”

Ning Xue flushed slightly. “Oh, sorry! Are we being too loud? I’ll tell them to quiet down. It’s Ningcheng’s birthday he invited some friends over.”

Just then, Du Qian and another tall boy returned from buying barbecue.

When Du Qian saw Ning Xue, his face lit up like a kid’s—bright, excited, and shy all at once.

Ning Xue smiled politely, gesturing for them to go inside.

There was a short silence on Jing Ling’s end. Then, the door next to her opened.

Ning Xue turned, smiling, her cheeks still flushed pink from the alcohol. In the dim hallway light, she looked like a mischievous spirit—soft, glowing, and dangerously charming.

Jing Ling stepped closer, catching the faint scent of wine on her. “You’ve been drinking?”

“Not much,” Ning Xue said, tugging on her sleeve, eyes wide and pitiful. “Where were you? I called, but you didn’t answer.”

Her gaze was so pure, so soft—it melted through the cool walls Jing Ling had built all day.

“How much is ‘not much’? You’re drunk,” Jing Ling murmured.

“I’m not! I can handle my liquor,” Ning Xue huffed.

Right. That’s what all drunk people say.

Jing Ling raised an eyebrow. “When does it end? You shouldn’t drink anymore.”

A house full of rowdy boys what was there to enjoy in that?

Before Ning Xue could reply, Fang Ningcheng called out, “Ning Xue! What are you doing out there?”

Du Qian immediately volunteered, “She seemed a bit tipsy! I’ll go check on her!”

Jing Ling’s brows drew together slightly. The little drunk kitten beside her blinked up, utterly oblivious.

Hopelessly naive… I can’t tell if that’s good or bad.

“Are you still going back in?” Jing Ling asked softly. “If you’re tired, you can rest at my place.”

It was clear the party wasn’t ending anytime soon—and with all that noise, Ning Xue wouldn’t get any rest.

Ning Xue hooked her arms around Jing Ling’s neck, looking up with a playful smile. “Come with me. Let’s have a drink and some barbecue.”

You’re always so cold and distant. That’s not how a high schooler should live.

Jing Ling’s heart skipped a beat at the sudden touch. Her hands instinctively moved to hold Ning Xue’s waist, pulling her into her arms.

Fang Ningcheng, stepping out to look for her, froze mid-step at the sight before him—eyes widening in disbelief.

Wait… they’re already at this stage?!

“Ning Xue, if you’re drunk, maybe you should go lie down,” he said awkwardly.

He reached out to take her arm, trying to gently lead her away.

But Ning Xue clung tighter to Jing Ling instead.

“Go away, I want Jing Ling,” she pouted.

Then, without warning, she leaned forward.

and kissed her.