She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 25
Ning Xue slept soundly that night. When she woke up in the morning, she stretched lazily and said to Jing Ling, “I think I dreamed about you last night.”
Jing Ling looked at her hair messy, face soft and half-asleep, and smiled faintly. “Oh? What did you dream about me?”
That you confessed to me, Ning Xue answered silently in her mind. Instead of saying it aloud, she threw off the blanket, jumped out of bed, and dashed straight to the bathroom.
“I’m not telling you!” she shouted from behind the door.
If she said it out loud, Jing Ling might laugh at her for being delusional. Not that she wanted Jing Ling to confess or anything she wasn’t that eager.
And honestly, why should Jing Ling be the one to confess first? She could totally do it herself. She was supposed to be the bold one here!
After realizing her feelings for Jing Ling, Ning Xue had done her research on “this kind of relationship,” and had come to a very serious conclusion: she was definitely the “A” in the relationship. A bold, dominant “A.”
When Jing Ling walked into the bathroom, she found Ning Xue sitting on the toilet, grinning foolishly to herself.
“What are you thinking about that’s so funny?”
Startled, Ning Xue nearly fell in. She quickly came to her senses and tried to cover herself up.
“How could you just walk in like that? Get out!”
“You didn’t lock the door. I thought you were washing your face.” Jing Ling leaned closer, her voice teasing. “Are you embarrassed?”
Ning Xue tilted her head back, trying to put some distance between them. “Not embarrassed, just… this scene is kind of weird, okay?”
“Mm, fair enough. Then hurry up,” Jing Ling said casually, leaning in to press a quick kiss on Ning Xue’s nose before walking out.
…Wait. She came in just to kiss her?
Not that Ning Xue was complaining. She touched her nose, smiling to herself. It felt nice.
By mid-May, the college entrance exams were less than a month away, and the entire house was on edge.
Fang Ningcheng had basically become the family’s national treasure. When the results of the third provincial mock exam came out, Ning Xue thought his scores were already incredible, but he still wasn’t satisfied.
“If I want to get into Aeronautics University, this score is still cutting it close,” he muttered, chewing absently on his pen.
Ning Xue looked up the past years’ cutoffs. “With your grades, you could get in with your eyes closed.”
“I don’t just want to get in I want the best program there.”
Okay, that might be a little tight.
“There’s still a month left. Ten more points isn’t a problem. I believe in you.”
“I believe in myself too.”
His voice was sharp, confident, brimming with the arrogance of youth.
Ning Xue smiled. If he said it like that, then it’d definitely be fine.
“Xue’er, how are you planning to spend your birthday?” Chen Jing asked.
Life had gotten better lately her complexion was healthier, her smile softer. She looked years younger.
May 20th was Ning Xue’s birthday, just around the corner.
But she didn’t really want a big celebration. For one thing, Fang Ningcheng needed to study. For another, she didn’t have many friends.
“Let’s just keep it simple just our family.”
“Invite your friends over too. I’ll cook for you all,” Fang Ningcheng offered.
“You? No, focus on studying.”
“One day off won’t hurt. Gotta balance work and rest, or I’ll fry my brain.”
Ning Xue knew she couldn’t win against his reasoning, so she agreed.
She messaged Lu Yue and Jing Ling, asking if they could come that Saturday.
Lu Yue replied instantly: she’d definitely be there. Jing Ling, however, didn’t respond for a long time. Maybe she was busy.
Lately, Jing Ling had been coming and going right on time for class, but the moment school ended, she’d vanish. Each day, she looked more and more exhausted.
It made Ning Xue worry. Against her better judgment, she asked if Jing Ling was hiding something from her.
Jing Ling froze for half a second before replying flatly, “Nothing.”
Yeah, right. Who was she trying to fool?
Ning Xue stared at her phone, sighed, and decided she’d just talk to her at school tomorrow.
Except… Jing Ling didn’t show up the next day. Or the day after that.
By Wednesday the day of the school anniversary celebration she was still nowhere to be found.
The administration knew no one wanted to sit through long speeches, so after a few brief remarks, the student council took over, and the festivities began.
The anime club had been preparing for weeks.
In a borrowed dorm room, Ning Xue spent nearly ten minutes psyching herself up before changing into her cosplay outfit.
She’d made some “modifications” earlier the waist beads had been doubled to make the top look longer, and the skirt had been altered to close one of the side slits and lengthen the hem so it no longer exposed the upper thighs.
The other costume was less revealing overall but had a deep V neckline and an open back—still way too sexy for her liking.
Ning Xue sighed. It was too late to change anything now.
“Be honest did you do this on purpose?” she asked.
Lin Xiaoxiao threw up her hands. “I swear I didn’t! This set was still being altered, and the other one only arrived this morning. There wasn’t time to fix it! And even if I wanted to, would I dare? Senior Lu Yue would murder me!”
Ning Xue thought privately, You’re more scared of Lu Yue than me? She’s not even the one wearing it.
When she finally stepped out, Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes went wide. She had to grab the wall to steady herself.
Oh. My. God.
What kind of celestial being was this?!
The extra beads at her waist swayed faintly, highlighting the delicate curve of her hips. A flash of pale skin shimmered between the strands it was devastatingly beautiful.
She thought the alterations would ruin the look, but no it only made it more seductive.
If Lu Yue saw her first, she might just have a heart attack.
Lin Xiaoxiao shivered and quickly said, “Let’s, uh, go get your makeup done.”
Even with her school jacket thrown over the costume, Ning Xue still turned heads everywhere she went. The fabric barely covered the curve of her hips, and every step revealed long, fair legs that made passersby stop in their tracks.
Thanks to Lu Yue’s influence in the student council, the anime club had its own booth for promoting traditional culture. The makeup and dressing area was all set up there.
Lin Xiaoxiao had taken Ning Xue to the dorm earlier because she thought she might feel awkward changing in front of everyone.
The moment they entered the club space, all eyes turned toward Ning Xue. She froze under the stares and tugged her jacket tighter.
“As expected of Senior Ning Xue,” someone said. “She hasn’t even done her makeup yet, and she’s already giving off that dangerous charm.”
Ning Xue just smiled, taking it as a compliment.
“Senior Ning Xue looks perfect for this role. Seriously, beauties like her look good in anything.”
By now, she’d gotten used to the praise, even chatting comfortably with the younger members.
When it was finally her turn to perform the finale of the day she stood at the center of the venue. The air was thick and warm despite the running air conditioner. Her red gauze dress fluttered gently in the breeze, breathtaking and unreal.
Most students had been more interested in the food booths earlier, but soon enough, the anime club’s area was packed.
“Is she new? Wow, she’s gorgeous!”
“She’s a second-year—Fang Ning Xue. She’s always been pretty, but with that makeup, she looks… otherworldly.”
“Don’t you get it? The character’s supposed to be alluring! And with her looks, no makeup could possibly do her justice.”
Click. Click. Dozens of phones captured her image.
By the end of the day, her photos were flooding every class group chat and the school forum.
The anime club gained more new members that afternoon than it had in the entire past year.
After standing for hours, Ning Xue was exhausted by nightfall and only wanted to collapse in bed.
The next day, she wore another costume less revealing this time but the booth was still packed. Merchandise sold like crazy. Lin Xiaoxiao’s grin didn’t fade all day.
Most of the proceeds, as always, would go to charity. This was the club’s tradition.
Of course, this year’s record-breaking sales had everything to do with Ning Xue.
Three days passed. Saturday came her birthday.
Still no reply from Jing Ling.
At that very moment, in the sleek conference room of Gu Corporation’s headquarters, Jing Ling was sitting silently, staring at her phone. Her expression darkened.
On the screen, a video was playing Ning Xue in that red, exotic costume. Her eyes glimmered with mischief, her beaded waist chain swaying gently with every movement, emphasizing her slender figure. Her long legs wrapped in gauzy fabric peeked through the veil of red.
She was breathtaking, bewitching impossible to look away from.
Jing Ling’s lips pressed into a thin line.
She really doesn’t know how to behave, does she?