She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 29

Ning Xue froze completely, standing stiff like a puppet until the murmurs of the onlookers brought her back to her senses.

She looked at the woman before her. It had been years, and she had become even more beautiful her features more refined and striking, her demeanor gentler, but her eyes… still sharp and deep, carrying a dangerous edge like a beast lying in wait.

It really had been a long time. So long that it felt like a lifetime ago.

Back then, she thought these “missions” were better than life-or-death ones. At least there was no danger of dying.

Later, she realized that there’s no such thing as something for nothing. To gain without paying comes with a price.

She had offered her heart and ended up torn apart.

The familiar ache surged in her chest again, as sharp as five years ago. Just thinking of that name made her heart feel like it was being chewed by a thousand tiny ants.

Her fingers tightened around the wine glass, knuckles pale. She tried to suppress the pain, forcing her expression calm as she looked at Jing Ling.

Jing Ling curved her lips in a faint smile, though her eyes stayed cold. So this was a test of patience? Good. That made it all the more interesting.

Fang Ning Xue, I’m back.

And this time, I’ll make sure you understand how foolish it was to abandon me.

She lifted her glass slightly. “A toast for our long-overdue reunion.”

The crowd whispered, curious about their relationship. Hearing “reunion,” most assumed Ning Xue had found herself a powerful backer.

But those with sharper eyes—like Chi Yu—could tell there was something far more complicated between the two.

Such a gentle little kitten… and it’s Jing Ling who’s caught her interest. What a pity.

Someone beside her nudged her softly. “Ning Xue, the president’s offering you a drink.”

I know. That’s exactly why I don’t want to drink it.

Ning Xue glanced at the golden liquid in her glass, clenched her jaw, and downed it in one go.

“May I leave now?”

Surrounded by hundreds of people—with Jing Ling right in front of her—she didn’t want to stay a second longer.

Jing Ling’s expression cooled. So eager to run from me?

“Well, the night’s still young,” she said, voice soft but edged. “How about a dance? Or am I not worthy of the honor?”

Ning Xue froze. Refusing a public request from the president wasn’t exactly wise—but staying near her hurt even more.

“I don’t dance,” she said flatly. “You should find someone else.”

“I’ll teach you.”

Before Ning Xue could react, Jing Ling had already pulled her close.

In the center of the dance floor, the two moved—black and white—like swans crossing paths, elegant yet filled with tension.

“You said you couldn’t dance,” Jing Ling murmured, leaning close enough that her breath brushed Ning Xue’s cheek.

Her lashes trembled.

I learned once, Ning Xue thought. But that was a long time ago.

The closeness brought back a flood of memories she wished to forget moments of warmth and tenderness that now only stung.

You were the one who let go first. So why come back now?

Her chest burned. The drink churned painfully in her stomach. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

When Jing Ling’s heel was stepped on, she almost protested but Ning Xue suddenly pushed her away.

“Sorry—I need to go!”

Without another glance, she fled the ballroom, leaving behind a startled crowd and a silent Jing Ling.

The vice president quickly smoothed things over, leading the guests in another round of drinks. No one seemed to care that Ning Xue had vanished.

But Jing Ling couldn’t focus.

Her mind kept circling back to the pale face that had turned away from her. Regret crept in, unbidden.

Ning Xue barely made it to the restroom before the nausea hit. Everything she had eaten came up until only bitter acid remained.

Her stomach still felt like it was being stabbed from the inside. Fear prickled through her was it an ulcer again? She fumbled for her phone and called her brother.

No answer.

Fine. He was probably in a meeting. She’d get herself to the hospital.

But the short walk through the hotel lobby felt endless. Her legs were weak, her vision blurred, her steps unsteady.

“Miss, do you need help?” the receptionist asked, concerned.

“Could you… Help me get a cab? I need to go to the hospital. Thank you.”

Before the woman could move, a familiar hand reached out and took Ning Xue’s arm.

“I’ll take it from here,” said a low, calm voice.

Ning Xue leaned heavily against the person’s shoulder, her face drained of color.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?”

Thinking it was the receptionist, she gritted her teeth and whispered, “Old problem… just worse today. Sorry if I scared you.”

Jing Ling’s eyes darkened. “You knew you couldn’t drink. Why didn’t you refuse?”

“In front of certain people, refusing wasn’t an option,” Ning Xue murmured faintly. “When someone like that offers you a drink, you drink.”

Something twisted in Jing Ling’s chest. Without another word, she lifted Ning Xue into her arms.

“Where are you taking me…”

“To the hospital.”

“Thank you…” came the weak reply.

Jing Ling tightened her hold, brushing the sweat from her forehead, her expression unreadable.

If she hadn’t made her drink, this wouldn’t have happened.

Regret and bitterness tangled in her chest.

When Ning Xue’s phone rang, she struggled to answer. “Oh… It’s my brother.”

The soft tone of her voice, so familiar, sent Jing Ling spiraling back five years.

“Xue’er? What happened to your voice?”

“My stomach… acting up again. I’m on my way to the hospital.”

“I’ll be right there!”

After hanging up, Jing Ling let the phone fall silent. Nothing had changed. The same gentle tone. The same concern.

She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

You left without a word. When I came back for you, you were gone like we never existed at all.

The red light ahead forced her to stop. She pressed her forehead against the wheel, the weight in her chest unbearable.

For years, she had imagined this moment, how she would make Ning Xue regret leaving. But now, seeing her so frail and in pain, all she felt was sorrow.

You’ve ruined me, Ning Xue.

When they reached the hospital, her brother came rushing in, pale and frantic. He pushed Jing Ling aside, holding Ning Xue protectively.

“If you dare come near my sister again, I won’t be polite!”

Jing Ling stood still, watching them disappear into the emergency room. The warmth she’d felt moments ago turned to ice.

You were the one who came to me first. You were the one who left. Why does it still feel like my fault?

The next morning, Ning Xue awoke to her brother slumped by her bed, unshaven and exhausted.

“Go home and rest,” she whispered. “I’m fine now.”

“Fine?” He glared. “Do you know how terrified I was seeing you collapse like that? Quit your job. I’ll take care of you.”

Ning Xue forced a small smile. “It was just bad food and wine. I’ll be careful next time.”

But her mind flickered. I think… I saw Jing Ling.

She didn’t say it aloud. If her brother knew, he’d never let her return to work.

When he left to get breakfast, her phone rang again, her department head checking in.

“President Jing told me to give you a week off.”

Ning Xue gripped her phone tightly. So now she cares?

Her lips trembled slightly. “Thank you, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”

When the call ended, she lay back and covered her eyes, hiding the tears that had started to form.

You’ve already taken everything from me once. Don’t come shaking my world again.

If you’d like, I can continue translating the next section.

Her return to the company and confrontation in Jing Ling’s office in the same emotionally faithful, non-explicit tone. Would you like me to continue from there?