She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] (GL/Yuri) - Chapter 4

When Ning Xue got home, she couldn’t help glancing at her watch now and then, waiting for the system to appear and tell her that Jing Ling’s favorability toward her had increased.

But even by midnight, nothing happened.

She’d already applied the medicine, brought her ribs to share shouldn’t that count for something? Not even a tiny increase?

Ugh, screw it!

“Give me back my ribs!”

She muttered the complaint under her breath, angrily digging her fingers into her pillow. Her mother’s gentle hand suddenly reached over and patted her back.

“Can’t sleep?”

“No, I can.”

Chen Jing knew the things that had happened this past year had affected her daughter deeply. She’d watched her once-bright and lively girl turn quiet and sensitive. It worried her terribly, but there wasn’t much she could do.

Her health wasn’t good, and every time she tried to find work, the moment employers learned about her condition, they’d reject her outright.

If not for necessity, what kind of parent would willingly let their child live with shame?

You just focus on your studies,  Chen Jing said softly. “Mom will handle everything else. Now sleep gotta get up early tomorrow.”

Ning Xue was pulled into her mother’s arms warm and soft, carrying that comforting scent that always made her heart settle.

Her nose stung. She hugged her mother tightly.

Ah, the hearts of parents really are the kindest in the world.

This frail woman had been holding up their home all by herself. Ning Xue couldn’t let her down. She had to work harder.

Work harder to win Jing Ling over, and work harder in her studies.

Once she had a clear goal, her mind felt calmer, and soon, sleep took her.

The next morning, as soon as Ning Xue opened her door, the smell of breakfast drifted through the air. Fang Ningcheng poked his head out from the kitchen, wearing a grin so eager it was almost suspicious.

“You’re up! Come wash up and eat breakfast!”

This was the same brother who normally treated his electric scooter like a roller coaster ride and always arrived at school by the skin of his teeth. Now he’d gotten up early to make breakfast? Did the sun rise in the west today?

Sitting at the table, Ning Xue watched as Fang Ningcheng ladled soup and served rice with exaggerated enthusiasm he might as well have written “I’m buttering you up” across his forehead. She didn’t even need to frown to know something was off.

“Go ahead,” she said. “What do you want from me?”

Fang Ningcheng put on a solemn face. “Now, now, can’t a brother make breakfast for his beloved sister out of pure affection?”

Ning Xue raised an eyebrow and took a slow sip of porridge.

“Oh? So you don’t need anything, huh? Then whatever you say later, I’m not listening.”

“Wait, wait!” Fang Ningcheng grabbed her arm, nearly dropping to his knees. “Come on, you’re so kind, so understanding, so generous you wouldn’t just let me suffer, right?”

“Don’t exaggerate. You’re nowhere near suffering.” Ning Xue ate elegantly, unbothered.

Fang Ningcheng clasped her hand in both of his, his expression practically devout.

“Mom cut my meal money in half. If you don’t help me, I’ll really starve to death!”

“Half’s still enough to fill your stomach, isn’t it? You can get a free bowl of seaweed soup in the cafeteria and buy two buns you’ll live.”

Ning Xue knew exactly what he was up to and deliberately refused to play along.

“You really are my sister!” he groaned.

Without a doubt,” she said, smiling faintly as she stood up, not a trace of pity in sight. “I’m done eating. You can do the dishes.

Fang  Ningcheng glared after her but eventually wilted.

“Xue’er, just lend me ten yuan, only ten! If I win, I’ll split it with you!”

Ning Xue gave him a look. “You? Win?”

It wasn’t mockery just a realistic observation. Fang Ningcheng simply didn’t have that kind of luck.

“I can feel it this time! Please!” He clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, his eyes shining with desperation.

Ning Xue sighed and pulled a ten-yuan bill from her pocket.

Just this once. If you don’t win today, you’re quitting for good no more lottery tickets.”

Of course, he agreed to everything the moment he got what he wanted.

Ning Xue left ten minutes earlier than usual, thinking Jing Ling probably wasn’t ready yet but just as she looked up, she saw Jing Ling locking her door.

Oh? Guess someone else had the same idea.

Jing Ling’s hand paused mid-motion, an expression of utter helplessness crossing her face.

She’d left early just to avoid running into Ning Xue, and yet here they were again.

What rotten luck.

“I was just about to knock on your door,” Ning Xue said cheerfully. “But look at that we ran into each other! This must be fate!”

She stepped up beside Jing Ling with a naturally bright smile.

There’s an old saying that no one hits a smiling face. Even if Jing Ling disliked her, she wouldn’t actually lash out at a pretty girl… right?

Today, Ning Xue had tied her waist-length hair into a high ponytail, letting a few loose strands frame her face. It revealed her smooth forehead and gave her a fresh, energetic look.

With her hair up, her delicate features stood out more sharply than before. Combined with her naturally bright aura, the change was striking almost like a different person altogether.

No matter what anyone else thought, Ning Xue was quite pleased with herself.

People are visual creatures, after all. Even if beauty couldn’t guarantee extra points, it certainly shouldn’t subtract them.

Her smile was sweet, her eyes curving naturally with it. Her thick, dark lashes fluttered like small fans, casting shadows in the hallway light.

Jing Ling stared for a moment, her chest tightening unexpectedly.

Had she always been this pretty?

“Let’s go,” Ning Xue said lightly. “If we walk, we can catch the seven o’clock bus.”

Jing Ling tore her gaze away, tightening her grip on her bag strap, and took long strides forward.

Ning Xue, used to her coldness by now, caught up quickly to walk beside her.

“How were the ribs?” she asked.

Jing Ling said nothing, pretending she hadn’t heard.

I know you won’t say it,” Ning Xue continued, grinning, “but they were good, right? My brother made them. His cooking is amazing. Next time, I’ll have him make more dishes. You should come over and eat.

Then she remembered the state of her own home and awkwardly corrected herself, “Or I can just bring some to you. You probably don’t like visiting other people’s houses, huh?”

By the time she finished, they’d already reached the bus stop. The seven o’clock bus was always packed. Jing Ling stepped on first, but someone behind pushed Ning Xue, making her stumble forward. She nearly fell to her knees before Jing Ling caught her in time.

Ning Xue looked up at her, stunned by the closeness of her face. She blinked twice, momentarily forgetting what to do.

She actually helped her? The ice queen finally thawed?

“Well? Get on,” Jing Ling said curtly, frowning as she pulled her up. Then she quickly let go, as if touching her had left a stain.

They stood for a few stops before finally finding seats. Jing Ling stared straight ahead, her expression cool and distant, as though nothing had happened.

So it wasn’t that the ice had melted it was just instinct. She would’ve done the same for anyone.

Ning Xue’s shoulders slumped. She sighed quietly.

This mission was really too hard.

When Jing Ling heard her sigh, her long lashes fluttered once, but her eyes remained calm and unreadable, like still water.

At the school gate, they ran into Lu Yue. She was always gentle and well-behaved, and the moment she saw Ning Xue, she smiled softly and slipped her arm around hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Why are you here so early today?”

Her words were directed at Ning Xue, but her gaze flicked briefly to Jing Ling cool and dismissive before she looked away, her expression softening again as she faced Ning Xue.

“Uh… just wanted to come early and study.”

Ning Xue couldn’t exactly say she’d gotten up early just to intercept Jing Ling, so she made up a casual excuse.

Still, she really did need to study harder from today on, she told herself, she’d give it her all.

Jing Ling glanced at the two of them, then quickened her pace, leaving them far behind.

“How come you’re coming to school with her?” Lu Yue asked with a laugh. “Are you two close?”

Close? Ning Xue thought about it and instantly knew the answer.

“Not really. We just happened to meet on the way. Honestly, our relationship couldn’t be more ordinary. She doesn’t even want to be friends with me.”

Lu Yue’s eyes curved, her voice as soft as her smile. “She’s famous for being cold and aloof. There’s no need to try and be friends with her. You’ve got me, isn’t that enough?”

Of course it’s enough. Having you is already my blessing.

They joked and laughed as they made their way to class.

After being scolded the other day, Li Tao had been much quieter. When he saw Ning Xue, he only gave a heavy snort before looking away.

Since Ning Xue was paying attention in class, the morning flew by quickly. It wasn’t until she relaxed that she realized it was already noon.

Only a few students remained in the room four or five at most. Ning Xue turned her head toward Jing Ling, who seemed to sense it. Jing Ling looked back once, then immediately stood and walked out without hesitation.

How much did she have to hate her to run off like that every time?

Ning Xue sighed bitterly.

They sat in the same row, so as Jing Ling passed by, Ning Xue reached out and caught her hand. She tilted her head up, her big eyes shining like starlight.

“Let’s go eat together.”

Jing Ling’s expression froze; a flicker of disgust flashed in her eyes. She tried to pull her hand free, but Ning Xue only tightened her grip, their fingers laced together.

Jing Ling’s fingertips trembled slightly, and a thin chill glimmered in her eyes.

Looks like they’ve really invested a lot to make you approach me,” she said coldly.

 Otherwise, how else could your attitude have changed so fast.