She’s Just Too Hard to Win Over [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

Ning Xue glanced at her from the corner of her eye, a faint smile curling at her lips as she quietly leaned a little closer.

Their shoulders brushed now and then. Though the fabric between them blocked any warmth, the faint contact carried a subtle, almost imperceptible intimacy.

Jing Ling was surprised that she didn’t recoil from the touch. Maybe it was only because it was Ning Xue that must be why she didn’t mind.

Her heartbeat grew restless again. She thought, I really must be sick.

The bus was packed, air stagnant and heavy. Ning Xue’s discomfort began to return, so she slipped on her mask and asked softly,

“Can I lean on you for a bit? Don’t worry, I won’t pass the virus to you.”

Jing Ling looked at her pale face, strained breathing so much like yesterday. Her feelings were complicated.

The image of Ning Xue’s red-rimmed eyes from the night before flashed in her mind, and the words of refusal she’d prepared dissolved before they could leave her lips.

It was a quiet sound, but Ning Xue heard it.

She relaxed, leaning gently against Jing Ling’s shoulder, and slowly closed her eyes.

There was a faint fragrance on Jing Ling, barely there, something she had caught just once yesterday at noon, and now again.

In the crowded, stuffy bus thick with all kinds of smells, that subtle scent felt like a breath of clean air. Ning Xue found herself feeling a little better.

It was the first time anyone had ever been this close to her. Jing Ling sat rigid and tense the whole way, her body stiff until they finally reached school. By the time she got off the bus, her hands and feet felt numb.

At the school gate, Fang Ningcheng stopped his bike abruptly and walked over beside Ning Xue.

“Your new friend?” he asked, grinning.

Ning Xue wasn’t sure if she and Jing Ling could really be called friends yet, so her answer was vague.

“Sort of… I guess?”

Either she is or she isn’t,” Fang Ningcheng teased. What does sort of even mean?

Jing Ling said nothing, but her gaze cooled just slightly, a subtle shift, barely noticeable.

The last time she’d seen Ning Xue with this man, they’d looked close. Was it someone she needed to avoid rumors about?

A boyfriend?

Ning Xue shot him a glare and pushed him lightly. 

Go away already. Stop prying into my business.

Fang Ningcheng ruffled her hair, a mischievous grin on his face.

Alright, alright, I’m going. Our girl’s grown up now, keeping secrets. But hey, your friend’s not bad looks-wise, at least, you’re a good match.

If Jing Ling hadn’t been there, Ning Xue would have kicked him.

When he finally left, Ning Xue turned to Jing Ling. “Don’t mind him. He just likes running his mouth.”

“Oh.” The reply was cool, detached.

It sounded no different from usual, but Ning Xue could sense something off in her tone.

Could she have misunderstood?

“That’s my brother,” Ning Xue explained quickly. “The ribs I gave you last time he made those. He’s got plenty of flaws, sure, but at least his cooking’s decent. Not completely useless, right?”

Brother?

Jing Ling paused.

Still, it didn’t really matter. There was nothing to explain. It wasn’t like she cared.

“Oh.”

The word came out as calm as ever, but this time, it somehow felt right.

Even Jing Ling herself didn’t realize her gaze had softened.

Ning Xue seized the moment and asked, “So… does that mean we’re friends now?”

Jing Ling froze, meeting the warmth in Ning Xue’s smiling eyes. She felt she ought to give her a clear answer, but when the words reached her lips, they swerved.

“We’re in the classroom.”

Both of them went silent for a second.

Ning Xue thought she was still being distant and decided she’d just have to keep trying.

Jing Ling, on the other hand, couldn’t believe how uncooperative her own mouth was. The explanation she wanted to give stuck in her throat, so she just ducked her head and went inside.

Ning Xue blinked. Wait… she’s the one upset now? I’ve been rejected so many times — shouldn’t I be the one sulking?

All morning, Jing Ling was in a low mood. Ning Xue wisely didn’t bother her, and only around noon did she carefully ask,

“Do you… Want to eat lunch together?”

Jing Ling looked at her quietly. “You cold better?”

“Ah? Oh, pretty much!”

Pretty much? Jing Ling frowned. Either it’s better or it isn’t.

Ning Xue didn’t dare say more. She lowered her head and waited for Jing Ling to respond.

After a moment, Jing Ling stood up. “Wait here. I’ll go get food.”

“Ah?”

Without another word or glance, Jing Ling walked out.

Ning Xue stayed in her seat, propping her chin on her hand, deep in thought. What did she mean by that? Is she getting food for both of us… or just for herself?

Still, knowing her personality, it was better not to expect too much.

Yet even so, she obediently waited in the classroom. If Jing Ling came back and didn’t find her there, that little spark of friendship might vanish completely.

I’ve fought savages in primitive tribes with more dignity than this, she sighed to herself.

Just then, Jing Ling returned faster than Ning Xue thought possible.

She was carrying a large bag. She handed it over and said simply, “Porridge and medicine.”

Ning Xue unpacked it piece by piece until the entire desk was covered.

There were four kinds of porridge alone, plus a whole array of medicines. She didn’t even know where to start.

“You pick first,” Jing Ling said. “I’m not picky.”

Being treated this kindly after so many cold responses felt almost disorienting.

Get it together, Ning Xue, she scolded herself silently. Don’t be a fool now.

She waited for Jing Ling to make a move first.

Jing Ling’s calm gaze swept over the porridge, expressionless but with a quiet pressure that made it hard to refuse.

Ning Xue finally grabbed the bowl closest to her, opened it, and began eating slowly. Jing Ling’s eyes still seemed fixed on her, making her chew awkwardly.

“If you don’t like it, we can switch.”

“No, no, it’s fine! You eat too!” Ning Xue quickly opened another bowl and pushed it toward her.

Please stop staring. You’re burning holes through my face.

Jing Ling glanced at the seafood porridge in front of her, a flicker of distaste in her eyes, but still took a spoonful.

Among the pile of medicine for fever, for headaches, for colds, Ning Xue picked two that matched her symptoms, shut her eyes, and swallowed them in one brave gulp.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Jing Ling’s lips, her eyes softening with warmth.

It’s just medicine. Does she really have to make it look like a battle to the death?

Setting down her cup, Ning Xue scrunched her face. “You’re secretly laughing at me, aren’t you?”

Jing Ling froze. Was I?

Without realizing it, she really had been smiling. The realization hit her like a spark; she quickly suppressed it, letting all traces of emotion sink back beneath the surface.

Ning Xue didn’t notice a thing. Jing Ling had always been this unreadable.

Half her porridge remained untouched, but Jing Ling had already lost her appetite.

After two afternoon classes, it was time for the campus cleanup. It happened to be Ning Xue’s group’s turn, so they were in charge of the classroom.

As she passed by Jing Ling’s desk, broom in hand, she saw her lying on her arms. Gently, she nudged her shoulder.

“Jing Ling, are you asleep? I need to sweep here. Can you move for a bit?”

Jing Ling lifted her head. Her neck was covered in red patches, and redness was spreading up along her hairline and across her face.

Ning Xue was so startled that she dropped her broom. “What happened to you?”

Looking closer, it seemed like an allergic reaction. “Are you allergic to something? Did you touch anything weird?”

Jing Ling tugged down her sleeve, hiding the red blotches on her arm.

A thought hit Ning Xue. “Seafood… are you allergic to seafood?”

Jing Ling stayed silent, her long lashes lowered to hide the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

“If you’re allergic, why didn’t you say anything? I didn’t know, but you must’ve known, right?!”

Her tone was unusually stern. Jing Ling replied faintly, “I’m fine.”

“Fine? What fine? Allergies can be serious people die from them! Come on, we’re going to the hospital.”

Ning Xue didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Jing Ling’s hand and started pulling her along. Jing Ling blinked, momentarily dazed, then followed quietly without resistance.

Why had she eaten it, knowing she couldn’t? She didn’t really know either.

Maybe it was because, when Ning Xue had pushed the bowl toward her with that smile, she simply couldn’t bring herself to say no.

Her heart trembled lightly. Looking down at their intertwined hands, she thought, Maybe… being allergic isn’t such a bad thing after all.