She Is So Hard To Get - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Like

Yan Ningxi was inherently a decisive person, but when it came to Ming You, she was repeatedly indecisive these past two days.

Reason told her that she should refuse, that she shouldn’t have any further contact with this girl. They had an age gap of seven or eight years, a huge economic disparity, and vastly different personalities. They were not from the same world.

“Sister Yan?”

After the girl called out “Sister” again, Yan Ningxi didn’t speak but pulled up her QR code contact card.

Ming You scanned the code and sent a friend request, choosing not to change Yan Ningxi’s display name since her WeChat nickname was already her real name.

“All set.”

Having gotten what she wanted, Ming You walked to the door and smiled: “Goodbye, Sister Yan.”

Yan Ningxi looked at the new contact pop-up on her screen: “My.” The profile picture was a deep blue, tranquil ocean. On the horizon, a dark red full moon was surrounded by grey clouds. Its reflection, shattered by the rippling sea surface, gave a sense of mystery and impending storm-like oppression.

She shifted her gaze from the screen: “I’ll walk you out.”

“No need.”

“Do you know the way?” Yan Ningxi changed her shoes: “It won’t take much effort to walk you to the gate.”

“In that case, I’ll trouble Sister Yan again.”

It took five minutes to walk from Yan Ningxi’s apartment building to the community gate, a path Ming You had walked back and forth dozens of times.

She had seen the ginkgo trees sprout new green in the spring and watched the apricot leaves turn gold in the autumn, falling to the dust and returning to the earth. She had smelled the intoxicating fragrance of osmanthus in August and admired the splendid roses blooming freely in April and May.

She had counted the trees by the road, picked the flowers from the branches, teased the birds under the shade, fed the koi in the pond, and sought out the feral cats in the bushes.

Starting today, she would walk this road again, appreciating the scenery once more, but from a different perspective and in a different role.

A short while after Ming You left, Yan Ningxi received a message from her: “Thank you for taking care of me, Sister Yan.” There was no mention of money.

Yan Ningxi had considered whether she should accept the money if the girl had insisted on settling the accounts and transferring the balance. Fortunately, there was no “if,” and the girl had saved her the trouble of a difficult choice. Feeling relieved, she replied: “You’re welcome.”

The girl sent back a cute cat emoji, and the conversation ended there.

Back at the hotel, Ming You heartlessly tossed the dark green long dress she had worn only once into the trash can. The floral print dress she had borrowed was crumpled into a ball and thrown into the dirty laundry basket in the bathroom.

She had never liked anything flashy or complicated.

Before the day was over, Ming You, bathed in the setting sun, knocked on Yan Ningxi’s door again.

“Why are you here?” Yan Ningxi was surprised.

“Me? Of course, I’m here to repay your kindness.” Ming You lifted the two large bags in her hands: “Sister Yan, these bags are heavy. Can you let me in so I can explain?”

Yan Ningxi sighed, stepped aside to let her in, and helped her with one of the bags. It was indeed heavy. She asked: “What did you buy?”

“Fruit, daily necessities, some seasonings, and food.” Ming You proceeded to put the items away, distributing them into the refrigerator, kitchen, bathroom, and storage cabinets.

She was extremely familiar with the apartment’s layout. Apart from essential furniture and necessities, Yan Ningxi’s place was devoid of any superfluous clutter.

The small apartment, where you could see the entire space from the entrance, had no sense of homeliness. This, however, provided her with space for “action.”

Yan Ningxi frowned, but her usual good temper kept her standing quietly by.

Logically, she had helped Ming You several times and spent some money on her. It was normal for her to bring gifts as a token of gratitude. The things she bought were, as she said, not expensive items. Moreover, since they were already bought, could she ask Ming You to return them to the supermarket?

That was clearly impractical.

“I’ll accept the things, in view of your good intentions. It will make you feel better.”

Ming You wasn’t about to leave without achieving her goal: “Sister Yan, since I’m already here and you haven’t eaten yet, why don’t we cook dinner together? I can be your assistant.”

Yan Ningxi looked at her long, well-proportioned hands: “Do you know how to cook?”

“A… a tiny bit.”

“If you’re doing this because you feel you owe me for yesterday, you really don’t have to. I don’t hold grudges like that.” She was already wondering if Ming You didn’t stop, she would have to settle the score with her clearly.

“Sister Yan, you misunderstand. I simply want to be friends with you. I admit that there’s an element of returning kindness in doing this, but more than that, it’s because I liked you the moment I saw you, and I also want you to like me. I don’t want to leave you with a terrible first impression that ‘this person is annoying, frivolous, and clueless about social graces.’ Can you understand what I’m saying, Sister Yan?”

From Ming You’s long, “sincere” speech, Yan Ningxi only focused on the phrases “I liked you” and “annoying, frivolous, and clueless about social graces.”

Liked me?

Ah, yes. A child’s affection is easily spoken. She wouldn’t read too much into it.

Annoying?

Not exactly. But to be precise, she could substitute “very” with “a little bit.”

Frivolous?

She was.

Clueless about social graces?

She herself was not much better in that department.

The phone rang. Yan Ningxi picked up her phone from the coffee table, glanced at the screen, and told Ming You: “You start. There are waterproof latex gloves in the kitchen.”

She then went to the balcony to answer the call: “What is it? Tell me.”

The voice on the other end belonged to a middle-aged woman: “All you teachers get a normal break during the national holidays, don’t you? Why don’t I come over and visit you? I went to the countryside yesterday and can bring you some organic eggs, and two butchered chicken and ducks. They’re much tastier and more nutritious than the ones in the city.”

“No need.” Yan Ningxi’s rejection was concise: “Just get to the point.”

After listening to the other party’s long-winded insinuations, Yan Ningxi’s heart turned cold: “The last weekend of the month, you take him to Hengyuan. I’ll meet up with you there Saturday morning. I’ll also transfer the money for the train tickets and two nights in the hotel to you in advance at the end of the month. I’ve looked into it; there’s a reputable hospital there. Don’t bring anything for me. I don’t have the energy to carry it.”

After the call, Yan Ningxi looked troubled, standing on the balcony for more than ten minutes.

Ming You had started the rice and washed the vegetables. When she came out to check on Yan Ningxi, she saw her staring blankly on the balcony: “Sister Yan, what’s wrong?”

Yan Ningxi pulled her thoughts back, tucked her hair behind her ear: “Nothing. Are the vegetables all washed?”

Sensing her exhaustion, Ming You pulled her to sit on the sofa and shoved a newly bought lemon-shaped cushion into her arms: “No rush. Let’s wait for the rice to cook. I’ll watch some TV with you.”

The bright yellow lemon cushion stood in stark contrast to the dark grey sofa.

Although Yan Ningxi had lived there for two years, she hadn’t put any effort into renovating or decorating the apartment. She had no material desires; cleanliness and tidiness were enough for her.

Ming You turned on the TV, unsure what to choose. She flipped through the viewing history, which showed only one entry: Tom and Jerry.

Ming You: …

Yan Ningxi: …

Ming You’s finger froze on the remote. She wasn’t sure whether to select it or back out.

Tom and Jerry was so old that Ming You hadn’t even been born when it was at its most popular. She had only seen some classic GIFs and emojis online.

“Watch what you want.” Yan Ningxi put the cushion aside and stood up: “I’ll go to the kitchen and put away the groceries you bought.”

Ming You said “Oh” and added: “I’m not a picky eater. I’ll eat whatever you decide to make, Sister Yan.”

Yan Ningxi made two simple dishes and a soup based on the ingredients Ming You had bought. When she brought the food out, she found Ming You sitting quietly on the sofa with her eyes closed, hugging the lemon cushion.

Tom and Jerry was playing on the TV.

The person on the sofa wasn’t fully asleep. When she felt her hand being touched, she instinctively flung her arm and opened her eyes, her expression full of defensiveness.

Yan Ningxi barely frowned. Her original intention was to check the wound on Ming You’s left palm, in case she had gotten it wet earlier. She straightened up and turned: “Dinner is ready. Come and eat.”

“Sister Yan.” Ming You panicked and grabbed Yan Ningxi’s wrist: “I didn’t mean to. Did I hurt you?”

“No.” Yan Ningxi pulled her hand away. Ming You had indeed hit her, and it wasn’t a light tap. She hadn’t realized how deeply guarded Ming You was.

“I…”

“Turn off the TV and let’s eat.” She couldn’t pinpoint why, but at this moment, Yan Ningxi felt her “a little bit annoying” turn into “quite annoying.”

At the dining table, Ming You was downcast, holding her bowl and mechanically picking up food.

Noticing her strange demeanor, Yan Ningxi immediately wondered if her tone had been too cold or harsh just now. Had she scared her?

“Is the food not to your liking?”

Ming You was momentarily stunned, then looked up at Yan Ningxi and countered: “Are you angry?”

“You’re overthinking things. I’m not that delicate or petty.” Yan Ningxi quickly changed the subject: “Let’s talk. Where are you going to college? What’s your major?”

“Huh? Yesterday…”

Ming You was about to say that Teacher He had introduced her yesterday but stopped herself: “Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Ming You, a junior at Hengyuan Media University, majoring in Broadcasting and Hosting. I’m not a kid in my teens; I’m a twenty-year-old adult.”

She then asked again: “Sister Yan, are you really not angry?”

The person being questioned didn’t meet her gaze. She took Ming You’s soup bowl and served a small half-bowl, one spoonful at a time.

Yan Ningxi placed the soup bowl in front of Ming You and said calmly: “A very good university, a very good major, and a very good age. Your image and demeanor are also outstanding. If you can get a job at a TV station after graduation, you have a bright future. Ming You, college is a crucial period. Don’t waste your time and energy on trivial matters, and don’t be so emotional. There are many ways to manage your feelings.”

Hengyuan Media University was a national key university second only to Beijing Media University. Its faculty strength and quality of resources were self-evident. Its broadcasting major, in particular, was a signature program and a national first-class construction discipline, offering extremely broad employment prospects.

As a high school teacher, Yan Ningxi had a good understanding of the situation at universities across the country.

“Thank you for your valuable advice, Teacher Yan. I’ll take it to heart.” Ming You perked up and smiled brightly.

After the meal, Yan Ningxi washed some fruit. Ming You had bought so many varieties that the refrigerator was nearly full. How big was her stomach? She couldn’t eat all that.

“Here’s some fruit after the meal. Eat more.” Whoever bought it should help finish it.

Ming You fiddled with a green date, not in the mood to eat: “Are you staying home these few days, Sister Yan, or do you have plans to go out?”

“My plans have nothing to do with you. As for you, you should go home or go back to school.”

“Oh, Sister Yan is so heartless.” Ming You pouted playfully: “It’s a high traffic time during the holidays. I couldn’t buy a high-speed train ticket back, so I have to stay in Huai’an for one or two more days.”

“…” What a clumsy lie.

Huai’an and Hengyuan are only separated by two to three hundred kilometers and are both major economic centers in the province. There are no fewer than ten high-speed trains and bullet trains running between the two cities daily, and the journey is only a little over an hour, so tickets were not hard to buy.

“Does Sister Yan dislike me that much? Can you tell me why?”

“…”

“Silence means you don’t like me.”

Ming You started counting her recent “offenses” on her fingers: “The first time we met, I bit your neck and you paid for my hotel damages. The second time, you covered my medical fees. The third time, you paid for my messy KTV bill and were forced to give me new clothes. The fourth time, not only did I pester you into cooking, but I also ungratefully hit you and made you hurt. Given all these misdeeds, it’s normal that you don’t like me, Sister Yan.”

“…”

“So, what kind of person do you like, Sister Yan?”

What kind of person do I like? Yan Ningxi was stumped. Had she ever thought about it? Not really.

“You can’t force matters of the heart. Just let things happen naturally.” Yan Ningxi didn’t want to delve into this topic with Ming You: “You’re still young. Your studies should be your priority.”

Sensing the perfunctory response, Ming You, in an effort to salvage her image, explained and clarified: “Sister Yan, believe it or not, that night was my first time going to a bar, and my first time getting a room with a woman. You are the first person I’ve ever bitten. Before you, I’ve never been that close, hugging and cuddling, with any other woman or man.”

Yan Ningxi simply murmured, “Mhm.”

“So,” Ming You suddenly crouched down, looking up at her: “Is Sister Yan single? You are single, right?”

“It’s none of your business.” Yan Ningxi averted her gaze, her voice sharp: “That’s my personal privacy. I don’t need to tell you.”

Ming You had never been an outwardly passionate or proactive person since childhood. Being repeatedly rejected by Yan Ningxi finally brought out some impatience and negative emotions: “My apologies for being presumptuous.”

She patted her knees and stood up, clutching her bag: “Respected Teacher Yan, you must be calling me shameless in your mind, right? To be honest, I’m very annoyed with myself too. Always causing trouble and being aggressive, pushing others too hard, and having no self-awareness. If I met someone as unpredictable as me, I would think she was genuinely crazy too. If that’s what you truly think, you can say it directly. You don’t have to keep pretending to be an understanding people’s teacher and enduring me again and again. It must be exhausting to be so patient, isn’t it?”