Twist of Fate (GL) - Chapter 8

Zhou Yan thought to herself, Are classmates these days really this competitive?

“Next time, I’ll get water for you too,” Zhou Yan said firmly, clenching her fist with determination.

“Haha, no need for that,” Xie Jing replied. She could get water herself, but being sick made her a little more vulnerable, so she actually enjoyed the feeling of being cared for by someone else.

Xie Jing took a sip of the hot water, feeling warmth spread through her heart.

Monday was fully packed with classes, and Xie Jing went through the whole day in a daze.

After evening study ended, Shen Xinghe invited Xie Jing out for bubble tea.

Xie Jing hesitated for two seconds, then happily agreed.

“小 Jing, wear this outfit. It’s both nice-looking and warm. Didn’t you say you’re still feeling a bit under the weather?” Zhou Yan held up a cream-colored sticky rice skirt in her left hand and a reddish-brown

knitted sweater in her right.

“Pfft… I’m not going on a date, why would I dress up so nicely?”

“Of course to make a good impression! That way you score some extra points. Who knows? Shen Xinghe might like you. Otherwise, why else would she ask you out for bubble tea?” Zhou Yan said, frustrated but earnest. “You should pay attention. Between the two of us, who’s really the straight one here?”

Xie Jing thought Zhou Yan had a point, and hugged the clothes as she went into the bathroom.

When Xie Jing came out after changing, Qin Ning was also there. Qin Ning glanced at her without expression, then looked away.

“Qin Ning, do you think I look good in this?” Xie Jing asked, grinning as she spun around in front of her.

Qin Ning nodded once.

Encouraged by Qin Ning’s approval, Xie Jing floated away like the wind.

Shen Xinghe had chosen a bubble tea shop inside campus, just a few buildings away from Xie Jing’s dormitory — only a few minutes’ walk.

By the time Xie Jing arrived, Shen Xinghe was already there. After asking her what flavor she wanted, she ordered two cups of bubble tea.

Actually, Shen Xinghe had come to see Xie Jing because she needed a favor. She had joined the photography club recently and was tasked with creating a promotional project for the school’s public account, but they were short a model.

“Me? A model?” Xie Jing pointed at herself in surprise.

“That’s right. You have a great image and you’re photogenic, so I wanted to ask for your help,” Shen Xinghe said gently, her eyes warm as she looked at her. “The shoot will last about a week, but it won’t interfere with your classes.”

Flattered, Xie Jing couldn’t help but smile. “Well… I can do it, but are you sure you want me as the model?”

“Absolutely. Your style and look are very academy-like. No one else fits the role better.”

In Shen Xinghe’s eyes, Xie Jing was youthful and radiant; her gaze was clear and pure. When she smiled, the vitality practically overflowed.

“All right then, I’ll do my best to help,” Xie Jing said modestly.

Shen Xinghe smiled faintly and took out her phone to open WeChat. “May I have the honor of adding you as a friend?”

Xie Jing nodded like a little chick pecking at grain. “Of course.”

After adding each other on WeChat and finishing their bubble tea, Xie Jing ordered three more cups to bring back for Zhou Yan and the others.

Shen Xinghe walked Xie Jing back to the dormitory entrance, handed over the bubble tea, then nodded goodbye and left.

Xie Jing felt like she was walking on air. Even carrying three cups of bubble tea, she climbed the stairs briskly.

When she got back to the dorm, everyone was there — even Chen Yuan had returned.

“Hey, you’re smiling so brightly! Must be some good news, huh?” Zhou Yan teased as soon as she saw Xie Jing’s happy face.

“Hehe, I brought each of you a cup of bubble tea. This new flavor is really good,” Xie Jing said, deftly changing the subject as she handed out the drinks. The smile on her lips refused to fade.

Qin Ning glanced at her, said nothing, and slurped her bubble tea noisily.

Over the next week, after classes, Shen Xinghe dragged Xie Jing around various campus spots for the photoshoot. Some were pictures, some videos, and some footage where she introduced the campus.

Xie Jing was exhausted and hadn’t even played games for a whole week.

“小 Jing, smile!” Shen Xinghe aimed her camera at her, directing and snapping shots at the same time.

Xie Jing curved her eyes, the dimples on her cheeks slowly appearing.

“Yes, just like that. Now walk slowly toward me holding your book,” Shen Xinghe said, stepping back and zooming out.

“小 Jing, you’re so talented,” she said, saving herself a lot of trouble.

Hearing the praise, Xie Jing’s smile deepened, radiating from the screen.

At that moment, she spotted a familiar figure far off, facing their direction. The eyes were as deep and mysterious as an ancient well.

Could it be Qin Ning?

Xie Jing wanted to greet her, but the figure suddenly turned and left.

“Eh… Qin Ning left so quickly,” Xie Jing’s hand froze mid-wave.

“You know her? I was thinking of inviting Qin Ning over to take some duo photos with you, but she left so fast,” Shen Xinghe said, a little disappointed.

Qin Ning was cold and rarely smiled. Shen Xinghe had considered asking her to be a model, but after weighing all factors, she thought Xie Jing was the better fit.

After all, Xie Jing’s smile was contagious, warm like the sun.

“I know her. Qin Ning probably doesn’t like taking photos. I’ve never seen a single selfie on her Moments,” Xie Jing said casually.

Shen Xinghe nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense.”

After the shoot, Shen Xinghe treated Xie Jing to a meal as thanks for her effort.

They went to the small stall Xie Jing frequented and ordered two bowls of braised pork rice—big bowls for both.

Being a model was physically demanding, and Xie Jing had noticeably eaten more these days. One bite of the tender, savory braised pork made her very satisfied; her eyes even squinted in delight.

Shen Xinghe smiled softly, her eyes full of warmth as she watched her.

“Seeing you eat so deliciously really whets my appetite.”

“Really? Hehe, that’s because the braised pork is truly delicious,” Xie Jing said shyly, looking down and biting her chopsticks, her ears turning pink.

“No worries, keep eating,” Shen Xinghe said, amused as she watched the girl swallowing hard, then reached out to gently pat her head.

Not just her ears — suddenly, Xie Jing’s neck flushed a deep red. She hurriedly shoveled a few more bites and nearly buried her face in the bowl.

Shen Xinghe’s head pat was light and fleeting.

Recalling that gentle touch, Xie Jing enjoyed her meal even more.

When she finished, happy and full, she suddenly met a gaze.

Startled for a moment, Xie Jing smiled and greeted, “Qin Ning, you’re eating here too?”

Qin Ning said, “Hmm. You two seemed to be having a good chat, so I didn’t say hi. Hope you don’t mind?”

For some reason, Xie Jing felt Qin Ning’s tone was a bit odd — the words “good chat” were particularly emphasized.

“Of course not,” Xie Jing smiled.

Shen Xinghe looked at both of them and asked, “You two…?”

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you,” Xie Jing explained. “Qin Ning’s my roommate now.”

“Ah? Qin Ning, you changed majors?” Shen Xinghe was surprised.

Qin Ning said flatly, “Yeah, switched to Computer Science.”

“That’s good. Both you and Xie Jing are excellent.”

After a bit of small talk, Qin Ning excused herself to leave.

Watching Qin Ning’s retreating figure, Xie Jing couldn’t help but sigh how small the school was—no matter where she went, she kept running into Qin Ning.

Some time later, finally the last day of the photoshoot arrived. Exhausted, Xie Jing dragged her tired body toward the dorm.

Since it was late, she didn’t ask Shen Xinghe for a ride, choosing instead to walk slowly by herself.

When she reached the dorm entrance, she saw a shadow crouching in the dark, back turned to her.

“Meow~~~”

Hearing the cat’s meow from the shadows, Xie Jing’s eyes lit up.

She walked over and saw a familiar face — and an orange cat.

“Qin Ning, why are you still here so late?” Xie Jing asked, puzzled.

“Got back late, got ‘scammed’ by a four-legged beast,” Qin Ning said, scratching the cat’s chin. The cat twisted its body, flicked its tail, and plopped down at Qin Ning’s feet, purring.

Xie Jing was surprised, then laughed heartily. “Haha, this kitty really took a liking to you.”

Later, Xie Jing squatted down to play with the cat face to face with Qin Ning.

She reached out to pet the cat’s head, and the cat pressed hard against her palm, making Xie Jing lean backward, almost toppled over.

Qin Ning’s quick reflexes caught Xie Jing’s flying hand, steadying her. “Be careful.”

Qin Ning’s palm was unexpectedly warm, very different from her cold exterior. The moment their hands touched, Xie Jing’s heart started pounding uncontrollably.

She instinctively twitched her fingertips, and Qin Ning immediately let go.

“Thank you,” Xie Jing said, then put her hand back on the cat’s head, stroking it to calm her racing heart.

Xie Jing asked, “Is it a boy or a girl? Has it been spayed or neutered?”

Qin Ning said, “Probably a young female, looks like it hasn’t been spayed.”

Unneutered female cats were risky. Although the campus was safer than outside, if it got pregnant, it could cause a stray cat problem.

“When there’s time, let’s get it spayed,” Xie Jing suggested. “Together.”

“Okay,” Qin Ning agreed after a pause.

“Hehe,” Xie Jing said, exhausted from the day but rejuvenated after playing with the cat.

After a few more strokes on the kitty’s head, she planned to go back to her dorm to wash up.

Suddenly, she stood up too fast, and her vision blurred.

Oh no, that damn low bl00d sugar.

Before she could fall unsteadily to the ground, a hand grasped her shoulder. Xie Jing felt like she was resting on a soft cloud, gently spinning a few times, then her vision cleared.

Blinking, the first thing she saw was Qin Ning’s chin very close. Xie Jing’s fingers twitched, and in the next instant, five finger marks appeared on Qin Ning’s chest.

“Are you okay?” Qin Ning’s voice sounded softly in her ear.

Xie Jing shook her head to say she was fine.

As she shook her head, her hair brushed against Qin Ning’s neck a few times.

Qin Ning’s body stiffened, and she slightly turned her head.

“I’m fine, just got dizzy from standing up too quickly. It’ll pass soon,” Xie Jing said, leaning on Qin Ning for a few minutes before bashfully stepping away.

“Thank you,” she said.

Qin Ning glanced at her flushed ears and adjusted her clothes. “You’re welcome.”

She thought to herself: no wonder you have to add sugar to soy milk.