I Struggle to Survive in a Girl Group [Transmigration] - Chapter 43

The afternoon sky was clear and boundless, with the scorching sun baking the black asphalt road until it was sizzling hot.

The black business sedan drove smoothly, and the air conditioning inside was set to a comfortably cool temperature. An Qing carefully draped a blanket over the person sleeping beside her and softly signaled the driver to raise the temperature a bit.

Yu Tingbai’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her breathing gradually evened out again. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes tightly shut, with a few stray strands of hair tangled messily around her fair neck.

From the company’s location to City A, it was only a little over two hours by car. So after the two of them quickly packed their luggage, Yu Tingbai directly arranged for the family driver to pick them up, and they set off that same day.

Not long after getting in the car, Yu Tingbai had fallen asleep. She leaned against the seatback, one hand resting unconsciously on An Qing.

Perhaps her insomnia had flared up again, so she hadn’t slept well the night before.

An Qing glanced at her sympathetically.

She wore headphones, with a tablet on her lap playing the ending song of a famous romance movie.

With nothing to do during the long journey, she had been diligently watching movies, hoping to glean some experience from them.

The plot of the movie was somewhat similar to the background story of this song, a tale of two people from opposing sides falling in love and fighting, ultimately ending in a tragic double suicide. The twists and turns of the plot and the actors’ convincing performances moved An Qing so much that she couldn’t help shedding a few tears by the end.

But still, no matter how touching the movie was or how much she loved the duet, it was still difficult for her to immerse herself in the role and meet Zhou Zhe’s expectations. After all, as Zhou Zhe had pointed out, her experience with romance was just beginning, practically nonexistent.

“What time is it?”

Yu Tingbai’s voice suddenly came from beside her, slightly hoarse from just waking up, adding a hint of allure.

She was still holding onto An Qing’s arm, showing no intention of letting go. Her sleepy eyes made her look much softer than usual, making her seem very approachable.

An Qing couldn’t resist leaning closer to Yu Tingbai and replied, “Eleven fifty.”

They had set off around ten in the morning, and soon they would arrive at their destination.

Thinking of this, An Qing couldn’t help but feel a belated sense of nervousness. She had been so absorbed in watching movies along the way that she had forgotten the more important matters.

Worried, she reminded the driver again, “Don’t forget to stop by the mall first. I need to buy something.”

An Qing had originally intended to buy a gift before setting off, but Yu Tingbai mentioned that there was an upscale mall just a twenty-minute drive from her home, so they could stop by on the way to save time.

The driver nodded, “Don’t worry, Miss An. We’ll be there soon.”

Yu Tingbai stretched lazily and said, “Actually, you don’t need to buy anything. My mom will be overjoyed just knowing you’re coming back with me.”

“That won’t do,” An Qing shook her head repeatedly and whispered, “It’s the first time. I want to make a good impression.”

She pursed her lips, looking as if she were preparing for battle.

Yu Tingbai was amused by her and couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her fair cheek. “You’re already doing great.”

An Qing’s heart swelled with joy, and she was about to pester Yu Tingbai to ask where exactly she was doing well when the driver said, “We’re here, Miss An.”

As the driver spoke, the light outside suddenly dimmed as the car entered an underground parking garage.

The two got out of the car and stepped into the mall’s direct elevator.

“What should we buy?”

An Qing stared at the rising numbers on the screen and softly asked the person beside her.

Yu Tingbai thought for a moment before replying, “Let’s buy jewelry. My dad isn’t home, and my mom’s tastes are quite mainstream.”

The elevator doors opened, flooding the space with the bright lights of the shopping mall.

Yu Tingbai stepped out first and beckoned to her, “Let’s go.”

Pressed for time, they decided to make it quick. Yu Tingbai took charge of selecting gifts based on her mother’s preferences, while An Qing obediently followed behind, paying for everything.

Their final haul included: a diamond necklace, a pair of pearl earrings, and a jade bracelet. Although Yu Tingbai’s father wasn’t home, An Qing insisted on picking out a few bottles of wine and some tea leaves for him.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of the villa’s gate.

It was a three-story house with a spacious courtyard. The black gate was slightly ajar, exuding an understated, antique charm. Green branches adorned with white flowers spilled over the wall, full of vitality.

An Qing’s heart was pounding with nerves. She checked her reflection in the mirror, touched up her makeup, and lingered in the car for a moment before slowly getting out.

Yu Tingbai gave her an amused look, pushed open the gate, and led her to the front door, ringing the bell.

Soon, light footsteps could be heard from inside, followed by an enthusiastic female voice.

“Coming, coming!”

The door swung open, revealing an elegant middle-aged woman. She was clearly dressed up, with impeccable attire and makeup, her face beaming with a smile.

“Baibai, you’re back.” Mother Yu affectionately patted Yu Tingbai, then turned to An Qing beside her.

She had met An Qing before and had thought she was a willful, spoiled young girl. How had she become so well-behaved now?

But people change; perhaps she had matured and become more sensible.

That was even better.

“Qingqing, you must be tired.” Mother Yu smiled warmly, pulling An Qing inside. Her gaze fell on the numerous bags in An Qing’s hands, and she chided gently, “Silly child, why did you buy so much?”

She then turned to Yu Tingbai, “Baibai, this is Qingqing’s first time here. How could you let her carry all this? So thoughtless.”

Without waiting for their responses, she guided An Qing to the living room sofa and pointed to the freshly washed and cut fruit on the coffee table, saying, “Qingqing, have some fruit to tide you over. Lunch will be ready soon.”

Yu Tingbai found her mother’s enthusiasm overwhelming. An Qing wasn’t the overly outgoing or familiar type, what if she scared her off?

The next moment, An Qing’s sweet voice filled the room, “Got it, thank you. thank you, Mom!”

Followed by Mother Yu’s delighted reply, “Ah, Qingqing is so well-behaved.”

Yu Tingbai: “…”

Her mother had mentioned before that An Qing called her “Mom,” but she hadn’t paid it much mind. Witnessing it in person was truly startling.

Mother Yu exchanged a few more pleasantries with An Qing before happily heading into the kitchen.

An Qing sat on the sofa, eating fruit, her large eyes blinking as she looked at Yu Tingbai.

The two locked eyes for a few seconds when suddenly, a white, whirlwind-like figure slid down the stairs and dashed excitedly toward the person on the sofa.

Startled, An Qing stood up to dodge.

The figure slipped, unable to brake in time, and crashed headfirst into the coffee table, letting out a pitiful whimper from its throat.

An Qing finally got a clear look it was a snow-white Samoyed, quite large, with fluffy and soft fur, gazing up at her with an innocent expression.

“Wang Nana! So adorable!”

An Qing instantly lit up with excitement, wrapping her arms around the dog and nuzzling it affectionately. Wang Nana, probably surprised that An Qing actually knew her name, enthusiastically responded to the young girl, wagging her tail so vigorously it almost blurred.

How could they get along so well when it was their first meeting? Did the dog even remember who its real owner was?

Yu Tingbai watched the pair with disbelief, finding it strangely uncanny how alike they seemed.

“Whose surname does she have?” An Qing asked, holding the Samoyed’s snow-white paw, voicing a question that had long puzzled her.

Yu Tingbai replied, “She has the pet shop owner’s surname.”

An Qing was taken aback. “Why?”

Yu Tingbai explained, “The pet shop owner’s daughter is named Wang Nana. Every time the daughter got into trouble and the owner called her by her full name, this silly dog thought it was being called. Who knows what wires got crossed in her head?”

“Even after we brought her home, we couldn’t change it. She ignores any other name probably because she’s always thought of herself as human.”

“I see.” An Qing grinned, her eyes crinkling, then turned back to talk to Wang Nana.

“How can you be this cute!”

“Woof woof!”

“Mhm, I’m cute too.”

“Awoo!”

It was strange though only one more person had been added, with An Qing around, the usually quiet and cold home suddenly felt much livelier, filled with a comforting warmth.

The aroma of the meal being prepared in the kitchen wafted over, mingling with the laughter from the living room, creating a warmth so profound it felt like a lifetime had passed.

Yu Tingbai’s hand, hanging by her side, tightened slightly, as if trying to grasp onto something.

Her expression paused for a moment before she quietly sat down beside An Qing and reached out to stroke Wang Nana’s head.

Only then did Wang Nana, who had been too absorbed in her fun, remember her long-unseen owner, rubbing her fluffy head against Yu Tingbai’s palm, bringing a soft warmth.

After playing enough with Wang Nana, An Qing picked up a small fork, speared a piece of cut honeydew melon, and took a bite.

She chewed a couple of times, then squinted contentedly. “Mmm, so sweet.”

Just then, An Qing seemed to notice something. She turned her head and found her fiancée staring intently at her.

An Qing glanced at the half-empty fruit plate and suddenly realized her mistake.

Yu Tingbai hadn’t eaten a single bite yet, she really hadn’t been treating herself as an outsider!

Feeling guilty, she pointed to the remaining fruit and said to Yu Tingbai, “Why don’t you try some? Aren’t you hungry?”

The next moment, soft, ink-black hair gently brushed against her face.

Yu Tingbai leaned in, took a bite of the honeydew melon from her hand, then sat back up with a perfectly straight face.

An Qing’s eyes widened in surprise.

That was the same piece she had bitten! An indirect kiss?

The fresh, sweet flavor of the fruit instantly melted between her lips. Yu Tingbai finished the fruit quietly, then looked at the young girl’s flushed cheeks and suddenly called her name.

“Qingqing.”

An Qing snapped out of her daze. “Huh? What is it?”

Under the bright midday light, Yu Tingbai’s skin appeared almost translucent, like a delicate, fragile artifact. She smiled as she looked over, her thin lips parting slightly.

“You’re especially cute today.”

As she spoke, Yu Tingbai reached out and stroked her soft silver hair.

“Really?” An Qing, as easily pleased as ever, immediately brightened up.

Just then, Wang Nana suddenly let out an “Awoo!”, wriggled her way past An Qing, and shoved her fluffy head into Yu Tingbai’s palm before barking twice as if declaring victory.

An Qing: “…”

Did Wang Nana think she was human or that An Qing was the dog?!

She blinked, hugging the dog beside her as two pairs of watery eyes fixed intently on Yu Tingbai.

“Who’s cuter, me or Wang Nana?”

She still remembered the painful experience of Yu Tingbai once saying she couldn’t compare to a dog and was eager to confirm whether her status had improved.

Yu Tingbai said, “Of course it’s you.”

“Really?” An Qing felt a secret thrill but kept a straight face. “But Wang Nana has been with you for five years, and we just met. How could I compare?”

Deliberately making things difficult, she repeated Yu Tingbai’s earlier words, presenting a tricky question.

After all, Yu Tingbai was always asking this and that, often setting traps for her. Seizing this rare chance to strike back while Yu Tingbai was in a good mood, she wasn’t about to let it slip.

Yu Tingbai raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her response. After a few seconds of silence, she didn’t answer right away.

Just as An Qing was confidently thinking her opponent had no comeback, Yu Tingbai spoke slowly.

“That’s not the right way to look at it. I’ve come to realize that some things can’t be measured by time.”

Yu Tingbai pushed Wang Nana aside, stretched out an arm, and effortlessly pulled An Qing into her embrace.

Caught off guard, An Qing let out a gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around Yu Tingbai’s neck.

Yu Tingbai smiled, gently smoothing An Qing’s disheveled hair as she gazed into those flustered aqua-blue eyes, her lips curling slowly.

“Qingqing, look if our toilet was bought six years ago, by that logic, wouldn’t it be more important than Wang Nana?”

Wang Nana, who had been pushed aside: “Wofo?”

Do you think that’s polite?