I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 62.2

If a stranger exhibited all the bad traits Ning Fuguang had described, Jiang Luoyue would undoubtedly block and delete them immediately, leaving no room for further interaction.

Take Fu Yunqing as an example. Whether it was her willfulness, arrogance, or occasional hot temper, none of these traits made Jiang Luoyue dislike her. On the contrary, they made her certain that Fu Yunqing was meant to be exactly like this.

And it wasn’t just Fu Yunqing Xiang Fan, Yu Jingtang, and Ning Fuguang were the same.

Without those “bad” parts, their relationships wouldn’t be as close as they were now.

So Jiang Luoyue answered decisively: “Yes.”

Ning Fuguang let out a cold snort, seemingly dissatisfied with the answer.

Jiang Luoyue, doing her best to read the mood, blinked and added, “Ning is also one of the guests.”

“Even if none of you were guests, I’d still want to get to know you.”

Ning Fuguang shot her a silent glance. “Why?”

Immediately, Jiang Luoyue began reciting the ten-thousand-word essay posted on Weibo by a Ning Group shareholder “Ning Fuguang in My Eyes: The Last Hope of the Ning Group!”

The essay had been published a year after Ning Fuguang took over the Ning Group. At first, aside from Ning Group employees, hardly anyone liked or paid attention to it. But after Ning Fuguang filmed Hate Me, netizens unearthed it, and it now ranked alongside Fu Yunqing’s “Let’s Talk Like Humans” video on the “Shining Stars of Humanity (Hate Me Edition)” leaderboard.

“Ning’s business achievements are remarkable. At such a young age, she has forged a path through the market with her unique insight ”

Just the first sentence gave Ning Fuguang a sudden headache. “Alright, no need to continue. I get it.”

As the subject of the praise, she had only recently learned that someone had written such a thing. After reading two lines, she had closed the page.

But Jiang Luoyue seemed not to hear, reciting as if addicted: “When I first met Ning, my initial impression of her was not.”

“Luoyue,” Ning Fuguang said helplessly.

Jiang Luoyue smiled and stubbornly continued: “Not that kind of money-grubbing, profit-obsessed”

Before she could finish the word “businesswoman,” Ning Fuguang suddenly leaned in toward her.

As the distance closed abruptly, Jiang Luoyue’s first instinct wasn’t to pull away but to catch the pure, sweet scent of lily of the valley perfume from the woman’s collar.

The sweet fragrance didn’t seem to suit Ning Fuguang, but when her ears flushed red and she stared intently at Jiang Luoyue, her youthful aura merged perfectly with that sweetness.

For the first time, her eyes held a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, and Jiang Luoyue saw her own reflection in them.

It took several seconds before she remembered to retreat, but before her back could hit the door handle, an arm wrapped around her.

The distance closed again, and Jiang Luoyue heard Ning Fuguang take a soft breath.

“Am I that terrifying?”

Jiang Luoyue instinctively shook her head, but her body remained tense as she stared blankly at her.

Ning Fuguang felt as if she were being watched by a rabbit in a state of shock. Pretending nothing was wrong, she fastened Jiang Luoyue’s seatbelt and explained, “You weren’t buckling up. I thought you were waiting for the others to come out so you could leave with them.”

Jiang Luoyue: “How could that be? I already said I’m teaming up with you.”

Besides, couldn’t she just say to fasten the seatbelt? Why did she have to get so close?

Jiang Luoyue felt Ning Fuguang had done it on purpose, yet she couldn’t find any fault with it. Only when she watched her start the car did she notice the redness on the back of Ning Fuguang’s hand, where it had hit the door handle while protecting her. “It’s that bad? Do you need some ointment?”

“It’s nothing.” Having just gotten away with a small tease and now being cared for, Ning Fuguang was in an excellent mood. “I just scar easily, even normal pressure can leave marks.”

“Don’t believe me? Want to try?”

She looked as though if Jiang Luoyue nodded, she would immediately roll up her sleeve and let her pinch.

Jiang Luoyue: “…”

She shouldn’t have bothered asking.

To make Ning Fuguang “shut up,” Jiang Luoyue finally turned on the camera that had been idle in the car for a while: “We’re starting the livestream now.”

With so many viewers watching, Ning Fuguang would surely rein it in a little, right?

Ning Fuguang only smiled without a word, her gaze fixed on Jiang Luoyue as she greeted the camera.

For a long while after, just as Jiang Luoyue had hoped, Ning Fuguang remained silent.

The road was smooth, the car was quiet it should have been a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, but Jiang Luoyue felt an inexplicable emptiness, her throat tightening as if choked.

Closing her eyes, all she could see was Ning Fuguang leaning in close. Opening them, she caught the faint, elusive scent of lily of the valley. It had only been a few seconds, yet the fragrance seemed to envelop her, burning the skin where she’d been touched until it flushed red.

Jiang Luoyue pursed her lips, forgetting how many times she’d done so that day. This time, she no longer tasted the strawberry flavor on her lips.

She glanced out the window and realized that before starting the car, Ning Fuguang had rolled the window up two-thirds of the way.

A slight chill seeped into the car, but as if to oppose her, Jiang Luoyue suddenly rolled the window all the way down.

Ning Fuguang finally spoke: “Aren’t you cold?”

Jiang Luoyue hugged her arms, her gaze fixed on the unfamiliar streets outside. She wanted to act cool, but her body trembled under the assault of the cold wind. After a moment, she finally responded coldly.

Ning Fuguang chuckled softly and rolled the window back up. This time, Jiang Luoyue didn’t lower it again.

Afterward, to ease the awkwardness, Jiang Luoyue finally started reading the live chat.

Amid the overwhelming screams of CP fans, she spotted one crucial question:

[Where are you two headed, babies?]

Ignoring the term of endearment, she relayed it to Ning Fuguang: “Where are we going now?”

Ning Fuguang glanced at the navigation and said casually, “My place.”

Jiang Luoyue thought she’d misheard: “What?”

But Ning Fuguang confirmed it again: “My place.”

“It’s my niece’s birthday today.” As if worried Jiang Luoyue might misunderstand, Ning Fuguang paused for a few seconds before explaining, “She’s having a birthday party. If we go in the morning to drop off gifts, there’ll be fewer people.”

The reason was perfectly valid, and Jiang Luoyue didn’t doubt it: “How old is she? What does she like?”

Ning Fuguang understood she wanted to buy a gift and smiled. “No need.”

Her tone lightened noticeably when talking about her family: “She likes you a lot. Your presence is the best gift.”

Even so, it wouldn’t be right to show up empty-handed on someone’s birthday.

Jiang Luoyue asked to stop by a mall along the way. She originally intended to pick out a normal gift fitting for a teenage girl, but Ning Fuguang showed her a trunk full of presents, each exquisitely wrapped, with over a dozen at a glance. Only one pink box was undecorated, placed within easy reach.

Seeing that the other already had so many proper gifts, Jiang Luoyue settled for a beautiful crystal ornament as a supplementary present. At Ning Fuguang’s strong suggestion, she also bought a set of branded study guides.

Back in the car, Jiang Luoyue looked at the pile of study guides in the back seat and voiced her doubt: “Will she really like these?”

Ning Fuguang stated confidently, “Even if she doesn’t like it, my mom will.”

Her tone was so resolute that Jiang Luoyue had no choice but to nod. “Mm.”

A few seconds later, Jiang Luoyue suddenly straightened up, finally processing what had been said. “Who did you say would like it?”

Her voice was almost panicked, her face instantly turning pale, as if the phrase “the sky is falling” had become a reality.

Just then, the traffic light turned red. Ning Fuguang stopped the car and leisurely observed Jiang Luoyue’s expression for a full ten seconds before slightly furrowing her brow.

“Didn’t I mention it earlier?” Her voice carried a barely concealed laugh, though she feigned a troubled hesitation. “My mom is there too.”

Not only was she there she had organized the entire birthday party herself.

Jiang Luoyue was speechless, deeply realizing just how formidable Ning Fuguang’s vengeful nature could be.

And yet, she couldn’t even blame Ning Fuguang for not mentioning it earlier after all, it was a day off. Where else would Ning Fuguang’s mother be if not at home?

Just as she took a deep breath, preparing to refuse this abrupt and ill-timed visit, Ning Fuguang suddenly turned serious and said gently, “What are you thinking? That I’m asking you to meet my mom later?”

“Don’t worry,” Ning Fuguang said earnestly. “I’m just dropping off a gift. I’ll be in and out. You can wait in the car it’ll only take ten minutes.”

That proposal sounded quite reasonable. Jiang Luoyue was tempted to agree immediately but still feigned restraint as she asked, “What about the gift I bought?”

Before she could suggest having Ning Fuguang deliver it on her behalf, Ning Fuguang smoothly replied, “So, would you prefer I hand it over and tell her you’re waiting in the car so she can come out to see you? Or would you rather she comes out, and you give her the gift while you’re still in the car?”

Jiang Luoyue: “…”

Ning Fuguang’s tone was perfectly normal, without a hint of sarcasm, yet both options sounded to Jiang Luoyue like the arrogant posturing of a big-city celebrity looking down on a small-time fan.

“Are you about to suggest a third option next?” she asked, taking a deep breath but unable to hold back. “How about I go in with you, greet her, hand her the gift myself, exchange three pleasantries, and then leave with you?”

As if reminded, Ning Fuguang raised an eyebrow slightly. “If Luoyue is willing, of course I’ll do my best to cooperate.”

Jiang Luoyue: “…”

Now she finally understood why everyone loved arguing with Ning Fuguang so much.