Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 36

“……” Chu Yunjing stared at her in silence.

Fine. Her addiction to drama was acting up again.

Of course, Chu Yunjing wasn’t going to indulge her; otherwise, she’d be giving her an inch and she’d take a mile.

“Not eating? Fine, let’s look elsewhere.”

“Hey, hey, hey! No, no, no!” Qi Ning quickly grabbed her, terrified she might actually walk away. “I’m eating! I’m eating!”

Chu Yunjing threw her own words back at her: “Call me ‘Sweetheart’.”

“…” Qi Ning squeezed three words out from between her teeth: “Sweet. Heart. Dearest.”

“Good girl.” Chu Yunjing flashed a satisfied smile and reached out to pat her on the head, as if she were petting a puppy.

Qi Ning: “…” If I could win in a fight against you, I would have hit you ages ago.

In the end, Qi Ning got her wish and enjoyed a massive seafood feast.

By the time they finished eating and drinking at the market and prepared to head back to the hotel, it was already midnight. Qi Ning was worried that it was too late and riding the bikes back wouldn’t be safe, so she suggested calling a car.

But when she opened her phone… it showed “No vehicles available nearby.” There were quite a few people waiting for taxis on the roadside, and it looked like demand far exceeded supply. Some people, unable to wait any longer, simply scanned a yellow bike and rode back.

Judging by the situation, if they waited, it would probably be 1:00 AM. After some calculation, they chose to ride back.

At this hour, most of the small shops along the road were closed, and even the street stalls had long since packed up. It wasn’t as lively as when they came; it was quiet.

After riding under the streetlights for a while, they reached the stretch of road that had no lights—it was still pitch black. Fortunately, there was a seafood stall nearby, so it didn’t feel completely desolate.

“Where are we going tomorrow?” Qi Ning sat on the back seat, flipping through an article she had seen earlier. “There are underwater activities nearby where you can feed fish on the seabed.”

“And sea fishing! Ah, I really want to try that.”

“Then let’s go.” Chu Yunjing maintained her “go with the flow” attitude. After all, she was here to help Qi Ning relax. She was willing to accompany her through thick and thin to let her have her fill of fun.

Who knew? Once they went back and Qi Ning had a partner, she might not have time to come out and play like this.

They continued chatting about their plans for the coming days, clearly intending to map out every moment of the trip. After passing the seafood stall, the small path turned dark again.

This time, they saw a group of people ahead from a distance. Their voices were loud, and in the silence of the night, the sounds of rowdy play could be heard. It looked like they were drunk; several large men weren’t wearing shirts, just draping them over their shoulders. The path was narrow to begin with, and these men were walking scattered about, completely blocking the way.

Qi Ning was disturbed by the noise. She craned her neck behind Chu Yunjing to look. Seeing the shirtless, drunken men, she couldn’t help but feel worried. She instinctively gripped the hem of Chu Yunjing’s shirt. Who knew what drunk people might do? It was better to keep her distance.

“Don’t worry,” Chu Yunjing sensed her mood. “I’ll ride a bit faster. Hold on tight.”

Qi Ning immediately wrapped her arms around Chu Yunjing’s waist and soon felt the speed pick up. Chu Yunjing honked the horn a few times. The drunks turned around, saw an electric bike speeding toward them, and instinctively dodged to the side. The yellow bike zipped right through them.

Then they heard the men shouting behind them: “Little girls, why are you riding so fast in the dark! We aren’t bad guys!”

The atmosphere was silent for a moment before both of them burst into laughter.

Over the five days of the holiday, Qi Ning dragged Chu Yunjing to countless tourist spots. By the end, they didn’t even want to leave the hotel and spent their mornings sleeping in.

As the time for the meeting drew closer, Qi Ning began to get anxious…

Before, she could trade flirtatious banter with Yun Yu without a care, but now that the person was about to stand right in front of her, how could she not be nervous? Especially since she didn’t know exactly what Yun Yu looked like. Although she had asked and Yun Yu had rated herself an 8 out of 10… she still felt uncertain.

What if the other person was super good-looking and thought she wasn’t? What if the other person wasn’t good-looking, but thought she was? Did she actually want this girlfriend or not?

Thinking it over and over made her frantic with anxiety.

“Did you have insomnia again last night?”

On the drive back, Chu Yunjing glanced at Qi Ning in the passenger seat. She looked like she’d lost her soul. Chu Yunjing didn’t know what was wrong with her; she’d been tossing and turning for the last two nights.

“Um… yeah.” Qi Ning nodded, still distracted.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” Qi Ning paused, then suddenly turned to her. “Jingjing!”

Chu Yunjing: “…”

“Jingjing!” Receiving no answer, she called again.

“…What is it?” the target replied reluctantly, sensing nothing good was coming.

“Do you think I’m pretty?” Qi Ning blinked at her, clearly trying to act cute.

Chu Yunjing saw her expression in the rearview mirror, twitched her lips, and replied: “I know you’re acting quite ‘greasy’ right now.”

“Psh!” Qi Ning immediately dropped the act. “Answer me properly! Am I pretty or not!”

“…” Chu Yunjing looked at her, her expression a mix of mock disgust and wordlessness. “I thought you didn’t ‘do’ girls?”

“…” Qi Ning was suddenly speechless. Had she said that? …Actually, she probably had. Wait! That wasn’t the point!

“Who said I wanted to ‘do’ you?! I’m just asking if I’m pretty!”

“…Do you want the truth or a lie?”

Qi Ning thought for a moment. This felt like a trap no matter which she picked. “I want a ‘rainbow farts’ [excessive praise] kind of answer.”

“One hundred per sentence.”

…Qi Ning transferred the money without hesitation. She desperately needed the confidence boost.

“…” Chu Yunjing was silent for a moment.

“You are more beautiful than the moonlight.”

“That’s too subtle. Can you give it to me in plain English?” The “client” was dissatisfied.

“…” Chu Yunjing was silent again.

“Between the moonlight and the snow, you are the third kind of peerless beauty.”

“Ooh, tsk tsk tsk. Even though that’s from a Yu Guangzhong poem…” Qi Ning’s gaze changed. “But how did you know that? I couldn’t tell, you’re actually quite cultured deep down.”

“…Shut up.”

Bickering with Chu Yunjing along the way made Qi Ning feel a lot better, and her anxiety lessened. By the time they returned to Chonghai City, it was already evening, and they shared one last meal.

“Sigh… being in love must be so nice…”

During dinner, Qi Ning noticed the restaurant was full of couples, laughing and talking. It made her feel a bit melancholy. She rested her chin in her hand and let out a long sigh.

Chu Yunjing’s hand paused as she was picking up food. She put a piece of rib on Qi Ning’s plate and said flatly: “Then go find someone. No need to envy others.”

Qi Ning looked back at Chu Yunjing. She thought for a moment, the words on the tip of her tongue.

“Just say whatever is on your mind.”

“Alright.” Qi Ning paused. “If one day I really am in a relationship… but you don’t like the person I’m dating, what happens?”

“What level of ‘don’t like’ are we talking about?”

Qi Ning pondered for a bit. “The level where it’s ‘break up with them or I’m cutting ties with you’.”

Even though she knew Chu Yunjing wasn’t that extreme, thinking of the worst-case scenario would make her less panicked when the truth finally came out.

“…” Chu Yunjing put down her chopsticks. Her serious expression made Qi Ning a little afraid.

“If they have a good personality and I can see their sincerity toward you, it wouldn’t come to that. You deserve someone excellent, not a piece of trash like Zou Ruiming.”

They usually spent their time roasting each other; Chu Yunjing rarely said such sentimental things. Qi Ning was incredibly moved. She reached across the table and squeezed her hand, saying solemnly: “Okay.”

She felt confident now that Yun Yu and her only best friend could coexist!

With Chu Yunjing’s “encouragement,” Qi Ning slept soundly that night. Of course, the exhaustion of the trip also helped.

On the 6th, Qi Ning didn’t plan to go out. She was going to stay home and… pick out an outfit!

She woke up quite early. Just as she was about to send a “Good Morning” to Yun Yu, a message arrived first.

70: You’re up so early~

Yun Yu: I’m home today. It’s easier to wake up early when I’m alone. [Big kiss.jpg]

70: We’re meeting tomorrow! Are you ready?

Yun Yu: Ready for what?

Here she went again. This person always loved asking questions she already knew the answer to.

Yun Yu: Ready to have the mole under my eye kissed?

Yun Yu: Do you dare? Baby.

“…” Qi Ning’s face turned a little red. Oh right, she did say that.

70: Is there anything I don’t dare to do! I’m not afraid!

70: I’ll show you how “top” [aggressive/dominant] I am!

Yun Yu: Pfft.

“…” From those two letters, she read a hint of playful disdain.

Qi Ning looked at the full-length mirror by her bed. She got up, posed in front of it, and tossed her hair. Her life had been very comfortable lately, and her sleep quality last night was great. She looked a level better than she did a few days ago.

Striking a pose full of “top” energy, Qi Ning felt like she could do this. In her mind, she had already labeled Yun Yu as a “little lamb.” Although she wasn’t a big bad wolf, she felt confident facing a little lamb.

New goal: show off her most “top” side during the meeting! Then this person would fall head over heels for her. …She thought happily, even letting out a giggle.

Qi Ning took another long, narcissistic look in the mirror, then suddenly realized something was wrong. She touched her hair and leaned in close.

The sandy gold color she’d dyed it before had grown out, and her black roots were showing. Not much, but enough. The color difference didn’t look great. Plus, the ends hadn’t been trimmed in ages.

No! She wouldn’t allow even a tiny flaw for this meeting!

Qi Ning, who had intended to lounge at home, immediately put on makeup, changed, and headed out to find her stylist, Tony.

She wanted a touch-up on the color, but the moment she sat in the chair, Tony took a lock of her hair and gave her that familiar “salesman” smile: “Oh sweetheart~ Let me tell you, if you give these ends a bit of a perm, it’ll look much better~ It’s the trendiest style this year!”

Tony suggested a wavy look he’d pitched before. Not an old-fashioned perm, but soft curls—very elegant and chic. It really did look good. But Qi Ning, the frugal expert, had always refused, thinking it was a waste of hundreds of dollars for a few curls. Besides, her straight hair was fine and easy to manage.

“Listen to me, this style is perfect for your face shape! You’ll look beautiful, a total ‘ice queen’ older sister with a presence six feet tall! I guarantee you’ll get even more suitors!”

Qi Ning was sold. “Do it!”

Money should be spent on the essentials, she thought.

The result was that she spent the entire day at the salon. When she walked out, her wallet felt significantly lighter.

It looked great, but it was so expensive.

If we ‘die on sight’ tomorrow, can I get a refund for this?

Psh, psh, psh! What am I saying!

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