She Pretends to be A, She Pretends to be O - Chapter 6

The bell signaling the end of the last class rang, and Ning Xuechu’s phone received a message.

It was from An Jianqing: “Xuechu, I’m already at the school gate. You should be done with class now.”

“Sis, wait for me a moment. I’ll be right there,” Ning Xuechu typed quickly with both hands.

“No rush, take your time,” An Jianqing replied instantly, her words laced with amusement.

Despite this, Ning Xuechu swiftly packed her textbooks and dashed toward the school gate.

Passing by a fruit shop, her gaze sharpened, and she stopped.

Adjusting the backpack on her shoulder, she entered the shop and scanned the displays before asking, “Boss, do you have any cherries that are both sour and sweet?”

“Our cherries are all sweet, not sour at all. Here, try one if you don’t believe me,” the shopkeeper replied with a booming, confident voice.

“I want ones with a sour taste,” Ning Xuechu insisted firmly. “If they’re sour, I’ll buy them.”

Her tone left no room for argument, her slender face carrying a hint of coldness that made it clear she wouldn’t be easily fooled.

The shopkeeper’s mind raced, and he quickly changed his tune. “Take a look at these cherries. To be honest, they have a slight sourness, but overall, they’re sweet.”

Convinced by his sincerity, Ning Xuechu picked up a cherry, wiped it casually, and took a small bite.

The sourness hit her throat like swallowing a mouthful of winter ice, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

Her mouth instantly watered from the sharp tang, and she chewed several times before finally swallowing.

Frowning, Ning Xuechu coughed lightly, pressing a hand to her lips to suppress the lingering sourness before saying, “I’ll take two pounds.”

“Coming right up!” The shopkeeper beamed, swiftly weighing out the cherries.

After paying, Ning Xuechu stepped out of the shop and couldn’t help sticking out her tongue.

The sourness of the cherries seemed etched into her taste buds, the memory alone making her brain tingle with phantom acidity.

Yet, at the same time, a faint sweetness rose in her mouth.

The interplay of sour and sweet was oddly unsettling.

She feared the sourness, yet a part of her itched to savor the cherry’s sweetness again.

Her crimson tongue flicked over the corner of her lips before she forcibly suppressed the craving.

Her gaze drifted to a nearby accessories shop, and after a brief pause, she stepped inside.

Within five minutes, she emerged holding a heart-shaped box.

Finding a stone bench, she set the box on the table and meticulously arranged the cherries inside.

Two pounds of cherries filled the box perfectly.

Their golden-red hue, slightly translucent, took on a romantic glow against the red box.

Add a bouquet of roses, and it would make the perfect gift to delight a girlfriend.

The corners of Ning Xuechu’s lips curled slightly until the smile froze, hardening back into a cold line.

The word “girlfriend” was nothing but a lie. How could she entertain such fantasies?

Even if she was trying to please An Jianqing, it was only to reclaim the Ning family’s fortune.

She would never fall for this lofty, wealthy Alpha. She refused to become just another rich person’s plaything.

Clutching the heart-shaped box, Ning Xuechu strode out of the school gate.

At first glance, she spotted An Jianqing’s understated yet luxurious car.

Even parked in an inconspicuous corner, it still managed to capture everyone’s attention at first glance.

Beside the luxury car stood several students chatting loudly.

They wore exquisite makeup, stylish clothes, and flashed charming smiles, their eyes occasionally darting toward the car.

Ning Xuechu immediately understood, these people had ulterior motives. They were deliberately lingering here, hoping to catch the attention of whoever was inside the vehicle.

She had seen this scene play out multiple times at the school gate.

While inwardly scoffing at them, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy at their boldness and beauty.

But this time, an uncomfortable sensation prickled in her chest.

Frowning, Ning Xuechu tapped her fingers against her sternum, as if trying to dispel the stifling feeling.

The girls remained where they were, chatting away. Some had even begun deliberately flipping their hair or tugging at their collars.

Ning Xuechu’s eyes darkened. Clutching the box in her arms, she quickened her pace and strode over.

She stopped beside the passenger seat, turned slightly, and raised a hand to knock on the window.

Through the glass’s reflection, she caught the girls’ stunned, envious gazes as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

A faint thrill of satisfaction rose in her chest. She tilted her head slightly, casting a glance their way.

The slight upward curve of her eyes carried a trace of smugness, instantly twisting the girls’ pretty faces into expressions of jealousy.

The car window rolled down slowly, swallowing all their reactions into the narrow gap.

“Xuechu, get in,” An Jianqing said, glancing outside with a soft laugh.

Ning Xuechu immediately brightened, her slender frame blocking the girls’ view, preventing them from catching even a glimpse of the breathtaking Alpha inside.

She slid into the seat, carefully cradling the box in both hands. Her eyes flickered nervously as she spoke, “Jiejie, it’s just a small gift. I hope you like it.”

The moment the words left her lips, a delicate flush bloomed across her fair cheeks like winter plum blossoms in full bloom, cold and proud yet strikingly vivid.

An Jianqing’s nose twitched slightly, catching the faint scent of cherries.

The sweet-and-sour kind she loved.

Her heart swelled with quiet delight, warmth softening her gaze.

The person before her had changed so much from initial rejection and aversion to now willingly drawing close. All her careful nurturing and unwavering attention these past days had finally borne fruit.

Even if it was just a humble box of cherries, it was enough to make her feel that every effort had been worth it.

“Thank you, Xuechu. I love it,” An Jianqing said with a pleased smile, her gentle eyes brimming with affection.

“Jiejie, you don’t have to thank me. Right now, this is all I can do for you,” Ning Xuechu replied with an obedient smile, though a trace of guilt lingered beneath her words.

Hearing this, An Jianqing’s heart ached even more for her maturity. She reached out, stroking the girl’s soft hair like a doting elder. “Your thoughtfulness is more than enough.”

At those words, Ning Xuechu lowered her head, her thick lashes veiling the coldness in her eyes.

She could tell An Jianqing still saw her as nothing more than a child.

Harmless. Unthreatening.

Adults always assumed children were naive, easy to manipulate, their lives something to be dictated at will.

But she was no longer the foolish little girl from over a decade ago, blindly trusting others.

“Sis, I’m glad you like the gift. I was worried my clumsy hands might ruin it,” Ning Xuechu raised her head, her delicate face flashing with momentary panic before melting into relieved smiles.

An Jianqing caught that fleeting expression and paused, speaking earnestly, “No matter what gift you give, I’ll always love it.”

This present had been chosen with such care by Ning Xuechu, fearful of rejection.

Children truly were sensitive creatures, their hearts burdened with hidden anxieties, terrified that one misstep might earn them disdain.

Had those people not been so selfish and cruel, her little sister wouldn’t have grown so apprehensive that even gift-giving became an ordeal.

“Thank you, sis.” Ning Xuechu trembled slightly, her eyes instantly lighting up with joy.

Even after witnessing it countless times, An Jianqing couldn’t help but feel a pang. She chuckled softly, “Xuechu, let’s go home.”

“Okay, sis.” Ning Xuechu nodded vigorously, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

Once the car started moving, she pretended to admire the scenery outside, turning her gaze toward the window. Her dark, expressive eyes flickered with an indescribable sorrow.

She had heard the word “home” many times, yet she still didn’t know where her real home was.

How much longer would this rootless, insecure existence last?

In this world, who could truly give her a warm home?

Ning Xuechu closed her eyes, burying the loneliness and melancholy rising in her heart.

Back at the villa, after dinner,

Ning Xuechu lay in bed, staring fixedly at the ornate chandelier above, replaying An Jianqing’s delighted expression upon receiving the gift over and over in her mind.

She scrutinized every detail nothing seemed amiss.

This step had been successful; she had won An Jianqing’s favor.

A woman raised in luxury, wanting for nothing, even indulging in extravagances yet moved by a cheap box of cherries.

How laughable.

Ning Xuechu curled her lips, her gloomy eyes brimming with disdain.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a gentle voice, “Xuechu, are you asleep?”

“Not yet.” Ning Xuechu immediately sat up, her voice softening as if laced with caution.

As she walked to the door, she caught sight of her cold reflection in the mirror. Instantly, she curved her lips into an obedient smile.

“Sis, what is it?” She opened the door, her dark eyes flickering twice, her face tinged with unease.

“I washed the cherries. Thought we could eat them together.” An Jianqing lifted the fruit plate, her beautiful brows softening with warmth, her gaze questioning.

At the mention of “cherries,” Ning Xuechu recalled the sour tang sliding down her throat. She swallowed imperceptibly before replying cheerfully, “Sure! I’d love to talk more with you, sis.”

By the end, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head bashfully.

An Jianqing smiled gently, stepping inside with the cherries. Her eyes swept discreetly across the room nothing had changed.

Even the stuffed doll on the bed remained propped against the headboard, untouched.

“Xuechu, don’t you like stuffed animals?” An Jianqing asked softly, handing her a cherry.

Ning Xuechu froze, swiftly analyzing the meaning behind those words.

She reached out to take the cherry, lowered her head to take a small bite, and finally came up with a reply while chewing, “I love it. I sleep with it in my arms every night.”

In truth, she had no interest in stuffed dolls and had never touched one.

There was a time when she liked them too until she was slapped for merely touching her cousin’s doll at her aunt’s house.

From that moment on, she never liked them again.

“That’s good. I was worried you might not like it,” An Jianqing said with a smile, nibbling on a cherry, her beautiful face glowing with delight.

Ning Xuechu noticed her expression and couldn’t help asking, “Sister, why do you like sour cherries? Wouldn’t sweet ones taste better?”

An Jianqing’s eyes curved into crescents, her gentle smile tinged with sorrow. “When I was little in the orphanage, getting to eat sour cherries was the happiest thing.”

“I’m sorry for bringing up bad memories,” Ning Xuechu murmured guiltily, her fingers fidgeting with the cherry.

“It’s fine. Those days were hard, but there was still joy. Just like these cherries beneath the tartness, there’s a hint of sweetness.” An Jianqing gazed at the cherry with a smile, though deep in her eyes lay an unfathomable sadness.

Ning Xuechu froze.

She didn’t understand those words, nor could she decipher that nostalgic expression.

Those bitter days of the past, she never wanted to relive them.

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