The Cold Sister Is Too Flirtatious - Chapter 21

Back at the familiar dorm room door, Leng Yao had just inserted her key when the door swung open on its own.

A dark figure lunged at her, wrapping her in a tight hug. “My dearest roommate, did you miss me?”

“Huh?”

Shangguan Tuanyuan, clutching a Star Kirby suitcase, froze in confusion. She’d been hugging Leng Yao just moments ago.

Leng Yao quickly glanced at Lin Tingxue, unable to read her expression, but the sudden drop in temperature spoke volumes.

Older Sister probably thinks Tuanyuan is some kind of intruder trying to take over our dorm.

If she didn’t defuse this situation quickly, “dearest roommate” would soon become “dear dead roommate.”

Gripping Lin Tingxue’s hand to prevent any rash moves, Leng Yao said, “Tuanyuan, you’re back in the dorm? Why didn’t you tell me? Older Sister, she’s my roommate and my best friend from university.”

“Exactly! I wanted to surprise you, that’s why I kept it a secret. Who’s this, your friend?”

Shangguan Tuanyuan pressed a rabbit charm and a bear charm into their hands. “A roommate’s friend is my friend too! Good thing I brought two little gifts—one for each of you.”

“Hello, Lin Tingxue.”

Leng Yao stared in astonishment as Lin Tingxue accepted the pair of charms and politely greeted Shangguan Tuanyuan in return.

“Sis… Older Sister, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. You told me to treat friendly people well, remember?”

My sister isn’t rejecting physical contact anymore! She’s actually starting to integrate into society. I’m so proud of her!
Shangguan Tuanyuan dragged Leng Yao’s suitcase into the room, muttering, “Lin Tingxue, you have excellent taste recognizing my friendly extrovert nature. Where’s your dorm? After helping my roommate unpack, I’ll come visit you.”

“My dorm is right here.”

“What?!” Shangguan Tuanyuan wiped away fake tears, feigning sobs. “Roommate, you’re abandoning me? No wonder I was so shocked earlier!”

She grabbed her suitcase and pretended to leave. “Fine, I’ll go. I won’t be a third wheel between you two.”

But when she reached the door, neither of them tried to stop her. She had no choice but to turn back.

She noticed Leng Yao’s face, which had been full of anticipation, now completely crestfallen at her return. The disappointment was practically written all over her face.

Oh, snap.

New friends were better, at least their expressions didn’t change.

“You haven’t left yet? Your luggage looks heavy. I can help you carry it. You should leave as soon as possible.”

“Waaah~” Shangguan Tuanyuan covered her mouth, pointing at Lin Tingxue. “How can such cold words come from your 37-degree mouth?”

In the end, the three of them ended up sharing a dorm room. Lin Tingxue and Leng Yao took the bottom bunks, while Shangguan Tuanyuan claimed the top bunk.

Shangguan Tuanyuan suggested throwing a pajama party. Before the others could even respond, she excitedly began making preparations.

Lin Tingxue watched the little rabbit buried in the closet, its rear end sticking out. “What’s this?”

Only after burying Lin Tingxue’s silk nightgown at the bottom of the pile did Leng Yao feel at ease. She pulled out a thick, bear-themed pajama set. “Older Sister, wear this tonight.”

“Okay.”

When Shangguan Tuanyuan returned with fried chicken and cola, she found the two of them sitting on the carpet, dressed in fuzzy animal pajamas.

“You guys bought matching roommate outfits behind my back!” Shangguan Tuanyuan exclaimed, placing the fried chicken and cola on the small round table on the carpet with indignant force. She opened her suitcase, laughing maniacally. “Ha ha ha! Good thing I have one too! Let’s all wear matching roommate outfits!”

The bear, rabbit, and cow lounged on the green carpet. For a moment, Leng Yao felt like she had wandered into a zoo.

“Tuanyuan, why did you move back into the dorm this semester? Weren’t you living off-campus before?”

Shangguan Tuanyuan, gnawing on a fried chicken leg, suddenly burst into tears. “Roommate, you wouldn’t believe it. My mom cut off my allowance just because I wanted to chase after Xiaxia. She said I was neglecting my studies.”

“Xiaxia? Xia Zhuo? Isn’t she that blogger you’re always chatting with?”

“Exactly! She’s going to be on Starry Sea Journey, that idol survival show. So I figured I’d try to get a job as staff, get her exclusive sun autograph, and see her every day.”

Lin Tingxue set down her still-steaming cola, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “What is this ‘idol survival show’?”

Leng Yao explained, trying to make it clear to Lin Tingxue: “Older Sister, it’s like… they pick the best girls from a huge group, the ones everyone likes the most?”

“Then why aren’t you going?”

Leng Yao’s face flushed crimson, understanding the unspoken implication: her older sister thought she was the best.

“Exactly!” Shangguan Tuanyuan slapped her thigh and gripped Leng Yao’s hand tightly. “Roommate, you’re so beautiful, and you can sing and dance! Go audition and get Xiaxia to sign a sun autograph for me, okay?”

Leng Yao shook her head, instinctively refusing. “I can’t do it.”

Hurtful words flashed through her mind:

Ha ha ha, Leng Yao, you think you can become an idol after you grow up? An ugly duckling turning into a swan? What a joke!

Shangguan Tuanyuan suddenly remembered a crucial detail. “Roommate, Duan Shize, the guy you like, is also a mentor on the show!”

Oh no! Why did I say that in front of Older Sister? Leng Yao felt guilty, even though they hadn’t officially defined their relationship. Her gaze darted nervously, avoiding Lin Tingxue’s eyes.

“You should go,” Lin Tingxue said. “It seems like your dream is there. If you truly want it, you should pursue it, not let others hold you back.”

Lin Tingxue didn’t like hearing about Leng Yao’s crush on someone else, but she knew she had no right to interfere. Besides, she could see the conflict and longing in the younger woman’s eyes—she clearly wanted to go.

Remembering Snow and Little Shell’s advice, Lin Tingxue made her only request: “But I want to go with you.”

Leng Yao never expected Lin Tingxue to so directly reveal her dream, one she had kept hidden for twenty years. Everyone knew she liked Duan Shize, but no one knew she loved even more seeing him achieve his dreams, bringing joy and inspiration to others.

Her past experiences had been too dark, leaving her afraid to even mention her desire to join a girl group.

Ridicule, school bullying, forced transfers…

But her older sister was right. Why should her life be dictated by others? This was her life!

Leng Yao’s eyes sparkled with newfound confidence. “Okay, I’ll participate.”

Hearing her agreement, Shangguan Tuanyuan clapped her hands excitedly. These two could dominate any talent show just with their looks alone. “Great! That’s settled then!”

Though Lin Tingxue was going along, Leng Yao knew she wouldn’t enjoy being in the public eye. Her willingness to participate now was likely due to her not fully understanding what the show entailed. “Older Sister, will you be my manager? That way we can still be together.”

“Okay.”

No matter the format, being with her little bunny was all that mattered.

“Roommate, Lin Tingxue! Hurry up! The Starry Sea Journey crew is leaving soon!”
After their impromptu class quiz, Shangguan Tuanyuan dragged the two girls to the registration site in a hurry. It was already the last fifteen minutes, and the once-crowded area had thinned out as most of the interviews were nearly finished.

Fifteen minutes was barely enough time for a single interview, and the wiry staff member initially wanted to turn them away. But when he saw Lin Tingxue and Leng Yao, his eyes widened with surprise. “Are both of you registering?”

Lin Tingxue handed Leng Yao’s application form to the staff member. “Leng Yao is registering. I’m not—I’m her manager.”

The staff member looked slightly disappointed. Lin Tingxue possessed a unique charisma; he was certain the tall girl would become a huge star.

However, the petite girl beside her was a classic big-eyed beauty, her eyes sparkling with an unusual liveliness. Just looking at her felt like watching a stream shimmer in the sunlight—a rare and precious sight.

He accepted Leng Yao’s application form and directed her to the interview room.

Shangguan Tuanyuan hadn’t finished her group project yet, so she could only apologize and leave Lin Tingxue waiting outside alone.

Just then, a pretty girl ran up to Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “My parents won’t let me participate in the talent show. I’ll pay the breach of contract fee.”

“But we’re sending you all to the program tomorrow for early training!” Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks snapped angrily. “Where am I supposed to find a replacement for you?”

He tapped his hand impatiently with a rolled-up script. Nearby on a bench, Lin Tingxue sat with her eyes closed, cultivating. A few strands of hair fell across her forehead, swaying in the breeze. Her high-bridged nose and long lashes gave her the look of an ice-sculpted goddess.

That’s it!

Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks approached her. “Miss, are you interested in joining our show, Starry Sea Journey? We’re from Lychee TV, the biggest entertainment channel. With your looks, you’re sure to rank high!”

Lin Tingxue didn’t open her eyes. She hated being disturbed during cultivation.

Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks pondered.

If I can really pull this off and recruit such a promising talent, the production team will definitely give me a huge bonus.

A registration form lay on the floor, an extra printout from Lin Tingxue’s unfamiliarity with the printer.

Picking it up, she noticed Leng Yao’s name and suddenly remembered that Lin Tingxue was Leng Yao’s manager.

This aloof classmate must really want the girl on the form to pass the audition, she thought.

Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks spoke with ill intent, his voice dripping with malice. “Leng Yao’s only chance is if you participate. If you don’t, your protégé might not make it past this stage.”

“Despicable!” Lin Tingxue’s eyes snapped open, spiritual energy gathering in her palm, barely contained. She recognized the threat immediately.

Startled by the ferocity in Lin Tingxue’s eyes, Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks couldn’t imagine a twenty-something college student possessing such intensity. He had been bluffing earlier; even if Lin Tingxue refused to participate, he couldn’t directly influence the audition panel.

Still, he had his own agenda. If Lin Tingxue didn’t cooperate, he could “have a chat” with the editors and easily fabricate “dirt” on Leng Yao.

Now, his voice weakened. “Hey, I was just joking, don’t get mad. Our show is fair and impartial. We would never do something like that.”

Unexpectedly, Lin Tingxue replied, “I agree to participate in the show.”

Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks’ face lit up with delight at this sudden turn of events. Though he didn’t know why she’d changed her mind, the immediate crisis was resolved. He hurried Lin Tingxue to sign the contract.

Lin Tingxue gazed at the papers on the table, her eyes darkening slightly. To be a good manager for Leng Yao, she had stayed up all night researching talent shows on the internet.

She knew that the idea of a reality competition show, where she would be constantly scrutinized by others, repulsed her. But today, this mortal had threatened her through Little Rabbit. In the future, Little Rabbit would also be vulnerable to his threats.

Human hearts were fickle. She had to ensure Little Rabbit wouldn’t lose her opportunity because of her. She remembered the elimination rounds in the show. If she dealt with this mortal first, she could withdraw afterward.

She tossed aside the ballpoint pen and, while Sharp-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeks wasn’t looking, retrieved a calligraphy brush from her storage space.

With a bold stroke, she signed her name in elegant, iron-hooked strokes: Lin Tingxue.

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