Chapter 74: Not My Type p2
Jiang Lingling’s words were like a hundred thunderbolts, striking Mi Hongdou. She choked, almost fainting from anger. She didn’t know whether to ask Jiang Lingling why she thought she and Ji Junxin were a couple, or to criticize her for being so self-absorbed.
She just wanted to look at the world with gentleness, why was it so difficult! Mi Hongdou patted her chest, trying to calm down.
“Are you… okay… was I too direct?” Jiang Lingling asked with concern. “Should I… rephrase it more subtly?”
No! Mi Hongdou, speechless, turned away from this idiot, one hand on her chest, the other weakly raised in a gesture of “stop.”
Jiang Lingling mistook her trembling hand for sadness and felt a pang of guilt… “Xiaomi, you’re a good person, beautiful, talented, a good cook, and a good person, everyone likes you, anyone would be lucky to have you as their girlfriend.” Jiang Lingling earnestly listed Mi Hongdou’s merits, then changed her tone, “Although… I also want to be in a relationship. But… your type, the domesticated, homebody type, isn’t really my preference. If you really want to try… then…” Seeing that she had upset Mi Hongdou, Jiang Lingling didn’t dare to be too harsh. But the thought of trying a relationship with Mi Hongdou… she really wasn’t her type, it was a difficult situation.
Mi Hongdou, exasperated, laughed. “Jiang Lingling, that’s enough. Which eye of yours saw me liking you?”
Jiang Lingling seriously pointed at her right eye, then her left.
She wanted to hit someone! Mi Hongdou, her face furious, pointed at Jiang Lingling’s eyes. “I’ll gouge them out!”
Jiang Lingling quickly stepped back, shocked: “You’re turning from love to hate so quickly? You were just looking at me so gently! And now you want to gouge out my eyes! Mi Hongdou, don’t be like this! Can’t we still be friends!”
“We’re no longer friends!” Mi Hongdou put on a fierce expression. “I’m thinking about how to kill you and silence you!”
Tsk… Jiang Lingling wasn’t scared by Mi Hongdou’s fake fierceness, it looked too unconvincing. “I think we can still be friends. But if you think it will make you unhappy or sad, then forget it.” Jiang Lingling made a final attempt. “But you gave up on pursuing Ji Junxin, and you’re still friends, right? Is the difference between giving up and being rejected that significant to you?”
The mention of Ji Junxin calmed Mi Hongdou’s anger slightly.
Looking at Jiang Lingling’s serious expression, seemingly trying to maintain her pride but unable to hide her hurt feelings, Mi Hongdou sighed… although she didn’t understand Jiang Lingling’s logic, she clearly had to bring her back to reality.
“Jiang Lingling, I don’t like you, I’m not pursuing you, I don’t have any romantic feelings for you, and I’m not particularly interested in you.” Mi Hongdou’s expression was serious. “I’m being serious, do you understand?”
“So you’re just saving face because I rejected you?” Although Jiang Lingling didn’t find Mi Hongdou attractive, her eagerness to deny everything still hurt her pride.
Mi Hongdou almost choked again. She took a few deep breaths and replied seriously, “No, from the beginning, I’ve only ever seen you as a friend. I don’t know why you misunderstood, but I can assure you, it’s just a misunderstanding.” She paused, then, thinking that using Jiang Lingling’s logic might be more effective, added, “You’re really not my type either, really. It’s all a misunderstanding.”
So Mi Hongdou meant that she had been overthinking too much? Jiang Lingling felt like she had taken 10,000 points of damage.
“But your gaze just now, it was so gentle, just like how you used to look at Ji Junxin! Don’t you like me?” Her pride made her argue, she wasn’t being delusional!
It was all because of her gaze… Mi Hongdou, now calmer, sighed. “It’s my fault. I was just trying to look at the world with gentleness today… and you misunderstood.” It seemed she could no longer be gentle with this world!
Jiang Lingling looked at Mi Hongdou with disbelief.
Mi Hongdou, her expression serious, explained, “Really, I looked at everyone like that today. You can ask Ji Junxin… ask Bai Tang… and the driver who drove us here. Well, if they noticed.” She wanted to offer Jiang Lingling her heart as proof.
Why did she keep wanting to offer her heart as proof recently? It was tiring. But she had to clear up this misunderstanding, it was too ridiculous.
With so many witnesses, it would be too much to continue doubting. Jiang Lingling hesitantly asked, “So, I misunderstood?”
Mi Hongdou nodded vigorously: “Yes.”
Jiang Lingling narrowed her eyes: “So, you were really trying to be gentle with the world today?”
Mi Hongdou continued nodding: “Yes.”
Jiang Lingling smiled: “So, you really looked at Ji Junxin, Bai Tang, the driver, and me, with gentleness?”
Mi Hongdou nodded sincerely: “Yes.”
Jiang Lingling suddenly asked, “So you don’t like me, you like Ji Junxin.”
Mi Hongdou’s nod froze midway, the words caught in her throat. When they finally came out, they became: “I really don’t like you.”
“Tsk…” Jiang Lingling was displeased. “She’s not taking the bait.”
Jiang Lingling’s current tactic was the same as hers last night, but at least she had used fried meatballs as bait, Jiang Lingling was trying to get something for nothing. In her dreams. Mi Hongdou praised her own quick wit.
But before she could finish celebrating, Jiang Lingling continued, “Even if you don’t admit it, it’s okay. I’ve already seen through your feelings for Ji Junxin. I was wondering why you suddenly gave up on her and turned to me, you’re not that fickle. And…” she suddenly slapped her thigh, “I’m such an idiot! I was so focused on your strangely gentle gaze towards me that I forgot, you looked at Ji Junxin with the same gentleness today. So you really were trying to be gentle with the world today? Suddenly looking at the world with the eyes of a lover, Mi Hongdou, you’re definitely crazy!”
Jiang Lingling’s every sentence was full of flaws, too many to even address! Mi Hongdou didn’t know whether to be grateful that Jiang Lingling finally believed she didn’t like her or to argue about whether she was crazy. As for her and Ji Junxin… Mi Hongdou’s eyes dimmed, she wasn’t sure if Jiang Lingling was just randomly commenting or if she had actually seen through her.
If it were anyone else, saying she liked Ji Junxin, Mi Hongdou would have dismissed it as nonsense. But it was Jiang Lingling, that was different. After all, in her previous life, Jiang Lingling had come out publicly, she was a lesbian. It was possible that she could see through her hidden feelings. So, had she been too careless? …
Mi Hongdou’s silence made Jiang Lingling feel a little embarrassed. She had insulted Mi Hongdou several times today… well, even if she truly thought Mi Hongdou was crazy, she shouldn’t have been so harsh. If you’re sick… you should see a doctor. Jiang Lingling sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called you crazy. But you’re acting so strangely today, are you sure you don’t need to see a doctor?”
Mi Hongdou was shocked. Jiang Lingling’s earlier comments about her being crazy weren’t just casual remarks, she genuinely thought she was sick! Was she insane! Who was the woman who tamed her in her previous life? She was a savior of humanity!
Not wanting to argue with someone whose imagination could break through the heavens, Mi Hongdou waved her hand. “I’m really fine, I just wanted to be gentle with the world today, and now it’s clear that I was wrong. I’ll just be my usual straightforward self.” Especially with you… Mi Hongdou glanced at the chauffeured car in the distance and turned back to Jiang Lingling, saying seriously, “Anyway, the misunderstanding is cleared up now. I really don’t like you, and you really don’t like me, we’re still friends. To compensate for scaring you today, I’ll treat you to dinner when our schedules are less hectic…”
Before Mi Hongdou could finish, Jiang Lingling’s eyes, which had dimmed from her own delusional thoughts, suddenly lit up. “I want to eat pig…”
“Okay, pig it is. No ordering specific dishes.” Mi Hongdou quickly interrupted her, then added, “Anyway, the misunderstanding is cleared up. And don’t talk nonsense about me and Ji Junxin.” She felt a little guilty saying the last sentence, but she had to warn her.
“I wasn’t talking nonsense.” Jiang Lingling straightened up, her posture unwavering despite the mention of food. “I saw through you long ago. At that time, you probably didn’t even realize you had a crush on Ji Junxin. I was even thinking about giving you a hint. But then you seemed to have realized it yourself, so I didn’t interfere. So, how are things progressing between you and Ji Junxin?” Jiang Lingling asked, her eyes gleaming with gossip.
Mi Hongdou’s face was full of black lines. She couldn’t help but say, “Jiang Lingling, why are you so blunt? Like just now, saying I like you, you just blurted it out, don’t you think this kind of feeling between two girls…” Shouldn’t this kind of feeling be kept hidden deep inside? … Mi Hongdou stopped mid-sentence, remembering that Jiang Lingling had publicly come out in her previous life. There was no point in criticizing her.
In her previous life, watching Jiang Lingling’s public statement, Mi Hongdou had admired her courage. She was a successful businesswoman, thriving in the entertainment industry, and she had the courage to be open about her sexual orientation. But now, trapped in her own secret crush, recalling Jiang Lingling’s actions, besides admiration, she also felt… envy. Envy for her courage, and envy… that she could be with the woman she loved.
“What about feelings between two girls?” Jiang Lingling, of course, didn’t know what Mi Hongdou was thinking and just continued the conversation.
“Nothing…” Mi Hongdou shook her head, no longer wanting to argue.
But Jiang Lingling wouldn’t let her off the hook. She thought for a moment and seemed to understand what Mi Hongdou had wanted to say. Having missed the opportunity to enlighten Mi Hongdou earlier, she now had another chance to be her life mentor! Jiang Lingling was so excited that she practically vibrated with energy.
“Wait!” She took out her phone, typed something, cleared her throat, and said with a serious expression, “It is said that in this world, eighty percent of people are bisexual, ten percent are homosexual, and only the remaining ten percent are purely heterosexual. So, if one day, you find yourself developing feelings for someone of the same sex, don’t panic, don’t be afraid, you’re not abnormal, you’ve just met someone you like. Don’t be ashamed, don’t be cowardly, in this world, all love is equal. Don’t be afraid, learn to protect yourself, protect the person you like, and love bravely, you will find the most beautiful love in this world.” Jiang Lingling, in full life mentor mode, concluded, “Do you understand?”
“What do you even read? …” Mi Hongdou was speechless. “It sounds like… a motivational speech.”
“Tsk! I read yuri novels, of course!” Jiang Lingling said sarcastically. “You obviously don’t read! Uncultured! You’re a lesbian yourself, and you don’t even actively seek out information, you just secretly pine! Pine! Pine!”
Secretly pining offended you? Why don’t you find someone to secretly pine for! Mi Hongdou’s face was full of black lines.
Mi Hongdou resisted the urge to retort. Jiang Lingling seemed… experienced. Although she was often unreliable, she was still better than her, who, even after two lifetimes, only vaguely understood what yuri was, having never read any yuri novels, watched any yuri films, or… whatever.
The night before, before turning off the lights, Ji Junxin had suddenly said that her gaze was gentle… Mi Hongdou had tossed and turned all night, thinking that at this rate, she would be exposed. But she couldn’t bring herself to be cold and distant towards Ji Junxin. Especially after having hurt the little foodie with the fried meatball incident, she had just managed to appease her, the wound probably still fresh, she needed to make amends, to give her more love, how could she suddenly become distant? If she couldn’t control her gaze towards Ji Junxin, then she could only… Mi Hongdou thought that if she looked at everyone with the same gentle gaze, then perhaps Ji Junxin wouldn’t notice anything different when she looked at her. She thought this and did this. And then, early this morning, her plan was ruined by the self-absorbed Jiang Lingling.
Having caused such a mess, she could no longer be gentle with the world. That bowl of chicken soup earlier, for Mi Hongdou, whose knowledge of yuri was limited, had been barely palatable. Now, she hoped Jiang Lingling had some more practical advice. If she could learn something to resolve her current predicament, that would be great…
So, Mi Hongdou hesitantly reached out. “Then, can I… see what you were reading earlier?”
As soon as she said this, it was Jiang Lingling who became hesitant.
Jiang Lingling clutched her phone, not handing it over.
Mi Hongdou looked at her innocently, puzzled.
“Sigh… okay, okay, let you see.” After much hesitation, Jiang Lingling reluctantly handed over her phone, as if she was being forced to give up a piece of her flesh. “Here, this is a website called Jinjiang, and it has all kinds of books…”
Mi Hongdou stared at the green interface.
“This is my favorite author. The passage I read to you earlier, she wrote it.” Jiang Lingling hesitantly opened an author’s page. “She writes both romance and yuri. But many readers say her romance novels are more like pure love or yuri, not really romance. But she’s still a great author. Just take a look… and don’t try to steal her from me.” Jiang Lingling said seriously and took back her phone.
“I didn’t even see clearly…” Mi Hongdou felt like she had heard Jiang Lingling’s words somewhere before. Before she could react, Jiang Lingling took back her phone.
“Did you see the website? The author’s name?” Jiang Lingling asked, her tone a bit arrogant. “You can search it yourself, don’t use my phone. I have many secrets on my phone. And this author is amazing, don’t try to steal her from me!”
“Heh… as if she’s yours.” Mi Hongdou complained and took out her own phone, typing the website address.
“Hmph, although she’s not mine, I love her. I can’t stop wild fans, but I can stop the fans I recommend.” Jiang Lingling, watching Mi Hongdou type the author’s name, felt a pang. Another fan to share her beloved author with, how annoying. She shouldn’t have tried to be a life mentor.
Mi Hongdou slowly typed the author’s name and smiled. “I haven’t even read anything yet, and you already think I’ll become her fan?”
“Of course.” Jiang Lingling said proudly. “My goddess writes amazing stories, captivating plots, and profound life lessons. Just reading her work, you know she’s a smart, intelligent, elegant, and refined older sister with long, flowing hair!”
“Have you even seen her photo?” Mi Hongdou finished typing and pressed search.
“No…” This answer made Jiang Lingling slightly deflated, but she quickly recovered. “But I can tell from her writing that she’s definitely that kind of cultured, profound, and sophisticated older sister! Perhaps a teacher, or a white-collar worker… a little older than us, otherwise, she couldn’t write such deep things!”
Mi Hongdou had now successfully entered the author’s page.
…So, what were “The Kettle and the Heart” and “Spy Game” doing in her list of works!
Mi Hongdou showed her phone to Jiang Lingling. “These two are…?” she asked, pointing at the titles.
“Those are her novels, romance, but the readers all say they’re BL disguised as romance.” Jiang Lingling smiled and pointed at the film reel icons next to the titles. “See these icons? They’ve been adapted into films.”
“This author, the one you love, the profound, sophisticated older sister with long hair, a little older than you?” Mi Hongdou asked again, her expression conflicted.
Jiang Lingling nodded proudly.
Mi Hongdou looked towards the set, at Pan Xiang, who was sitting next to Director Pan, her hair in a bun, carrying a colorful backpack, looking youthful and energetic as she ate shrimp dumplings, the “little girl” Jiang Lingling had just mentioned.
Imagination… could really be deadly…
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