Chapter 26: The Past
How did they meet?
Although they had only known each other for three years, it felt much longer. Nangong Ying always had an indescribable feeling towards Yu Linna. Yu Linna was her good friend, someone she wanted to protect, there was no doubt about that.
Their encounter was a coincidence. Before that, she never thought they would cross paths.
Three years ago, fifteen-year-old Nangong Ying had just started high school. She had left the martial arts team and entered her current high school as a specially admitted student. She thought it would be good to get into university based on her athletic talent, although she believed her academic performance wasn’t bad either. But her father insisted she take the sports college entrance exam, so what could she say?
That day, the sun was scorching, her skin felt dry, and the weather was sweltering. Walking outside was like being in a steamer. Sweat gradually soaked her clothes. Although Nangong Ying was used to training under the hot sun, it didn’t mean she enjoyed it. She bought a can of drink and sipped it as she walked, the chilled liquid soothing her parched throat, a godsend.
Although it wasn’t good to drink cold drinks on a hot day, the instant refreshment was too tempting for Nangong Ying to resist. Her father usually kept a close watch on her, but he wasn’t here now, so who could stop her?
Walking down the street, she suddenly heard a commotion around the corner. She heard a girl’s sobs, weak and pleading, followed by the sharp voices of several other girls.
“I told you not to be so flashy. That blonde hair is an eyesore. Think you’re some kind of foreigner?”
“…I, I was born this way…”
“Oh, you’re talking back? I don’t like you! You think you’re so great just because you’re a specially admitted student? I hate people who look like ghosts!”
This girl was probably an upperclassman. Her appearance was nothing to write home about, plain-looking with freckles. She and a few male followers cornered a blonde girl, not letting her leave. The blonde girl was alone and helpless, only able to cry, but it was useless; no one came to help her.
This upperclassman was deliberately looking for trouble. She didn’t like the girl’s blonde hair, saying she looked like a foreigner. She even held a pair of scissors, wanting to cut her hair.
Nangong Ying watched, her drink forgotten on the ground.
The girl was small, less than 1.5 meters tall, but her blonde hair was striking. At first glance, one might mistake her for a foreigner, but her face had the gentle features of an Easterner, suggesting she might be mixed-race. In any case, someone with this appearance stood out at school; there were very few mixed-race students here. Those who were different were easily ostracized.
Seeing this scene, Nangong Ying couldn’t control herself. A surge of anger welled up inside her, unbearable. She strode forward and, under the surprised gazes of the onlookers, slapped the upperclassman across the face.
Slap! The crisp sound echoed. The upperclassman was stunned. She never thought anyone would dare hit her!
“You…”
“If you’re so tough, don’t bully others! Why bring so many people?!”
“How dare you! Teach her a lesson!”
Then, chaos erupted. The upperclassman’s male followers started fighting with Nangong Ying, but they forgot that Nangong Ying was a national martial arts champion; she was skilled in fighting. Her kicks were faster than their reactions. Just as they turned around, Nangong Ying grabbed their collars and slammed them to the ground.
What followed was a one-sided beatdown. Under the dumbfounded gazes of everyone, Nangong Ying thoroughly taught these upperclassmen a lesson. Her movements were precise and standard, thanks to her martial arts training, and her fighting style was beautiful. More importantly, her combat skills were excellent.
Finally, the upperclassman left after uttering some harsh words, but no matter how unpleasant they were, Nangong Ying wasn’t afraid.
Nangong Ying was most concerned about the girl sobbing in the corner, her striking blonde hair tugging at her heartstrings. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and wanting to say something, all her words condensed into one sentence:
“Stop crying. My name is Nangong Ying. What’s your name?”
“…Yu, Yu Linna…”
“What a beautiful name.”
This was how Nangong Ying and Yu Linna, the two girls, met.
At the time, Nangong Ying hadn’t expected to rush forward like that. Normally, she wouldn’t interfere in such matters. But at that moment, she didn’t think twice, simply wanting to help that girl.
Later, they became best friends, and Nangong Ying was glad she had stepped forward. If it weren’t for her initiative, how would that crybaby have become close to her?
Her thoughts returned to the present. Recalling that encounter three years ago, Nangong Ying couldn’t help but smile. No matter how many times she thought about it, that encounter remained one of her happiest memories. It wasn’t without reason that Yu Linna trusted her unconditionally. After she gave up her disliked athletic career, Yu Linna supported her, which touched her deeply.
Now, she had won the national singing competition championship, a much more significant achievement. This was the first time she had followed her own heart, choosing this path and achieving this result. This time, she thought, she must be right. Nangong Ying’s greatest dream was to perform on stage, to have a large audience watch her performance and applaud. She had finally done it.
After returning home, Nangong Ying hadn’t been able to invite Yu Linna out. She waited until Friday afternoon before contacting her. Yu Linna rearranged her work schedule specifically to accompany Nangong Ying.
“Hey, Nangong, long time no see. Congratulations on winning the championship.”
Seeing Yu Linna again, she was still wearing a black tracksuit, her fashion sense as terrible as ever.
Nangong Ying’s outfit was much better, a loose Korean-style T-shirt, denim shorts, and white canvas shoes, looking incredibly cute.
“Thank you. I’ve been wanting to see you, but I haven’t had the time these past few days. Let’s go, I promised to treat you to barbecue.”
“Wasn’t it hot pot?”
“I changed my mind. Let’s go, barbecue it is.”
Nangong Ying held her hand and pulled her along. The streets were crowded, and two beautiful girls walking together naturally attracted attention. Nangong Ying was slightly taller than Yu Linna, and she leaned on her shoulder, their bodies close.
Although Yu Linna had lived as a girl for more than ten years, she hadn’t interacted much with girls. Being this close to another girl, her face flushed slightly. Just holding hands wouldn’t have this effect, but Nangong Ying was pressed too close; she could even feel her breath.
“Nangong, it’s a bit hot.”
“Really? I feel fine. Let’s walk faster.”
Couldn’t she be a bit more considerate?! At this point, Yu Linna didn’t bother saying anything. Nangong Ying was doing it on purpose. She always had a different kind of feeling towards Yu Linna. Yu Linna didn’t take it seriously; she was a girl now and didn’t think she could turn another girl gay, make her fall in love with her.
After all, she only lived to ten years old in her past life, her understanding of gender still undeveloped before she was reborn. In this life, her thinking was more feminine. But she still retained some male consciousness.
The place Nangong Ying chose wasn’t on a bustling commercial street but in a more secluded corner. They had to take several detours and walk through narrow alleys before finally finding the barbecue restaurant. The restaurant wasn’t luxuriously decorated, just average, but the aroma wafting from inside made Yu Linna’s mouth water.
“Sorry, I can’t take you to a crowded place. You know, I’m… ahem, I’ve been on TV, people might recognize me.”
“It’s okay, let’s eat!”
Yu Linna excitedly broke free from her hand and ran into the restaurant. Nangong Ying looked at her now empty hand, the hand that just held Yu Linna’s, now gone in a blink.
She chuckled, not taking it seriously, and entered the restaurant to order.
Yu Linna grabbed many skewers, mostly meat. Seeing her eagerness to eat, Nangong Ying couldn’t help but worry if she could finish it all. Nangong Ying discreetly reduced her own portion, taking more vegetables and less meat.
Later, Nangong Ying’s worries were confirmed. After eating more than half, Yu Linna started to feel full, forcing herself to finish the rest.
“I told you not to take so much.”
Nangong Ying resignedly helped her finish the leftovers. Fortunately, she hadn’t taken much herself; otherwise, they would both be stuffed to death.
“I was hungry… I specifically saved room for this meal.”
“So you skipped breakfast and lunch again, right?”
“…That’s not wrong.”
Nangong Ying sighed.
“You should still eat properly, Linna. Even though things are tough for you right now, you still need to eat regular meals.”
“Forget it, even drinking water is a problem for me. Being able to eat a good meal like this is enough.”
Yu Linna didn’t care, completely dismissing her concern.
Nangong Ying knew about Yu Linna’s family situation. Someone like her, without a family since childhood, not even a single relative, was truly special. According to Yu Linna, she didn’t remember how she became an orphan, only knowing that she had lived with different families since she was very young, moving from place to place for many years before arriving in this city. She hadn’t originally lived here.
“Linna, I won the prize, so I got some prize money. Do you want…?”
“Stop.”
Yu Linna immediately stuffed a beef ball skewer into her mouth, silencing her.
“You treating me to a meal is enough. Don’t worry about me, and I can’t accept handouts from friends.”
Although Yu Linna was thick-skinned and liked to freeload, when it came to her livelihood, she didn’t want to take advantage of others. No matter how shameless she was, she still knew what she could accept and what she couldn’t.
Again, as long as she had food to eat, she was content. She wouldn’t accept charity in any form.
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