Chapter 75: Then Let Me Ask You

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Since she'd made up her mind, she figured she'd just go for it. Bai Ning and Su Youmeng were still resting anyway. Even though this would normally be the perfect time to slip into Bai Ning's room, it was still early, she could head over later.

Ning Xue gave a small nod and leaned back against the sofa.

After Bai Ning and Su Youmeng had gone inside to sleep, she'd swept up the juice that had spilled on the floor. When she went to pour out the water in Bai Ning's basin, she hesitated for a moment, but quickly snapped back to her senses.

Her face flushed red. Ning Xue patted her own cheeks, breathing a little unevenly. She was starting to realize that something was seriously off with her.

Bai Ning didn't seem to resist the things she did to her, if anything, she just got a little shy. But Ning Xue still couldn't figure out what Bai Ning was actually thinking.

Ning Xue's fingers flew across her phone screen. If she couldn't work it out on her own, it just meant she didn't have enough experience, she'd better go ask a professional.

Ning Xue: [...So yeah, that's basically it. My friend can't quite figure out how the person she likes actually feels about her.]

She'd sent out everything she'd been thinking about these past few days. She hadn't used her own name, but she still felt her face heat up a little while typing it out.

Xia Zhichu: [I see.]

Xia Zhichu: [Honestly, this seems pretty obvious to me.]

Ning Xue: [Master, what insight do you have.]

As expected of someone who practically lived at the lesbian bar, she'd barely heard the summary and already knew what to do.

Ning Xue's expression lit up with excitement as she waited for Xia Zhichu's answer.

On the other end, Xia Zhichu had her own thoughts going on.

Ning Xue was a cautious one. Even knowing that she and Bai Ning were acquainted, she'd still been very guarded. Over the past few days, Xia Zhichu had put in a ton of effort and finally managed to earn Ning Xue's trust. Through her, she'd gathered quite a bit of info about Bai Ning, which she'd compiled and sent over to Nan Zha.

Thinking about everything she'd done these past few days, it'd honestly be a little unfair if Nan Zha didn't call her "big sister" at this point.

Anyway, getting sidetracked, back to the point. Xia Zhichu's plan was simple: Ning Xue was one of Bai Ning's few friends, so all she had to do was get bits of information about Bai Ning through her, and casually drop Nan Zha's name into their conversations here and there.

Get Ning Xue to remember Nan Zha, and form a positive impression of her. If that worked, then when Ning Xue spent time with Bai Ning, she could indirectly nudge Bai Ning's feelings toward Nan Zha through her, helping the two of them grow closer.

Of course, she knew full well that the "friend" Ning Xue was talking about was herself. She just didn't call her out on it, she'd heard that excuse so many times she'd lost count.

Xia Zhichu felt like she was born to be a wingwoman. Who says you need personal experience to give good relationship advice?

Go on, Nan Zha, say something already!

Xia Zhichu: [Your friend and the person she likes are already this close, and the other person still hasn't said yes. Why do you think that is?]

She opened with a counter-question, tossing it right back, a classic move to take control of the conversation.

Sure enough, Ning Xue seemed to draw a blank.

Ning Xue: [Maybe because both of them are just really shy?]

Xia Zhichu: [Lol.]

Xia Zhichu: [What era do you think we're living in? Being shy isn't going to get you a girlfriend. You've gotta be shameless and clingy. That's just how it is.]

People who can't scheme and people who aren't bold tend to end up alone.

Ning Xue: [But won't being too clingy make her annoyed?]

Ning Xue's face was going red. She'd always believed in the slow-burn approach, the whole "boiling a frog in warm water" thing, trusting that feelings would grow with time. She wasn't totally sold on what Xia Zhichu was saying.

Xia Zhichu: [Then let me ask you something.]

Xia Zhichu: [From everything you've told me, I can tell she's someone who gets embarrassed easily, right. But have you noticed she doesn't actually push any of this away? For someone like that, what you need to do is go all in!]

Ning Xue had been lounging on the sofa looking pretty relaxed, but the moment she read those words, her expression shifted completely. She sat up straight and gripped her phone with full attention.

Thinking about how Bai Ning usually reacted, Ning Xue suddenly felt like Xia Zhichu was absolutely right.

Ning Xue: [So... you mean I should take the initiative and make it impossible for her to dodge?]

But then Xia Zhichu's next message threw cold water all over the little spark of courage she'd just built up.

Xia Zhichu: [Nonono, that's a terrible idea. Even if she doesn't hate it, if you keep hounding her, her feelings for you might actually go down.]

So is it go all in, or is it the slow-burn approach?

It's like the right brain proposes a theory and the left brain roasts the right brain into oblivion.

Ning Xue felt like she couldn't keep up with Xia Zhichu's logic anymore, but she figured Xia Zhichu must have her reasons for saying it.

Ning Xue: [Then what exactly should I do?]

Xia Zhichu looked at the message on her screen and let the corner of her mouth curl up.

Being clingy was fine, but there was a limit. Go too far and you're just being annoying.

Xia Zhichu: [It's actually pretty simple. If you're too aggressive, your affection starts to feel cheap, and people won't treasure it.]

Xia Zhichu: [So here's the thing, make your move when the moment calls for it, but know when to pull back. Leave her wanting more. If I had to describe it, it's like getting someone right to the point of takeoff and then suddenly cutting the engines, that itch-you-can't-scratch feeling, you know?]

The words were rough but the logic was solid.

Ning Xue put herself in that position, imagine being taken right to the edge and then having everything stop, she felt like she'd explode. After running through that scenario in her head, she suddenly realized Xia Zhichu was completely right.

She shouldn't be the one making Bai Ning feel flustered. Instead, she should pull back right at the moment Bai Ning gets flustered, that way it'd leave that itchy, restless feeling without things going too far.

Though one time probably wouldn't be enough. She'd have to do it multiple times.

Just imagining Bai Ning eventually being the one to come to her for affection, Ning Xue couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. A beautiful future was just around the corner.

Ning Xue: [Thank you, master. I'd like to take the evening off, I've got something going on tonight.]

Seeing Ning Xue's message, Xia Zhichu was in a good mood and waved her hand without a second thought, approving the request.

The good mood wasn't hers alone, Xia Zhichu was also feeling pretty great right now. That satisfaction from actually helping someone out, it really wasn't an exaggeration. But she hadn't forgotten her original goal either.

Xia Zhichu: [Is something going on? If you're having trouble, you can always tell me.]

Reading the message, Ning Xue felt a warmth in her chest. She thought to herself, Xia Zhichu really is a good boss.

Ning Xue: [Nothing too big, just going out to hang out with a friend. I'll fill her in on your method in detail.]

Xia Zhichu: [No problem, go ahead. You've been pretty busy these days anyway, consider it a day off.]

Ning Xue's work ethic was genuinely impressive. The first couple of days she was a little all over the place, scrambling to keep up, but after just 2 days she'd basically gotten everything running smoothly. A few small hiccups here and there, but honestly already really good.

So it wasn't just about the plan, Xia Zhichu genuinely saw Ning Xue as a standout employee. She'd make sure to take Ning Xue's matters seriously too.