Chapter 242: As a Good Bestie
On the track field, Lin Muqing was sitting in the shade of a tree, naturally chatting with a few girls, including Zhang Xiaoling and Wang Wenxin.
Being surrounded by a group of girls should, in theory, be a very enjoyable thing. But Lin Muqing didn’t feel that way at all.
At first, when they were talking about the PE tests, she only spoke a few words when someone asked her a question. She didn’t participate much.
But when the topic suddenly shifted to the troubles and concerns girls often have, she couldn’t stay quiet anymore, because she could relate.
As she listened to their conversation, she couldn’t help joining in several times, saying things that successfully struck a chord with everyone.
Before she realized it, she had completely blended into the group of girls and even became the center of their discussion.
“Wow~ Lin Muqing seems to understand everything!”
“Yeah, and she really seems like the type to take care of people.”
“So this is what they call a ‘warm guy,’ huh?”
“If only I could have a boyfriend like that…”
It was only after the fact that Lin Muqing began to sense something was wrong. She had accidentally said some things she probably shouldn’t have.
Why did she, as a boy, understand girls so well, even more than some girls themselves?
How was she supposed to explain that? Should she tell them she was actually a girl, and the reason she knew so much was because she was forced to?
Lin Muqing: Oh no, oh no… there’s no way to explain this now. (Holds head and looks up in distress)
“Muqing, do you need a girlfriend?”
While Lin Muqing was still thinking of how to slip away from the situation, a girl next to her suddenly spoke up in a joking tone.
“Ah?!”
Hearing that question, Lin Muqing’s eyes flew wide open. The blank look on her face instantly turned into panic, and she instinctively leaned back a little.
“That’s right, do you need a girlfriend? We’re all available.”
“Yeah, yeah, I can kick out my boyfriend anytime.”
Once one girl started, the rest quickly joined in the teasing, all smiling at Lin Muqing.
What gave them the courage to make such bold jokes was her terrified expression and that face full of resistance.
It seemed the more she resisted, the more excited they became, and the funnier they thought the joke was.
“Wait, wait, you guys calm down—”
Seeing the situation get out of control, Lin Muqing began to panic, her eyes darting around in search of a way to end this strange topic.
At this critical moment, Ye Ziming suddenly appeared in everyone’s line of sight.
“Ahem… uh, it’s getting late, my buddy’s looking for me, so… bye!”
Before the girls could react, Lin Muqing blurted this out and fled in a hurry, running straight toward where Ye Ziming was.
As soon as she left, the group of girls burst into laughter and started gossiping about how cute the “Couple Pairing” of Ye Ziming and Lin Muqing was.
Meanwhile, on the other side, a group of boys saw Lin Muqing suddenly running off, their eyes full of jealousy.
They were envious and bitter, but there was nothing they could do, only silently stew in their feelings.
“Big Bro, where did you go just now?”
Taking a few quick steps, Lin Muqing reached her good buddy and asked curiously.
“Just went to the bathroom.”
Ye Ziming raised an eyebrow slightly. Seeing Lin Muqing looking a bit flustered, he was surprised.
What had happened in the short time he was away?
Why did she not only look panicked, but also a little flushed?
“Ugh, don’t even mention it.”
When her good buddy asked what happened, Lin Muqing waved her hand helplessly and began complaining about what had just happened.
The old Lin Muqing: I kind of want to find a cute girl to marry.
Now, Lin Muqing thought: Is this what women are like? Please stay away from me! (hair standing on end)
Seriously, are girls nowadays all this open? They can say things like that in front of so many people? Lin Muqing really didn’t get it.
“Let’s just go home and eat,” Ye Ziming said.
After listening to Lin Muqing complain, Ye Ziming didn’t know how to comment, so he simply changed the subject and took her home.
Honestly, he thought this was a good thing. Before, he used to worry that since she kept saying she was a guy, maybe she would actually go find a cute girl to be her girlfriend. But now, he could relax, his little cutie didn’t have those kinds of thoughts.
“Mm-hmm.”
Hearing her good buddy’s words, Lin Muqing quickly dropped the topic and nodded obediently, following him home.
The morning passed quickly. They went home, ate lunch, took a nap, and then it was time for afternoon classes.
During the break after the first class in the afternoon, something happened that really surprised Lin Muqing.
Outside the classroom, several boys from another class stood in a row. They were the same ones who had caused trouble during P.E. that morning and then got beaten up. They were here to apologize to Lin Muqing, explaining why they did it and promising it wouldn’t happen again.
“Alright, alright, I forgive you. Now go,” Lin Muqing said, frowning at their so-called apology. She felt awkward and waved for them to leave. It was break time, they were standing in the hallway, and so many classmates were watching. She didn’t want people to think she was some gang leader.
After sending them away, Lin Muqing went back to the classroom, lay on her desk, and stared at her good buddy in a daze.
From the looks on those boys’ faces, like they had just swallowed a fly, she didn’t believe they came to apologize willingly. After thinking for a moment, she guessed this probably had something to do with her good buddy.
“Curious?”
Noticing her staring, Ye Ziming smiled, raised his eyebrows, and asked.
“Mm-hmm,” Lin Muqing nodded, looking right into his eyes.
Maybe this was what you call tacit understanding. Just by looking into each other’s eyes, they knew what the other wanted to say.
Ye Ziming admitted he was involved, but not entirely, the main person who acted was Meng Wenwu, Lin Muqing’s cousin.
“I see.”
Hearing that, Lin Muqing quickly moved on from the topic. She didn’t want her buddy to waste too much energy on this. In her mind, it was just a few rude guys, nothing more. But knowing her cousin had been the one to handle it made her feel warm inside, and she thought it was actually quite nice.
In the afternoon, when school ended, and also the start of the weekend, Lin Muqing was packing her things to go home when Zhang Xiaoling ran up to her.
“This is some cookies I made myself. They’re for you.”
With a big smile, Zhang Xiaoling happily handed a small box to Lin Muqing.
While Lin Muqing was still a bit dazed, she leaned in slightly and whispered softly, “As your bestie.”
After saying this, Zhang Xiaoling quickly straightened up, stepped back a few steps, waved goodbye with a smile, and then turned to leave.
Lin Muqing: Um… did she just say ‘bestie’?