Jiang Ling saw Mo Ran smiling as if about to say something else, so she quickly stretched out her hand to keep them apart, her tone serious: “I’m not that kind of person!”
“Eh~ I was going to agree, but if you don’t want to see it, then forget it…”
“Please, let me see!”
Without hesitation, Jiang Ling immediately overturned what she had just said three seconds ago.
Seeing this, Mo Ran chuckled to herself: “Pfft, Little Bell, you really have no shame, but it’s kind of cute. Let’s go buy swimsuits.”
“Ah, and there’s Xiao Yu too.”
Jiang Ling turned to Lin Xiaoyu, trying to use the same line to persuade her, only to see her calm face quickly nod: “Yeah, let’s go.”
“Huh? Didn’t you refuse just now?”
“Because it’s interesting, I want to see your reaction.”
Lin Xiaoyu answered truthfully, casually shaking her phone, which clearly displayed the words ‘Recording’: “The result pleases me very much.”
Jiang Ling’s vision instantly went black.
“What are you satisfied with? Delete it right now!!”
The dormitory wasn’t too far from the commercial street, about a ten-minute drive to the destination.
It was near the evening rush hour, the crowd bustling and the heat pressing in. Jiang Ling instinctively tugged at her collar and quietly said to Bai Xue beside her, “Where are we going to buy?”
“Just up ahead, not far. What, are you nervous?”
Bai Xue smiled at her timid, restless expression.
“It’s not nervousness exactly, just that there are so many people it makes me a little anxious.”
Jiang Ling didn’t hide her social anxiety, unconsciously moving closer, even wrapping her arm around Bai Xue’s.
“Throwing yourself into my arms?”
“Not at all…”
Upon Jiang Ling’s denial, Bai Xue slowly withdrew her arm—
“Okay, okay, I dream about being kissed and hugged by my sister, so please let me hold onto you a little longer!”
Jiang Ling immediately whimpered, completely spineless.
“You’re such a softie~”
Mo Ran teased lightly from the side, pointing to the swimsuit specialty store not far away: “It’s right there, come on, come on. I want to see what kind of swimsuit Little Bell will pick for me.”
The group entered the swimsuit store, and the clerk immediately greeted them with a big smile: “Hello, welcome! Who are we shopping for today?”
“We’ll take a look first. Let us know if we need anything.”
Mo Ran naturally took the lead in the conversation, pulling Jiang Ling over to a nearby rack before spreading her arms in a completely surrendered pose.
“Come, ravage me as you please!”
“Is ‘ravage’ the right word here?!”
Jiang Ling hurriedly covered Mo Ran’s mouth with her hand, eyes pleading: “I still have some dignity left, please shut up!”
“Mm…”
Mo Ran muttered something unintelligible, but Jiang Ling was sure it was some foul-mouthed curse.
Unconsciously, Lin Xiaoyu walked over and said: “I’m somewhat interested in your XP. Please don’t hide your perverted nature and choose to your heart’s content.”
“Why do you have to assume I’m a pervert?!”
Jiang Ling wanted to cry but had no tears. She vaguely felt the clerk’s gaze directed at them.
Before Bai Xue, smiling sweetly, could jump into the fray, Jiang Ling quickly pulled out a hanger and handed it to her: “You wear this one!”
Immediately, a sharp intake of breath came from those around.
Hmm? It’s just a swimsuit, no need to be so surprised… What the heck, it’s just a few thin straps!
Bai Xue playfully toyed with the scant pieces of fabric: “Are you trying to get back at me?”
Jiang Ling instantly remembered the time she was forced to wear that transparent little cami and flushed crimson.
“I’m not as twisted as you!”
She bit her lip and quickly scanned the adjacent racks, then pulled out another one: “This one, this one’s okay.”
Seeing this, Bai Xue stopped teasing and leisurely carried the hanger toward the changing rooms.
“What about me?”
Mo Ran immediately spoke up, reaching for the ultra-revealing swimsuit Jiang Ling had touched earlier: “It’s definitely this one…”
“It’s not!”
Jiang Ling blushed and retorted. After a moment’s thought, she grabbed a swimsuit and shoved it into Mo Ran’s arms, then hurriedly pushed her toward another changing room: “Go change!”
“Oh? Finally going to reveal your hidden perverted XP? I’m really looking forward to it.”
Lin Xiaoyu said seriously.
Jiang Ling was too exhausted to retort, so she quickly chose her own swimsuit and shoved Mo Ran into the changing room.
While the three changed, Jiang Ling leisurely flipped through the surrounding swimsuits.
The first to come out was Bai Xue. She lifted the curtain, tugged at a strap, and looked at Jiang Ling with a stunned expression, asking: “Is it pretty fitting?”
True to her name, Bai Xue’s skin was snow white. Jiang Ling had picked her a black one-piece swimsuit with cutouts on the sides of the waist, a deep V-neck halter that perfectly outlined her figure, and big waves of curled hair cascading over her shoulders, adding a touch of charm.
Jiang Ling was momentarily stunned.
Before she could say anything, Lin Xiaoyu also stepped out and walked to the mirror. Her tone was subtly satisfied: “I didn’t expect you to have such good taste.”
She wore a light blue two-piece with a very simple upper half, but the lower half was different from ordinary swimsuits—a hip-hugging skirt with a high slit inspired by a cheongsam design. Overall, she looked like a little mermaid emerging from water, drawing endless praise.
Ah… Jiang Ling truly felt that her teammates were all enchanting beauties.
“Hey, how come you changed so fast?”
The last one out was Mo Ran, somewhat surprised, as she spun in front of Jiang Ling with a smile: “How’s this?”
As Mo Ran twirled, the pink-and-black skirt fluttered like a dance costume. Above that, silk ribbons cinched her slender waist, and a playful bow added charm. More than a swimsuit, she wore something that looked like a stage outfit.
Jiang Ling screamed internally—
Nice! XP Manifestation Plan is a total success!
Just as she was savoring the moment, she suddenly realized something had been stuffed into her arms—a white swimsuit.
“Your turn.” Bai Xue smiled, “Want your sister to help you put it on…”
“I absolutely refuse!”
Jiang Ling immediately grabbed the swimsuit and dashed into the changing room.
She had a feeling that if Bai Xue followed her in, something serious would definitely happen.
Her back felt a little cold as she unfolded the swimsuit. The style was quite ordinary; they were clearly serious about picking something for her.
About two or three minutes later, the changing room curtain was slowly pulled back at one corner. Jiang Ling blinked and shyly pursed her lips.
“Um, why do I feel a little embarrassed…”
“Sales clerk! Someone’s hogging the changing room and won’t come out!”
Mo Ran immediately raised her hand, wearing a perfect student look.
“Ah, ah, I know!”
Jiang Ling gave up and came out.
The outfit was chosen by the others and honestly didn’t reveal much. It was like a small cami with transparent straps that made it look like a bandeau at first glance, and the skirt with clearly defined pleats extended to the upper thighs—a very safe and modest style.
Yet, for some reason, Jiang Ling still felt very embarrassed. She clutched the skirt, her waterfall-like long black hair covering part of her collarbone, hanging obediently over her back and chest. Blushing, she averted her eyes and fidgeted awkwardly.
Everyone immediately shared the same thought—
Is this… the pure but secretly flirtatious type?!
Feeling all their gazes on her, Jiang Ling became even more embarrassed, biting her lip tightly and whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s:
“D-Don’t… don’t stare at me like that…”