Capítulo 49: Chapter 49: Princess Ariel

Su Ning woke up early the next day to do a video call with Gu YuChen. By now, it has been a few months since Gu YuChen went to Cambridge. The two initially tried to have regular calls but this gradually fell through due to their busy schedules. However, Gu YuChen would still constantly send Su Ning text messages of his daily life abroad as if to pique her curiosity about life outside C Country. As an adult in her past life, Su Ning could only chuckle at Gu YuChen's childish antics. 'Pfft. He really wants me to go to university there.' Su Ning thought as she waited for the call to connect.

**video call**

[Su Ning]: YuChen-ge~ Did I disturb you?

[Gu YuChen]: Uhm..No I have been waiting for your call.

Su Ning sat on her bed wearing a white chemise nightgown with her hair braided on one side, her pretty face glowing from the early morning light. This sight of Su Ning after months of simple phone calls made Gu YuChen blush, the tips of his ears quickly turning red. Su Ning continued to speak, oblivious to Gu YuChen's discomfort.

[Su Ning]: Oh good we can chat a bit before you sleep.

[Gu YuChen]: En.

[Gu YuChen]: Do you want to talk about what happened between you and JinYan?

[Su Ning]: Oooh.. [sigh]

And so, Su Ning explained the crux of her recent fight with Lin JinYan while Gu YuChen listened attentively. He did not make any comments or offer any advice until Su Ning asked him what he would have done in the situation.

[Gu YuChen]: If I was Lin JinYan, I would have probably done something similar.

[Su Ning]: I see.

Su Ning said while nodding her head. Gu YuChen looked solemn as he spoke.

[Gu YuChen]: I would want to provide the person I care for with the best opportunities.

[Su Ning]: Even at the expense of others?

[Gu YuChen]: Mm..Would you prefer it if it's without harming others?

[Su Ning]: En.

Su Ning answered with a firm nod.

[Gu YuChen]: Then, I'll try.

Hearing Gu YuChen's answer was enough for Su Ning; she has some awareness that the business world is a lot more cutthroat than senior high. If Gu YuChen was too soft in his dealings, it will just end up hurting himself and Gu Corp Ltd in the long run. Thousands of employees and their families' lives would be affected with the decline of a conglomerate like Gu Corp Ltd, so Gu YuChen will need to be a strong and decisive leader.

[Su Ning]: By the way YuChen-ge, that person you like...

[Gu YuChen]: Ah?!

[Su Ning]: Pfft. Why are you so surprised?

[Su Ning]: I just wanted to ask if the girl you like also went to the UK?

[Gu YuChen]: Why..Why so suddenly!?

[Su Ning]: Well..we didn't talk about this for a while. And I just remembered I didn't get to ask you in detail about her before.

[Gu YuChen]: Oh..No. She's not here with me.

[Su Ning]: Ah? You two are in a long distance relationship?

[Gu YuChen]: ...It's not yet…

[Su Ning]: ...Are you two not together yet? Is that what you mean?

[Gu YuChen]: En.

[Su Ning]: Well, does she even know you like her?

[Gu YuChen]: …

[Su Ning]: YuChen-ge, are you in an unrequited love?

[Gu YuChen]: …

Suddenly Su Ning felt a bit sorry for this 'facial paralysis' friend of hers. 'I can't believe he didn't get to confess before he left.' she thought. Gu YuChen must have seen the pitying look on her face so he gave a short cough and decided to change the topic. They caught up on the things that happened in the past few months before touching on Su Ning's upcoming performance. She eventually promised to send Gu YuChen a video recording of the musical before bidding him goodbye so she can get ready for school.

[Su Ning]: Bye, YuChen-ge! I'll talk to you soon~

[Gu YuChen]: En. Remember to be careful around Lin Feng.

[Su Ning]: Mm. I got it. You are like my dad.

[Su Ning]: Bye bye~

[Gu YuChen]: Bye.

[Gu YuChen]:*whispers* I wish I could just keep you with me, always.

[Su Ning]: Ung? What did you say? I didn't get that?

However, Gu YuChen just shook his head before waving back and cutting the video call. Su Ning thought it was a bit odd of Gu YuChen to hang up in that manner but decided to not pay any mind to this as she started to prepare for the day.

....................

In school, Su Ning finally attended the first rehearsal of The Little Mermaid in the M Academy Auditorium. She got to meet the rest of the cast and was surprised to find that Qing Mei was selected to play one of Ariel's sisters, Andrina. Su Ning personally harbored no resentment towards Qing Mei so she greeted the girl cordially as she did the rest of the cast. The latter also appeared to be of the same mind as she shook hands with Su Ning and exchanged pleasantries with a smile.

After the cast finished their introductions, the director & producer Mrs. Choi announced that Lin JinYan who will be playing Prince Eric will be absent today since he is currently recovering from a fever. So albeit disappointed, the cast went on with their 2hr rehearsal learning the songs and choreography for the show without the male lead. Meanwhile, this was the first large scale group activity Su Ning had participated in both in this life and in her past and she enjoyed it thoroughly.

The cast who had doubts regarding her skills were eventually silenced when Su Ning sang 'Part of Your World' in acapella on the stage. It was undeniable that the girl had the talent and the charisma to capture the audience. Overall, they have already accepted her as the Princess Ariel of the M Academy. Now it was just a matter of polishing the areas where she was slightly lacking.

As a result, she had to spend some additional time with the musical director, Mr. Ho, for some one-on-one acting lessons on stage. Su Ning didn't mind at all since she knew she was one of the more inexperienced performers in their troop so she happily accepted the extra homework before bidding them goodbye for the day. However, as she was about to exit the auditorium, who would be waiting for her but Qing Mei. The latter's image had changed considerably as she now kept her hair in a chin length Aline bob and also kept a considerably more low profile in school.

"Hi Su Ning.' Qing Mei spoke, grinning as she approached the other girl.

"Oh hi. Are you on your way home as well?" Su Ning asked somewhat startled.

"En. But before that, I was hoping we could grab some tea together. If you have time." (Qing Mei)

"Mm..sure. There's a boba place nearby." (Su Ning)

As both girls drank their milk teas sitting outside of the boba shop, Qing Mei broached the topic weighing on her mind. "Actually, you may not remember… how I was towards you before. But, I have always been meaning to apologize for my actions."

"..." (Su Ning)

"It was very childish of me to play those tricks with KeLi and WeiWei. I guess I just got so jealous of the attention you received. Looking back now...I was being so silly. I hope you will forgive me." Qing Mei explained apologetically.

"That was so long ago." Su Ning answered with a smile. "Don't beat yourself over it. I was never mad at you. So, there's nothing to forgive."

"Really?." Qing Mei looked at Su Ning, her eyes damp.

"Mhmm," her companion made a soft sound of assent.

"Su Ning..Do you? Do you think we could be friends?" Qing Mei asked tentatively.

"Ung? Sure." Su Ning easily agreed.

"That's great! Thank you! You don't know how much your forgiveness means to me!" Qing Mei cried out as she energetically grabbed Su Ning's hands, causing the other girl to laugh. The two continued to chit chat about light topics before parting ways at dinner time.

'Mm. Today, I got recognized as Princess Ariel and even gained a new friend. It's a pretty good day if I might say so myself,' thought Su Ning with a smile as she walked back to her apartment.