Chapter 18

Ying couldn't help but squirm in her seat, her unease palpable. After swallowing her nerves, she finally broke her silence.

"Prigkhing and I... used to date. It was during our college days.

But things didn't work out between us. We were young and perhaps a bit foolish at the time."

Orm was taken aback by Ying's revelation, her eyes widening in astonishment.

She hadn't anticipated such a twist, and surprise was written all over her face.

Yet, her initial shock was short-lived, swiftly replaced by a sense of smug satisfaction.

"Well, well," she said, her tone dripping with sass, "I had a hunch something was going on between you two. I mean, I sensed something, but I didn't realize it was this juicy."

Unable to contain her curiosity, she leaned forward, eager for more details.

"Come on!" she pressed, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "You can't just drop a bombshell like that and not give me the full story. What happened between you two? Spill the tea!"

Ying let out a sigh, slightly exasperated by Orm's playful demeanor in such a situation.

Nevertheless, she obliged, sharing more details.

"Alright," she conceded, "Our relationship lasted about two years. There weren't any hard feelings, no big drama. We ended up becoming really good friends, as you can see."

Orm's observation was subtle yet unmistakable. She wasn't fully convinced, especially after the dinner they had all together.

She couldn't help but wonder if Ying had truly moved on. And Prigkhing? It seemed as though she might still be clinging to something...

So she decided to persist with her line of questioning, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Does Lingling know about your past with Prigkhing?"

"No," Ying replied, shaking her head. "I mean, it was never a secret, but we didn't shout it from the rooftops either." She paused, then added with a thoughtful expression, "Perhaps she might have had her suspicions, though?"

With a knowing nod, Orm continued to probe. "Alright, I see..."

"Based on what you're saying, Lingling definitely knows about you two... That's the only explanation of the fake dating scheme she roped me into!"

Ying began with a slight chuckle, "Lingling has always been a bit of an enigma. Always keeping her cards close to her chest.

As someone who's known her for a long time, I can tell you, her motives and reactions are, well, let's just say, unpredictable most of the time."

Orm's thoughts wandered to the enigmatic actress, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Hmm... interesting."

"Honestly, it's completely nuts that Lingling cooked up this whole fake dating thing with you just to get under Prig's skin.

Especially since Prig has always wanted someone who's serious and committed, not a player. Not to mention, this whole pretending thing is definitely not Lingling's usual style." Ying remarked, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of it all.

"Ah, see—I was right after all! She does have feelings for me," Orm joked, not hiding her smug smile.

"It's hard to imagine her going to these lengths just for the sake of revenge or jealousy, right? Maybe there's something more going on that she's too stubborn to admit," she added, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Ying couldn't help but burst into laughter at Orm's theory.

"Oh, please! You're letting your fantasies run wild. That girl's ego is bigger than the Himalayas. Do you really think she has genuine feelings for you? Delusional. If you're that desperate for romance, maybe you should stick to writing your novels instead. At least there, you can control who falls for whom!"

Orm, attempting to save face, chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Aw, you should've seen your face!" she teased, grinning mischievously. "Don't think too much into it, Ying. I was just joking...Lingling's attractive, no doubt, but she's not quite my type. I mean, she's beautiful, and I dare say she's a bit sexy, smart, and has that alluring confidence, but then she opens her mouth and ruins it all with her arrogance and sarcastic remarks...And don't get me started on her cooking skills, or rather, the lack thereof. But why is her smile kinda.."

Orm found herself caught in the act, her cheeks growing rosier as she realized her monologue had turned into a detailed description of Lingling's allure. She tried to regain her composure but ended up stammering, "I-I mean, she's... she's alright, I guess."

Ying playfully nudged Orm with an elbow, a teasing glint in her eye. "Should I just hand you back to her?" she asked, her voice filled with mock sympathy. "It seems like you miss serving as her personal dishwashing assistant, hmm?"

"Get me back!" Orm retorted with mock indignation, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "I bet you're just itching to get rid of me, aren't you?" she teased with a sly smirk.

Ying, not missing a beat, countered with a wicked grin, "I wish! But have you forgotten? Lingling's under the impression that you betrayed her trust by 'cheating' on her. Now, your so-called 'loyal girlfriend' is out for payback, and believe me, Lingling doesn't forget or forgive easily."

Orm shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Look, I just wanted to ruffle her feathers a bit. You know, shake up that no-nonsense act of hers," she admitted, her smirk widening. "But I might have taken it a bit too far... Still, let's face it, it's my house — dating or not. She's gotta let me back in sooner or later, right?"

"Oh, by all means, yes!" Ying exclaimed sarcastically, her voice dripping with playfulness. "I'm sure Lingling is just dying to throw open the doors and sweep you into her warm, forgiving embrace after this whole mess you've stirred up! Of course, Lingling, the epitome of cool and collected, won't bat an eye, right?"

Orm, realizing she's in a bit of a pickle, nudged Ying playfully, her voice tinged with hope. "Come on, Ying! This is a problem we created together. You're my accomplice in this chaos, remember? Now you better help me clean up the mess we made. Otherwise, Lingling might have both our heads on a platter."

Ying, not missing a beat, concocted a mischievous excuse. "I'm so sorry, Orm," she declared, barely containing her laughter. "But I promised Prigkhing. She's jetting off abroad tomorrow and insisted on my help. Besides, this mess with Lingling is your doing—you'll have to untangle it yourself. Good luck, though!"

Just before leaving, Ying paused by the door and looked back at Orm with a sly grin. "You know," she suggested, "I bet the right strategy and some well-timed flirting could easily sway Lingling. Who knows? She might even beg for your help as a 'fake wife', too!"

As Ying strolled away with a playful wink and a spirited wave, she left Orm briefly bewildered—and sporting a bemused grin. Fake wife, my ass!

Yeah, yeah... we'll see about that.