Chapter 3: The Challenge Has Been Accepted

Orm, Becky, and May were seated at their usual spot in the campus café, surrounded by students sipping overpriced matcha lattes and hurriedly finishing assignments. But today's agenda was far more important.

"Alright, let's analyze the situation," Becky announced, slapping her notebook onto the table like a detective solving a high-profile case.

"Agreed," May said, adjusting her glasses. "This might be the most important event of the semester."

Orm rolled her eyes. "You two are acting like I just lost a presidential election."

"Worse," Becky corrected, leaning in dramatically. "You lost a social election. Lingling basically told the campus queen, 'You are not special.'"

May nodded solemnly. "We need to understand the science behind this. No one resists you, Orm. It goes against all logic."

"So," Becky continued, flipping through her 'investigation notes' (which mostly consisted of doodles of Orm crying), "I've come up with some theories."

Becky's Theory: "She's a secret agent. No emotions, no attachments. This is deep cover."

May's Theory: "She's a minimalist. Conserves her words, uses her energy only when necessary."

Orm's Theory: "She's a challenge, and I. Love. A. Challenge."

May sighed. "So basically, you're saying this is just another case of 'Orm sees something rare and immediately decides to own it.'"

Orm grinned. "Exactly."

Becky clapped her hands together. "Alright, then. Operation: Make Lingling Acknowledge You begins now."

Attempt #1: The "Casual" Encounter

Orm wasn't stalking Lingling. That would be weird.

She was simply... positioning herself strategically along the main campus walkway, which she now knew was part of Lingling's daily routine.

As she stood there, casually adjusting her turquoise scarf, Becky and May watched from a safe distance.

Becky: "Oh my god, she's actually doing this."

May: "We should be charging for this level of entertainment."

A few minutes passed before Lingling finally appeared, walking in her usual calm, unbothered manner, her bag slung neatly over her shoulder, a book in one hand and her phone in the other.

Orm straightened immediately. Showtime.

She stepped into Lingling's path with perfect timing, flashing her most dazzling smile.

Orm: "Oh wow, fancy meeting you here!"

Lingling barely glanced up before responding.

Lingling: "This is the main campus walkway."

Silence.

BECKY AND MAY NEARLY CHOKED ON THEIR DRINKS FROM LAUGHING TOO HARD.

Orm faltered for half a second before recovering. "Right. Haha. Of course. So, where are you headed?"

Lingling: "Class."

And then, she kept walking.

SHE KEPT WALKING.

SHE DIDN'T EVEN STOP.

Orm turned to watch her go, shocked and a little personally offended.

Becky and May were dying.

Becky: "That went amazing."

May: "So much chemistry. Shakespeare would be proud."

Orm scowled and stomped back toward them. "She didn't even pause."

Becky wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. "I think you just got rejected by existence itself."

May smirked. "New strategy?"

Orm huffed. "Absolutely."

Attempt #2: The "I'm a Diligent Student Too" Plan

Orm knew Lingling was a law student. She also knew that law students spent an unhealthy amount of time in the library.

So, naturally, she planted herself there.

The problem? Orm had zero idea what law students actually studied.

She plopped down at a table near Lingling, casually flipping open her economics textbook. She made a big show of stretching, sighing, and even pretending to take notes (except she was just doodling swirls in the margins).

Lingling, true to form, ignored her completely.

But Orm was persistent.

Orm: "You come here often?" (Flashes award-winning smile.)

Lingling didn't even look up.

Lingling: "Your book is upside down."

Orm stared at her textbook.

It was absolutely, 100% upside down.

May and Becky, hiding behind a bookshelf, were shaking from laughter.

May: "She's actually embarrassing herself. I love this."

Becky: "Do we intervene?"

May: "Absolutely not."

Orm very slowly turned the book the right way up, feeling all remnants of her pride disappear.

Lingling, without another word, continued studying.

ORM HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY IGNORED IN THE LIBRARY.

Defeated, she closed her book, stood up, and marched straight out without looking back.

May and Becky followed, still laughing.

May: "So, I'd say that was a success."

Orm: "HOW?!"

Becky: "Well, we succeeded in proving that Lingling has the reaction time of a brick wall."

Attempt #3: The "Maybe She Just Likes Food" Strategy

Orm figured, if words weren't working, then maybe food would.

Who says no to free food?

With newfound determination, she made her way to the campus café and bought an extra Thai milk tea and a snack.

She spotted Lingling sitting alone (as usual) at an outdoor table, scrolling through her phone.

Orm approached, placing the drink and snack on the table with the smoothness of a seasoned flirt.

Orm: "Hey. I got an extra one. Want it?"

Lingling finally looked up.

She stared at the food.

Then she stared at Orm.

Then, very simply, she said, "No, thanks."

AND WENT BACK TO HER PHONE.

SHE JUST. SAID. NO.

Orm, standing there with her rejected snack, could not believe what had just happened.

This time, she wasn't the only one in complete shock.

A voice from behind Lingling suddenly gasped.

Namtan.

She had just arrived and was watching the scene unfold with absolute horror.

Namtan: "WAIT. DID YOU JUST TURN DOWN A FREE SNACK?"

Orm turned to Namtan with new hope. "SEE? Finally, someone with sense!"

Namtan walked over, staring at Lingling like she had just committed a sin.

Namtan: "Ling. We've been friends for a long time. A long, long time. But I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in you than I am right now."

Lingling blinked up at her, unfazed. "I am not hungry."

Namtan clutched her chest.

Namtan: "People would sell their souls to have Orm offer them food and you just—declined?!"

Orm crossed her arms smugly. "See? She gets it."

Lingling took a sip of her Americano, still unbothered.

Lingling: "I don't see why it's a big deal."

Namtan looked like she was about to faint.

She grabbed the rejected snack immediately. "If you don't want it, I WILL take it."

Lingling shrugged. "Go ahead."

Orm watched in a mix of awe and frustration as Lingling simply returned to her phone like nothing had happened.

Orm, to herself: I'm going to lose my mind.

Later, back at their café table, Orm sat in complete silence, stirring her drink aggressively.

Becky leaned in. "You okay there, champ?"

May smirked. "You look like someone just stole your spotlight."

Orm groaned, dramatically flopping onto the table. "I don't GET it."

Becky: "Maybe she just doesn't like people."

May: "Or maybe she just doesn't like you."

Orm: "IMPOSSIBLE."

She sat up abruptly, eyes blazing with new determination.

"I don't care what it takes. I'm going to make her react to me."

Becky and May exchanged horrified glances.

Becky: "We've lost her."

May: "Rest in peace, Orm's dignity."

Somewhere on campus, Lingling peacefully continued her day, utterly unaware that she had just become Orm's most dangerous new obsession.