“Stop.”
Jiang Ling was cornered by her, with nowhere to escape. Her arm, raised high, felt a slight soreness in the muscles, weakly allowing Bai Xue to bind her. From her throat came a timid whimper.
I… I really feel like Bai Xue is kind of scary!
She thought helplessly, sneaking a glance at the person in front of her, clearly noticing that Bai Xue’s usual smile seemed to carry a hint of something unsettling.
Is she angry…?
No, that can’t be. I didn’t do anything wrong.
Jiang Ling thought, hesitantly asking, “Are you angry?”
Bai Xue was silent for two seconds after hearing this, then nodded, tightening her grip on Jiang Ling’s wrist.
“So you really were thinking about someone else just now?”
Jiang Ling gasped softly from the pain, inwardly lamenting that her wrist was probably going to be marked red again. Under this overwhelming pressure, she could only pitifully stare at Bai Xue, whose aura was oppressive.
“No.”
Of course, how could she admit that she was thinking about Song Meng just now?!
Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Ling averted her gaze.
Seeing this, Bai Xue said nothing and pushed her knee forward.
The touch was soft.
“Wait!”
Jiang Ling’s expression instantly panicked. Her calves weakened, but she couldn’t support herself with her hands. Her body swayed, barely managing to cling onto Bai Xue’s hand that held hers.
Seeing this, Bai Xue bent down, burying her face in the hollow of Jiang Ling’s neck.
The weather wasn’t too cold yet. Jiang Ling was wearing a loose jacket, and Bai Xue’s lips pressed just against the exposed collarbone, but made no further movement. It felt more like an unintentional gesture.
Still, Jiang Ling’s body trembled sharply.
Then she noticed Bai Xue seemed to be lightly sniffing her scent. When she lifted her head again, her eyes were unusually resolute. “You smell like her perfume.”
“Must be my nose playing tricks~”
In this situation, Jiang Ling blurted out the excuse, then her mind raced.
Perfume scent?
Fragments flashed through her mind. She immediately recalled the scene earlier today when Song Meng kissed her—she had indeed caught a faint floral fragrance then. Could it be that?
Thinking this, Jiang Ling’s face flushed red as she pressed her lips tightly, then quickly answered with feigned calmness, “Probably just accidentally brushing past someone while walking.”
Definitely not because some bad woman outside kissed me!
Hearing this, Bai Xue’s expression seemed to soften momentarily. After a long moment of thought, she loosened her grip.
“Ha…”
Once released, Jiang Ling hastily steadied herself against the wall and sighed in relief.
So scary. She almost thought she was about to be executed on the spot!
She rubbed her aching wrist and looked at Bai Xue with a slightly aggrieved expression. “What was that for?”
At the sound, Bai Xue lifted the corners of her lips and opened her arms, pulling Jiang Ling into a gentle embrace. This time, her strength was much softer, so Jiang Ling didn’t struggle, letting her hold onto her.
“It’s nothing. I just feared someone bad might kidnap you. After all, this is where you truly belong… right?”
At the end, Bai Xue’s voice faltered slightly. The arms around Jiang Ling’s waist unconsciously tightened. Though her tone was firm, she ended with a self-reassuring phrase, as if—
Jiang Ling rested her head against her chest, blinking.
She’s… scared?
Before Jiang Ling could think further, Bai Xue said again, “I hope you feel the same. But if not, it’s fine too.”
She spoke while making a circular motion with her fingers, wrapping around Jiang Ling’s wrist, then pressed close to her ear and whispered softly, “Remember those handcuffs?”
Jiang Ling instantly recalled the strange look from the fire station patrol when they saw her and blushed. “Of course I remember!”
Hearing that, Bai Xue laughed lightly, her breath spraying onto Jiang Ling’s neck, tickling her so she shrank slightly.
“I have lots of those.”
“Ouch, don’t bite me, Bai Xue!”
In response, an onslaught of gentle kisses fell like a shower.
…
After returning to the room, Jiang Ling hurried to the bathroom, lifting her hair and staring at a distinct, suggestive red mark on her neck in the mirror, growing angrier by the minute.
Is Bai Xue dog-like or what!
“Are you washing first?”
Hearing Lin Xiaoyu’s voice from outside, Jiang Ling pressed her lips, distractedly replying, “Ah… I’ll go first.”
Water cascaded over her shoulders and neck. Jiang Ling washed her face, and her groggy mind cleared somewhat.
Why do the people around me seem strange lately?
If asked what exactly was odd, Jiang Ling couldn’t quite say.
She decided not to think about it anymore and quickly finished her shower, then went to bed.
The next day.
Though she hadn’t set an alarm, Jiang Ling’s biological clock had almost settled into a fixed routine, usually waking around seven or eight in the morning.
After freshening up, she was about to cautiously leave when she heard Lin Xiaoyu’s groggy mumble: “Wait, I’ll go with you.”
“You’re awake?”
Jiang Ling was a little surprised. She wasn’t the type to wake early.
“The show’s coming up. I need to monitor your progress. Although Xiao Ran can help, she won’t scold you.”
Lin Xiaoyu yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she continued, “Sometimes a strict hand is necessary for you.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ling shyly averted her gaze, already anticipating the miserable fate awaiting her.
Sure enough, Lin Xiaoyu nearly ‘tortured’ her thoroughly. After practice, Jiang Ling collapsed onto the floor, quietly zoning out.
Her body was much more coordinated than before. Muscle soreness had eased considerably, and her stamina was slowly improving. If she had been as fragile as a breeze before, now she was at least at a normal person’s level.
She reviewed the moves she often messed up in her mind when heavy footsteps sounded outside. Looking up, she was stunned to see Xu Nuo stumbling in, carrying a camera and a large bag.
Seeing her almost hit her head on the doorframe, Jiang Ling hurried forward to steady her. “Be careful.”
Xu Nuo looked apologetic, setting down the camera and bag, then wiped her sweat, panting heavily. “Ha… finally arrived, I’m exhausted.”
Her gaze shifted to Jiang Ling. The fatigue vanished instantly, replaced by a bright smile as she grabbed her hand. “Lingling-chan!”
“I didn’t sleep all night thinking, and finally came up with a foolproof plan! With this, NOVA will surely become known to the world! First…”
Jiang Ling had just helped her set down the suitcase when she was pulled to the mirror, listening to a long-winded explanation that left her head spinning.
Just then, Bai Xue walked in and, seeing the scene, laughed. “So energetic this early?”
“Bai Xue Jie!”
Upon seeing Bai Xue approach, Xu Nuo cut off her rambling, eyes sparkling as she pointed at the cameras. “I decided we should start selling tickets for our debut show. I’ve also researched pricing and sent you the files.”
“Now, it’s time to shoot promotional photos!”