Hearing the sound, Jiang Ling tried her best to nod calmly, but her eyes immediately averted, afraid that Song Meng would see the flicker of panic deep within them.
Why did she come!
As Jiang Ling screamed each word silently in her heart, Song Meng had already walked over and sat down, the distance between them neither too far nor too close, just the right measure.
“Your performance today was excellent.”
After a moment, Song Meng praised her, her gaze following Jiang Ling’s somewhat uneasy expression. “Are you still mad at me?”
Jiang Ling was suddenly at a loss for words.
This person really was a straight shooter!
If it were her, she definitely wouldn’t dare to ask so directly if someone was still angry.
All sorts of chaotic thoughts flashed through her mind, and she ended up nodding in confusion.
Although Jiang Ling wasn’t angry at all, wouldn’t it be very unconvincing to say she wasn’t angry at this moment?!
Besides, at this point, trying to explain “I just panicked and ran off, but I wasn’t really angry, you know” would sound vague!
So Jiang Ling nodded without hesitation.
She thought Song Meng would take the hint, leave with a gloomy expression, and that she would finally get a breather, a chance to avoid dealing with their complicated relationship for a while—
“Am I being too harsh?”
But Song Meng didn’t back down. She subtly moved a few steps closer, her expression pure and harmless, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, putting on a perfectly pitiful look.
She was already a striking beauty, but with this vulnerable expression, Jiang Ling’s heart suddenly took a hit, and she awkwardly looked away. “Not really…”
“Then what is it?”
Seizing the opportunity, Song Meng leaned even closer. This time, Jiang Ling clearly noticed the distance between them shrinking rapidly.
“Um… it’s just that what you did wasn’t right.”
Jiang Ling tried to reason with her. “We’re only pretending to be in a relationship; there’s no need to go that far. That kind of thing should only happen if there’s real affection—”
“I like you.”
The answer was immediate and quick!
Jiang Ling’s face flushed red, and she hurriedly waved her hands. “I’m not asking you to confess! And why do you even like me—”
At this, Jiang Ling seemed to have found a key point. She straightened her back and declared righteously, “Not to mention that we’re both girls, we haven’t known each other long enough to develop feelings like that!”
Facing Jiang Ling’s confidently challenging words, Song Meng remained expressionless and covered her chest.
“Perhaps you’ve heard of love at first sight—”
“That’s impossible!”
Jiang Ling raised her voice a bit, her expression lively and rich, looking more flustered than embarrassed, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. “You just said that because teasing me is fun, right?”
“There’s nothing about me worth liking. I’m timid and cowardly, and even after practicing dance for so long… I still haven’t done well.”
After saying this, her voice suddenly fell silent, her lips pressed tightly, and her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly.
Song Meng instantly understood where this terrible mood was coming from, a helpless look flickering in her eyes.
“You’re really rude.”
With that, Song Meng almost forcefully lifted Jiang Ling’s chin. Looking at her stubborn yet disappointed face, she spoke seriously, “You really are timid and clumsy.”
“…Did you come just to mock me?”
Listening to Jiang Ling’s lips moving in a near-pout, Song Meng chuckled softly. “But you try so hard, you’re sincere and kind. If it were someone else, they definitely wouldn’t agree to my unreasonable demands.”
“You admit you’re being unreasonable.”
Jiang Ling sniffled, her stiff body gradually relaxing.
“I know, I know.”
Song Meng withdrew her hand. In Jiang Ling’s dazed gaze, she took out a delicately crafted box from the bag on the table and placed it into her arms.
“So I’m here to apologize for my previous behavior. It’s still far from enough, but at least give me a chance to make it up to you.”
Jiang Ling stared blankly at the box in her hands, slowly opening it. Inside was an exquisitely crafted necklace, its pendant dangling with a little bell that tinkled softly, gleaming brightly.
“This is…”
“An apology gift.” Song Meng said, carefully pulling out another box from the bag and placing it on the table. “And this.”
“This?”
“To celebrate your successful debut performance.”
Seeing Jiang Ling still frozen while holding the necklace, Song Meng started to unwrap the box. Immediately, a rich aroma of strawberries and cream wafted out.
It was a tempting little strawberry cake.
No one would be unhappy receiving gifts, and Jiang Ling was no exception.
Without even realizing it, the corners of her lips curled slightly upward, and the faintly disheartened look vanished.
“I watched the whole thing. I thought it was an outstanding performance. But to not affect your mood, I didn’t attend the fan meeting, so I didn’t get to ask—are your knees okay?”
Before Jiang Ling could answer, Song Meng reached toward the hem of her skirt.
“That’s no excuse for you trying to lift my skirt so casually!”
Jiang Ling blushed and shouted, pressing down Song Meng’s hand and quietly explaining, “It was just a scrape. I’m fine… thank you.”
The last two words were almost as soft as a mosquito’s whisper.
“What?”
“…You definitely heard that, didn’t you!”
Jiang Ling, embarrassed and annoyed, looked up, meeting Song Meng’s bright, smiling eyes before hastily looking away again.
“Do you want more cream or more cake?”
Song Meng turned to slice the cake and asked with a fork in hand.
“Cake.”
Jiang Ling toyed with the necklace, then casually asked, “You’re not lying to me, right? About that.”
“About what?”
Song Meng fed her a bite of strawberry cake. Jiang Ling stared at her shyly for a moment, then bit into the cake and mumbled, “Love at first sight or whatever.”
Hearing this, Song Meng withdrew her hand with interest. “Do I seem like a liar?”
Jiang Ling nodded, then shook her head.
“That’s not what I mean. It’s just, I can’t imagine someone as outstanding as you liking me. Love at first sight sounds like something from a romantic comedy novel—”
By the end, Jiang Ling seemed convinced and averted her gaze. “So you were just teasing me after all!”
“Me, outstanding? Then tell me, what exactly is so outstanding about me?”
Song Meng asked leisurely.
“Very beautiful, and very cute.”
Jiang Ling seriously counted off her points on her fingers.
“If we’re talking about looks, then you, an idol beloved by fans, are definitely cute too.”
Song Meng refuted without hesitation.
“…You’re also the vice president of the student council, so you must be very capable!”
“But I’m tone-deaf and can’t dance. So in that regard, you’re definitely more capable than me, right?”
Song Meng’s casual reply left Jiang Ling completely speechless.
“See? Everyone’s good at different things. The word ‘outstanding’ can be applied to everyone. Doesn’t performing well on stage and actively interacting with fans count as being outstanding?”
Seeing Jiang Ling silent, Song Meng scooped another piece of cake and fed it to her, her gaze burning as she said,
“Even you can’t belittle the person you like.”