Jiang Ling’s voice was exceptionally sincere.
In those brief few minutes just now, Jiang Ling had thought about many things, including what hidden hardships Mo Ran might have, and whether all this was truly what she wanted in her heart.
But in the end, all those questions turned into an unusually firm sense of conviction, slowly filling Jiang Ling’s heart, urging her on, until they converged into a warm current strong enough to support her words, bursting forth —
“If you push me away a hundred times, then I’ll approach you a hundred and one times, until you finally admit what you truly feel.”
Jiang Ling spoke quickly, whispering right into Mo Ran’s ear while adjusting the microphone, then, without any hesitation, stepped onto the stage.
Mo Ran’s movements visibly slowed for a moment upon hearing Jiang Ling’s words.
But soon, she returned to normal.
On stage.
The music’s accompaniment flowed slowly, instantly soothing the restless atmosphere in the hall. With Jiang Ling’s first lyric, the surroundings fell into sudden silence.
“To love someone, perhaps you need to be generous……”
Jiang Ling gripped the microphone, singing each word with care, and looked at Mo Ran with a gaze full of astonishing resolve.
She would never give up on Mo Ran.
Not even if Mo Ran had already given up on herself.
Facing Jiang Ling’s burning and passionate gaze, Mo Ran felt a faint, almost imperceptible surprise in her heart, but she showed nothing and silently kept pace with Jiang Ling’s rhythm.
Their voices blended perfectly, even flawlessly, gradually melding within the steady accompaniment to form a moving harmony that stirred countless emotions.
“They sound so good together, ah ah ah!”
“Opening the New Year’s show singing to that special person, I’m absolutely shipping them, so sweet, so real, just get married already!”
“We, the RanLing fans, are standing up too, hahaha!”
Whispers and murmurs rippled through the audience, but Jiang Ling’s gaze never wavered from Mo Ran.
She could now roughly understand why, when Mo Ran sang, there was only technique and no emotion.
A girl raised in that kind of family environment—even if she had feelings, they would be worn away little by little, until there was nothing left but numbness.
No wonder she always presented such a perfect face to the world; after wearing the mask of pretense for so long, it becomes almost impossible to take it off.
Their voices were harmonious and smooth, finishing the song without a single flaw. The cheers from the audience grew louder and louder, pushing the performance’s atmosphere to a small climax.
After the song ended, the other members quickly came on stage, standing side by side with the two.
“Hello, everyone, we are NOVA!”
After greeting, Mo Ran began cueing the next part of the program as always, her expression unchanged.
Jiang Ling watched her expression unobtrusively, while also doing her part to liven up the atmosphere.
Because this was a special New Year’s performance, everyone had prepared lots of songs, dances, and games, and the show continued enthusiastically. “Next up is the New Year’s special event — Messages for xx.”
Mo Ran read from the program: “This activity is to let everyone recall those you want to thank, praise, or bless from this past year, and leave them a message. You can remain anonymous if you wish.”
As soon as she finished, the cheers in the audience became even more enthusiastic—after all, this was a segment everyone loved for its sweetness.
Bai Xue, the first to answer, looked at the lively crowd and spoke with a bright smile.
“I want to thank… all the members of NOVA, including the staff, and myself. Over this past year, everyone’s worked hard in many different ways, so let’s keep moving forward together!”
Lin Xiaoyu and Fang Wannian’s answers weren’t much different from Bai Xue’s—perhaps because of what had happened with Mo Ran, neither of them had much energy to answer the question.
When it was Jiang Ling’s turn, she glanced at Mo Ran, who was hosting with her trademark smile, and, without any hesitation, parted her red lips: “The person I want to thank is Xiao Ran.”
“Ah ah ah!”
Immediately, fans who shipped them in the audience screamed, the cheers nearly deafening.
Mo Ran listened in a bit of a daze as Jiang Ling spoke steadily: “All this time, Xiao Ran has taken such good care of us—everyone has seen it. If I have to think of someone I want to thank and bless, the very first person that comes to mind is her, so I hope…”
Jiang Ling paused, her gaze sincere as she fixed her eyes on Mo Ran, her voice ringing with conviction.
“I hope that in the new year, Mo Ran will have peace and joy.”
These words almost instantly became the spark that set the venue alight—wave after wave of screams and cheers nearly lifted the ceiling. Mo Ran herself was a little stunned for a moment, but soon came to her senses and, with practiced ease, pressed her hands down toward the audience: “Alright, let’s move on to the next question.”
The performance gradually drew to a close. As it ended, Jiang Ling stood next to Mo Ran, her heart pounding wildly, eyes glued to the cue cards in Mo Ran’s hand.
On the last page were Mo Ran’s farewell words. According to the schedule, she would read the text, and then, with this performance as the final note, leave the stage, and leave NOVA.
“I’m so glad everyone could come to our New Year’s performance today. Being able to spend such a special day together with all of you really makes me happy.”
Mo Ran read slowly according to the script, flipping to the next page.
She looked at the prominent farewell words written above and spaced out for a moment.
And in those brief seconds, Mo Ran thought of so many things about NOVA. Memories of the past flooded into her mind, gradually clearing away the negativity and lethargy in her heart.
Was she really going to leave just like this?
Mo Ran felt as if two little figures had appeared by her side, one beaming with joy, the other clouded with gloom, their voices clamoring in her ears.
The slightly brighter little figure danced about:
“Isn’t it time to step out?”
The gloomy one covered her ears:
“Don’t listen, it’s all lies.”
Their voices tangled together, making Mo Ran’s head ache. She frowned, wanting to escape, but found she couldn’t move at all, and could only watch as they closed in, the noise growing louder and louder.
Suddenly, a crisp and clear girl’s voice broke through the strange, noisy scene in her mind —
“I hope that in the new year, Mo Ran will have peace and joy.”
Mo Ran was silent for a moment, then, while Jiang Ling was so nervous she could hardly breathe, closed the script in her hands and revealed the same calm smile as always.
“Thank you, everyone. Let’s look forward to our next meeting.”
With those words, all eyes in the room turned to Mo Ran.
Fang Wannian’s face was half surprise, half delight—her emotions completely unhidden. Lin Xiaoyu, though her face showed little, couldn’t help but take a few steps toward Mo Ran. Bai Xue, as if she’d expected this all along, smiled gently.
And Jiang Ling bit her lip hard, doing her best to keep tears from falling.
She clenched her fingers, feeling the heavy stone in her heart finally settle.
No words of farewell were spoken.
Did that mean she wasn’t leaving after all?