After Mo Ran finished hosting the event, as planned, the lights didn’t dim. Bai Xue took the microphone from her and cleared her throat.
“I have a few words I want to say to everyone…”
Bai Xue didn’t say anything particularly sentimental, nor did she try to gain sympathy. She just earnestly and honestly talked about their current situation and expressed her heartfelt thanks to the fans who had always supported NOVA.
These words from the heart made the atmosphere in the venue instantly quiet. Without realizing it, everyone’s eyes were filled with a complex emotion, listening carefully to each word Bai Xue said.
When she finished, someone in the audience, filled with joy, shouted out—
“Will we be able to see you on the big screen in the future?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the members on stage looked at each other, and finally, with determination, nodded toward the fans.
“Don’t worry, we’ll work even harder!”
The fans who received this affirmative answer wiped away tears from the corners of their eyes, as if weeping tears of joy.
And many people around them couldn’t suppress their own emotions, and the venue instantly erupted into noise.
“Wuwuwu, 00-chan, Mama won’t be able to come and shake hands with you anymore… Luckily, I took so many Polaroids before. I’ll treasure all of them!”
“There’s so much I want to say, but in the end, I can only wish you all a bright future among the stars—”
Everyone had watched NOVA grow, from complete obscurity, through ups and downs, to being known by more and more people. This was a secret and romance belonging only to them.
After the fans spoke their minds, Bai Xue continued, briefly explaining their next plans: “We’ll focus on crafting our first official album. It may not take too long, but it won’t be too short, either. I hope when the time comes, you’ll greet it with warmth in your eyes.”
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, waves of encouragement rang out from below.
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely buy the album as soon as it drops!”
“Feel the power of our sisters!”
After the performance ended, Jiang Ling almost couldn’t wait to get close to Mo Ran. Watching her tidy up her script as usual, Jiang Ling tentatively spoke: “Um, you…”
“Hm?”
Mo Ran smiled gently, looking at the stammering Jiang Ling with interest. “What is it?”
Meeting her teasing gaze, Jiang Ling didn’t beat around the bush and asked bluntly, “You’re not leaving?”
Hearing this, Mo Ran was silent for a moment, then looked up slightly, her voice a bit indifferent: “Who told you that?”
“Ah, Ke?”
Jiang Ling looked completely baffled at the negative answer.
She had thought that since Mo Ran hadn’t followed the script and said her farewell, she must have decided to stay. She didn’t expect that wasn’t the case?
“To be honest, I really was wavering.”
Mo Ran didn’t hide her true feelings, instead staring into Jiang Ling’s eyes as she spoke each word: “That decision was made in a moment of impulse.”
Seeing her about to argue, Jiang Ling grew unhappy and grabbed Mo Ran’s hand, shaking it.
“No matter what, you’ve already missed your chance to say goodbye to everyone, so you can’t leave anymore!”
Jiang Ling knew she was being willful, even a little spoiled, but she had no other choice and could only try to keep Mo Ran from leaving this way.
“I can post online.”
“Then I won’t let you use NOVA’s official account!”
Jiang Ling gritted her teeth like a pouting child.
Mo Ran couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Pfft, listen to yourself. Aren’t you being childish?”
“I don’t care!”
Jiang Ling insisted, her expression unusually resolute: “I’ve already made up my mind. No matter what problems you face, I’ll help you with everything I’ve got!”
After Song Meng’s advice, Jiang Ling realized completely that even if she had to pay a high price, she didn’t want to lose Mo Ran, nor did she want her to leave NOVA.
Hearing this, a trace of barely noticeable amusement flickered through Mo Ran’s eyes.
After finishing with what was in her hands, she said, “Since you’ve made up your mind, there’s no need for me to keep hiding things from you. Come to my room tonight when we get back, and I’ll tell you everything… about me.”
This promise made Jiang Ling’s eyes light up. She didn’t even think about why she’d have to go to Mo Ran’s room so late at night; she just cheered wildly in her heart. Yes!
As long as she heard Mo Ran’s troubles and found a way to solve them, she could avoid a bad ending!
Although it was a New Year’s performance, it didn’t end exactly at midnight—it finished a bit earlier.
Fang Wannian glanced at Mo Ran, whose expression was unchanged, wanting to say something a few times, but in the end, she looked away as if nothing had happened.
Bai Xue, on the other hand, asked directly, “You’re not leaving?”
“For now.”
Mo Ran gave a vague answer.
Hearing her say this with a smile, Jiang Ling felt a bit confused and couldn’t help but wonder about the meaning behind her words.
While she was deep in thought, her phone suddenly buzzed beside her.
It was a call from Song Meng.
Jiang Ling got up and walked toward the rooftop, answering as she went: “Hello?”
“Hello.”
Song Meng’s voice was made faint by the evening wind, so Jiang Ling brought her phone closer, feeling the cold air rush past and letting out a small yawn. “What’s up?”
Hearing her slightly tired voice, Song Meng paused for two or three seconds before asking, “Where are you?”
“Rooftop. My teammates are chatting inside.”
Jiang Ling explained where she was. “Cheating?”
“Of course not! Who would cheat with you?!”
Hearing Song Meng’s casual tone, Jiang Ling’s heart skipped all over the place, and she hurriedly denied it several times.
Song Meng wasn’t angry. She chuckled softly twice, then whispered in her charming, gentle voice right in Jiang Ling’s ear: “Look to your right, two o’clock.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ling reflexively looked to where Song Meng directed. It was pitch-black, not even a hand in front of her face.
“Look up.”
Song Meng spoke again.
Jiang Ling seemed to hear a faint noise coming from Song Meng’s side, as if something was being rubbed together, mixed with a crackling, odd sound.
“What?”
Though a little puzzled, Jiang Ling still looked up.
And then, her eyes widened instantly.
Right in front of her, bursts of fireworks shot up like shooting stars, their dazzling, brilliant colors illuminating the pitch-dark night sky, blooming into breathtaking displays.
“Pa—”
Jiang Ling stood dazed, holding her phone and watching the awe-inspiring fireworks in the sky, her voice trembling: “This, this is…”
Song Meng spoke in her steady tone. “Is it beautiful?”
“It’s beautiful.”
Jiang Ling nodded involuntarily, her eyes reflecting the sparkling colors.
Hearing this adorably silly answer, Song Meng laughed.
Her breathing mixed with the hum of the phone line, intertwining with the distant chimes of the midnight bell, and reached Jiang Ling’s burning ears with perfect clarity.
“Jiang Ling, Happy New Year.”
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