Chapter 15: Invisible Kiss

Jiang Ling stared at her own skin, feeling an unprecedented strange sensation, though she couldn’t quite grasp why.

She pursed her lips, letting the candle wax drip slowly, about to say something when her vision suddenly went dark.

Bai Xue covered her eyes with her other hand.

“Do you remember what I asked of you?”

Those words instantly halted Jiang Ling’s panicked urge to cry out, leaving her disoriented as she clamped her mouth shut.

No sound.

With her vision gone, her senses of touch and the faint rustling sounds were magnified infinitely.

Drip—

Another drop of candle wax fell, causing Jiang Ling’s body to tremble slightly without her sight.

What is this…?

An unknown fear—or rather, confusion—echoed in her heart.

The not-too-hot wax dripped irregularly, landing on her fair skin, each drop making her tremble involuntarily.

It didn’t hurt, nor was it hot.

But the fact of being manipulated and her senses heightened left her utterly bewildered.

She could even hear Bai Xue’s barely suppressed, rapid breathing near her ear.

What was she doing?

A strange, inexplicable feeling arose.

Is this how a fish feels on the cutting board, awaiting its fate?

Jiang Ling couldn’t stop trembling.

Bai Xue, watching her helpless quivering, felt a spark of desire in her eyes.

The wax had completely coated her arm, her skin now flushed with a rosy hue, exuding a captivating charm.

“Hey, isn’t it done yet…?”

Unable to endure the burning anticipation, Jiang Ling spoke up despite herself.

If this went on, she felt she’d lose control.

The darkness before her eyes made her anxious, so she reached out, fumbling to grab Bai Xue’s arm.

Seeing this, Bai Xue set the nearly spent candle on the table, then wrapped an arm around Jiang Ling’s waist, pulling her back slowly until they hit the corner, making a faint sound.

“This way.”

The voice from her side prompted Jiang Ling to step forward, only to stumble into a warm embrace.

It was Bai Xue’s scent.

She always wore a floral perfume—sweet yet refreshing.

Jiang Ling quickly pictured their position.

Bai Xue was likely holding her waist, pulling her close, one hand covering her eyes to block her vision entirely, forcing Jiang Ling to lean closer out of fear of the unknown.

All she could hear was the soft rustle of clothing and the heated breath passing between them.

Ha…

Jiang Ling tilted her head up, and Bai Xue’s hand slipped slightly.

She caught a clear glimpse of the vivid red on Bai Xue’s lips, blooming like candle wax.

She’s wearing that lipstick again today.

A bold kind of beauty.

Maybe… it’d feel nice to kiss.

Lost in her dizzy thoughts, Jiang Ling nearly forgot why she’d come into this room.

Knock knock knock.

“We’re coming in—”

Mo Ran and Lin Xiaoyu pushed the door open as usual after knocking, then froze in unison.

Bai Xue’s face held a radiant, seductive smile, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity as she held a quiet Jiang Ling, kissing her hair.

But Jiang Ling herself was unaware.

She only heard the door open, followed by a scream that could pierce the heavens.

“So you two were sneaking around behind our backs?!”

Mo Ran’s face was ashen.

In just a few days, she’d gone through this kind of thing twice.

But seriously, why was Jiang Ling always the passive one?

“Can’t you stand up for yourself?” Mo Ran muttered under her breath.

Jiang Ling looked confused.

“What?”

“…Nothing.”

Mo Ran gave up trying to explain, while Lin Xiaoyu, propping her chin thoughtfully, said, “So this is what you meant by ‘being yourself’? I’m impressed.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but Miss Lin, you’ve definitely misunderstood something.”

Jiang Ling shook her head, interrupting her, and mumbled as she examined her arm.

“What kind of reward is this, anyway? I’m borrowing your bathroom.”

She stepped into the bathroom, rinsing the marks off her arm with cold water.

“So, what did you guys come to see me about?”

Bai Xue quickly regained her composure, her face returning to its usual gentle smile.

“Oh, right. I heard Little Bell came to talk about personal talents, so we figured we’d join in.”

Mo Ran sent a video file to Bai Xue.

“Mine’s dancing.”

“Mine too,” Lin Xiaoyu added, quickly sending hers as well.

Bai Xue opened the files on her computer, reviewed them carefully, and gave an OK gesture.

“You two are always reliable. Keep practicing.”

“No problem, but don’t go doing anything wild behind our backs!” Mo Ran warned.

“Little Bell’s working hard, you know.”

“Do I look like someone who’d do something wild?”

“Don’t you?” Mo Ran retorted helplessly.

“It’d be weirder if you didn’t,” Lin Xiaoyu added quietly, landing the final blow.

Bai Xue laughed, half-amused, half-exasperated, as she saw them out.

Her gaze then drifted to the bathroom, where the girl was frowning, rinsing her arm.

The problem is Jiang Ling…

Honestly, she’s quite the wildcard.

Zero dancing skills, average singing, no confidence in her presence, though her face is flawless.

Bai Xue stared at her for a long time, a voice suddenly flashing through her mind.

—“Idols just need a pretty face and some seductive moves, right? Why are you clinging to such pointless ideals? I’m just kindly warning you not to waste your efforts, and you act like this? Keep defying me, and I’ll tell Father exactly how useless your results are!”

Her fingers clenched, every inch of her heart screaming in protest.

That’s not true.

Idols aren’t some shallow, boring thing to be so easily defined.

On this, she would never compromise.

“Hey, you look a bit pale. You okay?”

Jiang Ling emerged from the bathroom, noticing Bai Xue’s grim expression and asking with concern.

“Oh… it’s nothing. Just lost in thought.”

Bai Xue shook her head, glancing apologetically at Jiang Ling’s reddened arm.

“Sorry, I might’ve gone too far.”

“It’s fine. You’re lending me your keyboard, after all. And I don’t really think this counts as a reward…”

Jiang Ling tilted her head, still unclear on what Bai Xue meant by “reward.”

Her words deepened the amusement in Bai Xue’s eyes.

She brushed her fingertip over Jiang Ling’s skin, feeling her instinctive shudder, and spoke with intrigue.

“So, this doesn’t count as anything to you?”