Jiang Ling was forced to tilt her head back, staring at Bai Xue’s seductive, silky-eyed expression, her heart starting to race.
What was going on?
She realized that her petite frame couldn’t even struggle, let alone break free from the other’s grasp.
Watching Jiang Ling silently squirm, the smile on Bai Xue’s lips widened.
She tightened her grip on Jiang Ling’s chin slightly and spoke slowly, “This is also a mandatory lesson for idols.”
“Our NOVA is an underground idol group specifically targeting female fans. It’s not just about singing and dancing—you also need to know how to charm your fans, got it?”
“Mmm…?”
Jiang Ling’s face was pinched into a strange shape, and she could only let out a muffled, confused sound.
“It’s about making your fans feel delighted by your actions. After all, our job is to sell happiness.”
Bai Xue eased her grip, noticing the obvious red marks on Jiang Ling’s face, and meaningfully brushed her thumb over them.
“Alright, back to the earlier topic. Calling them ‘sister’ is because most of the audience attending your performances will be older than you, and this term is widely accepted by fans. Understand?”
Listening to Bai Xue’s endless explanation, Jiang Ling felt a bit dizzy but tried hard to memorize her words.
Then, in a clear and sweet voice, she tentatively called out, “Sister.”
“…One more time.”
“Sister.”
“One more time.”
“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?!”
Jiang Ling’s face flushed red, finally realizing Bai Xue was teasing her.
She instantly puffed up like an indignant pufferfish.
Bai Xue shook her head with a cheerful smile.
“I’m just helping you get into the job faster.”
Next, she explained the job details and schedule to Jiang Ling, such as how performances were mostly held at night, consisting of pre-prepared songs, dances, and small game segments.
This schedule happened to align perfectly with Jiang Ling’s free time, so she let out a sigh of relief.
Then, cautiously, she asked, “I heard it includes food and lodging. Is that true?”
“Oh, right, you’re a student at A University, aren’t you? If your school allows it, you can live here.”
Bai Xue took out her phone, seemingly sending a message to someone, then led Jiang Ling to the window and pointed at an apartment building outside.
“That’s the staff dorm. Go home and pack your things now. You can move in tonight, and we’ll start your training tomorrow.”
The process was astonishingly fast.
In a daze, Jiang Ling signed the contract and officially became a member of NOVA.
Jiang Ling turned her rented apartment upside down, finally packing a suitcase full of clothes and stuffing some essential daily items into a large backpack, completing her preparations.
Bai Xue had come with her but stayed outside the room, waiting.
When Jiang Ling pushed her suitcase out, Bai Xue naturally took it from her.
She gave it a little push, her voice surprised.
“Just this?”
“Yeah.”
Jiang Ling nodded, letting out a yawn from exhaustion and sleepiness.
“We’ll talk details tomorrow. Your room’s already prepared, but you’ll be sharing it with Xiaoyu, by the way.”
Bai Xue glanced at Jiang Ling.
“No problem, right?”
Xiaoyu?
Probably another NOVA member, Jiang Ling thought.
She didn’t mind sharing a room, though she felt a slight unease.
When they reached the apartment, Bai Xue unlocked the door with her fingerprint and added, “I’ll take you to record tomorrow, no rush.”
Beep beep—
The door opened, revealing a spacious, brightly lit living room.
Standing not far away was Mo Ran, clapping with a cheerful smile to welcome her.
“Welcome!”
Mo Ran cheered, enthusiastically approaching Jiang Ling and linking arms with her.
“You’ve decided to live here?”
“Uh… yeah.”
Jiang Ling nodded timidly, trying to pull her arm free.
Too, too, too close!
From her angle, she could even clearly see the shape of Mo Ran’s chest pressing against her!
But Mo Ran, oblivious, clung tightly to her arm, smiling as she continued, “With you, our group now has five members—”
“Sister Xuexue, Xiaoyu, me, Nannan, and you.”
She counted on her fingers. Jiang Ling was a bit confused.
Sister Xuexue was probably Bai Xue, Xiaoyu was her roommate, Mo Ran was right in front of her, but who was Nannan?
As if guessing Jiang Ling’s thoughts, Mo Ran giggled softly.
“Nannan doesn’t live here, but you’ll meet her tomorrow. Come on, let’s check out your room, Little Bell~”
“Little Bell, what’s that…?”
Jiang Ling muttered in dissatisfaction, stepping toward her so-called room.
At the door was a sign with neat, elegant handwriting: 【Lin Xiaoyu】.
Xiaoyu, Little Fish?
Jiang Ling finally understood the nickname’s meaning.
Taking a deep breath, she firmly pressed the handle and pushed the door.
Click.
It didn’t open.
She was momentarily stunned and pushed again.
Click.
No doubt about it—it was locked.
Jiang Ling stood dazed for a while, then clenched her fist and lightly knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock.
No response.
She knocked a few more times until, exhausted, the door finally cracked open a sliver.
What caught her eye was a pristine white bath towel.
A bath towel?
Peering through the small gap, Jiang Ling met a pair of light blue eyes, like the ocean.
“Who are you?”
The girl’s voice was cool and clear.
“I’m Jiang Ling, just moved in today. N-nice to meet you.”
Nervous, Jiang Ling stammered slightly.
“Oh.”
The girl nodded slightly, opening the door a bit wider.
This gave Jiang Ling a full view of her.
Silver-white, waist-length hair with highlights, skin flushed pink from a recent bath, the towel draped from below her collarbone to above her thighs, perfectly concealing her graceful figure.
Lin Xiaoyu looked at the somewhat stunned girl before her, frowning in confusion but saying nothing, stepping aside to let her in.
Jiang Ling entered, turning to see a large full-length mirror reflecting her current flustered state vividly.
“Jiang Ling?”
Beside her, Lin Xiaoyu said her name, her voice crisp like mountain spring water, making Jiang Ling unconsciously relax and nod.
“That’s me. I just joined today. Please take care of me.”
“Mm. I sleep naked. Do you mind?”
At her words, Lin Xiaoyu’s expression remained calm.
“Huh?!”
Jiang Ling was startled by this bombshell.
She immediately glanced at the bed in the room—yep, a very obvious double bed, with no escape.
Though Jiang Ling was now fully a girl, sharing a bed with such a cool, beautiful girl, especially one who was **…
“You mind a lot?”
While Jiang Ling was silent, Lin Xiaoyu looked at her steadily, asking in confusion.
“No, no, I don’t mind at all! If anything, thank you for the treat!”
Realizing how perverse that sounded, Jiang Ling hurriedly grabbed her pajamas and bolted toward the bathroom, her voice flustered.
“I-I’m going to take a shower!”