Faced with Bai Xue’s sudden suggestion, Lin Xiaoyu frowned and then began to think seriously: “With her small frame, it doesn’t seem like she can handle it.”
“People don’t grow without breaking through. She needs to learn to grow, young lady.”
Bai Xue, on the other hand, gave an encouraging look.
“What nonsense have you guys been talking about since earlier? Since you’re here, help me comfort her!”
The young lady, with a vein popping on her forehead, roared at the two in frustration and helpless rage.
Jiang Ling was still leaning against the cold corner of the wall, sobbing softly.
Sniff sniff, life is so hard…
Surrounded by everyone in the room, Jiang Ling lowered her head and explained the situation to the group.
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse: “Sorry for making you all worry.”
“Just because of a few thousand yuan in rent, you’re crying like this?”
Fang Wannan raised her voice, her eyes filled with exasperation, as if scolding someone who failed to meet expectations: “I thought it was something serious. Stop crying, I’ll cover it for you.”
“Really?”
Jiang Ling instantly stopped crying, looking up at Fang Wannan with pitiful eyes, her gaze filled with sadness and a faint glimmer of hope.
“Ahem, really.”
Being stared at like that, Fang Wannan inexplicably felt a sense of satisfaction.
She awkwardly looked away and handed her phone to Jiang Ling: “Add me as a friend.”
“I’ll definitely pay you back! Thank you, big sister! You’re truly an angel!”
Seeing the transfer interface pop up on her phone, Jiang Ling cried tears of joy, almost ready to throw herself into Fang Wannan’s arms and sing, Tomorrow I’ll Marry You.
“So, you’re the new member Bai Xue mentioned?”
Fang Wannan, a bit embarrassed by the praise, sized Jiang Ling up, her eyes carrying a scrutinizing look: “What can you do?”
“…Eat all of Sister Mo Ran’s delicious breakfast.”
“Aw, I’m so happy~”
Mo Ran, holding her cheeks, smiled brightly at Jiang Ling: “I’ll cook for you every day from now on.”
“Hehe.”
Jiang Ling gave a shy smile.
“Hehe, my foot!”
Fang Wannan resisted the urge to knock Jiang Ling on the head, looking at Bai Xue in confusion: “What exactly can she do?”
“No idea. Xiao Ran brought her back, and I thought her calling me ‘sister’ sounded nice, so I hired her.”
Fang Wannan’s gaze shifted to Mo Ran.
“Huh? Because she’s super cute! So tiny and adorable—isn’t that enough?”
Seeing Fang Wannan’s face darken, Jiang Ling sensed trouble and quickly stood up, grabbing her hand and explaining softly: “Please don’t be mad, big sister. I’m a music major, and I’m pretty good at singing.”
That was true.
Whether before or after her rebirth, Jiang Ling’s voice was naturally pleasant, the kind that could captivate just by its tone alone.
Hearing this, Fang Wannan’s expression softened a bit.
She continued, “What about dancing?”
A long silence followed.
Fang Wannan suspiciously eyed the quiet Jiang Ling, noticing a faint embarrassment and nervousness on her delicate, cute face.
“Dancing?”
“…Huh?”
“Dancing!”
“Oh, the weather’s so nice today. I feel like taking a walk. Goodbye, Mom, tonight I’m setting sail—”
Jiang Ling tried to dodge and run, but Fang Wannan mercilessly grabbed her by the collar.
“Hiss!”
She shivered, slumping her head dejectedly: “Sorry, if I say I’m physically uncoordinated, will I be kicked out of the dorm for being a fraud?”
“Yes.”
Lin Xiaoyu answered immediately.
“No, don’t do that!!!”
Jiang Ling sobbed, wiping the tears rolling down her cheeks, already imagining herself being kicked out and living on the streets.
“There’s still two months until our first performance. It’s just a few dances.”
Mo Ran walked to Jiang Ling’s side, wiping her face gently and continuing, “We’re covering existing songs, so the difficulty isn’t too high. Even beginners can learn with effort.”
“Really?”
Bai Xue glanced at the calendar: “For now, take her to the practice room. I’ll arrange the details as needed.”
The practice room was right next to the dorm, a spacious area with bright, open space and walls lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors for checking movements.
Jiang Ling stared at the practice room in awe, hesitating as she stopped in her tracks: “I really have zero experience. Is that okay?”
Hearing this, Bai Xue, who was walking ahead, turned around and gently took Jiang Ling’s trembling hands, clasping them together.
“Remember what I said? We’re in the business of selling happiness. As long as you keep that in mind, even if your dancing is terrible, there will still be people cheering for you.”
“I can tell you’re doing this job out of necessity, but I still hope you can find joy in it.”
Her eyes were so sincere, without a trace of pretense, clearly showing genuine concern.
A warm current flowed through Jiang Ling’s heart, and she sincerely thanked her.
“Thank you.”
At this, Bai Xue blinked: “Why aren’t you calling me ‘sister’? You called Xiao Ran that earlier.”
Seeing her teasing expression, Jiang Ling’s face flushed, and she looked away, muttering softly: “What’s the difference if I call you sister or not? You’re just teasing me, aren’t you?”
“Aw, what a pity~”
Bai Xue wasn’t too surprised and chuckled lightly.
She was about to turn on the speakers when she suddenly felt a tug at her sleeve, a gentle but noticeable pull.
Surprised, Bai Xue turned her head and saw Jiang Ling with her head lowered, cautiously holding onto her sleeve.
Her fingertips were slightly curled, and when she noticed Bai Xue looking, she hurriedly withdrew her hand like a startled animal, awkwardly brushing the hair by her ear.
This revealed a faintly red ear, delicate and adorable.
“…S-Snow Sister.”
After a long hesitation, Jiang Ling softly said the words, her voice stuttering from nervousness.
After saying it, she seemed to have used up all her strength, throwing caution to the wind as she looked up: “Thank you, Snow Sister!”
Thump thump, thump thump.
Jiang Ling could clearly hear her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
Ugh, what a mess—she was even timid with her thanks.
She awkwardly tried to step back, but her wrist was firmly grasped and pulled forward.
Thud—
Before she could think, Jiang Ling found herself in a warm embrace.
She froze, catching the pleasant scent at the tip of her nose, belatedly realizing Bai Xue was hugging her.
Her body instantly stiffened.
Bai Xue didn’t let go of Jiang Ling’s wrist but tightened her grip slowly, leaving a clear red mark on her slender wrist bone.
Only then did she pull her closer, murmuring softly.
“If you’re too cute, I might want to break you.”