Chapter 53: Who are you thinking about?

After hearing Bai Xue’s words, Xu Nuo’s expression tightened, and she hurried into the dance studio with quick, small steps, her mind still foggy.

She had been sending out resumes everywhere these past two days, desperate to find a job that would barely cover her expenses before the meager savings in her bank account ran out.

But for several days, she hadn’t come across any suitable jobs. In the end, biting the bullet, she applied to every position she could find that didn’t require much brainwork.

Honestly, Xu Nuo was already prepared to take a cleaning job at some large shopping mall.

However, just then, Bai Xue called, saying she found Xu Nuo’s resume quite interesting.

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone list writing fanfiction as a specialty on their resume and then apply for a cleaning position. Unfortunately, we don’t need any cleaners at the moment, but there’s an operations role—would you be willing to give it a try?”

Hearing this, Xu Nuo instantly perked up, starting to sing her own praises right there on the street, ready to shine and burn bright for this hard-won opportunity!

After a brief chat on the phone, Bai Xue was very satisfied and immediately offered her a probation period. If she passed smoothly, she could start working right away.

Just as Xu Nuo was about to shyly introduce herself with a bow, a sharp intake of breath came from in front of her.

She looked up in confusion, meeting Jiang Ling’s slightly terrified gaze head-on.

In that instant, the once timid Xu Nuo suddenly seemed charged with energy, sprinting quickly in front of Jiang Ling, her eyes sparkling with delight and excitement.

Then, Xu Nuo’s scream nearly shattered the roof of the dance studio.

“Ling! Ling! Chan!”

At the noise, Fang Wannian immediately frowned and covered her ears, clicking her tongue irritably: “Are you sure this girl isn’t crazy?”

“I’m reserving judgment,” Lin Xiaoyu said calmly, staring at Xu Nuo.

“Ahahaha…” Mo Ran quickly tried to smooth things over, “No problem, right?”

“Should be fine. After all, she graduated from a proper university,” Bai Xue said as she flipped through Xu Nuo’s resume, her finger resting on the personal information section.

Perhaps because she liked people with the same name online, Bai Xue had done a simple investigation and found Xu Nuo active on a certain P station, mostly drawing small illustrations and writing literary works—truly ‘legitimate.’

Moreover, the videos Xu Nuo produced on various major platforms were all quite high-quality. She was diligent and efficient, perfectly fitting Bai Xue’s hiring standards.

While Bai Xue was explaining this to the others, Jiang Ling was already being bombarded by Xu Nuo.

“I’m applying for NOVA’s operations position?!”

Only then did Xu Nuo realize this crucial detail, her mouth slightly open, the eyes behind her thick glasses shining with an excitement she barely controlled.

“Are you just finding that out now?” Jiang Ling took a few steps back, looking a bit speechless.

At the same time, she felt a little amazed.

How was the world so small?

She had just taken in a stray cat with Xu Nuo earlier, and now Xu Nuo was part of the team’s operations?

After a brief silence, Xu Nuo suppressed her burning appetite and sincerely walked up to Bai Xue. Catching Bai Xue’s puzzled gaze, she quickly and properly bowed—at a full ninety degrees.

“Lady Bai Xue, please let me stay!”

She then started chanting without pause, “Though I look so unpresentable and have no particular skills, if it’s for Ling Ling-chan… for NOVA, I’m confident I can do better than anyone else!”

Bai Xue looked at her spirited expression and thoughtfully glanced at the somewhat uncomfortable Jiang Ling beside her.

Could this person be a reincarnated fox spirit?

Putting aside the fleeting thought, Bai Xue smiled faintly, “The probation period will run from now until the first performance. If you achieve results, you’ll stay. Does that work?”

“No problem at all!”

With their conversation wrapping up, Fang Wannian finally turned and grabbed her bag, heading toward Jiang Ling.

Jiang Ling was still dazed when Fang Wannian rummaged through her bag and tossed a package toward her.

She hurriedly caught it. Inside the open bag were all sorts of snacks.

“Is this… wow, isn’t this the super expensive one?”

Jiang Ling picked one up casually and immediately recognized it as the imported snack she had been reluctant to buy before. She rummaged through the bag, and sure enough, it was filled with them.

“Um, what does this mean…”

Jiang Ling tilted her head in confusion as she held the bag.

“Huh? Of course it means I couldn’t finish eating it and felt bad letting it expire, so I’m making you help me get rid of it,” Fang Wannian said, looking away awkwardly. She then anxiously watched Jiang Ling’s expression, worried she might refuse.

But Jiang Ling immediately smiled brightly, jumping excitedly in place, “Really? I love this stuff! Thank you!”

There was no time to mourn the sudden green-haired glasses girl. Now, the tsundere twin-tail young lady had entered the stage!

Having spent so much time together, Jiang Ling naturally understood Fang Wannian wasn’t bad at expressing emotions—just awkward—and didn’t truly have any issues with her.

With that in mind, she set the bag aside and took the initiative to hug Fang Wannian, gently swaying her body.

“Thank you~”

Fang Wannian stiffened instantly, her nose seemingly catching a faint fragrance from Jiang Ling. Her voice stammered out: “Th-this kind of thing doesn’t need thanks, an-anyway!”

“Your ears are red.”

Passing by on her way back to rest, Lin Xiaoyu threw out a sharp comment.

“Really?”

Mo Ran immediately stepped forward two paces, pushing aside Fang Wannian’s bangs to reveal the flushed ears. She laughed: “So red! Is being hugged by little Lingdang really that enjoyable?”

Jiang Ling saw this and let go of Fang Wannian’s arms, tilting her head to look.

Indeed, her ears were flushed deep red.

“Ah… you guys are crazy!”

Fang Wannian, examined from all sides, was embarrassed and pushed Jiang Ling away, glaring fiercely at Mo Ran: “Only you know how to egg people on!”

“Eh~ Sorry.”

Mo Ran stuck out her tongue but showed no signs of apology, which only made Fang Wannian angrier. She immediately dragged her away, “Hmph, I have something to tell you.”

“Little Lingdang! Save me!”

Mo Ran called out dramatically. Taking advantage of Fang Wannian’s distraction, she turned her head and mouthed to Jiang Ling—

She’s shy now.

Jiang Ling couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Just as she was about to leave, Xu Nuo seemed to have anticipated this, approaching with eyes shining and cheeks flushed, clearly at maximum excitement!

Jiang Ling thought she was about to burst into some rapid-fire rap expressing her love but instead, Xu Nuo just raised a sincere, bright smile.

“I will cherish this hard-won chance to meet you!”

Having said that, she didn’t speak further but turned with determination, mumbling something about ‘materials’ as if ready to burn the midnight oil.

Watching her leave, Jiang Ling felt a strange itch in her heart. Uncomfortable, she lowered her gaze and suddenly remembered she had promised Song Meng she would get her a ticket.

But whenever she thought of Song Meng, images of what they had done earlier in the room came to mind.

They had kissed.

Jiang Ling blushed and touched her lips.

After a moment, calming herself, she walked over to Bai Xue, who was about to leave, and looked up slightly.

“I have a friend who wants to watch the performance. Can you save a ticket for her?”

Without asking further, Bai Xue nodded in agreement.

Jiang Ling instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

She raised her smile to thank her but noticed Bai Xue had unknowingly stepped closer.

How to put it—there was a sort of… pressing feeling.

Jiang Ling instinctively took a step back, then another, but before long, she stumbled back and slammed against the cold wall.

“What are you hiding from?”

Bai Xue fixed her gaze on Jiang Ling’s panicked pupils. “Since you came back, you’ve been off—daydreaming and smiling foolishly, like—”

“A lovestruck girl.”

She stepped forward, firmly blocking Jiang Ling’s weakening legs, naturally pressing her knee forward.

Jiang Ling’s waist and abdomen went soft, and she could only try to raise her arms to stop the gap between them from shrinking.

“Bai Xue, don’t do this…”

Bai Xue squinted, lifting the arm blocking them high above Jiang Ling’s head, then easily restrained her with one hand.

There was nowhere left for Jiang Ling to escape.

Bai Xue leaned down, eyes filled with a dangerously intense glint, softly parting her red lips:

“Who were you just thinking about?”

The muse has struck. The genius little artist will now restore this scene, temporarily not accepting submissions (/∇＼)