Hearing this, Jiang Ling’s eyes flickered for a moment, then she silently nodded.
“You know about me?”
Seeing this, Bai Xue went on without waiting for a response. “Judging by your expression, you must know a bit, right? Let me think, Xiao Ran told you?”
“Yeah.”
Jiang Ling didn’t deny it but cautiously explained, “I didn’t secretly pry into your matters, it’s just…”
“No need to be so nervous. I don’t mind, and I won’t hold you responsible.”
Bai Xue brushed the stray hair behind her ear, fixing her gaze on Jiang Ling’s slightly evasive eyes before smiling softly. “You’re still as timid as ever.”
Jiang Ling’s face flushed. In some ways, she really was a confirmed coward.
“Then you should also know that I’ve always been under pressure from my father and brother. Although I don’t want to admit they’re my family, I can’t escape this relationship for now, so I’m no longer entangled in it.”
She spoke as she withdrew her fingers. Jiang Ling, tense until now, finally relaxed and tentatively asked, “So what exactly are you nervous about?”
“Do you remember when I told you before about the underground idol group that’s only for women? That was my personal agenda.”
At these words, Bai Xue took a deep breath and asked slowly and softly.
“I remember.”
“The currently popular idol group Candy is actually under my brother’s management. Their singing and dancing aren’t top-notch, but at least they pass the bar. The Bai family’s resources are enough to boost them to a certain level.”
Pausing for a moment, Bai Xue’s expression suddenly turned sour, all trace of humor disappearing from her eyes. Her hand, resting on her lap, clenched tightly.
“But he, Bai Ming, didn’t want to waste too much time and resources, so he made them attend those insider drinking parties. I tried to stop him, but it was useless—they ‘withered’ right in front of me.”
Jiang Ling’s heart clenched sharply.
“There are some things I don’t want to say too clearly because I don’t want to relive the filth. After that, he even had the barely legal members participate in some… ha…”
Her voice faltered, and she didn’t continue.
“Candy is, in a way, a black-and-red group, because Bai Ming pulled off a lot of sensational and disgusting marketing stunts. During that time, I swore no matter how much pressure I bore, I would never let any of my kids go through that.”
“So I spent a lot of time creating a place like this, doing everything I could to protect my kids, trying to keep them away from the entertainment industry, and completely shutting out all men by setting it as female-only. I admit this is my personal issue, but I can’t help it—I’ve suffered similar trauma and find it hard to trust any man.”
Bai Xue spoke each word clearly: “But that went against my original intention. Jiang Ling, just like Bai Ming, I wanted to create a nationwide sensation idol group from the start.”
Jiang Ling quietly sat beside her, letting the evening breeze blow over them, drinking deeply from the heavy feeling inside.
Maybe it was her mood, but Jiang Ling felt the alcohol growing spicier, furrowing her brows and pursing her lips.
“I’m destined to walk a very difficult path, so right now, I’m really nervous.”
Bai Xue exhaled heavily, then shifted the topic. “But aren’t you curious why I let you join the group so easily?”
Jiang Ling immediately straightened her back and shook her head seriously.
She truly didn’t know, even doubted it. After all, compared to the other members, her skills weren’t even on the same level, and her personality was rather timid, with no obvious strengths.
“Fan appeal is a mysterious thing. Sure, your skills are basically amateur level, but there are still many people who like you. This can’t be explained easily. I call it ‘idol essence,’ a precious quality no amount of practice can give you.”
“That’s why I’m willing to bet on you.”
Bai Xue said this, her gaze soft as she looked at Jiang Ling, who met her eyes, then slowly stood up and came before her.
The moon, once within Jiang Ling’s sight, was immediately blocked, and the light dimmed. She tilted her head slightly and saw the gentle, watery tenderness on Bai Xue’s face.
She opened her arms toward Jiang Ling.
“I remember you said you like hugs, right?”
As if bewitched, Jiang Ling silently stood and, under the bright moonlight, carefully traced Bai Xue’s ever-familiar expression.
No difference?
“Yeah, I like it.”
Jiang Ling didn’t hesitate and threw herself into her arms, wrapping her arms tightly around her back.
She felt the tense trembling beneath her hands.
Burying herself in the softness, she chuckled lightly.
A liar—who really likes hugs anyway?
No more words were exchanged; they simply held each other quietly. For some reason, Jiang Ling felt very comforted.
Then she felt some dampness on the back of her shoulder.
Jiang Ling knew exactly what that meant.
But she didn’t expose it. Instead, she gently patted Bai Xue’s back, sharing each other’s warmth under the soft moonlight.
November 1st.
The day before the first public performance.
“I’ve prepared all the game segments. They’re all in this lottery bucket.”
Xunuo placed a bucket full of slips on the table, showing everyone. “According to the schedule, after performing the first two group dances and your three-person unit dance, next is the game segment. You’ll draw three games live on stage, no problem?”
Upon hearing this, everyone, including Jiang Ling, nodded in agreement.
“Then let’s simulate tomorrow’s situation to avoid mistakes.”
Xunuo stood at the front, acting as the temporary MC. “Alright, let’s start a small game segment. Xiao Ran, draw one for us!”
Hearing this, Mo Ran smiled and reached into the lottery bucket, shaking it several times before quickly drawing a slip and slowly unfolding it.
“Tear and pass tissue paper using only your mouth until it can no longer be passed. The last person to receive it loses and must accept punishment.”
Mo Ran read aloud.
“Huh?”
Jiang Ling immediately raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Can something like this really be aired?
“Eh~ sounds fun! Where’s the tissue?”
Mo Ran clapped excitedly, and Xunuo immediately handed her an opened tissue. “Start.”
Jiang Ling was last in the lineup, so she could only watch as Mo Ran bit the tissue with her mouth and started the game.
“Nan Nan, tear off more.”
Mo Ran egged her on. Fang Wan Nan rolled her eyes, tore off half, then turned to Bai Xue.
“Bai Xue, good luck!”
Xunuo cheered nearby, eyes fixed on the tissue.
Bai Xue made a knowing gesture, tore off half as well. The tissue was now almost gone but still safe. Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
Looks like the punishment won’t fall on me—
Then Lin Xiaoyu, biting a piece almost invisible, came right up to her.
Jiang Ling was dumbfounded and furious.
“How on earth do you tear it to look like this?!”