Jiang Ling stared blankly as she chewed the cake, the sweet cream and tart strawberry blending perfectly, filling her mouth with delight, her entire being brimming with joy.
She felt a little embarrassed. โButโฆ love at first sight, after all, really is beyond my understanding.โ
Jiang Ling had never fallen in love at first sight, so she couldnโt quite grasp what Song Meng was saying.
โActually, saying โlove at first sightโ isnโt quite accurate.โ
Song Meng pondered for a moment, then chuckled softly before continuing, โIt should be โlust at first sightโ instead.โ
โL-lust at first sight?!โ
Jiang Ling immediately hugged her small body tightly.
This woman really wanted to do that kind of xxoo thing with her, didnโt she!
Biting her lip, she tentatively asked, โYouโre not talking about that cat-eared maid, are you?โ
โYeah, thatโs the one.โ
Song Meng put her hand on her head to mimic cat ears, her eyes curving into a smile. โSo cute.โ
โAlright, letโs stop this topic!โ
Jiang Ling felt that if they kept talking, sheโd be so mortified sheโd want to disappear into a crack in the ground. She waved her hand hastily to signal a pause.
โSo, are you willing to forgive me?โ
Song Meng didnโt forget her original intention and looked Jiang Ling in the eye seriously.
Faced with such a burning gaze, Jiang Lingโs face flushed, her mind replaying the words she had just heard, and she was so embarrassed she couldnโt speak.
Seeing Jiang Ling stay silent, Song Meng thought she was dissatisfied and offered, โThen I wonโt be so forceful next time.โ
โOkay!โ
Jiang Ling immediately nodded repeatedly like a little chick pecking at rice.
Exactly, this person was just too forceful, and Jiang Lingโs naturally submissive personality meant she was unknowingly swept away by her words.
โI want to kiss you.โ
โHuh?!โ
Jiang Ling was startled by the sudden words and looked up in panic to find Song Meng already closing in on her. She hurriedly shook her head. โBut you said you wouldnโt be so forceful!โ
โThatโs why Iโm asking for your opinion.โ Song Mengโs arms rested on either side of Jiang Lingโs body. โIs it okay?โ
โโฆHow is this any different from before?โ
Jiang Ling tucked in her neck, shyly turning her face away.
โThere is a difference. Iโm asking you. Can I?โ
Song Mengโs voice deepened, sounding right in Jiang Lingโs ear like a seductive spell, making her head spin. She could only resist with a barely audible breath, โN-noโฆโ
โReally?โ
Song Meng moved even closer, her palm sliding to Jiang Lingโs waist, fingertips slowly tracing circles.
The soft sensation at her lower back made Jiang Ling shudder suddenly. She closed her eyes instinctively. The shadow covering her eyes darkened further as their breaths intertwined, Song Meng pressing her body down.
Just as their lips were about to meet, a slightly exasperated voice came from behind them:
โHaโฆ although I shouldnโt interfere in my employeesโ romantic affairs, this is a public place, and people shouldnโt be flirting here, Miss Song?โ
The voice hit Jiang Lingโs mind like a thunderclap, and she flailed wildly, falling backward and hitting a raised part of the sofa hard.
โAh!โ
Bai Xue watched her clutching her head and rubbing it hard, her eyes softening for a moment before turning to Song Meng.
โSorry, itโs my fault.โ
Song Meng quickly admitted her mistake; after all, she hadnโt considered the setting. Then she smiled politely and nodded slightly. โIโll be going then, wonโt disturb your work.โ
She stepped out briskly, and Jiang Ling quietly got up, intending to slip away.
But before she could take two steps, Bai Xueโs voice sounded behind her: โThatโs quick. Arenโt you going to give me an explanation?โ
Jiang Lingโs body tensed, a forced smile on her face as she slowly turned to meet Bai Xueโs scrutinizing gaze.
โE-explain what?โ
โI finished organizing files and came out to find my proud, adorable teammate kissing a strange woman.โ
Bai Xue approached deliberately, looking down at Jiang Lingโs guilty expression. Her palm slid from Jiang Lingโs cheek down to her slender, delicate neck.
โTell me, should you give me an explanation, hmm?โ
At the last words, Jiang Ling felt the hand tighten slightly around her neck.
The brief discomfort from being restrained made Jiang Ling instinctively explain, โW-weโre just friends. Sheโs always like that.โ
Actually, Bai Xueโs grip wasnโt heavy, but it gave Jiang Ling a trapped, helpless feeling. Growing anxious, her voice softened unconsciously. โSister, really, Iโm not lying.โ
She truly wasnโt lying to Bai Xue.
Her relationship with Song Meng was only at the โfake girlfriendโ stageโthey were just friends.
Maybe it was Jiang Lingโs imagination, but she always felt that when she begged softly, Bai Xueโs expression shifted quickly.
It didnโt look like she wanted to forgive her, but ratherโฆ
Like she wanted to devour her.
โI understand.โ
Bai Xue released her grip from Jiang Lingโs neck, her fingers tracing Jiang Lingโs lips from bottom to top. โIf I hadnโt come, would you have let her kiss you?โ
Jiang Ling didnโt have the courage to answer.
Because Song Meng had left her dazed just now; if she wasnโt careful, Song Meng could have easily taken advantage of her. If Bai Xue hadnโt shown up, Jiang Ling probably would have been devoured completely.
But facing Bai Xueโs slightly intimidating gaze, Jiang Ling still shook her head hard. โNo.โ
The wise know when to yield!
Sure enough, after receiving the denial, Bai Xue didnโt press further and even handed Jiang Ling a bunch of bandages and knee pads, telling her to take care of herself.
The night of their debut performance, many fans posted their impressions online, most of them very satisfied.
Taking advantage of this momentum, Xu Nuo uploaded a professionally edited HD video of the stage performance on the official account, including both the group dances and the smaller unit performances.
After a few hours of buildup, the song โDangerous Party,โ performed by Jiang Ling and Fang Wannian, quickly caught the attention of outsiders.
ใJust a random viewerโdid they really kiss at the end? So romantic!ใ
ใI was there! I can vouch for itโtheir gazes were practically melting, it killed me!ใ
ใKinda like themโฆ so cute.ใ
These comments were exactly what Xu Nuo had expected, and NOVAโs name began to spread in a small circle, a very successful traffic pull.
Jiang Ling had been reviewing her mistakes but felt much better upon hearing this news.
At the same time, she secretly vowed to do a perfect job next time.
The next day.
Because it was a rare day off, Jiang Ling didnโt set an alarm and slept in quietly, replenishing some of her spent energy.
By the time she woke, it was nearly lunchtime.
She stretched lazily and habitually opened the short video app, only to find their videoโs popularity had skyrocketed, with views more than double last nightโs.
Her smile instantly brightened as she happily clicked in, but her eyes faltered when she saw the top comment:
ใWhatโs so great about their performance besides selling the queer angle? Especially Jiang Ling, she even fell at the endโjust a pretty face with no skills. If you donโt believe me, watch their previous roadshows. The skill and members are miles apart. Donโt know what you see in this stage. Go enjoy something better.ใ
Comments like this, which hadnโt appeared last night, suddenly sprouted like wild weeds, ruthlessly criticizing NOVA and repeatedly picking apart Jiang Ling alone.
Jiang Lingโs hands trembled uncontrollably. She watched helplessly as the phone slipped from her fingers with a dull thud, falling with her heartโ
Straight into the depths of despair.