Chapter 70: First Pot of Gold

This announcement posted on NOVA’s official account quickly caught the attention of many.

【Two months? Isn’t she basically a complete amateur? Being able to improve this much already is pretty impressive, and I think her singing sounds really nice too.】

【Wow, I just watched the comparison video. You have to admit, the progress is visible to the naked eye. Of course, she can still improve more. I’m actually kind of looking forward to it. Is this what they call a ‘growth system’?】

【Putting other things aside, her attitude of admitting her mistake is really sincere. So many people would just pretend it never happened when faced with this kind of situation. Just for that, I like her a lot.】

Without any paid internet trolls stirring up trouble, the first comments to appear in the section naturally reflected the straightforward opinions of ordinary viewers, many of whom praised Jiang Ling’s earnest attitude in owning up to her mistake.

Among these, the voices of her fans finally broke through the noise and climbed to the top of the popular comments.

【I was at the live event. Honestly, the atmosphere was really great. Everyone was smiling when interacting with us. I seriously suspect those stirring up drama are just jealous.】

【From the start, I could tell 00’s skills were weaker than the others, but she didn’t give up or deliberately slack off. Instead, she’s been improving every single day, which was obvious from the several roadshows she’s done!】

Watching the gradually shifting public opinion, Bai Xue and Xu Nuo exchanged a glance, both surprised to see the unexpected turn.

Because, according to their expectations, people probably wouldn’t easily accept Jiang Ling’s explanation and might even criticize her more harshly.

Yet the situation didn’t develop as they had anticipated.

Perhaps sincerity is a killer move after all.

Jiang Ling didn’t make excuses or try to dodge responsibility, nor did she cry and play the victim. Instead, she seriously laid out the facts before everyone and promised to keep improving.

Of course, not all comments were positive. Many doubted her motives, calling it “a performance” or a “face-saving” tactic.

But unlike the reckless insults from paid trolls, these criticisms were fairly normal evaluations, so they didn’t delete such comments and allowed the doubts to remain.

As for overcoming these doubts, that would depend on Jiang Ling’s future actions.

“This matter can be considered settled for now, right?”

At the same time, Jiang Ling scrolled through her phone, relieved to see the public’s focus finally shifting away.

Compared to letting outsiders develop a negative impression of NOVA, she preferred to have the public’s attention on herself.

She also decided to regularly upload practice videos from now on, to document her growth.

Though she wasn’t the type with a bright and sunny personality, at least she hadn’t lost hope in life. If possible, Jiang Ling hoped to have a smooth and exciting journey in NOVA.

“Advance on your salary?”

Jiang Ling looked surprised as Bai Xue called her aside after practice.

“Yes.”

Bai Xue nodded and continued, “Tickets and special edition merchandise have been selling really well, and Xu Nuo is preparing new peripherals. I noticed you haven’t bought anything since you got here. I’m guessing money’s tight?”

Jiang Ling gave an awkward smile.

Though she had food and lodging covered in the dorm, she really didn’t have much extra money to buy things. She didn’t deny it, but her face showed some anxiety. “But, an advance on salary… wouldn’t that—”

“Alright, stop declining.”

Bai Xue transferred the money directly to Jiang Ling’s WeChat. “You’re a girl; how can you not buy something for yourself? Besides, this is an investment. Everything is for the performance.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ling couldn’t refuse and gratefully accepted this “first pot of gold” of her own.

To be honest, the money was quite sufficient for her. After thinking it over, she decided to go shopping tomorrow to buy some clothes or the like.

Then suddenly, she remembered Bai Xue’s birthday was coming up.

Birthday…

Jiang Ling’s mind involuntarily recalled the phone call Mo Ran once made to her.

To be frank, though Jiang Ling often joked that Bai Xue was a “bad woman” or something, deep down she was very grateful to her.

Whenever she felt sad, upset, or powerless to practice, Bai Xue always found her own unique way to encourage and comfort her.

And it was Bai Xue and Mo Ran who brought the originally lonely and helpless Jiang Ling into NOVA, giving her a brand-new self, completely different from before.

Thinking this, Jiang Ling made up her mind: she must give Bai Xue a birthday she would never forget!

But unfamiliar with the city, going to the mall alone was still too risky. So Jiang Ling decided to find someone to ask for help.

After practice that day, Jiang Ling looked around and found only Fang Wannian was left, which made her hesitate.

After all… Fang Wannian was a young lady of status; the stores she frequented were probably ones Jiang Ling couldn’t afford.

But Fang Wannian’s schedule wasn’t that free either. If she didn’t go shopping today, she might not get another chance.

Jiang Ling paced anxiously, not even noticing Fang Wannian approaching.

“Hey… you’ve been staring at me like a perverted stalker for a while. What’s up?”

Fang Wannian asked, hands on her hips with a hint of helplessness.

“Ah?”

Startled by the voice, Jiang Ling snapped out of it, backing away half a step in panic. Facing Fang Wannian’s annoyed expression, she awkwardly twisted her fingers. “Actually—”

After hearing Jiang Ling’s explanation, Fang Wannian was instantly speechless.

“For such a little thing? Go pack your things. I’m taking you now. Seriously.”

With that, Fang Wannian frowned and dialed her phone. “Hey, come pick me up now. I’m going to the mall with my teammate.”

After hanging up, she looked at the still clueless Jiang Ling and repeated with no patience, “Go pack your things.”

“Ah, okay!”

Jiang Ling didn’t resist anymore. She knew there was no winning an argument against Fang Wannian.

After packing, Jiang Ling roughly planned what she needed to buy in her mind and followed Fang Wannian to the all-too-familiar car, still driven by the same butler.

“Miss, are we going to your usual store?”

“Mm.”

Fang Wannian didn’t lift her eyes and replied flatly.

“Well, I don’t have that much money…”

Jiang Ling was about to try to ask if they could go somewhere cheaper, but Fang Wannian interrupted without hesitation.

“I’ll buy it for you.”

“…Money isn’t meant to be spent like that!”

“Then how should it be used? I think buying a few clothes for my dear teammate isn’t a problem.”

Fang Wannian propped her chin on her hand, glanced at the fidgety Jiang Ling, then subtly looked away, fixing her gaze on the scenery outside the window. Her ears slowly flushed red as she quietly added in a soft voice:

“Just think of it as… encouragement for you to keep working hard.”