In response, Xu Nuo explained in a serious tone, “After all, we are a purely green and healthy girl group, so these necessary coverings can’t be skipped…”
“If it were truly healthy, you wouldn’t be drawing such strange stuff!”
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Jiang Ling slapped Xu Nuo’s arm with all her strength, maintaining a calm expression, gritting her teeth as she said word by word, “Dear Miss Xu, could you please draw us a design that can actually pass the review?”
“Why not slap me in the face instead…”
Xu Nuo muttered regretfully. Under Jiang Ling’s speechless glare and Bai Xue’s silent pressure, she hurriedly sketched a rough draft with a few swift strokes. “How about this?”
Though rough, Jiang Ling could immediately make out the general design: a pure white dress symbolizing an angel, flowing elegantly and simple in style without any unnecessary patterns. Wings hung behind, adding a touch of sanctity out of thin air. On the other side, the devil’s outfit was black and red, with small horns on the forehead, paired with suspenders and a short skirt—impossible to look away from.
Jiang Ling found no faults and nodded in approval. “Much better this time, but can you actually make these wings?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Fang Wannian nodded immediately. “No difficulty at all.”
Xu Nuo flashed a bright smile and pulled back the previously rejected “ample bosom” drawing once again. “But then again, is this really not allowed…?”
“Do you want me to call the police and have you arrested right now?”
Jiang Ling’s expressionless words made Xu Nuo tremble in fear, instantly silencing her. Helpless and weak, she retreated back into her corner to refine the draft.
“I think your idea is great.”
Bai Xue added, “At least from my perspective, this stage looks very attractive. You should keep working in this direction… little angel?”
After speaking, she made a wing gesture with her hand, smiling happily.
“Really, you have to joke with me at a time like this!”
Jiang Ling suppressed her embarrassment and annoyance as she punched her lightly.
“But if you all wear angel and devil costumes, wouldn’t it be no different from cosplay?”
While drawing, Xu Nuo voiced her soul’s question. “So why don’t we all just wear them then?”
After a brief pause, her eyes gleamed. “How about I design a set for each of you—”
Before Bai Xue could speak, Mo Ran shook her head with a smile and walked over to the small corner.
“Have you forgotten what the most important purpose of this performance is? The clothes Xiaolingdang suggested are meant to improve their character settings, not to satisfy your personal desires.”
After saying that, she poked Xu Nuo’s head with her finger. “Got it?”
“Exactly.”
Fang Wannian chimed in, lifting her eyelids slightly, “If we leave it to you, I can already imagine what kind of messy clothes it’ll be.”
“How can it be messy?”
Xu Nuo tried to argue but gradually shrank back under their doubtful stares.
“Anyway, it’s definitely going to be some kind of chest-baring, high-slit nun’s outfit, or ultra-thin, tight bunny girl costume, right?”
Jiang Ling scoffed, clearly annoyed. Watching Xu Nuo’s head lower more and more, nearly sinking into her tablet, she knew she hit the nail on the head. She didn’t expose Xu Nuo’s little shameful secret and instead turned her gaze to Lin Xiaoyu.
“In any case, the costumes are settled for now. Let’s continue practicing.”
After practicing for quite a while, the sky darkened.
This time, Jiang Ling tried to present a feeling similar to the original stage but with subtle differences, and the final effect surprisingly turned out pretty good.
“This round is great.”
Lin Xiaoyu couldn’t help but praise aloud, “Very attractive, makes you want to keep watching.”
Compared to the previous stiffness, Jiang Ling was becoming more skillful and comfortable, which pleased Lin Xiaoyu, who had been watching nearby.
“That’s it for today.”
“Yay!”
Having been drilled many times, Jiang Ling immediately raised her arms and cheered, rubbing her tired calves as she walked out and asked aloud, “What’s for dinner?”
Mo Ran seemed to be on a late shift today and was pressed for time, so she hadn’t made dinner. They had to fend for themselves.
“I’m not picky. Just buy whatever you like and bring me a portion.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ling hummed for a moment, then sent a screenshot of the menu from the store to Mo Ran. “At least pick a flavor!”
Lin Xiaoyu took out her phone, ready to open the image, but noticed an unread message from an hour ago. The sender was… her mother.
After a moment, she finally opened it.
[Time and place.]
Just a few simple words, but Lin Xiaoyu immediately understood—she was being asked about the convention’s details.
“Still haven’t decided?”
Jiang Ling looked up curiously from the screen, seeing Lin Xiaoyu silently staring at her phone and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Don’t like the food? Should I order somewhere else…?”
“Extra spicy.”
Lin Xiaoyu shook her head slightly, stating her preference, then slowly sent the convention’s time and place over.
Jiang Ling saw the certainty on her face and couldn’t bring herself to say, “That place is insanely spicy!” Instead, she silently ordered the extra-spicy mala soup for her.
Not long after they returned, the delivery person knocked on the door. Jiang Ling took the food and placed two bowls of distinctly different mala soup on the table.
Her own bowl wasn’t exactly bland, but compared to Lin Xiaoyu’s extra spicy one, it looked especially mild.
“You can handle spicy food that well?”
Jiang Ling stirred her bowl with chopsticks and looked at the floating chili peppers in Lin Xiaoyu’s soup, swallowing involuntarily.
“No, I can’t.”
Lin Xiaoyu’s straightforward denial surprised her.
“Can’t?!”
Jiang Ling was shocked. “Then why did you order extra spicy? Want to swap with me? I can probably barely manage it.”
Lin Xiaoyu shook her head. “It’s okay. I heard eating spicy food can be a way to relieve stress. I want to try it.”
Though Jiang Ling had also heard of that method, she still stared at Lin Xiaoyu with worry.
Without expression, Lin Xiaoyu took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. A flush immediately appeared on her pale face, her eyes squeezed tightly shut, sparkling tears at the corners, and she stuck out her tongue. “Hiss—”
Though she didn’t say much, Jiang Ling immediately understood and hurriedly stood to pour her a glass of water.
Lin Xiaoyu gulped down the water like a ravenous beast, then coughed several times, a few tears uncontrollably rolling down.
“Oh no, no more super spicy next time! You’re crying!”
Seeing this, Jiang Ling panicked, noticing the water jug was already empty. She got up to refill it but was suddenly pulled back by her clothes.
Startled, Jiang Ling stumbled and turned around to see Lin Xiaoyu breathing heavily. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath, thin sweat hanging on her forehead, her voice hoarse:
“Actually, I’m… a little uneasy.”