Chapter 130: A Better Choice

“But I can assure you, she’s innocent.”

Bai Xue added another sentence, “All those so-called news reports are nonsense. In reality, it was Bai Ming who thought Shen Yue’s song was good, but not commercial enough and didn’t have enough buzz.”

“But at the time, Candy’s members really liked the song and fought for it with the company. Bai Ming couldn’t be bothered to deal with it, so he used his favorite tactic—public opinion—to force Shen Yue out. The title track for that album was changed.”

After saying this, Bai Xue emphasized again, “But…I still don’t recommend you spend too much effort on her. It’s not that I’m being cold-hearted. Someone as smart as you should understand what I’m trying to say. This is best for both her and us.”

Jiang Ling didn’t answer right away. She silently stared at the news reports about Shen Yue on her phone, then opened up the songs Shen Yue had written.

The song, soft yet full of resilient strength, slowly flowed through the room.

“Bai Xue, I just thought of a question.”

Jiang Ling suddenly spoke, then looked up at the somewhat confused Bai Xue and continued, “Shen Yue’s collaboration with Candy failed, which proves she was abandoned by Bai Ming—a pawn that didn’t matter to him.”

“If we can work with Shen Yue and create an excellent song, what do you think his reaction would be?”

After speaking, Jiang Ling fixed her gaze intently on Bai Xue.

That made Bai Xue, who was about to say something else, swallow her words. She could feel the unwavering determination shining from Jiang Ling. Bai Xue couldn’t help but let out a light laugh, “You really are…”

She knew it. Someone like Jiang Ling, with such a soft heart and ears, would never just ignore this matter.

But Bai Xue also had to admit that Jiang Ling’s perspective had successfully convinced her.

“I understand how you feel, but we don’t have much time. So, I can only give you one month to persuade her. During this month, I’ll also look for other songs. If you can’t succeed after a month, we’ll drop the whole thing. Is that acceptable?”

Bai Xue gave a fair and just suggestion that wouldn’t affect the group’s progress.

“Deal.”

Although she made a bold bet with Bai Xue, Jiang Ling honestly still hadn’t figured out how to convince Shen Yue.

Actually, Bai Xue was right. If she looked at this from an ordinary person’s perspective, she’d have given up already.

First, Shen Yue had suffered online abuse before for selling songs. Judging from her behavior today, even mentioning related topics would probably trigger PTSD, and it would be hard for her to trust outsiders.

Second, if Jiang Ling thought rationally, she really didn’t need to care about a girl she’d only exchanged a few words with online.

But…but still.

For some reason, Jiang Ling just couldn’t give up the idea of collaborating with her.

Am I really such a busybody?

Jiang Ling buried herself in her blanket with a touch of self-mockery. Her sigh caught the attention of Lin Xiaoyu, who was tidying up the desk beside her.

“Can’t think of a way?”

Lin Xiaoyu asked in a calm tone, adjusting the big-headed doll that Jiang Ling had left on the table.

“You really do see right through things—”

Jiang Ling dragged out her words, replying a bit wearily.

“You’re still just as…gentle.”

Lin Xiaoyu walked over, lay down beside her, their skin pressing together.

“Hmm?”

Jiang Ling, caught off guard by the praise, was momentarily puzzled. She opened her eyes, turned her head, and met Lin Xiaoyu’s calm, mild gaze.

“Shen Yue’s songs are good enough, but not so good as to make you bring her up again after Bai Xue already rejected her, and in a way she can’t refuse at all.”

As she spoke, Lin Xiaoyu’s fingers landed gently on Jiang Ling’s slightly dazed cheek. “You want to help her, don’t you?”

It was clearly a question, but Lin Xiaoyu’s tone left no room for doubt.

Jiang Ling opened her mouth, but couldn’t come up with a rebuttal.

She muttered, turning her gaze away, “I’m not really that noble, you know. It’s just that when we talked today, whenever it came to music, she became so happy. Even though she’s been hurt because of it, she still seems to really love composing. I just feel—”

At this point, Jiang Ling’s face grew a bit hot, as if she were shy. “I just feel that a cute girl like her, who devotes so much time and effort to what she loves, shouldn’t have her life’s path ruined by someone as scummy as Bai Ming.”

Lin Xiaoyu quietly listened to every word, watching Jiang Ling’s overly flushed cheeks from pouring out her heart. Without saying more, she got up and instantly blocked out the light above them.

In the shadow, Jiang Ling saw Lin Xiaoyu’s lips move.

“You really are very gentle.”

“Go ahead and do it. No matter what happens, I’ll be with you.”

Then came a very soft kiss, barely grazing her lips.

Because she’d already washed up, Jiang Ling didn’t catch the sweet scent of lipstick. She touched the corner of her lips, looking away awkwardly, “Why’d you suddenly kiss me?”

“Um…to encourage you?”

Lin Xiaoyu thought seriously before giving her answer.

“Honestly, don’t be so sudden!”

Jiang Ling coughed, her cheeks bright red as she rolled away from Lin Xiaoyu, “Sleep, sleep…let’s sleep!”

Listening to her shy, stammering voice, Lin Xiaoyu’s calm face lit up with a smile. She got up and turned off the light in the room.

“Goodnight.”

The next morning, Jiang Ling diligently drew up a plan called “Recruit Shen Yue.” Even though the name sounded like a weird scam group, Jiang Ling quickly put it into action—

[Want to go get burgers together today?]

Yes, the only thing her silly brain could come up with was inviting Shen Yue out for her favorite burgers.

[?]

Several hours later, Shen Yue finally replied, her message brief. The question mark almost spelled out “Are you okay?” in itself.

Just as Jiang Ling was feeling defeated, another message came.

[I don’t eat burgers every day… ]

Jiang Ling’s gloomy mood instantly brightened.

[Then let’s eat something else!]

Jiang Ling pulled out all the stops, pestering Shen Yue with suggestions for all sorts of restaurants and food stalls, terrified of being rejected.

But to Jiang Ling’s surprise, Shen Yue actually replied quickly, saying she could go to a café that afternoon and even sent the address.

Naturally, Jiang Ling was overjoyed. She immediately got dressed up, even picking out an outfit she rarely wore, all to make a perfect impression on Shen Yue.

When Mo Ran came to call her for lunch, she was stunned by Jiang Ling’s glamorous appearance. Her eyes darkened slightly. “You’re going to see her?”

“Ah? Yeah, I’m meeting Shen Yue at a café. I want to talk to her more about the details.”

Jiang Ling felt that Mo Ran’s tone was off, but didn’t think much of it. She turned around and happily asked, “What’s for lunch?”

Seeing her pure smile, Mo Ran seemed like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she held back, curling her lips into a half-smile. “All your favorites.”

“Yay!”

Jiang Ling cheerfully sang her way to the kitchen, not noticing the fleeting complexity in Mo Ran’s eyes behind her.

Hmm… Once things settle down, I’ll have to punish this flirtatious troublemaker.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, Jiang Ling arrived at the café at the agreed time. Following her instincts, she looked to the most secluded window seat, and sure enough, spotted a small figure.

She walked over and naturally took the seat across from Shen Yue. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

“No, I just got here too.”

Shen Yue shook her head and slid the menu over.

Once Jiang Ling finished choosing, Shen Yue seemed to come to a decision. She got up and bowed deeply to Jiang Ling, her voice tinged with regret, “About yesterday, I’m really sorry.”

“Ah?”

Jiang Ling hadn’t expected this and hurriedly tried to help her up, but worried that Shen Yue might mind her touch, she could only say anxiously, “You didn’t do anything wrong, don’t apologize. I was the one who rushed and asked a bunch of pointless things…”

“And also, the most important thing.”

Shen Yue interrupted her, looking up, her gaze slightly evasive.

“You really could choose someone better, not me.”