Chapter 60: Big Success

【You really think I’d believe that!】

Has Song Meng truly taken herself for a fool?

【Video】

Jiang Ling walked toward her room while opening the video.

Xiao Ling seemed to have just finished bathing; her fur looked much cleaner, and she was staring at the cat teaser on her head, shaking it back and forth.

Jiang Ling chuckled softly, but the next second, Xiao Ling in the video actually… did a backflip.

Her fingertips tightened around the phone. Song Meng sent another message.

【Believe it now?】

This time, there was really no denying it.

【Come over to my place once you get the tickets.】

After sending this, Song Meng quickly followed up with several photos—all high-definition adorable pictures of Xiao Ling. Jiang Ling saved them casually, then went to Xu Nuo’s room to let her see as well.

By the way, Xu Nuo didn’t actually live here. Her “room” was more like an office, a converted storage space.

Jiang Ling knocked several times but heard no response. Worried, she gently pushed the door.

The door wasn’t locked. As soon as she entered, Jiang Ling saw Xu Nuo slumped over the desk, wearing only a thin short-sleeve shirt, seemingly asleep. On the desk lay a box of instant coffee and a bread bag.

The computer screen displayed over a dozen documents and reports, and the nearby memo listed tasks for nearly a month, each item closely tied to NOVA’s development.

Jiang Ling quietly watched her exhausted figure and felt a tightening in her chest. She took off her jacket and covered Xu Nuo, then tiptoed away as silently as she could.

Everyone is working so hard.

Jiang Ling slowly returned to her room. Lin Xiaoyu hadn’t finished eating yet and was probably outside chatting with Mo Ran, so Jiang Ling unconsciously opened her phone, started the video of Dangerous Party , and quietly watched.

The dance she had just practiced was already ingrained deeply from repeated practice. She repeatedly rewound to the tricky parts until Lin Xiaoyu returned.

“Practicing?”

Lin Xiaoyu looked at her focused expression and asked.

“Yeah, the show’s almost starting.”

Jiang Ling nodded, revealing her nervousness: “Even though you all say I’m ready to perform, it’s still my first time on stage in front of so many people. I’m a bit uneasy.”

“I think you’re doing great for where you are now. But I don’t mind if you keep practicing, because for us, this is only the beginning.”

Lin Xiaoyu sat beside her.

“You have to know, we perform publicly every Friday and Saturday, with different content each time. This time is your most prepared performance yet.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ling paused the video and looked at Lin Xiaoyu, who seemed like she had more to say.

“I don’t mean to pressure you, but I want you to be clear about this ahead of time.”

Lin Xiaoyu looked into her eyes, speaking deliberately.

“Yeah, I pretty much get what you mean.”

Jiang Ling reached out, brushed Lin Xiaoyu’s hand resting naturally beside her, and softly said, “Don’t worry. I’m taking this seriously and I’m happy to perform on stage with everyone. At least so far, I have no intention of backing down.”

Feeling the atmosphere was a bit too sincere, Jiang Ling took a deep breath and forced a bright smile: “So I’ll work hard. Teacher Xiaoyu, please correct me if I mess up.”

Seeing her crescent-shaped eyes, Lin Xiaoyu was silent for a moment and then nodded.

“I will.”

October 20th.

Ten minutes before the presale began, Jiang Ling was already restless, staring at the words “Not yet on sale” on her screen, almost wanting to dive into her phone.

Since it was the debut show, Xu Nuo prepared to release just 150 tickets to test the waters; if that wasn’t enough, more would be added.

“It’s started!”

Jiang Ling watched the “Buy Tickets” button light up and felt anxious. After much hesitation, she finally moved to tap it.

But the moment her finger hovered, “Sold Out” flashed boldly in the center of the screen.

Jiang Ling froze.

Huh?

It’s been less than half a minute since tickets went live?

How did they sell out so fast?

Stunned by the unexpected turn, Jiang Ling stood there for several seconds before hearing Xu Nuo’s excited voice outside—

“Sold out in seconds!”

Almost everyone left their rooms at the same time and rushed to Xu Nuo’s office.

Inside, Xu Nuo was jumping and cheering in place. Seeing everyone’s eager faces, she didn’t keep them waiting and raised her arms in triumph: “Our tickets are all gone!”

Hearing that, Jiang Ling couldn’t help but exhale deeply. The reality of all tickets being sold gave her an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

“Hey, does that mean we’ll add more tickets?”

Mo Ran immediately asked the key question.

“Yes! I’m about to post the announcement. Oh, Lingling-chan, I saved a ticket for you. I sent you a screenshot.”

Xu Nuo shook her phone.

Jiang Ling checked it and, after confirming, left the room and messaged Song Meng.

【Got the tickets, want me to send them to you?】

【Face-to-face exchange.】

Jiang Ling knew she couldn’t argue with Song Meng—it was a waste of time. So, without making a fuss, she followed the remembered route and went to Song Meng’s house alone.

Ding dong—

After ringing the doorbell, Song Meng came out and opened the door. “That was fast, little girlfriend?”

Hearing the teasing tone, Jiang Ling was no longer surprised and walked inside naturally, only to find the house apparently empty.

Sensing Jiang Ling’s suspicion, Song Meng smiled faintly and explained, “They’re not coming back tonight.”

Listening to the loaded, flirtatious implication, Jiang Ling blushed from head to toe as expected. She turned her face slightly, about to say something, but then felt something coil around her foot.

“Meow~”

Xiao Ling cheerfully circled her feet, mewing sweetly.

“The kid missed you,” Song Meng added.

Jiang Ling gave her a scolding glare, squatted down, and Xiao Ling immediately jumped onto her lap, rubbing her head eagerly and looking very happy.

Seeing this, Song Meng smiled and clapped her hands: “Xiao Ling, come to mommy.”

At the sound of that, Xiao Ling didn’t hesitate to leap off Jiang Ling’s lap and turn into Song Meng’s arms.

“What the heck, I just started petting her!”

Jiang Ling immediately felt displeased, staring mournfully at the little cat walking away.

“That’s what happens when you’re an incompetent parent.”

Song Meng calmly combed Xiao Ling’s fur, shaking her head with a smirk.

“I was… busy,” Jiang Ling stammered, caught off guard.

“Did you hear that, Xiao Ling? Your mommy says she’s busy, so she doesn’t come see you. Such a bad woman who loves making excuses, right?”

Song Meng struggled to hold back laughter as she spoke to Xiao Ling in her arms.

“When did I become mommy?!”

Jiang Ling had just been proudly calling herself Xiao Ling’s mom. If she was mommy, then what did that make the two of them—

Her cheeks heated instantly. She turned and walked into the room.

“Don’t say such things—I’m not…”

Her words abruptly cut off.

Then came the sound of the door locking with a click .

“Song Meng… why are you taking off my clothes?!”

Xiao Ling had been wagging her tail nearby and flipped over as if expecting praise but suddenly realized Mommy and Mom had gone back into the room.

She strolled over to the door and pawed at it—no luck.

Xiao Ling tilted her small head, big eyes full of confusion.

Do I still have to flip over?