Chapter 67: At the center of the storm

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. “But… love at first sight, after all, really is beyond my understanding.”

Jiang Ling had never fallen in love at first sight, so she couldn’t quite grasp what Song Meng was saying.

“Actually, saying ‘love at first sight’ isn’t quite accurate.”

Song Meng pondered for a moment, then chuckled softly before continuing, “It should be ‘lust at first sight’ instead.”

“L-lust at first sight?!”

Jiang Ling immediately hugged her small body tightly.

This woman really wanted to do that kind of xxoo thing with her, didn’t she!

Biting her lip, she tentatively asked, “You’re not talking about that cat-eared maid, are you?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

Song Meng put her hand on her head to mimic cat ears, her eyes curving into a smile. “So cute.”

“Alright, let’s stop this topic!”

Jiang Ling felt that if they kept talking, she’d be so mortified she’d want to disappear into a crack in the ground. She waved her hand hastily to signal a pause.

“So, are you willing to forgive me?”

Song Meng didn’t forget her original intention and looked Jiang Ling in the eye seriously.

Faced with such a burning gaze, Jiang Ling’s face flushed, her mind replaying the words she had just heard, and she was so embarrassed she couldn’t speak.

Seeing Jiang Ling stay silent, Song Meng thought she was dissatisfied and offered, “Then I won’t be so forceful next time.”

“Okay!”

Jiang Ling immediately nodded repeatedly like a little chick pecking at rice.

Exactly, this person was just too forceful, and Jiang Ling’s naturally submissive personality meant she was unknowingly swept away by her words.

“I want to kiss you.”

“Huh?!”

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. “But you said you wouldn’t be so forceful!”

“That’s why I’m asking for your opinion.” Song Meng’s arms rested on either side of Jiang Ling’s body. “Is it okay?”

“…How is this any different from before?”

Jiang Ling tucked in her neck, shyly turning her face away.

“There is a difference. I’m asking you. Can I?”

Song Meng’s voice deepened, sounding right in Jiang Ling’s ear like a seductive spell, making her head spin. She could only resist with a barely audible breath, “N-no…”

“Really?”

Song Meng moved even closer, her palm sliding to Jiang Ling’s 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:

“Ha… although I shouldn’t interfere in my employees’ romantic affairs, this is a public place, and people shouldn’t be flirting here, Miss Song?”

The voice hit Jiang Ling’s mind like a thunderclap, and she flailed wildly, falling backward and hitting a raised part of the sofa hard.

“Ah!”

Bai Xue watched her clutching her head and rubbing it hard, her eyes softening for a moment before turning to Song Meng.

“Sorry, it’s my fault.”

Song Meng quickly admitted her mistake; after all, she hadn’t considered the setting. Then she smiled politely and nodded slightly. “I’ll be going then, won’t disturb your work.”

She stepped out briskly, and Jiang Ling quietly got up, intending to slip away.

But before she could take two steps, Bai Xue’s voice sounded behind her: “That’s quick. Aren’t you going to give me an explanation?”

Jiang Ling’s body tensed, a forced smile on her face as she slowly turned to meet Bai Xue’s scrutinizing gaze.

“E-explain what?”

“I finished organizing files and came out to find my proud, adorable teammate kissing a strange woman.”

Bai Xue approached deliberately, looking down at Jiang Ling’s guilty expression. Her palm slid from Jiang Ling’s cheek down to her slender, delicate neck.

“Tell me, should you give me an explanation, hmm?”

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, “W-we’re just friends. She’s always like that.”

Actually, Bai Xue’s grip wasn’t heavy, but it gave Jiang Ling a trapped, helpless feeling. Growing anxious, her voice softened unconsciously. “Sister, really, I’m not lying.”

She truly wasn’t lying to Bai Xue.

Her relationship with Song Meng was only at the “fake girlfriend” stage—they were just friends.

Maybe it was Jiang Ling’s imagination, but she always felt that when she begged softly, Bai Xue’s expression shifted quickly.

It didn’t look like she wanted to forgive her, but rather…

Like she wanted to devour her.

“I understand.”

Bai Xue released her grip from Jiang Ling’s neck, her fingers tracing Jiang Ling’s lips from bottom to top. “If I hadn’t come, would you have let her kiss you?”

Jiang Ling didn’t have the courage to answer.

Because Song Meng had left her dazed just now; if she wasn’t careful, Song Meng could have easily taken advantage of her. If Bai Xue hadn’t shown up, Jiang Ling probably would have been devoured completely.

But facing Bai Xue’s slightly intimidating gaze, Jiang Ling still shook her head hard. “No.”

The wise know when to yield!

Sure enough, after receiving the denial, Bai Xue didn’t 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 “Dangerous Party,” performed by Jiang Ling and Fang Wannian, quickly caught the attention of outsiders.

【Just a random viewer—did they really kiss at the end? So romantic!】

【I was there! I can vouch for it—their gazes were practically melting, it killed me!】

【Kinda like them… so cute.】

These comments were exactly what Xu Nuo had expected, and NOVA’s 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 didn’t 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 video’s popularity had skyrocketed, with views more than double last night’s.

Her smile instantly brightened as she happily clicked in, but her eyes faltered when she saw the top comment:

【What’s so great about their performance besides selling the queer angle? Especially Jiang Ling, she even fell at the end—just a pretty face with no skills. If you don’t believe me, watch their previous roadshows. The skill and members are miles apart. Don’t know what you see in this stage. Go enjoy something better.】

Comments like this, which hadn’t appeared last night, suddenly sprouted like wild weeds, ruthlessly criticizing NOVA and repeatedly picking apart Jiang Ling alone.

Jiang Ling’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She watched helplessly as the phone slipped from her fingers with a dull thud, falling with her heart—

Straight into the depths of despair.