Chapter 68: The Truth

She didn’t know how much time had passed before Jiang Ling slowly came back to her senses. She stared blankly at the phone flipped face down, hesitating for a long while before picking it up again.

The harsh comments weren’t limited to just one.

Underneath, there were many voices agreeing, and some even used words far worse than these.

Jiang Ling’s name quickly spread throughout the circle.

Of course, in a negative sense.

Some people immediately dug up videos from Jiang Ling’s first roadshow, isolating her clips and comparing them frame by frame with her teammates beside her.

Public opinion shifted rapidly, and at times like these, many bandwagon followers would emerge, trying to overturn their previous statements.

【She really has no talent. Honestly, I think I could do better. Her singing voice is shaky, she just knows how to act cute, a total waste.】

【Looking at it now, I agree. I specifically went to find videos of their earlier roadshows. Honestly… it’s hard to say anything good.】

【How do the other members put up with this? Her level of skill only drags the group down. Don’t they practice at all? This is embarrassing.】

Jiang Ling tried to read the comments calmly.

Although there were some fans who had been to the live events defending her, their voices were ultimately drowned out by a flood of ridicule, making her seem utterly isolated.

She read through them all, then switched off her phone.

Everything in her vision began to blur.

Plop.

Jiang Ling saw tear stains spreading on the bedsheet, biting her lip tightly and clenching her fingers hard, trying her best not to make a sound.

At that moment, a knock came from outside the door.

“Little Lingdang?”

It was Mo Ran’s voice, filled with concern. “It’s time for lunch. I made your favorite ribs.”

The cheerful tone made Jiang Ling falter, but her tears only fell faster.

Suddenly, Jiang Ling realized that what she feared wasn’t being insulted, but being a burden to everyone else.

Her teammates—all far more talented than she—never looked down on her clumsy movements. Instead, they wrapped her in warmth and kindness, helping her integrate into NOVA.

If because of her alone NOVA’s reputation suffered, Jiang Ling knew she could never forgive her own weakness and incompetence.

Outside the door.

Mo Ran was about to knock again but was stopped by Bai Xue.

“Let her be alone for a while.”

Hearing this, Mo Ran still wanted to say something but sighed faintly instead, whispering through the door, “If you get hungry, just find me or send me a message. I’ll make you something anytime.”

After that, she said no more and returned to the living room with Bai Xue.

Inside the living room, all eyes, including Fang Wannian’s, immediately gathered.

Fang Wannian frowned, her voice tinged with irritation. “She’s just so fragile. Seeing all those insults, she’s probably hiding under the covers crying… Seriously, no matter what, there’s no need to talk like that.”

Some of the comments inside had already crossed the line from normal criticism into outright personal attacks.

“This isn’t right. Last night the trend was still normal.”

Xu Nuo’s expression was unusually calm as she kept flipping through and comparing the timestamps of the comments. “This kind of commentary only started appearing after midnight. It’s like someone hired internet trolls to deliberately smear NOVA.”

“And Jiang Ling has become the main target.”

At this, Bai Xue’s pupils suddenly constricted, as if she had realized something. She hurriedly dashed out the door. “Sorry, I’m going to make a call.”

“I thought it was someone else, but it’s my adorable little sister. What’s the emergency to call me at this hour?”

Hearing the extremely irritating tone on the other end, Bai Xue suppressed her emotions as much as she could. “Was it you?”

“Hahaha, look at you, so anxious and flustered.”

Bai Ming’s laughter was harsh and arrogant. “I’m just putting the obvious facts in front of the public. This is a very common tactic in our circle. Years have passed, and you’re still coming to question me over something so trivial? Brother feels very hurt.”

“Are you ever going to stop?” Bai Xue gritted her teeth, speaking each word slowly, “I have no interest in the Bai family’s business, nor do I care to compete with you…”

“But you are, after all, her daughter. You have the same outstanding talents she had!”

Bai Ming’s voice suddenly grew harsh, and even through the phone, Bai Xue could almost picture his vicious expression. His words left her in a brief silence.

“I’m only giving you a small warning—stop indulging in your own fantasies. ‘Idols’ are just products. When one is broken, you replace it. Understand?”

He laughed again at the end. “Right now, your popularity is pitifully low. If you think about it, maybe I’m helping you get exposure, my dear little sister—”

“Beep.”

Bai Xue hung up expressionlessly, her hand at her side tightening into a fist. She took a deep breath, letting the irritation slowly fade before stepping back inside with her usual calm expression.

“Anyway, I’ll try to control the spread of public opinion first, but it’s best if we can give a response within the next couple of days. Otherwise, this will become much harder to handle.”

Xu Nuo quickly drew up a plan and then went straight to her workstation, quietly focusing on the screen.

Lin Xiaoyu stood up and tried the door handle.

“It’s locked.”

She had been hoping to naturally walk in as a roommate and then bring her out to comfort her.

“Ah, really, I just want to shut these people up. They’re disgusting!” Fang Wannian said with a sour expression, pulling out her phone. “I’m calling the manager right now—”

“No, you can’t.”

Mo Ran stopped her impulsive move, shaking her head. “That will only make things worse. I understand how you feel, but don’t do that.”

After discussing in the living room for a long time, no suitable solution was found. In the end, the only option was to let things cool off quietly.

Many hours later, in the evening, Jiang Ling finally stepped out of her room.

“Jiang Ling!”

Fang Wannian immediately stepped forward, seeing her obviously tear-streaked eyes and feeling a pang of pain. She hurriedly fumbled for tissues and wiped her face. “Don’t look at those things anymore. Don’t take it to heart. They’re all just nonsense.”

Jiang Ling smiled faintly and pressed down her hand. “They’re not wrong.”

Hearing that, Fang Wannian instantly raised her voice in objection. “That’s not true! We all see how hard you practice every day. That kind of thing is just—”

“All right, all right, let’s just eat first.”

Seeing Fang Wannian’s emotions starting to spiral, Mo Ran stepped between them, her gaze gentle as she looked at Jiang Ling. “Are you hungry?”

“Yeah.”

Jiang Ling didn’t deny it. She took the tissues Fang Wannian handed her, then quietly followed Mo Ran to the kitchen.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

In the kitchen, Jiang Ling slowly chewed the tender ribs, glancing at everyone sitting scattered around her. She sniffed and smiled as she asked.

No one answered; they all stared at Jiang Ling with worried eyes, afraid her mood would worsen.

Just then, Xu Nuo walked in, breaking the silence.

“It’s mostly handled.” Xu Nuo reported the situation, looking toward Bai Xue. “According to the final plan, from now on it’s cold treatment until—”

Jiang Ling put down her chopsticks and interrupted her.

“Can I handle this matter myself?”