Chapter 69: Response

Hearing this, everyone’s gaze instantly converged on Jiang Ling.

“I’ll ask just one question—your way of handling this situation isn’t about announcing your departure from the group, right?”

Xu Nuo’s eyes showed a serious inquiry.

Meeting her worried yet sorrowful gaze, Jiang Ling blinked: “Who said I’m quitting the group?”

For half a day straight, Jiang Ling had been pondering how to deal with this matter.

Of course, she was thinking through tears.

Yes, she was fragile, but she couldn’t let everyone pay the price for her mistake with their futures.

Xu Nuo, receiving a negative answer, stared blankly at Jiang Ling’s resolute expression. Her pupils flickered under her glasses for a long moment before she finally revealed a reassuring smile.

“That’s good.”

After saying this, she stumbled slightly and embarrassedly rubbed her head. “Sorry, I’m a bit sleep-deprived. I’m going to rest now.”

As Xu Nuo left the room, she happened to pass by Jiang Ling.

“I believe in you.”

She leaned close to Jiang Ling’s ear and spoke slowly, her voice soft but firm:

“Because you’re my angel, Lingling-chan.”

After these words, Xu Nuo left the living room with a genuine smile.

Jiang Ling touched her slightly warm earlobe, feeling a comforting warmth flowing through her heart, then shifted her gaze to Bai Xue, who hadn’t spoken since earlier.

“Is that okay, my dear captain sister?”

She tried to ask in a playful tone, attempting to ease everyone’s worries.

Bai Xue looked at Jiang Ling deeply for a long time, then let out a barely audible sigh before suddenly embracing her, murmuring nonstop: “I’m sorry, really sorry…”

“Why apologize?”

Jiang Ling didn’t understand but gently comforted her: “Anyway, I’ll handle this. After all, it’s my own problem, so don’t worry. I’m fine.”

This wasn’t a lie—Jiang Ling had locked herself in her room crying for a long time and had already vented her emotions. Now she needed to calmly solve the problem.

After showing she was okay, Jiang Ling immediately rummaged through her backpack and took out a pen she hadn’t used in a long time, spreading paper on the table.

“What are you going to write?”

Lin Xiaoyu, who had followed her in, asked, “Need my help?”

“Hm, something like an apology letter, I guess.”

Jiang Ling took a deep breath and began writing earnestly.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoyu’s expression softened. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a gentle yet firm voice: “I respect and support all your choices, but I don’t think you did anything wrong in this…”

“No, if I had done well enough, I wouldn’t be singled out for criticism. I’m not giving up on myself, just stating the facts.”

Jiang Ling stubbornly shook her head. “So this has to be my responsibility.”

She didn’t want NOVA to be labeled with words like “pretty face” or “useless” because of her.

Lin Xiaoyu didn’t argue further; her eyes were full of comfort as she watched Jiang Ling slowly and seriously write down her truest thoughts.

After more than ten minutes, Jiang Ling put down her pen and carefully read over the content. After confirming there were no mistakes, she nodded.

“That should do it.”

“Next, you’ll post it on the official account?”

Lin Xiaoyu guessed her next move, but Jiang Ling shook her head and gave a somewhat embarrassed smile.

“Next, I need to trouble you all for a favor.”

“You want us to help you by redoing the group dance for the roadshow?”

Facing Mo Ran’s question, Jiang Ling replied, “Although I could just say I didn’t practice much, that wouldn’t be convincing. It’s better to just show the comparison directly.”

“That’s fine, but will that really be enough?”

Fang Wanan still looked a bit worried—after all, those people throwing random comments didn’t seem likely to accept any explanation.

Jiang Ling stretched her body: “It’s fine, their opinions don’t matter. I owe an explanation to myself, NOVA, and the fans.”

After a pause, she pouted and spread her arms, putting on a pitiful expression: “Help me out, Lady Nan Nan!”

“…Seriously, you insist on using such an annoying way of putting it? Be careful or I’ll smack you.”

Fang Wanan clicked her tongue, but the smile at the corner of her lips was impossible to hide.

“Aw, little Lingling didn’t cry and run into my arms. Such a pity.”

Mo Ran’s timely joke instantly dissolved the tense atmosphere lingering among everyone.

“I’m not like that!” Jiang Ling snorted proudly. “I can grow, you know.”

“Isn’t it you who locked yourself in your room crying for half a day?”

Lin Xiaoyu tilted her head, only to be quickly silenced by Jiang Ling covering her mouth. “Don’t ruin my moment!”

Seeing everyone happily lighten up, Bai Xue’s restless heart gradually eased.

Indeed, buying internet followers and planting comments wasn’t uncommon in the industry.

If that was the case, then fighting fire with fire was the best approach.

“Don’t worry about posting it. I’ll handle the other things.”

Bai Xue stroked Jiang Ling’s head, her gaze growing steady.

Hearing this, Jiang Ling sneaked a glance at the person beside her, then beckoned her over.

Bai Xue lowered her head in puzzlement, only to hear Jiang Ling’s soft, caring voice at her ear.

“You’re finally pulling yourself together? I don’t know why, but don’t blame yourself. No matter what, this isn’t your fault.”

These words made Bai Xue pause. She instinctively lowered her eyes and saw Jiang Ling watching her kindly, as if reading her expression. Then Jiang Ling nodded with satisfaction, a faint smile playing on her lips as she turned to play the music.

Bai Xue watched her slightly frail back and couldn’t help but smile.

She really was reliable.

After a few days, Jiang Ling was back in the dance studio, practicing the same choreography with the members.

She could feel her movements were much smoother than before. Though she had momentarily forgotten some steps, with her teammates’ help, Jiang Ling successfully finished the recording.

She also took the chance to perform her solo talent again.

Just before dawn, Jiang Ling posted this handwritten letter, along with the newly performed video, on NOVA’s official account.