---
Liang Qianyu twirled the golden lipstick tube in her fingers, head tilted slightly as she examined the image on her phone screen.
"Isn't that Xingyan? Lin Xingyan?"
"Yeah," Su Meilin said. "I'm sure of it. That's Lin Xingyan. She actually did it... became an actress like she always said she would."
Liang Qianyu's brows lifted slightly. "Really... Which company signed her?"
Su Meilin's fingers flew over her screen as she searched.
Within seconds, she replied, "Orchid Blossom Entertainment."
The lipstick cap in Liang Qianyu's hand dropped softly onto the vanity table.
Her lips parted. "Orchid Blossom Entertainment?"
"Yeah, why?"
Liang Qianyu sat back, her gaze distant. "I auditioned there yesterday. I'm scheduled to sign the contract this afternoon."
"Wow," Su Meilin said, blinking in surprise. "What a small world."
Liang Qianyu didn't respond immediately. A slow smirk curved her lips.
What a twist of fate.
"Isn't this amazing?" she said lightly.
Her voice was calm, but her mind raced with anticipation. "Maybe I'll reach out. We can have a little get-together, talk about old times before we transferred. High school was fun, wasn't it?"
Su Meilin smiled. "It was."
—
They chatted briefly before hanging up.
Liang Qianyu sat still for a moment, staring at her reflection. Her expression softened into a smile of satisfaction.
God must really love her.
Wasn't this the perfect chance?
She pressed the lipstick to her lips, finishing her look with one final stroke before standing up and smoothing down her dress, and headed downstairs.
---
The grand dining room at the Liang estate basked in soft golden light, the sunlight filtering through tall windows framed with brocade drapes.
A long oak table stretched down the middle of the room, laden with steaming silver platters and elegant china.
Her grandfather sat at the head of the table, back straight, gaze sharp.
Beside him, her father skimmed a morning report, while her mother, resplendent in a silk lavender robe, sipped a cup of floral tea.
"Good morning," Liang Qianyu greeted, her voice light as she glided into the room with a radiant smile.
She paused, looking around. "Where's brother?"
Old Master Liang didn't even look up from his porridge. "Didn't return last night. Probably off at one of his villas again."
Liang Qianyu sighed, taking a seat. "He treats his properties like hotel rooms."
Her mother chuckled. "You know how he is." Then, with a bright smile, she added, "But today is your day. We're celebrating early because our Qianyu is signing with an entertainment company. A future superstar!"
Liang Qianyu offered a modest smile. "It's just the start."
Her father merely nodded, quiet as always, but his faint smile showed approval.
Her grandfather, however, spoke in his usual grave tone.
"Qianyu, don't forget—you represent the Liang family. Don't tarnish our name out there."
Liang Qianyu straightened. "I won't, Grandfather."
"Good." He looked at her intently. "Your brother's engagement is soon. There will be attention. Be cautious."
She bit her lip and nodded, lowering her eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, he pulled out a sleek black card and handed it to her.
"Use this. Don't let yourself be mistreated outside."
Liang Qianyu blinked. "But Grandfather, I already have a card... and you deposit twenty million monthly. Isn't that more than enough?"
"For others, maybe. But not for my granddaughter."
Her mother and father shared a quick glance but didn't intervene.
Liang Qianyu accepted the card with both hands. "Thank you, Grandfather."
As breakfast was served, the aroma of sweet lotus buns and seafood congee wafted through the air.
---
The atmosphere inside the deputy CEO's office at Orchid Blossom Entertainment was anything but relaxed.
The room was sleek, modern, and ice cold—both in decor and tone.
The walls were glass, the furniture sleek and minimalist.
Seated across from a massive walnut desk were Lin Xingyan and Zhang Zeyan.
Their managers and assistants stood respectfully behind them, watching silently.
Zhang Zeyan leaned back lazily in his chair, scrolling through his phone as if he weren't at the center of a company-wide PR storm.
Beside him, Lin Xingyan nervously twirled a lock of her chestnut hair, her other hand clenched in her lap.
Deputy CEO Han Yu—a man in his late forties with a receding hairline and a perpetual sheen on his forehead—folded his hands together.
"How did the paparazzi get those photos yesterday?" he asked, voice tight.
Neither actor answered immediately.
Zhang Zeyan didn't even look up. "Probably an accident."
Lin Xingyan nodded, cheeks flushing pink.
Han Yu sighed. "Well, the stock's up, so I'm not mad. But we have to strike while the iron's hot."
He leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "We're going to make the relationship official."
Lin Xingyan blinked. "Official?"
"Fake dating," Han Yu said, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. "You two are the hottest on-screen couple of the year. Fans are obsessed. CP fans are already making edits and writing fics. It's time to capitalize."
Lin Xingyan's heart pounded. Pretend to date Zhang Zeyan?
Her gaze flicked toward him. He still hadn't looked up.
Her mind raced. They'd kissed countless times on set.
Once, after a long night shoot, she'd fallen asleep in his car—and woken up in his villa. They hadn't said much.
But they hadn't needed to.
Still, he never spoke about what they were. Not even after... that night.
Was this her chance?
Zhang Zeyan finally looked up, eyes calm and unreadable. "That happened last month. And yesterday... I didn't know we were being watched."
His manager behind him stiffened, exchanging a subtle glance with Han Yu.
Han Yu shrugged. "Doesn't matter. The buzz is hot. And Director Gu Yanchuan's new project is heating up. It's called Until the Snow Melts."
He pushed two thick scripts forward.
"Romance, psychological tension, a pair of lovers caught between loyalty and betrayal during wartime. Heavy chemistry. Real emotion. Gu Yanchuan wants natural synergy, and he's considering you two."
Zhang Zeyan opened the script.
Within seconds, his usual indifferent expression shifted ever so slightly.
This was a serious project.
The kind of film that wins awards and leaves people breathless.
Han Yu studied him. "You're perfect for the male lead. And Lin Xingyan..." he paused, letting his gaze trail slowly over her face, "has the vulnerability this role needs. We need actors who can bleed emotion on screen."
He paused then continued. "Zeyan, Xingyan—this could skyrocket you both."
There was a pause.
Zhang Zeyan looked at Lin Xingyan. Just for a second.
"I'll audition," he said casually.
Han Yu blinked. "You'll... what?"
"I'll audition," Zhang Zeyan repeated.
Han Yu blinked, stunned.
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
The room fell silent.
Zhang Zeyan had a reputation for being picky and difficult.
The CEO had even warned Han Yu to expect pushback.
Yet he just agreed.
Lin Xingyan turned to him, eyes shining with surprise.
Did that mean he liked working with her? Did it mean something more? Her heart fluttered.
Zeyan, however, didn't even look at her. "When's the audition?"
"Today. At eleven. Jingnan Performing Arts Center."
Zhang Zeyan stood, his three assistants and manager following him.
Without a glance back, he walked out.
—
Lin Xingyan's eyes lingered on him until the door clicked shut behind him.
Then, she turned back and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Han."
Han Yu smiled—smarmy, smug, and deeply unsettling. "Xingyan, that role took effort. You won't disappoint me tonight, will you?"
She forced a polite smile. "I won't."
"Good."
He waved her off. Her manager and assistant followed her out.
In the hallway, her manager whispered with a chuckle, "You're really easy to work with. You understand the rules. That's rare these days."
Lin Xingyan smiled faintly. "It's nothing."
But inside, she was burning with disgust.
If I didn't need this career... if I didn't want to climb to the very top... I'd never entertain that filthy old man.
Just a little longer. When I become a top star, no one will dare touch me.
And maybe—just maybe—Zhang Zeyan would finally see her not as a co-star or a fling... but as the woman he couldn't look away from.
She'd be the one by his side. Officially. Publicly.
And they'd be the most admired couple in the country.
---