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Yiren blinked in confusion as she stared at Su Meilin. "Rosebell Entertainment?" she echoed, trying to process what she'd just heard.
The name wasn't entirely unfamiliar. She had heard whispers of it here and there—mostly in passing.
It was a new company, recently registered.
Yet here it was, brought up by Su Meilin herself.
And now, the CEO of this very company was sitting across from her, making an offer?
Su Meilin gave a small smile, her expression confident yet calm. "Yes. I know it's a new company. Small. But I'm sincere, Yiren." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "I'm inviting you to join us."
Yiren's lips parted to speak, but Su Meilin gently raised a single finger, silencing her.
"I know what you're thinking," Meilin continued smoothly. "Starlight Media is doing well by you right now. They're treating you like a crown jewel, and rightfully so. But let's not kid ourselves, Yiren. We both know the truth about what's happening behind the scenes... the scandal with Mo Yuwei and Xu Jiaqi — it's tearing the foundation apart."
Yiren felt her throat tighten.
She did know. She knew all too well.
Su Meilin didn't stop there.
"If things worsen, if any financial damage occurs, Starlight could easily fall. I'm offering you a lifeboat before the storm hits."
Yiren swallowed hard.
Her chest felt strangely heavy.
"You'll have full creative freedom at Rosebell. We'll split profits sixty-forty," Su Meilin said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You'll live in a company-provided villa for three years. Bonuses, styling freedom, first pick on major endorsements... It's all yours."
Yiren stared, stunned.
She opened her mouth but no sound came out.
All of that... just to join a small entertainment company?
"Why?" she asked quietly. "Why would you offer me so much?"
Su Meilin shrugged, "Because you're valuable. You're the biggest name in the industry right now, Yiren. And I won't lie — I want that. I need that."
She clasped her hands on the desk, voice softer now. "I know Starlight is cherishing you now. You're their gold mine. But after a few months? When your glow starts to dim and a new face trends online? They'll shift. That's the entertainment world. You know that better than anyone."
Yiren bit her lower lip.
She did know. She had seen it happen. Bright stars burning out overnight, replaced by fresher faces, flashier scandals, faster fame.
She had clawed her way up from those shadows. She wasn't ready to fall again.
"I..." she hesitated. "I'll think about it."
Su Meilin smiled, though a sliver of steel flickered behind her eyes. "Of course. But don't take too long. Time isn't a luxury we always have."
Yiren nodded slowly. "Understood, CEO Su."
"Good." Su Meilin stood, smoothing her hair. "For now, prepare for the press conference. The product launch is in three days. Your presence will be vital."
"I'll be ready."
Su Meilin nodded approvingly, then turned her back to Yiren, already sifting through files on her desk.
Yiren took the hint and stood, heels tapping gently on the marble floor as she walked toward the door.
—
As the door opened, her manager nearly stumbled in, clearly having been trying to eavesdrop. He caught himself quickly, pretending to adjust his blazer.
The two assistants followed close behind.
"What was that all about?" her manager asked, trying to sound casual. "You were in there for a long time."
Yiren gave him a casual glance. "Just some business talk."
He frowned. "Business?"
She didn't answer further.
Her silence was answer enough.
—
The assistant pressed the elevator button, and they all stepped in. Yiren leaned back against the mirrored wall, deep in thought.
Rosebell Entertainment.
A new company. A risk. But also an opportunity.
She had to admit—it was tempting. The backing of the Su family and the powerful Liang family made it almost impossible to fail.
Even if Rosebell was still finding its footing, with that kind of support, it wouldn't be long before it dominated the industry.
But… what if she lost her popularity before the company rose?
She wasn't naïve. Public favor was fickle. One wrong step, one controversy… and everything could crumble.
Still, declining Su Meilin could be worse.
Su Meilin wasn't just any CEO. She was the future Young Madam Liang.
Offending her would mean offending two of the most powerful families in the country.
Yiren pressed her lips together.
She needed time. She needed to think.
—
Back upstairs, the sleek office remained still.
Su Meilin was about to leave when her phone buzzed on the desk.
Director Lin.
She frowned, picking it up. "Is it restored?"
"Yes, Young Miss," came the respectful voice. "We've recovered the deleted surveillance footage."
Su Meilin's heart skipped.
"And?"
"It shows a young man — perhaps in his early twenties — delivering the gift box to the front desk."
Her fingers clenched slightly. "Did you question the staff?"
"Yes," the director replied. "The receptionist on duty says the young man claimed to be a friend of the patient in Ward 888. He said he didn't have time to visit in person and politely requested she deliver the box on his behalf."
"And she believed him?"
"She wasn't aware the patient was Chairman Su," he replied carefully. "The name and ward were all he gave. She agreed... then left the box in her station for nearly an hour. One of the nurses — the younger one, bubbly and enthusiastic — saw it and offered to take it up herself."
Su Meilin's jaw tightened. "Send me the footage."
"Right away."
Seconds later, her inbox pinged.
She clicked the video, dragging the time bar to the relevant timestamp.
There he was.
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