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At Orchid Blossom Entertainments, the morning sun cast golden beams across the marble tiles, bouncing off the tall glass windows and illuminating the entire front courtyard in soft radiance.
Everything looked pristine. Clean. Welcoming. But also… tense.
The staff had been waiting since 7:50 AM.
Now it was almost ten.
But not a single one of them dared complain. Not even in whispers.
Because today wasn't just any other day—today, Liang Qianyu, the only princess of the Liang Conglomerate, was officially arriving to sign on as an actress under their humble agency.
She was the Liang family's only daughter, a real-life socialite with wealth, education, pedigree, and now, ambitions to become an actress.
—
This wasn't just anyone they were waiting for. It was Liang Qianyu—the only daughter of the powerful Liang family. The heiress.
The young Miss of the entire Liang Conglomerate. If she so much as frowned, their jobs would be at risk.
A single complaint could cause ripples strong enough to shut down their small entertainment company.
So, they waited under the sun, eyes scanning every approaching car.
—
The manager, Mr. Zhao, checked his watch again, sweat forming beneath his collar despite the air conditioning.
To his left stood three assistants, all dressed in crisp pastel blouses and black skirts, their hair neatly tied.
Though their faces carried well-practiced smiles, their nerves were evident in the way their eyes kept darting to the main gates.
—
When they finally saw a vehicle pull in, the tension in their shoulders shifted to alert composure. They all took a deep breath.
The moment the driver stepped out and walked around the car, they collectively straightened.
And when Liang Qianyu's delicate foot touched the pavement, they all surged forward, plastering their faces with smiles that were equal parts welcoming and fearful.
"Welcome, Young Miss Liang!" the manager said enthusiastically, bowing slightly in respect.
Liang Qianyu gave a gentle smile, tilting her head slightly. "Just Qianyu is fine."
The manager blinked, surprised, and then quickly recovered. "Yes, of course... Qianyu."
She wasn't the arrogant, difficult socialite they had imagined.
No airs, no dramatic entrance. Just a poised girl with a soft smile and a commanding presence.
He let out a silent sigh of relief.
Maybe this wouldn't be a nightmare after all.
—
The assistants greeted her next, bowing and introducing themselves one by one as Mr. Zhao gestured toward them.
"This is Lina, Jia Lin and Wenya, your assistant team. They'll help you get settled in."
The assistants quickly lined up behind him, each introducing themselves.
"I'm Lina, your personal assistant from today."
"I'm Jia Lin, I handle internal correspondence and errands."
"And I'm Wenya, I'll assist with PR coordination and scheduling."
—
Liang Qianyu nodded at each of them with a soft smile, her eyes calm. She gave a polite greeting in return, her voice composed.
But inwardly? Inwardly, she was bored out of her mind.
These people are so predictable, she thought with a sigh. The same fawning, the same desperate smiles.
What a waste of time. Standing like ducks at the door as if greeting some emperor. And the way they fawn...
She smiled again.
...so boring.
She shifted slightly, hiding the impatience behind her practiced expression. Her mind wandered briefly— thinking about why she even chose this company of all places.
Small, unremarkable. A barely-there agency with dreams of becoming relevant.
But there was a reason. There was always a reason.
—
Mr. Zhao clapped his hands together. "The CEO and HR Manager are waiting for you upstairs in the main conference room to greet you. Shall we?"
Liang Qianyu nodded once and turned back to her driver.
"You can go now. I'll call you later."
The driver smiled respectfully and nodded. "Yes, Young Miss."
As he drove off, he couldn't help but smile. Their Young Miss has always been this gentle… such a kind heart.
—
As the manager began leading her inside, the assistants trailed closely behind.
Their whispers started as soon as she was out of earshot.
Lina whispered to the others, "She's so pretty in person... Her skin is flawless. And did you see her eyes? She's glowing!"
Jia Lin added breathlessly, "When she came yesterday, I didn't think she'd really sign with us. I mean... this is the Young Miss of the Liang family! The princess herself! But she's so down-to-earth. She even smiled at me."
"She's amazing," Wenya said in a dreamy voice. "She doesn't look like she's putting on an act. Just... naturally elegant. And humble."
"She's so pretty too. And tall. Ugh," Lina sighed. "And her skin… it's like milk."
Wenya giggled. "You're crushing on her."
Lina gave her a playful glare. "As if you aren't."
But then, Jia Lin tilted her head slightly, frowning. "But she doesn't look like CEO Liang at all, don't you think?"
The words were out before she realized.
Both Lina and Wenya froze. Then Lina turned sharply, eyes wide. "Are you crazy?! Don't say that out loud! What if she hears you?!"
Wenya looked ahead nervously.
Liang Qianyu was walking ahead, her figure composed and upright, seemingly unaware of the conversation.
Jia Lin's face turned pale. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean it like that. I was just thinking aloud... I-I wasn't even being rude, I just—"
"You just don't think before speaking!" Wenya hissed, eyes darting to make sure no one had overheard.
Jia Lin gave an awkward laugh and stuck out her tongue playfully. "It's fine, she didn't hear. And besides, it's kind of true, isn't it?"
Lina and Wenya exchanged looks of horror.
"She's the CEO Liang's sister," Lina muttered under her breath. "You can't just say things like that. You're going to get us all into trouble."
"If she heard that—you're so dead."
Jia Lin shrugged. "Alright, alright. I'll keep quiet. Geez."
Lina glared at her. "You really just say whatever pops into your head, huh?"
Still, a flicker of curiosity lit in her eyes.
They don't look alike. Not even a little. Not the eyes, not the nose... not even the temperament.
Is she really his sister?
Too different.
—
Still, they dared not continue the conversation as they reached the elevator.
Mr. Zhao pressed the button and turned back to Qianyu. "Top floor," he said with a smile. "They're waiting?"
Liang Qianyu nodded faintly.
The elevator doors slid open with a chime. Mr. Zhao stepped in first, holding the door.
Liang Qianyu followed.
Then—
"Qianyu!?!"
A voice rang out suddenly from across the corridor.
Everyone froze.
Liang Qianyu paused at the elevator threshold, her expression unmoving, but her eyes flicked sideways, her eyebrows lifted slightly.
The assistants turned slowly, eyes wide.
Even Mr. Zhao blinked, confused.
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