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From the end of the hallway, a young woman stepped out of the dressing room, her stage heels tapping rhythmically against the pristine tiled floor.
She was in full light makeup and casual but elegant wear, but her aura made heads turn.
Lin Xingyan.
A rising star in Orchid Blossom Entertainment—known for her arrogance.
—
Lin Xingyan was stepping out of the dressing room, her heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor.
Her long, wavy chestnut brown hair had been freshly styled, cascading over her shoulders in effortless elegance.
Her makeup was flawless, her lips painted a soft rose, her dress a custom designer piece chosen precisely to make her stand out.
Today's audition wasn't just any audition—reporters were rumored to be lurking, and she had every intention of dazzling.
She adjusted her posture, her back straightening as she took a confident step forward.
But then she froze.
Just a few meters ahead, near the elevator, stood a familiar silhouette.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Was that... Qianyu?
What was she doing here?
"Qianyu."
—
Liang Qianyu blinked smiling slightly.
Lin Xingyan's brows were furrowed in disbelief as she walked toward them slowly, eyes locked on the girl in a peach designer coat.
Her voice softened with uncertainty. "It really is you… Liang Qianyu?"
Liang Qianyu gave a tight-lipped smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes but still carried grace.
"Xingyan," she said smoothly. "It's been a while."
The three assistants exchanged quick glances behind them, all clearly wondering if they knew each other.
Jei Lin leaned toward Lina and whispered, "Wait… they know each other?"
"Looks like it… But from where?"
The manager kept his professional demeanor, but his curiosity was obvious.
Lin Xingyan was one of their top-tier actresses, and she didn't usually greet newcomers— anyone so casually.
Especially not with such familiarity.
—
A quiet smile tugged at Liang Qianyu's lips.
"You're back?" Lin Xingyan asked, surprised to see her.
Liang Qianyu nodded gently. "Yes."
"That's... that's good. It's been so long." Lin Xingyan let out a nervous laugh. "How have you been? When did you get back?"
"Almost a month now," Liang Qianyu said calmly.
Lin Xingyan blinked. "A month already?"
She tilted her head, curiosity flaring. "So... what brings you here?"
"I'm signing with Orchid Blossom," Liang Qianyu said calmly. "Starting today."
Lin Xingyan blinked. "Seriously?"
Her gaze flickered toward the manager, then back at Liang Qianyu. "Wait… don't tell me you're that mystery trainee the CEO personally approved?"
Liang Qianyu raised an elegant brow. "I suppose I am."
The assistants now looked like they were about to combust from curiosity.
Wenya whispered loudly, "The CEO personally approved her?!"
Lina nudged her hard. "Shhh! That's Young Miss Liang."
Lin Xingyan's lips parted in shock. "You? Want to become an actress?"
"Yes," Liang Qianyu said simply. "I've always been curious about this world. And now I'm ready to give it a try."
There was no arrogance in her tone—only quiet confidence.
"I see," Lin Xingyan said, forcing a smile. "Well... I'm not surprised. You always had the looks and elegance for the screen."
Liang Qianyu tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I see you followed your passion too."
"Of course," Lin Xingyan said, her pride flaring. "It's been my dream since forever. I've worked hard for this."
Liang Qianyu nodded sincerely. "And you're doing well. I've seen some of your recent work."
That pleased Lin Xingyan more than she wanted to admit. But she quickly masked it. "What about Meilin? How is she? What's she doing these days? I haven't really kept up with the news lately."
"She's busy," Liang Qianyu said. "Managing the company. Expanding Elva Allure."
"Elva Allure?" Lin Xingyan echoed, brows lifting.
Liang Qianyu nodded. "It's doing well."
The elevator door began to beep, warning that it was about to close, but the manager quickly stepped forward and pressed the button again to keep it open.
He glanced between the two girls and cleared his throat.
"Qianyu, should we…?"
Liang Qianyu turned to him with a small nod. "Yes, of course."
Liang Qianyu then turned to Lin Xingyan. "Let's talk later. The CEO is waiting for me."
"Oh, right!" Lin Xingyan said quickly, pulling out her phone. "Let's exchange numbers. I'll call you later and we'll catch up properly."
Qianyu nodded, reaching into her handbag—a sleek, limited-edition Hermès Kelly in black crocodile leather. Xingyan's eyes flickered to the bag.
Hermès. That model is at least two hundred thousand yuan...
She swallowed. The bag alone cost more than most people's cars. Liang Qianyu really hadn't changed—always effortlessly elegant, always out of reach.
Even in high school, they never seemed to lack anything, she thought. Being their friend was a privilege.
They exchanged contact information, and Liang Qianyu gave her a small smile before stepping into the elevator.
Mr. Zhao, the manager, and the three assistants followed, all of them glancing back with subtle curiosity.
They looked confused.
The assistants whispered among themselves.
"Did they know each other?"
"They looked like old friends..."
"What's going on...?"
—
As the elevator doors closed, Lin Xingyan stood there, still staring at her phone screen.
Behind her, a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "You know her?"
Her manager stepped up, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Yes," she replied, slipping her phone into her clutch. "From high school. Her and Su Meilin—we were classmates. Friends, actually."
Her manager raised a brow. "Really? Su Meilin too? The same Su Meilin who owns Elva Allure?"
Lin Xingyan nodded.
He gave a low whistle. "That's good. That's very good. Meilin's been making headlines. Her cosmetics company just launched a new line today—Elva Allure is everywhere."
He paused, then added with a sigh, "You know, I wanted to get you the ambassador contract for them. But Yiren got it instead."
Lin Xingyan's smile faltered. "Yiren?"
He nodded, eyes narrowing. "If I'd known you had connections to Meilin, I would've gone all in. But Yiren beat us to it."
Lin Xingyan frowned. "Yiren?"
He nodded, sighing. "If I had known you were friends, I would've fought harder. With the Su and Liang families behind it, Elva Allure is about to take over Lianhai's cosmetics market. They'll surpass GlowVine within the year."
Her jaw tightened.
GlowVine Cosmetics.
That name alone made her blood boil.
She'd desperately wanted to be the face of GlowVine. But Lin Yue—that arrogant, ungrateful bastard—had refused.
Not only had she refused, she had the nerve to threaten her.
Lin Xingyan's fists clenched slightly at her sides.
If not for her career's image, she would've dealt with her already.
That bitch.
That bastard.
That unwanted child.
How dare she? Since when did she have the guts to speak back? To challenge her?
Back in the past, Lin Yue had been a silent shadow, always looking down, never fighting back. Xingyan had always gotten her way. She was the star. The chosen one. The real daughter.
But now? Now that girl had become someone else entirely.
Not only did she refuse her offer, she even threatened her.
And where did she get those photos? Those videos?
She gritted her teeth.
It had to be Mo Yuwei.
But how did they know each other? How could that woman—Mo Yuwei, the powerful CEO of GlowVine Cosmetics—be friends with someone like Lin Yue?
Nothing made sense.
She couldn't believe it. Lin Yue was not supposed to rise.
She was supposed to disappear quietly—just like all unwanted things.
But now...
She had GlowVine.
She had Mo Yuwei.
She had courage.
Lin Xingyan's eyes glinted coldly.
Just you wait, Lin Yue. You think this is over?
You'll pay.
You'll regret everything.
You'll regret ever standing up to me.
I'll destroy everything you think you've built.
Just. You. Wait.
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