---
The internet was on fire.
No, scratch that—it was exploding.
Servers nearly crashed. Screenshots were flying faster than breaking stock market news.
Hashtags were multiplying, multiplying until even the top trending lists gave up trying to keep up.
Why?
Orchid Blossom Entertainments had just dropped the bombshell of the decade.
A single post.
A single photo.
A single sentence:
> "We are honored to welcome our newest actress, Ms. Liang Qianyu, to Orchid Blossom Entertainments."
Along with the official announcement was a crystal-clear image of a freshly signed contract, elegantly placed on creamy gold-letterhead.
Right next to it, a poised photo of none other than Liang Qianyu, the only princess of the Liang family.
What the actual...??!
And that was all it took.
—
Comments flooded in faster than anyone could count:
> @CapitalGossipQueen: Is this a prank?!? The only daughter of the Liang Conglomerate wants to ACT?? This is the plot twist of the decade!
> @TrueRiches: "Y'all. THE Liang Qianyu? Like, the diamond goddess? No way."
> @YuyuTalksDrama: "Am I seeing things?? Why would someone with a background net worth higher than some countries become an actress?!"
> @DramaDetector9000: "Is this a plot twist or a new drama premiere because I'm grabbing popcorn either way!"
> > @TeaWithTing: How did Orchid Blossom manage to sign her? Bribery? Blackmail? Witchcraft??
> @MrTruthReveals: She's worth billions. Why would she need to step into the chaotic world of entertainment?
—
Within minutes, news anchors were interrupting regular programming to report the story.
Every media house in the capital was scrambling.
Journalists were spamming Orchid Blossom's phone lines for confirmation.
Paparazzi swarmed the entertainment building, drones hovering illegally above, and influencers were dispatching teams to figure out which salon, which café, or which elevator Liang Qianyu might step into next.
Someone even tried calling Liang Yexuan.
Predictably, they got nothing but silence.
The Liang family had gone radio silent.
That only made things worse.
People speculated.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
But no one could find Liang Qianyu.
---
At Jingnan Performing Arts Centre, the tension among the hopefuls was thick enough to cut with a makeup brush.
The air-conditioned halls buzzed softly with rehearsals and soft chatter.
Inside one of the grand audition waiting rooms, Lin Xingyan entered with an air of authority and pride.
The glossy floor echoed beneath her heels as she strutted in, surrounded by her entourage.
Her manager, one of the top names in Orchid Blossom, Gubao, led the way confidently, and her two assistants carried iced water, makeup kits, and documents like they were carrying the royal decree.
Her long hair was styled effortlessly, makeup dewy and glowing.
She was Orchid Blossom's rising star, and she knew it.
Actors and actresses sitting in the room glanced up as she passed.
Their eyes flickered with envy, admiration… and jealousy.
"Princess Xingyan is here," someone whispered.
"She's totally going to get the lead," another muttered.
She walked to a cushioned seat at the center of the room, where her assistant promptly pulled it out for her.
She sat down gracefully.
"Here, Miss Lin," one assistant said, handing her a tall iced water bottle. "It's a bit hot today."
Another assistant fanned her gently while her manager sat beside her.
"You'll absolutely get the role today," the manager whispered, confidence glowing in his eyes. "You're the top name among the candidates. Director Gu likes you. You're trending, and you have that CP with Zhang Zeyan… It's almost guaranteed."
Lin Xingyan smiled faintly, her eyes drifting lazily toward the others in the room.
The whispering hadn't stopped.
Groups of actresses in corner seats peeked her way, murmuring among themselves.
They're jealous.
"With your face and your momentum, that lead role is already yours. No one else can compete."
Lin Xingyan smirked, tilting her head to glance at the crowd of whispering actresses again. "Let them dream. We all need hope in life."
Her assistants chuckled as they nodded.
Lin Xingyan liked this feeling — power, envy, the scent of victory.
---
Suddenly—
Gasp.
The sharp sound snapped across the room like a whip.
Everyone turned.
A young actress in the corner had clasped a hand over her mouth, her phone held up in a trembling grip.
"What's wrong?" someone asked.
Another girl leaned over. "Why are you so pale? What happened?"
She didn't speak. She simply pointed at her screen, eyes still wide.
Someone snatched her phone. "What are you looking at—"
Silence.
Then the new phone holder gasped too.
"What the hell…" she whispered.
"What is it? What's going on?" someone else demanded, now on edge.
"Why are you acting like someone just died?" Lin Xingyan scoffed sarcastically, raising a perfectly shaped brow. "Is the sky falling?"
The girl with the phone suddenly looked up, panic all over her face.
"Check your phones!" she blurted. "Now!"
Chairs scraped. Phones flew out of pockets and bags. Notifications pinged and screens lit up.
The room buzzed with gasps.
"No way—"
"Is this fake?"
"Did Orchid Blossom get hacked?"
"What the actual heck?!"
"Liang Qianyu...??"
One girl read aloud in disbelief, "Liang Qianyu, the only daughter of the Liang Conglomerate, has officially signed with Orchid Blossom Entertainments as an actress. Exclusive contract confirmed. See attached photo."
Lin Xingyan's hand froze around her bottle.
Slowly, she turned to her manager.
He was already checking his phone. His brows furrowed, then lifted in astonishment.
He then held it out to her without a word.
Lin Xingyan said nothing.
She looked at the screen for a second longer, then handed the phone back.
She wasn't a fool.
Liang Qianyu wasn't just anyone.
She was the princess of the Capital's most elite family. She didn't need to be an actress.
Her name alone could buy ten Orchid Blossoms.
This...
How was she supposed to react?
Jealous? Envy?
After all, they were high school friends.
---
"She's never acted a day in her life," someone whispered nearby.
"Who's going to say no to her though?" another muttered. "You think the director's gonna tell her she's 'not good enough'?"
"She's going to be unstoppable," someone whispered. "Nobody will dare to go against her."
"Not even Xingyan," another said under her breath.
Lin Xingyan's eyes flickered toward them. Her smile didn't fade, but her nails dug into the bottle slightly.
Just then—
The door creaked open.
Everyone turned again.
Director Gu Yanchuan entered, tall and stern in a fitted grey suit.
His tie was slightly loosened but his sharp features still carried their usual authority.
He offered a small smile. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, today is an important day for casting. We're honored to have so many talented young actors gathered here."
He paused.
Then, casually, he added, "We're also honored to introduce a new face to the industry. Someone who's just joined us today."
Everyone's heads whipped toward the door again, anticipation buzzing through the air like electricity.
Lin Xingyan's throat tightened.
Even her assistants stopped moving.
The heavy air felt charged with something... unforgettable.
---