"Okay, see you tomorrow. bye-bye" Liu Qiao Qiao said waiting a few seconds for the call to end.
She was standing by the balcony overlooking the garden. She had stepped out to answer the call to avoid disturbing her sister's lifestream.
Liu Qinyang like most celebrities held a live stream season every two weeks. The live stream involved her going about her day-to-day activities, such as yoga, beauty regimen, and many other activities.
This was a modern method of interacting with fans. It was free publicity for the artist. it allowed fans to interact with their idol's life, in an environment completely within the artist's control.
Liu Qiao Qiao unlike Liu Qinyang didn't have a solid fan base, so she couldn't host live streams. Liu Qinyang had a very solid fan base, with over ten million followers.
Liu Qinyang had a different career journey than Liu Qiao Qiao. Liu Qinyang had been scouted by Phoenix entertainment during her first year at B City Academy of arts under the music program.
She had been scouted by the company, after a video of her performance during the academy's music festival had gone viral. She has had a very smooth growth since then.
Liu Qiao Qiao on the other hand had taken part in KM entertainment idol star search competition. She was the second runner-up, while Liang Changying was the champion.
They hosted the competition to get new members to make up their next female girl group "Pretty Girls". A five-member girl group comprising of the top five competitors.
Back then Liu Qiao Qiao had seen joining the girl group as a good idea. She had her future planned out but it never worked out in the end. She was prepared for the politics that came with being in a girl group.
Liu Qiao Qiao put her phone in the side pocket of her Shorts and walked back into the living room. Liu Qinyang was done with her live stream, she was seated on the ground legs crossed working on her laptop.
They were the only ones home, Shi Xiaotong had gone back home for a few days.
"Your done with the live stream?"
"Yeah, I was only showing them my skincare regimen. It did take long. You stayed awhile, who called?"
"It was Teacher Lu Zhiyuan" Liu Qiao Qiao picked up an apple and knife and began to carefully peel the apple.
"Teacher Lu Zhiyuan, What's up with that Qiao Qiao, You're spending a whole lot of time with that particular Director.."
"Nothing Yang'er. We are done recording the track, Lu Zhiyuan invited me to join him for lunch to thank me for working With him. Nothing is going on between use. our relationship is platonic.
"What's up with you and Tong Tong trying to matchmake me with every guy in my vicinity. I am not seeking to date, anyone."
'Huh, who did Tong Tong try matchmaking you to"
"Elder brother Xiaozhi".
"whoah I thought you would be happy since you like him"
"That was a long time ago plus Shi Xiaozhi isn't the dating type"
"Finally you get it, Qiao Qiao. As attractive as elder brother Shi Xiaozhi, he really would make a terrible boyfriend. The man is married to his job, anyone that dates him will have to compete with his job for his attention. A competition that is quite unfair."
"Yang'er, I don't have problems with his working culture. I can work with that"
"then what's stopping you from giving him a chance?"
"After all these years of watching him from afar, I have gotten tired of all the mixed signals plus I am currently focused solely on my career right now."
"That's good to hear. You will have to be careful with Lu Zhiyuan. He is quite the player, he was known to be obsessed with voices.
"All his ex-girlfriends and even his ex-wife were all musicians."
"Don't worry Yang'er. I will be careful".
"Okay"
****
The next day Liu Qiao Qiao and Lu Zhiyuan were seated at their table, quietly going through the menu. When Lai Zhiqiang arrived, Liu Qiao Qiao was shocked to find out that he was the friend they were having lunch with.
Lai Zhiqiang was one of the top music producers in Asia. Liu Qiao Qiao never believed that she would ever meet him this early in her career.
Lu Zhiyuan introduced them and Liu Qiao Qiao's stretched out her hands for a handshake only to be ignored by Lai Zhiqiang. Who only spared her a glance before turning around place his orders.
Liu Qiao Qiao brought her hands down quietly, she had heard that Lai Zhiqiang was a difficult man. The talented ones always were so she didn't take it to heart.
After taking their orders the waiter left.
"Zhiqiang, this is the artist I told you about. She's talented, we just recorded the track for my album. I was wondering if you could write her debut Song.
"I came over with the audio track of the recording, you can check it out and give us your opinion" Lu Zhiyuan opened a folder on his phone and passed it down to Lai Zhiqiang.
"There is no need for that Zhiyuan"
"Why, what's wrong."
"I am already familiar with Miss Liu's and frankly I don't like her. I would never work with an artist as undisciplined and mediocre as her' He straight into her eyes and said coldly "I Checked out your drama, you're very talented miss Liu. You should stick to acting and leave music for the dedicated artists"
"What!" Liu Qiao Qiao said eyes narrowed.
"Please control your artist Zhiyuan," Lai Zhiqiang said, pronouncing the words artist in a very vague sense. "I don't have time to deal with her dramatics".
"You have it all wrong Zhiqiang. Qiao Qiao isn't as you think. She is very hardworking and talented. If you would just listen to the track, you would see that."
"Please, there's no need for that. I think I already know all I need to about Miss Liu. My decision is final, find someone else because I would never work with someone like you" Lai Zhiqiang pushed back his chair and stood.
"Who do you think you are, How dare you seat there on your high horse looking down at me?" Liu Qiao Qiao said quietly making him pause.
"Since you don't seem to have heard me clearly, I will say it again. I would never work with an artist as undisciplined and mediocre as you. hell will freeze before I work with you."
"Well, then you had better purchase the devil a set of winter gear because I will make you eat your words. You arrogant piece of work, just waits you will regret ever saying this to me" Liu Qiao Qiao said picked up her pause, and walked out of the restaurant.
She got out of the restaurant and took a taxi back home but not before calling Lin Lin her PR manager to request that she purchase a form for the upcoming music competition, 'The Next Legendary Musician'.