Lixue sat at the table, savoring the warm aroma of freshly prepared breakfast. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, her mind buzzed with thoughts of the email from Dream Entertainment.
As she bit into a dumpling, the maid brought over her phone. "Young madam, this arrived earlier—Mr. Mo instructed me to hand it to you."
Lixue's eyes flicked to the phone, curiosity sparking. She unlocked the screen and noticed a message from Mo Ran.
Mo Ran:
I'll be back late tonight. If you need anything, let the staff know. Take care.
She stared at the message, her lips pressing into a thin line. His tone was polite, distant even, like they were acquaintances rather than a married couple.
Lixue sighed, setting the phone aside as she returned to her meal. Whatever was going on with Mo Ran would have to wait. She had her own priorities now, and Dream Entertainment was a step closer to achieving her goals.
After breakfast, Lixue prepared herself for the day. She chose a simple but elegant outfit—a white blouse paired with a tailored beige skirt. She styled her hair into soft waves, letting it frame her face naturally.
By 11:30 a.m., she was in the car, her heart racing as she clutched the folder containing her music scores.
When she arrived at Dream Entertainment, the building's sleek, modern exterior gleamed under the sunlight. Lixue hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The lobby was bustling with activity—trainees rushing to practice rooms, staff members discussing schedules.
A receptionist greeted her with a smile. "Good afternoon. You must be Y.L. Magnolia. Please head to the third floor, room 305. Mr. Shi is waiting for you."
Lixue nodded, adjusting her mask, thanking her before heading to the elevator.
In room 305, Shi Haoyang was already seated with two other individuals—one a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, the other a younger woman with a friendly demeanor.
"Miss Magnolia!" Haoyang greeted, rising from his seat. "You're right on time. Let me introduce you to Mr. Xu, our creative director, and Miss Zhang, our vocal coach."
Lixue offered a polite smile, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to meet you."
Mr. Xu studied her for a moment before gesturing to the piano in the corner. "We've heard good things about you. Let's see what you've got. Play something that represents your style."
Taking a deep breath, Lixue walked to the piano. She adjusted the seat and placed her fingers on the keys. Closing her eyes, she began to play—a soft, melancholic melody that transitioned into a powerful crescendo. Her voice joined the music, clear and emotive, filling the room with a haunting beauty.
When she finished, the silence that followed was almost deafening.
Miss Zhang was the first to speak. "Your voice… it's rare. Unique. You have an emotional depth that's hard to find."
Mr. Xu nodded, though his expression remained unreadable. "You've got talent. But talent isn't enough in this industry. Are you prepared for the work, the pressure, the constant scrutiny?"
Lixue met his gaze, her determination unwavering. "I am."
He leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Welcome to Dream Entertainment."
Haoyang grinned, clapping his hands. "Congratulations! Let's finalize the paperwork, and we can discuss your debut strategy."
As the meeting wrapped up, Lixue felt a surge of confidence. This was the first step toward reclaiming her identity and her future.
When she returned home later that evening, the house was as quiet as she had left it. Mo Ran still wasn't back.
She changed into more comfortable clothes, settling on the couch with her laptop. Her mind raced with ideas for her music and the next steps in her plan.
But as the hours ticked by and the shadows grew longer, she found herself glancing at the door.
Where was Mo Ran?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the main door opening. She straightened, expecting to see him walk in, but the figure that entered wasn't Mo Ran.
It was one of his assistants, carrying a small package.
"Young madam," the assistant said, bowing. "The master asked me to deliver this to you. He said it's something important."
Lixue frowned, taking the package. Once the assistant left, she opened it carefully. Inside was a simple note in Mo Ran's handwriting:
"Thought this would look good on you."
Beneath the note was a small box. Lixue opened it to find a delicate necklace—a single sapphire stone set in silver.
She stared at it, her heart was filled with a mix of emotions. What was he trying to say?
As she held the necklace in her hand, her thoughts drifted to the strange, fleeting moments of warmth between them, the cracks in his otherwise cold demeanor.
For now, she would wait. Answers would come in time.