Zoe can sing, but not professionally.
When Liu asked her if she could sing Little Apple, she flashed an "OK" gesture and said, "Of course."
The two of them sang a duet to start the night, both without any hint of reservation. After finishing the song, Liu, holding the microphone, laughed loudly. "Zoe really is full of surprises."
"Uh-oh," Zoe said playfully. "There goes my carefully crafted goddess image—shattered to pieces."
"Don't worry," Liu replied with a grin. "You're a grounded goddess, someone with a touch of everyday warmth."
Zoe laughed and passed the microphone to the next singer before sitting down. A bottle of water appeared beside her, offered without a word. She turned to find Song handing it over, half his face hidden in the shadowy lighting of the private room.
"Thanks," she murmured, accepting it.
By now, Lan's singing voice filled the room. Zoe, seemingly focused on the lyrics on-screen, found her attention wandering back to Song's movements. Was it her imagination, or did his gaze linger on her?
Her phone suddenly buzzed, breaking the moment. The caller ID showed it was Lan.
Zoe excused herself to take the call, stepping into the hallway where the music became a muffled background. Leaning against the window at the end of the corridor, she answered, "Lan, what's up?"
"I heard from Xiaoju that you didn't go home after filming?" Lan's tone was probing.
"Yeah," Zoe replied, her brow furrowing slightly. "Liu invited us for dinner, and now we're at karaoke. Why?"
Lan hesitated briefly. "That beauty device endorsement—can you reconsider?"
Zoe's frown deepened. "This is He Yong's idea again, isn't it?"
There was silence on the other end.
"I'm not taking it," Zoe stated firmly. "I don't care what his motives are. I signed a contract that guarantees I can refuse endorsements I'm uncomfortable with. I compromised last time with The Eighth Move of the Heart. That doesn't mean I'll fold every time. Let him know that."
"You just have to push back on everything, don't you?" Lan snapped, her frustration evident.
"Am I the one being unreasonable?" Zoe shot back, her tone rising. "Would you use some sketchy beauty device on your own face? Do you think I want to gamble my career on this? Whose side are you on?"
A long silence followed before Lan finally said, "Maybe I'm not cut out to be your manager. I'll request a reassignment."
Without waiting for a reply, she hung up.
The disconnected tone echoed in Zoe's ear. She lowered the phone and stared at it blankly. A gust of wind swept through the corridor, stinging her eyes.
She laughed bitterly to herself. Was it the wind or just everything piling up?
"You just going to stand there all night?" Song's familiar voice startled her. She turned to see him leaning against the wall, hands casually in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
"I was taking a call," she said, her voice quieter than usual.
"You look like you're about to cry," he observed, eyeing her red-rimmed eyes.
"I'm not," Zoe denied, turning her head away. "You're imagining things."
"Lying again?" he said with a slight frown.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I'm not in the mood to talk. I'll head back first." She took a step forward, but Song reached out and caught her wrist.
She froze, staring at him in surprise. His hand was steady, his grip neither too firm nor too loose.
"Are you upset because of me?" Song asked, his gaze searching hers.
"No, it's not that," she stammered. "Don't misunderstand. It's... my personal issues."
"Then tell me," he said, his tone calm yet unyielding. "If you need someone to vent to, I can listen."
Zoe fell silent, unsure how to respond.
"Is this about that role?" he asked suddenly. "Do you still feel guilty about it? There's no need. I'm an actor; I understand how decisions are made. I don't hold it against you."
"Then why didn't you reply to my messages?" she countered, her voice almost a whisper.
"You wanted me to answer an apology text? Where's the dignity in that? Do you know how many people were dying to land that role? I got them all on board to give it to you, and then you turned it down. My face was left out to dry."
Zoe lowered her head, unable to refute his words.
"Forget it," Song said with a sigh. "I wasn't really mad. If I were, I wouldn't have come here tonight."
He rubbed the back of his neck, his frustration visible but not aimed at her.
"I'm sorry," Zoe finally said, her voice barely audible.
"I already said I'm not mad." Song glanced away, his tone softening slightly. "But you're not getting along with your company, are you?"
"My manager just told me she's quitting on me," Zoe replied with a wry smile.
Song raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "That bad? Over the role?"
"No, it's a new endorsement. I refused to take it."
"What endorsement?"
"Some beauty device brand I've never heard of."
Song frowned. "Beauty devices are risky endorsements, especially for female celebrities. They're notorious for backfiring. You were right to decline."
Zoe smiled faintly, the gesture not reaching her eyes.
Song continued, "But as a newcomer, refusing work might cause problems. You have to tread carefully."
"It's too late for that," she said bitterly. "My manager told me if I weren't making money for the company, they'd have shelved me already."
Song let out a low chuckle. "That's dramatic."
"It's the truth," Zoe said. "Things have been tense."
"Is it the whole company or just certain individuals giving you trouble?" Song asked pointedly. "Don't mistake a person for the entire system. Unless you've offended the big boss, it's rarely as dire as it seems."
"What do you mean?" she asked, curious despite herself.
Song leaned against the wall, his expression contemplative. "Take Liu, for instance. He wasn't always secure in his position at the station. There was a former director who tried to sideline him, even pushed other hosts into his spot. But Liu had audience loyalty. As long as he stood firm, they couldn't fully push him out. That director? Ended up in prison for embezzlement."
Zoe blinked, absorbing his words.
"When you can't win outright, don't fight head-on. Wait. Strategize. Opportunities will come."
He gave her a small smile. "Remember, being an artist doesn't mean you're powerless. Learn to use leverage, play the long game. But don't waste energy on reckless defiance. Save your strength for when it matters."
Zoe nodded slowly. "Did Liu teach you that?"
Song chuckled. "He did. And now, I'm passing it on to you."