Aria was startled awake by a sudden blast of music.
Silently, she scanned the room and found that she was alone. Meanwhile, the phone in her hand stubbornly rang, the same ringtone looping over and over again—it was the intro to "DNA" by BTS.
She glanced at the screen. The name displayed was Chen Rui.
Aria stared blankly at it, making no move to answer. At last, the caller gave up and sent her a message instead:
[Miss Gu Mingyan, please come to the front building of Brilliant Stars by 7:00 p.m.]
"Wow, wattabitch!" a sweet voice complained from her right.
Aria shifted her gaze to a small, white stuffed rabbit floating on her shoulder, dressed in a pink dress and a purple blazer.
The little rabbit turned to face her, its button-like eyes gleaming with indignation. "Aria, be careful! That girl's a total white lotus!" it warned.
Aria blinked once and smiled faintly. "Give me the information, Lily~"
Lily, the rabbit, nodded eagerly, her fluffy ears bouncing with the motion. She clapped her tiny paws together, producing a soft thumping sound.
A bright dot of light appeared out of nowhere, hovering in the air before swiftly moving toward Aria's forehead. The instant it touched her, a torrent of images flashed through her mind, each one vivid and unrelenting.
The memories told her the truth about the original owner of her new body—Gu Mingyan.
Gu Mingyan had spent seven years in an orphanage where noisy children were banished to sleep in the shed. She then endured nine years in a foster home where speaking out meant getting kicked.
Sixteen years of hell.
And in all that time, the only person she could truly call a friend was a boy named Shen Yan.
They met when Shen Yan was sent to the orphanage by his relatives after losing his parents. His blindness isolated him from the other children, but to Gu Mingyan, he was just a shy boy who needed someone.
When Shen Yan didn't come for food, Gu Mingyan dragged him to the dining hall. When he made noise and got into trouble, Gu Mingyan covered for him. When he finally succeeded in getting himself sent to the shed, Gu Mingyan followed, staying by his side.
This continued for an entire week, until Shen Yan was adopted.
"Hang on."
Lily immediately paused the stream of memories. Like rewinding a video, Aria replayed them, focusing on the moment when Gu Mingyan and Shen Yan were together in the shed.
In the memory, Gu Mingyan was feeding Shen Yan spring rolls from their meager lunch.
Suddenly, the sound of someone trying to open the shed door broke the fragile quiet. Shen Yan reacted instantly, reaching out to cover Gu Mingyan's mouth. Despite his blindness, his hand found her on the first attempt. His movements were quick but careful, his free hand gesturing for her to stay silent.
The sound of the lock being jangled persisted for what felt like an eternity. A tense minute passed before muffled noises—like a brief struggle—filtered in from outside. Then, silence.
Shen Yan finally released his hold on Gu Mingyan's mouth. He let out a quiet sigh and said softly, "Sorry for covering your mouth. I was afraid the Madam might find you and punish you for staying with me."
His voice carried a weight of guilt, though it wasn't clear if it was for his actions just now—or something deeper.
Gu Mingyan never asked, and she never found out.
Aria smirked, a playful glint in her eyes as she somehow felt a quiet stirring in her soul. "How adorable~ I wonder what he was hiding~ Okay, let's continue."
"Okay~" Lily chirped, happily resuming the flow of memories.
The next time they met, Gu Mingyan was a first-year high school student, while Shen Yan was her senior in his third year. They reconnected through a collaborative school project, during which Shen Yan discovered the harsh reality of her circumstances.
Gu Mingyan's condition had only worsened over the years. The bruises she bore never seemed to fade. If she wasn't being kicked for speaking, it was for merely existing. And when it wasn't her existence that angered them, it was simply because they had their own problems to vent.
Thankfully, everything changed in her second year of high school. Gu Mingyan's biological parents found her. As it turned out, her tragic orphaning had been orchestrated—her father's vengeful ex-girlfriend had stolen her as a child and brought her to China. Her parents, who had been living in Boston at the time, had struggled to locate her due to the international barrier.
"Wait, let me get this straight," Aria interrupted, her eyebrows raised in amusement. "Two years after reconnecting with Shen Yan, her biological parents swoop in and save the day? This guy really is amusing!"
Lily hummed cheerfully, continuing the playback of memories.
After reuniting with her parents, Gu Mingyan's life took a complete turn for the better. She now had loving parents, caring friends at school, and even an idol—Shen Yan—whom she deeply admired.
But there was one slight problem.
The therapy Gu Mingyan needed was only available in Boston, provided by an American therapist who was a close friend of her parents. That meant leaving behind her friends—and Shen Yan.
Despite the pain of parting, Gu Mingyan was resolute. She bid farewell and moved to Boston, determined to heal and reclaim her life.
For three years, Gu Mingyan worked hard and finally returned to China, bringing with her an important mission given to her by her therapist: singing in front of a crowd.
As the fifty-seventh participant out of the eighty who applied, Gu Mingyan awaited her turn in the audition hosted by Brilliant Stars, one of the most influential entertainment companies in the country. She had been instructed to wait in the designated room until a staff member came to fetch her a few minutes before her stage appearance.
Three knocks on the door interrupted Aria's thoughts as she processed Gu Mingyan's fate in this new world.
Instead of answering, Aria stood and walked over to the dresser adorned with a large mirror.
Gu Mingyan's reflection stared back at her: a petite nose and mouth framed by large, sparkling eyes. The delicate features exuded an irresistible cuteness, and Aria felt a sudden urge to pinch those squishy-looking cheeks—if only they weren't her own.
Hazel hair framed her fair skin, and the soft hues gave her an air of fragile charm.
Unfortunately, Gu Mingyan's gloomy personality had always overshadowed her appearance, keeping others from noticing her innate cuteness.
Another three knocks echoed through the room. Aria snapped out of her self-reflection and closed her eyes.
'I am Gu Mingyan.'
When her eyes opened, her expression had transformed into one of indifference. Even Lily, who had witnessed Aria's countless transformations, couldn't help but be impressed by the precision of her acting skills.
Now fully embodying Gu Mingyan's persona, Aria moved toward the door. The moment it opened, she was met by an irritated staff member. "You're next," the staff member huffed, turning away without offering any guidance to Mingyan.
Mingyan's face remained unmoved. Aria knew she had to fully embrace Mingyan's character—someone who observed the world with detachment, reacted with minimal emotion, and spoke in brief, clipped sentences. Even though Mingyan's voice had returned, she still struggled to display normal emotions.
Lily had already vanished from sight, her job done. Without waiting for Mingyan's command, she had led the way to the backstage. Mingyan mentally sent her a silent thank you and a kiss before following the path she had laid out.
Upon arriving, she was immediately summoned to the stage. The staff member who had called her earlier noted that she had actually arrived on time, which only seemed to irritate her more. Still, she kept her composure, rolling her eyes as she dismissed Mingyan as just another failure. The audience likely felt the same.
Mingyan ignored their mocking stares and stood tall at the center of the stage. A microphone stood before her, and she adjusted it to the right height, ready to face the crowd.
There were seven judges, each responsible for evaluating the musical talent at Brilliant Stars. The most prominent among them was Hui Mengli, a globally renowned songwriter.
Mingyan stood quietly, her gaze steady as the judges scrutinized her. She said nothing, offering no unnecessary words, and simply waited for the song to begin.
After a few seconds of silence, the lights dimmed, and an upbeat instrumental with a touch of slow electro music began to fill the hall.
It was as if Mingyan had been wearing a glass mask, but the moment the song started, it shattered. Her icy demeanor vanished, replaced by a swirl of anger and sadness that gradually overtook her.
The music had gripped her completely.
The dimmed lights shifted in color, pulsating in time with the rhythm of the song. Mingyan gripped the microphone with both hands, her eyes distant, as if lost in the world the music created.
Her voice poured out, raw and captivating, filling the room with emotion. The judges, who had been indifferent through hours of auditions, suddenly sat up, captivated by her performance.
The audition had been running since early morning, and by 6:00 in the evening, the judges had all but given up hope of finding a new star. They had seen countless participants, but none had impressed them. Little did they know, a star had just walked in.
Hui Mengli sat up straight, his attention fully captured by Mingyan's performance. A rare smile tugged at the corners of his usually emotionless face, and then, a startling yet resolute prophecy slipped from his lips: "She's going to be a star."
Mingyan's voice continued to mesmerize the room, holding everyone in rapt attention.
As the song began to fade into the background, she slowly opened her eyes. Though still misty, her expression slowly relaxed. The room descended into an eerie silence—so quiet that even the softest breath could be heard from those standing or seated nearby. Without a single visible reaction from the judges or the audience, Mingyan turned to leave, her demeanor as composed as ever.
"Wait!" Hui Mengli suddenly rose from his seat, his voice cutting through the stillness. His abrupt movement startled those around him, jolting the audience back to full awareness. He turned sharply to his assistant, who was standing nearby. "Quick, get me the contract!" His words came out in a rush, as though he feared Mingyan might slip away before he had the chance to act.
The command left his assistant and those who overheard in stunned silence. What? Wasn't this just the first selection? They hadn't even reached the special talents portion yet!
A murmur of confusion rippled through the audience, but the judges and assistant understood. This was no ordinary talent. This was a potential star! To heck with the special talents—her voice alone would bring in endless revenue.
The assistant quickly rushed to retrieve the necessary papers, while the judges asked Mingyan to wait in the room she had occupied earlier. In the meantime, they announced to the audience that the audition had concluded, provoking curses from some of the participants who had yet to perform.
As Mingyan made her way back to the previous room, she passed a pale-faced girl who looked at her with wide eyes, clearly horrified. It was the staff member who had called her earlier. Mingyan regarded her with indifference, allowing the fleeting grudge to slip away. The girl seemed a little cute, after all. She had only looked down on her, nothing too harmful, right?
However, the girl seemed to have been caught off guard by Mingyan's unexpected leniency. Her eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, big sis! I'm sorry, big sis!" she blurted out, quickly slapping a hand over her mouth, realizing her words had been too bold.
Mingyan shot her a brief glance as she walked past, but inside, Aria couldn't help but smile, imagining herself kissing the staff member's cheek.
'So cute!'
When Mingyan returned to the room, she sank into the sofa, grateful for a moment of respite. With some time to herself while waiting, she decided to check up on Gu Mingyan's fate—something she hadn't had the chance to do earlier.
Following her resounding success at the audition, Gu Mingyan had followed Chen Rui's instructions and made her way to the front of Brilliant Stars. There, she encountered two girls—one glaring at the other with evident malice, while the other seemed to be on the verge of tears.
It was none other than Chen Rui and Yang Xi.
Yang Xi was Gu Mingyan's best friend and her cousin's fiancée, while Chen Rui was a former acquaintance from high school.
The girl radiating a murderous aura was Yang Xi, her arms trembling as she gripped the gun.
It seemed their rivalry for her cousin's affection had escalated to a deadly level. Only one of them would walk away alive.
Yes, this was the all-too-familiar love triangle: the female fiancée, the heir, and the heiress's romantic interest. Gu Mingyan was nothing more than a pawn, caught in the crossfire of their drama—quite literally.
Upon seeing Gu Mingyan, Chen Rui rushed towards her, eyes filled with desperation as if she were seeing her savior. Yang Xi, consumed by rage and no longer in control of her sanity, didn't notice the subtle shift in the situation. This, after all, was part of Chen Rui's plan.
Then, Yang Xi pulled the trigger.
Her intended target had been Chen Rui, but in a split second, Chen Rui acted. She yanked Gu Mingyan in front of her, and the bullet struck Gu Mingyan instead.
Mingyan was thoroughly speechless. This outcome for the owner was undeniably unfair. Gu Mingyan had done nothing at all. She didn't deserve to die just because of someone's stupid proclamation of love!
Massaging the bridge of her nose, Mingyan sank into contemplation. It seemed she had transmigrated just before the owner's death. Now, she was stuck facing this absurd scenario.
"Aria, what are you going to do~?" Lily suddenly appeared, plopping herself onto Mingyan's lap.
"Call me Mingyan. I'm Mingyan now." She stroked Lily's head and scratched beneath it, eliciting a satisfied purr.
"Nn! Mingyan, what to d— hahaha!" Lily's attempt to bat away the dangerous hand failed miserably. Instead, she was subjected to relentless tickling. As a mere stuffed toy, she could do nothing but endure her plight helplessly.
"Hm," Mingyan mused, her fingers finally relenting, much to Lily's relief. "If I don't expose Chen Rui's facade, she'll end up as my cousin-in-law. And one of the owner's wishes involves smacking Yang Xi's head until she becomes rational."
With a smirk, she declared, "So here's exactly what I'm going to do~."
Mingyan took out her phone and dialed her cousin's number. Not even ten seconds later, he picked up.
"Mingyan, what's wrong?" On the other end of the line, a man with medium-length black hair leaned against the balcony of a grand restaurant. His expression was genuinely worried as he waited for his cousin's reply.
Mingyan rarely spoke to him—or even to Auntie Chang, her mother. Ever since her return to the family three years ago, she had been deeply traumatized, her eyes devoid of life. He couldn't help but feel concerned whenever she reached out.
"Lu Feng," Mingyan began, her face shifting back to an emotionless mask as Lily peered over her hand, listening intently. She hesitated, unsure whether to continue.
Lu Feng's expression softened. "I told you, just call me Feng. What's up?"
Mingyan couldn't help but break character and smile. Lu Feng was the heir to one of the most prestigious business empires in China. Despite his cold and nonchalant demeanor in public, he was unfailingly warm towards his family.
"Can you—um, pick me up?" Mingyan asked, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving him. That guilt, however, quickly faded as she remembered the circumstances of her death.
'Come fix your mess, seriously!' Mingyan thought, exasperated.
On the other end, Lu Feng was momentarily surprised by her request. Was she finally opening up? If so, it would be a welcome change. "Got it. Wait for me—I'll be there right now," he promised without hesitation, completely disregarding the fact that he was in the middle of a business meeting over a $10 million contract.
"Okay, I'm at Brilliant Stars," Mingyan replied casually, letting her head rest on her palm. Her eyes gleamed with a playful spark as she contemplated the events yet to come.
'This should be mildly entertaining~'