Yueying was confused, but she managed to push it to the back of her mind. She was 24 years old and on her way to a job interview. They didn't have enough money to pay for a flight, but her dad had made sure she would be comfortable. He toiled day in and day out for his little girl's comfort.
"Dad, I'm going to be rich someday," little Flora had said.
"I know you will make me proud," her dad replied. His name was Ferdinand Mac Len. Her mother had passed away, but her stepmother wasn't bad after all. Yueying remembered the times she spent with her family—she was definitely going to miss them.
A few minutes later, she checked in. It wasn't much of a hassle. She boarded the plane, second class, and sat by the window. A girl sat on her left. Petite and beautiful.
"Excuse me, please," Flora said.
The girl smiled. "How can I help you?"
"I just wanted to say..." Yueying was trying to make conversation. "You have a chocolate stain on your dress."
"Huh?" The girl looked down. She was heading for an audition, and the stain was significant.
"Th-thank you," she stammered. She had other clothes, but this one felt most appropriate for the occasion. "Oh shit!" She hadn't bargained for this.
Flora noticed the troubled look on her face. She wasn't nosy, but something felt off.
"Would you like to share?" she asked.
"Share what exactly?" the girl replied.
"Something seems to be bothering you."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yeah, it is."
The girl eventually opened up. They were both going for the same audition.
A few hours later, after landing, they decided that Sonia could borrow one of Yueying's outfits. Everything started to go smoothly. They became friends and stayed in the same house. You could say they were like sisters—but people could change like a chameleon.
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Today was cloudy. Yueying was supposed to be auditioned. She applied some lip gloss.
"Be quick with that," Sonia called out from the kitchen.
When Flora came out, Sonia's expression seemed to show disdain—or was she imagining it? She shrugged off the feeling.
"Okay, let's go, Miss Perfect Timing," Yueying teased.
Sonia smiled.
Yueying wore a skirt and a white top—not too formal, not too casual. She noticed Sonia's gaze lingering. Was she being too suspicious of her friend? She didn't usually trust people easily, but they had been close for a while now.
That thought lingered until they reached the film industry headquarters.
Lu Quing Film Corporation was the best in the nation. It was owned by a Chinese entrepreneur. Of course, they were in China and Yueying was Chinese—but her mother had been American. Ferdinand Mac Len was originally Chinese but had fallen in love with the American lifestyle. After converting in church, he changed his name from Feng Cha to Ferdinand Mac Len. Sonia, however, was fully American with blonde hair.
Yueying looked around in awe. The studio lived up to its reputation.
She walked toward the elevator, heading to the audition. Sonia, however, decided to walk alone. Yueying didn't know what came over her—maybe a mood swing?
All eyes were on her. She was used to that. Workers whispered as she approached the elevator.
"What's so special about entering an elevator?" she murmured, almost audibly.
Just as she was about to step in, someone grabbed her hand. She turned—and found herself face to face with the movie goddess, Wu Lin.
She was speechless.
Wu Lin—famous for her beauty and dramatic roles—stood before her.
"Know your place," Wu Lin said coldly. She was about Yueying's age, but her words dripped with bitterness.
Yueying, always cheerful, respected Wu Lin but wouldn't let her take advantage of that. She didn't want trouble, especially not here.
"Okay," Yueying said quietly. She looked up at the sign above.
"VIP," she whispered.
She didn't want Wu Lin to misunderstand.
"Wu Lin?" she said aloud. "I'm really sorry. I didn't know it was for VIPs." She was embarrassed.
But then she wondered—what was really wrong with using that elevator?
The security guards who were supposed to be at their posts returned. When they saw Wu Lin, they were clearly agitated. She didn't spare them a glance and walked into the elevator.
Wu Lin smiled inside the elevator. Her subordinate didn't know why. No one could really predict her—she was always aloof.
Yueying turned back. "That was really embarrassing," she muttered. She found another elevator and, more carefully this time, checked the sign before entering. This one led directly to the audition room.
Sonia was already seated.
"What took you so long?" Sonia asked.
Flora hesitated to tell her. "I met Wu Lin," she said softly.
Sonia's eyebrows shot up. She was shocked. She had tried countless times to meet Wu Lin. Connecting with her could elevate a career. Yueying had only been in the city two months—and she had already met her?
"Ohh, that's good to hear," Sonia said.
The audition was about to begin. Everyone was assigned the same role—to play the heroine. That was the heart of the audition. If one girl nailed the role, the rest of the cast would be chosen from the remaining fifteen candidates.
Flora stood silently, watching the crowd. She prayed to win—and didn't forget to pray for her friend, too.
Suddenly, the back door opened. The crowd parted.
Security was everywhere.
"Who the hell is coming in?" she thought. The last time she had seen such a scene was two months ago—when she bumped into that handsome man at the airport.
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