---
Mo Yuwei stepped out of the hospital, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she walked briskly toward her car.
Her face remained composed, calm—masking the storm that stirred quietly in her chest.
But just as she was about to reach for the car door handle, her phone buzzed in her purse.
She sighed, pulling it out and checking the screen.
It was her assistant.
She swiped to answer.
"Yes?"
"President Mo…" the assistant's voice came through, hesitant and grim. "Yiren just cancelled the deal. Her manager said since the contract wasn't signed and it was just an audition, she had every right to back out."
Mo Yuwei's brows furrowed. "Cancelled?" Her voice was cold, sharp. "At the last minute?"
"She pulled out. Her manager said since there was no contract signed and it was only an audition, she has the right to back out any time."
Mo Yuwei narrowed her eyes, slowly opening the car door. "Who's at the studio now then?"
"There are about five actresses left," the assistant replied hesitantly. "But… none of them are exactly popular. Most are either newcomers or fading names."
Mo Yuwei slid into the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel. "I'll be there in ten."
Her assistant added quickly, "The most frustrating part? Yiren didn't just back out. She went to Su Meilin's company. She must be arrogant because of being a little popular." He started complaining as Mo Yuwei listened.
A cold smile curled on Mo Yuwei's lips as she started the car. "Interesting." Her voice was low and dangerous. "I'll see it for myself."
---
GlowVine Cosmetics Headquarters was a sleek, high-rise structure nestled in the heart of the business district.
Its glass walls reflected the city skyline like a mirror, and the company logo gleamed in gold on a tall marble slab at the entrance.
The lobby was spacious and modern—white and silver tones accented with indoor plants and digital displays of their bestselling products.
Mo Yuwei pulled into the underground parking lot, her expression unreadable as her assistant rushed to greet her.
"They're already inside the auditorium," he said, handing her a tablet with all the portfolios. "These are their portfolios. I've sorted them by career length, prior endorsements, and social reach."
Mo Yuwei took the device from him, flipping through the files with barely a flicker of emotion.
Each smiling face passed like a blur—polished, perfect, forgettable.
Until one name made her pause.
Xu Jiaqi.
The young actress's face stared back at her—soft eyes, delicate features, and an emotion in her gaze that couldn't be photoshopped away.
Her acting reel had been modest, but impressive. She had the talent. No plastic persona.
"Three years of stagnation," the assistant added quietly when he nodded her gaze. "She refused a casting couch deal with one of the big sponsors and got blacklisted from all major scripts. Her company froze her. It's impressive she's still pushing forward."
Mo Yuwei's fingers hovered on the screen for a moment before she gave a small nod. "We'll see her. But keep an open mind. Let's look at them all."
"Yes."
---
She entered the auditorium, the door opening with a gentle creak.
The five actresses were already inside, seated in two rows.
Four of them sat close, chatting and laughing softly in nervous excitement.
One sat alone at the far corner, shoulders straight, hands clasped tightly in her lap.
As soon as they saw Mo Yuwei, all five stood up and bowed deeply.
"CEO Mo."
She gave a curt nod and took her seat at the judges' table, flanked by two GlowVine directors and the creative director.
Mo Yuwei's gaze swept over the girls. "You've all reviewed the audition requirements, yes?"
"Yes, CEO Mo," they chorused.
"Good. Then let's begin. Introduce yourselves and show us what you've prepared."
The auditions started.
The first actress was bubbly and over-the-top. Her performance felt more like a stage act than a cosmetics commercial.
The second was too stiff, clearly nervous.
The third was beautiful but lacked emotional range.
The fourth was decent but ordinary.
Then came Xu Jiaqi's turn.
She stepped forward slowly and bowed deeply. "I'm Xu Jiaqi," she said, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you for the opportunity."
She didn't perform a rehearsed scene. Instead, she pulled out a small mirror and a makeup brush.
"GlowVine to me," she said, "isn't about being perfect. It's about being real."
She looked straight into the judges' eyes and began speaking lines while applying a minimal touch of makeup to herself.
"I'm not flawless. I'm not rich. I'm not connected. But I'm still here. I didn't quit. I didn't sell myself for a shortcut. Because the only brand I wear… is my truth."
Her voice cracked slightly.
The room fell into a hush.
Mo Yuwei watched, her lips slightly parted.
She could see it—the spark, the raw pain that still glowed behind the girl's calm face.
The final words hit with impact.
"I don't need filters. I just need a chance."
Xu Jiaqi bowed again and stepped back.
The director leaned forward, eyes slightly wide. One of the other judges clapped softly.
The director whispered, "She's the one."
"Doesn't matter. She's real. That's what this brand needs."
Another muttered, "But she's not a name. No buzz. It'll cost again for promotion. Such a pity."
"She doesn't need it," Mo Yuwei said coolly. "She is the buzz."
The room was silent.
The decision was made.
---
"Do you have a manager? To communicate the contract about? I think I saw you came alone." one of the producers asked.
Jiang Lanyue shook her head. "No."
Mo Yuwei's brows lifted slightly, intrigued.
She studied her for a while before she rose from her seat. "Follow me."
---
Inside her office, sleek with dark wood and minimalist decor, Mo Yuwei gestured for the girl to sit.
Xu Jiaqi did, sitting on the edge of the seat like a soldier waiting for judgment.
"What company are you from?"
"Starlight Media."
Mo Yuwei raised an eyebrow. "That's still your agency?"
"Yes. But my manager left after... an incident. The company shelved me after that. I've had no proper work for three years."
"What incident?"
Xu Jiaqi swallowed. "I was offered a lead role in a historical drama. But the condition was… I had to entertain one of the investors." She lowered her gaze. "I refused."
"What incident?"
Xu Jiaqi swallowed. "I was offered a lead role in a historical drama. But the condition was… I had to entertain one of the investors." She lowered her gaze. "I refused."
Mo Yuwei leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "Do you want to get out of that company?"
"Yes. Desperately. But…"
"But?"
"I signed a ten-year contract when I was nineteen. To terminate it now would cost ten billion yuan."
Silence.
Mo Yuwei's eyes narrowed, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "They want you trapped."
"I'm not giving up," Jiang Lanyue said, her voice firm. "Even if I have to wait six more years."
Mo Yuwei tilted her head, intrigued. "Or… you could burn it down now."
Jiang Lanyue blinked. "How?"
"I can help," Mo Yuwei said. "But I don't do anything for free. I want something in return."
The actress didn't hesitate. "Anything. As long as I'm free."
Mo Yuwei smiled slowly. "Good. Then we'll make a deal."
---
Across the city, inside the headquarters of Rosebell Entertainment, the doors to the VIP conference room opened as Su Meilin strutted in, her smile smug and lazy.
Yiren and her manager stood waiting, both dressed impeccably, faces tight with anticipation.
"President Su," Yiren's manager said, offering a forced smile. "We did what you asked. Yiren dropped the audition—risked offending the Mo and the Chen family. Now, where's what you promised?"
Su Meilin sat at the head of the table, crossing her legs. "Of course."
She nodded at her assistant.
The woman walked forward, placing a thick folder and a check on the table in front of them.
Yiren's eyes lit up.
"Inside are the contracts for our next project," Su Meilin said smoothly. "And the payment. You did well."
Yiren took off her glasses slowly, revealing eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
Su Meilin's smile deepened. "Let's make history together."
---