After the divorce, the aloof CEO begged me not to withdraw my investment.

The photographer's impatient voice echoed in her ears: "Qi Xue, expression! Expression! Be melancholic! Be mysterious! I'm not telling you to stand there like a wooden statue!"

Qi Xue took a deep breath and tried her best to get into character.

She imagined herself as a princess trapped in an ancient castle, lonely, desperate, yet with a touch of indomitable stubbornness.

She closed her eyes, feeling the cold wind on her cheeks, the sharp stones under her feet, and the ancient castle's weathered grandeur and mystery…

When she opened her eyes again, her eyes were full of stories.

Over the next few days, Qi Xue shuttled between the desert and the city, constantly changing her appearance, expression, and emotions. She spun like a top, endlessly spinning… until she was on the verge of collapse…

Late at night, Qi Xue dragged her tired body back to the hotel. The room was filled with the smell of disinfectant, which made her feel nauseous.

She opened her suitcase, took out the advertising copy for the product she endorsed, and mechanically recited it, her voice hollow and weak.

"Shining starlight, illuminating your beauty..."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it became a silent murmur.

The scorching sun relentlessly baked the earth, dust flew everywhere on the construction site, and the roar of machinery was deafening.

Liu Yunfei stood in the jungle of reinforced concrete, his shirt soaked with sweat, sticking stickily to his body.

His brows were furrowed, his lips were pressed into a straight line, and his eyes were fixed anxiously on the distance.

On the other end of the phone, the project manager's voice trembled: "Mr. Liu, Jinsheng...they...they..."

"What did they say?!" Liu Yunfei almost shouted, his temples throbbing and his knuckles white as he gripped his phone.

“They said…they’re going to raise the price…by 30%…and…and it has to be paid in full…” The project manager’s voice trailed off, becoming almost inaudible.

Liu Yunfei felt a surge of anger rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He clenched his fists tightly, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.

30%! Full payment!

This is blatant profiteering! He took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his anger, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What about the other suppliers? Have you contacted them?"

“I’ve contacted them… but… they all say… they’re out of stock…” The project manager’s voice carried a hint of despair.

Liu Yunfei's heart sank. He knew that the Qian Group was behind this. They were trying to force him into a corner!

Ye Feng's trust in him, the project's prospects—everything was like a castle on the beach, which could be swallowed up by the waves at any moment.

He felt a suffocating sensation, as if a stone was stuck in his throat, making it difficult to breathe.

He closed his eyes, and Ye Feng's trusting gaze appeared before him, while Ye Feng's encouraging words echoed in his ears.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a resolute light flashing in them.

No! He can't give up! He can't betray Ye Feng's trust!

He forced himself to calm down, his mind racing as he searched for a solution.

He suddenly remembered Mr. Wang! He had a good relationship with Mr. Wang; perhaps he could be of help!

He dialed Mr. Wang's number with trembling hands, and every second he waited for the call to connect felt like an eternity.

The call connected, and Liu Yunfei said, almost pleadingly, "Mr. Wang... this is Liu Yunfei... I... I've run into some trouble..."

He briefly explained the situation, his tone filled with anxiety and helplessness.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Liu Yunfei's heart was in his throat, and his palms were sweaty.

"I can supply you with some goods, but the quantity will be small..."

Mr. Wang's voice finally rang out. Although his tone was hesitant, it was like a lifeline, giving Liu Yunfei a glimmer of hope.

"Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Wang! I, Liu Yunfei, will never forget your great kindness!"

Liu Yunfei's voice trembled with excitement. He let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from his chest.

He knew it was just a drop in the ocean, but it at least gave him a glimmer of hope.

He had to grasp this lifeline and fight to the death to protect the project, so as not to betray Ye Feng's trust!

The air was thick with tension. The dim lights in the recording studio shone on the control panel piled high with sheet music, illuminating Qi Xue's slightly pale face.

She was wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, but her fatigue was still evident, with dark circles under her eyes.

Outside the recording studio, the city's hustle and bustle was blocked by thick soundproof walls, leaving only the low hum of the air conditioner, which further accentuated the silence inside the studio.

"Snapped!"

A thick stack of sheet music was slammed onto the control panel with a jarring sound, shattering the oppressive silence.

"What kind of bullshit contract is this! Three songs of different styles in one month, plus so many promotional posters! Do they think they're Superman?!"

Sister Li's voice was sharp and angry, echoing in the small space.

Her chest heaved violently, and even her exquisite makeup couldn't conceal the fury in her eyes.

She snatched the mineral water bottle from Qi Xue's hand and took a big gulp, as if she wanted to swallow all her dissatisfaction.

Qi Xue didn't say anything, but silently bent down and picked up the scattered sheet music one by one, stacking them neatly.

The cool touch of the paper on her fingertips seemed to calm her heart gradually.

The recording studio was filled with the smell of paper ink and the strong perfume on Sister Li's body, which made her feel inexplicably irritable.

"Look at you, you've lost so much weight! Tianlai Entertainment is clearly bullying newcomers! If it weren't for the decent endorsement fee, I would have..."

Sister Li grabbed Qi Xue's wrist, her voice full of heartache and self-blame.

She stroked the protruding bones on Qi Xue's wrist, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.

Qi Xue took Sister Li's hand in return and patted it gently, her eyes filled with determination.

"Sister Li, I know you feel sorry for me, but... this is my chance, and I have to seize it."

Her voice was a little hoarse, but it carried an undeniable power.

She looked up, her gaze falling on the microphone hanging in the recording studio, her eyes sparkling. It was a symbol of her dream, and the driving force behind her perseverance.

"Opportunity? This is clearly exploitation!"

Sister Li shook off Qi Xue's hand and paced back and forth in the recording studio in agitation. Her high heels clicked on the ground, making a crisp sound that seemed to be pounding on Qi Xue's nerves.

"Look at this contract! The terms are more harsh than ants! One month! They're only giving you one month! This is simply an impossible task!"

Qi Xue took a deep breath, trying to suppress her inner fatigue and anxiety.

She picked up the sheet music, her fingertips gently tracing the lines of notes, and melodies floated into her mind.

"I know it's difficult, but... I promised myself I would never give up."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness.