Chapter 22: The Artist’s Role is Replaced

"Of course, we can't let Mr. Si be with Sang Qiao. Had you not explained on her behalf, Mr. Si would have long despised Sang Qiao for her past actions of kicking someone when they're down."

Sang Siyang slowly added a sentence. Being a man, he knew all too well how much men detested women who didn't stand by their side through thick and thin.

"That makes sense," Mr. Sang's eyes lit up, and he already had a plan in mind.

He had just said that Sang Qiao had an excuse for breaking off the engagement due to illness, but on the day she went to call off the engagement, she hadn't been ill at all - a fact that could be easily checked.

To let slip the chance to marry into the Si Family and rise above others was indeed a pity.

Then, Mr. Sang's gaze fell on Jiaojiao, who bore a striking resemblance to Sang Qiao. A new plot formed in his mind: What could be more captivating than a woman who not only looked like one's beloved but was also tender and considerate?

He must plan carefully to bring the two of them together.

As Mr. Sang pondered, he looked at Sang Jiao, "Jiaojiao, come to my study after you get back."

"Okay," Sang Jiao replied, harboring her own thoughts, which she kept hidden.

-

-

The following day, early morning.

Sang Qiao was woken up by the urgent ringing of her phone. She rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed, reaching for her phone to answer, "Hello?"

"Qiaoqiao, you're not up yet?"

"Mm, what's up?" she responded, her voice still tinged with sleepiness.

"I'm almost at your place. Get ready and come downstairs. I've got something to tell you, and I'll give you a lift to Xingxing's concert on the way."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Sang Qiao rolled over in bed before reluctantly getting up, still very sleepy, having returned home from last night's banquet after eleven.

When she came downstairs and stepped out of the door, she saw Meng Jiahe's car parked in front of the villa from afar.

She walked over, opened the car door, and got in.

Meng Jiahe sighed wearily and got to the point, "The role in 'Whose Youth' was already set for Xingxing yesterday, and the director personally liked him a lot. But today, I got a call saying he's unsuitable, and they've changed actors."

"Anyone could hear there's something fishy about that. I had it checked out, and sure enough, Starlight Entertainment has invested a billion into this small web series!"

"I'll take care of it later," said Sang Qiao in a cold tone, not at all surprised by the news.

Sang Nanfeng was impulsive like that, making threats one day and taking action the next – nothing surprising there.

"Alright, I'll drop you off at the concert venue and then head off. Lu Anchi has a screen test today, and I'm worried he'll be too nervous on his own."

Meng Jiahe leaned against the car seat, fuming. Those of the Sang Family really were good for nothing!

"Okay."

The car quickly arrived at the concert venue. Sang Qiao got out, and the car drove away.

Just then, her phone buzzed. She took it out and saw it was from her older brother.

[You must already know about your artist being replaced in the role, Sang Qiao. Haven't you realized what your current situation is? I'm giving you one last chance to come home and apologize. I don't mind having another Starlight Entertainment subsidiary. Otherwise, changing the role is just an appetizer.]

Sang Qiao raised an eyebrow and, after reading the message, promptly blocked his number.

A jumping clown.

Sang Qiao took the internal corridor, which wasn't crowded. Her seat was reserved in advance, in the front row with an excellent view.

She had not sat long when the stage lights came on. A figure emerged under two spotlights - Fu Xing's makeup and outfit today were glamorous.

Closely followed by a group of backup dancers, the blood-pumping instrumental started, followed by his singing.

"Fu Xing, mom loves you!"

"Fu Xing, Fu Xing, Fu Xing!"

"I can hear the ocean, baby Xingxing!"

Fans in the seats were also screaming at the top of their lungs, each one more excited than the last.

Sang Qiao felt like she was about to lose her hearing. She hadn't expected that just by attending one variety show, Fu Xing had already become this popular.

As the song was about to end, Sang Qiao quietly left the venue and showed her ID to go backstage.

Fu Xing saw her as soon as he returned to the dressing room, still holding a wig in his hand, "Sister Qiao."

"You sang very well, don't worry about the role, I'll handle it," Sang Qiao said reassuringly, taking the wig from his hands and leading him to sit on the couch.

She pulled up a stool to sit next to him, and started pouring makeup remover onto a cotton pad from the table.

"I know, thank you, Sister Qiao," Fu Xing said slowly, taking the makeup remover pad she offered and wiping his face.

"It's time you got an agent. Do you have any requirements?"

"Isn't Sister Ah He just that?"

"She needs to handle all sorts of big and small matters for the company. In the future, she might not be able to look after everything. We'll recruit someone specifically for you," Sang Qiao said with a light laugh.

She took a fresh makeup remover pad and carefully wiped the spots he'd missed.

"Sister Qiao is right," Fu Xing didn't dare to move and let her help with the makeup removal, blinking several times.

"Sign an autograph for me to take back. There's a kid at home who's your fan." Sang Qiao pulled a pen and paper from her bag that she had stuffed in the previous night.

"Okay, Sister Qiao, do you want me to write a few words for her?"

"No need, just the signature is fine."

"Alright." Fu Xing quickly signed his autograph, the entire process smooth and fluid.

Sang Qiao was about to leave when she suddenly remembered that Ah He seemed to always take him back. She stopped and turned back to look at him, "Do you want me to take you home?"

"It's fine, I can go back by myself. The driver is in the parking lot." Fu Xing shook his head, his smile revealing two dimples on his cheeks.

"Be careful on the road," Sang Qiao chuckled softly, touched by the thoughtful smile of the sunny boy.

If it weren't for her needing to deal with the role issue, she wouldn't have the heart to let him go back alone.

"Mhm, you too, Sister Qiao."

-

-

Over at Sang Nanfeng's end, he had been waiting in the company for the entire morning. Not only had he not seen Sang Qiao in person, but his mobile phone messages were also completely empty, not a single reply.

Not only was he getting impatient, but he directly dialed a number, and it didn't even connect, immediately receiving the reminder tone that the other party had powered off their phone.

He angrily threw the phone away, Sang Qiao was really something, to have blacklisted him?

"Knock knock." Just then, the door was suddenly knocked.

"Come in."

"President Sang, the roles for 'Whose Youth' have been finalized. The secondary male lead that was meant for Fu Xing will now be played by one of our signed artists. They should start filming the day after tomorrow."

"Good job," Sang Nanfeng said with a satisfied smile on his face, he didn't believe Sang Qiao could continue to stay calm.

"As for the 'Instant Heartbeat' variety show... they absolutely refuse to give up Sang Qiao's spot for the second episode, seems like someone is backing her."

Sang Nanfeng's brow furrowed upon hearing this; just a variety show, nothing to be afraid of, "Leave that matter be for now. Go and find out everything about Fu Xing, I want all his information."

"Right away." The assistant received the instructions and respectfully left to gather the information.