Chapter 10: Shattered Dreams and Ruthless Kings

The girl stared at Xia Lan with a bright smile and said,"Hello, my name is Su Xin."

As she spoke, she extended her hand politely for a handshake.

Xia Lan shook her hand, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"Hello, I'm Xia Lan. Why were you so happy when I dealt with that girl? Did you know her or something?"

At the question, Su Xin's smile faltered for a second. She opened her mouth to answer—but then quickly covered it with her hand, eyes darting to the side.

"My family kno—uh, I just know a little about her. That's all."

Xia Lan raised an eyebrow at the suspicious slip but didn't press.

Why is she hiding that she knows her? she thought. Whatever.

Su Xin suddenly brightened and leaned closer, her voice light and excited.

"Did you audition for the idol program? I did too! I really want to become an idol!"

She clasped her hands together, eyes shimmering with hope and determination.

Xia Lan's expression shifted.

That look—the pure, unfiltered dream in Su Xin's eyes—it struck a nerve.

Her breath hitched as an old memory slammed into her like a wave.

She was 19 again, stepping lightly down the hallway, clutching her university admission notice with trembling hands. Her heart was pounding with joy, her smile wide and bright.

Her future finally felt within reach.

But as she approached her aunt's room, voices leaked through the door.

"We're not giving more money. This is the deal. Now sign it."

It was a man's voice—cold, businesslike.

Then her aunt responded, laughing softly, "Yeah, yeah. I know. At least I got this much money for that malnourished girl."

Scratch… scratch…

The sound of a pen signing a paper.

Xia Lan had frozen in place, the words like daggers.

Her face went pale, her breath caught in her throat. She clamped a hand over her mouth to silence the sob rising in her chest.

Tears welled in her eyes and began to fall—silently, helplessly.

Then, her aunt's voice echoed again—chillingly calm.

"Take her away. She's probably still asleep."

A pause. Then a rougher voice followed.

"Go. Get the girl."

Xia Lan's heart dropped.

They're coming for me…

Panic surged through her veins. She turned on her heel and bolted toward the front gate, clutching the admission notice like a lifeline.

She had to escape. She had to.

Her bare feet pounded against the wooden floor, breaths ragged, the world spinning with terror.

Just as her fingers touched the cold handle of the main door—

A hand wrapped around her from behind.

Something soft—a cloth—was pressed against her mouth.

No… no no no!

Her eyes widened as the sickly-sweet scent invaded her senses. She thrashed wildly, but her frail body couldn't break free from the man's iron grip.

Her knees buckled.

Her vision blurred.

Just before darkness swallowed her, she caught one last glimpse—

Her aunt, standing a few steps away, watching it all unfold with a satisfied smile.

Xia Lan's trembling hand reached out to her. Desperate. Pleading.

Her aunt met her gaze… and smirked.

"Finally, I'm free from this bitch," she said with a twisted grin. "Now I can live without any more stress."

And then—

Blackness.

She had never felt so betrayed in her life.

"Sis… Sister Xia Lan?"

The voice pulled her back.

Xia Lan blinked rapidly, shaking her head as if to clear the fog. Her vision refocused, and she saw Su Xin staring at her with concern etched across her soft features.

"Are you alright, Sister Xia Lan?" Su Xin asked gently. "Your face just… went blank. Like you were about to pass out."

Xia Lan's lips parted, but no sound came for a moment. The weight of that memory still clung to her chest like cold iron. Her fists had clenched without her realizing.

She drew in a breath—steadying herself.

"I'm alright," she replied, her voice slightly shaky but firm enough. "Don't worry."

Su Xin didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. She simply gave a small nod, her pink eyes still full of worry.

Xia Lan turned her gaze away, exhaling quietly.

I remembered again… That day… The one that changed everything.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted.

Trainees began to murmur and move toward the windows and doors, their stiff postures melting into animated chatter. Excitement buzzed in the air like electricity.

Xia Lan glanced sideways at Su Xin, who seemed far less impressed than the others.

"Why did it suddenly get so lively?" she asked.

Su Xin sighed softly, folding her arms.

"I heard President Qin Yanzhou is coming," she said, her tone calm and unbothered. "And some of the producers from the Idol Program too. Apparently, there's going to be a meeting. I think President Qin wants to invest."

Xia Lan raised a brow, her curiosity piqued."Who is President Qin?" she asked.

Su Xin blinked at her like she'd just spoken another language."Huh? You don't know him, sis?!"

She stared at Xia Lan in disbelief, then dramatically placed a hand on her forehead, sighing as if the weight of explanation was immense.

Xia Lan rolled her eyes slightly."Can you just simply tell me who he is and why everyone's acting like royalty is about to show up?"

Su Xin clenched one hand into a fist and smacked it lightly into her open palm."Right, okay—here goes!"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice as if she were about to share a national secret."President Qin used to be a first-class celebrity. Gorgeous face, killer acting skills, the whole country was obsessed with him."

Xia Lan tilted her head. "And then?"

"But that's not what makes him terrifying," Su Xin whispered, her eyes gleaming with gossip. "After he retired, he didn't just vanish—no, in one year, he built a business empire. Ruthless as hell. Anyone who tried to block him? Boom—company gone. Bankrupt. Finished."

She straightened up, her voice now laced with dramatic flair."He owns multiple industries now—tech, fashion, real estate, And now… he's stepping back into the entertainment world. Not as an actor, but as an investor."

Su Xin's tone dropped again to a whisper."People say he doesn't forgive… and he never forgets."

Xia Lan listened quietly, expression unreadable. As Su Xin spoke, her mind drifted.

"So he's ruthless and powerful, huh…" she mused inwardly.

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at her lips.

"If he does anything shady… I wonder if I could bankrupt him through hacking."

Her eyes gleamed coldly for a moment before she blinked, returning to her calm, composed demeanor.

Su Xin, completely unaware of the storm in Xia Lan's mind, continued talking animatedly beside her.