Sister Wang’s words came from a place of genuine concern. She knew Ji Ran’s dream—his passion for singing and his hope of becoming one of the world’s greatest singers. But in the current entertainment industry, profit was king. Everyone was chasing money, and releasing albums was a losing game. If he wanted to stay afloat, he had to bow to reality.

Ji Ran’s gaze shifted away from her. Deep down, he understood she was right. Still, the thought of giving up on his dream filled him with unbearable frustration.

“I’ll cooperate,” he replied, his voice heavy with resignation.

Hearing the weariness in his tone, Sister Wang felt a pang in her chest. She reached out and patted his shoulder. She’d first met Ji Ran when he was just 14. He became famous at 16, and now, at 22, she had watched him grow up. She didn’t want to see the industry grind him down.

“Ji Ran, listen to me,” she said, her voice firm but tender. “As the center of the group, you must fight harder—whether it’s for the spotlight on stage or the leading role in a drama. The company is already shifting their resources toward An Mingquan and Cheng Muyang. You’re the one with nothing, so you have to push yourself harder than anyone else. Only then will you be able to stay in this industry. Do you understand?”

She sounded like a mother, patiently guiding her child. Ji Ran’s deep blue eyes shimmered as he nodded, knowing Sister Wang truly had his best interests at heart.

“I understand, Sister Wang. I’ll give it my all.”

The next day, the company received confirmation that Ji Ran had agreed to take on the major fantasy IP drama they’d been pushing. The astronomical salary he secured left the company thoroughly pleased.

Inside the villa, Gu Yingying had already woken up. After washing up, she checked her phone and saw the message from Ji Ran. Excited, she hurried to grab her skincare pills, carefully placing a hundred of them into several small porcelain bottles. She planned to mail them on her way to school.

Living in a villa had its challenges, as Gu Yingying quickly discovered. Her villa only had cleaning services but no live-in staff. She hadn’t considered hiring anyone yet and didn’t want to use the Gu family’s servants. So, she had to make do herself, drinking milk and eating bread before stepping out for the day.

The villa community, named Zijing Longting, boasted an exceptional environment and a steep price tag. Gu Yingying’s villa alone featured a private garden, a fountain, an indoor gym, and an outdoor swimming pool—a luxurious setup by any standard.

Unfortunately, the more exclusive the villa community, the more remote and sprawling it was. Since moving in over the weekend, Gu Yingying had only ventured outside once. Walking down the wide, empty roads of the neighborhood, she found herself surrounded by silence. Not a single person or car was in sight.

Regret bubbled up as she glanced at her watch. Was she seriously about to be late on a Monday of all days?

As Gu Yingying walked on, a low-profile black car pulled up behind her. The driver noticed her lone figure as the car passed.

“Sir, it seems the young lady behind us is alone,” the driver said.

The man sitting in the backseat was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His cold and sharp features exuded a forbidding aura that discouraged familiarity. Hearing the driver’s comment, he glanced up slightly and looked through the rearview mirror, catching sight of Gu Yingying.

“En.”

The man’s voice, deep and resonant like a cello, carried a certain gravitas even with just one syllable. It brought a smile to the driver’s face. He knew his employer—despite his aloof and distant demeanor—was inherently kind-hearted. Over the years, his boss had been involved in countless charitable endeavors. Now, after finally receiving news from the police about a potential family member, the man must be quietly overjoyed, even if he didn’t show it outright.

The car ahead came to a smooth stop, surprising Gu Yingying. She hadn’t expected it had anything to do with her. Moments later, the driver, dressed in a sharp suit, stepped out and waved at her.

For a brief moment, a wild thought crossed Gu Yingying’s mind. Excitement bubbled up as she ran toward the car. Yet, as she moved, the enchanted mirror in her bag suddenly emitted heat, scorching her skin slightly, making her pause.

Could it be… was she about to meet another family member?

Gu Yingying quickly reached the driver, a man nearing forty who had a daughter around her age. Perhaps that was why he had softened at the sight of her walking alone.

“Judging by your uniform, you must go to First Experimental High School. Are you heading to school now?” the driver asked kindly.

Gu Yingying nodded quickly. “Yes, Uncle. Are there any taxis around here?”

It was the first day of the week, and being late was the last thing she wanted.

“There aren’t any taxis in this area, and the only bus runs every half hour. Come on, hop in. My employer has agreed to give you a ride,” the driver explained warmly. He thought of his compassionate boss and silently hoped that this time, he would finally find his long-lost relative.

“Really? Thank you so much, Uncle!”

Gu Yingying wasn’t worried about the possibility of encountering a scammer. After all, anyone living in Zijing Longting clearly wasn’t likely to be one, right? Besides… was it possible that someone in the car might actually be her family?

Following the driver’s instructions, she got into the passenger seat. From the rearview mirror, she caught sight of the man seated in the back—a strikingly handsome figure with a stern, unapproachable expression.

Curious, Gu Yingying quietly pulled out her enchanted mirror. She held it up discreetly and saw the reflection of the same man sitting in the backseat—an exact match. Could he really be her brother? And if so… how many brothers did she actually have?

>>>