"Please, General Manager Sun, I really don’t want to go. I’ve never had alcohol before, and Director Wang keeps touching me inappropriately. I’m terrified!"
Xue Linna covered her face, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Her reaction didn’t seem fake—after all, she was just a sophomore in college, still naive in many ways, or perhaps clinging to a sliver of hope.
Liu Yutong had warned her before about what she might face if she chose to enter this industry, especially as a girl with no money, no connections, and an ordinary background.
General Manager Sun grew increasingly impatient as Xue Linna continued sobbing.
Just as he was about to lose his temper,
a woman strode over.
The newcomer carried an air of authority. Though she wore a down jacket, her sharp, professional demeanor was unmistakable.
"General Manager Sun, what’s going on? Did our Linna do something to upset you?"
Su Qing, the agent, stepped between them, naturally patting Xue Linna’s trembling back while subtly positioning herself as a barrier.
"Su Qing, perfect timing!"
General Manager Sun seized the opportunity to vent, jabbing a finger at Xue Linna. "Look at the ‘talented’ artist you’re managing! Director Wang set up a gathering and specifically asked for her to join—what an incredible opportunity! Countless people would kill for a chance like this. But her? She keeps making excuses, crying like a child, acting like she doesn’t know the rules. Utterly ungrateful!"
Su Qing’s smile never wavered, only growing more apologetic and understanding.
"General Manager Sun, please calm down. This is my fault—I should’ve prepared Linna better and reminded her about these things. Networking is just part of the industry, after all."
"How can anyone improve without mingling? Let me apologize on her behalf."
General Manager Sun’s anger eased slightly at her words. "At least you know how things work. So, what about tonight? You know how many investors are showing up, right?"
Su Qing: "General Manager Sun, I’m truly sorry, but Linna really can’t attend tonight. She was raised in a strict household—never touched a drop of alcohol. It’s not about disrespecting you or Director Wang, but if she ends up hospitalized from drinking, ruining everyone’s mood, wouldn’t that be worse?"
"Besides, Linna has a crucial audition tomorrow. She needs to rest and prepare. That’s why I canceled my leave and rushed here—to coach her through it."
"How about this? Tonight, we really can’t let Linna dampen the mood for you and Director Wang. But once her audition’s over and she’s in better shape, I’ll personally take her to apologize to Director Wang. We’ll make it up to him properly."
"Linna’s still new to this. You’re a magnanimous person—please don’t hold it against her?"
General Manager Sun’s tense expression gradually relaxed.
Su Qing had kept her tone humble, yet her words were airtight, leaving him no room to argue.
"Fine, fine, you win. Take her and go—I’ll find someone else to bring!"
"Thank you for your understanding, General Manager Sun. We won’t disturb your shopping any further."
Su Qing immediately turned to Xue Linna, who was still sniffling with her head bowed, and said cheerfully, "Linna, hurry up and thank General Manager Sun. After that, I need to brief you. Let’s not waste his time."
Xue Linna mumbled in a thick, tearful voice, "Th-thank you, General Manager Sun."
Su Qing apologized once more before linking arms with Xue Linna and leading her away.
Only when they reached a secluded alley, out of General Manager Sun’s sight, did Su Qing abruptly pull Xue Linna into the shadows.
"Thank you, Qing-jie…" Xue Linna stammered, still shaken.
Now that they were alone,
Su Qing’s polished professionalism gave way to a colder, sharper edge. She snatched the brand-new LV handbag from Xue Linna’s grip and inspected it closely.
Thinking her agent admired the bag, Xue Linna quickly offered, "Qing-jie, if you like it, you can have it."
But Su Qing’s next move stunned her—she hurled the bag straight into a nearby dumpster filled with rotting food waste.
Xue Linna gasped. "Qing-jie, what are you doing?! That was a gift from General Manager Sun—a real LV!"
She lunged forward to retrieve it, but Su Qing seized her wrist and yanked her back.
Xue Linna yelped in pain, freezing in place.
The last traces of Su Qing’s professional smile vanished, replaced by icy severity.
"Xue Linna, have you lost your mind?! Or do you actually believe you’re some adored rising star?!"
"Why would General Manager Sun give you such an expensive bag? Did you think it was charity? That luck just ‘happened’ to smile on you?!"
"And let’s talk about how eagerly you accepted it—so happy, weren’t you? But now that he’s calling in the favor, you’re suddenly covering your face, crying about being scared? I used to think you were naive. No—you’re just stupid. Unbelievably stupid!"
"In this industry, nothing comes free. Every ‘gift’ has a price tag!"
"That cheap bag was bait, and you—the idiot fish—swallowed it whole. Now that he’s reeling you in, you’re trying to wriggle free? Do you think he’s a fool?!"
Su Qing dragged her to the dumpster, reeking of decay, and pointed at the bag now soiled by filth.
"See that? That’s you right now—hypocritical and pathetic! You want the resources, the perks, the climb to the top, but you refuse to pay the price, to dirty your precious little hands!"
"Xue Linna, tell me—since when does the world work that way?!"
Xue Linna stood frozen, stunned by Su Qing’s fury.
She’d never seen her agent this enraged before.
When Su Qing first signed her, she’d been nothing but kind—so kind that Xue Linna had almost convinced herself she had the potential to be a star.
But now, the illusion had shattered.
"Xue Linna, don’t say I didn’t warn you. You think you’re destined for greatness? Wake up—you’re dreaming!"
"No money, no connections, no background—what makes you think anyone will lift you up for free? Your pretty face? The entertainment industry is drowning in pretty faces!"
"If you choose to trade your body for opportunities, fine—I won’t stop you. I’ll even fight to get you the best deal. But if you won’t, then empty the delusions from your head, learn your place, and work your way up from the bottom like everyone else!"
"Consider this bag your wake-up call! From now on, if it’s not yours to take, keep your hands off. Until you figure out what you want and what you’re willing to sacrifice, stay out of trouble!"
"Otherwise, I’ll bury you myself."
With that, Su Qing turned and marched out of the alley.
Xue Linna stood frozen in place, her eyes red as she stared at the foul-smelling garbage bin, her entire body numb as if plunged into an icy abyss.
That long-cherished dream of stardom had, for the first time, been brutally torn apart by the cruel reality before her.
She didn’t know how long she had been crying.
Just when Xue Linna thought Su Qing had already left,
that composed, mature woman’s voice sounded in her ears once more.
"Had enough tears?"
Xue Linna flinched, startled, and looked up in panic.
Su Qing had returned unnoticed, holding two cups of warm milk tea. She pressed one into Xue Linna’s trembling, tear-streaked hands—still chilled from the cold.
"Here, warm yourself up. And clear your head while you’re at it."
