The following days unfolded like a fast-moving current—no longer calm, no longer still. The girls had officially stepped into the rhythm of the industry, and it wasted no time pulling them in.
Lin Su's first schedule began before sunrise. Her assistant, Xu Jiarong, knocked gently on her door. "You have a photoshoot at 7 a.m. The team is already waiting downstairs."
Lin Su groaned softly, burying her face into the pillow. "This early?"
Jiarong didn't budge. "This is considered late by industry standards."
Lin Su sighed and dragged herself out of bed. "Alright… I'm coming."
At the studio, everything moved like clockwork. Stylists adjusted outfits, makeup artists worked swiftly, and photographers called out directions without pause. Tang Wei'an stood nearby, arms crossed, watching every detail.
"Chin up slightly," he instructed. "Relax your shoulders. Don't force the expression—let it come naturally."
Lin Su followed carefully, though the bright lights made her blink more than once.
"Too stiff," Tang Wei'an said calmly. "You're thinking too much."
Lin Su exhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a brief second. When she opened them again, her expression softened.
"Better," the photographer nodded. "Hold that."
Elsewhere, Xu Yan's day was anything but calm.
"Again," Guo Mingze said, arms folded as Xu Yan struggled through her third set of exercises.
"I'm going to die," she gasped dramatically, collapsing onto the mat. "Tell my fans I loved them."
"You're not dying," Guo Mingze replied flatly. "You're building stamina."
Xu Yan peeked up at him. "Same thing."
Meanwhile, Chen Lihua stood nearby, flipping through outfit sketches. "If you put half this energy into your posture, you'd be unstoppable."
Xu Yan groaned. "Why is everyone attacking me today?"
Liu Wen's schedule was quieter but no less demanding. Her vocal training session stretched for hours.
"Again," Deng Yucheng said patiently. "Control your breathing."
Liu Wen nodded, repeating the line. This time, her voice came out steadier.
"Better," he said. "You're improving quickly."
She smiled faintly. "I don't want to waste this opportunity."
Mei Lin, on the other hand, moved through her schedule with precision. Fitness training, styling sessions, media briefings—she handled each one like second nature.
Sun Yifan watched her closely. "You adapt quickly."
Mei Lin replied simply, "I don't like falling behind."
But not everything flowed smoothly.
During a joint brand photoshoot that brought multiple celebrities together, the girls encountered their first real taste of industry hierarchy.
Three A-list actresses arrived late, yet no one dared complain. The atmosphere shifted instantly—staff became more attentive, voices lowered, and schedules were subtly rearranged to accommodate them.
Xu Yan leaned toward Lin Su and whispered, "So this is what being top-tier looks like."
Lin Su nodded slightly, observing quietly.
One of the actresses glanced at them briefly before turning away, uninterested. Another spoke just loud enough to be heard. "New faces are everywhere these days. Popularity comes fast… and disappears even faster."
The words weren't directed at anyone in particular, but the meaning was clear.
Liu Wen lowered her gaze slightly, choosing not to respond. Mei Lin remained expressionless.
Lin Su simply said, "We focus on our work."
In the Chinese entertainment industry, status spoke louder than talent. Seniority dictated respect. A-list celebrities held influence—not just over fans, but over opportunities, resources, and even how others were treated on set.
Conflicts were rarely loud. No shouting, no open arguments. Instead, they were subtle—delayed schedules, shifted priorities, quiet remarks that carried weight. It was a battlefield where smiles hid intentions and silence spoke volumes.
Xu Yan muttered under her breath, "So this is what they mean by 'walking on thin ice.'"
Mei Lin replied calmly, "Then we learn to walk carefully."
The shoot continued without incident, but the lesson lingered.
By evening, the girls finally reunited, exhausted but still glowing from the day's achievements. They gathered at a small café, their usual spot, the warmth of familiarity wrapping around them like a safety net.
Xu Yan dropped into her seat. "I take it back. Fame is tiring."
Liu Wen laughed softly. "You wanted this."
"I still do," Xu Yan replied quickly. "Just… maybe with more sleep."
Lin Su smiled, stirring her drink. "We're adjusting. It won't always feel this overwhelming."
Mei Lin leaned back slightly. "Today was just the beginning. It only gets more complicated from here."
There was a brief silence before Liu Wen spoke again. "Have you all thought about moving?"
Xu Yan blinked. "Moving where?"
"Closer to work," Liu Wen explained. "We can't keep commuting like this forever."
Lin Su nodded slowly. "She's right. In cities like Beijing, most celebrities live in high-end residential areas—private estates, secured apartments, places where privacy is guaranteed."
Mei Lin added, "Places like Y City or F City. They're known for housing celebrities, business elites, and influential figures. Tight security, controlled access, and… fewer interruptions."
Xu Yan leaned forward, suddenly interested. "Wait, like those luxury estates with private gyms, gardens, and 24-hour security?"
"Exactly," Liu Wen said. "Some even have personal concierge services, underground parking, and restricted media access."
Lin Su glanced at them. "It's not just about comfort. It's about safety too. Once you're in the public eye, privacy becomes a luxury."
Xu Yan whistled softly. "From struggling actors to discussing luxury estates… life really flipped overnight."
Mei Lin smirked faintly. "The tide rises quickly."
Liu Wen smiled. "So… Y City or F City?"
Lin Su looked at her friends, her expression thoughtful. "Wherever we go… we stay close."
Xu Yan grinned. "Of course. What's the point of luxury if we're not enjoying it together?"
The girls laughed, the tension from earlier melting away once more.
Outside, the city lights shimmered like distant stars.
Their journey had only just begun—but step by step, they were learning how to navigate it.