Chapter 1 - Change In Succession

"You are now the successor of Song Entertainment," her father told her.

Song Luli stood rooted in her spot. Her mind attempted to register what this meant for her—for her future. But her expression remained calm, unruffled by the news, poised. She gave her father a short, respectful bow; her short jet-black hair slipped from her shoulders.

"I feel honoured, and will do everything to keep the business in good merits," she said to him.

Her father—Song Sheng—grinned, satisfied by her response. He stepped towards her, patting her head gently. "I know you will do well, Luli," he said confidently.

Song Luli straightened her body, holding her chin high.

He dismissed their meeting as he walked away. Song Luli watched as her father strode towards her mother, who was sitting in an armchair, viewing them as they spoke. He held out a hand like a gentleman, and she grasped it. They both walked towards the garden, their favourite spot of the estate. Even after 25 years of marriage, her parents were dotingly affectionate, causing Song Luli to smile.

When their silhouettes disappeared, she walked out of the living room towards the front porch admiring the view of the outdoors. The horizon of the blazing sun began to dim as the afternoon dawned; she breathed in the air, memorizing its scent. The cicadas began to sing, and she exhaled deeply.

The change of succession was surprising to her.

Her older sister, Song Meiling, was initially the heiress of Song Entertainment.

For years, Song Luli had grown up invisible, blended into the background, far from the madding crowd, because it was her sister that shone in the spotlight; it was her sister who was expected to do great things, not her.

Song Luli expected herself to settle for a job within the company, perhaps a management position, but nothing like being the next Chief Executive Officer within the Entertainment Industry.

Her father raised Song Meiling in the industry, but perhaps that's what made her not want it anymore. Before she left, Song Meiling had a fall out with their father, accusing him of never allowing her to do what she wanted, or explore any careers of her own accord because she was the eldest daughter.

She then packed her things and moved out. No one would have expected her to disinherit herself or completing rejecting the opportunity to take over Song Entertainment. She occasionally calls, but she's been too busy as she travels across several countries with her boyfriend.

Song Luli's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a noise creep up behind her.

"Congratulations," a deep and familiar voice said to her.

Song Luli released a breath when she turned to face her brother and chuckled. "Are you sure you don't want it, Zhen? You're older than me."

Her twin, Song Zhen, smiled. His golden-brown eyes narrowed; the wind ruffled his ink-black hair. "By a few minutes," he reminded her, stepping close to the ledge, leaning his forearms over it.

Song Luli offered him a grim smile.

"I want to be a lawyer," he said, surer of himself.

"I know," Song Luli responded. "It's not that I don't want to inherit the company; it just caught me by surprise."

"We both didn't expect Meiling to have left the country and reject the inheritance," he responded.

"You're right," Song Luli responded.

Song Zhen was supposed to be next in line, but he was following their mother's career path in law. He had always strayed away from the Entertainment Industry, and this left Song Luli to be the next and sole successor.

She hadn't prepared for this moment; she had always been invisible. She was supposed to live a normal life. Song Luli felt that deep in the marrow of her bones, she should have stayed hidden. But now, she was going to be the new face of the industry, a face not many knew.

"I'm going to be the next CEO," she said aloud, almost unbelieving.

Her brother chuckled. "A badass one at that," he said.

Song Luli nudged him playfully, and she curled her lips.

Her brother knew how to uplift her spirits. It should have been him. He was smart and considerate, but perhaps that's what gave him the right qualities to defend people in court. Law was the right path for him.

Song Zhen was fascinated by their mother as not only did she defend some of the largest corporations in the country, she solved the crime of her deceased parents. She lived through tragedy and survived it; therefore, Song Zhen had always followed their mother's footsteps.

Song Luli sighed at the thought. "You're leaving me soon," she said.

Her brother looked at her considerably, "I won't be away for long," he responded.

Song Luli smiled grimly. "Make sure you visit, idiot."

Song Zhen ruffled her hair, smiling, "And make sure that when I return, you won't be in deep shit."

Song Luli chuckled, "I'll try," she said.

The business world was cruel, and the Entertainment Industry was even worse. Too many scandals, investments were depleting, and the success of films depended on reputation. People would also do anything to rise to the top. But she had to make sure that none of her people were affected by tarnished reputations. But she was now determined to face her new job, defiantly.

"Let's get back inside," her twin suggested since the wind began to pick up, and the air had gone cold.

"You get back in there, I am going to see Su Xiang," she told him.

Song Zhen nodded and headed back indoors.

After he was gone, Song Luli descended the stairs of the front porch and walked a short distance next door.

Su Xiang was her cousin from her paternal side. Song Luli's father, Song Sheng, was the brother of Su Xiang's mother, Song Ren, her aunt.

Song Luli entered the house unceremoniously; she didn't need to knock, and she didn't need a key, that's how close they were.

When she entered the house, it was dim and quiet, but she knew that Su Xiang would be home, so she went up the staircase, down the corridor, and walked into the bedroom. The air conditioner in the house was on high, causing her to shiver. Alas, her cousin, was wrapped up in sweatpants and a sweater with headphones over her ears.

She was writing notes quickly by her desk, facing the wall.

Whenever Su Xiang wasn't at school or volunteering at the hospital she worked at, Su Xiang would be at home studying.

Song Luli approached from behind, startling her.

"Ah! Shit!" Su Xiang said, removing her headphones. Her golden curls tumbled over her shoulders, falling at her waist. "I didn't know you were coming," she said.

Song Luli lay down on her bed, falling with an exaggerated sigh. "I just felt like coming," she responded.

"I heard you're taking over the company when your father retires. My mother told me," Su Xiang responded, swivelling her chair.

"Mhm," Song Luli said. "My sister is gone, and my brother is leaving because he has to go to his summer internship before attending law school, chasing after his dream. But I'm happy for him for both of them."

Su Xiang gave her a thoughtful, weighing look. "At least we have each other," she said, trying to see the silver lining.

Song Luli released a breath before sitting up straight. "Isn't your brother coming back?" she suddenly remembered and asked.

Su Xiang smiled grimly before nodding, "Yes. He just finished and will be returning home for good."

Song Luli observed her expression. "Why does it seem as if you aren't happy?" she asked.

Su Xiang pursed her lips. "He hasn't been speaking to me much lately...he finally received the qualifications for being a doctor. But it feels like the distance between us has stretched throughout all that time he was gone. Almost as if he's ignoring me."

Song Luli knitted her brows. She recalled that she hadn't seen much of her cousin, Su Chen, lately, and most likely, it's because he hasn't been visiting, but still. "Nonsense, You and Chen were like best friends. Perhaps he was busy, that's all," she said to her.

Su Xiang offered a small smile, but she still didn't seem to be reassured.

Song Luli then kept her cousin company for the rest of the evening.