The morning after the Glass Wings premiere arrived with the sound of relentless notifications.
Bai Zhi opened her phone and stared at the flood: congratulatory messages, interview requests, social media tags, press articles. Her name was trending. Not just in entertainment, but in science and art forums as well.
Her performance had transcended genre. The scene where she illustrated a dying scientist's moral dilemma had gone viral, prompting discussions in both academic and creative circles.
She sat by the window of her apartment, sipping tea as the sunlight filtered through sheer curtains.
She had known this would happen. She had planned it. Every scene she'd poured her heart into was a calculated strike. But even she didn't expect this level of momentum.
A quiet knock came at her door.
It was Lin Yue, her assistant.
"You've got visitors," Lin Yue said, trying to keep her voice neutral. "Important ones."
"Who?"
"Li Jiannan's secretary. And… the CEO of Dynasty Media. In person."
Bai Zhi raised her eyebrows slightly.
Interesting.
Two men sat across from her.
One in a sleek navy suit: Mr. Wang, Li Jiannan's chief assistant.
The other, in a pale grey blazer and round glasses: Mr. Zhou, CEO of Dynasty Media, one of the most influential platforms in entertainment.
Neither wasted time.
Mr. Wang stood first, handing her a silver-gilded envelope. "President Li would like to invite you to perform at the Qingdao Global Gala next month as his company's artistic representative. You would headline the cultural performance."
Mr. Zhou cut in with a polite smile. "And Dynasty Media would like to offer you an exclusive first-look deal for your next three film projects. Including executive control and full co-creator rights. We'll match any offer you receive, and add a brand partnership campaign."
Two offers.
Two worlds.
Li Jiannan's offer meant prestige and presence, she would be the crown jewel of a global event broadcast across dozens of countries.
Dynasty Media's offer meant long-term power, creative control, financial strength, and reputation.
Bai Zhi looked between them.
Neither man blinked.
She set her teacup down. "Both are flattering," she said softly. "But I need a day to consider. I don't make quick decisions anymore."
Both men stood. "We'll await your reply."
As they left, Lin Yue exhaled. "Zhi-jie, you just got offers people spend their entire careers praying for."
"I know," Bai Zhi murmured.
She stared at the silver envelope on the table.
Li Jiannan again.
He never forced. He simply… offered.
And somehow, that made it harder to say no.
In Li Group Headquarter, Li Jiannan was reviewing a corporate acquisition when Mr. Wang returned.
"She asked for time," Wang said.
Jiannan didn't look up. "Let her take it."
"President Li, may I ask why you're investing so much effort in her?"
Li Jiannan's pen paused for a fraction of a second.
"She's not the type of person you approach with a contract and expect loyalty. Bai Zhi is… the kind of woman you invest in, knowing the return will be beyond measurable value."
Mr. Wang didn't respond.
He had never heard his boss speak like this.
In Bai Residence, The TV screen blared in the background. Every channel seemed to be running specials about Bai Zhi.
"Rising Actress Bai Zhi Stuns Critics with Glass Wings, Could She Be the Next International Star?"
"Who Is Bai Zhi? A Deep Dive Into Her Artistic Genius and Mysterious Rise!"
Bai Meilin turned the volume off and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Her hands curled around her lip gloss tube until the plastic cracked.
No one had talked about her that way. Not even when she was introduced as the real Bai daughter.
Her phone lit up with a message.
Chen Yuxuan:
Haven't seen you since the premiere. Are you alright?
She stared at it, Then deleted it.
He was still thinking about Bai Zhi.
Everyone was.
Bai Zhi sat in front of her old desk, laptop open. Sheets of music lay scattered alongside design blueprints and a partially coded AI project. It was her personal lab, where her real mind could roam.
But she couldn't concentrate.
Not with the envelope still on the table.
Not with Li Jiannan on her mind.
She thought back to the night of the premiere. How he had walked up beside her, claiming space with ease. How he hadn't tried to outshine her, but instead shielded her.
And he had asked: "Is this man bothering you?"
A simple sentence.
But for her, it was new.
Protection, without expectation.
Support, without judgment.
Something… rare.
Her phone buzzed.
It was Bai Yunqi, her oldest biological brother, who had only recently found her after a decade of thinking she'd died.
"Zhi'er," he said with his warm, confident voice, "we saw the premiere. You were amazing. Our parents couldn't stop talking about it."
Bai Zhi's chest warmed.
"I'm glad," she said softly.
"There's a family event next week," Yunqi continued. "It's not formal, just a casual gathering. Would you consider coming?"
She hesitated. "I…"
"I know it's early," he added quickly. "And we're still rebuilding things. But we want you there. Even if it's just for an hour."
"…I'll think about it."
"Alright," Yunqi said. "But know this, Zhi'er: whether you come or not, we're not giving up on having you back."
She blinked against the sudden burn in her eyes.
"Thank you."
The city lights glittered beneath her, like stars that had fallen to the earth.
Bai Zhi held both offers in her hands now, Dynasty Media's contract, and Li Jiannan's envelope.
Power Or protection.
Long-term independence Or undeniable presence.
But before she could decide, her phone buzzed again.
A message.
From Li Jiannan.
"Don't accept my offer out of gratitude. Or pressure. Only if it aligns with the future you want. LJ."
She stared at the message for a long time.
Then she smiled.