Mo Ran walked over to his desk, loosening his tie slightly as he leaned against the edge, watching her with a faint smile. "Welcome to the entertainment industry. Fans will build you up one day and tear you down the next. Thick skin isn’t optional."
Lixue smirked, crossing her arms. "Good thing I’ve got plenty of that. But..." She hesitated, glancing down at her phone. "They were talking about me too. Or rather, Y.L Mongolia."
His brows lifted slightly. "Oh?"
"Dream Entertainment apparently released a snippet of my recording session without telling me. Now, my name’s out there, and people are already drawing comparisons... especially to Yu Jia." Her tone was calm, but her eyes betrayed the storm of emotions beneath the surface.
Mo Ran’s expression hardened slightly. "Without your consent? Bold move on their part. But if they’re confident enough to do that, it means they see your potential."
Lixue shrugged, though a small smirk tugged at her lips. "Apparently, my voice has already got people talking. Some fans think I’ll give Yu Jia a run for her money. Others are skeptical."
Mo Ran stepped closer, his tone even but firm. "Let them talk. The only thing that matters is what you do next. You’ve got the talent to back it up, and they’ll see that soon enough."
Her smirk widened, and she leaned back against the chair. "I’m not worried. If anything, this just makes things more interesting. Let them wonder who I am, let them speculate. I’ll let my voice do the talking when the time comes.. I guess that’s what Dream wants until my debut"
Mo Ran nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "That’s the way to handle it. Stay focused. But if Dream Entertainment pulls any more privacy stunts like this without telling you, let me know."
"Protective, are we?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
His lips quirked into a slight smirk. "Always."
Lixue’s laugh was soft and melodic, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. She glanced at her phone again, scrolling through the comments one last time.
"They’re brutal to Yu Jia," she mused aloud. "Some fans are questioning her creativity. Others are waiting to see her fail."
"That’s the nature of fame," Mo Ran said, his voice steady. "The higher you climb, the more people want to pull you down. But you... you’re different. You’re not chasing fame, and that’s what sets you apart."
Lixue looked up at him, her expression softening. "I don’t want the fame. I just want to prove that I’m more than they ever thought I could be. That I’m more than she ever thought I could be. And that whatever got her to where she is, was because of me."
Mo Ran stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "And you will. On your terms, Lixue. Not theirs."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside his office seemed to fade away. Then, with a faint smile, she slid her phone into her pocket and straightened.
"Speaking of proving myself," she said, her tone lighter now, "you’d better get ready to hear my name a lot more. Y.L Mongolia is just getting started."
Mo Ran’s smirk returned, and he stepped back, giving her a mock bow. "Then I look forward to seeing the chaos you cause, Mrs. Mo."
Lixue laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you, hubby."
Mo Ran chuckled, shaking his head as he returned to his chair. "With you, Lixue, I’ve learned to always expect the unexpected."
Lixue perched herself on the edge of his desk, her confidence radiating. "Good. Keep that mindset. It’ll make the surprises I bring a little easier to handle."
His gaze softened as he looked at her, a flicker of admiration shining in his eyes. "You really don’t do anything halfway, do you?"
"Why should I?" she replied with a playful tilt of her head. "Life’s too short for half measures. Besides, if I’m going to step into the spotlight, I might as well own it."
Mo Ran leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest thoughtfully. "If you’re serious about taking this head-on, I’ll make sure you have everything you need to succeed. But remember, Lixue, there’s no turning back once the world knows your name."
Her expression grew serious for a moment, but her voice remained steady. "I know. And I’m ready for it. I’ve spent too long in the shadows, watching others take credit for my work, letting them dictate my worth. That ends now."
Mo Ran’s gaze was unwavering as he said, "Then I’ll be right beside you, every step of the way. No matter what."
The corner of her lips twitched into a faint smile. "I appreciate that. But this is my battle, Mo Ran. I want to win it on my own terms."
"You’ll win, Lixue," he said, his voice firm. "I have no doubt about that."
She nodded, her confidence unwavering as she stood. "Good. Because the world isn’t ready for what’s coming."
Lixue smirked softly. "Don’t forget, hubby. You promised to cheer me on from the sidelines."
Mo Ran smirked, his tone light but sincere. "I won’t forget. Just don’t forget who’s your biggest fan."
Mo Ran stood from his chair, smoothing out his jacket before offering her his hand. "Well, since we’re done here, shall we head out together?"
Lixue arched a brow, slipping her phone into her pocket as she took his hand. "Leaving the office already? Isn’t there a company empire waiting for you to micromanage it?"
He smirked, his grip firm and warm. "It’ll survive without me for the rest of the evening. Besides, I think my wife’s plans are far more important."
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she stood, letting him guide her toward the door. "Good answer, hubby. Maybe I’ll even let you tag along while I plan my world domination."
They exited the office side by side, a few employees in the hallway doing double-takes as they saw the usually reserved CEO walking with a stunning woman by his side. Some whispered quietly, while others quickly averted their gazes.
As they made their way to the elevator, Mo Ran leaned down slightly, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "You do realize that once you fully step into the spotlight, moments like this will become a luxury?"