Part 2Three Years of Secret Marriage to a Movie Queen

"Okay."

Something crumbled inside me.

I wanted to laugh, but found I couldn't even force a smile. Slowly, something slid down my face.

In the three years I'd been married to Olivia, I'd gone from being full of love to feeling numb and cold.

I knew she married me to prove to Mei that she wasn't a puppet, that she didn't want to be controlled.

I knew she married me because I resembled the person she loved but couldn't have.

But I still married her.

Because I liked her - the person who gave me a coat during my darkest time.

Even though I was very reluctant to leave the stage.

I logged into Instagram, deleted my previous comment, and posted a statement confirming I had no relationship with Olivia.

How could two people who hadn't appeared together once in three years possibly be married?

The trending topic cooled down and disappeared at an extremely fast speed, as if someone had pressed a retract button.

Mei was quite capable.

I sighed, about to log off, when that fan "WillCrashWallsForBrother" sent another private message.

"Brother, you're online! Come on, join us! As a fan, I really don't want to see you buried. You should be shining on stage! Are you worried we're not legitimate? Wait, I'll have someone call you. Make sure to answer!"

I was infected by this person's lively mood, and felt a glimmer of anticipation growing inside me.

No call came.

For a long time.

Just as I was dozing off waiting, my phone finally rang.

I eagerly answered and put it to my ear, nearly blowing out my eardrum.

Mei snapped "Smart choice" and hung up.

I threw my phone away and cursed.

Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, my phone rang again at an ungodly hour.

"Hello? Brother, this is 'WillCrashWallsForBrother' from Instagram. It was too late last night after I contacted Aunt Kim, so I didn't call you. Quick, check Pinnacle Entertainment's official Twitter now!"

A clear, sweet female voice came through, instantly soothing my grumpiness at being woken up.

I opened Instagram and found Pinnacle Entertainment in my new followers list.

I clicked on their profile. The pinned post read: "Welcome brother @Jack to Pinnacle Entertainment."

Top industry manager Kim Ming commented below: "Nice to meet you, looking forward to working together @Jack".

It was the official account!

I was so excited I lost my words, my hands shaking as I held my phone. I rolled around on the bed in joy.

"Brother? Brother? Are you still there? Aunt Kim wants you to add her contact info."

"Oh, oh okay, got it. What's your name?"

I snapped back to reality, trying to calm my excitement.

"I'm Lily! Brother, I originally contacted someone else to manage you, but my sister insisted on Aunt Kim... Aunt Kim is just a bit serious, don't be scared. I'll protect you!"

After finishing the call with Lily, I specifically searched for information on Pinnacle Entertainment's owner.

Surname Lin, in his 50s, happily married with one son.

I felt slightly relieved.

You can't blame me for being so cautious. I had been badly burned during my reality show days and didn't want to get involved in any shady business again.

Kim Ming asked me to post on Instagram responding to Pinnacle, confirming I had officially joined and would release a new song within a week.

"I don't care who you were before or what you did. Now that you're with me, your career comes first. If anything happens, come to me immediately. I can solve everything. Don't try to be clever on your own."

Kim Ming handed me a stack of documents right off the bat, speaking coldly before disappearing.

She was indeed serious, but that was exactly what I needed.

I didn't want to be held back by love anymore. I wanted to become a huge star, the center of attention.

Standing in a recording studio again after three years, my heart was racing.

I didn't know what lay ahead, but I was certain that every step I took from now on would not be in vain.