What’s the first step?

Two days had passed since the wedding. In the quiet solitude of her room, Lixue sat alone, her eyes fixed on her laptop screen. The soft hum of the computer filled the room, a faint background noise that allowed her to think, to plan. She had been given another chance at life, and she wasn't about to waste it.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her mind racing with ideas and possibilities. She had spent her last life as a shadow, her art and her songs stolen by Yu Jia. Her half-sister had taken everything she had worked for, every piece of herself that she had poured into her art—and worse, she had twisted it, claimed it as her own. In her last life, Lixue had been powerless, unable to prove that her creations were truly hers when it mattered most.

But this time, she would be prepared. This time, she wouldn't give anyone the chance to rob her of her identity.

A new idea took root in her mind, one that made her lips curve into a small, determined smirk.

A pseudonym.

If Yu Jia could steal her art and her voice, she would create a new identity, one that Yu Jia couldn't touch—something that would serve as her shield, her stronghold. And this time, she'd keep all the proof she needed to show the world who the real artist was.

Her fingers began to type, a name taking shape on the screen.

Y.L. Magnolia.

It was simple, unassuming, but it had a strength to it. Using the initials of her real name, Yu Lixue, she paired it with "Magnolia," a flower symbolizing dignity and resilience. It was a new identity, one that no one would suspect.

With a deep breath, she set up the basics of the account, using the new name. Her fingers moved quickly as she crafted an email, established the persona, and secured her new identity on the internet. This time, her creations would be under her control.

"Now, all I need is someone who can help me keep this going without raising suspicion." She thought to herself while relaxing a bit into the pillow.

Her thoughts turned to finding a manager—a small-time, ambitious person who wouldn't pry too much into her identity. Someone who would help her stay in the background while she produced her work and keep her identity hidden. It had to be someone outside her family's circle of influence, someone who had no connections to the powerful Yu family.

Lixue pulled up a search engine and began combing through local listings. She filtered out the established agencies, knowing they would ask too many questions. Instead, she focused on the smaller, independent managers—the ones who wouldn't have any allegiance to the Yu family and who would be willing to represent an anonymous client like Y.L. Magnolia.

After half an hour of scrolling, her eyes landed on an ad that caught her attention. It was a listing by a new manager named Shi Haoyue, a young man with a background in managing local artists and a track record of success despite his relatively small profile and she could even see that he wasn't managing anyone right now. His reputation was clean, and his rates were reasonable.

Lixue's heart skipped a beat.

He was perfect.

Without hesitation, she drafted a short email, keeping it professional yet mysterious. She presented herself as Y.L. Magnolia, a new artist seeking management for her creative works. She kept the details vague, knowing that intrigue would be her best defense for now.

As she hit "send," a sense of exhilaration filled her. It was only a small step, but it was her first real act of rebellion—a silent declaration that she wouldn't be Yu Jia's or Qin Yuyan's pawn anymore. This time, she would be the one in control, and no one would know it was her until she was ready.

Sitting back on her bed, she allowed herself a small smile. The road ahead would be challenging, filled with risks and dangers, but she was ready. This time, the world would know her on her own terms. This time, she would take everything back, starting with her art and her voice and after that she would fight for her mother's Justice.

And as she stared at her new pseudonym on the screen, a quiet determination settled within her.

Let them try to steal from me NOW.

Just as Lixue settled back into her thoughts, there was a soft knock at her door, pulling her back to reality. She quickly shut her laptop, her heart giving a little jump of nerves.

"Come in," she called, schooling her expression to something neutral.

The door opened, and the familiar, gentle face of auntie Feng, the old housekeeper, appeared. Auntie Feng had always treated her kindly, even when others in the house hadn't. She was one of the few people who made Lixue feel visible, like she was more than just a pawn or a placeholder in someone else's story.

"Young madam," Madam Feng spoke with a respectful nod, her voice calm and warm. "The master wishes to see you."

Lixue felt her stomach tighten at the mention of Mo Ran. Her recent memories of him were a mix of quiet suspicion and resentment. Their arranged marriage was only a 2 days old, and he had shown her a little beyond cool politeness and distant formality. She had never expected him to be a warm husband, but she couldn't help but feel there was more to his disinterest that met the eye.

Still, she nodded, giving auntie Feng a small smile. "Thank you, auntie Feng. I'll go see him now."

As she made her way down the hall toward Mo Ran's study, Lixue steadied her thoughts. This was the beginning of her journey to reclaim what was taken from her, and if Mo Ran had some role in that… well, she would find out soon enough.

When she reached his study, she paused outside the door, drawing in a breath before knocking lightly.

"Come in," his voice called out, deep and firm.

She opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes meeting his immediately. Mo Ran looked up from his paperwork, his gaze unreadable but steady as it settled on her. His dark eyes held an intensity she hadn't noticed before, something that made her heart skip a beat, though she refused to let it show.

"Wife," he greeted, his tone almost softer than usual, though still layered with a cold edge.

"…."

Lixue's head screamed warning bells as she stared at Mo Ran in shock, did he just call her wife!!

"You wanted to see me, Master Mo?" she managed to reply , her voice calm, laced with the politeness she had learned to use so well.

He nodded, gesturing to a seat across from him. "Master Mo? As your husband i request you call me Mo Ran. There shouldn't be any formality between us. Please, sit."he said after a brief pause.

Lixue took a seat, her mind racing with possibilities about what he wanted to discuss. Would it be something mundane, or was he finally beginning to take an interest in her as his wife? The latter thought surprised her, but she quickly dismissed it.

Mo Ran cleared his throat, shifting slightly. "I understand that adapting to this new environment must not have been easy," he began, his tone formal but not unkind. "And I want to make it clear that, despite our… unconventional arrangement, I do want you to feel comfortable here."

For a moment, Lixue wasn't sure how to respond. His words were more considerate than she expected, and she could see that he was making an effort to be civil, if not warm.

"Thank you," she replied, carefully. "I'll do my best to adapt."

He inclined his head, his expression still unreadable. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. If there's anything you need to make your life here easier, don't hesitate to let auntie Feng know. She'll take care of it."

Lixue nodded, absorbing his words. This wasn't what she had expected, and part of her couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Mo Ran than she had realized. But she reminded herself that kindness and warmth were not why she was here. She had her own reasons, and if Mo Ran had his, she would eventually uncover them.

For now, she would play her role and keep her secrets safe.

As she stood to leave, Mo Ran's voice halted her. "One more thing," he said, a subtle hint of hesitation in his tone that surprised her.

"Yes?" she turned, meeting his gaze.