Vocal lessons

The necklace glinted in the dim light as Lixue turned it over in her hands. The sapphire was exquisite, its deep blue hue reminding her of the ocean under a moonlit sky.

Yet, her thoughts were far from calm.

Mo Ran was an enigma. One moment distant and calculating, the next thoughtful and unexpectedly tender. She didn't know how to interpret his gestures. Was this an apology? A peace offering? Or simply a man playing his part as her husband?

Lixue sighed and set the necklace on the bedside table. She wasn't ready to wear it—not yet. There were too many unanswered questions swirling in her mind.

The next morning, Lixue woke early, determined to keep her focus on her own goals. The meeting at Dream Entertainment had gone better than expected, and she was eager to start her training and prepare for her debut.

As she came downstairs, the house was already bustling with activity. The staff moved efficiently, cleaning and preparing for the day. The head maid greeted her with a warm smile.

"Good morning, young madam. The master left early again. He mentioned he'll be busy for the next few days but said to let auntie Feng know if you need anything."

Lixue nodded, thanking her as she sat down for breakfast. The food was lavish as always, but her appetite was light.

Her mind was already elsewhere, plotting her next steps. She had to be careful—if Mo Ran discovered her involvement with Dream Entertainment, there would be questions.

Questions she wasn't ready to answer.

As she sipped her tea, her phone buzzed with a message. She opened it to find a reminder from Shi Haoyang about her upcoming vocal training session. A smile tugged at her lips.

This was her chance to take back control of her life, to build something that was entirely her own.

Later that day, Lixue slipped out of the house again. She had memorized the quieter routes, avoiding the main gates and the ever-watchful eyes of the Mo mansion staff.

Lixue arrived at Dream Entertainment wearing her usual disguise—a simple cap and mask. Her identity as Y.L. Magnolia had to remain a secret, even here. Only Shi Haoyang was aware of her true background, and she intended to keep it that way until the time was right.

The training room was spacious, with soundproof walls and polished wooden floors. A grand piano stood in one corner, and a large mirror covered the opposite wall. Miss Zhang, the vocal coach, greeted her warmly.

"Ah, you're here. Let's not waste any time." Miss Zhang gestured toward the piano. "Today, we'll focus on control and projection. Your tone is beautiful, but it needs discipline to handle more demanding pieces."

Lixue nodded, following her to the piano. She placed her sheet music on the stand, selecting a song that required both emotional depth and technical precision.

"Start with scales," Miss Zhang instructed. "Pay attention to your breathing. A strong foundation is the key to consistency."

Lixue took a deep breath and began, her voice gliding through the notes. She focused on each sound, feeling the vibration in her chest as she controlled the airflow. Miss Zhang listened intently, occasionally stopping her to adjust her posture or correct a note.

"Good," Miss Zhang said after a while. "Now, let's move to phrasing. The goal is to convey emotion without sacrificing clarity. Sing this line as if you're telling a story."

Lixue nodded again and began. Her voice was soft at first, carrying a bittersweet quality that grew stronger with each word. The melody swelled, filling the room with raw emotion.

Miss Zhang clapped her hands when Lixue finished. "Beautiful! But you need to enunciate more. Listen—'love' shouldn't sound like 'luv.' Open your mouth fully. Let's try again."

They repeated the exercise several times until Miss Zhang was satisfied. Then they moved on to more challenging techniques.

"Now, vibrato," Miss Zhang said, demonstrating by singing a single note that quivered elegantly. "This adds depth to your voice. Try it."

Lixue mimicked the sound, her voice trembling slightly. It wasn't perfect, but it was close.

"You're getting there," Miss Zhang said encouragingly. "Remember, vibrato comes from relaxation, not tension. If your throat feels tight, you're doing it wrong. Let's practice with this phrase."

Lixue followed her lead, repeating the phrase until the vibrato sounded natural.

Hours passed as they worked through various exercises: dynamic control, transitioning between head and chest voice, and maintaining pitch during tricky intervals. Miss Zhang was demanding but patient, pushing Lixue to explore her limits.

By the end of the session, Lixue's throat felt sore, but her heart was full. She had learned more in one day than she had in months of practicing on her own.

Shi Haoyang entered the room as they were wrapping up. He clapped his hands, his smile broad. "Impressive as always, Lia. Miss Zhang, how's she doing?"

Miss Zhang glanced at Lixue, then back at Haoyang. "She's a natural. With more training, she could be phenomenal."

"That's what I like to hear," Haoyang said. He turned to Lixue. "You're making great progress. Keep this up, and the debut we've been planning will blow everyone away."

Lixue smiled behind her mask, giving a slight bow. "Thank you, Miss Zhang, Mr. Shi. I'll work harder."

As she left the building, her steps were light despite her exhaustion. 

When she returned to the Mo residence that evening, the house was quiet again. Lixue entered her room, only to pause as she noticed something on her vanity table.

The sapphire necklace.

She had left it on the bedside table, hadn't she? But now, it was here, carefully placed on display.

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned, her eyes scanning the room. The faint scent of cologne lingered in the air—a scent she recognized all too well.

Mo Ran had been here.

What did it mean? Was he trying to send her a message? A hint?

Lixue shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. She couldn't let herself get distracted. Not now, when she was getting close to breaking one of Yu Jia's defenses.

But as she prepared for bed, she couldn't help glancing at the necklace one last time, wondering what game Mo Ran was playing—and whether she was ready to play along.