1. Prologue

“Our love is short like the lives of cherry blossoms,

please remember me when I fade,

remember this sad song,

remember me before it’s too late

Will you cherish this spring?

Will you move onto another?

I see your back leaving,

I realize we can never be together

Oh, these petals fade like our love,

short and fleeting, never to be seen again

just like the promises we spoke of,

our wishes will never be said

farewell my love,

farewell our love”

The audience was quiet for a few moments. They seemed to be listening for the last echo of the acapella version I just sang before ground shaking cheers suddenly erupted. I jumped a little and held my hand to my heart, making sure that it wouldn’t burst out of my chest from surprise.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that was Jiang YingYue revealing a part from a new song she’ll be releasing! My, that was so beautiful and sad– tell me, what inspired you to write such sad lyrics? Was it maybe a past experience with an old lover? Maybe your first love?” The host had a mischievous and prying look in his eyes.

His questions made me immediately think of the only “lover” I ever had. Indeed, he had broken my heart but we were never an item to begin with. You could call it a “more than friends but less than lovers” relationship. His family was what you’d expect a family that ran a conglomerate ought to look and act like. He himself didn’t deny that his parents looked down on the poor.

However, that episode of my life has long since past and only an occasional dull ache accompanies those memories I sometimes unconsciously rewatch– just like right now.

“You could say the song was based on a past experience.” I mustered the best smile I could for the countless cameras recording my every action.

“So the nation’s first love also had a first love?” The host kept bravely prying into my personal life. But I should entertain the people to help hype the release of my new song...

“Yes, you could call him that.” There were many sentimental “awwws” in the audience.

“If he was perhaps watching right now, what would you want to say to him?”

“... I hope that wherever he is and whatever he may be doing... that he’s happy and that he doesn’t carry any sadness from our past. This new song is my official and grandest farewell to him, my first love.” The empathetic “awwws” from the audience were louder than before.

I couldn’t help but giggle and be thankful for their investment in this story from my past.

“So to all of those who experienced heartbreak from your first love, second love, or any love, I hope you can listen to this song and share the same emotions. Let’s all close that chapter in our lives and begin a new one. No matter how long winter is, spring will always be waiting at the end. Thank you.”

I bowed and the audience cheered louder than before, which was mind blowing to think about. The host helped me exit off the stage where my manager, Liu Jun, patiently waited for me.

“I liked the short and sweet ending. You’re better than before.”

I sighed. “Well, I didn’t want him to dig up more of my past like a dog digging endless holes.”

We walked into my dressing room and Jun took a seat in the corner on the phone with someone. My stylist helped me out of the clothes picked out for the show and into my comfortable track suit. Liu Jun’s seen my body countless of times and never bat an eyelash so I’ve been used to him being here when I’m changing.

“We’ll be going to Ju Entertainment in a bit so be ready with a cap and face mask.” Jun said out of the blue. My stylist wordlessly pulled it out of her bag that was like an endless black hole that could hold anything inside.

“Thank you, Xiao Bao,” I smiled. Bao was a mute but her skills were not to be looked down upon. She was the one who designed and sewed my red carpet dress, which made me become the most fashionable celebrity at the end of the year awards. Many companies— even fashion magazines, have wanted to work with her but she’s refused them all and stayed with our small Lian Entertainment.

Lian Entertainment was the smallest of the three flower companies. The top was Ju, chysanthemum; the second was Lan, orchid; and lastly Lian, lotus. However, all three have reputable artists, celebrities, and producers under them.

“Why do we need to go to JE?” I asked.

“Lian’s CEO was able to propose a deal with them that involves you in it.”

“CEO Wei

always has crazy ideas.” I mumbled and followed Jun when he got up and walked out of the dressing room. I stopped and bowed to Bao before hurriedly trying to catch up with my freaking long-legged manager— sheesh!

“This might just be the craziest one then,” Jun said off-handedly. That didn’t sit well in my stomach and I hesitantly got into the van.

•••

“And that’s the proposal both companies decided to carry out.” The man sat across from you was the manager of Li FengMian, the most popular actor in the country who has consecutively won the “actor of the year” award for 3 years and has made every drama he’s been in gain a rating no less than 9 stars— how’s that even humanly possible?!

He wasn’t at the meeting because of an overnight shoot for a new drama. Just from how much ads I’ve seen of his new dramas, I could tell that he was being worked to the bone. If that’s the case, then how would he even have time for a girlfriend, no less a fake one at that— which apparently turns out to be me.

I, Jiang YingYue, have become the fake girlfriend of Li FengMian without my own consent.

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