Lianna sat in the makeup room, staring at her reflection.
It still felt surreal to see Song Liwei's face looking back at her—gentler, younger, with slightly rounder eyes and softer cheeks. She ran her fingers lightly through the curtain of black hair, tucking a strand behind her ear.
Today was her audition. It wasn't a grand role, just a supporting character in a romantic drama. But it was her first step. The first path this world had offered her.
"Liwei, ready?" Jiang Mian peeked through the door, her tone bright but brisk. "They're calling you soon."
Lianna stood and nodded. "Let's go."
The set was alive with lights, people shouting directions, and the occasional clang of metal as props were moved. Everyone moved like a cog in a well-oiled machine. The atmosphere reminded her of her old life in the business world—organized chaos, powered by dreams.
She took her place on the mark, took a deep breath, and gave it her all.
By the time the director called "Cut!" her heart was hammering, but she saw something she didn't expect—the assistant director whispering to the producer with a small nod.
She was being noticed.
"You did well," Jiang Mian said afterward as they walked through the corridor behind the soundstage.
"The director looked impressed. Even if this isn't your role, they'll remember you."
Lianna smiled softly, not out of pride, but out of hope.
They walked out of the set when rounding a corner, she nearly collided with someone.
A familiar presence.
A tall figure in a dark grey hoodie and cap, speaking casually to a woman beside him.
Lianna's steps faltered.
The woman was stunning—long legs, glossy black hair, bright eyes full of mischief.
The female lead, no doubt.
And next to her... Xu Minze.
The second male lead.
He didn't see her at first, but when the female lead turned to say something and he looked up, their eyes met again.
Just for a second.
Just enough to feel the air shift between them like a soft tremor.
No words.
Just recognition.
Both of them nod to each other then someone called out to the female lead and Xu Minze, and they walked away, their footsteps echoing lightly down the hall.
Lianna exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
The presence of the female lead is indeed strong. I wonder why both of them is here.
Atheron's voice giggled in her head. "Accidental encounters always stir the heart, don't they?"
She rolled her eyes and smiled inwardly. "Don't get ahead of yourself, fluffball."
I haven't even figure out how to accumulate karma, it seems easy but not.
I even attend a charity auction but I didn't get good karma points.
Hayst...
---
Later that afternoon, Jiang Mian sent her out to meet someone for lunch. "An old family friend," she said, "just do me a favor and be polite."
The restaurant was quiet and elegant—glass windows, floating lights, and classical music humming softly in the background.
Lianna waited at a corner booth until a tall, sharply dressed man arrived, his aura screaming power even before he spoke.
He had silver-gray streaks at his temples and wore a tailored navy suit.
"Liwei," he greeted her with a nod. "It's been a while."
Lianna blinked. He knows me? Or rather… Song Liwei?
Now she remembered, isn't this the uncle who helped her in Song Liwei's memory.
She stood, bowing politely. "Uncle?"
He chuckled. "Still so formal. I'm your mother's younger brother. I handled most of the overseas branches of the Hua Conglomerate. You probably don't remember me, but I helped fund your early acting lessons."
Her mind reeled.
Hua Conglomerate.
That name sounded familiar—massive holdings in tech, fashion, and media. The kind of family name that only lived in headlines and rumors.
"My… mother's family?" she asked cautiously.
Ehh? That's not part of the memory, is there a secret from Liwei mother's origin?
He gave her a warm, fond smile. "You're a Hua, child. Your mother gave up the name when she married for love. But blood doesn't change. And we've always kept an eye on you."
Before Lianna could respond, she noticed a faint flash through the restaurant's window.
Click.
Click.
A man seated outside lowered a camera, disappearing into the street.
Paparazzi?
Her eyes widened slightly.
Her uncle didn't seem bothered. "Let them take what they want. A little mystery is good for the press. Just don't let it shake you."
A few minutes later, they said their goodbyes. Her uncle promised to keep in touch—and left her with a sleek black card embossed with gold: Hua Holdings – Special Contact.
Lianna walked out, her mind spinning.
She was part of a legacy in this world. She wasn't just Song Liwei, the struggling actress. She was someone born from a bloodline that held weight.
As she walked through the street under the fading light of the artificial sky domes of Aurora City, she clutched the card tightly in her hand.
This world was fiction, yes.
But the emotions, the connections, the way her heart beat faster—it all felt real.
Maybe this mission wasn't just about romance and karma.
Maybe it was about rediscovery.
About finding pieces of herself she never knew she needed.
Well it seems like a part of human karma, I guess?