The moment Jiang Yue stepped into the recording studio, she felt it—the weight of expectation, like heat radiating off the soundproof walls.
The script for Riverlight was thick, layered with tension, romance, grief. A dramatic audio drama meant for platforms across Asia, with international dubbing options already under negotiation.
It wasn't a trial.
This was the real stage.
And she was the lead.
Zeyan arrived early—black hoodie, headphones, tablet in hand. He didn't greet her with his usual nod or teasing smirk.
Just a clipboard, handed silently.
Episode 1 Record Schedule:
Scene 1: Reunion on the Riverbank
Scene 2: Voice-over Monologue
Scene 4: Emotional Breakdown
Supporting roles: Assigned
Jiang Yue flipped the page.
Her rival's name was listed there.
Zhao Mian.
A trained voice actress with four short dramas, known for her aggressive delivery and sharp tone.
Jiang had watched her once.
Zhao Mian had once torn into a character's grief like fire through paper. No hesitation. No mercy.
This was going to be war.
In Booth B, Zhao Mian removed her jacket and adjusted her mic.
When she saw Jiang Yue enter, she raised one brow.
"Oh, you're the voice behind Spring Bends?" she said, tone too sweet.
"Didn't expect someone who looks so… soft. Hope you're not just riding a lucky wave."
Jiang Yue smiled politely.
"If it was luck, it wouldn't have lasted this long."
[System Update: Rival Pressure Detected – Internal Confidence Drop: -3%]
Suggested Action: Trigger Focus Mode (Mid-Tier)
Cost: 0.7 PP
Effect: Buff to stress resistance and emotional control for 2 hours
[Y/N?]
Jiang Yue quietly tapped the [Y] prompt on her system ring.
Her heartbeat slowed.
Her spine straightened.
Time to act.
The red light blinked.
Scene 1: Riverbank Reunion.
Zeyan gave the countdown through the headset. "Three. Two. One. Action."
Jiang Yue took a breath.
Then delivered:
"You never came back. I waited. I called. Every boat that passed—I thought it was you."
Her voice cracked on you—not too much, just enough to sound like it hadn't been rehearsed.
It wasn't drama.
It was truth.
Even Zeyan, despite knowing the script, glanced up.
Then Zhao Mian countered:
"Do you know how many times I nearly drowned thinking of you? You let me drift until I forgot how to swim."
Fierce. Controlled. Professional.
But Jiang Yue didn't waver.
Not now.
The scene ended.
Silence filled the booth.
Then the sound engineer clapped once.
"Clean take. Emotionally balanced. That's a wrap for Scene 1."
Zhao Mian said nothing, but the slight tightening of her jaw said enough.
Jiang Yue had matched her.
Maybe even edged ahead.
[System Alert: Rival Comparison Analysis]
Voice Range: +2.3% over Zhao Mian
Emotional Subtlety: +5.7%
Public Market Simulation (Projected Clip): FL Favored 3:2
PP Earned: +0.002158792
BP Potential (Episode 1): +1.21
They broke for lunch.
Outside, under a shaded bench, Jiang Yue sipped tea and stared at her script.
Zeyan sat beside her.
"You held your own," he said without looking up.
"You didn't doubt me?"
"I did."
She looked at him, surprised.
He sipped his coffee and continued, "I doubt everyone. But I plan around it. That's how I win."
"…Thanks?" she said, confused.
He glanced sideways.
"I don't need you to win for me. Just don't lose to yourself."
That made her smile.
Back in Booth A, she recorded Scene 4: The Breakdown.
"You think I wanted to survive you? You left me with no goodbye, no promise, no place to grieve. You burned me, and I smiled through the ashes."
The sound tech lowered his glasses.
"…We got that in one take. Damn."
Back in NovaLine Media HQ, Gu Yuxi listened to the leaked audio of Jiang Yue's first session.
"She's better than I expected," she murmured.
Her assistant hesitated. "Should I… stop the influencer push?"
Gu Yuxi shook her head.
"No. Let the public crown her. But make sure they know who raised her—even if it's a lie."
[System Warning: Reputation Hijack Detected – "Gu Yuxi Discovery" Tag Trending]
Suggestion: Counter Tag Campaign – "Voice of Her Own"
Strategy Cost: 2.2 BP
Viral Deflection Probability: 81%
Zeyan approved it instantly.
Within an hour, SkyInk's official account launched the counter-tag:
"She's not born from fame. She rose from silence. She speaks in her own voice."
The fans surged behind it.
#VoiceOfHerOwn began trending.
Estimated PP Boost Over 3 Days: +0.004712841
Jiang Yue's Popularity Ranking: #147 (up from #309)
At the end of the day, as Jiang Yue packed her script and scarf, Zhao Mian approached her.
"No hard feelings," she said coolly. "But if you stumble in the second episode, I'll take the lead lines. You know how this works."
Jiang Yue smiled.
"Then I won't stumble."
Zhao Mian's smirk faded just a fraction.
[System Update: Jiang Yue Skill Tier Advanced – "Lead Status Secured (Phase 1)"]
Unlock Available: Public Teaser Campaign for Riverlight
Suggestion: Limited Reveal of FL's Voice with On-Screen Movement
Zeyan watched her leave the studio, her head held higher than ever before.
He remembered the moment from his past life—when he was broken, dying, and she was the one who buried him, silent and alone.
But now?
She wasn't behind him anymore.
She was walking beside him.
And nothing was going to stop her now.