Jiaqi forcefully tries to rip her gaze away from her ex but lands on a TV anchor. Squinting at the TV, Jiaqi makes out the caption on the screen.

When will Kong Xueer’s, boyfriend pop the question?

Jiaqi feels her blood boil and tightens her grip on her cup. Remembering when she saw the headline from Bee Entertainment that Bee's new star was dating Cai Xukun? Clenching her jaw, she stood up, not caring about the chair scratching against the tiled floor, threw away her cup, and made her way to a nearby exit that led to an outdoor balcony. 

/

From her corner at the airport, Xueer whipped around at the noise of a chair scraping across the floor. Her eyes widened in shock at the tall woman throwing away her coffee cup, her signature short hair moving with her. 

Feeling her phone buzz, Xueer felt her heart immediately sink after seeing the photo and reading the headline. Zhou Jieqiong engaged to famous dancer Xu Kiki?

/

It was a snowy night at the bus stop. Fiddling with a loose thread on her sweater, Xueer felt her heart fill with lead. 

This is for the best, Jiaqi. I am trying to protect you. Please be happy without me. I love you. If I don't do this, there is no telling what they will do to you. You've worked too hard to not have a shot at the spotlight. 

Jiaqi noticed Xueer was off when she picked her up from Bee Entertainment. Shrugging it off as exhaustion, Jiaqi was halfway up the bus steps when Xueer didn't follow her. 

"Jiaqi, let’s break up... I can’t do this anymore.” The words felt bitter in . Xueer struggled to even look at Jiaqi through her curtain bangs. 

“Xueer, please, let's talk about this at home.” Xueer’s heart lurched in her chest at the word home. She and Jiaqi had worked to create their world together. Quickly Xueer her heels and walked away. Jiaqi could only stare at Xueer’s back as she walked away with her heart. 

Through the bus windows, Jiaqi watched as Xueer climbed into a black car with a long blonde-haired woman. Seeing Xueer with someone else shattered something inside of Jiaqi. Letting out a pained sob, Jiaqi cried herself to sleep that night. 

/

Rosé felt her heartbreak for Xueer as she offered her another tissue. “It was for her own good, Xueer. It's company policy, and the company would have used your relationship to sabotage her career.” 

Xueer only responded with weak sobs that shook her small frame at every inhale. “It hurts so much, Rosé.”

“I know, and I’m sorry... The company plans for you and your labelmate Cai Xukun to date to create a buzz about your new debut and widen his fan base.”

“They what?!” Xueer couldn't help but lift her head in shock at the news. 

“I know you just broke up. I could only get you a week before the company releases the news.” Sloughing further into her seat, Xueer’s heart swelled with grief. 

/

“I’m telling you, people, Cai Xukun will make us filthy rich!” 

“What about his fake girlfriend? King Kong? Will she ruin sales?”

“Is she even that talented?” 

“... don’t care as long as she brings in money!” 

Xueer grimaced at overhearing the investor meeting. Cringing, she knocked on the door and let herself in.

“Come in!" Xueer was greeted with a room of men in dark suits, staring at her indifferently.

/ 

 
Meanwhile, Jisoo is trying her best to reason with a heartbroken Jiaqi. “The company needs you right now, Jiaqi. It’s financially unstable. They want to arrange a business marriage.”
 
Jiaqi just stared out the window as flurries of snow painted the city in a bed of white. “Xu Jiaqi! Are you listening to me?”
 
/ 
 
“It was a pleasure to me you. Kong Xueer, we’ll arrange a photo opportunity with Xukun soon.” Sending them a forced smile, Xueer finally left the meeting. Immediately, cringing once she was out of sight.

/ 

“Nice to meet you, Xueer. I’m Cai Xukuk.” The man had a cool black jacket, and his hair was parted on the side and dyed a nice shade of brown. Xueer couldn't help but compare him to Jiaqi; she didn't mean to, but her heart ached for the familiarity of her ex. 

Although Xukuk meant well, the spark that Xueer and Jiaqi had wasn’t there. 

“Nice to meet you as well, Xukuk,” Xueer said, sending Xukuk a sad smile. She could tell he didn’t want any part of this forced relationship more than she did. The two chatted while the board members and investors discussed the specifics of their fake relationship. Xueer couldn’t help but feel that the company could at least put more effort into faking some romance while they lied to her face.

/

Jiaqi couldn't help but sink further into her chair. 

"Jiaqi, we've picked 9 different marriage partners for you; just pick one of them!" The investors, board, and Jisoo had been trying to convince Jiaqi to pick one of the candidates to marry for the last 4 hours. Letting out a loud huff, Jisoo crouched next to Jiaqi. 

"Jiaqi. I know you still miss her, but if you can't pick someone soon, the company will pick for you and fast-track your arranged marriage." Clenching her jaw and letting her eyes sweep over the 9 photos on the table, Jiaqi recognized an old friend, Zhou Jieqiong. She had met her briefly when she competed with her dance time overseas in South Korea. 

"Fine. I pick Zhou Jieqiong." A collective sigh could be heard in the room, Jisoo gave Jiaqi a comforting side hug before returning to deal with the investors and the board. Jiaqi couldn't help but feel numb about the whole situation.