Chapter One: The Arrival of Opportunity
"Hurry up, go now."
"No, I won't leave, I must stay by your side."
Tears streaked down the girl's face as she clung tightly to the boy's hand. The ceaseless ticking of the timer, however, remained bone-chillingly indifferent.
"Twenty, nineteen."
As the countdown went on, the boy tenderly touched the girl's tear-streaked face, his eyes filled with a potent mixture of reluctance and affection.
"I love you, from the moment I first saw you. You must— you must stay alive, okay?"
Before the girl could react, she was abruptly pushed away.
"Thud."
The sound of her heavy fall.
"Boom."
The sound of a detonating bomb.
Su Xiluo abruptly awoke, her surroundings swallowed by darkness and silence. Reaching out, she switched on the desk lamp. The wall clock indicated it was four in the morning.
The same dream.
And, again, the same time.
Su Xi Luo felt a wave of frustration, picking up a cigarette from her bedside table, skillfully lighting it up and took a deep puff.
"If I think once again, if I love once again, would the outcome be any different."
Her phone suddenly rang. Su Xi Luo picked it up and slid the screen to attend the call.
"Listen, Song Bao Er, it's only four o'clock in the morning, do you understand four o'clock? Don't you sleep? Don't you need to sleep? Why the hell are you calling me so early?"
"Su Xi Luo, I'm giving you one minute to open the door for me."
The call ended abruptly, leaving Su Xi Luo with no choice but to extinguish her cigarette and get up. As soon as she opened her door, Song Bao Er gave her a bear hug.
"Xi Luo, Xi Luo, the opportunity has come! It is here!"
"What opportunity?" Su Xi Luo asked, clearly lacking enthusiasm. "Get inside and talk. Don't stand outside, it would be troublesome if someone takes a picture."
Once inside, Song Bao Er still appeared excited, "Xi Luo, you know? 'You Came Just Right' is being adapted! It's a big IP, the rights have been acquired by Xingshang Film and Television. Even before this announcement, it had already trended quite a few times. After the confirmation, Weibo almost crashed! Do you know what it means to be the leading lady...no, to have a role in this play?"
'You Came Just Right' was a novel that swept the entire Internet since it first began its serialization, creating a myth at NO.1.
Xingshang Film and Television is considered the industry leader in the entertainment circle, with top-notch scriptwriters, directors, producers, and crew. Any project helmed by Xingshang Film and Television is guaranteed to be a hit.
"What does it represent?"
"It represents fame," Song Bao Er grabbed Su Xi Luo's hand, so tightly that it actually hurt. "Xi Luo, we must try our best. You must get the leading role. It has been publicly announced that the lead actress will be decided by votes. If you get the most votes, you can secure the role."
"Bao Er, I don't want to act. I'm not short of resources. I'm not short of reputation."
"But you are missing an award for Best Actress. Such a big IP, such a story, such a team, coupled with your acting skills, your career is destined to reach another level. It’s an opportunity for us to secure our footing in this circle. I've already brought your invitation, informed the makeup team, and also sent the notice. Therefore, no matter what, you must attend today's selection party. The voting has begun since midnight, and it will stop only ten minutes before the announcement at the party. We have a chance."