Three weeks passed after filming wrapped for Jin Taoran's scenes in Ashes of the Fallen Dynasty.
Life returned to a strange rhythm.
Morning training at Aurora.
Afternoon acting classes.
Evenings spent reviewing scripts and practicing in front of the mirror.
For Jin Taoran, every day felt purposeful now.
No more waiting endlessly for random extra roles.
No more standing silently in the background of someone else's story.
He was preparing for his own.
Yet despite the steady progress, something unusual happened during those three weeks.
Nothing happened.
No dramatic changes.
No sudden fame.
No messages from producers.
To an outsider, it looked as if his performance had disappeared quietly into the endless production process of television.
But Jin Taoran wasn't disappointed.
Because he understood how the industry worked.
Filming came first.
Editing came later.
Then promotions.
A drama could take months before it reached the audience.
Patience was part of the profession.
Still…
Something else was happening behind the scenes.
---
Inside Aurora Entertainment's conference room, several managers were gathered around a large screen.
The video showed the battlefield scene again.
Liang Wei's final moment.
The same footage Lu Cheng had already watched multiple times.
But this time, more people were observing it.
The head of Aurora's talent department leaned back in his chair.
"This actor really is new?"
The assistant nodded.
"Yes."
"He signed with Aurora less than a month ago."
Another manager crossed her arms.
"And President Lu personally approved the contract."
The room grew quiet.
Because that detail was significant.
Lu Cheng rarely involved himself directly in signing new talent.
But when he did…
It usually meant something.
The department head looked at the screen again.
Jin Taoran's performance played across the monitor.
The quiet collapse.
The final smile.
The assistant spoke carefully.
"The director believes the scene will become one of the drama's highlights."
The manager raised an eyebrow.
"A five-minute character?"
The assistant nodded.
"That's what he said."
Another manager sighed.
"Well… we won't know until the drama airs."
He paused slightly.
"But if the audience reacts well…"
The department head finished the sentence.
"We push him immediately."
Aurora Entertainment had built its reputation on identifying talent early.
If Jin Taoran showed potential—
They would not waste the opportunity.
---
Meanwhile, Jin Taoran had no idea about the conversation happening inside Aurora.
He was standing inside a dance studio.
Sweat ran down his forehead as he repeated the same body movement exercise for the fifth time.
The acting instructor watched from the side.
"Again."
Jin Taoran nodded and repeated the movement.
A slow turn.
A step forward.
A controlled fall.
The exercise focused on physical balance and control.
Essential skills for actors performing action scenes.
After another repetition, the instructor finally clapped once.
"Enough."
Jin Taoran straightened and wiped his forehead.
The instructor approached him.
"Your emotional control is good."
He paused.
"But your physical expression still needs work."
Jin Taoran nodded respectfully.
"I understand."
Acting wasn't only about facial expressions.
The body also told a story.
Every gesture mattered.
The instructor crossed his arms.
"Luckily, that can be trained."
Then he smiled slightly.
"You're progressing quickly."
Jin Taoran laughed softly.
"I'm trying."
The instructor suddenly asked something curious.
"What made you want to become an actor?"
Jin Taoran thought about the question.
Many people entered the industry for fame.
For money.
For attention.
But his reason was simpler.
"I like stories."
The instructor raised an eyebrow.
"Stories?"
Jin Taoran nodded.
"Actors bring stories to life."
He smiled faintly.
"I wanted to be part of that."
The instructor studied him quietly for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"That's a better reason than most."
---
Later that afternoon, Jin Taoran returned to the training floor where Aurora's actors often gathered between classes.
A few familiar faces greeted him casually.
Zhang Rui—the actor he met on set earlier—was sitting at a table reviewing a script.
"You're still alive," Zhang Rui joked.
Jin Taoran chuckled.
"Just barely."
Zhang Rui leaned back in his chair.
"I watched your scene playback last week."
Jin Taoran blinked.
"You did?"
Zhang Rui nodded.
"Director Chen showed it to a few people."
He paused slightly.
"You're good."
Jin Taoran shrugged.
"I had a good teacher."
Zhang Rui laughed.
"You mean Lu Cheng?"
Jin Taoran smiled but didn't answer.
Everyone in Aurora knew that Lu Cheng rarely mentored younger actors personally.
But rumors had already begun spreading.
That the legendary actor was paying unusual attention to Jin Taoran.
Zhang Rui leaned forward.
"You know what that means, right?"
Jin Taoran tilted his head.
"What?"
"If your first drama succeeds…"
Zhang Rui tapped the table once.
"You'll rise fast."
Jin Taoran didn't respond immediately.
Because he knew something important.
The entertainment industry could elevate someone quickly.
But it could also destroy someone just as fast.
Fame without stability was dangerous.
Before he could reply, his phone buzzed.
A message from Lu Cheng.
Come to the top floor.
Jin Taoran sighed quietly.
Zhang Rui grinned.
"Speak of the devil."
---
The top floor of Aurora Entertainment was much quieter than the lower training levels.
This area contained executive offices.
Meeting rooms.
And Lu Cheng's private studio.
Jin Taoran knocked once before entering.
Lu Cheng was standing by the window, reviewing a script.
Without looking up, he said,
"You improved your movement training."
Jin Taoran blinked.
"You were watching?"
Lu Cheng finally glanced at him.
"There are cameras."
Jin Taoran laughed softly.
"I should have guessed."
Lu Cheng placed the script on the desk.
"I have something for you."
He slid the folder across the table.
Jin Taoran opened it.
Inside was a script for a new project.
Title:
City of Silent Truths
Jin Taoran looked up.
"This is…?"
"A crime drama."
Lu Cheng folded his arms.
"The director requested auditions next month."
Jin Taoran flipped through the pages quickly.
The role was larger this time.
A supporting character named Lin Qiao.
A young forensic investigator involved in solving a series of mysterious murders.
More screen time.
More dialogue.
More complexity.
Jin Taoran looked at Lu Cheng.
"You want me to audition?"
Lu Cheng nodded once.
"You need your second role."
Because in the entertainment industry…
Momentum mattered.
One good performance might be luck.
Two good performances began forming a reputation.
Jin Taoran closed the script slowly.
His eyes showed quiet determination.
"I'll prepare."
Lu Cheng watched him carefully.
Then he said something that surprised Jin Taoran.
"The drama you filmed will start airing next week."
Jin Taoran blinked.
"So soon?"
Lu Cheng nodded.
"The network moved up the schedule."
He paused slightly.
"Your scene appears in episode three."
Jin Taoran felt his heartbeat quicken.
Next week.
In just seven days…
The audience would finally see Liang Wei.
And for the first time—
Millions of viewers would see his acting.
Lu Cheng picked up the script again.
"Prepare for two things."
Jin Taoran waited.
Lu Cheng's voice remained calm.
"The possibility that nothing happens."
He turned a page.
"And the possibility that everything changes."
Jin Taoran smiled faintly.
Because both possibilities existed in the entertainment world.
Some performances vanished quietly.
Others exploded overnight.
Either way—
He would keep moving forward.
Because this was only the beginning of his story.