"Into Your Heart: The Sweet Journey from Uncle to Husband"

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows on her delicate cheek. She tilted her head slightly, the large hood of her puffy coat obscuring much of her face. Her eyes, typically lively and bright, were now half-closed in peaceful slumber. Sophie had always known that Ethan was a handsome man. With her oval face and porcelain skin, smooth as fresh cream, Sophie’s eyes were as captivating as they were clear—like a serene pool of water. Her lips, naturally pink, were striking without any embellishment. At just over twenty, she was in the tender, youthful age of blossoming beauty. As she looked at Sophie now, her breath slow and steady, it was clear she was deeply asleep, completely unaware of anyone’s presence. Ethan extended his hand to wake her gently. But as soon as his hand touched the fabric of her coat, Sophie’s eyes fluttered open, startled from her deep sleep. “Big Sis, you’re here?” she asked in a voice tinged with sleepiness. “Mm.” Ethan took a seat in the chair across from her. Sophie stretched and instinctively tightened the coat around herself, feeling the sudden chill in the air. Seeing this, Ethan sighed and said, “How many times have I told you not to sleep outside? You feel the cold now, don’t you?” Sophie smiled brightly at him, then zipped up her coat for warmth. Ethan sat up straighter and leaned in a little closer, his voice soft but firm as he asked, “Do you know about Palace Concubine?” “Palace Concubine?” Sophie raised her eyes in surprise. How could she not know? Palace Concubine was the script everyone in the industry was desperate to secure. And the mastermind behind the script was none other than Ethan, the golden director of the entertainment world. He was only twenty-seven, but his career had soared after studying abroad for four years. Last year, with The Fortress, he shot to stardom, and in just one year, he had firmly established himself in the industry. With the upcoming The Seductress set to release, his career was expected to reach even greater heights. This golden director, who everyone in the industry was eager to please, was also her half-uncle. And more than that, he was her fiancé. She had known about their engagement since she was seventeen. It was a fact she stumbled upon one day when she overheard her father, Bo Li, and her cousin, Bo Chang, discussing it in the study. Her heart had skipped a beat, and a strange, complex emotion flooded her. Their marriage was arranged by their ancestors—a traditional engagement, what some might call a childhood betrothal. In the twenty-first century, who would believe such a thing? And yet, it had happened to her. As for calling Ethan “Little Uncle,” that habit came from her cousin, Bo Siqi. Ethan was Bo Siqi’s cousin, and since they grew up together, Bo Siqi called him “Little Uncle.” Sophie, always playful, had followed suit and did the same. Though they weren’t related by blood, she had called him “Little Uncle” for years. After learning the truth about their engagement, Sophie avoided meeting Ethan for a long time. Not long after, she heard from Bo Siqi that Ethan was going abroad. Four years passed, and during that time, they had little contact. That year, Bo Li casually mentioned the marriage—no discussion, just an announcement. Sophie had never been given a choice. Now, years had passed, and she had graduated from college. Ethan returned to the country in July, but with his busy schedule for The Seductress, they hadn’t met even once. “Yeah, why?” Sophie asked, attempting to keep her composure. Ethan suddenly smiled and opened his bag, pulling out a folder and handing it to her. “What’s this?” she asked, puzzled. “It’s the Palace Concubine script.” Sophie’s hand trembled slightly as the script brushed against her fingers, falling gently to the floor. “Ah?” Ethan quickly picked it up and handed it back to her with a teasing smile. “Why the shock? So excited you can’t even hold it properly?” Sophie swallowed nervously and, with shaking hands, flipped open the script. The title Palace Concubine was clearly printed on the cover, and in the lower right corner, she saw the name of the director: Ethan. “Big Sis, didn’t you say it was hard to get this opportunity? How did you...?” “Don’t worry about how I got it. The opportunity is here now. Take a look at the script and think it over,” Ethan said, his tone matter-of-fact. “Think it over... for what?” Sophie asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. Ethan’s smile deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement. “For the audition.” “The audition?” Sophie asked, blinking in disbelief. “Yes, Palace Concubine is Ethan’s final big project for this year. The film hasn’t even started shooting, yet it’s already creating a buzz. Many big stars are fighting for it...” “Big Sis, like you said, many big stars are fighting for it. The competition will be fierce. I’m just a rising star. If they’re choosing from A-list actresses, why would they pick me?” Sophie shook her head. Ethan’s eyes flashed with determination, his voice low and confident. “Who cares if they choose you or not? Even if you don’t get the lead, just being in Ethan’s film is more valuable than being the lead in another film. It’s worth a thousand times more.” Sophie believed his words completely. After all, Palace Concubine was directed by Ethan, and his name alone was synonymous with box-office success. “But...” Sophie hesitated, still uncertain. “No buts. You have to go to the audition,” Ethan said firmly. Sophie bit her lip, nodding slowly. “I understand.” “Good. This is your chance. If you become an Ethan girl, it’ll be your turning point. Fame and success are within reach,” Ethan said with a radiant smile, as if he could already picture her standing at the peak of her career. Sophie gazed at him, absently rubbing the corner of the script where Ethan’s name was printed, not noticing that the corner had begun to crease from her touch. Ethan reached over and gently patted her slender shoulder. “Get ready. We have a shoot in a bit, and we’re going to the audition this weekend.” “Mm.” After the shoot, Sophie took a few days off to rest. As per Ethan’s advice, she had been carefully studying the Palace Concubine script. She read it attentively. Palace Concubine centered on friendship, love, and power struggles. The fight for power set the tone for the story’s tragic undertones. For some reason, as Sophie pondered the script, she felt as if she were stepping into the story itself. The protagonist, Yu Xi, was a humble palace maid, and in the vast, lonely palace, her only companion was Ming Zhu, another maid she met when she first entered the palace. They had hoped to remain by each other’s side forever. But after spending too long in the darkness, they began to crave hope, and hope stood atop desire. To desire hope, one must satisfy that desire, and once desire is born, everything becomes inevitable. The conflict between friendship and power began to unfold. Sophie paused for a long time, pulling herself out of the story, but she still felt a hollow emptiness in her heart. The role of Yu Xi was undoubtedly a challenge. But Sophie also believed that no matter who played the lead in Palace Concubine, as long as their acting was strong, and with Ethan’s influence, they would surely rise to stardom. If it weren’t for Ethan being the director, she would have given everything to try for the role. But since he was the director, she found herself hesitating. They hadn’t seen each other in nearly four years, and she didn’t know if he was still the same person she remembered. And seeing him again would remind her of that incident. She couldn’t deny it—she was a little afraid. Saturday night at 7 PM, they arrived at the audition. The waiting room was filled with actors, many of whom were her seniors with higher statuses than hers. Among them, Sophie saw Liu Xin, the actress who won Best Actress last year for The Fortress, directed by Ethan. Liu Xin’s career had skyrocketed, quickly earning her a place among the A-listers. She was now one of the brightest stars in the industry. Liu Xin had been discovered by Ethan, and rumors about their relationship had been circulating. However, neither of them had ever confirmed anything, leaving their relationship a mystery to the public. During the draw, Sophie picked the number ten. The audition stage was small, with several judges seated in front. Sophie’s gaze was fixed on the center seat of the panel. That person hadn’t arrived yet. Sophie’s heart raced, her palms sweating. She fidgeted nervously in her seat. “Big Sis, I feel a little uncomfortable,” she confessed to Ethan. Ethan, knowing Sophie’s nervous habits, suggested, “Why don’t you step outside and get some fresh air? It’ll help calm you down.” Sophie nodded, then got up and left the room. As she stepped into the hallway, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, and Sophie felt much clearer, her mind less clouded. She stood by the window, looking down at the city below. The lights of the city shone brightly, the neon lights flashing and the traffic flowing steadily. Xin Chuan’s night view was renowned for its beauty. Sophie stood there for a few minutes, feeling her nerves settle. She decided to return. As she walked back down the hallway, she saw a tall figure ahead. The person’s back was to her, and he was holding a phone, listening intently to someone on the other end. He didn’t speak, only listened. He exuded an aura of authority, unmistakably a man of great importance. He was tall, with a lean and powerful build, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that was impeccably tailored. His long legs were encased in the suit pants, which fit him perfectly. Sophie’s gaze lingered on him for just a moment before she quickly averted her eyes and continued walking. Ethan hung up the phone and turned around. His sharp features, cold yet piercing eyes, high nose, and tightly pressed lips gave him an air of unapproachable elegance. And just then, his gaze fell upon a familiar figure ahead. For a brief moment, he felt as though he had seen her before. “Director Ethan?” Someone called from a distance, snapping him from his thoughts. “Director, ready?” Xu Cong asked. “Mm,” Ethan replied, his voice deep and steady. “Let’s go in then. The audition is about to begin.” Without another word, Ethan turned and walked toward the other door to the audition hall.