Shu Ning was ecstatic that her boyfriend, BF, had been selected for auditions. Her parents had been after her to drop this boy from her life but she loved him so deeply that it was impossible to leave him. He was just according to her tastes - different from the societal norms. Now she had to boast about him to her parents so that they also accepted him. She was sure that once she would tell them about her boyfriend, they would yield to her and let her marry him in the future. 

When he had called the Music Company, they asked him to meet their officials on the same day. They had to meet the officials at 3PM. It was only 11AM when they received the message. Since they had a lot of time, they decided to skip cla.s.ses and go to the auditorium and practice more music. The entire band of five boys and Shu Ning went to the auditorium and practiced hard until their vocal chords were hoa.r.s.e and their hands and fingers were paining. The hard part was that they didn't know that all those who were already present in the auditorium for some or the other work, ran away from there as soon as they heard them singing. It was practically cacophony. Shu Ning's boyfriend was only doing one thing - he was throwing his hair around his face and singing as though he was creating a constipation song! 

"Ghhhhhaaaaaah

Bhwwwweeghhhhhaah

Nnnegggggaahhhh"

That's it. There were no lyrics. 

They winded up the music equipment and left to meet the officials of the company an hour before the meeting was scheduled. When the six of them reached and introduced themselves, the officials warmly greeted them. The group was very happy with the welcome they received. They were served with tea, coffee and snacks and felt that the music company was top-cla.s.s. The office of the company was lavishly decorated from inside. All the employees were extremely stylish and they spoke in fluent English. The group of six teens was highly impressed. They were asked to be seated for a while until the concerned officials were free to meet them. 

Even though the meeting was scheduled at 3PM, they had to keep waiting for an hour. Shu Ning got a little jittery and decided to go and show her tantrum even though her boyfriend, BF, stopped her. She went to the secretary and demanded in a rude voice, "h.e.l.lo Miss! We have been sitting here from an hour and your officials don't have the curtsy to meet us. What do think we are? You have called us to audition and it is your responsibility to treat us nicely." 

The secretary, who was a young girl, narrowed her eyes at her and said, "Consider yourself lucky that we even called you. There is usually a wait period of a year before we contact the wannabe stars. So go and wait until you are called for the meeting or you can choose to leave!"

Shu Ning was shocked at the way the secretary spoke to her. She wanted to say something more but BF came from behind and dragged her away. "Are you mad? Do you want to ruin my only chance? Sit here quietly!" he scolded her in his hoa.r.s.e voice. Shu Ning pouted and sat on the sofa with her hands crossed across her chest. It was another hour of wait before they were called in. 

The manager who was a.s.signed to talk to the group received them warmly and apologized for making them wait for so long. He called them to his office and made them sit comfortably. All of them were too enthusiastic about the meeting. 

The manager started talking. "I have heard good reviews about your band from a common friend. Our company is always looking for talented people like you and so we decided to call you."

"Thank you Sir," replied BF. "I am eager to be a part of your company and music brand." 

The manager smiled kindly and said, "Do you have a CD of your music? We would like to hear it." 

"Yes, of course!" he replied and looked at his band member who immediately took one out of his bag and handed over to the manager. 

"Thank you," replied the manager and kept the CD in front of him. "But there is an important thing that I have to tell you before we start with anything."

All of them became alert and straightened their backs to listen to the manager. 

"Since you people are new and we have called you because someone recommended you, we won't be able to spend all the money from our side. We can partially fund you with twenty-five percent amount. However, the rest of the amount you have to procure," said the manager firmly with a kind smile. 

The faces of the group in front of him fell to the ground. 

"B- but Sir, where will we get the money from?" asked BF. 

"Well, the issue is that you people don't have any track record and very new, so our company can take as much risk. We will let you use our brand's name and also fund you partially, but the rest you have to contribute," replied the manager. 

BF didn't know what to do. He felt as though his efforts were completely futile. Shu Ning held his hand and said, "Okay Sir, how much do we have to contribute?" 

"About a hundred thousand Yuan."

"Hundred thousand!" exclaimed the group together. 

The manager nodded and shrugged. "And we need that money by tomorrow." 

"What?" they were dumbfounded. Where will get that kind of money in a day!

After a pause it was Shu Ning who said, "Okay, we will try…"

All of them left soon afterwards with a bitter feeling. BF looked very depressed and said, "How could this happen to me? Now who will help me?" He looked at Shu Ning with a sad face. 

Shu Ning just patted his back and said, "Let us see darling…"

Shu Ning waited for night to fall. She had to help her boyfriend at any cost and she knew how to do that. This was the only chance her parents would accept him in their family. After all he was soon going to become a star.