Liang Xiaoyuan held Shen Tong's head tightly against his chest, and Shen Tong could clearly hear the rhythmic beating of his warm heart within that embrace.
"Director Liang, we want to ask what relationship you have with the girl in your arms?" One of the paparazzi, holding a camera, asked provocatively.
Although Shen Tong couldn't see, from Liang Xiaoyuan's actions and the paparazzi's words, she could guess that Liang Xiaoyuan was helping her avoid the paparazzi.
Liang Xiaoyuan continued to hold Shen Tong tightly, not wanting even a glimpse of her face to appear in the camera lens. "I have no relationship with her. I hope you will stop asking questions."
"Don't be so stingy! Good news should be shared with everyone!" The paparazzi were relentless, continuously changing angles to try and capture Shen Tong's face.
Leaning against Liang Xiaoyuan's chest, Shen Tong felt that as long as Liang Xiaoyuan was by her side, she wouldn't feel panicked no matter what happened. This must be what people call a sense of security!
"Stop taking photos, this is completely meaningless news!" Liang Xiaoyuan said as he struggled to lead Shen Tong toward the parking lot.
The paparazzi followed closely, unwilling to give up no matter how much Liang Xiaoyuan tried to reason with them. They were determined to capture Shen Tong's face.
Shen Tong was completely hidden in Liang Xiaoyuan's embrace and couldn't see anything. All she could do was follow Liang Xiaoyuan's pace to the parking lot, ensuring that the paparazzi wouldn't get a glimpse of her face, otherwise, Liang Xiaoyuan's efforts would be in vain.
"Miss, could you please turn around?" One of the paparazzi shifted tactics, trying to get Shen Tong to reveal herself.
Hearing the change in the paparazzi's approach, Shen Tong quickly buried her head deeper into Liang Xiaoyuan's chest. She couldn't let him down at this critical moment!
Liang Xiaoyuan never realized the parking lot could feel so far away. He didn't mind being in the newspapers himself, but he couldn't let Shen Tong face any trouble. She had just started as an assistant, and any issues could jeopardize her job.
"Miss, please introduce yourself! Surely no one wants to remain behind the scenes forever?" The paparazzi continued to press Shen Tong.
Liang Xiaoyuan grew impatient. "Can't you see she doesn't want to talk to you? Stop taking photos, there's nothing here for you!"
"Nothing for us? Just let us see this girl's face. If she's really not newsworthy, we'll leave." The paparazzi tried negotiating with Liang Xiaoyuan.
Liang Xiaoyuan ignored their negotiation. He had been in the industry long enough to know that if the paparazzi saw Shen Tong's face, they'd make a big deal out of it even if there was nothing to report.
"Director Liang, isn't your girlfriend Xie Sangyan? Why do you have another girl with you so soon? Or is the girl in your arms Xie Sangyan?" The paparazzi were increasingly curious about the girl Liang Xiaoyuan was so protective of.
Hearing Xie Sangyan's name made Shen Tong uncomfortable. The incident from before still left a lingering feeling in her heart.
"Stop speculating! Watch out, or I'll sue you for slander!" Liang Xiaoyuan seemed genuinely angry; his heart rate and tone had both escalated.
The paparazzi ignored his warnings, even more determined to see the girl's face.
"Miss, don't you feel wronged that your boyfriend doesn't want the world to know who you are? Just turn around, and we'll get justice for you!" The paparazzi's patience wore thin as they reached out to turn Shen Tong around.
Afraid of being seen, Shen Tong struggled, pushing her head further into Liang Xiaoyuan's chest.
Seeing Shen Tong's struggle pained Liang Xiaoyuan. He only wanted to apologize by taking her out to dinner, and now this. Finally losing his temper, he held Shen Tong with one arm and shoved a paparazzo away with the other. "Get your dirty hands off her!"
Shen Tong was startled by Liang Xiaoyuan's outburst; she'd never heard him raise his voice before.
"Director Liang, what are you saying?" The paparazzi were furious. "Do you realize you're insulting us?"
"Insulting you? You're invading my privacy!" Liang Xiaoyuan roared.
Sensing an opportunity, the paparazzi pushed further: "Director Liang, you just admitted this is your private life! Is this girl your girlfriend? If she's not Xie Sangyan, then who is she?"
The paparazzi were indeed hard to deal with, no wonder celebrities always reacted so negatively to them. Shen Tong now understood why stars would attack and curse at them.
"No comment!" Liang Xiaoyuan didn't want to engage with the paparazzi anymore.
The paparazzi switched and focused on Shen Tong again: "Miss, don't you find it pathetic that your boyfriend won't acknowledge you? Why stay with him? Turn around, and we'll help you!"
Shen Tong clung tightly to Liang Xiaoyuan's jacket, hiding her face in his chest. This wasn't working; the parking lot was still some distance away.
At this moment, Liang Xiaoyuan punched one of the paparazzi in the face. "She doesn't need your help! Get lost!"
"Director Liang, you'll regret this! I'll make sure you do!" The punched paparazzo shouted furiously.
Ignoring him, Liang Xiaoyuan leaned down and whispered to Shen Tong, "When I count to three, cover your face tightly."
The warmth and assurance in Liang Xiaoyuan's voice made Shen Tong nod.
"One, two, three!"
As soon as Liang Xiaoyuan said "three," Shen Tong covered her face with her arms, and Liang Xiaoyuan scooped her up in a princess carry, running toward the parking lot.
The jostling made Shen Tong instinctively wrap her arms around Liang Xiaoyuan's neck, burying her head in his chest.
The sounds of the paparazzi chasing, the noise of the street, and Liang Xiaoyuan's heartbeat... it all felt surreal, like a dream, but it was happening.
Finally, Liang Xiaoyuan reached the parking lot with Shen Tong in his arms.