Shen Tong was not one to give up due to a minor setback. Su Xiao's cold attitude only strengthened her determination to complete the task. However, this time, Shen Tong employed a strategy of reasoning rather than persistence.
"There must be a reason! No one refuses something beneficial without a cause." Shen Tong was obsessed, constantly thinking about how to solve Su Xiao's problem.
Liang Xiaoyuan observed Shen Tong's seriousness and asked, "Do you really want to help Chen Xiaoyong get a role that badly?"
"This has nothing to do with her! First I want to stay at the company, and second, I want to prove my capability!" Shen Tong replied with a determined expression.
"Then tell me, what is the reason?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked, puzzled.
"I don't know! If I did, would I still be racking my brain over this?" Shen Tong retorted.
Liang Xiaoyuan laughed, "I thought you'd have come to some sort of conclusion after watching Su Xiao for so long!"
Shen Tong glared at Liang Xiaoyuan, "You and Xia Zixuan are on the same boat, clueless. As the general manager and director, you guys must have more information than I do right?"
"Ahem!" Liang Xiaoyuan cleared his throat, avoiding the awkward topic. Shen Tong was too clever; Liang Xiaoyuan often found himself at a loss in front of her.
"Su Xiao came to Fengxing Entertainment to audition as an artist himself, so he must have an aspiring attitude towards being an artist," Shen Tong speculated.
"Aspiring?" Liang Xiaoyuan was skeptical, "I've never seen someone pursue something they aspire for with such an attitude."
Shen Tong shot him a look, signaling him to be quiet, "Listen to me!"
Liang Xiaoyuan nodded, "Okay, go on, go on!"
"Think about it. When would you firmly refuse something beneficial?" Shen Tong asked Liang Xiaoyuan.
"When there's something else with a higher return, or when the benefits of the matter would harm another interest of mine," Liang Xiaoyuan answered without hesitation.
Shen Tong analyzed like a detective solving a case, "So... could someone have paid Su Xiao to do this to oppose us and Linda Murong ?"
After hearing this theory, Liang Xiaoyuan said speechlessly, "How could someone know Linda Murong would choose Su Xiao? Did Linda Murong conspire with someone to humiliate herself?"
"So, that guess doesn't hold up!" Shen Tong quickly covered herself, "Do you think Su Xiao and Linda Murong could have a deep-seated grudge, and he's taking this opportunity to get revenge?"
Liang Xiaoyuan was again speechless, "Your way of seeking revenge on someone you have a deep grudge with is to ignore them? Anyone with half a brain would approach her and then strike!"
"Right, both of these guesses are just melodramatic TV plots, impossible in reality! So, your first guess... that there's something more profitable isn't valid." Shen Tong used the process of elimination.
"So, the second theory is more likely—taking this role would harm another of Su Xiao's interests," Liang Xiaoyuan deduced with her.
Shen Tong cleared her throat, "I think Su Xiao's initial intentions weren't to make money. Otherwise, how could he let go of such a great opportunity?"
"That's possible!" Liang Xiaoyuan's eyes lit up, starting to listen closely to Shen Tong's analysis.
Shen Tong, seeing Liang Xiaoyuan's approval, was delighted, "Coming to Fengxing Entertainment to audition wasn't for the money but a dream. Su Xiao doesn't seek the same glamour other artists do, so what he pursues might be music."
"I remember now! During Su Xiao's audition, he wanted to sing an original song, but to save time, Xia Zixuan didn't let him finish and directly hired him," Liang Xiaoyuan recalled the audition scene.
Shen Tong nodded, "Right! I remember he brought a guitar to the audition!"
Liang Xiaoyuan got excited, "We finally found the reason. This doesn't seem as mysterious as it initially did."
"I'll go talk to Su Xiao right now!"
Shen Tong happily rushed to find Su Xiao. Su Xiao, having nothing to do, reported to the company daily and spent his time in the training room listening to and singing songs. Su Xiao completely ignored Shen Tong, focusing on his own tasks.
"Su Xiao, I need to discuss something with you." The deadlock couldn't continue, so Shen Tong took the initiative.
Su Xiao treated Shen Tong like she didn't exist, completely dismissing her conditions.
"I know you came to Fengxing Entertainment to chase your dream!" Shen Tong started sharing her guesses with Su Xiao, "I always see you carrying a guitar, so I know you love music; I see you always in leather, so I know your genre is probably is rock; and from your unwavering refusal of what most trainees long for, I can see you're a person with a dream."
Shen Tong didn't care if Su Xiao was listening and poured out all her thoughts. Though Su Xiao showed no reaction, it didn't dampen her enthusiasm.
Seeing Su Xiao's actions gradually halt, Shen Tong knew her words were working.
"You pursue your dream, and I pursue my job. We can achieve both, so let's cooperate." Shen Tong's eyes sparkled.
Su Xiao looked at Shen Tong with disdain, "Don't act like you know everything."
"But the look on your face tells me I'm right!" Shen Tong confidently asserted.
"So? Can you help me release an album? A win-win situation? At most you won't lose your job, but it won't benefit me at all." Su Xiao continued his tasks without looking at Shen Tong.
Although angry, Shen Tong knew he was right. As a mere assistant, she had no way to help Su Xiao, but she couldn't waste this opportunity, it wasn't easy to make Su Xiao waver.
"Su Xiao, remember Xia Zixuan sent me to negotiate with you. If I tell him, he'll agree. If you take on this role, I promise you'll get to release an album," Shen Tong hastily offered.
"My dream isn't just to release an album but to create one on my terms. If it's just for money and hype, I'd rather not," Su Xiao suddenly became serious.
"True, Xia Zixuan didn't agree before because you couldn't bring him any benefits. But if you become the lead, you'll gain fame. When you're famous, you can make your own decisions," Shen Tong quickly added.
Su Xiao nodded, "You have a point. But can you ensure I can release the album according to my terms."
"Absolutely! Leave it to me! I'll take care of this matter! Just agree to be the mal lead, and I'll talk to the general manager," Shen Tong assured, believing Xia Zixuan wouldn't be too difficult.
She hurried to call Xia Zixuan, fearing Su Xiao might change his mind.
At this moment, it felt like a dream. Shen Tong couldn't believe she had completed the task. But she overlooked the fact she promised something to Su Xiao without confirming it with Xia Zixuan, assuming Su Xiao would indeed become famous and everything would go smoothly. And with that mindset she forgot to tell Xia Zixuan at all.
Xia Zixuan was surprised Shen Tong had convinced Su Xiao but had no intention of making things difficult for her. Thus, Chen Xiaoyong naturally got a supporting role.