Chereads / Chasing Fame And Fortune / Chapter 43 - Suspicion

Chapter 43 - Suspicion

The news of Shen Tong's promotion to agent quickly spread throughout the company. However, most people were lamenting Chen Xiaoyong's misfortune. Originally a promising star, she had just debuted with the best agent to guide her.

Now, due to her spoiled nature, not only has she lost her top-tier agent, but they'd also been replaced by a new one who knew nothing.

Shen Tong's smooth rise to power also became known within the company. It can be said that everyone in the company is now watching the joke between Shen Tong and Chen Xiaoyong. One is a newcomer to the entertainment industry, and the other is a rookie artist; such a pairing is never seen favorably anywhere.

For Shen Tong, this is a tremendous opportunity. Yes, a chance to change her current situation. Being a agent means her status is different; her salary is closely tied to whether the artist becomes popular. As a money-lover, how could Shen Tong not be tempted?

Even if she dislikes Chen Xiaoyong, at this moment, the latter is a money tree in Shen Tong's eyes! Even if Chen Xiaoyong is unhappy, there's nothing she can say. After all, it's Mr. Xia's arrangement, and no one has the right to question it.

In the evening, Shen Tong and Fang Xiaoxi went to a restaurant to celebrate Shen Tong's successful promotion, marking a new beginning. A new beginning is also a new challenge.

Early the next morning, when Shen Tong arrived at the company, she overheard colleagues discussing her in the restroom.

"Hey, do you know Shen Tong from our company?" Colleague A said mysteriously.

"Of course, who doesn't know now! Is she involved with Mr. Xia?" Colleague B's voice was deliberately lowered but still audible.

"According to Mr. Xia's secretary, he values Shen Tong a lot. Yet she's only been with the company for a few months and has already become a agent..." Colleague A's tone was tinged with a hint of sourness.

"Alright, stop being envious and jealous. You're not nearly as good-looking as her, and you're not as daring, so just forget it!" Colleague B said.

"..."

The subsequent conversation grew increasingly sharp and malicious. Standing at the restroom door, Shen Tong's expression became slightly stiff. Yet, she smiled, unfazed.

It took considerable time for Chen Xiaoyong to accept Shen Tong as her agent. Not being trusted was expected. But Shen Tong also needed to make Chen Xiaoyong understand the shift in her position.

Others' resentment was normal, but even Liang Xiaoyuan couldn't accept this sudden change, which left Shen Tong feeling downhearted. At lunchtime, as Shen Tong left the company, she saw Liang Xiaoyuan's car parked in front of her.

"Get in," Liang Xiaoyuan said.

Shen Tong complied, unsure of what he wanted to discuss.

"Are you treating me to lunch today?" Shen Tong smiled, feeling a bit helpless at seeing Liang Xiaoyuan's serious face.

Liang Xiaoyuan looked at Shen Tong, who still wore her simple attire and low-key black-rimmed glasses. Her gaze remained unchanged. He exhaled slightly and said, "It's only been a few days, and you've already been promoted. Faster than I expected. Let's celebrate."

"Do you also think my promotion was opportunistic?" Shen Tong asked in return.

Liang Xiaoyuan's expression finally changed. "Shen Tong, I don't doubt your abilities. I just want to express that, if someone harbors ill intentions towards you, what then?"

"You mean Mr. Xia?" Shen Tong sneered. "You're just as shallow as everyone else! There's nothing between us. What kind of person do you think he is, needing to please someone as insignificant as me?"

"He doesn't need to please you, but what if he likes you?" Liang Xiaoyuan blurted out, unable to control his emotions at the thought.

"If he likes me, I'd be happy. Women don't mind having more admirers," Shen Tong calmly replied.

"But what if he just wants to toy with you?" 

Regretting his words immediately, Liang Xiaoyuan saw Shen Tong's hurt expression. "I don't know what image you have of me and Mr. Xia. Even if you favor Xie Sangyan, there's no need to insinuate about me! But don't worry, I won't mind. Stop the car, I want to get out."

"I've explained everything. There's nothing between Xie Sangyan and me. I was just concerned about you and spoke rashly." Liang Xiaoyuan said.

"You know how it feels to be wronged. Stop the car, I want to get out."

"Shen Tong, I was wrong, okay?" Liang Xiaoyuan looked at her pleadingly.

Seeing him like this, Shen Tong couldn't stay mad. She didn't know what to do.

They drove in silence.

Liang Xiaoyuan brought Shen Tong to the same British restaurant they had visited before. Faced with food, Shen Tong's earlier grievances melted away.

Liang Xiaoyuan watched her with gentle eyes, indulging her. He forgot to eat, instead focusing on her. Sensing his gaze, Shen Tong looked up, and he quickly looked down.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Shen Tong rolled her eyes, "It's too late to compensate now. I'm really angry. So, in your eyes, I'm just that kind of person."

"You know it's not like that. I was just speaking as an observer. If this makes you angry, how will you handle the rumors and doubts from others?"

"But those people don't matter to me. Let them say what they want. But you're different; you're my..." Shen Tong struggled for words.

"What?"

After a long pause, Shen Tong finally said, "Friend..."

Liang Xiaoyuan's expression darkened, "I just wanted to remind you to be careful. Don't go too far."

"I know my limits. Besides, Mr. Xia hasn't expressed any interest in me. I know there's no connection between us, and I never expected there to be."

"Shen Tong, you're always the best in my eyes. If you can't handle being a agent, I don't think anyone else can. If you need my help, just ask."

"Not using available resources is foolish. Director Liang, let's toast to our successful cooperation!" Shen Tong raised her glass of red wine to clink with Liang Xiaoyuan's.

Liang Xiaoyuan laughed, "That's more like you!"

"If I could, I wouldn't rely on you. But right now, I do need your help." Shen Tong knew her capabilities. With Liang Xiaoyuan's support, she would be even stronger.

"That's the spirit." Liang Xiaoyuan said.

"Of course! After all, I'm Shen Tong..." She joked with Liang Xiaoyuan light-heartedly.

For Shen Tong, it didn't matter how she achieved her goals, as long as it was ethical. She just needed to seize the opportunity to stand out.