The driver quickly took Shen Tong to the company's entrance. Shen Tong, slightly out of breath, arrived at the door of the general manager's office.
Secretary Lan saw Shen Tong and pointed to the door, saying, "The general manager is inside. You can go in directly."
"Shouldn't you inform him first?" Shen Tong was a bit surprised. Every time she came to the general manager's office, she had to make an appointment unless the general manager had specifically asked to see her.
"No need. Just go in." Lan Jie looked at Shen Tong warmly.
Shen Tong smiled and said, "Since Sister Lan says so, I'll go in."
"Yes."
Shen Tong still felt a bit uneasy. Standing at the office door, she tidied her clothes a little before she started knocking.
"Come in."
A slightly magnetic voice came from the office. Shen Tong's heart beat faster, understanding why the company's staff feared the general manager. He wasn't physically intimidating, but his presence commanded respect and deterred approach.
Seeing that it was Shen Tong, Xia Zixuan wasn't surprised. He just looked at her with slightly softer eyes and said, "Come over."
Shen Tong slowly approached his desk. All the lines she had rehearsed vanished instantly. Xia Zixuan seemed like a cunning old fox, knowing everything but saying nothing, always waiting for others to speak.
Realizing she was standing too close, Shen Tong stepped back slightly. At that moment, Xia Zixuan reached out and adjusted her glasses.
Shen Tong froze, unable to move. The gesture was too intimate, making her uncomfortable. She instinctively stepped back further, "Mr. Xia."
"You look better without glasses," Xia Zixuan said.
Shen Tong felt even more awkward, not knowing what to say. She stood there, speechless.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore," Xia Zixuan's expression shifted, "Look at you, so scared. Weren't you quite bold before? Speak up, what brings you here?"
"Mr. Xia, you really scared me. I'm here about Su Xiao," Shen Tong began to explain, detailing the promises she had made to Su Xiao.
Xia Zixuan listened calmly, "These were your personal promises and don't represent the company."
"I understand, but I made those promises to get him to agree to the role," Shen Tong said, looking anxious.
"I understand that too. If he wants an album, there's only one way," Xia Zixuan said slowly.
"What way?" Shen Tong asked eagerly.
"He needs to have the talent and potential that the company sees as worth investing in. You know, in Fengxing Entertainment, strength is what matters."
Shen Tong's face burned at these words. She knew her entry into the company was often seen as backdoor favoritism. But she secretly vowed to succeed on her own merits someday.
"I understand. You mean he needs to prove his value, become popular, before he can release an album," Shen Tong nodded.
"You're not wrong in understanding it that way. It's exactly that."
"Then Mr. Xia, please hold onto your words. I want to try to help him prove his value. I don't want to break my promises or bring any negative impact on Fengxing Entertainment," Shen Tong said.
"If you can do that, I have an arrangement for you," Xia Zixuan said mysteriously.
"What arrangement?" Shen Tong asked.
"Su Xiao doesn't even have a proper assistant at the moment. So you'll be his agent. As for an assistant it'll have to wait until this drama becomes popular." Xia Zixuan said.
According to Xia Zixuan, unpromoted artists typically didn't have assistants. Chen Xiaoyong had an assistant and manager from the start, indicating her connections weren't simple. The entertainment industry rarely involved equal exchanges, especially with significant benefits at stake.
"Mr. Xia, your words make me feel undeserving. I haven't even managed Chen Xiaoyong well, let alone Su Xiao," Shen Tong, though naive, sensed the special regard Xia Zixuan had for her. It was just regard, nothing more.
Xia Zixuan simply asked, "Do you not believe in your abilities?"
"It's not that, it's just..." Shen Tong hesitated.
Xia Zixuan cut her off, "No 'buts.' If you're not Su Xiao's manager, how will you fulfill his demands? Or do you have other reasons for being here?"
"Then I'll take it," Shen Tong decided to go for it. It was an opportunity to grow and develop, something she couldn't refuse. Besides, there were no other conditions attached.
Xia Zixuan gave an approving look. Shen Tong left the office feeling both dazed and chaotic inside. The driver was already waiting downstairs and quickly took her back to the filming location.
By this time, Chen Xiaoyong was already on set, dressed in a fashionable outfit for her role as an innocent urban girl. Su Xiao was also present, playing a rebellious youth. The drama spanned from school to urban life, with rich content.
An hour later, the scene ended. Shen Tong first approached Chen Xiaoyong, handing her water and a towel, which she accepted without hesitation.
Next, Shen Tong offered the same to Su Xiao, but he didn't even glance at her. Shen Tong insisted, "Su Xiao, water."
"No, thank you," Su Xiao replied coldly.
Shen Tong said, "Don't be polite. We're somewhat connected now."
"What do you mean?" Su Xiao asked, his eyes wary.
"I mean, I just discussed it with the general manager. You're now under my management. I'll handle your affairs and work towards meeting your demands. The company has already agreed," Shen Tong explained.
"You?" Su Xiao's disdain was evident.
Shen Tong said, "You don't need to be so obvious about it. Fine, I'm not much, but you're not in a great position either. Let's not look down on each other."
Su Xiao was speechless.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoyong, who had been listening, excitedly said to Su Xiao, "Su Xiao, Shen Tong is also my manager. We should help each other! I'm Chen Xiaoyong, nice to meet you!"
Su Xiao barely responded, making a faint sound before walking away, leaving Chen Xiaoyong disappointed as she lowered her hand.
Unexpectedly, Chen Xiaoyong didn't show any displeasure or complain. It was surprising.
"Alright, get ready for the next scene," Shen Tong said, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
Chen Xiaoyong remembered the filming and, with a reluctant glance at Su Xiao, walked away gracefully.
Su Xiao, as usual, left coldly without a word.
Watching them leave, Shen Tong rubbed her forehead in frustration, feeling resigned to her fate.