This week, Shen Tong was either rushing to appointments, filming, or attending banquets. Her feet had hardly stopped moving except when she slept, and she was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion. Even Chen Xiaoyong had complained several times and almost quit. Fortunately, Shen Tong's efforts this week paid off. Although she hadn't seen Liang Xiaoyuan, his occasional text messages reminding her to eat gave her a surge of energy.
Chen Xiaoyong's followers continued to grow, and her vanity swelled. When she saw Shen Tong, her demeanor was somewhat gentler. At the company, she held her head high in front of Xie Sangyan, her charming face filled with pride and disdain. She mocked, "You're not pretty enough to be an artist, and you think you can climb up by relying on connections? Hmph!"
Shen Tong felt nothing but helplessness and frustration. "Miss Chen, you're just tarnishing your own reputation. Can't you change your attitude? When problems arise, I'm the one who has to clean up the mess." Shen Tong smiled apologetically at Xiaoxi, who looked at her with sympathetic eyes.
Su Xiao, who frequently attended the same banquets as Chen Xiaoyong, was gaining more screen time. People gradually began to notice this handsome, aloof young man. Despite his cold demeanor, he carried himself with dignity, which naturally made him very popular with female fans.
The frequent appearances of Su Xiao and Chen Xiaoyong together at banquets piqued the curiosity of the media. Various media outlets speculated and reported on their ambiguous relationship, significantly raising their profiles. The company intentionally released rumors about their relationship to hype up the new idol drama they were filming.
Shen Tong looked at the newspaper featuring a photo of Su Xiao and Chen Xiaoyong from a recent banquet. The headline read: "Dissecting the Su-Chen Relationship: What's the Truth?" Shen Tong felt as if those words were turning into piles of cash flying towards her.
"Shen Tong, Shen Tong." A colleague's voice broke through her money-filled daydream.
"What's up?" Shen Tong snapped back to reality and composed herself.
"The general manager wants to see you."
Shen Tong, feeling nervous, knocked on the office door. "General Manager, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes." Xia Zixuan looked coldly at the newspaper on his desk, his thoughts unreadable.
"You wanted to see me about something?" Shen Tong asked cautiously, seeing his expression.
"Come here." Xia Zixuan looked up and ordered, his gaze piercing.
Shen Tong took tiny steps towards him. Xia Zixuan reached out and took off her glasses. "I told you I don't like talking to you through glasses."
"Yes, General Manager." Shen Tong nodded obediently, though she cursed him inwardly. "How do my glasses affect your talking? What's the big deal?"
"Unpleasant things just make me not want to talk." As if reading her mind, Xia Zixuan continued.
"What do you need me for, General Manager?" Shen Tong deftly steered the conversation back on track.
Xia Zixuan's expression softened slightly as he gazed into her bright eyes, a slight smile forming. "Good job. You've seized the opportunity and have shown me your capabilities."
Shen Tong was momentarily stunned but quickly responded humbly, "Thank you for the praise, General Manager. It's my duty." Inside, she was thrilled. This was the first time she had seen this scheming man smile. If she could take a picture and sell it, she could make a fortune!
Xia Zixuan noticed Shen Tong's barely contained excitement and felt a sense of pride. His charm was still potent. "You may go back to work now," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.
Shen Tong left, still confused but slightly regretful that she hadn't taken a picture.
Meanwhile, in an expensive restaurant, an elegant, noble-looking woman asked incredulously, "Is what you're saying true? He behaved that way towards a woman?"
Upon receiving confirmation, the woman gazed dejectedly at the exquisite Western meal before her, muttering, "I'd better find a suitable candidate quickly, before he gets too involved."
As the city lights came on, Shen Tong finally relaxed, lying on her bed. These past few days had been hectic, but now Chen Xiaoyong and Su Xiao had gained some initial fame. Without any more banquets, all they had to do was focus on filming and attending some variety shows. Life was much easier. Maybe she should call Liang Xiaoyuan?
The thought had barely formed when her fingers moved, and she had dialed his number.
The ringing seemed to stretch her nerves. "Hello?" came Liang Xiaoyuan's voice. "It's me."
"I know it's you. I'm not that stupid; there's caller ID," Liang Xiaoyuan teased.
"I was worried someone might be too stupid to check caller ID," Shen Tong quickly retorted to cover her nervousness.
"Sure, sure. Someone that stupid. I wonder who that could be," Liang Xiaoyuan said, his tone hinting at a deeper meaning. "So, what's up?"
Clutching her bedsheet and staring at the ceiling, Shen Tong nervously asked, "Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"The busy Ms. Shen finally has time to treat me? I've been dreaming of this day and night," Liang Xiaoyuan said, feigning surprise.
Shen Tong laughed before replying, "You're used to fine dining. How could a humble meal from me be worth dreaming about?"
"Who wouldn't look forward to a free meal?" Liang Xiaoyuan joked.
"Tomorrow night at eight, the same place we planned last time, at that street food market." Shen Tong ignored his joke and set the time and place. Then, as if remembering something, She added softly, "If you can't make it, please let me know." Clearly, the previous incident had left a deep impression on her.
After a brief silence, filled only with the sound of their breathing, Liang Xiaoyuan sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry about last time. This time, I won't cancel." He knew his previous actions had hurt Shen Tong, making her doubt him. Despite his efforts to make amends, he didn't mind proving his sincerity through actions again.
"I hope so," Shen Tong said before quickly hanging up. She stared at Liang Xiaoyuan's name on her phone screen with a pained expression. It wasn't that she didn't trust him; she was afraid to trust. She knew Liang Xiaoyuan's feelings for Xie Sangyan, and thinking about it always left her feeling uneasy. With nowhere to direct these feelings, she couldn't help but put up her defenses.
On the other end, before Liang Xiaoyuan could say anything else, Shen Tong hung up.
He shook his head resignedly and said affectionately to his phone, "Oh, you." Then he headed to the bathroom.
That night, some people lay in bed, some were showering, and some were just getting home.