The director behind them was furious, cursing loudly, "Fine! Today you walk out this door, don't even think about participating in this show in the future." He kept grumbling, "They're not even famous yet and they're like this! What will happen when they become famous? Really!"
Shen Tong anxiously pulled Su Xiao, stopping in her tracks and roaring, "What are you doing? We haven't finished recording the show!"
"I'm not recording anymore," Su Xiao said proudly, his face full of displeasure.
"If you don't record, what about the follow-up matters? We've already arranged everything!" Shen Tong shouted anxiously, "In the entertainment circle, you can't offend these directors! Otherwise, it'll be hard to survive!"
"I'll handle it," Su Xiao said firmly, pulling Shen Tong, wanting to walk out of the studio.
Shen Tong stubbornly stood in place, refusing to move forward, staring at him motionlessly. In the distance, the director was instructing to pack up the equipment.
Su Xiao turned his head and looked at her just as stubbornly, "I'm not recording anymore."
After a long standoff, the director, with a face full of anger, brushed past them, still muttering, "Never seen a star like this!"
Shen Tong said through gritted teeth, "Fine! Now this matter is ruined anyway. You said you have the ability to resolve it, now resolve it."
"Now?" Su Xiao frowned slightly.
"Yes, resolve it," Shen Tong nodded and said indifferently.
The two walked out of the studio one after another. Su Xiao walked to a slightly farther place. Watching him take out his phone, she didn't know who he called. In less than a minute, Su Xiao turned to her and said, "It's resolved."
"How can I believe you?" Shen Tong questioned.
"There won't be any negative reports about this matter," Su Xiao said and then got into the car.
Shen Tong was dying of curiosity inside. Could it be that Su Xiao knows some big-name director or has some extraordinary ability, or perhaps some unspeakable family background? Thinking of this, Shen Tong's mouth could almost not close. But then she thought, if he knew some big-name director or had some extraordinary ability, how come he's still not famous until now? If his family background was good, how come there hasn't been any report about it?
She couldn't figure out how he did it no matter what. But Shen Tong looked up at the half of the pale and cold profile sitting in the car, proud like a medieval prince. He didn't look like someone who would tell you if you asked.
Shen Tong stood dazed for a while, then sighed slightly. She then got into the car and asked about what just happened, "What exactly do you want?"
"I want to sing," Su Xiao explained further, "Not waste time participating in these shows."
Shen Tong looked at him uncomprehendingly. All of his actions indicated that he had no desire to be famous, didn't want to be famous. And he didn't cooperate with her at all. But now he's telling her he wants to sing. But participating in shows is for exposure. Without exposure, he won't become famous. If he's not famous, he won't be able to prove his ability to Xia Zixuan, and won't be able to release an album. She didn't understand what was wrong, making him so uncooperative with her.
Shen Tong made a secret resolution. It seems she can't always be tolerant of Su Xiao. Following his ideas, he'll never become famous in his lifetime.
Shen Tong said decisively, "Whether you're willing to participate in these shows or not, I'm telling you, this is the last time you're being willful!"
After saying this, she closed her eyes and pretended to doze off, regardless of the thoughts around her. She didn't know if Su Xiao had listened or not.
Shen Tong decided to give Su Xiao a few days off, and also to ease her own pent-up feelings. During these days, after talking herself hoarse, she finally managed to contact a newspaper for an interview. Although the section wasn't big, at least it was an interview.
Just as she had some free time, Liang Xiaoyuan invited her for dinner and then a walk in the park.
The two walked along the riverside in the cool evening breeze, enjoying this rare relaxing night together, breathing in the fresh air, relaxing their minds.
They passed by smiling street vendors, couples sweetly sticking together, elderly grandpas and grandmas in their seventies peacefully leaning against each other enjoying the night view, groups of three to five young people loudly proclaiming their youth with laughter.
Shen Tong, who had been holding in a belly full of anger, finally couldn't bear it anymore. She ran to the railing, closed her eyes, grabbed the railing, and started shouting loudly, "Ah! Ah!"
All the passersby by the river looked at her. Liang Xiaoyuan was startled and hurried over, asking with concern, "Are you in a bad mood?"
"I'm so annoyed!" Shen Tong said angrily.
"What happened?" Liang Xiaoyuan leaned on the railing. In the darkness, his eyes, like black jade, were even blacker and brighter.
"It's about work at the company," Shen Tong said, holding her head with both hands, her eyes squeezed out of shape, her eyebrows furrowed together.
"Tell me about it," Liang Xiaoyuan lowered his voice.
"No, I trouble you every time. This time I can handle it myself," Shen Tong shook her head, pouting, her eyes turning towards the river.
"I don't have any extraordinary abilities, I can't handle every matter," Liang Xiaoyuan said softly, trying to tempt her to talk about what was bothering her. He hoped to see Shen Tong happy.
"No, every time we meet, it seems like... um, like I always have something to ask you to do. It makes me feel embarrassed," Shen Tong said sheepishly.
"You, thick-skinned as you are, also have days you feel embarrassed?" Liang Xiaoyuan teased. The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up as if remembering something, "Back then in England when you asked me to compensate you, you were so righteous! How come you're embarrassed now?"
Shen Tong turned her head and glared at him. Under the light, she was particularly charming, her whole face radiant and moving, "That was then, this is now."
"You mean, now that we're friends, it's not as good as when we were strangers?" Liang Xiaoyuan immediately found the loophole and said.
"You know that's not what I meant," Shen Tong said coquettishly, giving him a glance.
"I just want to help you," Liang Xiaoyuan said seriously.
His gentle face, with a smile full of sunshine, shone into Shen Tong's eyes, reaching the softest part of her heart. The temperature on Shen Tong's face suddenly rose. She turned her head and mumbled, "Actually... it's nothing much, just about Su Xiao."
Liang Xiaoyuan frowned, "Him? What's wrong?"
"A few days ago, I arranged a show recording for him, but his performance was really terrible. The host would ask a question, and he would only answer with a few words. There was no way to continue the recording," Shen Tong complained. "Yesterday, I finally managed to get a magazine interview, but I don't know how it will go. Although I warned him, with his proud personality, I'm afraid it can't be changed. I guess when the time comes... it will fail again."
Shen Tong's heart always felt blocked. She sighed deeply, her eyebrows furrowed together. Liang Xiaoyuan felt his heart was tied in knots too. He immediately had an idea and said, "Don't worry, where there's a will, there's a way. There will always be a solution."
"Maybe!" Shen Tong slapped her face hard, "Now that we're out, let's not talk about work anymore!"
Liang Xiaoyuan said gently, "Mm, let's just enjoy this beautiful scenery."
"No! Let's have a race!" Shen Tong proposed with a big laugh, "Running can release stress."
Liang Xiaoyuan looked at her puzzled, "Race? To reduce stress?"
"Mm, let's see who can run to that pavilion first?" Shen Tong smiled proudly, raising her eyebrows. "The loser has to grant one request from the winner! Are you in?"
"In public, isn't this too conspicuous?" Liang Xiaoyuan looked troubled.
Shen Tong didn't care. She thought about how in the past, to avoid city management, she didn't care about losing face. Anyway, participating is participating, not participating is also participating, who cares. She shouted, "3, 2, 1, Run!"
Shen Tong ran like the wind, leaving Liang Xiaoyuan behind, shouting loudly, "Haha, I've left you behind, you're going to lose!"
Liang Xiaoyuan, for some reason, looking at the energetic Shen Tong, seemed to be infected and also started running recklessly, "Wait! I'll make you lose badly!"
The two were like young kids. Abandoning concerns about age and thoughts of embarrassment, they just ran in the wind. Shen Tong laughed loudly in front, while Liang Xiaoyuan slowly, bit by bit, got closer to Shen Tong. The distance was getting closer and closer.
"Haha!" Shen Tong made a victory sign in front of the pavilion, saying loudly, "I reached the pavilion before you! I win."
Liang Xiaoyuan, panting heavily, took a big step into the pavilion, then said proudly, "But I stepped into the pavilion before you, you lost! I'm the final winner!"
"Ah!" Shen Tong cried pitifully, "How can this be!"
Hearing this, Liang Xiaoyuan laughed mercilessly, "Hahaha... Hahaha..."
"Hmph! You think you would win if this empress didn't let you?" Shen Tong said disdainfully.
"No matter what the process was, I won in the end. I have the right to make a request from you, right?" Liang Xiaoyuan said with a smile.
"This empress is not one to renege on debts. Speak, what's your request!" Shen Tong waved her hand grandly as if she really was an empress from a TV drama, "Do you want wealth and honor, or a beauty in your arms?"
"I hope you're happy every day," Liang Xiaoyuan looked at Shen Tong seriously, his eyes flashing with gentle light.
"Haha," Shen Tong laughed dryly, not expecting him to make such a request, "I'm happy every day. Let's go back, what a wonderful night!"
Back at home, Shen Tong's heart was still racing fast, unable to calm down for a long time. She even dreamed of Liang Xiaoyuan.
The next day, Shen Tong, Chen Xiaoyong, and Su Xiao had a small meeting. First, they summarized the recent work, then arranged the work plan for the next few days, although there was really very little work.
"By the way, Chen Xiaoyong, how come I didn't know about your recent plans?" Shen Tong questioned, her face very stern.
Chen Xiaoyong pouted, "You're not of much use anyway. There's no point in telling you."
Shen Tong looked at her sharply, "Please don't forget, I'm your manager!"
"I've reported to the company, isn't it okay with the company's permission?" Chen Xiaoyong's voice also raised a few decibels, confronting her.
"As your manager, I have the right to know all your movements!" Shen Tong said, emphasizing her words.
"I got it!" Chen Xiaoyong shouted, "Why are you so annoying!"