Stood Up

For Shen Tong, Chen Xiaoyong's agent was still a mystery. Ever since she started working, Shen Tong hadn't seen this so-called agent. According to her colleagues, Chen Xiaoyong's agent was the company's top agent, managing several celebrities, with Chen Xiaoyong being just one of them.

As a third or fourth-tier celebrity, it was quite enviable that Chen Xiaoyong had such a professional agent from the start. At least, this agent often got her various gigs to increase her exposure. Only an agent with such extensive connections would barely pay attention to Chen Xiaoyong, only appearing over the phone for days.

Today, Shen Tong received another notice from the agent to accompany Chen Xiaoyong to an event. Shen Tong couldn't help but feel that Chen Xiaoyong was treating her like a nanny. No, she was exactly a nanny.

Although Chen Xiaoyong had many demands, most of them didn't trouble Shen Tong much. As someone who worked diligently and without complaint, Shen Tong was quite responsible. Therefore, Chen Xiaoyong often didn't make things too difficult for her. To Shen Tong, Chen Xiaoyong's troubles were nothing compared to the difficult customers she dealt with while working in Britain.

The morning event was unusually light, and Shen Tong just waited backstage for Chen Xiaoyong. After the event, the company's car was already waiting outside.

"Shen Tong, I need to go somewhere else. You can head back to the company yourself," said Chen Xiaoyong, putting on her sunglasses, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, looking as glamorous as ever.

Shen Tong quickly replied, "Ok Miss Chen, I can head back myself…"

Before she could finish, Chen Xiaoyong turned and got in the car, leaving Shen Tong standing alone, still not quite processing what had happened. Once she did, Shen Tong remained calm. She quickly moved to a nearby landmark and called Liang Xiaoyuan.

"Hello, Shen Tong, what's up?" Liang Xiaoyuan answered.

Shen Tong quickly explained, "I was with Chen Xiaoyong at an event, and she left me here. Now I don't know where I am or how to get back to the company."

"Don't worry. Tell me what you see around you," Liang Xiaoyuan said after a brief pause.

"Um, there's..." Shen Tong described some distinctive landmarks nearby.

"I know where you are. But I'm tied up with something right now, so I can't come get you," Liang Xiaoyuan said after thinking for a moment.

Shen Tong almost laughed. "I didn't ask you to come get me. I just need you to help me figure out the route back. I'll take the bus."

"Just take a taxi; I'll reimburse you later," Liang Xiaoyuan offered generously.

"No need, I'll just take the bus. Just send me the route," Shen Tong insisted. The company wouldn't easily reimburse her, and if they did, it would be out of Liang Xiaoyuan's pocket. She already owed him too much and didn't want to bother him further.

"Alright then," Liang Xiaoyuan agreed, knowing Shen Tong's stubbornness.

Suddenly remembering something, Shen Tong said, "I mentioned before about treating you to dinner but haven't followed through. How about tonight? Chen Xiaoyong's schedule is clear, so I can treat you."

"With such a gracious invitation, it would be cruel to refuse. Alright, let's talk later tonight. I still have some things to handle here," Liang Xiaoyuan replied, sounding slightly worried.

"Okay, get back to work. Don't forget to send me the route," Shen Tong said.

Liang Xiaoyuan acknowledged and quickly ended the call. Shortly after, Shen Tong received a text message with the route. After asking some locals for directions, she managed to get back to the company, though it was almost time to get off work.

The afternoon was quite relaxed, as Chen Xiaoyong didn't come to the office. Shen Tong helped out around the office and passed the time until it was time to leave. Unlike some days when she had to accompany Chen Xiaoyong to evening gigs, today she had nothing more to do.

Shen Tong spent the afternoon absentmindedly, pondering where to take Liang Xiaoyuan for dinner. She didn't have much money as she had just started working. After much deliberation, she decided to let Liang Xiaoyuan choose the place.

Despite spending the entire afternoon at the office, Shen Tong didn't see Liang Xiaoyuan. Finally, she heard from the receptionist that Director Liang was out. This made sense, as Xie Sangyan wasn't in the office either.

And so, the afternoon passed uneventfully.

Shen Tong packed her things and, seeing that it was still early, took the bus home. She changed out of her work clothes into something more casual but comfortable and went out again, ready to meet Liang Xiaoyuan.

"Hello, are you still busy?" Shen Tong asked over the phone.

Liang Xiaoyuan hesitated, then said, "I have a bit of a situation..."

"Are you with Miss Xie? I've seen a lot of news about her lately. Are you accompanying her to events?" Shen Tong guessed. After all, who else could take up so much of his time?

"Yeah, there's an event that's taking longer than expected," Liang Xiaoyuan admitted cautiously, worried that Shen Tong might get upset or have strange thoughts.

"Okay, I understand. Just tell me a time and place, and I'll meet you there," Shen Tong said. With Xie Sangyan's rising fame, it was normal for her to have more engagements.

"Alright, how about 7 PM? I'll send you the address. You might need to ask for directions if you're not familiar with the area," Liang Xiaoyuan suggested.

"Do you think I'm that clueless? Besides, you're not that much more knowledgeable than me," Shen Tong retorted playfully.

"I won't argue with you. Just remember, I've been back and forth between here and the UK. This is still my hometown," Liang Xiaoyuan said.

"Okay, you get back to work. Seven o'clock it is. Don't be late," Shen Tong reminded him.

"Don't worry, I won't be," Liang Xiaoyuan promised, his voice carrying a hint of warmth.

Shen Tong hung up the phone. It wasn't even five yet, and she wondered what was keeping Liang Xiaoyuan so busy. But it wasn't her concern. She went to the supermarket, bought some daily necessities to kill time, and then headed to the agreed location.

Seeing the bustling, lively street, Shen Tong realized it was an upscale area. This made her heart ache a bit at the thought of the expenses. She took out her phone and called Liang Xiaoyuan.

The first call went unanswered. The second, the same. The third, the fourth...

After the nth attempt, still no answer.

Could something have happened? Shen Tong started to panic, her heart racing. She hoped everything was alright, otherwise....