Interview

After getting a satisfactory answer, Shen Tong turned to the silent Su Xiao and said, "As for you, there's a newspaper interview tomorrow. I hope you're prepared. I'll go report to Sister Lan." She then stood up and closed the door.

Su Xiao nodded slightly, looking aloof, and prepared to leave.

"By the way, Su Xiao, you don't need to listen to her so much. You can create rumors with me, which will greatly increase your exposure," Chen Xiaoyong said excitedly, looking at Su Xiao. She was truly willing to create rumors with Su Xiao.

Su Xiao remained silent, as if he hadn't heard her suggestion.

Chen Xiaoyong's face stiffened slightly, but she quickly regained her smile and said, "Really, as long as you're willing, you'll become famous right away! I guarantee it!"

Su Xiao's aloof figure silently rejected her suggestion. He would never stoop to using such methods to become famous, as it would insult his dream. He stepped out of the studio, leaving only a closed door for the grimacing Chen Xiaoyong.

After reporting to Sister Lan, Shen Tong curiously peeked into Xia Zixuan's office. She rarely saw him in the company since that incident. According to company gossip, Xia Zixuan was at home accompanying his wife. She didn't know if it was true, but rich people really had it good – they could rest or vacation whenever they wanted, never worrying about money.

On the day of the interview:

"Hello, Su Xiao," the reporter greeted with a smile.

"Hello," Su Xiao politely replied. Shen Tong stood behind him with a sweet smile.

"Thank you for accepting our interview. When did you debut?" the reporter asked.

"This year," Su Xiao answered.

"Yes, this is actually his first interview. He's quite nervous inside. The more nervous he is, the colder his reaction," Shen Tong added from behind, explaining Su Xiao's apparent aloofness.

"Oh, I see. No wonder. I'm sure some people who don't understand might misinterpret you as arrogant," the reporter said.

Su Xiao remained silent, while Shen Tong quickly responded, "This happens often! Actually, he's very passionate inside." She winked at the reporter to ease the awkward atmosphere.

The reporter chuckled, "Have you ever considered that your image might not be popular with the public?"

"Never thought about it," Su Xiao answered without hesitation.

"He means that someone will always discover his true shining points, not just his appearance. Those who only look at his exterior without understanding his heart won't stay anyway," Shen Tong quickly explained.

"I see," the reporter pondered.

"What do you think is the most difficult thing since your debut?" the reporter asked.

"Nothing," Su Xiao said directly.

"Haha, he means that as long as you have a dream in your heart, there are no difficulties!" Shen Tong added from behind.

Many more questions followed, and although most of them were 'helped' to be answered completely by Shen Tong, with Su Xiao barely saying anything, they somehow managed to complete the interview successfully.

Of course, this was also because the reporter was good-natured and didn't get angry or show any dissatisfaction with Shen Tong constantly supplementing the answers. He continued to smooth over the topics following Shen Tong's lead. Moreover, all the questions seemed tailor-made for him, able to explain all the misunderstandings about him from the outside world. It was truly killing two birds with one stone. This was probably Su Xiao's most successful interview, thank goodness.

"Thank you, Reporter Zhang!" Shen Tong smiled sweetly, feeling elated.

"No need to thank me, it's my job. Now we just need to take a few photos," Reporter Zhang said kindly with a sincere face.

"This way, please," a staff member smiled, guiding Su Xiao.

"Thank you so much, Reporter Zhang. I must treat you to a meal when I have the chance!" Shen Tong said sincerely. She really had luck on her side this time, meeting such a good reporter.

"Thanks, it's my duty! But if you have any exclusive news in the future..." Reporter Zhang raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Shen Tong couldn't help but laugh, "Of course, of course. I'll take my leave now!"

Reporter Zhang smiled and bid her farewell as Shen Tong quickly caught up with Su Xiao.

After Shen Tong and Su Xiao left, Reporter Zhang immediately took out his phone, "Hello? Liang Xiaoyuan, you're not being fair. Why didn't you introduce such a beautiful girl to me?"

Liang Xiaoyuan laughed on the other end, "Don't you dare try anything!"

"Oh, there's something fishy here. Getting nervous, aren't you?" Reporter Zhang sensed something unusual.

"There's really nothing. Don't guess wildly," Liang Xiaoyuan hurriedly said.

"Wow! Is this how you treat your benefactor? Hiding things from me," Reporter Zhang teased, "At least I helped you this much."

"Thank you, brother!" Liang Xiaoyuan said with a laugh, "Just don't tell her, or I'll lose you as a brother."

"Tsk tsk, I see. There really is something going on," Reporter Zhang pondered, stroking his chin.

"There really isn't," Liang Xiaoyuan explained with effort, "Anyway, thanks."

"Hey! Don't give me that. That girl just now knew to offer to treat me to a meal. How come you haven't shown any appreciation?" Reporter Zhang complained.

"Alright, alright, I'll treat you to a meal another day," Liang Xiaoyuan said helplessly.

"That's more like it. That guy is so cold, it's fortunate he has that girl as his manager, protecting him. Otherwise, with his arrogant temperament, he wouldn't be able to become famous," Reporter Zhang grumbled.

"You've worked hard. I'll treat you to a meal another day," Liang Xiaoyuan reiterated.

"It's settled then. If you need any help, remember to contact me," Reporter Zhang said righteously.

"Mm, thank you, brother," Liang Xiaoyuan said gratefully.

"Of course. I'm hanging up, I'm busy!" Reporter Zhang said before ending the call. He thought to himself: As long as he can move on from that past trauma, it's enough. He had witnessed that incident from beginning to end and knew how much damage it had caused. Seeing him pull himself together now and having a girl he likes, even if he doesn't realize it himself, is a joyous thing. But that girl is indeed quite pretty. If only I had met her earlier! Ah, what a pity.

At this moment, the "girl" he was referring to was watching Su Xiao take photos with his cold expression for the interview they just had, still wearing the same frigid face.

"Smile a bit," the photographer said, "The effect will be better that way!"

Hearing this, Su Xiao tried to curl his lips upward, but the effect was minimal, even worse than not smiling.

Shen Tong was embarrassed. He had been under her management for so long and couldn't even smile. How badly had she treated him? She made all sorts of funny faces below, trying her best, but Su Xiao still looked at her coldly, without any sign of wanting to smile.

The photographer encouraged, "Don't you have anything that makes you happy?"

Su Xiao tilted his head, looking at the girl in front of him who was trying so hard to make him smile. His memory flashed back to not long ago when Shen Tong took him to eat snacks, got drunk and brought him back to the hotel to sleep, and when he made her laugh for the first time. His gaze gradually became distant, carrying a tenderness he wasn't aware of. The coldness on his face was shed, and his whole body emanated a sweet, happy aura. Without realizing it, his face bore a gentle smile he didn't even know about.

The photographer quickly pressed the shutter at this moment, capturing Su Xiao's first photo without his usual aloofness. He looked at it and exclaimed, "It's done! He really is handsome. His smile makes all the difference."

Shen Tong immediately ran over and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"

Su Xiao came back to his senses and immediately put on his aloof face again, leaving without looking back.

Shen Tong chased after him, "You still have an audition to attend, don't walk so fast."

When they arrived at the audition site, they could see many celebrities preparing – some memorizing lines, some applying makeup... Everyone was trying their best to create and seize opportunities. In the entertainment industry, without effort, there's no chance of success, only burial. Although the industry is small, why would you believe you'll remain popular for long? There are many young and handsome people, and quite a few with good acting skills. Only by seizing even the tiniest opportunities, as small as dust, can one succeed.

"Come on, quickly memorize your lines and look at the character profile," Shen Tong urged from the side. To make Su Xiao famous, Shen Tong had really racked her brains, finding all sorts of roles and scripts for him.

Su Xiao carelessly looked at the script in front of him, finding it boring. TV dramas always had the same character settings. He didn't understand why people never got tired of them. "I'm going out for some air."

Shen Tong looked at him in astonishment. Going out for air at a time like this? "Aren't you going to memorize your lines?"

"Not interested," Su Xiao left his aloof back to Shen Tong.

When it was finally his turn, his performance was mediocre. The director barely wanted to watch his performance because their character setting was for a rather gentle man, while his overall performance was cold and aloof, completely at odds with their requirements. Shen Tong was speechless. How could there be a celebrity more indifferent than her? As a manager, she was more anxious than this emperor. If it weren't for the possibility of a pay raise if he became famous, she wouldn't put up with this suffering.

By the time they returned to the company, Shen Tong was exhausted from accompanying him to various places for auditions, including commercial auditions. She was so tired she could collapse, and at this moment, someone still wouldn't let her off.

"Shen Tong!" Chen Xiaoyong burst into the office, "Tell me, did you instigate Su Xiao not to create rumors with me?"

Shen Tong was too tired to even talk to her. She just looked at her with half-closed eyes, completely uncomprehending.

"Did you instigate Su Xiao not to create rumors with me? Did you do this on purpose because you don't like me?" Chen Xiaoyong questioned again.

"No," Shen Tong simply replied with one word.

"Now you don't even deign to speak to me properly, is that it?" Chen Xiaoyong's face changed color with anger.

It's not that I'm being arrogant or disdainful, I'm just really tired, Shen Tong thought helplessly. How can this woman's paranoia be so severe?

Shen Tong explained, "I really didn't instigate him. Right now, I'd be more than happy if he created rumors with you. At least that way he'd become famous and be busy in a meaningful way, not like now where he's busy but achieving nothing. At least after becoming famous, the busyness would feel fulfilling."