Scheming

Chen Xiaoyong glanced again at the booth where Shen Tong sat. Her face was beaming with a smile that seemed almost triumphant.

"Did you really think Shen Tong was naive about everything? She knows exactly what she wants and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Of course, her ultimate goal is money - after all, the allure of wealth is powerful!" Chen Xiaoyong continued to add fuel to the fire, sneering, "There's no such thing as purity in the entertainment industry!"

Su Xiao abruptly stood up, glaring at Chen Xiaoyong with anger. It was the first time he had ever expressed such fury. "Enough! If you're telling me all this, I can assure you it has nothing to do with me. What connection do I have with Shen Tong?"

With that, Su Xiao stormed out of the booth and quickly exited the restaurant, his face cold with anger.

Chen Xiaoyong slowly gathered the photos from the table, her eyes filled with smug malice. As long as she had planted the seed of distrust in his heart, she believed it would eventually take root, grow, and explode. All she needed to do was wait patiently. She followed Su Xiao out of the restaurant in her high heels, willing to do whatever it took to get the reaction and result she wanted.

Meanwhile, Shen Tong was trying her best to avoid the director's wandering hands while forcing a smile and coming up with plausible excuses for her behavior. Her hand unconsciously slipped into her pocket.

"Director, I think this dish is quite good," Shen Tong said.

Ignoring her comment, the director replied, "I think Little Shen has such beautiful skin!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Director," Shen Tong smiled, her beauty evident even behind her glasses.

"However, I think you'd look even better without these glasses!" The director reached out to remove Shen Tong's glasses.

Shen Tong flinched, holding onto her glasses. "Director, is this appropriate right now?"

The director's expression soured. "Hmph, what's inappropriate about it? In this industry, people jump at my slightest gesture. You're just a small-time manager - what right do you have to refuse my invitation so haughtily? You should consider it an honor that I'm interested in you!" He tugged at Shen Tong's hair, his face full of arrogance and self-importance.

Shen Tong laughed coyly, dodging his hand. "There are other big names in the industry besides you, Director. Like Directors Li, Wang, Zhou, and others who are renowned and upright. They don't all behave so... handsy."

The director laughed as if he'd heard a joke. "Do you know how many actresses want to sleep with me? I don't even spare them a glance. Their flattery is so fake! It's your innocence that attracts me. I can give you what you want - opportunities to make your artists famous quickly, to become a top manager yourself!"

Shen Tong smiled obediently, seemingly swayed. She hesitantly asked, "But those other directors..."

The director leered at Shen Tong, his expression turning lecherous. "Those old fogies? Ridiculous. They're not fit to shine my shoes. Their films are worthless. I'm the top dog in this industry. I don't understand why people watch their movies - like attracts like, I suppose! Besides, are they as easy to talk to as I am?"

Shen Tong was silent for a few seconds. Then she placed her hand on the director's arm, giving him a coy look. "So this is the 'unspoken rule'? Aren't you afraid I'll expose you?"

Outside the booth, someone's face turned pale.

The director laughed. "Expose me? Haha! You could just as easily be accused of seducing me. I'd be the victim. Isn't that what you all like to do? Cry and beg for opportunities, then threaten to expose me if I don't comply. I've heard it all before."

"If I really got together with you, would you give me opportunities?" Shen Tong asked directly, biting her lip as if she'd made up her mind.

Su Xiao had been standing outside for a while, wanting to confirm that Shen Tong wasn't that kind of person, that she must have her reasons for acting this way. He tried to justify her behavior.

But from the moment he entered until now, Shen Tong hadn't firmly rejected the director. Instead, she was being ambiguous and unclear. Finally, he witnessed this scene and heard these words. He was furious and incredulous. Was Shen Tong really someone who would sell herself for money?

Su Xiao turned away angrily, not looking back. As a result, he missed what happened next.

The director, wearing an expression that said "you've finally come around," replied, "Little Shen, I'm a man of my word. I can find starlets anytime, but opportunities like this don't come often. I have an advertisement that needs an actor with exceptional presence!" He thought to himself, "Fresh meat indeed, so easily swayed!"

As he spoke, the director's hand unconsciously reached for Shen Tong's waist. His expression became more lecherous, as if all reservations had disappeared. He drawled, "Of course, it all depends on your performance."

Having gotten what she wanted, Shen Tong quickly slapped away the director's hand and stood up. She spoke sternly, "Director, please mind your behavior. This is a public place!"

The director's expression changed instantly, but he still tried to speak nicely, "Oh, right, this is a public place. We should be careful. Later, when we get a room... then we can... hehe." He rubbed his palms together with ill intent.

Shen Tong's expression hardened, her sweet demeanor vanishing. She pulled her hand from her pocket and said coldly, "Director, we agreed this was just a meal."

"Have you forgotten that I still need a male actor for that advertisement?" the director said haughtily.

Shen Tong sneered, staring at the director. "I think I have other ways to get that role."

The director glanced at Shen Tong confidently. "Hmph, besides pleasing me, what other way do you have? It's too late to back out now..."

"I think Little Shen has such beautiful skin!"

The director froze, staring at the phone in Shen Tong's hand in shock and disbelief. The phone continued to play back what it had recorded.

"...In this industry, people jump at my slightest gesture. You're just a small-time manager..."

"I've been tolerating you for a long time. If the advertisement wasn't still being filmed, I would have walked away long ago," Shen Tong said calmly.

She had briefly considered giving in to the director, but then she saw the text message from Liang Xiaoyuan. She was almost moved to tears, realizing there were still people who cared about and supported her. Liang Xiaoyuan always believed she would make the right choice. Indeed, she hadn't done anything wrong, so why should she endure this man's disgusting behavior? Opportunities were important, but maintaining her integrity was more crucial. From that moment, she had been planning her counterattack.

"When did you start recording?" the director asked, shaking with anger.

"From the moment you started behaving inappropriately and speaking so brazenly!" Shen Tong replied sharply, staring directly at him.

The director lunged for the phone, but Shen Tong had anticipated this and gripped it tightly. She waved it slightly, saying coldly, "The tables have turned. The opportunity is in my hands now, isn't it?"

Outside the booth, someone was typing a message on their phone: "She's braver than you believed."

The director glared at Shen Tong as if he wanted to kill her. "What do you want?" he asked through gritted teeth.

Shen Tong replied without hesitation, "The opportunity you mentioned, of course."

"That advertisement?" the director demanded.

Shen Tong laughed softly, her lips curling into a sneer. "The advertisement? Director, you're underestimating me if you think that's all I want." She emphasized the word 'underestimating' mockingly. "What I want is much more than just one advertisement."

The director glared at her furiously, cursing himself for being blinded by lust and not seeing through her. He had never been threatened like this before. His face turned pale as he struggled to control his temper. "What exactly do you want?"

"I hope you'll let me take a look at all your future advertisements," Shen Tong said, waving her phone.

"Don't push your luck!" the director snarled. "I can easily claim this recording is fake!"

"Of course, I won't interfere with all your advertisements, just select a few," Shen Tong continued calmly. "If you'd like, I can release this recording right now. We can see who comes out on top."

The director said nothing, just staring intently at the phone in Shen Tong's hand. He was weighing the pros and cons, trying to determine the best course of action.

Shen Tong appeared calm and composed, looking at her phone, seemingly operating it.

"Fine! I agree!" The director spat out these words as if they were being forced through his teeth. He glared at Shen Tong venomously, planning to bide his time and deal with her later.

"Good," Shen Tong smiled triumphantly, waving her phone. "I just sent this file to a trusted friend. I told them if they can't confirm my safety, they should send this recording to all major media outlets."

The director's eyes seemed to turn into daggers.

"So, Director, it's best you abandon any dirty thoughts you might have!" Shen Tong said righteously.