Chapter 54: If You Can’t Handle It, Come Back
Just ten minutes before Shen Xi entered Director Chen’s office...
“Lin Yueyue, what’s going on with you today? I’ve already received multiple complaints!”
Her female supervisor’s sharp voice cut through the air like a blade as she glared at Lin Yueyue.
Ever since Lin Yueyue made up with Shi Jingyan yesterday, she had been completely distracted at work. And now, she had attracted the wrath of her strict supervisor.
She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact, but in her mind, she was cursing the woman over and over.
“You’ve only been here for a few days, and you’re already getting this many complaints. I’m deducting two days’ worth of pay. If you don’t start taking this job seriously, you might as well quit!”
As soon as the supervisor finished speaking, a cold male voice rang out.
“The one who should quit is you, old hag.”
Everyone turned toward the voice. A young man with a sharp, confident look stood there with his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. The supervisor’s face turned dark, and she snapped,
“Who are you? I’ve been in this industry for twenty years, and no one has ever dared speak to me like that!”
Lin Yueyue’s eyes lit up with excitement when she saw the man.
“Jingyan~”
Shi Jingyan sneered, glanced at the name tag on the supervisor’s chest, and pulled out his phone to call the station director. He told him to fire the old hag, but the director hesitated, saying she was a long-time employee and would be suspended for investigation instead.
The supervisor’s face turned from dark to pale. She raised a trembling finger at them.
“You two—”
Shi Jingyan didn’t even bother looking at her. With an arrogant tone, he warned,
“You have five minutes to get out of here. I better not see you in this building again.”
Tears welled up in Lin Yueyue’s eyes as she threw herself into his arms like a scared little rabbit.
With that, Shi Jingyan felt like he had completely regained his confidence. The same confidence that had been shattered by Shen Xi a few days ago. Chin held high, he took Lin Yueyue’s hand and said,
“Come on, let’s go see Director Chen.”
Without waiting, he strode straight toward the office.
……………………………………..
Inside the Office.
When Shen Xi saw them push open the door, her face darkened.
Great. Just great. Of course, the male lead would show up. But does he have to be this fast? Seriously, can’t shake this guy off.
For a brief moment, Shi Jingyan seemed dazed. Then, he quickly returned to his usual arrogant demeanor.
Beside him, Lin Yueyue clung tightly to his arm, a smug and provocative smile on her face.
Your man used to be mine. Now, I’m going to take your guest spot too.
Director Chen recognized Shi Jingyan as the future heir of the Shi family. But the fact that they barged into his office without knocking annoyed him.
He was their elder, after all. The Shi family might have done him a favor in the past, but that was thanks to Shi Jingyan’s parents, not this kid. And yet, this junior had no respect for him at all.
Without a word, he glanced at Shen Xi, signaling her to go meet with the training instructor.
She nodded and turned to leave, eager to get out of there as soon as possible. Just as she was about to walk past them, Shi Jingyan called out.
“Xixi.”
Her steps paused, irritation rising within her. But she couldn’t just ignore him outright.
If she walked away now, he would probably assume she still had feelings for him and couldn’t handle seeing him with another woman.
Well… he wasn’t wrong. Watching their sickly sweet romance was indeed painful for a single person like her.
She turned around, keeping her expression neutral, and said with a polite smile,
“Mr. Shi, do you need something?”
Shi Jingyan stared at her delicate and refined face, his gaze complicated. He wanted to say something, but there were too many people around.
Sensing this, Lin Yueyue clenched her fists, biting her lip before gently reminding him in a soft voice,
“Jingyan, weren’t we here to see Director Chen? We shouldn’t take up too much of his time.”
Shi Jingyan frowned slightly, looking a little impatient. Before he could respond, Shen Xi spoke first.
“You two go ahead. I’m busy.”
With that, she turned and walked away without a second glance. The only thing left behind was the elegant sway of her white dress as she disappeared around the corner.
Director Chen sighed.
Another one using connections to get in… and through my backdoor, no less.
Shen Xi could at least be considered a representative of the investors, brought in by President Fang through proper channels. But Shi Jingyan? He wasn’t an investor at all, yet he had the audacity to barge into Director Chen’s office and demand a guest spot.
It was true that the Shi family had done him a favor in the past, but that was thanks to Shi Jingyan’s parents, not this rude young man.
Director Chen was the head director of Su City TV Station. Not some weak supervisor Shi Jingyan could push around like Lin Yueyue’s boss. So he rejected him outright.
“No, absolutely not.”
Shi Jingyan remained calm. “Director Chen, I understand. Joining mid-season as a mystery guest isn’t easy.”
“But back then, didn’t you tell my parents that you’d repay our family with your life if necessary?”
Director Chen’s face darkened. There was no doubt Shi Jingyan was using past favors to pressure him into bending the rules.
“You really want to repay a favor like this?”
“That’s right.”
Shi Jingyan looked confident, as if he had already won.
Director Chen remained silent for a moment, his expression complicated. He would never forget the favor owed to the Shi family, but that didn’t mean it should be exploited like this.
“There’s a segment where a lucky audience member gets to sing a duet with one of the celebrity judges or panelists. She can take that spot.”
“That’s it?”
Shi Jingyan let out a cold laugh.
“Director Chen, we both know Shen Xi, the one who just left, doesn’t even know how to sing. Why not just give her mystery guest slot to Yueyue?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s absolutely out of the question.”
Director Chen’s expression turned even colder. Shen Xi had been placed in the program by President Fang, there was no way he could just swap her out like that. Besides, she had some online popularity. She wasn’t completely talentless.
Now that he thought about it, he recalled how Lin Yueyue had criticized Shen Xi before. And now, she was trying to take Shen Xi’s guest spot. He couldn’t help but start doubting the truth of Lin Yueyue’s words.
In the end, they reached no agreement. Lin Yueyue ran out of the office in tears, looking pitiful. Feeling like he had lost face in front of his girlfriend, Shi Jingyan glared at Director Chen.
“So this is how you repay a favor?”
With that, he turned and ran after Lin Yueyue.
Watching them leave, Director Chen felt utterly disappointed. Shi Jingyan’s parents were capable and respectable people, how did they end up with a son whose entire brain was filled with women?
But that wasn’t his concern. Right now, he was more interested in Shen Xi’s actual abilities. Had he misjudged her from the start?
When he arrived at the training session, Shen Xi was taking a break. After chatting with the instructor, he learned that she had been performing exceptionally well.
The instructor praised her musical sense, unique voice, and rare ability to write her own songs. Although she lacked stage experience, that was something she could easily improve.
Director Chen nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on Shen Xi again. So he really was biased against her at first. Now, he was actually looking forward to the upcoming rehearsals.
As soon as the training ended, the instructor overheard some colleagues gossiping about Shen Xi.
“Did you hear? The new mystery guest, some woman with the last name Shen, is just an investor’s mistress. Nothing but a pretty face.”
“Yeah, I heard she even stole someone else’s boyfriend.”
Hearing this, the instructor was furious.
After spending time with Shen Xi, she knew these rumors were completely false.
…………………………………………
Gu Family Villa.
Ever since Shen Xi left, Butler Wang felt like he didn’t need to turn on the central heating anymore. The house was just as cold and lifeless as before.
Gone was the cheerful woman who never missed a meal and always bustled around the house. The villa now felt dull and empty, lacking any warmth or energy.
Gu Hanling sat on the sofa in the living room, smoking a cigarette, which was rare. With his other hand, he elegantly held a wine glass. His expression was unreadable, but there was a hint of melancholy.
“She’s only in her early twenties and has no stage experience. Will they bully her at the TV station?”
After all, the other contestants are all somewhat well-known online celebrities or washed-up artists. Shen Xi, on the other hand, is a complete newcomer. This industry places a lot of emphasis on seniority, so it's very likely she'll be bullied.
Butler Wang checked the latest news from Su City TV Station and replied with some concern.
“Sir, should we contact the station director and give him a heads-up? That way, she might feel less pressure.”
Butler Wang suggested this carefully. He felt that his boss had pushed Shen Xi into too big of a spotlight too quickly. The pressure must be overwhelming.
“I never interfere with projects once they’re underway. You know that.”
Gu Hanling shot him a glance. He believed in leaving professional matters to professionals. His role was to provide direction at the start. After that, he didn’t meddle.
“As my wife, she shouldn’t be putting herself on display like this. If she can’t handle it, she should just come back.”
Gu Hanling's tone was indifferent, but there was a hint of displeasure.
“And if she stays?”
“......”
Gu Hanling didn’t answer. He stubbed out his cigarette and took a light sip of the remaining trace of wine in his glass, seemingly not wanting to discuss the topic any further.