SABA Chapter 27

Zhuang Xiang returned to his workstation, exhausted, and found that human resources had already packed his belongings.

“I haven’t handed over my work yet,” Zhuang Xiang said, looking at the spotless desk, making a last-ditch effort.

“No need, all these matters will be handled by someone else,” Lin Shun appeared behind him like a ghost, making no sound. In his left hand, he held a new labor contract, and in his right, a pen and a red inkpad for fingerprinting.

“For Chairman Huo, Young Master Jiang’s matters are the most important. President Huo’s matters are company matters, so for the company, Young Master Jiang’s matters are also the most urgent. Chairman Huo has increased your salary threefold. From now on, you only need to be a good assistant to Jiang Tiao with peace of mind.”

Zhuang Xiang looked at the salary on the new labor contract, his emotions a mix of joy and sorrow, “As expected from a romance novel, you’re not qualified to have a plot without a crush.”

…

At the Jiashang Entertainment Media office building, Chu Xu’s agent, Xiong Qi, was in a frenzy. He paced anxiously around the office. The fifth call was automatically disconnected due to no answer, and he angrily threw his phone onto the desk.

Chu Xu sat on the sofa, looking at him with a dark expression, his voice like the winter wind, “Is this necessary?”

Xiong Qi, in a fit of rage, felt like he was more worried than the emperor, “In just half a month, the car and mobile phone brands you previously endorsed have all indicated they will not renew next quarter, and there’s also an S+ drama. What’s going on between you and that young master from the Jiang family? I told you…”

Chu Xu remembered the prompt when trying to add a friend: “Due to the other party’s privacy settings, you cannot add them as a friend,” and his face turned as dark as a city-destroying black cloud.

Xiong Qi was choked by Chu Xu’s cold gaze. He forgot that Chu Xu was no longer the little artist he could easily manipulate. He licked his teeth hard, barely managing to calm himself, and said earnestly, “Because of the Chu family’s reasons, it’s almost impossible for you to get fashion industry resources. Cars and mobile phones are already the more high-end categories you can secure. You are currently in your career’s ascendant period. Losing the title of endorser for two major brands at once will make those in the industry who are watching cautiously become wary.”

With so many artists breaking the law and engaging in immoral behavior nowadays, everyone is on edge. With even the slightest rumor, neither film crews nor brands dare to take risks.

Chu Xu’s expression was icy, “There are more brands for cars and phones than just these two. With my current fame, can’t I find other brands willing to cooperate?”

Xiong Qi felt like everything he had just said was in vain, “It’s almost the Q4 season. Most brands have already signed their endorsers for the next quarter by this time. If we only start contacting them now, at most we can only sign as brand friends or ambassadors. You were previously endorsing top-tier brands in the same category and held the title of endorser. Now you’re going from an endorser of a high-end brand to an ambassador of a mid-tier brand. What will the outside world think?”

The endorsements for these two brands were initially facilitated by Shengyao Technology. He had made several calls these past few days, all answered by the secretary, who said Chairman Huo was busy and not in the country and that the matter would be relayed. Xiong Qi felt a surge of anger just thinking about it.

Chu Xu expressionlessly spun his phone for a long time.

“Didn’t you say Jiang Tiao is a guest on the next episode of ‘Star Weekend’?”

Xiong Qi didn’t react immediately to Chu Xu’s words, “Huh?”

Chu Xu: “Tell the program team to schedule me earlier.”

Xiong Qi took a while to understand Chu Xu’s intention: he wanted to be on the same episode as Jiang Tiao.

Is it necessary? That Young Master Jiang is as stupid as anything, just a little beckoning and he’s like a dog. Things that only need a few nice words on WeChat, Xiong Qi didn’t understand why Chu Xu had to go through all this trouble, but seeing Chu Xu’s face as dark as dripping water, he didn’t dare to ask more.

However, Xiong Qi hesitated, “Direct camera live broadcasts have become a trend in variety shows now. The director of the program told me that they plan to try the direct camera live broadcast method for the first time in the next episode…”

Chu Xu’s temper isn’t exactly good, and his personality isn’t as flawless as he presents it. Coupled with Jiang Tiao’s presence, whom he dislikes, Xiong Qi worried that if Chu Xu lost control of his emotions, the live broadcast could easily cause their carefully crafted perfect persona to collapse.

However, Chu Xu’s reaction was completely different from what he expected.

“You’re saying the program team plans to do a direct camera live broadcast?” Chu Xu glanced at the phone Xiong Qi had thrown on the desk. The screen, not yet extinguished, showed a list of “outgoing unanswered” calls. His gloomy expression changed, and he let out a cold laugh, “Then do you think this Chairman Huo, who is so busy that he doesn’t even have time to answer calls, will have time to watch a live broadcast of an entertainment variety show?”

Xiong Qi was stunned for a moment and then understood. He remembered Huo Shen, who always looked at them as if they were clowns, whether they were in an advantageous or disadvantageous position. He also remembered Jiang Tiao, who always followed behind Chu Xu, no matter how much he was chased away. He grinned, revealing a row of slightly yellowed teeth from smoking, “You’re right. Since Chairman Huo cares so much about their young master, we should naturally ‘on time, on schedule’ send the direct camera link of the young master’s variety show to Chairman Huo.”

—

The recording location for the latest episode of “Star Weekend” was in Hai City. Jiang Tiao departed a day in advance and arranged to meet Zhuang Xiang directly at the airport.

Zhuang Xiang arrived before him and handed him a compiled set of information while he was waiting for his flight. It contained information and taboos about the regular guests and the flying guests for this episode, as well as some introductions to Hai City and the challenges that might be involved in this shoot, along with the corresponding common knowledge and techniques to be used. The information was clearly organized and well-structured.

Jiang Tiao was somewhat surprised after reading it. Despite his lazy demeanor and rambling speech, the person was quite reliable and proper when it came to work. Jiang Tiao finally understood why Lin Shun had put him on the list.

Jiang Tiao initially looked for an assistant just to put Huo Shen at ease. It wasn’t until this moment that he truly appreciated the convenience of having a good assistant.

Jiang Tiao sighed and opened WeChat to transfer 50,000 yuan to Zhuang Xiang.

“Although you’re already receiving a salary from Huo Shen, I am your boss. I will pay you a separate salary as compensation for you assisting me.”

Seeing the transfer amount on his phone, Zhuang Xiang displayed the first genuine, radiant smile he had shown since meeting Jiang Tiao.

“Okay, boss,” Zhuang Xiang said, smiling like a flower, “It’s my honor to be your assistant.”

Jiang Tiao smiled and patted his shoulder, “It’s okay, your good fortune is yet to come.”

The two masters of flattery smiled at each other.

…

Jiang Tiao had known for a long time that Luo Xingwen was a regular guest, so he wasn’t surprised at all when he saw Luo Xingwen in the hotel lobby, having just managed to squeeze out of the crowd of fans and paparazzi.

Luo Xingwen was disheveled, with some foundation from someone smeared on his T-shirt, making him look particularly messy.

Having learned from the previous experience, Jiang Tiao directly looked at his assistant behind him, “Brother Xiao Li, you look quite disheveled.”

Luo Xingwen: “…”

He realized Jiang Tiao was quite vindictive.

Xiao Li’s face was flushed. He had been shielding Luo Xingwen from the fans all the way, his T-shirt was loosely torn, and there was a very obvious lipstick mark on his collar.

“It’s good that there wasn’t a stampede.”

He had a good temper and didn’t show any displeasure even when being pushed like this; instead, he seemed a bit shy from being swarmed by the girls.

Luo Xingwen found Jiang Tiao very childish and didn’t intend to stoop to his level, “Sister Jin has something to attend to and can’t come. She asked me to look after you.”

Jiang Tiao finally looked at Luo Xingwen. Before speaking, he turned and smiled at Xiao Li, “You be my witness, I didn’t look at him this time. He approached me on his own to talk.”

Luo Xingwen rolled his eyes, utterly speechless.

In fact, Nie Jin had informed Jiang Tiao in advance, so he knew Luo Xingwen would arrive at this time.

However, although Luo Xingwen said he was looking after him, he only gave a few instructions related to the program and didn’t even invite Jiang Tiao to dinner.

Jiang Tiao understood and was also relieved.

The hotel arranged by the program team was decent in all aspects, except for the security, which was frankly appalling. In the corridors, one could always find celebrity fans who had somehow snuck in, and even sasaeng fans squatting by doors listening for sounds.

After hearing noises at the door for the second time, Jiang Tiao could no longer stand it. He decisively packed his things and moved to a five-star hotel owned by their company.

He entered the hotel from the underground garage. As the car turned, he saw a familiar figure. He wasn’t entirely sure, so he opened the chat page with Chu Yunhao.

Jiang Tiao: “Where are you?”

Chu Yunhao’s replies were so fast it made one suspect he had undergone surgery to link his phone and brain.

“Hai City.”

Oh, Jiang Tiao’s eyes lit up: “I’m also in Hai City. Want to go out for a late-night snack tonight?”

Chu Yunhao: “Next time. I’m busy today.”

Jiang Tiao indifferently put his phone back into his pocket. Hmph, what kind of friend can’t even get a meal with you?

Jiang Tiao was escorted by the hotel manager to the top floor. The top floor only had three suites and a terrace swimming pool, and it was not open to the public. It was generally reserved for acquaintances or very close business partners.

Huo Shen was sixteen hours ahead, and Jiang Tiao had a full day of recording tomorrow, so he definitely wouldn’t be able to talk properly. Jiang Tiao took a short nap, then went for a couple of laps in the pool. Seeing that it was about time for Huo Shen to wake up, he got out of the water, put on a towel, and planned to get a drink from the self-service bar before calling.

“You might as well keep me instead of him. At least my face is much better looking than his,” a voice with a slightly magnetic tone sounded from a corner of the terrace garden.

Jiang Tiao was a bit shocked. Luo Xingwen’s voice was too distinctive; he recognized it immediately. He had no intention of eavesdropping and was about to retreat.

“I keep him because he’s good in bed and uninhibited. When the lights are off, you can’t see faces. Doesn’t everyone look the same?” another voice said mockingly.

Jiang Tiao was a bit stunned. He had known Chu Yunhao for many years, and he knew Chu Yunhao’s voice very well.

What… how did these two get together???!!!

“Clang—”

The sound of hitting a trash can was exceptionally loud on the quiet top floor. Chu Yunhao pulled Luo Xingwen behind him, “Who?”

Jiang Tiao had put on slippers after swimming, and they had scraped against the metal trash can, almost bringing tears to his eyes.

To increase privacy, unless one called the butler for service, no one else generally came to the top floor.

Chu Yunhao asked Luo Xingwen to leave first. When he came out, he saw it was Jiang Tiao, and only then did he feel relieved.

Jiang Tiao winced in pain, but the culprit showed no apology. Instead, he looked extremely annoyed as if Jiang Tiao had delayed him in something, “You’re swimming late at night? To relieve yourself?”

Jiang Tiao was furious, “You’re so disgusting! Do you think everyone is like you?!”

Chu Yunhao: “Heh, yes, you’re not an adult yet, so this topic is indeed unsuitable for you.”

“Get lost!” Jiang Tiao cursed, “I’ve already got my driver’s license!”

Chu Yunhao chuckled twice and couldn’t be bothered with his childish bickering. He casually rummaged through the bar, mixed two cocktails, and gave the low-alcohol one to Jiang Tiao.

Jiang Tiao drank half a glass and felt it wasn’t quenching his thirst enough, so he asked Chu Yunhao for a bottle of water, “That’s Luo Xingwen, right? What’s going on between you two?”

Chu Yunhao’s hand paused as he held the glass, “How do you know?”

Jiang Tiao: “Brother, he’s my agent too, and his voice is very distinctive.”

Seeing Chu Yunhao’s slightly wary expression, Jiang Tiao suddenly had an epiphany, “That first love who dumped you back then, could it be Luo Xingwen???!!”

No wonder he had never revealed the name, appearance, or profession of that person all these years – not even to their close friends – it was to avoid causing trouble for the other party.

Jiang Tiao: “Tsk tsk tsk, you’re quite sentimental.”

Chu Yunhao felt that this matter couldn’t be explained clearly to Jiang Tiao. He slowly finished the wine in his glass, “I don’t plan to get back together.”

Five years had left too many marks of time on each other. Even though he could always see Luo Xingwen on TV or online, facing him in person made Chu Yunhao feel the impact more deeply. It was now difficult for him to connect the Luo Xingwen in front of him with the teenager in his memory who had given everything for the stage and his dreams.

When Luo Xingwen decisively broke up with him back then, he was depressed for a long time. But as he got older, he realized that love was just like that.

Jiang Tiao: “?”

Chu Yunhao: “What I said in the group chat last time was true.”

Jiang Tiao took a while to recall, “You said you had let go, that you neither love nor hate, so it doesn’t matter?”

Chu Yunhao: “When you were young, you probably wanted something very much. At that time, you felt like the sky would fall if you couldn’t get it. But looking back when you grew up, it really wasn’t much.”

Chu Yunhao rarely went down a sentimental route. After he finished speaking, he looked down and saw Jiang Tiao holding a bottle of mineral water, looking confused. He then remembered that this guy, Jiang Tiao, had been doted on since he was a child, getting whatever he wanted, and apart from the four years he was sick – which he didn’t remember now – he had never experienced anything he couldn’t get.

“…” Comparing people really makes one angry!

Chu Yunhao thought about it and became angrier, almost having a heart attack.

…