Making Headlines

Liang Xiaoyuan looked around to ensure the paparazzi had not followed them before finally setting Shen Tong down from his embrace.

"They didn't follow us, hurry and get in the car!" Liang Xiaoyuan panted as he opened the car door for Shen Tong, fearing the paparazzi might catch up.

Shen Tong only dared to show her face then, keeping her head down as she entered the car and sat down.

After confirming Shen Tong was safely in the car, Liang Xiaoyuan also got in. He rolled up the windows, trying to relax and catch his breath before starting the car.

"Are you okay?" Shen Tong asked with concern.

Liang Xiaoyuan nodded. "I'm fine, just consider it a quick basketball game. I'll be okay after sitting here for a bit."

"Don't try to be tough! Look at you, gasping for air like that. It's clear you're exhausted!" Shen Tong remarked, noticing Liang Xiaoyuan's heavy breathing.

Already struggling to catch his breath, Liang Xiaoyuan turned red with embarrassment at Shen Tong's words. "Shen Tong, will you die if you say something nice to me for once?"

Shen Tong, unfazed, replied, "I was just showing concern! But you're the one who wanted to show off and said it was just like playing basketball, so now I'm not worried."

Liang Xiaoyuan shot back, "Of course, it's not as easy as playing basketball! Look at your weight. Anyone would be exhausted carrying you! This is internal damage! It's not the gods we fear as opponents, but pig-like teammates!!"

"Internal damage? You're just too silly, okay! The parking lot isn't that far, yet you took the longer route. You must want to take advantage of me, so you took me on a picnic ride!" Clearly, you wanted to take advantage of me!" Shen Tong retorted.

Liang Xiaoyuan feigned indifference. "Have you ever seen anyone deliberately take a longer route while carrying a pig?"

"Normal people wouldn't carry a pig, but a pig like you would definitely take a detour with a beautiful woman like me!" Shen Tong teased. Deliberately putting on an arrogant look to annoy Liang Xiaoyuan.

Touché 

"Fine. I give up. I won't argue with you anymore."

"That's more like it!" Shen Tong said, adopting a tone as if she were teaching a preschooler.

Liang Xiaoyuan suddenly turned serious. "Who knows what will happen tomorrow. I hit them tonight; they won't let this go easily."

"Don't worry! I made sure they didn't get a photo of my face!" Shen Tong tried to ease Liang Xiaoyuan's worries.

Liang Xiaoyuan forced a smile. "Yeah, hopefully, it won't be a big deal."

Seeing Liang Xiaoyuan's furrowed brow, Shen Tong knew he was still worried. "Liang Xiaoyuan, don't worry so much. You're a director at Fengxing Entertainment; this small issue won't affect you."

"Yeah, fortunately, they didn't get your face, or it could have affected your job." Liang Xiaoyuan's face finally relaxed into a smile.

"Liang Xiaoyuan," Shen Tong called out seriously.

"What's up?" Liang Xiaoyuan turned to her.

Shen Tong cleared her throat. "I just want to say... thank you!"

Liang Xiaoyuan, accustomed to their banter, was taken aback by her sudden sincerity. "Oh, come on, it's nothing. I was protecting you for my own sake too."

"I don't mean just this time. Since I met you, you've always helped me." Shen Tong wanted to sincerely thank him.

Liang Xiaoyuan looked away, focusing on the road ahead. "Well, that sounds familiar. But don't give me the 'good guy' card. I help you because I want to. Buckle up; let's get going."

Before long, they reached Shen Tong's slightly shabby apartment complex. Shen Tong got out of the car, while Liang Xiaoyuan stayed inside, watching until her apartment lights came on before driving away.

Back at home, Shen Tong thought about how the usually composed Liang Xiaoyuan had lost his temper to protect her. It brought a smile to her face. Having Liang Xiaoyuan around made her feel secure.

The next morning, Shen Tong arrived at the office. Checking Chen Xiaorong's schedule, she found that there were no engagements for the morning. Relieved, she settled at the assistant's desk. "Finally, a relaxing morning!"

Chen Xiaorong had been difficult lately, and Shen Tong wouldn't have believed Fang Xiaoxi's past complaints about her if she hadn't experienced it firsthand. 

"I'm going to enjoy this time!" Shen Tong sipped her instant coffee, feeling content. Then she noticed the newspaper on the desk. Chen Xiaorong always had the latest paper, so today Shen Tong decided to enjoy it too.

"What?" Shen Tong nearly spat out her coffee at the headline.

The headline read: "Fengxing Entertainment Director Suspected of Having a New Girlfriend," accompanied by photos of Liang Xiaoyuan carrying Shen Tong away. There were several smaller photos beside it.

The article detailed rumors about Liang Xiaoyuan's relationships with celebrities like Xie Sangyan and Fengxing's vice president Xia Jing, portraying him as a philanderer, violent and irresponsible... This must have been the paparazzi's revenge.

Shen Tong felt anger on Liang Xiaoyuan's behalf but was grateful that he protected her identity. If her face had been exposed, she would have lost her job. She hoped Liang Xiaoyuan wouldn't be too upset when he saw it.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Liang Xiaoyuan.

"Shen Tong, have you seen today's paper?" Liang Xiaoyuan's tone suggested he already knew she had.

Shen Tong didn't hide it. "Yes, I've seen it."

"I just hope this doesn't affect your mood. Keep working hard and stay positive, okay?"

Shen Tong laughed awkwardly. "Shouldn't I be saying that to you? The article attacks you... Thank you for protecting me from the paparazzi."

Liang Xiaoyuan was relieved. Shen Tong's mood hadn't been affected. "I'm glad you're not upset. I've seen worse in this industry; don't worry about me."

"Let's focus on our work and not let this bother us!" Shen Tong encouraged him.

"Agreed."

After hanging up, Shen Tong felt at ease. As long as they were both okay, everything would be fine.