"Xiao Yang, long time no see. There's something I wanted to ask you--" Xie Shuling's tone was gentle, trying hard to appear more amiable. Unfortunately, before the words could be fully spoken, they were interrupted by a composed female voice on the other end of the phone.

"Xie Ge, I'm sorry." Yang Ying's voice was cold and distant, tinged with a hint of disdain. She replied without any politeness, "Xiao Mo has said that we will reject all your personal calls, without exception." After saying that, she promptly hung up the phone without hesitation.

Xie Shuling and Dudu looked at each other as Xie Shuling's ringing phone shook. Chen Shuqian, who stood by the side, covered her face and reluctantly said, "I knew it... Yang Jie added me to her blacklist days ago..."

Xie Shuling didn't believe in superstitions. He dialed both Xiao Mo's and Yang Ying's phones one by one, only to hear the system notification sound. Furious, he angrily threw the phone away.

Chen Shuqian sympathetically watched the phone fly away and murmured, "It seems like now you, Brother Xie, have also made it onto the blacklist."

Xie Shuling ground his back teeth together, forcing himself to calm down. He said coldly, "It's fine. Once the TV drama begins filming, even if Xiao Mo wants to hide, he won't be able to escape from me!"

Chen Shuqian scratched his head and took out his schedule from his phone to check. He reminded in a low voice, "Xie Ge, the TV drama can only start filming next month. The casting hasn't been finalized yet. This month, you still have two advertisements to shoot, and one cover photo to take..." As he spoke, his voice getting quieter and trembling under Xie Shuling's angry gaze.

Wuwu, he really wants to change jobs. Although Xie Ge looks handsome, with his mesmerizing peach blossom eyes, but... but his temper is really bad! Chen Shuqian, with teary eyes, thought about how to transfer to another job. Perhaps going to Xiao Mo's place would be great. Although Xiao Ge is cold and aloof, he is a good person and never blames others for anything...

Xie Shuling did not notice the active thoughts of his personal assistant. After pondering for a moment, he slowly relaxed his furrowed brow. Tapping his slender fingers on the desk, he calmly said, "But it's not too long, just a little over two weeks... Alright, you don't need to worry about my schedule for now. Just keep an eye on Xiaomo's itinerary."

Chen Shuqian felt bewildered and instinctively responded, "Xie Ge, isn't this inappropriate? Wouldn't I become a stalker then..."

Xie Shuling straightened his body, looking down at him from a high vantage point. The corners of her peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed as she half-threatened, half-lured him, saying, "Do as I say, double the salary. Will you do it or not?"

Chen Shuqian widened his eyes and nodded vigorously without hesitation, "I'll do it! Leave it to me, Brother Xie. I guarantee that I'll complete the mission!"

Chen Shuqian left happily, and Xie Shuling watched him depart, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Xiao Mo... I, Xie Shu Ling, am determined to have you!

In the following half month, Xie Shuling did not appear to be very eager. Matters of the heart cannot be forced, and playing hard-to-get is the best approach. Xie Shuling lived up to his romantic and charming appearance, always adept at navigating the complexities of love. On one hand, he deliberately portrayed himself as composed and unhurried; on the other hand, he demanded that Chen Shuqian report Xiao Mo's whereabouts every day. Whenever he heard Xiao Mo treat everyone equally, indifferent and self-possessed, he would smile with joy.

Chen Shuqian enjoyed watching the show from the sidelines, feeling that their boss perfectly embodied the saying - "they'd rather die than lose face and suffer."

This seemingly fragmented life finally came to an end in November. On that day, Chen Shuqian held his freshly doubled salary, smiling so wide that his teeth were invisible. He happily reported to Xie Shuling, "Tomorrow, 'Flower Boy' will start filming. Xiaoge attended the opening ceremony today and even had a drink with Wei Ruru alone at the subsequent banquet..."

The smile gradually faded from Xie Shuling's face, and he furrowed his brows, asking, "Wei Ruhuan? Who is that?"

Chen Shuqian was taken aback for a moment and said, "The female lead of 'Tanhua Lang' was chosen by Director Huang, a newcomer who is said to be quite impressive. I think Xiao Ge also quite likes her -- um..." Chen Shuqian sensibly sensed that something was not right in the atmosphere and abruptly stopped talking.

"Women..." Xie Shuling stroked his chin and had an expression of disbelief on his face. "So, it was her..."

He remembered now, in his previous life, it seemed like he had also heard of this name. Wei Ruhuan, indeed, was a newcomer actress chosen personally by Huang Da, playing the leading female role in her debut film "Tanhualang". During the filming process, she even had a scandal with Xiao Mo, and after the TV drama aired, she attracted a large number of fans with her superb acting skills and charming yet innocent appearance, becoming extremely popular for a while. Her future career also went smoothly, without any major mishaps.

Unfortunately, during the peak of Wei Ruhuan's popularity, he was already overwhelmed by an avalanche of scandals and smear campaigns, leaving him in a state of great distress. He had never even encountered this rising starlet, let alone knowing anything about her true character...

Those who can thrive in the entertainment industry are either cunning and ruthless, or exceptionally talented and hardworking. Xie Shuling didn't know which category Wei Ruhuan fell into, but she instinctively felt a sense of caution.

Stirring up rumors with Xiao Mo to gain attention... Hmph, he's involved this time too. Let's see who dares to spread rumors about Xiao Mo!

Xie Shuling snorted coldly, took out a cigarette from the cigarette case and lit it up. He raised his chin at Chen Shuqian, indicating that he could leave.

Chen Shuqian obediently knelt down and snuck away, his heart racing with fear. He didn't know why, but he had felt that in the past half month or so, Xie Shuling's personality had changed quite a bit. It wasn't so much that he had become more gentle, as it was that he had become more mature and cunning. When he was out in public, he always wore a gentle and friendly smile, treating everyone as kindly as possible. However, in private, he still carried a sharp and formidable air...

Chen Shuqian walked out of the apartment building where Xie Shuling lived and couldn't help but look up at the windows on the top floor, shaking his head. He didn't know why Xie insisted on holding onto Xiao and not letting go. Clearly, he was so heartless back then, but why did he suddenly change his mind in the blink of an eye?

"Men's hearts are as fickle as a needle in the sea..." Chen Shuqian muttered to himself, sighing as he walked away.

A few days later, the crew of the drama "Tanhua Lang" officially started filming. Xie Shuling opened the car door and got out, adjusting his collar before heading towards the studio. Chen Shuqian hurriedly ran over and stopped him, whispering, "Xie ge, you don't have any scenes in the first week of filming. The company has arranged other work for you. Why don't we..."

Xie Shuling walked straight ahead, without glancing sideways, and said indifferently, "Call Lu Xiao and tell him that I have already exceeded my work quota last month. I will be taking a leave this week."

Chen Shuqian couldn't stop him, so he could only watch him walk into the studio with tearful eyes. He took out his phone and called the big boss above him, "Mr. Lu... Mr. Lu, Xie Ge says... he wants to take a break this week..." Chen Shuqian's voice became quieter as he spoke, afraid that the person on the other end of the phone would explode in anger.

To his surprise, the person who spoke wasn't the big boss who was usually like a firecracker, but a deep and gentle male voice. The man smiled and said, "Lu Xiao's wife is about to give birth. I'm Lu Ji. I'll be in charge of the work for the next month. Can you please come to the company? I have something to ask you about Xie Shuling."