5: I don't want the person I like to misunderstand.

What Chu Yilan didn't know was that in his previous life, whether it was Shen Lian's true fans or his haters, they only reached a high level of consensus on one thing: Shen Lian was flamboyant—openly flamboyant.

He expressed his feelings for the things he liked clearly and boldly, comparable to a peacock spreading its tail.

And Chu Yilan was most afraid of directness.

As a result, Shen Lian swung one heavy blow after another without stopping for a moment.

Shen Lian successfully forced Chu Yilan back into his room.

Once Chu Yilan left, Shen Lian forgot the pain once the wound healed and couldn't help but roll around several times while hugging the quilt; he seemed to have seen Chu Yilan's ears turn red just now.

Chu Yilan returned to the bedroom and gulped down a glass of cold water.

The next morning, by the time Shen Lian woke up, Chu Yilan had already gone to the office. He leisurely finished the breakfast Aunt Fen made and then went to the cafe specified by Qian Gao.

Qian Gao was about 1.65 meters tall, average-looking, slightly balding, and in his thirties, but his eyes gleamed with shrewdness; to make a name for himself in the Agent circle, he must have plenty of schemes.

Qian Gao was originally sitting on the sofa like a big shot, his first look at Shen Lian full of disdain, but a second look quickly followed, and then he blinked in disbelief.

A change in a person's aura can make them look completely different from before.

Shen Lian sat down opposite Qian Gao.

"Hello, Brother Qian."

Qian Gao: "You..."

After searching for a long time without finding a suitable word, Qian Gao asked tentatively, "What kind of provocation did you receive?"

"The provocation of having no money." Shen Lian gave a lazy smile. "I'm poor, Brother Qian. Are there any announcements suitable for me?"

Speaking of this, Qian Gao immediately began to talk incessantly.

One was a Dating Variety Show and the other was an Adventure Variety Show. After analyzing, Qian Gao preferred the former; after all, given Shen Lian's current reputation, no matter who he was paired with as a CP, it would generate buzz.

"The Adventure Variety Show then," Shen Lian followed up.

Qian Gao didn't expect Shen Lian to actually object, and asked in surprise, "Why?"

Shen Lian said candidly, "I don't want the person I like to misunderstand."

On the other side, in the office, Chu Yilan's back stiffened upon hearing this sentence.

Shen Lian's guess was correct; Chu Yilan wouldn't trust him completely, and it wasn't difficult to plant a small listening device on Shen Lian's clothes.

Qian Gao was stunned for a moment, then almost jumped up, scolding him roundly, "Are you sick? How many times have I told you? Zhou Tangsi looks down on you; he hasn't even looked at you properly, yet you still don't want the person you like to..."

"It's not Zhou Tangsi." Shen Lian frowned and interrupted. "I'm not interested in idiots."

Qian Gao: "???"

"I don't like Zhou Tangsi." Shen Lian didn't care how low the credibility of this sentence was. "Anyway, Brother Qian, give me a chance. I can handle the Adventure Variety Show."

Qian Gao wouldn't agree at all. In Shen Lian's current situation, he didn't have the luxury of choice.

The phone buzzed with vibration. Qian Gao gave a warning look while taking it out.

However, upon seeing something, Qian Gao's expression quickly changed.

After a full half-minute, Qian Gao asked Shen Lian, "Have you thought it through? The Adventure Variety Show?"

Shen Lian nodded. "Yes."

Qian Gao finalized it. "Fine, then that's the one. Report in three days."

Shen Lian didn't care why Qian Gao's attitude suddenly changed; at most, there was a pitfall ahead.

"Brother Qian," Shen Lian continued, "the previous announcement fees, the company should also settle some for me..."

"Don't even think about it!" Qian Gao's spit flew everywhere. "How much negative impact did you bring to the company when you insisted on getting involved in the business between Zhou Tangsi and Zheng Ge? The compensation is enough to make you walk the streets naked. Don't be ungrateful. If you're late again this time, just you try me!"

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes slightly. It had been many years since anyone dared to speak to him like that.

Qian Gao's heart inexplicably turned cold, and he swallowed the rest of his harsh words.

Shen Lian sneered inwardly. Who was it that urged the Original Host to bind with Zhou Tangsi before? Saying that notoriety is still fame. Now that they've earned enough traffic, they turn their backs on him. Fine, after participating in this Adventure Variety Show, it'll be about time to terminate the contract.

In the spacious office, Chu Yilan's face was gloomy. He thought Shen Lian was playing the victim, but it turned out to be true. Being exploited like this, no wonder there was so little money left in the bank.

Knock, knock, knock—

The assistant knocked on the door.

Chu Yilan: "Come in."

The assistant cautiously pushed open the door, his expression carrying a hint of inexplicable nervousness.

Chu Yilan didn't like this kind of hesitation from his subordinates. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the flowers in the assistant's arms.

Chu Yilan's gaze froze, and he pursed his lips.

"What are you doing coming in with flowers?"

A bunch of pink lilies, with a fresh fragrance.

The assistant said in a low voice, "Someone delivered them to the front desk, saying they're... for you."

When the assistant brought the flowers up, he received ten thousand stares. Chu Yilan was the Living Yama of the business world, cold by nature, and even more unapproachable after his appearance was damaged. No one dared to show him any affection.

After a moment, Chu Yilan said, "Bring them here."

Assistant: "?" Shouldn't he be told to throw them directly into the trash?

The assistant gently placed the lilies in front of Chu Yilan.

The man's slender fingertips flipped through the flowers and quickly pulled out a greeting card.

The card was tinged with fragrance, and the handwriting on it was elegant and powerful: Roses are a bit expensive, so don't look down on this bouquet.

Chu Yilan: "..."

"CEO Chu?" The assistant couldn't read anything from Chu Yilan's face and asked softly, "How should this be handled?"

"Do you need to ask me about such a small matter?"

The assistant thought, OK, I'll throw it in the trash right away.

Chu Yilan: "Are there no vases in the office? Can't you do simple flower arranging?"

Assistant: "!!!"

Chu Yilan sneered, "You could be even stupider."

"..."

After the assistant left, Chu Yilan looked at the documents on the screen, but his mind kept replaying Shen Lian's clear and composed words: "I don't want the person I like to misunderstand."

A long time later, Chu Yilan let out a cold, mocking laugh. Whatever, it wasn't important to him; it was just a bit of seasoning for when he was bored.

Chu Yilan closed his eyes, and a familiar darkness enveloped him.

He had briefly trusted many people before, but what was the result?

The human heart is the least worthy of hope.

The assistant arranged the lilies and placed them on the small cabinet by the door. The water droplets on the leaves were crystal clear, and Chu Yilan could see them as soon as he looked up.

After parting with Qian Gao, Shen Lian returned to his rental apartment. Calling it an apartment was a stretch, as it was only about twenty square meters. There was a bed upstairs, and the bedding was messy.

Shen Lian tidied everything up one by one. Since it was a place arranged by the company, there were many things he couldn't take away. In the end, he only had half a suitcase of belongings.

Shen Lian made it back to Chu Yilan's place before dark.

As soon as he entered, he saw Chu Yilan sitting on the sofa reading a financial magazine. The man had his legs crossed, and even with his head down, his beautiful and cold profile could be seen.

Shen Lian admired him for a few seconds before starting to change his shoes.

At the dinner table, Shen Lian mentioned participating in the variety show in three days. Chu Yilan only gave a heavy "Mhm," seemingly having no objection.

Then, Shen Lian changed the subject. "Do you like the lilies?"

Chu Yilan: "The fragrance is too strong."

Shen Lian understood. "I'll send something else next time."

Chu Yilan was non-committal.

Aunt Fen smiled as she entered the kitchen; Xiao Lan even knows how to give flowers to Mr. Shen.