51: Then I need to stay away.

Material coordination is not simple. Yang Bin has exceptional ability, so naturally, he had to participate on behalf of Chu Yilan, while also helping Xu Jingge, handling it all with ease.

But at this moment, Yang Bin's precisely functioning brain stalled for a rare moment.

Shen Lian... Shen Lian???

In an instant, he had a sense of clarity, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

No wonder. Before, when CEO Chu watched that "Star Boldly Moving Forward," he was so disgusted with Li Jiabo. And the flowers in the office, and how CEO Chu would occasionally chuckle and space out while looking at his phone.

What on earth has he been busy with?!

Chu Yilan took Shen Lian over to sit down, while Yang Bin quickly walked up to Sun Binghe and dragged him out.

Sun Binghe was confused: "What's wrong with you?"

"To tell you the truth, I've always suspected that CEO Chu is in love," Yang Bin said, lowering his voice.

Sun Binghe's expression suddenly became very strange. He didn't want to be sarcastic, but he really couldn't help it: "First, tell me, when did you go blind?"

Yang Bin: "..."

Special Assistant Yang took a deep breath: "Can I say that this is the first time I've seen CEO Chu appear with Shen Lian?"

Surprise flashed in Sun Binghe's eyes: "Wait, don't tell me you didn't know all along that the person Boss was taking care of was Shen Lian."

Yang Bin gave a smile that looked worse than crying: "I really didn't know."

Sun Binghe looked sympathetic: "If Boss hadn't praised you a couple of times when we arrived, I would really suspect you were about to be kicked out of the inner circle. Although replacing you would make me feel a brief moment of regret, when I think about it deeply, the future looks promising."

Yang Bin rubbed his temples, too lazy to pay attention to Sun Binghe's big mouth.

While Yang Bin was asking Sun Binghe for details, Chu Yilan had finished introducing Xu Jingge and Shen Lian to each other inside.

Actually, this wasn't their first time meeting; it was just a formality.

Xu Jingge was clearly prepared and full of interest: "So, what is the relationship between Mr. Shen and CEO Chu?"

Chu Yilan: "Do you really have to ask?"

Xu Jingge: "I really have to ask."

Chu Yilan refilled Shen Lian's cup with tea. After a moment, he said in a deep voice: "Boyfriend."

Shen Lian's hand on his lap tightened suddenly, and his eyes unconsciously revealed a bit of pride and happiness.

Shen Lian never positioned himself as a "pet bird," and he could feel the same sentiment from Chu Yilan's cherishing. They had held hands, and they had kissed; defining it as "boyfriend" was not excessive.

At this point, Xu Jingge could finally say the words he had been holding back for a long time with conviction: "CEO Chu has also started to ask for trouble?"

Chu Yilan: "..."

Shen Lian asked about Chang Qing. Xu Jingge said he was busy with work, and he hadn't seen him for two days and a night either.

Yang Bin and Sun Binghe returned at some point. Sun Binghe was holding a tablet and browsing the Social Media Platform, focusing on Shen Lian's super topic, as Boss had told him to pay more attention to it.

Yang Bin leaned over: "What are you looking at?"

"Teacher Shen has been shipped in a CP by fans."

Shen Lian almost spat out his tea. He turned his head in horror, thinking, you're really saying it out loud?

Xu Jingge leaned back on the sofa and laughed, feeling incredibly satisfied, though he still had to console Chu Yilan: "Oh well, in the entertainment industry, it's normal to be bundled with others."

Sun Binghe raised his eyelids: "The CP partner is Mr. Chang Qing."

Xu Jingge: "..."

Chu Yilan said calmly: "Why aren't you laughing anymore, CEO Xu?"

Sun Binghe put away the tablet and stood straight: "It will be cleared in ten minutes."

Shen Lian broke into a cold sweat.

Brother Sun, you don't need to be this professional next time!

There were still a bunch of things to do in Qudu. After finishing this meal, Shen Lian and the others wouldn't return to the hotel but would head straight to the airport.

As for the Young Girl who had been cared for by Jiang You for two days, she still had to be handed over to the police officers.

Chu Yilan had seen the Young Girl, and he also noticed that the child seemed to have some language impairment; she wouldn't speak at all.

Taking her back wasn't realistic. What if her parents were desperately looking for her?

But the good news was that on the third day after Shen Lian returned to Qudu, he received a call from Lin City saying that the Young Girl had been picked up by her family. The heart that had been hanging in suspense finally relaxed.

Hu Kailan gave Shen Lian an extra week of vacation. Shen Lian acted like a homebody, spending his time taking care of flowers and plants or teasing Chu Zhumi.

The kitten was still small; its eyes could barely open a slit, and it spent most of its time sleeping. Shen Lian automatically took on the task of feeding it goat milk powder, not caring if he often got it all over his hands. The little brat would meow when hungry and kick when full, showing hints of a rebellious streak.

"Show some respect to your provider," Shen Lian said, leaning over to put the kitten back in its nest. "From now on, I'm the one in charge of this house."

Chu Yilan happened to hear this when he walked in. He changed his shoes and didn't refute it.

"Oh right, Director Dai just called me. Tomorrow is the wrap-up celebration party for "silent no more". Are you going?"

The celebration was held late. Coincidentally, a very important investor had been trapped in Lin City at the time, so it had been delayed until now.

Chu Yilan said calmly: "What would I go there for?"

"Director Dai said I can bring a family member."

"Once my identity gets out, can your acting career still remain calm?" Chu Yilan believed that Shen Lian knew everything and didn't have to go, but the sense of security Shen Lian gave him made Chu Yilan very satisfied. The man smiled: "Your Agent would hang himself at the door of Star Opening."

Shen Lian thought about it. Come to think of it, Brother Hu really might do something like that.

Hu Kailan's attitude toward Shen Lian had completely changed; he was either finding resources or picking scripts every day. Spreading news of a relationship at this time would be asking for trouble, wouldn't it?

Like Zheng Ge and Zhou Tangsi, the fans just follow their idols—a bunch of love-struck fools. If you replaced them with someone career-oriented, try it and see; that very night, fans would leave or turn against them.

Shen Lian's fan base wasn't even stable yet. Who knows what would happen if a relationship rumor got out.

"Then I'll contact you when I'm done."

Chu Yilan nodded: "Okay."

Shen Lian realized that Chu Yilan's "surveillance" of him was no longer as intense. In other words, this man's sense of security was rising sharply. His efforts hadn't been in vain!

The wrap-up celebration party was at the Morning Star clubhouse. Director Dai was not as extravagant as Feng Yueshan, but he could still afford to rent a decent venue.

Shen Lian attended in a suit and leather shoes. After getting into the car, he put on the wristwatch handed to him by Jiang You.

Although he was the lead actor, he still had to do his job. There were many wealthy businessmen tonight, and they were all walking billboards.

By the time Shen Lian arrived, most of the people had already come. Huang Jiacan was the first to greet him: "Oh my, it's been a few days, and you've become even more handsome."

"I can't compare to Consort Huang, who is beautiful enough to topple cities."

Huang Jiacan was wearing a pure white draped tulle gown, her waist slender and graceful, her hair pulled up, looking quite charming. Shen Lian chatted with her for a few minutes when he suddenly saw Huang Jiacan's expression change in surprise: "Is that Zheng Ge?"

Shen Lian turned around.

Honestly, he was also a bit surprised. The reason was simple: Zheng Ge looked... somewhat haggard. It was the kind of exhaustion that even white powder couldn't hide under the scrutiny of the lights. Shen Lian even felt that his "pure aura" of being worldly-unaware had been diminished by more than half, like a white flower that had once bloomed on a branch meeting the cold winter, all drooping.

Wouldn't Zhou Tangsi blow up Qudu like a firework to make his sweetheart happy?

Shen Lian had always felt a sense of mockery toward their love, which was intense and passionate but completely disregarded the lives of others.

"I heard that Zheng Ge and CEO Zhou had a fight."

Someone whispered gossip.

Then I should stay away, Shen Lian thought.