"They just don't understand!" Xiao Yao said indignantly, then glanced warily ahead, lowering her voice even further. "Brother Chen, you have to stick to your principles. I can tell you're unhappy."
These sporadic, cautious exchanges became precious lights in Lin Chen's gloomy life. He naively believed that in this cold machine, at least there was someone like Xiao Yao, someone who maintained her innocence and whom he could confide in.
He was wrong.
The turning point came during his first major commercial activity after signing the contract—an endorsement promotion for a well-known international beverage brand. The company secured him a series of commercials, an excellent resource for a newcomer. However, during the script discussion for the commercial shoot, Lin Chen clashed with the company's planning team.
The advertising concept required him to play a trendy young man, energetic at a party, attracting all attention with the beverage. This didn't entirely match the "slightly melancholic, artistic genius" persona the company had cultivated for him, and it clashed with his own personality.
"I don't think this role is quite right for me," Lin Chen tried to express his thoughts, speaking as tactfully as possible. "Perhaps we could adjust it, focusing more on musical elements, like a singer who draws inspiration from their creative process…"
The planning director, a woman with short, neat hair and sharp eyes, interrupted him directly: "Lin Chen, you need to understand, this is a commercial, not your music video. The brand wants market impact, sales! We secured this opportunity for you to cooperate, not for you to direct the creative process!"
Amy chimed in, her tone a reassuring yet pressured one: "Lin Chen, listen to the director. The company has professional judgment in this area; you need to trust the team."
Lin Chen looked at the script filled with exaggerated acting and empty lines, remembering Dr. Xu's words about "letting go of unnecessary insistence," and a rebellious streak surged up. The pent-up grievances, repression, and feelings of disrespect that had accumulated over this period exploded at that moment.
"I trust the team's business acumen, but I also hope they can respect my basic feelings as an artist." He raised his head, his voice low but carrying a rare firmness. "Performing against my personal characteristics might not yield good results. I believe we can find a balance."
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly plummeted. The planning director's face darkened, and Amy's eyes flashed with panic and reproach.
Ultimately, the discussion ended unhappily. The advertisement shoot was temporarily shelved.
That evening, Lin Chen was urgently summoned to Mr. Wang's office. This time, Mr. Wang's face lacked its usual feigned gentleness, replaced by a cold sternness.
"Lin Chen, you have disappointed me greatly." Mr. Wang slammed a stack of photos onto his desk. "Do you think that just because you've signed with a company and gained some fame, you can do whatever you want?"
Lin Chen looked at the photos, his blood seemingly freezing instantly—they were images of him and Xiao Yao whispering to each other in a car on their way to a gig, taken from a tricky angle, appearing unusually intimate. There were even a few photos showing Xiao Yao secretly returning his old phone to him!
"The company assigned you an assistant to take care of your life, not for you to develop any relationship beyond work! It certainly wasn't for her to help you break company rules!" Mr. Wang's voice was like ice. "Also, who gave you the right to interfere with advertising creative? Do you think you're some international superstar?"