It shouldn't be this way...
No matter how I think about it, this shouldn't be happening!
She had left Xiaoyao Pavilion in the middle of the night before, taking her luggage and leaving decisively.
She should have made her stance clear by then, and Gu Yaoyang, being such an intelligent person, should have understood.
Although she was still an artist under Gu's Entertainment, she wasn't so important that Mr. Gu himself needed to personally meet her and treat her with such seriousness.
Wouldn't it be better if everyone just turned a blind eye, made money without interfering with each other?
But now... it's just too strange!
Xia Qingtian looked at Gu Yaoyang behind the square office desk, her feelings incredibly complex.
Even if she joined the assistant department and was just acting in a variety show, was it really necessary for her to be by Mr. Gu's side?
Wasn't he afraid of accidentally leaking any commercial secrets?
Although the filming segments could be edited, wasn't Mr. Gu always known for his mysterious and aloof demeanor?
Did he really need to appear on camera himself?
In her previous life, she didn't remember any variety show that could afford Mr. Gu.
Could it be... another ripple effect caused by her rebirth?
If so, then she, a mere butterfly, had truly stirred up a formidable tornado.
As Xia Qingtian was silently pondering this matter, she felt someone nudge her with an elbow.
Xia Qingtian subconsciously glanced at Assistant Lin beside her, then followed Assistant Lin's gaze to Gu Yaoyang.
"Iced Americano." Mr. Gu looked up at Xia Qingtian, "Please."
"Don't you have a sensitive stomach? Why are you drinking iced Americano?" As soon as Xia Qingtian said this, she froze. Immediately, a wave of regret washed over her.
She wished she could slap herself. How could she be so troublesome?
He could drink whatever he wanted; what business was it of hers!
Xia Qingtian's heart was churning with annoyance, but on her face, she tried her best to maintain her usual beautiful composure.
"Then... how about a hot latte instead." A subtle smile flickered in Gu Yaoyang's eyes, and his tone clearly softened.
"Yes, please wait a moment." Xia Qingtian practically fled the CEO's office, "So embarrassing... I hope this part can be cut... No, it will definitely be cut!"
Perhaps all the scenes involving Mr. Gu could be cut...
No, no, if that were the case, wouldn't her participation be completely pointless?
Huh?!
It was only now that Xia Qingtian seemed to have figured something out, clapping her hands together.
How could she not have thought of this!
Perhaps this was Gu Yaoyang's true intention!
This was his way of putting her on ice, right?
Because the contract for this variety show was signed beforehand, he had to let her appear on camera. Afterward, he would use his status as Mr. Gu to ensure that all scenes involving the two of them were cut mercilessly.
Then would follow endless announcements, completely blacklisting her!
And for these three days, Gu Yaoyang could boss her around and torment her as he pleased!
As a mere assistant at Gu's Entertainment, she was bound to be an insignificant figure, bullied by everyone!
These three days were destined to be filled with workplace bullying!
However, if he thought she was some tragic heroine from a morally corrupt romance novel, he was dead wrong!
She was Xia Qingtian, who had crawled back from hell. In this life, she would never let anyone bully her again!
Worst case scenario, she wouldn't work in the entertainment industry anymore and would return to the Xia family to inherit the family business!
With her intelligence, system bonuses, and her business acumen from before her rebirth, she didn't believe she couldn't carve out her own path!
Who knows, she might even build a new commercial empire that could rival Gu's Entertainment!
"Hehehe~" Xia Qingtian thought to herself, the Italian coffee grinder in her hand making a clattering sound, as if she were grinding not coffee beans, but someone's skull.
"Miss Xia." Assistant Lin stood behind Xia Qingtian, hesitating before speaking, "There's actually an automatic coffee machine; it's fine if you don't grind by hand."
"It's okay, I'm almost done grinding." Xia Qingtian turned and smiled at Assistant Lin, while thinking to herself: I won't give Gu Yaoyang a chance to find fault!
If Gu Yaoyang were to say something like: For coffee, I only drink hand-ground; you, as an assistant, still have a lot to learn!
She could then retort.
"Mr. Gu's decisions are usually final. I can see that Miss Xia is special." Assistant Lin looked at Xia Qingtian and said softly.
Of course, no one in the entire Gu's Entertainment dared to speak to Mr. Gu the way Xia Qingtian had today.
"Is that so?" Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow slightly, so Gu Yaoyang's games weren't over yet?
If he wanted to target her, he was still miles away!
"There's a lunch break in half an hour. Does Miss Xia have any requests for lunch?" Assistant Lin asked.
"Me? Normal staff meal is fine." Xia Qingtian paused and then said, "Please don't call me Miss Xia; just call me Qingtian. I'll be counting on your guidance for the next three days."
"I dare not accept your guidance, Miss Xia... Qingtian, you are very capable." Assistant Lin took the ground beans from Xia Qingtian with a smile and began the next steps, "The work ahead will be very busy. I need to stay with the secretary group, so it will be tough on you with Mr. Gu."
"Okay— Huh?" Xia Qingtian blinked in surprise. Before she could react, a latte coffee with a beautiful latte art was placed in her hand, "What? I'm going back alone?"
Before, Assistant Lin was with her in Gu Yaoyang's office, and they could look out for each other. Leaving her alone...
Although there were still filming crew members, it wasn't exactly like being alone in a room with a man and a woman, but since they had already fallen out, wouldn't it be awkward for her to stay there?
Wouldn't Gu Yaoyang also feel awkward?
In fact, shortly after Xia Qingtian returned to Gu Yaoyang's office and placed the latte coffee on the desk, she realized she had been overthinking.
When Gu Yaoyang was truly busy with work, he had no time for anyone or anything around him.
His focused and composed demeanor, his calm and professional attitude in handling everything, and his perfect jawline and flawless curves hidden beneath his bespoke suit...
No!
Forcing her eyes shut, Xia Qingtian immediately stopped herself mentally.
What was she even thinking?
At this moment, Gu Yaoyang answered a call and spoke to the other party in French, "Should the meeting date be changed to three o'clock this afternoon?"
As he said this, Gu Yaoyang's gaze fell on Xia Qingtian.
Xia Qingtian quickly regained her senses and immediately tapped on the tablet. She first confirmed Gu Yaoyang's schedule for the day and then crossed her index fingers to make an "X" sign.
"Three o'clock this afternoon is not convenient for me." Seeing Xia Qingtian's action, Gu Yaoyang's lips curved into a shallow arc, "Let me check the time..."
"There's an hour of free time after four o'clock this afternoon." Xia Qingtian said softly, cupping her hand around her mouth.
"Is after four o'clock this afternoon okay?" Gu Yaoyang said after retracting his gaze, "Alright, then let's set the meeting for four o'clock this afternoon."
After hanging up the phone, Gu Yaoyang looked at Xia Qingtian and saw that she had already lowered her head to record the time on the tablet.
"The meeting scheduled for five o'clock tomorrow afternoon has been moved to today." Gu Yaoyang reminded her, "Ask the secretary group to pull up the files and prepare in advance."
"Understood." Xia Qingtian replied, and after making the changes, she quickly went to the secretary group to retrieve the materials.
Watching Xia Qingtian's retreating back, the smile on Gu Yaoyang's lips deepened.