Chapter 7: The CEO’s Curious Interrogation

The next day, Ji Xiao was trending on social media.

Initially, many passersby, seeing only the photos, mistook him for a celebrity. It was only after they realized he was an entertainment industry CEO that they couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

“This CEO is even better looking than a celebrity!”

“That aloof demeanor… Ah, I’m dead!”

“Star Sea Entertainment’s CEO and a Film Emperor publicly reveal their relationship; the formidable CEO and the rising star…”

Ji Xiao smirked faintly.

“These media outlets are truly amusing.”

Pei Yu’s recently wrapped drama was about to begin its promotional campaign. As the lead actor, he naturally couldn’t be absent.

Thus, the Black Cat once again began egging its host on to stir up some trouble.

Ji Xiao, dressed in a silver suit, arrived at the company, his stern face devoid of any superfluous emotion. The employees immediately lowered their voices in his presence.

After a moment’s thought, he bypassed his office and headed towards the training department. As he passed a pantry, a quick glance revealed a refined, scholarly-looking young man staring at his reflection, his face wet.

It was hard to tell if the moisture on his face was water or tears, but his eyes were noticeably red. He evidently saw Ji Xiao stop outside through the reflection.

He quickly turned around. “Good morning, President Xiao.”

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

Ji Xiao gave a slight nod. “Come with me.”

“?”

The young man looked bewildered, but he quickly wiped his face and followed Ji Xiao’s steps.

Ji Xiao settled onto the sofa in his office. “Sit.”

The young man hesitated for only a second before taking the seat opposite him.

Ji Xiao began, “Is someone bullying you at the company?”

The young man shook his head slightly. “No.”

“Then why were you crying?”

“…”

He fell silent. Perhaps President Xiao simply wouldn’t tolerate bullying within his company.

“It’s a personal matter…”

Ji Xiao lit a cigarette. “Tell me about it.”

“…” ‘Is President Xiao really this gossipy?’

The young man lowered his gaze slightly, stating calmly, “It’s nothing major, just a case of pouring my heart out to a dog.”

The young man, named Ji Shu, had briefly risen to fame when he first entered the industry, thanks to his delicate, refined face and gentle demeanor. He had been fortunate enough to land a role perfectly suited for him.

His portrayal of the gentle, wealthy, and devoted second male lead in that drama had brought tears to countless viewers’ eyes and garnered him a significant number of fans. Following this trajectory, his career should have flourished.

However, he fell in love. His boyfriend was also in the industry, but signed to a small company with limited resources. Ji Shu generously shared many of his own resources with him, doing a great deal to help him.

Though he was scolded by his agent numerous times and even faced contract termination, he had no regrets. Fortunately, his boyfriend did indeed become famous.

He was now a popular idol.

“I never thought he’d burn his bridges like that, kicking me aside the moment he became famous.”

Ji Xiao observed Ji Shu’s calm expression, flicking his cigarette ash impassively.

“Do you regret it?”

“There’s nothing to regret. I was blind; I can’t blame anyone else.”

He had believed his boyfriend was someone dedicated to self-improvement and pursuing his dreams, and he had spared no effort to help him. Who could have known it would lead to such a outcome?

Ji Xiao said indifferently, “Do you want to be famous? Do you want to trample him underfoot?”

“Of course I do,” Ji Shu said with a bitter laugh, “but I repeatedly gave my resources to others in private. My agent and I have a good relationship, and they’ve been covering for me, but… I was just informed that I’m facing contract termination.”

Ji Xiao reached out and pulled a room key card from his pocket. “If you come tonight, you can become famous.”

Ji Shu: “…”

He couldn’t help but glance up at Ji Xiao.

Ji Xiao dangled the room key card in his hand.

Ji Shu stood up. “I apologize, President Xiao, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline your kind offer.”

Ji Xiao placed the key card on the table. “Going to a hotel doesn’t mean I intend to do anything to you.”

Ji Shu: “…” ‘Otherwise, what?’

“Think about it again. I won’t do anything to you.”

“…”

****

It was late at night when Pei Yu returned to the hotel booked for his drama’s cast. He had initially considered calling Ji Xiao, but feared he might already be asleep.

After showering, he couldn’t resist opening the monitoring app. The cameras at home showed no one, and the lights were off. As for the hotel…

His face darkened. Ves Hotel, Room 8820.

Ji Shu had, after all, taken the room key card and arrived. He was remarkably composed.

“President Xiao, may I ask what you wanted me to come here for?”

Ji Xiao asked, “What are you good at?”

Ji Shu answered without hesitation, “Acting.” As an actor, he was, of course, good at acting.

Ji Xiao hummed, stroking his chin. “I don’t take you for a fool, so why did you pour your heart out to your ex-boyfriend and leave no path for yourself?”

Ji Shu hadn’t expected Ji Xiao to be interested in his love life. ‘Could President Xiao have invited me to a hotel just to learn about my relationship?’

“Perhaps it was my first time falling for someone; I lacked experience and acted foolishly.”

Ji Xiao scoffed softly. “Not every person experiencing their first love is as foolish as you.”

Ji Shu said softly, “President Xiao is right.”

Ji Xiao stood up and took a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet. “Get some ice from the fridge.”

“Certainly, President Xiao.”

Pouring two glasses of red wine, Ji Xiao gently swirled his glass as he spoke. “Come on, the wine is here. Now, tell me your story.”

Ji Shu’s polite smile faltered slightly. “?” ‘Didn’t I already tell you at the company?’

“Tell me, with details.”

Even feeling somewhat offended, Ji Shu remained polite and refined. “President Xiao, why are you so interested in my personal feelings?”

“To learn from your experience, to avoid pitfalls.”

“…”

In a hotel in another city, Pei Yu listened silently, feeling speechless, as Ji Shu recounted his emotional story. In the end, Ji Xiao returned to his room to sleep.

Ji Shu, whose voice had grown slightly hoarse, was left to sleep on the sofa. Pei Yu, too, gradually drifted off to sleep.

‘What’s wrong with my partner?’

****

The next day, Ji Xiao showed no intention of hiding anything, leaving the hotel with Ji Shu and returning to the company together. Before they exited the car, he said, “What happened last night, don’t tell anyone else.”

Ji Shu, still feeling a bit uncomfortable in his throat, nodded gently. “Okay.”

To their employees, President Xiao was cool and noble. Who would have thought that in private, he was such a gossip? Inviting an artist to a hotel just to hear a story? He knew if he told anyone, they wouldn’t believe him.

Ji Xiao seemed to be in a good mood, personally taking Ji Shu to meet his agent. “Elevate Ji Shu’s contract to the highest level. From now on, take good care of him; I’ll put in a word.”

Ji Shu’s agent looked completely bewildered. “Yes, President Xiao.”

****

As soon as Pei Yu landed, he received a call from his own agent. “I heard President Xiao personally drove someone to the company today, even taking them to the Artist Management Department to greet their agent! And their contract was elevated to the highest level, just like yours!”

Pei Yu’s face was numb. “Ji Shu?”

Agent Xie sounded surprised. “You knew?”

Pei Yu simply hummed in affirmation.

Agent Xie sighed with worry. “Are you and President Xiao really okay? First it was Ye Sheng, and now there’s another Ji Shu…”

Pei Yu replied, “If I told you he just wanted to hear a story, would you believe me?”

Agent Xie: “?”

Pei Yu said, “Never mind, you don’t need to worry about it.”

Star Sea Entertainment. President’s Office.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

“Come in.”

Secretary Zhou entered the office. “President Xiao, photos of you and Ji Shu leaving the hotel together have been taken and posted online. Should we suppress them?”

Ji Xiao replied, “Don’t bother.”

Secretary Zhou said, “Understood.” Luckily, she hadn’t suppressed them directly but had come to ask first. She knew that if President Xiao didn’t want to be photographed at his own hotel, he had plenty of ways to prevent it.

After Secretary Zhou left, the Black Cat asked curiously, “Why do I feel like something’s off?”

Ji Xiao’s eyes held a faint smile. “What’s off?”

The Black Cat questioned, “Didn’t you say you wanted to establish a playboy persona? Why didn’t you do anything last night?”

“Does my not doing anything last night conflict with establishing a playboy persona?”

“It doesn’t?”

“It doesn’t.”

The Black Cat complained, “Host, please be serious. If you don’t want the original host’s former lovers, fine, but you should find some new lovers yourself!”

‘He’s lured three artists to hotels, but hasn’t taken any as lovers. Is this host being too perfunctory?’

Ji Xiao began, “Don’t worry, I— Damn it! Get out of my sight!”

The Black Cat had appeared on his desk at some point, its entirely black form and eerie blue eyes staring fixedly at him. Ji Xiao clumsily dragged his chair back to create distance, his cold demeanor vanishing as he gritted his teeth.

“Disappear now!”

The Black Cat declared, “If you don’t complete your tasks properly, I will appear within your line of sight twenty-four hours a day.”

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it, I’ll do it!”

The Black Cat, believing it had found a way to control its host, let out a soft snort and vanished on the spot. Ji Xiao stood up and kicked over his chair.

“Damn Black Cat, I’ll f*** your mom!”

“Did you hear that? I’ll f*** your mom!”

‘Where did I not do my task? Is this system blind? My playboy reputation will be common knowledge soon, alright?’

📚 Also on NHV Novels

My Disciple Grants Me a Year’s Worth of Cultivation Every Day

ComedySlice of LifeTransmigration

Read Now →
Not interested