It was safe to say that people as oblivious as Minister Zhou were a rare breed.
"President Yuan! President Yuan!" he called out with such delight that anyone would have thought something wonderful had happened.
He was so loud that pretending not to hear him was impossible.
Yuan Chen let out a short breath. Standing beside him, Shen Yi could clearly sense that almost imperceptible trace of impatience.
He had already turned toward a less crowded area, only for Minister Zhou to cut in and block his path, his face wreathed in smiles.
Yuan Chen glanced at him with his usual polite, composed expression.
That oily, beaming face, looking ready to do anything for success, was full of ambition and an eagerness to impress.
"Minister Zhou, what has you so excited?"
"Oh, President Yuan! It's our new 'ace' at Akit, of course! You've heard of the actor Gu Qingheng, haven't you? He's the hottest name around right now..."
Team Leader Zhou launched into an endless account of Gu Qingheng's achievements: the hit dramas he had starred in, his films' box-office earnings, the endorsement offers pouring in... With the way he carried on, it was hard to tell whether he worked for Akit or Gu Qingheng's own agency. He praised Gu Qingheng to the skies.
Despite all his efforts, Yuan Chen's response remained exceptionally cool.
Seeing that his pitch was falling flat, Minister Zhou simply pulled Gu Qingheng over, hoping the popular actor could make his case in person.
"Isn't he even more handsome in the flesh?"
Minister Zhou proudly showed off Gu Qingheng, looking as satisfied as if he had raised him himself.
Yuan Chen did not answer. He merely turned his calm gaze toward Gu Qingheng.
Of course, he knew why Team Leader Zhou was making such a production