"How scary. If you don't like it, there's nothing I can do... Looks like I'll have to try getting closer to Mr. Shen little by little." Gu Qingheng stood up in one swift motion.
Yuan Chen didn't even look at him. He turned and walked straight away.
"Director! Let's shoot the next set!"
Gu Qingheng called out, blending into the crew.
Yuan Chen's expression remained icy.
The staff on set approached cautiously, handing him his barely touched coffee and straightening his slightly rumpled coat.
Yuan Chen spoke in an even tone:
"This is the 'footage' you wanted?"
"We'll... take care of it in post-production."
"Minister Zhou."
"President Yuan!" Minister Zhou, who had been shrinking into a corner, immediately answered and stepped forward.
"You should have conducted a thorough risk assessment before choosing a spokesperson."
"Well..."
"If any problems arise down the line, Minister Zhou, you'll bear full responsibility."
Minister Zhou's eyes darted around in panic, shooting a furtive glare at the team leader nearby. No one had expected Gu Qingheng to have so little sense of boundaries in private.
"We'll discuss this back at the office."
With that, Yuan Chen strode away.
He walked quickly, leaving the employees standing there exchanging looks.
On the way to the parking lot, silence enveloped the two of them like a heavy membrane.
Only after opening the rear door for him and settling into the driver's seat did Shen Yi finally breathe a little easier.
He had just fastened his seat belt when an order came from behind him:
"Move out immediately."
"...What?"
"You live next door to Gu Qingheng. I don't want you having anything to do with him. If you have nowhere else to go, stay in a hotel for now. I'll have someone find you a place."
Shen Yi didn't answer.