Extreme Pampering

"How could you just vanish without a word? How many times have I told you, the audition this afternoon is very important. Don't think that just because it's the fourth female lead it's not sought after, there are plenty of people eyeing that role."

Shen Zhiyi had just arrived at the company when she was scolded by her agent Guo Ting. She frowned, "I've told you I won't take that role. It's too one-dimensional, a nasty supporting character that just invites hate."

In fact, for the past three years, all the roles Shen Zhiyi had played were like that, because Huo Heng, every time he took on a new project, insisted on bringing her along, leaving her with few choices but to play parts with little screen time and detestable, foolish cannon fodder characters, which had brought her a lot of negative criticism.

"You're being picky now?" Guo Ting rebuked loudly, furrowing his brows, "What gives you the right to be picky? It's already good enough that Huo Heng's dramas are leaving any role for you!"

"Why do I have to be tied to him?" Shen Zhiyi shot back coldly. "Don't you realise that the more I'm tied to him, the worse his fans insult me? Or are you saying that you want to direct all the negative public opinion towards me, so as to protect Huo Heng's reputation?"

At the beginning, she had signed with the same talent agency as Huo Heng at his persuasion, but when she was accused of "getting in through the back door," and of setting a trap to seduce Huo Heng, the company did not offer any explanation. Over the years, however, Huo Heng's reputation had only improved because the marketing by the company had the public more and more convinced that the "scandalous photos of Huo Heng's night rendezvous with a female star" were a self-directed stunt by Shen Zhiyi, and that Huo Heng was only confirming their relationship because he was a responsible good man.

Shen Zhiyi had endured unfair treatment all this time, simply because she didn't want to hurt Huo Heng, and this had become the very thing that empowered them to bully her.

"What are you arguing about?"

Huo Heng's voice suddenly interrupted. He frowned at Shen Zhiyi, saying unhappily, "You're not listening to Brother Guo again?"

Seeing Huo Heng, Guo Ting immediately felt justified and quickly tattled, "Huo Heng, you have to manage her. She's complaining about the fourth female lead role you picked for her and doesn't want to go to the audition."

He made space for the two of them to be alone, already sure that Shen Zhiyi would cave in. After all, she cared about Huo Heng.

"Zhiyi, don't be willful. That fourth female lead role is the best I could get for you. It would be a pity for you to give up this opportunity."

Shen Zhiyi tugged her lips sarcastically, "Do you think I'm being willful?"

"What else?" Huo Heng said impatiently, "I know you're upset I didn't pick you up last night, but Xiaxia was in so much pain she was crying, and I was in a rush to take her to the hospital and couldn't break away. You would understand if you were reasonable and not dwell on this issue."

The more Shen Zhiyi questioned, the more disgusted she felt, "So you couldn't even find the time to get someone to help me? So you haven't even asked me once what happened last night?"

"Aren't you standing right here, fine?" Huo Heng was getting frustrated, "I'm busy, let's talk later."

The moment he turned away, the place in her heart reserved for him was finally emptied.

"Huo Heng,"

Shen Zhiyi said calmly, "I will terminate the contract with the company and from now on we will just be strangers."

She was someone who cherished old times, remembered all the kindness Huo Heng had shown her in her childhood, which was why she was willing to accommodate him time and again. But this did not mean she was foolish enough to let herself be manipulated.

"What did you say?" Huo Heng was taken aback. He had never thought Shen Zhiyi would say something about cutting ties with him.

He felt it was absurd, "Are you so upset with me that you'd say something like that?"

"I'm not upset," Shen Zhiyi was very calm, "Huo Heng, even if I really owed you in the past, I've paid my dues over these years. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore."

"Shen Zhiyi!"

Huo Heng was angry, looking at her in disbelief, "I've been so good to you, what else are you dissatisfied with?"

"Yes, I admit pretending to be your girlfriend brought you a lot of negative attention, but haven't I compensated for it? Every time I do a show, I recommend you to the director, fighting for roles for you. These resources are what others are desperate for, do you think you have the ability to act in acclaimed directors' films on your own?"

"Compensation?"

Shen Zhiyi laughed, "You play the male lead, let me play the unlikable cannon fodder, do you think this is compensation?"

She felt nauseated, "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Even those cannon fodder roles were ones I obtained through my own auditions. Do you think you have such a big face that the director would hold a role for you? Don't be naive; you're only a big shot in the eyes of fans."

Looking at the mocking expression on her face, Huo Heng suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Was this still the same Shen Zhiyi who always followed him around, who always heeded to his words obediently?

He stiffly changed the subject, "These are just words said in anger. I don't believe them. You're not rational right now; let's talk again when you've calmed down."

Shen Zhiyi commented indifferently, "Self-deception."

However, cutting ties with Huo Heng was not an easy task. There was still half a month left on her contract with the talent agency, and during this period, Shen Zhiyi was still in a passive position. This directly caused her to miss an audition opportunity she had arranged, and her afternoon was booked by her agent to participate in a live broadcast.

This live broadcast was an online fan meeting that Huo Heng had promised his fans a long time ago. Initially, Shen Zhiyi's participation was completely unnecessary, since her presence would provoke the dislike of most fans, but this time was an exception.

"Just behave yourself, don't talk too much or be annoying, just stay quiet,"

Guo Ting said in a patronizing tone, "This time it's Huo Heng who insisted on bringing you along. He still cares about you a lot, don't be petulant with him. Pay attention to maintaining his image and don't say anything out of line."

It was a great opportunity to give CP fans a treat, but unfortunately, there were far more haters than CP fans. The moment Shen Zhiyi appeared in the live room, a wave of hateful comments erupted.

[Why is this woman here too! Now she even has to appear in the online fan meeting!]

[Ah, my eyes hurt, I don't want to see her! Please break up!]

[I feel sick, seriously, she's so shameless!]

The comments never stopped flowing, but Huo Heng did not ask Shen Zhiyi to leave. Instead, he took the initiative to bring it up, "Yesterday was our three-year anniversary. We've been together all this time, so now everyone can see her in my live broadcast room."

He smiled gently, "We're very happy together; thank you all for your concern."

[Ah, I don't believe it, you must be forced!]

[They're actually flaunting their love... I'm so jealous]

[Is she clinging to you and not letting you go? Don't be soft-hearted and fall for her tricks!]

[Although I really don't like Shen, seeing you happy is reassuring, wishing you 99! (Of course, breaking up would be better)]

Huo Heng looked at the comments with satisfaction as the turmoil subsided somewhat, thinking to himself that Shen Zhiyi must finally be happy. He did care about her; it was just that he was so busy normally, he couldn't attend to everything.

He maintained a gentle expression and turned to Shen Zhiyi, who had been silent all along, "Zhiyi, why don't you greet everyone?"

Shen Zhiyi raised her head, her expressionless face looking at Huo Heng, "We've already broken up, Huo Heng."

"After breaking up, I have no obligation to accompany you in playing at love anymore."

She gave one last look at the live broadcast interface, got up, and left, "Hello, everyone. Goodbye."

Huo Heng's expression instantly cracked.