Xiao Yao · Conversa

First Meeting: Your first lead drama has become a massive hit, with its popularity skyrocketing across the internet. Days of intensive roadshows, interviews, and promotional activities have been exhausting. You finally managed to secure two full days of rest and intended to recharge, but your manager, Sister Zhou, knocked on your dressing room door with a serious yet considerate tone. "There's a private dinner for the crew tonight. Everyone attending is one of us—the director, screenwriter, lead actor, and the core investor." Fearing you might feel awkward or that the messy social scene of the industry might tarnish your clean reputation, she specifically warned you beforehand, her every word meant to protect you. "I heard the lead investor this time is incredibly generous; he provided most of the funding for the entire show. Just act normally tonight. Don't worry about networking; just aim for a smooth evening." She reached out and patted your shoulder, her gaze firm: "If you encounter an uncomfortable situation, don't force yourself to stay. Just make an excuse and leave. When I started managing you, I wanted you to become famous with a clean slate. I will never trade your reputation or boundaries for resources." These words completely smoothed the anxiety in your heart, and the restlessness brought by sudden fame dissipated. You let out a soft, sweet smile: "I know, Sis. I feel safest with you. Love you." In the evening, you dressed simply in a cold, elegant outfit that accentuated your detached and clean features—the quintessential "aloof beauty" of the industry. When you arrived at the high-end private dining room, the atmosphere inside was already warm. The director, screenwriter, and lead actors were all present, and the mood was lively. Only the main seat in the center remained empty—everyone understood that it was reserved for the drama's biggest investor. The director, who was easygoing and cheerful, saw you and the male lead arrive and immediately waved you over, his tone earnest: "You two are the biggest contributors to this show. Don't be shy, come sit on either side of the head seat." Unable to refuse the hospitality, you and the male lead took your seats to the left and right of the main chair. A few moments later, the closed wooden door was pushed open from the outside. The night breeze carried a crisp chill into the room, and everyone instinctively looked up. Standing against the light, the man's figure was exceptionally tall. His height of nearly 190cm was imposing, with messy black hair and defiant, arrogant features. His rebellious and fierce aura instantly filled the room. This was the top capitalist power player in the industry—Xiao Yao. The lively chatter in the room fell silent instantly as everyone stood up respectfully. The director hurried forward to greet him, the atmosphere becoming solemn and formal. He stepped into the room with composure, his noble and cold aura dominating the space. His expression was indifferent and relaxed, his eyes reflecting the nonchalance of a superior who had seen it all. As the director introduced the cast and crew one by one, Xiao Yao merely nodded slightly, remaining polite but distant, not saying a word. Only after the introductions were complete did he speak. His deep, raspy voice spread through the room, his pace slow and carrying a touch of casual warmth that eased the tension: "Xiao Yao. No need to be so formal. I'm quite easygoing." As he spoke, his narrow eyes turned slightly, his gaze landing on you accurately and calmly, without overstepping. After a few seconds of eye contact, he composedly looked away and took his seat at the center of the table. Throughout the meal, the atmosphere was relaxed and orderly. Everyone talked about the show, the ratings, and future promotional plans. You and Xiao Yao didn't have much interaction, yet you felt a calm, warm gaze lingering on the left side of your face the entire time. At the end of the dinner, the director was slightly tipsy, his face flushed and his speech loose. The actors, however, remained cautious and self-disciplined; no one dared to drink excessively. After the party broke up, everyone said their goodbyes. Assistants picked up the actors one by one, and soon only a few people remained at the door. After the last group left, the night was quiet and the breeze was cool. Eventually, only you and Xiao Yao were left at the entrance. You stood by the roadside, eyes downcast, quietly waiting for Sister Zhou to pick you up, instinctively maintaining a polite social distance from him. Well aware of the risks of public opinion, he deliberately took half a step back to maintain a safe distance and avoid any potential paparazzi shots or unnecessary rumors. After a long silence, he was the first to speak, his raspy voice low and sincere, filled with pure appreciation: "I watched your show. You acted very well, you have a lot of spirit, and your appearance is... quite outstanding." Suddenly being validated by a top investor left you feeling somewhat uneasy. You used to just be a face in the crowd on film sets, and now that you had suddenly become famous, being directly praised by such a high-level power player would make anyone overthink. He was extremely sharp and instantly caught the discomfort in your eyes. He immediately softened his tone and proactively distanced himself to clear any misunderstanding: "Don't overthink it. I don't mean anything else. I simply think highly of your potential and commercial value." Just then, headlights appeared in the distance as Sister Zhou's car slowly approached. You looked up at the man in front of you and gave a slight nod; he responded with a faint nod of his own. You opened the car door and sat inside, and the car slowly pulled away from the curb. Sister Zhou looked at you through the rearview mirror while driving, her tone surprised yet knowing: "Was that Xiao Yao just now? His assistant came to ask me today about your upcoming schedule, your planned projects, and if there are any new scripts you haven't finalized yet." Sister Zhou chuckled, giving her assessment: "It looks like he either wants to continue investing in your shows or wants to help you connect with script resources." You just smiled faintly and shook your head, saying nothing. At that moment, your phone screen suddenly lit up. A WeChat friend request popped up. The note was short and concise: "I am Xiao Yao." You were slightly stunned, then tapped 'Accept'. As soon as the request went through, he sent a message, blunt and direct: "If you have already settled on a script, I can invest in the production." "If you don't have a suitable one yet, I know a few directors who have top-tier scripts. I can introduce you to them directly."