Sister Hua looked at his innocent face and sneered.
"No. Terminating the contract voluntarily requires paying a penalty. How could I make such a rookie mistake?"
The implication was as clear as day.
If you don't listen to me, I'll find ways to torment you, make you unbearable to stay on set, and force you to terminate the contract yourself.
At that point, it wouldn't just be about losing a role, but also paying ten times the liquidated damages.
It felt great to earn a million yuan in salary, but it would feel even better to pay ten times that amount.
It was only now that Xiang Yang understood what it meant to be tricked into helping count the money after being sold.
He had initially thought Sister Hua was truly kind and benevolent, dropping such a great opportunity into his lap, and he was immensely grateful to her.
Now, he saw her for what she truly was: a sharp fishhook hidden behind a beautiful lure.
He had already taken the bait, and either advancing or retreating would cause him great harm. What was he to do?
—
The agent casually ate a bowl of noodles by the roadside before returning to the hotel.
As soon as she entered the lobby, her phone rang. It was Chen Jiaojiao.
Presumably, she was looking for Xiang Yang, who didn't have his phone and couldn't hear it, so she called the agent.
The agent hesitated for a few seconds before finally answering.
She had thought a lot since Sister Hua agreed to give Xiang Yang the role.
It was time to have a serious talk with Chen Jiaojiao.
They arranged to meet at a roadside food stall.
Whether it was due to the long drive or something else, the agent felt that Chen Jiaojiao looked travel-worn and a bit tired today.
Unlike her usual stunning appearances.
After sitting down, Chen Jiaojiao didn't immediately ask where Xiang Yang was. Instead, she picked up a beer and drank a glass first.
After finishing the drink, the two women met each other's gaze. Chen Jiaojiao spoke first, "I've come to break up with Xiang Yang."
The agent was stunned and almost dropped her eyes.
This woman always surprised everyone when she spoke.
To be honest, the agent had always been a little afraid of her.
She had planned for a long time how to advise them to break up appropriately, but she hadn't figured it out yet.
Now, it was as if they got what they wanted without any effort.
She feigned concern for Chen Jiaojiao.
"Why did you suddenly decide to break up?"
Chen Jiaojiao didn't beat around the bush, casting an impatient glance at her.
"Stop pretending. You already guessed that we would break up, didn't you?"
"..."
Chen Jiaojiao sneered, "Xiang Yang landed such a big role right after entering the industry. His future prospects are bound to be bright."
"He has a good personality, is down-to-earth, and can endure hardship. Perhaps in a few more years, he'll become a top star."
"I, on the other hand, have a shady past. If our relationship is ever exposed, it could cause him significant trouble. You've been wanting to tell me this for a long time, haven't you?"
It was efficient to talk to someone smart and straightforward.
Seeing that she had put it so plainly, the agent stopped pretending.
"Actually, these aren't the most crucial points. The most important thing is, do you know how Xiang Yang got this role?"
—
Xiang Yang, with a heavy heart, went to the front desk to pay.
The cashier told him it wasn't necessary, "This restaurant is owned by Sister Hua. She's already informed us."
Xiang Yang's mood worsened.
Sister Hua was so powerful, her influence extending everywhere. Being noticed by her should have been a monumental stroke of luck.
It was like a dazzling golden pie waving at him.
But because he didn't want to eat it, it didn't suit his taste, and he couldn't be happy at all.
He returned to the hotel in a daze.
He swiped his card to open the room door and found another card already in the slot. It was then he belatedly realized the room light was on.
It seemed someone had already entered.
Could it be the agent who came to his room?
Xiang Yang casually tossed his card aside and kicked off his shoes as he walked in.
Unexpectedly, after taking just a couple of steps, a beautiful figure rushed towards him like a whirlwind.
Then, the person clung to him, bypassed all words, cupped his chin, and kissed him.
The familiar scent, the familiar taste, his troubled mood finally found solace.
It turned out she had come.
It was wonderful to have her with him at a time like this.
Xiang Yang was deeply moved and held Chen Jiaojiao back, their entanglement continuing endlessly.
After a long while, the storm subsided.
Chen Jiaojiao went to the living room, took out her cigarettes from her bag, and sat next to Xiang Yang, lighting one.
Xiang Yang disliked this habit of hers.
Especially after strenuous activity, smoking was very bad for his health.
He had spoken to Chen Jiaojiao about it before, and she had stopped doing it in front of him. What was wrong with her today?
Seeing his displeasure, Chen Jiaojiao raised her hand in a shushing gesture, looking unrestrained.
"Don't look at me like that. I hate people telling me what to do."
Everything was fine, and it wasn't the first time he had told her, so why was she suddenly saying this?
Chen Jiaojiao looked at him and took a couple more puffs.
"Don't you think something is different about me today?"
He hadn't noticed before, but now he did.
Chen Jiaojiao's words had hidden meanings. She hadn't come just to see him; she seemed to have an agenda.
Xiang Yang was puzzled but instinctively felt concerned for her.
Had she suffered grievances while he was away?
"What's wrong?"
Seeing his worried expression, it was hard for her not to feel a pang of sadness.
Breaking up with a heartless man brought no other feeling but hatred.
But Xiang Yang was different.
He was sincere, serious, and devoted. Chen Jiaojiao could clearly feel his love.
She felt she would be guilty for the rest of her life if she broke up with him in this state.
However, things had come to this point, and he had better options. What was the point of staying together?
She was used to hiding her emotions and would end this relationship thoroughly.
"How should I put it?"
After Xiang Yang asked, she brushed her hair back, adopting a chic and elegant pose.
"I've encountered a problem recently, and I've come to discuss it with you."
Xiang Yang looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Chen Jiaojiao said, "I've decided not to buy the house because my beauty salon ran into some trouble recently."
"I injured a client's nerves while giving her a beauty treatment, leaving half of her face paralyzed. She's suing me."
"I've asked many acquaintances to negotiate, and she's finally dropped the lawsuit, but I have to compensate her with a considerable amount for pain and suffering and future maintenance costs."
Something like this happened?
Xiang Yang's heart ached, and he moved to hug her, but Chen Jiaojiao stopped him.
"Listen to me finish."
"The amount is substantial. With our current capabilities, we couldn't afford it even if we sold everything we own. So, I want to accept help from others."
"You know many men are pursuing me besides you, right? They are the kind of rich second-generation heirs who have money but don't want to get married properly; they just want to have fun."
"Before, because of my failed marriage, I didn't want to get involved with people like them, so I found you. But now... I'm sorry, you're a good person, but I have to bow to reality. Let's break up."
Actually, Xiang Yang had imagined why he and Chen Jiaojiao might break up someday.
Perhaps their feelings would fade.
Perhaps the trivialities of daily life would make them smile less.
Or perhaps because he wanted to get married and have children...