Chapter 144 - 60: Garden Heart-to-Heart, Giant Third Wheel
After the meal, Jiang Li had the family doctor tend to Zheng Qi’s wounds. Then, she led Zheng Qi out to the back garden. After all, some conversations weren’t meant for men like Shen Yanzhi and Lu Zhi’an to overhear.
’Even though I don’t know what happened to Zheng Qi, I should still talk her through it for the sake of her mental well-being. I need to keep her from going down the wrong path or getting overwhelmed and doing something drastic.’
She led Zheng Qi to a pavilion and they sat down. She asked Xie Wan to prepare some fruit, snacks, and milk tea. "Do you have any thoughts or plans for the future?"
Zheng Qi shook her head blankly. "I don’t know."
Seeing Zheng Qi in this state, Jiang Li sighed inwardly and tried a different approach. "Well, what about your current company? How long was the contract you signed, and how much time is left on it?"
Zheng Qi looked up at the blooming roses in the distance and pursed her lips. "I originally signed for five years. There are still over four years left."
Jiang Li nodded in understanding. "So, do you want to break the contract?"
Zheng Qi gave a self-mocking smile. "I’d love to, but I can’t afford the cancellation fee."
’When a talent agency wanted to sign me, I actually thought I was exceptionally gifted. I was so naive, I signed for five years.’
’Now, just thinking about it fills me with regret.’
She sighed. "Everyone thinks streamers make a ton of money, but that’s not the case. The company takes a cut, the platform takes a cut, and there’s barely anything left for the streamer."
Meeting Jiang Li’s shocked gaze, Zheng Qi’s smile turned cynical. "You want to break the contract? Sure. All you have to do is pay an exorbitant cancellation fee."
Jiang Li reached out and took Zheng Qi’s hand. "I’ll pay the cancellation fee for you. Would you be willing to break the contract?"
Zheng Qi turned her head, looking astonished. "Why?"
Jiang Li shrugged. "First, I own a talent agency, and we’re recruiting streamers right now. Second, we were classmates, and you’re a genuine person. I want to help you."
Fearing Zheng Qi might refuse, she narrowed her eyes. "And as for the third reason... Ah Yan’s friend is interested in you. You could say I’m helping create an opportunity for him."
’The tears she had just managed to stop began to fall again. I thought my life had hit rock bottom, but now it’s like I’ve finally bounced back. Jiang Li has actually paved a golden path for me.’
She nodded emphatically. "I’ll do it!"
’Setting everything else aside, the chance to make money for Jiang Li was reason enough. I’m one hundred percent on board.’
’I wanted to work for Jiang Li before, but she didn’t agree back then.’
’Now that Jiang Li was the one extending an olive branch, there was no way I could refuse.’
Seeing Zheng Qi’s eager expression, Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. "Anyone watching would think I was proposing to you."
Thinking about the past two days, Zheng Qi sniffled as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. "Sister Li, you’re just teasing me."
Jiang Li raised a hand and gently wiped away Zheng Qi’s tears. "Alright, stop crying. If you keep this up, Lu Zhi’an will think I’m bullying you."
Zheng Qi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
When that didn’t work, she simply leaned her head on Jiang Li’s shoulder.
Jiang Li’s shoulders tensed for a moment before she relaxed and gently patted Zheng Qi’s back. "I don’t know what you’ve been through, but everything is going to be alright."
Zheng Qi’s voice was muffled as she asked, "Sister Li, do you want me to get together with Lu Zhi’an?"
Jiang Li had Zheng Qi sit up straight, looked her in the eye, and answered seriously, "That’s not a question you should be asking me. You should be asking your own heart if you’re willing to be with Lu Zhi’an."
She placed her hands on Zheng Qi’s shoulders, her voice firm. "I don’t want you to accept Lu Zhi’an because of me, or because of anyone else. That would be unfair to him, and it would be unfair to you."
Zheng Qi pursed her lips. "I understand."
’She really is the person I’ve looked up to since college. Her way of thinking is just on a completely different level.’
Right on cue, Xie Wan came over with a tray. On it were two cups of milk tea, a platter of sliced fruit, and a plate of small fried snacks.
She set the items down on the stone table one by one. "Miss Jiang, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."
Jiang Li nodded. "You may go."
She then picked up the two cups of milk tea, handing one to Zheng Qi and holding the other herself. "Let’s toast to your contract being terminated soon."
Zheng Qi’s dejected mood suddenly lifted thanks to Jiang Li. ’A day is still a day, whether you spend it happy or sad,’ she thought. ’Why should I keep myself trapped in those awful memories?’
Zheng Qi raised her milk tea and clinked it against Jiang Li’s. "To tomorrow!"
The milk tea seemed to be made with jasmine tea, carrying a faint, fresh fragrance. Zheng Qi couldn’t help but take a few more sips.