Chapter 146 - 60: Heart-to-Heart in the Garden, Giant Third Wheel
Zheng Qi’s eyes lit up. "Is he just like they are in novels? Big and brawny, and a total beast at his job?"
Jiang Li recalled Xue Fan’s appearance and rubbed her chin. "Not exactly. He’s quite sharp-looking, impeccably dressed. And when he acts, he’s fast, precise, and ruthless."
Zheng Qi nodded in understanding. "No wonder he got me out of there so fast."
Jiang Li speared a piece of watermelon with a fork and held it to Zheng Qi’s lips. "Don’t just talk. Have some fruit."
Zheng Qi, overwhelmed by the gesture, in turn forked a piece of pineapple for Jiang Li. "You eat too, Sister Li."
Just as Jiang Li popped it into her mouth, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID. "Hello, Qianqian."
"Sister Jiang, they’re demanding a 100 million termination fee."
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. ’No wonder Zheng Qi called it an astronomical contract. It is a bit steep, but what she’ll earn for me in the future is worth far more than 100 million.’
"Fine. 100 million it is. Tell them to get the contract ready."
She put the call in the background, transferred 100 million to Liu Qian, and then returned to the call. "The money has been transferred."
Liu Qian took a deep breath. "Alright, Sister Jiang. I’ll do my best to have the contract signed and settled within five minutes."
’Even though she’d been running around for Jiang Li lately, spending a great deal of money, it had all been for the foundation and the company.’
’This was different. This was just to buy out Zheng Qi’s contract.’
’She didn’t know whether to call Jiang Li generous or if Zheng Qi was simply worth that much.’
The moment Jiang Li hung up, Zheng Qi turned, knelt stiffly before her, and declared with utmost seriousness, "Sister Li, from this day forward, my life is yours!"
Jiang Li quickly pulled her to her feet, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Honestly... what would I do with your life?"
Zheng Qi threw herself into Jiang Li’s arms. "I don’t care! From now on, I’m yours!"
Before Jiang Li could speak, Shen Yanzhi appeared out of nowhere and pried the two of them apart. "Now, we can’t have that!"
The corner of Jiang Li’s mouth twitched. "I thought you were letting us have a nice chat. What are you doing here?"
’What else? Making sure no one stole his girl, of course.’
’And here he was, catching them red-handed.’
However, not wanting Jiang Li to realize what a jealous man he was, he held his hand out to her. "Time for your medicine." Two small pills rested in his palm.
Hearing the word "medicine," Zheng Qi asked in a panic, "Sister Li, what’s wrong? Are you sick?"
Jiang Li explained, "It’s nothing, they’re just vitamins. Don’t listen to him."
With that, she shot Shen Yanzhi a glare. "Choose your words more carefully next time."
Shen Yanzhi smiled placatingly. "Alright, I’ll be more precise next time."
Zheng Qi couldn’t help but gulp. She had already seen them being lovey-dovey at dinner, where Shen Yanzhi’s aloof ’ice prince’ persona had crumbled to pieces.
Now, it had completely shattered.
’No wonder they say love makes people dumb.’
Not wanting to be a third wheel, Zheng Qi tilted her head back, finished her milk tea, and set the cup down on the stone table. "I just remembered, I haven’t been sleeping well the last two days. I think I’ll go to bed."
She stood up, a smile on her face. "You two take your time enjoying the lovely garden. I’ll head inside."
Knowing this was just an excuse for Zheng Qi to make herself scarce, Jiang Li said earnestly, "You can just sleep here. We have plenty of rooms. Besides, Liu Qian will be bringing the contract over later."
Zheng Qi scratched her head sheepishly. "Won’t I be disturbing you two?"
Shen Yanzhi shook his head. "Not at all. We have lots of rooms."
Zheng Qi: ’You rich people are going to be the death of me!’
Jiang Li nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Lu Zhi’an stayed over yesterday, too."
At the mention of Lu Zhi’an, Zheng Qi pressed her lips together.
’At first, she’d thought Lu Zhi’an was just like that other man—that all his grand gestures were just about conquering her. But it turned out she had been too quick to judge.’
’Thinking back, Lu Zhi’an was actually a really decent guy.’
’But there were things she needed to make clear to him. She didn’t want to string him along.’
’It wasn’t that she didn’t have feelings for him; she just genuinely felt she wasn’t good enough for someone so wonderful.’
She let out a heavy breath and pointed toward the living room. "Alright, I’ll go inside then."
Jiang Li nodded. "Mm, go ahead. We’ll be in shortly."
Zheng Qi turned and walked toward the living room.
Lu Zhi’an was sitting on the sofa, his eyes flickering toward the back garden from time to time, for all the world like a wife-gazing stone.