Xiao Yanzhi had never thought that his ability to control interpersonal relationships and situations so well would completely go out of control at this moment.
Good for you, Jiang Li. You're really something!
The expression on his face remained as calm as before, but one could clearly sense that his aura was gradually turning gloomy.
"You're quite smart," he squinted his eyes, each word squeezed out between his teeth. "You always seem to have a clear understanding of your position."
"Isn't that so?" Jiang Li smiled. "Apart from this, do I have any other value to President Xiao?"
She calmly looked into his eyes, deliberately emphasizing the word "value".
Xiao Yanzhi's heart skipped a beat.
"I have no family background and no unique talent in acting. It's President Xiao who has favored me. My glory and disgrace all depend on your words."
Jiang Li pursed her lips and smiled. "So it's only right that I sleep with you and be with you, isn't it?"
Xiao Yanzhi couldn't figure out what she was really saying for a moment. His eyebrows just knitted tighter. "Jiang Li, what on earth are you trying to say?"
Her face was pale as she slowly covered her eyes with both hands.
"I want it to end, Xiao Yanzhi."
Her shoulders were trembling violently. It was hard to tell whether she was holding back or letting out her emotions. "Don't interfere with me anymore. I've brought so much trouble to the company. I'm sure Vitaly will soon talk about terminating the contract. All the efforts of the branch office will go to waste."
"The best solution is to terminate the contract with me and use the insurance compensation to cover the losses this time."
This was Jiang Li's last card.
As the top - star of Jiang Entertainment and the most popular actress at present, the company naturally bought corresponding insurance for her to hedge the risks so that they could recover some losses in case of an accident.
Although it couldn't cover all the losses, at least it wouldn't be so disastrous.
However, correspondingly, she would have to bid farewell to this industry forever and could not be involved in anything related to it from then on.
Xiao Yanzhi's tall figure stood in front of her, shielding her from the on - coming cold wind. He remained silent.
After a long time, his fingers lifted and stopped above her head, but he didn't touch her in the end.
Finally, he withdrew his hand.
"Jiang Li, I don't like to do any losing business," Xiao Yanzhi's eyes conveyed a clear meaning, obviously disagreeing with her approach.
"President Xiao," Jiang Li's voice was calm as she returned his words. "Since President Xiao doesn't like losing business, you shouldn't waste your time on me."
"Investing too much sunk cost in a person is not a correct choice for either party."
"I never make choices based on whether they are right or wrong," he lowered his voice, took a deep breath, and continued. "You know, I only follow my preferences."
Jiang Li was very clear about this.
His word "preferences" had tied her down for so many years.
She once thought that it was his hint that he also had feelings for her.
Jiang Li's heart trembled slightly. The calm lake in her heart was rippled again.
But it only lasted for a moment and then quickly returned to calm.
No.
His "preferences" were never "love", but the pleasure of having everything under control.
She had misinterpreted his meaning.
But by the time she realized it, it was already too late.
Jiang Li staggered backwards. The suit on her shoulders slipped off as she stumbled, but she didn't bother to pick it up. She just wanted to escape from here as soon as possible.
"Jiang Li!" The man's face suddenly changed as he called out in a low voice. But the other party's steps became even more disordered. "Don't come near."
Xiao Yanzhi's jawline tightened impatiently.
There was a nasal sound in her voice, indicating that she had been crying. "Let me go by myself, okay?"
It was obvious to anyone that Jiang Li was on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
So Xiao Yanzhi stood still and didn't take a single step forward.
Jiang Li staggered. Under the street lamp, she looked like a piece of fluttering paper, on the verge of being crushed at any moment and turning into a bubble of nothingness.
She could feel that there was a burning gaze behind her, closely following her.
It seemed to be peeping, or rather, monitoring.
It made her heart never find peace.
Jiang Li ran desperately, running forward aimlessly.
She ran until her legs were almost too weak to stand. She barely supported herself against the wall. The feeling of despair that made her vision go black directly invaded every part of her body. She almost vomited.
Unconsciously, she had run onto the highway.
The lights here were dim. There was hardly any light. Only the howling wind and the whistling of cars could be heard.
Looking around, there were only heavy - duty trucks speeding by. She was standing on the edge of the road, about to step into the traffic at any moment.
She stared blankly at the passing vehicles. She had an impulse to rush in front of the speeding cars on the road and end it all!
Just then, her phone suddenly vibrated non - stop.
Jiang Li mechanically took out her phone from her bag. Her eyes were dull as she pressed the answer button. Her voice was hoarse and unpleasant. "Hello, who is this?"
"Jiang Li, are you okay?" Qiao Jinrun's gentle voice came over. When he heard the howling sound of speeding vehicles, he immediately guessed something.
She was in a very unsafe environment.
Jiang Li was silent for a few seconds. Then she let out a clear and sorrowful cry that seemed to be squeezed out of her chest. "I'm not okay... I'm really not okay..."
"Doctor Qiao, I'm in a very bad state now. I feel like I'm going to die..."
She sobbed. One hand tightly clutched the phone while the other hand grabbed her own throat. Her beautiful face was now completely bloodless, showing no desire to live.
This was a typical symptom of depression. She might do something impulsive at any time.
It was very dangerous.
Qiao Jinrun took a deep breath and tried to sound as calm as possible. "Jiang Li, listen to me. Do as I say."
"Find the nearest convenience store and go in right away," Qiao Jinrun's heart was pounding. He calmly gave instructions into the receiver. "I'll be waiting for you there."
"I don't want to! Don't lie to me!" Jiang Li screamed as she covered her head and squatted on the side of the road, shouting hoarsely. "Don't worry about me, Doctor Qiao. I'm not worth it..."
Before she could finish her sentence, a big hand suddenly snatched the phone from her palm and angrily threw it into the middle of the road. A speeding truck directly crushed the phone into pieces!
Jiang Li looked back in horror. The man was standing behind her expressionlessly. The wind on the highway blew his suit up, but he remained as steady as a rock, calm like a noble god.
He was silent, still with that indifferent look on his face, without the slightest bit of extra expression.
"Want to die?"
He bent down and grabbed her up. His big hand quickly clasped hers, firmly connecting her to himself. He calmly said, "If you want to die, then let's die together."
Xiao Yanzhi didn't seem to be joking. Every finger of his exerted strength, full of a nearly domineering sense of oppression. "Tell me where you want to go. I'll go with you."