"But... but..." Xu ngjie was shaken to her core by Xi Hongxia’s fierce words, her whole body trembling, tears falling like broken pearls. "He said... he said he would protect ... he said he would convince his mom this ti... he said he loves ..." Her voice was filled with confusion and struggle, a vulnerability unique to soone who has fully invested themselves in love for the first ti.
"Protect you?!" Xi Hongxia sounded as if she’d heard the biggest joke ever, her finger stabbing toward Xu ngjie’s heart with fury, not holding back. "Who was it that didn’t dare to participate in the last rounds of the ’Starlight Girl’ competition because of sothing his mom said? Who directly gave up on the opportunity to debut?! Who made you hide in the dormitory crying for three days and nights, in such pain that you had to distract yourself by participating in the Xingyue auditions?! Who nearly caused you to fall into depression during your pri ascension period?! It was him! It was his mom! It was also his weakness and incompetence! And now you tell he will protect you?!"
Xi Hongxia’s voice altered due to her agitation, carrying deep disappointnt and distress: "Xu ngjie! Wake up! President Yue has the power to pull us out of the swamp of capital, to protect us from dirty tactics and exploitative capitalism! She can give us the best platforms and opportunities! But—"
She took a deep breath, speaking each word as if hamring them into Xu ngjie’s heart: "She cannot protect a love-struck person willing to jump into a pit of fire! Not even gods can save soone bent on self-destruction!"
"But... but Sister Xia..." Xu ngjie cried uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking violently, "This is my first ti... the first ti I’ve loved soone so much... I really can’t... can’t let go..." The sweetness brought by love intertwined with the current fear and grievance, nearly causing her to collapse.
"Then you should hold onto your career tightly!!" Xi Hongxia interrupted her sharply, her voice firm and indisputable, "The opportunity that President Yue has created for us is sothing many people dream of but cannot obtain! Little Deer Ridge! Do you know how many big directors and production crews are out there trying countless connections and offering sky-high prices to obtain the filming rights for Little Deer Ridge?! It’s the future direction of the industry! It’s top-tier resources! If you leave now, who are you doing justice to?!"
"Are you doing justice to yourself back at the Xingyue audition stage, when you gritted your teeth and persevered? To yourself in the recording studio, practicing over and over until your voice went hoarse? To yourself in the live broadcast, bravely singing ’Moonlight’ despite the skepticism and insults from the entire internet, proving yourself with your strength, that Xu ngjie?! Your talent and effort have just started to be recognized, and you’re going to give all this up for a family that once abandoned and hurt you?!"
Looking at Xu ngjie, still tearful and indecisive, the last bit of warmth in Xi Hongxia’s eyes disappeared, leaving only cold disappointnt and determination.
She suddenly flung Xu ngjie’s hand away with such force that Xu ngjie staggered.
"Good! Good! Good!" Xi Hongxia said ’good’ three tis, her voice icy cold, "Your wings have grown hard, and you can’t listen to reason anymore, is that it? Fine! It’s your own choice! If you want to leave, no one will stop you!"
She turned around, her back facing Xu ngjie, her spine straightened, her voice returning to its usual calm but with a hint of complete abandonnt: "Let remind you, you signed an A-level contract with Xingyue. The termination penalty is five million, plain and clear in black and white. You figure it out yourself, see if your dear mother-in-law is willing to pay!"
"She—"
"Don’t tell , you’re going to pay to terminate the contract yourself? How could you be so stupid?"
"I’m not?" Xu ngjie suddenly stood straighter, "She agreed to pay for it."
Xi Hongxia’s gaze was icy, as if she were watching a joke: "As a colleague, I’ll offer you one last piece of advice. If she’s willing to pay five million, then you’d better make sure the value you provide her in the future... exceeds five million!"
After speaking, she didn’t hesitate any longer, striding down the corridor in those high heels that could crush any obstacle, her silhouette having no trace of reluctance.
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