For Your Happiness - Chapter 23 - Terminating the Contract

By the time they got home, it was already eleven at night. They dropped their luggage as soon as they got in.

“Ah, no matter how good it is outside, nothing beats the comfort of your own home,” Wu Di said as he flopped heavily onto the bed.

“Of course,” Shao Han replied with a laugh while looking at him. “Get some rest early. We have a busy day ahead tomorrow.”

“Ugh, this is such a headache. Why don’t we just stop doing business with her?” Wu Di seemed to be asking both Shao Han and himself.

“Let’s ask Xiao Luo tomorrow and then decide.”

“Why should we put up with her attitude? I have my pride too,” Wu Di said, a bit irritated.

“Yes, I know,” Shao Han chuckled.

The next morning, Wu Di and Shao Han headed to the hotel. Wu Di was in a bad mood, feeling restless and fed up with constantly making concessions.

Shao Han went to her office as usual, bringing some special seafood delicacies from Dalian for Xiao Zhang. Wu Di called Xiao Luo and Xiao Lu into his office for a meeting. The three of them were outraged by some of Xu Jing’s unreasonable additional conditions.

“She might be targeting me personally. Forget it, I’ll talk to her. I think I want to terminate this contract.”

“But we’re already halfway through,” Xiao Luo said.

“Yeah, it’s not about the money. We’ve seldom abandoned a project halfway,” Xiao Lu, a responsible person, added.

“Right. We’ve never given up halfway. We’ve been working together for so long, and I hope you can understand me. You both know General Manager Xu and I had a past. She has her own motives this time, and I really can’t stand being blackmailed by her anymore,” Wu Di admitted openly to Xiao Luo and Xiao Lu.

Xiao Luo and Xiao Lu sat there with their heads down. They understood Wu Di’s feelings, but letting go of a project halfway through felt against their principles. For them, earning money was just one aspect; the greater joy was the reputation they had built together over the years through their joint efforts. This intangible asset meant recognition for them.

In the silent room, none of the three men spoke for quite a while.

“You decide. We’ll follow your lead,” Xiao Luo finally spoke up.

Wu Di picked up his phone and dialed Xu Jing’s number. “Xu Jing, can we set up a time to talk?”

“Talk about what?” Xu Jing replied, seemingly playing dumb.

“Our cooperation.”

“Sure, but I’m not available during the day.”

“Oh, just name a time.”

“How about 8 PM?”

“That late?”

“Why? My schedule is packed. I need to catch up on the work I’ve missed over the past few days.”

“Alright. Where should we meet?” Wu Di asked hesitantly.

“Come to my studio.”

“Okay, I’ll be there at 8.”

“Do you need to bring your wife to discuss business?” Xu Jing asked with a cold laugh.

“See you in the evening.” Wu Di did not answer directly.

After hanging up, Wu Di felt some regret. He shouldn’t have agreed to such a late meeting. He wondered how to explain this to Shao Han without causing any misunderstandings.

“Honey.”

“Yes?” Shao Han saw Wu Di’s QQ avatar blinking.

“I might be home late tonight. I have a meeting with Xu Jing about the contract.”

“Oh, that’s fine.”

“It might be a bit late. Don’t let your mind wander.”

“Am I that petty?”

“I’m just worried you’ll overthink it.”

“I won’t. I trust you.”

“Haha.” Wu Di laughed, and Shao Han laughed too. From now on, learning to trust was important. Being suspicious all the time would only wear him out. Shao Han told herself this.

“How about we go out for dinner first, then I’ll take you home,” Wu Di said.

“Oh? After dinner?”

“Yeah, she said she’s busy at all other times, only free after 8 PM.”

“Got it.”

“You… really shouldn’t overthink this.”

“Okay, don’t worry. I’ll be good and wait for you at home.”

“I really want to kiss you.”

“Come to my office, then,” Shao Han joked.

When she hadn’t heard from Wu Di for a while, she muttered under her breath, “Ignoring me again.” Just then, Wu Di entered without knocking.

“Ah, you scared me!” Shao Han shouted.

“You told me to come down and kiss you,” Wu Di said with a smile.

“You’re ridiculous. I was just joking.”

“I always take your words seriously. No joking allowed.”

Shao Han couldn’t help but smile at Wu Di’s childish antics sometimes.

“Just one kiss, one kiss,” Wu Di said as he playfully leaned in closer.

“What if someone sees us?”

“Just one kiss,” Wu Di said, pouting like a little kid.

Shao Han giggled, and Wu Di pulled her into his arms, giving her a passionate, deep kiss, his hands exploring her body with abandon.

“Stop, stop, stop. It’s broad daylight,” Shao Han quickly pulled away, knowing where this could lead.

“You always cut me off at the crucial moment,” Wu Di said, frustrated.

“Hahaha,” Shao Han laughed at his exasperated expression.

“But tonight, no such intense passion, okay?” Shao Han playfully slapped Wu Di’s chest.

“I promise. Make sure you’re all fresh and waiting for me at home.”

“Stop it, you’re so annoying.”

Shao Han blushed, and Wu Di lovingly held her.

“It’s been over a year now, how can you still love me this much?” Shao Han worried that Wu Di’s love might fade over time.

“It’s only been a bit over a year. Why wouldn’t I still love you? I haven’t loved you enough yet.”

“Haha,” Shao Han hugged him tighter and gave him a kiss on the chest.

After dinner, Wu Di drove Shao Han back home first. As Shao Han got out of the car, Wu Di gazed at her with deep affection. Since getting married, he seldom went out unless there was a commitment he couldn’t avoid. His friends often joked that he had disappeared. They couldn’t understand how a notorious playboy had been so thoroughly tamed by a little woman.

Wu Di never cared about what others said. He always did things his way: if he wanted to spend time with his wife, he did just that, ignoring any outside chatter. So, watching Shao Han’s lonely figure walking into the building, he felt a twinge of guilt. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that he couldn’t be overly sentimental; this was a serious matter, not a playful outing. Wu Di kept the car headlights on, waiting until Shao Han safely entered the building before driving off towards Xu Jing’s studio.

“I’ve arrived at your building,” Wu Di called Xu Jing.

“Come on up.”

“Alright.” Wu Di parked his car and pondered how to approach the conversation with Xu Jing. He hoped she wouldn’t complicate things further. Wu Di entered the office of Xu Jing’s manager.

“You’re here?” Xu Jing was reviewing new clothing design sketches for her company.

“Yes.” Wu Di kept a distance, sitting on a sofa far from the desk.

“So, what do you want to talk about? Terminating the contract?” Xu Jing seemed to have guessed it.

“If you continue to make things difficult, I have no choice but to terminate it. You’ve been disrespectful not only to me but to my staff as well. Continuing this contract is difficult. I’ll pay the breach fee and accept the losses I’ve already incurred. Let’s end this here. I hope we can sever all ties,” Wu Di spoke calmly, with a tone devoid of emotion.

“You’re in such a hurry to get rid of me?” Xu Jing seemed unperturbed. “Have you no regard for our past?”

“The past is gone. I don’t want to betray Shao Han.”

“I’m not asking you to divorce her. Can’t we continue our previous relationship?” Xu Jing said suggestively, sitting close to Wu Di.

“Xu Jing, without feelings, I can’t have any other relationship with you. I’m not that kind of person, and you know that.”

Suddenly, Xu Jing grabbed Wu Di and started kissing him. Wu Di tried to pull away, but Xu Jing held on tight. As Wu Di stood up, Xu Jing stood with him, clinging tightly. She then tore open her shirt, grabbing Wu Di’s hand and placing it on her chest. Wu Di was caught off guard, feeling panicked.

“What are you doing?” Wu Di screamed.

“Shh, there’s a camera behind me. Do you want to display our passionate moment in front of everyone?” Xu Jing smirked.

“You! Are you crazy?”

“Yes, crazy. Let’s go to the rest area inside my office. You remember, we once…”

“Stop!” Wu Di tried to cut her off.

“Not going? Should I just strip here?”

“You… Do whatever you like.”

“Oh? How about I show this footage to others tomorrow?” Xu Jing’s smile turned icy.

“You…”

“From this angle, do you think others will believe you’re innocent? Hahaha.” Xu Jing laughed sinisterly.

Wu Di’s mind raced. He knew he couldn’t go into that room with her again. If he did, it would be even harder to explain. Maybe if he didn’t make any further moves here, there was still a chance to de-escalate. But Xu Jing was pushing him step by step. If he resisted too forcefully, who knows what she might do next. So, he decided…

?

Suddenly, Wu Di turned and pinned Xu Jing against the wall, kissing her deeply, his hands roaming over her body. Under the intense passion, Xu Jing began to moan and feel dizzy, her body going limp as if glued to Wu Di’s. Sensing her reaction and knowing she had surrendered, Wu Di abruptly released her. He turned and walked towards the door, saying as he went, “The contract is terminated. The breach of contract issue will be handled by the PR department. We have no further reason to talk.”

This sudden move left Xu Jing, who had just been dazed and intoxicated, completely unprepared. Leaning against the wall, her mind was in a whirl.