202 The Pieces 25 (1/2)

Qing Qing looked inside the box because something caught her attention. Resting on top of her father's fresh produce was a yellow envelope about the size of A4 paper. She picked it up and demanded, ”What is the meaning of this?”

”Didn't I tell you, I'm here to help?” Xiu Ling explained. ”Inside the envelope is a cheque for fifty thousand dollars. It should be enough for you to temporarily retire. Go back home to accompany Uncle Qing Hai, he misses you a lot.

”Or you can bring him to go travel. It matters not to me as long as you leave this city permanently. Yes, this means that I need you to quit filming the upcoming sequel to Bringing Nation's Husband Home. Say you're sick or you've been given a better offer elsewhere. After all, you're so good with words, so I'm sure you can come up with something.”

”But what about my career and the life that I've built around me?” Qing Qing shot back.

Xiu Ling smiled patiently like she was talking to a child. ”Do you think you have the rights to discuss conditions with me? In any case, I don't mind you staying in the business but I need you to find a new agency, one that is different from Joann. If you know what's best for you, you'd pick only certain projects, who knows, perhaps you might find a new acting character that suits you better.”

The mention of Joann's name reminded Qing Qing of a question that she had been meaning to ask Xiu Ling. ”Did Joann set you up to do this?”

”No.” Xiu Ling answered honestly but of course Qing Qing wouldn't know that. She probably believed Xiu Ling was just brushing her off.

Qing Qing waited for Xiu Ling to elaborate but she didn't. Silence stretched between them but Xiu Ling did not seem bothered by it. It felt like she was giving Qing Qing the time to think, after all, this was going to be a big decision.

Even though Xiu Ling did not openly threaten the girl, the message that she was trying to say was clear, leave the city or be prepared to face the consequence.

In this battle of wits, Qing Qing was clever enough to know who was the clear victor. Xiu Ling had identified her Archilles' Heel but in return, she had nothing on her. The power structure between them was one-sided and Qing Qing was aware who the winning party was.

After making sure there was no way she was going to wiggle out of this, Qing Qing surrendered, ”Fine, you win. I will leave this city and you'll never hear from me again.”

Even though Xiu Ling had already expected that result, she still smiled when she heard the promise from Qing Qing's lips. ”I hope you'll hold onto your words.”

Now that the victor and the loser had been decided, the warring party could be more candid with their words. Something had changed in the dynamics.

After the horns of war had died down, Qing Qing felt like she could finally speak her mind. There was no need to twist and turn her words anymore, the battle had been decided and the spoils had been taken. Even though she had lost, a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Qing Qing knew she was no match for Xiu Ling so she stopped putting her guard up. Try as she might, she was not going to outsmart the woman, so she was not going to waste time trying.

Qing Qing admitted freely, ”Honestly, if I was you, I wouldn't have given my opponent the chance to strike back. I don't understand why you've spared me and not only that, had given me the resource to rebuild myself. Aren't you afraid that I'll return to haunt your dreams?”