Chapter 96 Breakup Fee

Bali is a great place to visit, and also a great place for a romantic encounter.

During the week-long holiday, White Pearl spent almost every day playing with Max.

Max is a very interesting person who knows how to enjoy life. He taught Bai Zhenzhu sports that she had always wanted to do but never dared to, such as surfing and diving.

The two even skydived together.

We've been through thick and thin together.

During this time, Max's feelings towards the white pearl evolved from initial amazement to later appreciation, and finally to "you are the only one in my eyes"...

He discovered that Bai Zhenzhu was like a perfect lover specially made for him; her appearance, figure, temperament, and personality all suited his heart perfectly.

On the night before he was to leave for work, Max mustered up the courage to knock on Bai Zhenzhu's door.

"It's so late, is something the matter?"

"Can I come in and talk?"

"Oh, then come in."

Bai Zhenzhu had just finished showering and was getting ready for bed when Max called her to ask for something.

Seeing Max's preoccupied and hesitant expression, she had a vague feeling that he was going to say something.

But he still pretended to be calm and composed.

She took two bottles of local drinks from the refrigerator, gave him one, took a sip herself, and then asked, "Didn't you have something to do?"

Max suddenly abandoned his usual carefree attitude, looked seriously into Bai Zhenzhu's overly bright eyes, and took a deep breath. This was much more difficult than filming a movie.

"Pearl, I love you..."

He strained his whole body to utter such a simple confession; he truly felt ashamed of himself for having acted in so many romance dramas.

Bai Zhenzhu wasn't too surprised, after all, this was something she had expected.

What normal man wouldn't fall for her?

She smiled faintly, "Liking such ephemeral things is too cheap. What I want is a man who is willing to spend money, time, and energy on me. You're so busy usually, surrounded by so many beautiful women, I'd feel very insecure, Max. I don't think we're a good match..."

"Pearl, my affection is not cheap. If you agree to be with me, I am willing to leave the entertainment industry for you, and I am willing to cut off all contact with the opposite sex for you!"

"If you retire from the entertainment industry, how will you make money? If you don't make money, how will you provide me with the life I want?"

From the very beginning, she had no intention of hiding her desires; only a man who was tolerant enough of her was worthy of her.

“I’m rich! My dad is the president of the Li Group, my mom is the head of the National Art Troupe, and my brother is a military commander. My dad said that as long as I retire from the entertainment industry, I will inherit the entire Li Group!”

Bai Zhenzhu pondered the significance of the name "Li Shi" in her heart.

Of course she had heard of the Li Group.

If Kyoto is the domain of the Shi Group, then Haicheng is the domain of the Li Group. These two groups can be said to support half of China's economy.

A thought suddenly struck her, and she asked hesitantly, "Are you really willing to leave the entertainment industry and take over the Li Group for me?"

"I do!"

"Alright, as long as you accomplish one thing, I'm willing to give it a try with you..."

...

Max went back to China for work, while Bai Zhenzhu stayed for a few more days before returning home.

The two maintained close contact throughout this period.

The more Bai Zhenzhu got to know Max, the more she realized that he was actually a very simple and innocent young man who hadn't been too corrupted by the entertainment industry.

In particular, he actually said something as foolish as retiring from the entertainment industry for love.

Perhaps it's because Max has enough confidence and resources that even if he doesn't work in the entertainment industry, he can still go home and inherit the family business and thrive.

Max told her that his contract would expire in three months, and after finishing these three months, he would not renew it, but would announce his retirement from the entertainment industry and go back to take over the Li family business.

Even without the white pearl, Max would still have gone back to inherit the family business.

His father has given him an ultimatum: he's only allowed to play for two more years, after which he must retire from the industry.

However, because of Bai Zhenzhu, his two years of freedom were reduced to only three months.

However, he did not regret it; compared to the white pearl, freedom was nothing.

The day after Bai Zhenzhu returned, Max invited her to go skiing.

Max is truly a sports prodigy; he can do everything and excels at everything.

The two were heavily armed, which was perfect for concealing their identities.

Otherwise, given Max's popularity, he would definitely have been discovered.

"Pearl, don't be afraid, I'm right behind you. Imagine yourself as an eagle soaring in the sky, and it will feel amazing as you glide down!"

"But I still don't dare. Why don't you skate by yourself? I'll wait for you here."

"Pearl, please trust me just this once."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Bai Zhenzhu reached out her hand to Max, and the two slid down one after the other.

"Max, skiing is so much fun! I'm so happy! I feel like all my worries have disappeared!"

As soon as Bai Zhenzhu took off her skis, she immediately went up and hugged Max. The two embraced tightly on the pristine snow, beaming with joy.

Little did they know that this scene had already been captured by paparazzi who had been following them for a long time.

As expected, the moment the relationship of top male celebrity Max was announced, Weibo exploded that very night.

This is Max's most documented and verifiable scandal, unlike the previous ones that were just speculation and wishful thinking.

Some netizens even posted photos of the two being secretly photographed while on vacation together in Bali.

Soon, Bai Zhenzhu's identity was discovered.

Max's team quickly issued a public relations response, saying that Bai Zhenzhu was just Max's friend and the two were not in a romantic relationship.

This somewhat quelled the anger.

Meanwhile, Shi Jin, who had just been discharged from the hospital and was recuperating at home, almost fell off the bed when she accidentally came across this news.

"Mother!"

When Shi's mother heard her son calling her, she immediately ran up from the kitchen.

"What's wrong, son? Is your stomach upset again?"

"Mom, didn't you tell me you were looking for Pearl? Did you even speak up for me? Why is Pearl having an affair with another man?" Shi Jin was still very weak, and it was difficult for her to speak even with the slightest effort.

"Son, Mom was planning to go to the school to look for Pearl this afternoon. Please don't worry or get upset. I will definitely help you find Pearl, okay?"

...

Shi's mother arranged to meet Bai Zhenzhu at a dessert shop near the school gate.

White Pearl hadn't seen Mother Shi for a long time, and it was still a bit awkward.

After all, her initial encounter with Shi's mother was a carefully planned "accident."

She didn't have much deep affection for Shi's mother, so she was able to sever that connection immediately and block Shi's mother as well.

She knew that her mother had come to mediate, but she never expected that instead of reconciliation, she would be advised to divorce...

Bai Zhenzhu stared blankly at the black card on the table.

"Auntie, what do you mean? This card..."

"Pearl, take the card and leave my son. Don't ever show your face in front of him again. You two should part ways amicably..."

At that moment, Bai Zhenzhu told herself that she was not sad at all, and her heart did not feel any pain.

But that tiny, pervasive sting still left her with a trace of indescribable sadness.

She suppressed those inappropriate emotions and smiled at Shi's mother, saying, "Auntie, your worries seem unnecessary. I've never had any desire to be with your son..."

She paused, picked up the black card on the table, examined it for a moment, and continued, "However, I'll accept this card for now, after all... I haven't received my breakup fee yet."