Wu Pengpeng looked into his gentle eyes and almost blurted out an agreement, but she couldn't.
Today's schedule was already set. Even if she was completely infatuated, she couldn't leave the "Twelve Zodiacs" in such uncertainty and make them wait in agony for another day.
"Tomorrow," she stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his mouth, looking apologetic. "I have to deal with something urgent today."
He Qian Shan couldn't bear to see her in such a dilemma. He ruffled her hair and comforted her, "It's okay. Any day will do. I'll wait for you."
He was always so gentle and considerate, which often made Wu Pengpeng feel like she had struck gold. She was tempted to show him off to the whole world but was afraid of others coveting him, so she had to keep him to herself.
Wu Pengpeng hooked her finger around He Qian Shan's and smiled like a child who had just gotten her favorite toy. "Okay."
On the way, Wu Pengpeng briefly told He Qian Shan about her work for the day. In the morning, she would hold a press conference to announce the disbandment of the "Twelve Zodiacs."
There were bound to be a lot of fans at the scene. When they heard the bad news, no one knew what extreme things they might do.
He Qian Shan was worried about her. "Let me go up with you."
In case of any danger, he could protect her.
Wu Pengpeng understood his concern, but it was not appropriate for him to show up on this occasion.
"No need," she gave him a reassuring smile and exaggerated on purpose. "There are so many bodyguards with me. Even if the other side has a nuclear weapon, they may not be able to hurt me."
Although He Qian Shan was still a little worried, he understood Wu Pengpeng's consideration.
As the one favored by Wu Pengpeng, if he showed up on this occasion, it would only make people resent her more.
He didn't want to put her in greater danger because of himself.
"Then I'll pick you up tonight."
"No, you go about your business. I'll definitely have a farewell dinner with everyone tonight. I don't know when it will end. Uncle Wang will pick me up then."
"Then, be careful."
"Okay."
Wu Pengpeng pushed the door open and got out of the car. After walking a few steps, she turned back, leaned on the car window, and said to him seriously, "Yanshen, don't worry. I'll protect myself well and won't let myself get hurt at all."
"Don't be afraid." For some reason, she always felt that she could only feel at ease after saying this to him.
She understood his unspoken words. He Qian Shan's eyes were a little sore. He nodded with a smile. "Okay."
Although Wu Pengpeng seemed calm on the surface, in fact, her heart had been in turmoil since she stepped into Tianfan Building.
The kids in the "Twelve Zodiacs" were personally selected by her. They were originally good-for-nothing little wastes, but in just three months, they had propelled themselves to the position of a top boy band.
The hardships and difficulties in this process were far from being easily offset by just one apology from her.
However, no matter how reluctant she was, at this point, the band had to be disbanded.
The terms of the contract termination she offered were very generous. As the party in breach, she would compensate each member with 50 million in liquidated damages.
"If you want, you can change your name and continue your activities, but you will no longer be artists under 'Bu Fan Entertainment'."
These terms were not so much about terminating the contract as they were about setting them free and paving a broad road for them!
With the band's current popularity, changing the name but not the members, they wouldn't have to worry about resources in the future.
Moreover, without the束缚 of an agency, they would become the real masters of the band and could do whatever they wanted in the future.
The other members readily agreed and went to prepare for the upcoming press conference.
Only Lu Jingran stood still. After a while, he softly asked, "Do you really not want me anymore?"
This sounded a bit strange!
Wu Pengpeng looked up and met Lu Jingran's hurt eyes, like those of a abandoned little animal. She inexplicably felt a twinge of guilt.
"Xiaolu, from the very beginning, this band has reached where it is today because of your efforts. It has nothing to do with me. I'm just setting you free now..."
"But you're just abandoning us!" Lu Jingran softly interrupted her, with uncontrollable sadness in his tone. "Is there really no room for maneuver?"
Wu Pengpeng looked into his earnest eyes and subconsciously looked away. She forced herself to be firm. "No. That's that on this matter!"
Lu Jingran looked at her determined eyes. The light in his eyes instantly dimmed and turned into a dead silence.
Shen Qianqian saw his expression and her heart suddenly ached.
"Sister Peng," she hesitated for a long time before mustering the courage to say, "if you don't want them, then just kick me out with them!"
Wu Pengpeng seemed a bit taken aback by her words. Her expression froze for a moment.
She stood there with her head down for a while before softly saying, "Then go with them."
Before Shen Qianqian could say anything, she looked up and smiled at them. "You guys calm down first. Come out when you're ready."
Lu Jingran watched Wu Pengpeng's retreating back. Suddenly, a voice in his heart clearly told him that once they stepped out of this door today, there would be no more possibility between him and Wu Pengpeng.
He couldn't accept such a result!
He took off running after Wu Pengpeng. No matter what, he had to give it one more try to see if he could get a satisfactory ending for himself.
Shen Qianqian grabbed his arm and pleaded, "Lu Jingran, don't waste your time on her anymore."
She was so strong that Lu Jingran couldn't move.
Lu Jingran turned around and looked at Shen Qianqian coldly. "Don't waste your time on me anymore."
Shen Qianqian seemed to be burned by his look. Her eyes flinched subconsciously and then suddenly widened.
Lu Jingran seemed not to notice her uneasiness and continued coldly, "You like me, don't you?"
His words were direct and hurtful. Shen Qianqian's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
As the one being favored, one is born with the right to hurt others.
She liked Lu Jingran, which was like handing a sharp blade to him and giving him the weapon to stab her heart.
Shen Qianqian stood there stiffly, with a lump in her throat.
She gritted her teeth and stood there for a while before barely managing to steady her voice. "Lu Jingran, you don't have to like me, but you can't deprive me of the right to like you."
Seeing her like this, Lu Jingran seemed to see himself, who was in love but couldn't get the one he loved. He felt a bit sorry for her.
He knew better than anyone how much effort Shen Qianqian had put into this band.
Or, to put it in a way he was reluctant to admit, how much effort Shen Qianqian had put in for him.
However, love was not a transaction where one would get corresponding rewards for their efforts.
He knew that Shen Qianqian was a very good girl, but he couldn't force his heart.
When a person meets someone too wonderful in their youth, they may hardly fall in love with anyone else in their life.
Lu Jingran lowered his eyes. When he looked up again, his eyes were cold.
He pried open Shen Qianqian's fingers one by one and said coldly and firmly, "I haven't deprived you of the right to like me, but I also have the right not to accept your love."
After saying that, he didn't look at Shen Qianqian's rolling tears and just walked away.
When he reached the door, he still couldn't help but turn back. "Shen Qianqian, since we've both made our choices, let's be true to them."