143: Chapter 142 The eldest sister refused to lend her brother her mobile phone, so she called him instead.

Jiang Zhiyu's familiar, annoying, and perpetually energetic (and calculating) voice immediately exploded through the speaker in the cramped space:

"Yo! Star Envoys of IZ*ONE! Good evening! It's been a long day—how are you feeling? Have you felt the 'Mortal Realm Trials' tempering your will and sublimating your team cohesion?"

The opening was as official and punchable as ever.

A chorus of suppressed, simultaneous cold snorts and sharp intakes of breath filled the living room. Tempering? Sublimating? They only felt their levels of shame reaching infinite heights and their limbs turning to jelly!

Kwon Eunbi tried her best to keep her voice steady: "PD Jiang, it's so late. Is something the matter?" She pointedly skipped the pleasantries.

"Oh, of course there are important things to report and announce!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice was tinged with a smile, clearly having a full grasp of their reactions. "First, a grand congratulations to Team B's Chaewon-xi, Yuri-xi, and Hitomi-xi! The TikTok challenge video you filmed today—"

He intentionally dragged out his tone.

The three members of Team B held their breath instantly, their hearts leaping into their throats. That absurd video triggered by 'The black shadow man Stealing Snickers,' which involved a park chase, a brand brawl, and a water gun finale... how did it turn out? Did it reach a hundred thousand views? What about the comments? Was it really going to become dark history?

"—was a massive success!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice suddenly spiked, full of 'surprise.' "In just six hours since uploading, the views have already broken two hundred and fifty thousand! Comments exceed eight thousand! The likes and shares are even more staggering! The hashtags #IZONE Baffling Challenge# and #The Thief Was Actually Me# have both hit the real-time trends! The sponsors are extremely satisfied and called specifically to praise you, saying the brand exposure was 'clear, natural, and full of memorable points' (direct quote)! Great job!"

"What?!" "Really?!" "Two hundred and fifty thousand?!"

Kim Chaewon, Jo Yuri, and Hitomi exclaimed simultaneously. The expressions on their faces shifted from tension to disbelief, then to a surge of complex emotions—relief, a bit of happiness, but mostly... a deeper sense of shame. It succeeded? That embarrassing video actually succeeded?! And it was seen by that many people?! Should they be happy or should they cry?!

The other members also cast looks that were a mix of sympathy (You guys really filmed something like that?) and curiosity (Just how viral is it?).

"See! I told you that although PD Jiang's scripts are embarrassing, they're effective!" Choi Yena muttered on the side, only to be glared at by Kwon Eunbi.

"So, this proves once again that trusting PD Jiang's creativity is never wrong!" Jiang Zhiyu struck while the iron was hot, singing his own praises. "Everyone's hard work is paying off! The Star Energy Shards (which he just made up) are steadily accumulating!"

Is the 'payoff' just more dark history and more people watching us?! Everyone complained inwardly.

"Now, then, for tomorrow's arrangements!" Jiang Zhiyu changed the subject, his tone becoming 'solemn.' "In view of everyone's 'outstanding' performance at your respective posts today—especially Choi Yena-xi successfully bringing 'strategic materials' (referring to the sausage stall) back to the base—"

He placed special emphasis on 'strategic materials,' his tone carrying obvious mockery.

Choi Yena puffed out her chest with a 'didn't I do well' expression, completely failing to hear the sarcasm.

"—this fully proves that our twelve star envoys have already acquired the preliminary ability to survive independently and create value in the mortal realm!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice was full of 'gratification' and 'encouragement.' "Therefore, after careful (quick) discussion by the production team, tomorrow's mission will be upgraded and integrated!"

Integrated? Upgraded?

A bad premonition loomed over everyone once again.

"At exactly nine o'clock tomorrow morning, a dedicated vehicle will be waiting downstairs at the apartment," Jiang Zhiyu announced. "It will lead all twelve members to a designated location with massive foot traffic—"

He paused, as if about to drop a bombshell.

"—to conduct a joint on-site sales activity!"

"Sales? Selling what?" Kwon Eunbi couldn't help but ask, the small flame of 'revenge' in her heart being doused until only blue smoke remained.

"Selling what? Selling the fruits of your 'struggles' today, of course!" Jiang Zhiyu said as if it were a matter of course. "The 'Zodiac Specialty Ramen' concept from the ramen shop (though it was just a slogan today), the groceries and the 'Love and Justice' tteokbokki spirit from the market promotion, the popular brand products from the TikTok challenge (he'll have samples and shelves ready), and—most importantly—Choi Yena-xi's 'Legendary Sausages'!"

"We will create a 'twelve star envoys Mortal Realm Entrepreneurship Mini-Market'!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice was full of passion as if describing a blueprint. "Everyone must use their 'specialties' and 'settings' to pitch products to the customers on-site and showcase your 'Star Envoy' charm! This will be the ultimate test of your teamwork, adaptability, and... resistance to shame! It's also a great opportunity to accumulate 'Star Energy' and 'Survival Funds'!"

"Let's all work hard together!" He concluded with an inflammatory tone, as if issuing some exciting call to arms.

And then—

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Before anyone could raise a question, protest, or even ask "where is the specific location," a crisp busy tone came from the other end of the line.

Jiang Zhiyu had hung up the phone after talking to himself.

The living room fell into a dead silence once again.

There was only the faint hum of the sausage machine's heat preservation and the occasional wail of the night wind outside the window.

After a long while.

"Ha... haha..." An Yujin gave a dry laugh, breaking the silence. "Joint... on-site sales? 'Zodiac Specialty Ramen' concept? Am I supposed to shout 'Stone-Grilled Rich Tonkotsu Ramen' at passersby? Outside? In public?"

"Do I still have to wear that black shadow man mask to sell Snickers and juice?" Jo Yuri's voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

"Red cabbage... will we have to bring that too?" Kim Minju muttered to herself.

"My sausages!" Choi Yena's eyes lit up, but then she worried, "But Unnies, are my sausages enough to sell? Should I marinate some more right now?"

"The point isn't whether there are enough sausages, Yena!" Lee Chaeyeon was freaking out. "The point is we're going out as a group to embarrass... I mean, 'showcase our charm'!"

"Is PD Jiang trying to turn today's collection of 'humiliations' into a large-scale public performance?" Kim Chaewon hit the nail on the head, her face pale.

"And he didn't even say the specific location..." Jang Wonyoung was full of worry. "Massive foot traffic... it wouldn't be... Myeong-dong? Or Dongdaemun?"

This speculation made everyone gasp.

If it were really in a place like that... the twelve of them, each carrying today's 'achievements' and 'settings,' setting up stalls and hawking...

The image was too beautiful to imagine.

Kwon Eunbi rubbed her throbbing temples, looking at her younger sisters who had fallen back into the abyss of despair after a brief moment of sausage-induced comfort, and remembered Jiang Zhiyu's unquestionable "Let's all work hard together" over the phone...

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"Kids." She spoke, her voice weary but trying to maintain the composure of a leader. "The phone is already hung up. Protesting... likely won't work."

"We can't stop PD Jiang's 'arrangements.'"

"But—"

She looked around, her gaze sweeping over every face filled with resistance and shame, but also a hidden trace of resignation and a 'just do it' attitude.

"Just like today."

"No matter how shameful or absurd, we endured it."

"And this time, it's all twelve of us together."

"It's not separate battles; it's a collective action."

"Even if we're going to be embarrassed... we'll be embarrassed together!"

Her words strangely served as a bit of comfort. Indeed, facing it alone versus facing it with twelve people felt completely different. At least, with someone to share the social death with, the pain seemed like it could be divided?

"So," Kwon Eunbi stood up and clapped her hands, "now, everyone go wash up and go to sleep!"

"Get enough rest!"

"Who cares if it's Myeong-dong or Dongdaemun tomorrow, or if we have to sell ramen slogans or red cabbage!"

"We'll just treat it as... the most ridiculous street performance ever!"

"Sell the products! Get PD Jiang's 'entrepreneurial funds' in our hands!"

"And then—" She paused, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes (directed at Jiang Zhiyu), "use the money we earn to buy even better food! To reward ourselves!"

"Ohhh—!!!"

Despite the uncertain future and the lingering shame, the leader's encouragement and the tragic consensus of "being embarrassed together" still allowed the girls to barely muster some spirit. At least they had a (food-oriented) goal.

They supported each other (physically and mentally exhausted), wailing and complaining, yet also carrying a strange, 'nothing left to lose' unity as they headed toward the narrow bathroom and those squeaky bunk beds.

Tomorrow, what awaited them was an even broader (and more dangerous) 'stage,' and a large-scale shame-play meticulously planned by Jiang Zhiyu called 'Mortal Realm Entrepreneurship.'

But tonight, they could at least try to fall asleep in the lingering aroma of sausages, harboring the tragic sentiment of "at worst, we all die together."

Hopefully, in their dreams, there would be no PD Jiang, no Slimes, and no rubber ducks.

Late at night, in a certain office in the TG Entertainment building, the lights were still brightly lit. The air was filled with a peculiar scent of caffeine mixed with overactive brain waves (?).

On the computer screen in front of Jiang Zhiyu, the viral TikTok video filmed by Team B (Kim Chaewon, Jo Yuri, Honda Hitomi) today was playing on a loop. In the frame, the 'Evil Grinning black shadow man Mask' clumsily stole, Detective 'Conan' and Karate 'Mouri Ran' engaged in a hilarious chase, a park dance battle, slow-motion brand bombardment, and finally the water gun 'Justice Sanction'... every frame was filled with absurd comedy and precise (yet blunt) product placement.

On one side of the screen was a real-time data stream. Views: 278,541, still rising at a visible speed. Comments: 9,123, Likes: 157,000, Shares: 42,000. Related hashtags #IZONE Baffling Challenge#, #The Thief Was Actually Me#, and #HardestCorePlacementInHistory# all occupied a spot on the hot search list.

But that wasn't the main reason Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were glowing.

His phone screen was displaying several encrypted (actually just normal text) messages just received from various investor representatives:

[Snickers Side - Director Park]: PD Jiang! The video results exceeded expectations! The 'stealing energy' angle is interesting, and the brand memory points are deep! Especially the 'replenishing justice energy' slogan at the end—perfect! The additional sponsorship fee has been confirmed; please prioritize us for the next collaboration!

[XX Juice - Marketing Director]: President Jiang! The slow-motion close-ups were amazing! Even the arc of the juice bottle flying was full of vitality! Many people in the comments are asking what brand it is! Sales monitoring shows a 300% surge in click-through rates for related online channels! A pleasure collaborating! Looking forward to more creativity!

[YY Brand Laundry Pods - Office Manager Lee]: Mr. Jiang! That 'shuriken' pod-throwing shot was so creative! The color display was clear, and the acceptance among young people is high! Our internal assessment shows a very high ROI (Return on Investment) for this placement! A special bonus has been applied for you!

[A Well-Known Water Gun Brand - Agent Kim]: PD Jiang! The dual-wielder pose was cool as hell! The concept of 'Stream of Justice' fits our brand image perfectly! People on social media have already started imitating it! Thanks! The fees have been settled; please check for the extra red envelope!

[AA Brand Dried Fruit/BB Brand Roast Duck/Haidilao/CC Coffee, etc.] (Group Message): PD Jiang, the exposure was great! Although there weren't many shots, the recognizability was enough! Looking forward to future cooperation!

Each message, like the most pleasant musical notes, played a march of wealth (and program funding) in Jiang Zhiyu's ears. He leaned back in his chair, hands crossed behind his head, even propping his feet up on the desk (since no one else was watching), his face beaming with the intoxicated smile of a harvesting farmer—a mix of pride, satisfaction, and "I'm a genius."

"We're rich... we're rich, fam!" He muttered to the air (and his imaginary production colleagues), his eyes narrowing into two slits. "This data, this feedback, this additional sponsorship... as expected, the level of shame is the traffic code! Idol baggage is meant to be broken! The love of the sponsors is just so simple and... powerful!"

He could already see the funding for the second and third seasons waving at him, see more ridiculous yet effective 'creative ideas' being implemented, see IZ*ONE's 'Mortal Realm Transformation' become a phenomenal variety show, and see himself ascending to the throne of 'Highest Earning Variety PD' (self-proclaimed)...

Just as he was immersed in the beautiful future blueprint and the fragrance of banknotes—

"Ring, ring—!!"

The ringtone of his private phone suddenly rang, interrupting his golden dream.