154: Chapter 153 document

Im Yoona saw that he clearly wanted to end the topic, so she understood and didn't press further. However, she became a few degrees more certain of her suspicion that "there might be something between Jiang Zhiyu and Bae Joo-hyun." She picked up her teacup and took a sip to hide the complex look in her eyes, then changed the subject:

"By the way, will IZ*ONE be participating in that... 'Myeong-dong Play' later?" She recalled the absurd scene she had seen that morning and couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. "Is it okay if I watch from the sidelines? I don't have anything else to do this afternoon anyway."

Jiang Zhiyu immediately recovered from his earlier awkwardness upon hearing this. A spirited smile returned to his face, as if the previous unnaturalness had been a mere illusion. "Of course, no problem! It's more than I could ask for to have Noona here to give some guidance!" His eyes sparkled. "It's perfect; you can see the actual results of my latest perfected script, 'Operation: Save Yena'! I've added a more three-dimensional spatial interaction concept!"

Seeing him excitedly describe the potential "Low-altitude Floating Combat Unit" and "Sudden Ejection Interaction Device," Im Yoona silently lit another row of candles for the IZ*ONE kids in her heart.

The latter half of the meal was spent with Jiang Zhiyu looking forward to the afternoon's "Great Variety Show Enterprise," while Im Yoona absentmindedly agreed while secretly observing and pondering.

After finishing their meal, the two walked back to the Myeong-dong filming site. The afternoon sun was warm, and there were more pedestrians on the street. Jiang Zhiyu walked half a step ahead, occasionally turning back to say a few words to Im Yoona. The wind occasionally blew the stray hairs on his forehead. That fresh body fragrance that made Im Yoona feel flustered (or rather, restless), which had weakened in the relatively enclosed restaurant, now faintly wafted over again in the open outdoors. Mixed with the scent of sunlight and street food, it was still so clearly discernible.

Im Yoona intentionally slowed her pace to create a bit of distance, taking several deep breaths of "normal" air. She had to shift her attention away from the bizarre thought that "Jiang Zhiyu smells like he'd be delicious."

When they returned to the filming area, which was now more tightly cordoned off but even more "dazzling" inside, the members of IZ*ONE had not yet arrived. However, the "upgrades" to the scene were already obvious.

The comical Astral Colosseum arena was still there, but a set of relatively professional wire tracks and several movable suspension points had been added above it. Beside the arena, in addition to the previous "weapon racks," there were several cloth-covered props of strange shapes, as well as several inflatable mats labeled "Buffer Air Cushion A" and "Buffer Air Cushion B." The lion robot, Lionheart Sovereign MK-I, stood quietly in a corner, the roast duck model at its waist glistening under the sun. Hello Kitty, Golden Retriever, and Gray Wolf plushies, along with several newly appeared, dull-colored, and oddly shaped Zang Zang Bao plushies, were arranged neatly (or rather, haphazardly) to one side, waiting for the "actors" to take their places.

The staff were performing final checks and debugging, the atmosphere tense but orderly. Seeing Jiang Zhiyu return, several main heads immediately gathered around to report the situation.

"PD, the wire system test is complete. The safety factor meets the standards, and the weight capacity and range of movement have been adjusted according to your requirements."

"PD, the new 'Elastic Interaction Platform' has been installed. The trigger mechanism has been tested three times to ensure it won't activate accidentally."

"PD, the 'Zang Zang Bao Legion's' 'Pollution Special Effects' (colored powder and washable paint) are ready. The dosage is controlled within a safe range."

"PD, the additional brand-confirmed product props are in place. We need your final confirmation on the display positions."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded while listening, occasionally offering suggestions for detailed adjustments. His expression was focused and professional, different from the occasional embarrassment during the meal or the high-spiritedness during private chats. At this moment, he was the producer in control of the overall situation. Although the content he planned was absurd, he executed it meticulously.

Im Yoona stood a little further away, crossing her arms and silently observing. She had to admit that, setting aside those face-palming ideas, Jiang Zhiyu's seriousness and efficiency at work, as well as his ability to control the scene, were indeed outstanding. It was no wonder he could repeatedly convince large organizations like SM, JYP, and TVN, as well as a popular group like IZ*ONE, to play these "shameful games" with him.

The wait was a bit long. After handling the on-site affairs, Jiang Zhiyu ran back to the monitors to repeatedly watch clips of his own "rehearsal" from the morning. As he watched, he rubbed his chin and muttered, "Here, Choi Yena's struggle could use an added spinning motion... When Kwon Eunbi sees her companion being snatched away, her gaze should be more despairing... For the scene sharing the roast duck, the lighting can be warmer to highlight 'warmth' and 'unity'..."

Im Yoona's eyelids twitched as she listened. She found a folding chair brought by the staff and sat down, putting on her sunglasses to block out some of the overly "enthusiastic" creative discussion, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Jiang Zhiyu again.

He stood before several screens, his brow slightly furrowed, his profile clearly defined under the light from the screens. His slender fingers tapped lightly on the control panel, adjusting the images. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the smooth lines of his forearms. Because of his focus, his entire aura had settled down; that flighty, mischievous vitality was temporarily hidden, replaced by a grounded, unique charm belonging to a creator.

Damn it...

Im Yoona once again felt that tightness in her throat. She looked away toward the sign of a coffee shop across the street, trying to distract herself. She began to think about Red Velvet's variety show, SM's next plans, and her own upcoming schedule... but her thoughts were like spider silk blown by the wind, inadvertently drifting back to that figure emitting an alluring fragrance.

She even started to regret staying to watch. This was simply a form of self-torture.

Just as Im Yoona was considering whether to find an excuse to leave early, a slight commotion came from the perimeter, followed by the sound of a car engine cutting out.

"PD! IZ*ONE's car is here!" a staff member ran over to announce.

Jiang Zhiyu immediately looked up from the monitor, his face instantly radiating a spirit that was a mix of excitement, anticipation, and the glow of a successful prank. "They're finally here!" He snapped his fingers and said to everyone on site, "Everyone, to your positions! Remember: natural! Real! Capture the first reaction! But safety first!"

He straightened his collar, a friendly smile that seemed utterly "hypocritical" and "ill-intentioned" to Im Yoona appearing on his face. He strode toward the entrance, ready to welcome the twelve "Star Envoys" who had just finished their "normal schedule" and were still completely unaware of their impending "fate."

Im Yoona didn't move from her chair; she just pulled her sunglasses down a bit to reveal her eyes, watching the entrance from a distance. She was curious to see what expressions would be on those girls' faces when they saw this "Myeong-dong Astral Colosseum"—which was infinitely more exaggerated and bizarre than the "Old Apartment Mission" they had escaped that morning—and that smiling PD Jiang, who looked as if he were welcoming them to an amusement park.

Despair? Breakdown? Or... already so numb that they've lost the will to live?

She picked up a glass of water someone had newly poured for her and took a sip. The icy water slid down her throat, temporarily suppressing that inexplicable restlessness in her heart.

The show was finally about to begin.

And she herself seemed to have unknowingly become one of the bystanders with complex emotions in this absurd play. Not only watching IZ*ONE's "suffering," but perhaps... also watching her own quietly changing, yet still unclear, state of mind.

Jiang Zhiyu, this "little man," was just like the variety shows he planned—full of unpredictable "surprises" (or scares). It made one unable to resist wanting to keep watching, to see what other tricks he could pull off, and to see... where exactly her heart, seemingly ruffled by that strange fragrance, would eventually drift.