231: Chapter 218 More than romance, I feel like I'm the king of variety shows!

The question caught Kim Minjeong off guard for a moment, then a particularly bright smile blossomed on her face: "Yes! Lots of them!"

She began to count: "Recording went very smoothly a few days ago, and the producer said I've improved a lot; yesterday I had delicious grilled meat with the members; today during the livestream, I saw so many fans coming to chat with me..."

As she counted, her smile grew sweeter: "I feel like every day is very fulfilling and happy."

That kind of heartfelt happiness could be felt even through the screen.

Halfway through the livestream, Kim Minjeong suddenly said, "Ah! I want to show everyone a new skill I've been practicing lately!"

She stood up and moved out of the camera's range.

A few seconds later, she returned holding... a hula hoop.

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow.

A hula hoop?

"I've been practicing this lately!" Kim Minjeong said enthusiastically. "It can train core strength and helps with dancing!"

As she spoke, she put the hula hoop around her waist and started spinning it.

At first, it went quite smoothly, and the hula hoop was spinning properly. A proud smile appeared on Kim Minjeong's face as she made a "V" sign toward the camera.

But soon, a problem arose.

She was spinning it too hard.

The hula hoop spun faster and faster, higher and higher... finally, under the shocked gazes of everyone (including Jiang Zhiyu off-screen)—

"Bang!"

The hula hoop flew off.

It didn't fall to the ground; instead, it flew straight toward the ceiling, hit the chandelier, and then bounced back, landing squarely on Kim Minjeong's own head.

"Ah!" She clutched her head and crouched down.

The bullet chat exploded instantly:

[Hahahahahahahaha]

[Winter, are you okay?!]

[This physical attack is too strong]

[Hitting yourself while spinning a hula hoop, that's something else]

Kim Minjeong crouched on the ground and didn't get up for a long time.

Jiang Zhiyu's heart tightened, and he almost picked up his phone to call.

But soon, Kim Minjeong's voice came through, muffled and sounding like she was on the verge of tears: "Ugh... it hurts..."

But she still stood up, rubbing the top of her head with red eyes, yet still forcing a smile: "I-it's fine! I'm okay! This... this was also part of the performance! Right! It's a special trick!"

The more she spoke, the more her confidence wavered, until her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz.

Watching her "it hurts but I must be strong" look, Jiang Zhiyu felt both bad for her and wanted to laugh.

How can this kid be so silly?

But it was exactly this "trying to do things well but always messing up" clumsiness that made her seem exceptionally real and exceptionally cute.

"What does Minjeong Unnie usually like to do besides practicing?" Another question.

Kim Minjeong tilted her head and thought for a moment: "I like... puzzles! Recently, I've been doing a 1,000-piece starry sky puzzle, but..."

She paused, her expression becoming a bit aggrieved: "But after working on it for three days, I realized one piece was missing..."

[Hahaha, a piece is missing!]

[Minjeong-ah, did you eat the puzzle piece as a snack?]

[As expected of our clumsy puppy!]

Looking at the bullet chat, Kim Minjeong's face turned slightly red: "I did not eat it! It's just... I just don't know where it went..."

Her voice grew smaller as she spoke, and that aggrieved yet cute look made the bullet chat scroll even faster.

Jiang Zhiyu couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

Fortunately, he was wearing headphones, so the people in the finance department couldn't hear him.

But Assistant Xiao Zheng happened to knock and enter at that moment. He was stunned when he saw the smile on the President's face.

Jiang Zhiyu quickly composed himself and said to the video conference on the other side, "That's all for today. We'll communicate the remaining issues via email."

After saying that, he ended the meeting, took off one earphone, and looked at the assistant: "What is it?"

"President, the dinner with Choi Yena-xi is scheduled for seven o'clock. It's time to leave now," Assistant Xiao Zheng reminded him.

Jiang Zhiyu checked the time—6:20.

"Understood." He nodded and began to organize the documents on his desk.

But on his phone, Kim Minjeong's livestream was still going.

"Is there anything Unnie wants to eat lately?" the bullet chat asked.

Kim Minjeong's eyes lit up: "Fried chicken! Especially cheese powder fried chicken! But Manager Oppa said I need to control my weight lately and won't let me eat it..."

As she spoke, her mouth pouted unconsciously, like a child who didn't get any candy.

The bullet chat was once again filled with [Cute] comments.

"But I secretly ordered delivery once!" Kim Minjeong suddenly lowered her voice, as if sharing a big secret. "But when it arrived, Ningning found out! She told Manager Oppa!"

Her expression shifted from proud to frustrated, looking incredibly vivid.

[Hahahaha, caught red-handed!]

[Ningning: Bet you didn't expect that!]

[Minjeong-ah, remember to close the door when you order delivery next time!]

Looking at the chat, Kim Minjeong sighed: "I've learned to be smarter now. Before ordering delivery, I'll first check if everyone is in the dorm..."

As she spoke, she suddenly realized she had let it slip. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening: "Ah! I shouldn't have said that! Cut this part out! Cut it out!"

That panicked look was so silly it made one want to ruffle her hair.

Jiang Zhiyu had already organized the documents, stood up, and picked up his coat.

But he still couldn't help but glance at his phone again.

On the screen, Kim Minjeong was answering the final question: "Is there anything Unnie wants to say to the fans?"

This question made Kim Minjeong's expression turn serious.

She sat up straight, looked into the camera, her eyes sincere: "Thank you all for your continuous support. I know I'm clumsy sometimes, and I'll make mistakes or say the wrong things, but I will keep working hard. Working hard to sing, working hard to dance, and working hard to become a better Kim Minjeong."

She spoke slowly and seriously, every word coming from her heart.

"So... please keep watching over me. I will keep running forward."

After saying that, she gave a bright smile to the camera.

That smile was clean and pure, like sunlight after rain.

Looking at that smile, a soft spot in Jiang Zhiyu's heart was gently touched.

This kid is really working hard.

And she's very pure.

He turned off the livestream and put his phone in his pocket.

"President, the car is ready," Assistant Xiao Zheng said.

"Yeah." Jiang Zhiyu nodded and walked out of the office.

In the hallway, the employees of TG Entertainment were still busy. Seeing him, they all greeted him: "President!"

Jiang Zhiyu responded to each one, his pace never slowing.

In his mind, he had already started thinking about the conversation with Choi Yena tonight.

The solo projects for IZ*ONE, Choi Yena's variety show potential, the possibility of brand collaborations...

But for some reason, Kim Minjeong's silly smile and her words, "I will keep running forward," kept echoing in his mind.

Perhaps this was the reason he persisted in this industry.

Watching these talented, dream-filled young people grow step by step and shine.

Although there would be hardships and setbacks in the process, that pure passion and effort always touched people's hearts.

The elevator doors opened, and Jiang Zhiyu walked in.

As the elevator descended, the bustling night view of Seoul was visible through the glass window.

The lights were brilliant, and the traffic flowed like a stream.

In this city, there were countless young people like Kim Minjeong and Choi Yena, striving for their dreams.

And his responsibility was to build the stage for them and provide opportunities.