243: Before Chapter 228 was updated, there was only one chapter.

Jiang Zhiyu felt like a green boy seeing his idol for the first time. This completely out-of-control physiological reaction made him both frustrated and confused. He kept telling himself that Bae Joo-hyun was Bae Joo-hyun and Baek Ji-xin was Baek Ji-xin—they were two different people! Yet his body seemed to have its own memory and judgment, producing such a violent resonance with this similar face and aura.

“Zhiyu, you smell so good. What perfume is that? It’s a very special scent.” Yeri, sitting to his right, leaned in a bit closer and sniffed like a curious kitten, being the first to break the slightly subtle silence that had followed his arrival.

Wendy, on his left, also nodded. “Yeah, it smells great. Like... ripe fruit? And a bit like sunshine. Very fresh.”

The shift in topic allowed Jiang Zhiyu to breathe a slight sigh of relief. He took the opportunity to take a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, and explained, “Ah, this... it’s just a little perfume I blend myself when I have nothing better to do. The ingredients are quite simple.” He glossed over the details, not wanting to explain too much about the origin of this body scent.

“You blend it yourself? Impressive!” Joy looked up from the menu and joined the conversation. “I didn’t expect Producer Jiang to have such a skill.”

“He is our ‘prodigy’ Jiang PD, after all~” Yeri said with a giggle, then changed the subject with a mischievous smile. “But Jiang PD, we’ve heard things, you know? Your recent collaboration with IZ*ONE on ‘twelve star messengers: records of survival in the mortal realm’ really put those kids through the wringer, didn’t it? Those clips online with the masks and the weird slogans...”

Seulgi also chimed in with a laugh. “Exactly, we were breaking a sweat just watching them. Jiang PD, if you work with us next time, please don’t design challenges that are too embarrassing! We’re getting older; our hearts can’t take it~”

Although Bae Joo-hyun didn’t speak, her gaze also fell on Jiang Zhiyu’s face. She seemed to be waiting for his answer as well, her eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible inquiry and faint teasing.

The pressure was back on Jiang Zhiyu. He smiled and didn’t answer directly. Instead, he naturally reached for the tongs on the table and took over the duties of the “grill master.” This movement was so smooth it seemed practiced a thousand times, instantly turning the slightly passive situation around.

Fat dripped onto the charcoal, making a pleasant sizzling sound, and the aroma of meat began to fill the air.

As he skillfully flipped the Hanwoo on the grill, he said in a calm tone, “Variety effects are all for the sake of making the show look good and letting the kids show off different charms. As for the level of embarrassment...” He paused and looked up at everyone, his peripheral vision specifically catching Bae Joo-hyun sitting quietly opposite him. “It really depends on the design and the guidance. If you Sunbaes have thoughts on a collaborative variety show, why don’t we talk about it? What kind of style would you like to present? Or do you have any preliminary ideas for the program content?”

He threw the question back at them while his hands didn't stop, distributing the first round of grilled meat into everyone’s plates, being both thoughtful and attentive.

This topic indeed piqued the members' interest. Everyone began to discuss animatedly while eating the meat Jiang Zhiyu had grilled (the flavor and timing were just right, earning unanimous praise).

“I want something more relaxed!”

“Something that shows what we’re really like in private!”

“Let’s not always do game competitions; it’s too tiring.”

“Maybe some travel or food elements?”

“Yes, yes! Managing our figures is usually so hard; I hope we can relax and eat a bit while filming the variety show!”

The members were buzzing with discussion, and the atmosphere quickly became lively. Bae Joo-hyun would also occasionally offer a quiet opinion or be amused by her younger members' jokes. When she laughed, her eyes would curve into beautiful crescents, and that cold aura would completely dissipate, replaced by a warm and cheerful vibe, making her seem like a different person from the elegant and cold 'God-tier Visual' leader on stage or in front of the camera.

Jiang Zhiyu’s peripheral vision—or rather, his gaze—was like it was being pulled by an invisible gravity, always involuntarily and silently drifting toward Bae Joo-hyun opposite him.

He watched the soft lines of her profile when she tilted her head slightly to listen to Seulgi, the corners of her mouth slightly pursed when she was amused by Yeri, and her slender, fair fingers when she reached for a drink...

Every stolen glance made his heart rate jump up another notch from its already rapid pace.

That smile... it was exactly the same as when Ji-xin laughed.

Beneath that cold exterior, there was actually hidden tenderness and cheerfulness.

Jiang Zhiyu knew that in front of her members, Bae Joo-hyun was actually a very cheerful person. She would play around with Yeri, joke with Joy, and take care of Seulgi and Wendy.

Just like Ji-xin, who would also show a rare, childish side in front of her teammates.

Dammit.

Jiang Zhiyu cursed again in his mind.

Dammit, Bae Joo-hyun! Are you a magnet spirit? Or a cosmic black hole? Why does my vision always run toward you uncontrollably?!

Jiang Zhiyu was frantically complaining about himself internally, yet on the surface, he had to maintain a professional appearance of listening intently and occasionally participating in the discussion, even having to precisely master the timing of the grilling to avoid burning the meat.

“Zhiyu Oppa?” Yeri’s voice pulled him back to reality. “What do you think?”

“What?” Jiang Zhiyu looked up and found everyone looking at him.

Wendy repeated the question: “We were saying we want a variety show that can show diversity, highlighting both individual characteristics and team chemistry. Do you have any suggestions?”

Jiang Zhiyu put down the tongs and thought for a few seconds.

“Since everyone wants a diverse way to manage your personas and wants to highlight a style different from the one on stage,” he said, “why don’t we call it ‘Red Velvet’s the collapsed daily life’?”

“the collapsed daily life?” Yeri’s eyes lit up. “What does that mean?”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” Jiang Zhiyu explained. “We do private dorm filming, capturing the true state of Red Velvet on your days off. The way you look when you wake up, when you eat, when you do housework, and even when you argue (if you do).”

He paused, seeing the interested expressions of the members, and continued, “The theme is a bit cliché—a lifestyle observation variety show—but there’s a lot of room for maneuver. We can add game segments, mission challenges, and even invite other celebrity friends over. Plus, the filming locations are flexible; it’s not limited to the dorm. You can go on outings, to markets, or anywhere you want to go.”

He spoke in great detail, clearly having already thought about this direction.

The members of Red Velvet looked at each other, seeing approval in one another's eyes.

“Sounds good,” Seulgi nodded. “Very relaxed, no pressure.”

“And it can show our true sides,” Wendy also said. “The fans should like it.”

Joy looked at Bae Joo-hyun: “What does Unnie think?”

Bae Joo-hyun had been listening quietly and only now spoke up: “I think... we can try it.”

Her voice was soft but very clear.

Jiang Zhiyu’s heart rate accelerated uncontrollably again.

He quickly changed the subject: “The meat is done, everyone please eat.”

He skillfully used scissors to cut it into small pieces and distributed them into everyone’s plates.

“Thank you, President Jiang,” Bae Joo-hyun said softly as she took the plate.

Her fingers brushed against the back of Jiang Zhiyu’s hand.

Although it was only a momentary contact, Jiang Zhiyu felt like he had been hit by an electric current, and his whole body stiffened for a second.

“Y-You’re welcome.” His voice was a bit tight.

Fortunately, the others didn’t notice this little interlude.

He felt like he was undergoing a double split—both mental and physical.

Just as he was grilling meat, fighting an internal battle, and having to divide his attention to participate in the discussion, Wendy sighed and brought up the issue of the comeback song: “Sigh, speaking of which, it seems the company doesn't have a clear comeback plan for the time being, let alone new songs.”

Joy immediately turned her gaze toward Jiang Zhiyu, who was seriously grilling meat, and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “What? Hearing that we don’t have songs, is Producer Jiang’s hand itching again? Are you planning to write us another song like ‘IRACEBETH’?”

Hearing this, Yeri immediately put on a look of 'you’re underestimating him' and said exaggeratedly, “Unnie! You look down on Producer Jiang too much! With Producer Jiang’s current persona as the ‘Midas Touch’ and the ‘TG Prodigy President,’ it would only be right if he were responsible for our entire album! Right, President Jiang-nim?” After she finished, she even gave Jiang Zhiyu a mischievous wink.

The entire album?

This topic made the other members fall silent for a moment, and they all looked at Jiang Zhiyu. Even Bae Joo-hyun, who had been quietly eating and occasionally participating in the discussion, looked up, her calm gaze falling on him.

The only sounds left in the private room were the sizzling of the grilled meat and the faint hum of the air conditioner.

Jiang Zhiyu’s hand flipping the meat paused almost imperceptibly.

An entire album? For Red Velvet?

The temptation and challenge of this proposal were equally immense. Red Velvet’s musical style was unique and varied, with strong concepts, and SM’s internal production system was mature and complex. Producing an entire album for them would not only be the ultimate test of his music production abilities but also meant deeply intervening in SM’s core projects; the maneuvering and coordination involved would be no easy feat.

And... it meant he would have more reasons to more frequently... come into contact with Bae Joo-hyun and Red Velvet.

The moment this thought arose, his heart skipped a beat again, failing him once more.

He slowly put down the tongs, picked up a wet towel nearby to wipe his hands, his movements calm and unhurried. Then, he looked up, his gaze sweeping across the five members in turn, before inevitably meeting Bae Joo-hyun’s quiet gaze briefly in the air.

He quickly looked away, his face showing an expression somewhere between professional evaluation and cautious deliberation.

“You Sunbaes think too highly of me.” His tone was gentle but serious. “Red Velvet’s musical world is very unique. Producing an entire album is a major undertaking that requires the right timing, place, and people. However...”

He changed his tone, his gaze becoming bright and focused again—that special glow he had whenever he talked about music and creation.

“If you Sunbaes are truly interested, and the company also has the intention, I’d be very happy to participate in discussions, whether it’s providing a single or discussing the directional exploration of the album production. After all, being able to collaborate with outstanding musicians to create good works is every producer’s dream.”

He didn’t take it all on himself, nor did he flatly refuse; he gave an answer that both showed sincerity and left plenty of room. At the same time, he skillfully guided the topic from “him writing the entire album” to the “possibility of collaboration.”

Wendy and Seulgi nodded, seemingly understanding his answer. Joy smiled and didn't press further. Yeri pouted her lips but didn't say anything either.

Bae Joo-hyun still looked at him quietly. Not much emotion could be seen in those beautiful eyes, but Jiang Zhiyu always felt as if she had seen through his momentary panic and his heart drumming just now.

The meal continued in this atmosphere—sometimes light and teasing, sometimes serious and discussing, and sometimes with undercurrents surging. Jiang Zhiyu dutifully played the roles of grill master and listener, working hard to control his gaze and heartbeat, while also keenly capturing the personality traits and interaction patterns of each Red Velvet member, accumulating “material” for possible future collaborations.

Only, that figure opposite him—cold as the moon when quiet and warm as spring when laughing—along with his completely disobedient heart, became the variables that caught him most off guard and were hardest to ignore in this professional meeting.