278: Chapter 258 Microphone Test, Ah, Ah, Ah, Microphone Test, test, te~st

In the conference room, the echoes of Jiang Zhiyu's explanation regarding the "Collapsed Points" system seemed not to have fully dissipated. Just as he was secretly congratulating himself for stabilizing the situation with that professional exposition and preparing to end this heart-racing "overtime" session—

Bae Joo-hyun put down the glass in her hand.

The glass made a crisp, cool "clack" as it touched the tabletop, sounding like a signal that she was ready to speak.

She didn't speak immediately; she merely let her cold eyes sweep over the conceptual diagrams on the screen before slowly raising her gaze to lock onto Jiang Zhiyu with precision. That look was no longer one of simple aloofness, but carried a sense of scrutiny and appraisal, as if she were not a passive listener but a partner about to propose revisions to the plan.

"President Jiang," her voice was steady, yet carried a weight that could not be ignored, "regarding this project, I have a few thoughts that might serve as supplements."

Here it comes.

Jiang Zhiyu's heart skipped a beat. His left hand, hidden under the table, unconsciously clenched. On the surface, however, he maintained a listening posture and nodded: "Please go ahead, Irene xi."

Bae Joo-hyun straightened her back slightly, a sign that she had entered "work mode" and "leader mode."

"First," she extended a slender white finger, pointing vaguely toward the word 'Collapsed' on the screen, "regarding the definition and presentation of the word 'Collapsed,' I believe it can be more diverse and more in-depth."

She spoke at a moderate pace, each word clear and powerful: "The core of the current project seems to be built on the classic contrast between the 'perfect idol on stage' and the 'real self in private.' While effective, perhaps... we could be a bit bolder."

Her gaze swept over her members before returning to Jiang Zhiyu's face: "When filming the variety show, can we completely step out of the 'idol' framework? Instead of deliberately emphasizing the 'contrast,' we could return entirely to a more private, more mundane route. For example, recording our true states as ordinary women in our twenties facing life's trivialities, personal interests, or even worries and confusion. 'Collapsed' isn't just about a relaxed image; it can also be a relaxation of the mind—a simple exploration after temporarily shedding the halo of 'Red Velvet.'"

This proposal caused Seulgi and Wendy to look thoughtful, while Yeri blinked excitedly and Joy nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement.

Bae Joo-hyun didn't pause, continuing with her second point:

"Second, regarding the methods of obtaining points. While randomly triggered missions are interesting, the pace might rely too heavily on 'luck' and 'coincidence'." Her tone was calm, yet she pointed directly at a potential issue. "Could we consider adding some clear 'challenge projects' or 'special events' during the filming process where points can be earned in large quantities or quickly? For example, the production team could release a 'large-scale mission' every week that requires teamwork to complete, or set up 'point codes' that require wisdom, physical strength, or tacit understanding to crack. This would give the members a clearer sense of purpose and make the point accumulation process have more rhythm and something to look forward to."

Wendy nodded immediately; as someone who demanded efficiency and a sense of purpose, she clearly agreed with this.

"Third," Bae Joo-hyun's fingertips tapped lightly on the table, her gaze becoming somewhat sharp, "from 'self-discovery missions' to 'team-set challenges,' can we introduce a healthy internal competition mechanism?"

She paused and explained clearly: "For example, independently design a real-time 'Points Leaderboard' to be publicly displayed in the filming space. Besides individual points, we could also set up titles or small rewards like 'Total Team Points,' 'Points King of the Week,' or 'Best Mission Performer.'"

The corners of her lips curled up in an almost imperceptible, yet clearly provocative arc as she looked directly at Jiang Zhiyu:

"In 'the collapsed daily life,' we should integrate more competitive fun and team vitality. With competition, there will be more genuine reactions and more committed performances, don't you agree, President Jiang?"

The room fell silent after she finished speaking.

The conference room was dead quiet.

Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri had completely entered "spectator climax" mode. Their eyes were wide, they didn't dare breathe loudly, and their gazes flickered frantically back and forth between Bae Joo-hyun and Jiang Zhiyu.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

Unnie is... directly challenging the core of PD Jiang's project!

Not only did she propose revisions, but every single one hit the mark. Even that final smile... was definitely intentional!

And at this moment, Jiang Zhiyu—

On the surface, he maintained his listening posture, even nodding slightly as if seriously considering these suggestions.

But only he knew that his left hand under the table was clenched so hard his knuckles were white. His nails dug deep into his palm, sending a clear stinging sensation that barely suppressed the surging, almost violent complex emotions in his chest.

That damnable Bae Joo-hyun...

That cursed Bae Joo-hyun...

You...

He gritted his teeth in his heart, those words almost bursting through his throat.

You just had to follow my lead!

Accept this project meticulously designed for you and Red Velvet, show your charm within the established framework, earn points easily, exchange them for rewards, and everyone would be happy...

But why?

Why did you have to jump out?

Why raise these sharp opinions? Why make this 'game' more complex and more confrontational?

A strong heat, a mix of frustration, annoyance, and some deeper emotion, rushed to his head.

However, just as this emotion was on the verge of losing control, a completely different feeling, like cold spring water, seeped out from the deepest part of his heart.

It was a kind of... sharp heartache.

Because he was too familiar with it.

Familiar with this posture of boldly proposing one's own ideas in private, when feeling safe, after seemingly calmly accepting arrangements.

Familiar with this way of thinking—analyzing established plans coolly and attempting to improve and perfect them.

Familiar with this sense of responsibility—choosing to stand up for the team and for a better result, even if it might offend the rule-maker.

Baek Ji-xin.

That name, along with everything about her as the leader of an idol girl group, instantly flooded his mind.

She was like this too. In front of the company, she always accepted arrangements gracefully and appropriately, even if those arrangements weren't entirely reasonable. But only in front of him, beside someone she trusted and who could support her, would she show her fangs, sharply pointing out problems and stubbornly demanding changes, her eyes shining with an unquestionable light.

Back then, he would listen to her "nagging" with a smile, indulge her "improvement suggestions," and even feel incredibly moved by her seriousness and persistence.

And now...

Bae Joo-hyun sat there, using logic and a posture so similar to Baek Ji-xin's, saying words of the same nature.

Only, one was toward him as her closest lover, showing all her sharp edges without reservation.

While the other was toward him as a "stranger" President who needed to be guarded against and kept at a distance, using the most polite yet aloof manner to conduct a cold "provocation" and "negotiation."

This extreme similarity and extreme contrast were like two dull knives, simultaneously cutting into Jiang Zhiyu's heart.

The more you want to prove yourself, the more you show this independence and intelligence...

The more I will only... ache for you.

In this heartache was a mix of nostalgia for the past, complex feelings for the person before him, and a deep sense of powerlessness—because he knew that Bae Joo-hyun's "proof" at this moment was, to a large extent, a counterattack against his previous "evasion" and "unilateral arrangements."

She wasn't Baek Ji-xin.

She didn't need his heartache, and might even feel disgusted by it.

She was simply fulfilling her duties as a leader, protecting her and her team's interests.

Jiang Zhiyu closed his eyes forcefully. When he opened them again, the surging intense emotions in his eyes had been suppressed by force, leaving only the calm and professionalism belonging to "President Jiang"—though beneath that calm, cracks were everywhere.

He released his hand, which was aching from being clenched, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Then, he met Bae Joo-hyun's provocative gaze and slowly nodded.

"Excellent suggestions, Irene xi." His voice was a bit raspy, but his tone was steady. "The first point about deepening the definition of 'Collapsed' and stepping out of the idol framework is something we can further discuss for a specific implementation plan. The second point about increasing clear methods for obtaining points, and the third about introducing an internal competition mechanism... these are all very constructive."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the other four members: "It seems the leader of Red Velvet indeed understands what the team needs better than I imagined, and knows better how to make the show more interesting."

These words sounded like praise, but combined with his current expression and the stagnant air between the two, it felt more like... a complex admission of defeat, or rather, a re-evaluation after having his rhythm disrupted.

Bae Joo-hyun looked at him, the provocative arc on her face gradually flattening back into her usual calm. She didn't speak, merely nodding slightly to accept his surface-level recognition.

But both knew that this silent struggle for dominance over the project had only just begun.

Meanwhile, the four members watching the whole process were so excited they could barely restrain themselves from exchanging looks.

Is this a variety show project meeting? This is clearly a clash of masters!

Irene Unnie is so cool!

President Jiang's expression... was priceless!

Filming in the future will definitely, definitely not be boring!

—

The "Caring" Sister and the "Superfluous" Dinner

The meeting finally ended in a subtle atmosphere where a consensus was reached on the surface while undercurrents surged beneath.

Jiang Zhiyu stood up almost immediately, "seeing them out" in the most standard and polite manner.

"Thank you all for taking the time today. We will integrate the revised plan as soon as possible and send it to your company." His tone was steady, his gaze avoiding Bae Joo-hyun as much as possible and landing on Wendy, who seemed the easiest to talk to. "If there are any further questions, we can communicate at any time."

His subtext was clear: that's all for today, please leave quickly.

The four members of Red Velvet also stood up to say their goodbyes. Yeri glanced at Jiang Zhiyu and Bae Joo-hyun with some lingering interest before being gently pulled by the arm by Joy.

Just as the group reached the front desk of TG Entertainment and was about to enter the elevator—

"Joohyun Unnie—!!!"

A crisp, cheerful, and highly penetrating voice, accompanied by a flurry of hurried footsteps, came from the side corridor.

Everyone subconsciously turned to look.

They saw Lee Tima rushing over like a small cannonball. She was still holding a half-eaten burger, a bit of sauce on the corner of her mouth, but her eyes were as bright as searchlights, staring straight at Bae Joo-hyun.

She rushed up, spreading her grease-stained hands and completely ignoring Jiang Zhiyu, whose expression had instantly stiffened, as she went for an enthusiastic "flying hug" toward Bae Joo-hyun.

Bae Joo-hyun seemed stunned for a moment, but her physical reflexes were extremely fast. She almost instinctively opened her arms and steadily caught the "small cannonball."

"Joohyun Unnie! Why are you here?!" Lee Tima's voice was muffled against Bae Joo-hyun's shoulder, full of surprise.

Bae Joo-hyun was knocked back half a step by the impact, but the frost-like aloofness on her face melted at a visible rate the moment she hugged Lee Tima, even giving way to a trace of a genuine, gentle, helpless smile.

She gently patted Lee Tima's back, her voice softening: "Work finished, so of course I came over. After all, it's our Red Velvet team variety meeting; how could I, the leader, not be here, right?"

As she said this, her peripheral vision seemed to sweep over Jiang Zhiyu intentionally or otherwise.

What did she mean by "how could the leader not be here"?

What did she mean by "team variety meeting"?

The subtext in these words was likely understood by everyone present, except for Lee Tima, who was busy burying her face in a burger.

Jiang Zhiyu felt his cheek muscles twitch; he tried his best to control his expression, forcing himself to look away from the embrace, only to unexpectedly meet two other pairs of sparkling eyes.

Yeri and Joy.

These two younger sisters, who had been in peak gossip-watching mode since the start of the meeting, were now flanking him on both sides, staring at him without blinking. Their eyes were filled with unabashed curiosity, excitement, scrutiny, and a sly glint that said, "I've figured something out."

They were like two high-power searchlights, trying to illuminate him thoroughly from the outside in!

Jiang Zhiyu cursed inwardly, but he could only force a stiff "smile" that looked worse than crying before quickly looking away, pretending to watch the elevator floor display.

At that moment, Lee Tima looked up from Bae Joo-hyun's arms, still chewing her burger, and said indistinctly but loudly:

"Oh, right! Let's go eat! I know a re—ally delicious restaurant nearby!" She suddenly remembered something and turned to Jiang Zhiyu with a grin, revealing a lettuce leaf stuck to her teeth. "Zhiyu Oppa has already booked a table! It's his treat today!"

Boom—

Jiang Zhiyu felt as if his brain had been blasted by those words.

Dammit, Lee Tima!

I never imagined Bae Joo-hyun would be coming when I booked that restaurant!!!

His original intention for booking that restaurant, known for its privacy and exquisite dishes, was very simple:

To slightly make up for the "regret" of the four members of Red Velvet (excluding Bae Joo-hyun) coming all this way for nothing (in his initial plan).

To let Lee Tima, that "social terrorist," liven up the atmosphere and maintain the fairly friendly relationship between TG and Red Velvet.

And so he could catch his breath in a relatively relaxed environment after that exhausting meeting.

The option of "Bae Joo-hyun" was never in the plan!

Now, thanks to Lee Tima's loud mouth, everyone knew: President Jiang had booked a restaurant to treat Red Velvet to dinner.

And Bae Joo-hyun was standing right here.

Could he say they weren't going? Could he say, "I only invited the four of them, not you"?

Not unless he wanted to completely shatter the already precarious "professional image" he had built during today's meeting and offend the leader of Red Velvet to death.

Jiang Zhiyu felt his temples throbbing. He took a deep breath, using almost his lifetime's worth of acting skills to keep his facial expression from completely collapsing.

He looked at Bae Joo-hyun and said in as natural a tone as possible (though it still sounded quite dry):

"Ah... yes. I originally wanted to thank Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri for making the trip today. I didn't expect Irene to rush back as well, so... shall we go together?"

He specifically pointed out that the original invitation was for the "four of them," attempting to explain that he hadn't intentionally "omitted" her, but without making it seem too deliberate.

Holding Lee Tima, Bae Joo-hyun looked at Jiang Zhiyu with a calm gaze.

The coldness in her eyes had returned to how it was in the meeting room, but it seemed to lack some of that initial absolute chill. Hearing his words, she only raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

"Is that so?" Her voice betrayed no emotion. "Then I'm truly putting President Jiang to a lot of expense. Won't it be inconvenient for me to 'suddenly join' like this?"

That question... it was practically roasting him over a fire!

"Of course not!" Jiang Zhiyu denied immediately, speaking so fast he almost bit his tongue. "It is... it is TG's honor to have Irene join us."

He wanted to bite his tongue off the moment he finished speaking. Honor, my ass! He just wanted to disappear right now!

"Great!" Lee Tima didn't notice the tension in the air at all. She happily hopped out of Bae Joo-hyun's arms, hooked one hand around Bae Joo-hyun's arm, and naturally reached for Jiang Zhiyu with the other. "Then let's go! I'm starving! Zhiyu Oppa, is the restaurant you booked that 'Yunjing' place that's so hard to get into? I heard their honey cheese grilled ribs are amazing!"

Jiang Zhiyu quietly avoided Lee Tima's greasy hand, feeling a massive headache coming on.

Beside them, Yeri and Joy's eyes were shining as if they had discovered a new world.

Wendy facepalmed helplessly, feeling that tonight's dinner might be quite "exciting."

Seulgi looked bewildered but vaguely sensed that the atmosphere had turned strange again.

The elevator arrived with a "ding."

The doors opened.

Looking at the open elevator doors, Jiang Zhiyu felt like he was looking at the entrance to an "execution ground" from which there was no return, only certain torment.

He braced himself and made a "please" gesture.

Bae Joo-hyun nodded slightly and, pulling the still excitedly chattering Lee Tima, was the first to walk in.

Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri followed closely behind.

Jiang Zhiyu was the last to enter the elevator, standing closest to the door.

The elevator doors slowly closed. In the confined space, the aroma of burgers, Bae Joo-hyun's cool perfume, and Jiang Zhiyu's own increasingly uncontrollable fragrance of overripe fruit mingled together.

And then there were those interested, probing gazes falling on his back, nearly burning through him.

This meal...

How was he supposed to get through it?

Jiang Zhiyu looked at his own reflection on the elevator doors, which was practically screaming "done with life," and thought despairingly.

—

Walking out of the TG building, the early summer evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispersing some of the stifling air that had condensed in the meeting room.

Red Velvet's van was already waiting quietly by the roadside, with the Manager standing beside it. Wendy, Seulgi, Joy, and Yeri politely said their goodbyes to Jiang Zhiyu and headed toward the van to go to the restaurant first.

Bae Joo-hyun, her arm still tightly held by Lee Tima, stood to the side talking in low voices. Lee Tima was speaking animatedly while Bae Joo-hyun occasionally nodded, a faint softness on her face that was entirely different from her demeanor in the meeting room.

Jiang Zhiyu forced himself to look away and walked toward the brand-new black Mercedes-Benz coupe parked in the company's reserved spot.

He had recently purchased this. When he had taken Kim Taeyeon's car to Jeonju, he was deeply impressed by the comfort, handling, and interior quality. After returning, he went and bought the same luxury edition. The streamlined body gleamed with a low-key matte luster in the twilight, its lines elegant and powerful.

He unlocked the door and sat in the driver's seat. The leather seats offered excellent support, and the interior was filled with the faint scent of new leather, temporarily masking the body fragrance that had become more pronounced due to his emotional fluctuations.

The passenger door was then pulled open, and Lee Tima slipped in like a slippery little fish, her movements so practiced it was as if this was her personal seat.

Thud. The door closed.

Lee Tima pulled the seatbelt and clicked it into place smoothly—clearly, she had hitched many rides in Kim Taeyeon's car.

The interior of the car instantly formed a small, enclosed private space, isolating them from the outside air and the lingering gazes nearby.

As soon as she sat down, Lee Tima turned to look out the window. Red Velvet's van hadn't started yet; Bae Joo-hyun seemed to be giving instructions to the Manager, her silhouette appearing exceptionally clear and elegant in the evening light.

Lee Tima's eyes lit up, and she let out an exaggerated exclamation of praise: "Wow~ Joohyun Unnie is really beautiful today! This outfit, this hairstyle, and that aura..." She smacked her lips as if savoring a delicacy, then her tone shifted slightly, "The more I look, the more she looks like..."

The words following "like" hadn't even come out yet.

"Shut up."

Jiang Zhiyu's voice rang out coldly; it wasn't loud, but it was like a block of ice suddenly crashing into the warm air of the car.

Lee Tima shivered from the sudden drop in pressure, the rest of her sentence catching in her throat. She turned her head to look at Jiang Zhiyu in the driver's seat.

He wasn't looking at her; he was staring straight ahead, hands on the steering wheel with knuckles turning white from the force. His profile was tense, his jawline looking as if it were carved with a knife.

It was an expression she rarely saw on his face—a mixture of endurance, warning, and even a hint of... being flustered.

"Later at the restaurant," Jiang Zhiyu's voice was very low, carrying an unquestionable threat, "if you dare to say one wrong word, I will tear your mouth apart."

As he spoke, he still didn't look at Lee Tima, but every word seemed to be squeezed through his teeth, cold and sharp.

The smile on Lee Tima's face completely vanished.

This wasn't the first time she had seen Jiang Zhiyu angry, but this time... it was different. It wasn't the usual embarrassment after one of her pranks, nor was it the irritability from work stress. It was something deeper and more hidden, a defensive ferocity as if an absolute forbidden territory had been touched.

She smartly realized that the person she was about to mention was a name that absolutely, positively could not be brought up in front of him.

She shrank her neck and quickly made an exaggerated "zipping" motion over her mouth, then pressed her lips tightly together to show she would keep them sealed.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at her in the rearview mirror; seeing her being so sensible, the tension in his jaw relaxed by a mere millimeter.

He didn't say anything else and simply started the engine.

The Mercedes-Benz coupe let out a low, smooth hum and slowly pulled out of the parking spot.

As the car passed by Red Velvet's van, the passenger window was one-way glass, so no one could see inside. But Jiang Zhiyu could feel that the moment the car passed, a cool gaze seemed to pierce through the glass and land on his car.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened again.

Silence returned to the car, broken only by the low hum of the engine and the subtle airflow of the air conditioning system.

Lee Tima stayed quiet for less than two minutes before she began looking around restlessly, her fingers tracing the leather seats, clearly curious about the new car. But she was smart enough not to mention Bae Joo-hyun or anything about "looking like" someone again, only muttering softly, "This car is really nice... it seems even newer than Taeyeon Unnie's..."

Jiang Zhiyu didn't respond.

His eyes were focused on the road ahead, but his mind uncontrollably replayed the fleeting, gentle smile Bae Joo-hyun had when she embraced Lee Tima downstairs, as well as her calm, sharp eyes when she provocatively offered her opinions in the meeting room.

Two completely different versions of Bae Joo-hyun.

One made his heart race and left him flustered.

One made his... emotions complex and difficult to handle.

And the root of all this chaos pointed toward a past he thought was long buried, but which had been pried open again by a similar face.

The Mercedes-Benz coupe merged smoothly into Seoul's evening traffic.

Outside the window, as the lights came on, the city began to reveal its radiant nocturnal side.

Inside the car, silence spread.

One was focusing (or forcing himself to focus) on driving, while his thoughts drifted toward a dangerous edge.

The other, beneath a quiet exterior, was rolling her quirky eyes, her mind brewing who-knows-what new "observation report" or "operation plan."

A dinner destined not to be peaceful was waiting for them ahead.