305: Chapter 285: I laughed in frustration after 300 draws without getting Chen.

While the Red Velvet dormitory was in chaos and the internet hot searches were skyrocketing, the atmosphere in the PR department office at the SM Entertainment headquarters building was somewhat heavy.

The PR department head, a middle-aged man nearing fifty with meticulously combed hair and a perpetually stern expression, was pacing back and forth in the aisle of the department's office area with his hands behind his back.

On the large screen in front of him, the real-time hot search list was displayed, and those viral trending terms prefixed with "Red Velvet" and "the collapsed daily life" were pricking his eyes like needles.

He stopped, turned around, and faced the PR department employees, who were either burying their heads pretending to be busy or darting their eyes around, afraid to make eye contact with him. He took a deep breath, and then—

"Bang!"

He slapped his palm onto a nearby desk. The sound wasn't loud, but it made everyone jump.

"Look! Everyone, take a good look!" The department head's finger almost poked through the screen as he pointed at the hot searches. "Look at TG Entertainment! A test shoot, a few screenshots, a piece of meme-worthy audio, and they don't even have a shadow of an official program yet! Look at this popularity! Look at this level of discussion! The entire internet is paying attention! Organic marketing! When have we at SM Entertainment ever had this kind of effect when releasing official news?! Huh?!"

His voice echoed in the quiet office, carrying repressed anger and... a hint of imperceptible jealousy.

"When we release comeback teasers, we get called 'stale,' 'unoriginal'; when we release artist daily lives, we get called 'perfunctory,' 'staged'; when we release collaboration news, we get called 'vampires,' 'dragging them down'!" The department head grew angrier as he spoke. "Why? Why can TG Entertainment just mess around and ignite topics, while our carefully planned efforts only earn us curses?! Each and every one of you, reflect on this! Where exactly is the problem?!"

The employees below kept their eyes fixed on their noses and their hearts focused on their inner peace, but internally, they were complaining like crazy:

'Ah, damn... Department Head-nim, can these even be compared?'

'Isn't SM Entertainment getting cursed an inherent right, an ancestral tradition? Which entertainment company doesn't get cursed?'

'What is TG Entertainment even doing? Turning a goddess like Irene into a meme! Turning Joy into Farfetch'd! Would we dare to do that? If we posted that, we'd probably be torn apart by fans!'

'They are playing with subversion and reality (even if it might be a designed reality), would we dare play that big? Do we still want our company image?'

'And that is Jiang Zhiyu! That genius! When has he ever failed when he made a move? Can we compare?'

'Reflect? What is there to reflect on? This is just metaphysics!'

Of course, these words were only dared to be thought in their hearts. On the surface, everyone nodded in agreement, with solemn expressions, as if they were truly reflecting deeply.

Just in this awkward and oppressive atmosphere, the office door was knocked.

A receptionist led in two young people who were smiling and carrying large bags... bags printed with various food delivery logos.

"Department Head-nim, two staff members from TG Entertainment are here. They said they are delivering some materials prepared during the test shoot, and... comfort gifts?" The receptionist's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

The anger on the PR department head's face instantly melted away like ice and snow the moment he saw the TG Entertainment staff and those bags in their hands that were clearly food! He switched to an enthusiastic, amiable smile almost at lightning speed and hurried over in two or three steps.

"Oh! Welcome, welcome! You two have worked hard! Coming all this way so late!" The department head enthusiastically grasped the hand of the lead TG Entertainment outreach staff member and shook it vigorously. "Please, come in! Have a seat! Xiao Zhang, pour some tea! Use the best tea leaves!"

The speed of his face-changing and the thoroughness of his attitude shift left all the SM Entertainment employees in the office stunned, their minds frantically scrolling:

'Mworago?! This face-changing speed... is even faster than NCT's choreography formations!'

'One second he was a fire-breathing T-Rex, the next second he became a gentle spring breeze?'

'No wonder he can be a department head... This acting, this mental fortitude, it's incredible!'

'Those bags have food in them, right? It definitely is! No wonder his attitude is so good!'

The TG Entertainment outreach staff seemed accustomed to this situation and maintained a polite smile as they placed the heavy takeout bags on the meeting table nearby. "Department Head, you are too kind. Our President Jiang said that since everyone from Red Velvet and the SM Entertainment staff worked hard during the afternoon test shoot, he specially prepared some late-night snacks. It's just a small token of appreciation. It's mainly some fried chicken, pizza, Hanwoo sets, desserts, and such. There's quite a variety, so everyone should share and have a taste."

As the bags were opened, various tempting aromas immediately drifted out, and a chorus of suppressed swallowing sounds echoed in the office. After being busy all night and just being scolded by the department head, who could not be tempted seeing so much delicious food?

The PR department head's smile became even brighter, as if he weren't the one who had just lost his temper: "Oh! President Jiang is truly so thoughtful and considerate! How could I accept this! Come, everyone, come over, don't be shy, try TG Entertainment's kind offering!" While greeting his employees, he personally helped the TG Entertainment staff distribute the food, his eagerness making it seem as if TG Entertainment were his long-time close friend and savior.

The SM Entertainment employees were conflicted as they received the food. The food smelled delicious, but seeing the department head's fawning attitude, they felt a bit amused and sad.

A young PR specialist took a piece of fried chicken and couldn't help but whisper to the colleague beside him: "See that? This is the gap. TG Entertainment sends real food and trending topics, while we usually just send out press releases... Sigh."

The colleague took a bite of Hanwoo and nodded vaguely: "Producer Jiang Zhi Yu, he's definitely got something. At least, he's generous."

"Exactly, this move both gave a favor and showed strength, and also indirectly reminded us that 'cooperating with TG Entertainment has many benefits.' High, it's really high."

"So, the department head scolding us... maybe it wasn't completely unreasonable? At least the way TG Entertainment sent this 'gift' makes it impossible for anyone to find fault, and it makes people appreciate it."

The office was filled with the aroma of food and low conversations, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed. The PR department head also held a slice of pizza, chatting with the TG Entertainment staff while eating. The topic naturally revolved around the follow-up promotional cooperation for "the collapsed daily life" of Red Velvet, and his tone was exceptionally friendly and harmonious.

The SM Entertainment employees were enjoying the unexpected food benefits while watching the back of their department head and the TG Entertainment staff chatting happily, feeling a thousand emotions in their hearts.

Perhaps what the department head wanted them to "reflect" on was not just the technical marketing methods, but also deeper cooperation thinking, resource integration, and... how to be like TG Entertainment (or rather, Jiang Zhiyu), who can get things done, deliver favors, and finally make everyone (except for the artists who might be "tortured") feel "it's really good"?

Of course, the prerequisite for all this is that you must have the courage, creativity, and... the mental fortitude to not be killed by the glares of your own artists (like Bae Joo-hyun) that Jiang Zhiyu possesses.

An employee secretly took a photo of the department head enthusiastically hosting the TG Entertainment staff and the table full of food, hesitated for a moment, but still didn't post it. Forget it, this kind of "internal benefit" and "department head's face-changing record" should be kept for themselves as gossip.

However, after this battle, the entire SM Entertainment PR department had a brand new and profound understanding of that TG Entertainment President Jiang Zhiyu, who had not yet been met but had left legends everywhere.

This "Midas touch" expert not only knows how to "touch" artists and "touch" topics, but it seems he also knows very well how to "touch" people's hearts.

In another practice room at SM Entertainment, the lights were as bright as day. The four members of aespa had just finished several hours of intensive choreography training. Sweat soaked their bangs and training clothes, and they were exhausted, collapsing on the smooth floor, leaning against the wall, and taking small sips of water.

The leader, Karina, was scrolling through her phone and inevitably saw the overwhelming "the collapsed daily life" of Red Velvet related hot searches and memes. She couldn't help but chuckle and turned her phone screen to the other three: "The Unnies are really... a style I totally didn't expect."

NingNing leaned over to take a look, just in time to see Joy's "Duck-Duck" meme and the clip of Yeri's passionate takeout commercial, making her laugh so hard she nearly choked on her water: "Hahaha! Joy Unnie and Yeri Unnie are way too dedicated! This variety show looks like so much fun!"

Uchinaga Eri (Giselle) also curiously leaned over. Seeing Bae Joo-hyun's classic "peach-blush anger" and "can't hold it anymore" memes, she raised an eyebrow: "Irene Sunbaenim's expression... truly a rare sight. Though, the popularity is really high."

Kim Minjeong (Winter) hugged her exclusive purple capricorn Lemm, resting her chin on its cool, bouncy head. Watching the lively discussions on the screen, she muttered: "Zhiyu Oppa... when will you be able to plan a variety show like this for us?"

Her tone carried a trace of envy and expectation that she hadn't even realized herself.

They were close with Jiang Zhiyu, known as the "snack-stealing girl group" and half-disciples, but aside from the previous ae training camp, they hadn't had an exclusive variety show opportunity to showcase their real, private sides.

Seeming to sense its owner's low spirits, the purple Lemm wiggled slightly in her arms, emitting a faint light as if comforting her.

Kim Minjeong rubbed the Lemm, hugging it tighter, her gaze unfocused: "Oppa... when will you write a song for us, like the one you wrote for Taeyeon Sunbaenim..."

Her voice was as light as a feather, filled with a young girl's secret longing.

Just then, "knock, knock, knock," the practice room door was knocked.

Karina immediately lifted her head, suppressing the exhaustion on her face, and raised her voice to respond: "Yes! Please come in!"

The door was pushed open, and a young man wearing TG Entertainment work clothes with a gentle smile walked in.

The things he was carrying immediately attracted everyone's gaze—several simple yet high-quality thermal lunch boxes, and a premium Hanwoo gift box that looked expensive at a glance, with a top-tier meat brand's logo printed on the packaging ribbon.

The four members of aespa instantly sprang up from the floor, standing straight, looking at this unexpected guest with curiosity and surprise.

"Annyeonghaseyo, members of aespa," the TG Entertainment staff member greeted with a polite bow, "Sorry to bother you. These are the comfort gifts our President Jiang asked me to bring to everyone. President Jiang said he knew everyone was working hard on training, so he specially prepared some late-night snacks. Inside the thermal boxes are low-sugar desserts from the The Shilla Hotel and some sushi platters; the Hanwoo gift box is for everyone to replenish their energy."

He spoke with a steady pace and a respectful attitude, "Well, the items have been delivered, so I won't disturb your rest any further. Please enjoy."

After speaking, he gently placed the items on the small table in the corner of the practice room, nodded again, and quietly retreated, closing the door behind him.

Leaving the four members of aespa standing there, looking at each other in surprise and delight.

"Wow..." NingNing was the first to run to the small table, carefully touching the thermal lunch boxes, "This quality, as expected of the The Shilla Hotel! And it's low-sugar? Oppa is way too thoughtful!"

She had been strictly controlling her sugar intake recently.

Karina also walked over, looking at the conspicuous Hanwoo gift box, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Oppa is taking such good care of us... This must be very expensive, right? Should we..."

She was wondering whether they should give a return gift.

"I want to eat that fish roe sushi!" Giselle's eyes were already glued to the opened thermal box, the glistening, plump orange fish roe shining with an alluring luster under the lights.

As for Kim Minjeong, she stood in place holding her Lemm, looking at the comfort gifts that were clearly carefully selected to suit their tastes and needs.

The small disappointment she felt from envying Red Velvet's variety show was instantly replaced by a warm sense of surprise and being moved.

Oppa... even while busy with the Red Velvet Unnies' project, he was still thinking of them.

She thought for a moment, placed the Lemm on a nearby chair, took out her phone, and opened the small group chat with the four of them and Jiang Zhiyu—which they had renamed "Snack-Stealing Strategic Command (Master Jiang Limited Edition)".

Kim Minjeong's fingers typed briskly, @ing that familiar, uniquely styled ID—Young Jiang Is Spicier Than Old Ginger.

Winter: Oppa! We received the comfort gifts you sent! (=^▽^=) [Image: Panorama of the thermal lunch boxes and Hanwoo gift box]

Not long after the message was sent, Jiang Zhiyu's reply popped up, surprisingly fast.

Young Jiang Is Spicier Than Old Ginger: Minjeong-ah! (Patting head.gif) That's a stage reward and comfort for your hard work, enjoy it well, don't have too much burden~

He immediately sent another message:

Young Jiang Is Spicier Than Old Ginger: If the Manager says anything, just tell him I sent it! Tell him to come find me directly!

Seeing the "patting head" animated emoji and the protective, slightly domineering "tell him to come find me directly" that followed, Kim Minjeong's cheeks flushed "whoosh," her heart feeling like it had been lightly scratched by a feather, warm and itchy.

She subconsciously covered her face, but the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

"Yah! Kim Minjeong!" Karina was the first to notice her odd behavior.

Leaning over to see the conversation on her phone screen and her shy, face-covering expression, she immediately shouted, "You actually thanked Oppa secretly! And you're blushing!"

NingNing and Giselle also immediately crowded around.

Seeing the chat history, they instantly "bristled."

NingNing: "Aish! That's too much, Minjeong! You actually thanked Master behind our backs! I'm going to send one too!"

Giselle: "Exactly! Oppa is clearly our Oppa! Quick, let's send thanks together!"

Thus, the originally quiet practice room instantly became lively.

The three of them took out their phones, squeezed next to Kim Minjeong, who was still covering her face, and started spamming the group chat.

Karina: Oppa! The comfort gifts are so lavish! Kamsahamnida! We will practice hard! [Heart emission.jpg]

NingNing: Master is the best! Low-sugar desserts are the best! Love you! [Finger heart.jpg]

Giselle: Oppa jjang! Fish roe sushi is daebak! [Food temptation.jpg]

Kim Minjeong also lowered her hand, blushing as she added one:

Winter: Thank you Oppa... We will enjoy eating it. (Whispering)

Karina looked at the screen full of thanks and emojis, her eyes rolled, and she suggested: "Let's take a group photo and send it to Oppa! Just surrounding these comfort gifts!"

"Good idea!" The other three immediately agreed.

Thus, the four girls temporarily forgot their training fatigue, giggling as they gathered around the small table filled with food.

Kim Minjeong didn't forget to bring her purple Lemm over and place it at the corner of the table to "get in the shot."

NingNing found a good angle, and the four of them faced the camera, revealing smiles that were bright, silly, or slightly shy, but all incredibly genuine.

"Click!"

A photo full of vitality, food, and friendship was born.

In the photo, the four members of aespa were full of youthful energy, the comfort gifts beside them highlighting the meticulous care from a certain "family head," and the purple Lemm in the corner was the finishing touch.

Karina: [Image] Oppa! All members of aespa have received the comfort gifts, we are digging in with gratitude!

NingNing: Master, look! A family portrait of us and the comfort gifts!

Giselle: Ready to eat!

Winter: (Silently liking.jpg)

The message was sent, and they soon received a reply from Jiang Zhiyu, a simple thumbs-up emoji, plus one sentence:

Young Jiang Is Spicier Than Old Ginger: Eat a lot, kids. Next time I'll take you to eat something even better.

Seeing this sentence, the four girls looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

The lights in the practice room seemed to become warmer and brighter.

They sat around, impatiently opening the thermal boxes, sharing the "special reward" from Jiang Zhiyu.

While eating, they chatted in low voices.

The topic naturally circled back to the hit Red Velvet variety show today, but there was no longer any envy in their tone, only heartfelt blessings for their seniors, and a faint expectation for the "special project" they might have in the future.

As for that purple Lemm, it stayed quietly on the table, occasionally glowing slightly, as if it too were sharing in this warmth and joy.