312: Chapter 292: Twenty-two Hours on Duty, I Almost Thought I Was Going to Die

Jiang Zhiyu's reaction made IU's offensive feel like punching a pile of cotton, even carrying a hint of backlash.

He was not shaken by IU's demand for "personalized sincerity," which carried obvious implications and provocation; there wasn't even a ripple of surprise on his face. He simply turned his head slightly, his gaze falling calmly toward the corner of the private room—where Lee Tima was trying her best to curl into a ball, wishing she could turn into wallpaper or a pattern on the floor, attempting to use an "I don't exist" aura to escape the storm that (in her opinion) had started because of her.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze precisely locked onto the little ostrich, and his voice, unhurried and clear, rang out: "I remember... Tima seems to have made IU xi angry today? Speaking without thinking, saying some inconsiderate words."

Lee Tima's body stiffened, and she buried her head even lower.

Jiang Zhiyu acted as if he didn't see her embarrassment and continued in a pragmatic, "problem-solving" tone: "As it happens, before you arrived, IU xi, when I was chatting with Tima, she mentioned that she seemed to have thought of a 'very interesting idea' recently, about how to give a unique gift to the person closest to her, only she was struggling with how to actually present it."

He paused, his gaze returning to IU's face with a natural expression that said, "I am doing this entirely for the sake of you and Tima": "As her Oppa, seeing her have this heart, I naturally want to help facilitate this good deed. How about this... before the 'the crab' film project is officially launched, I will urge Tima to perfect and implement this 'idea,' writing it into a detailed... well, proposal or story outline or something of that sort. At that time, I will ask IU xi to review it."

His tone was gentle, as if he were discussing a small, heartwarming matter completely unrelated to an investment of hundreds of millions of won.

"If IU xi feels that Tima's 'sincerity' is genuine enough and has enough weight, then," Jiang Zhiyu nodded slightly, casting his real hook, "let us use this as... the basis for our preliminary 'agreement' regarding the cooperation on 'the crab' project, how about that?"

IU was stunned. The direction of events had completely deviated from her expectations. The scenes she had envisioned of "applying pressure," "bargaining," and "forcing him to submit" had not appeared at all. Jiang Zhiyu had nonchalantly transformed a game of strategy potentially involving huge sums of money and ambiguous conditions into a heartwarming story about "a younger sister preparing a gift for her older sister" and "an older brother helping out," while incidentally giving her a way to step down—it wasn't her demanding "personal sincerity," but Jiang Zhiyu taking the initiative to propose using "Lee Tima's gift" to ease the relationship and serve as an opportunity for cooperation.

He had guessed it all along! A sense of irritation at being completely seen through, and even having her rhythm invisibly guided by the other party, mixed with intense unwillingness, instantly overwhelmed the composure IU had barely maintained. She felt like a hunter who had carefully set a trap, yet the prey had not only easily bypassed it but had also casually placed a bouquet of flowers next to the trap, signaling, "I have received your intentions, but please change your method."

Damn Jiang Zhiyu! IU roared internally. That original "cooperative" mindset, which carried sincerity (though mixed with a large amount of possessiveness), was like a clear spring into which ink had been poured, beginning to blacken rapidly and irreversibly. He really was a guy who wouldn't be easily controlled, and who even turned the tables to control the situation!

But precisely because of this, that desire to completely conquer him and hold him firmly in her palm was, instead, like a flame doused with high-octane oil, burning even more fiercely and twistedly.

But the more you are like this... the more I want to get you! Dark thoughts grew wildly like vines. To conquer you, to make you willingly submit, or...

A more extreme, darker thought, carrying a shivering sense of excitement, quietly emerged: Or... hide you away!

This thought, like an electric current running through her spine, made IU involuntarily tremble all over, and a pleasure mixed with guilt, stimulation, and extreme possessiveness instantly engulfed her.

Yes! Hide him away! Let Jiang Zhiyu belong exclusively to me alone! The little devil inside her shrieked with excitement, painting a crazy blueprint: Only I, Lee Ji-eun, can exclusively enjoy his peerless creative talent, can control the power and resources he brings, can admire his soul-stirring face day and night... and...

Her gaze fell unconsciously on Jiang Zhiyu's neck and wrists, as if she could smell that alluring fruity fragrance through his clothes.

...and the unique scent on him that makes one want to take a bite! She couldn't help but quietly swallow, the subtle movement of her throat revealing the turmoil in her heart.

Suppressing these surging, almost perverted, blackened thoughts beneath the mask of a perfect smile cost IU a tremendous amount of mental effort. The standard IU-style smile on her face remained impeccable, sweet, kind, and even carried a touch of softness from being moved by the "sibling affection."

"President Jiang, what a thing to say," IU's voice was soft, yet hidden with sharp edges, "The gift Tima gives me is the bond between us sisters, a pure intention. How can it... be mentioned in the same breath or confused with investments of hundreds of millions or even more?"

She frowned slightly, showing a touch of just-right "disapproval" and "being offended": "Does President Jiang hope that this pure affection between us sisters will also be tainted by the smell of monetary transactions? This... isn't it a bit too much?"

This was cleverly said; it not only stood on the moral high ground to criticize Jiang Zhiyu for linking "friendship" with "business," but also reaffirmed the "deep sisterly bond" between Lee Tima and her, while simultaneously labeling Jiang Zhiyu as "going too far."

Lee Tima in the corner heard this and was so moved she was almost in tears. She immediately looked up, gazing at IU with starry eyes filled with "Unnie, you really are the best Unnie who understands me and loves me the most!", completely forgetting the fear of just having her cheeks pinched and being threatened with being taken home, and once again staged a "betrayal" scene in her heart.

Jiang Zhiyu directly ignored Lee Tima's vacillating eye attack. He seemed to be truly considering IU's "criticism," pondered for a moment, and then revealed an expression of slight apology and sudden realization.

"IU xi is right, it was my lack of consideration." His attitude was sincere and compliant, "Confusing personal friendship with company affairs is indeed improper."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more formal and commercial: "Then, let's switch to a clearer, more procedural way of putting it."

His gaze became sharp and focused, looking straight at IU: "Lee Tima is one of the founding members of TG Entertainment and is the company's most important core member. Her creativity and ideas naturally belong to the company's assets. The 'new idea' she proposed, its development, perfection, and even final presentation, all need to go through formal company procedures and require the investment of company resources."

"Therefore," Jiang Zhiyu leaned forward slightly, with the certainty of a negotiator, "My proposal is: Before the 'the crab' project officially launches, I will urge and assist Tima to perfect that 'very good idea' of hers into a complete, actionable proposal. During this period, TG's relevant resources will be utilized to conduct preliminary feasibility assessments and framework construction."

"Once this proposal is initially formed, I will, on this basis, combine it with the company's overall strategy and resource situation to make corresponding updates, adjustments, and deepening, forming a formal cooperation proposal."

He deliberately emphasized the four words "cooperation proposal," completely distinguishing it from the previous "gift" and "intention."

"At that time," a confident arc curved up at the corner of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth as he threw out an even more tempting condition, "this proposal will be formally submitted to IU xi for review. Furthermore, I guarantee in the name of the President of TG Entertainment that if this new project derived from Tima's creativity proceeds, during its filming and production period, IU xi will possess the highest level of say and decision-making participation, excluding legal and basic production specifications."

This condition was far more substantial than a vague "priority consideration for roles." The highest level of say meant that IU could not only invest and make money but also deeply participate in and even lead the birth and production of a brand-new project, which completely aligned with her ambition to "control the source" and "expand her career territory."

Jiang Zhiyu had cleverly upgraded "Lee Tima's gift" to "TG Entertainment's cooperation proposal," transforming "personal sincerity" into "commercial privilege," both responding to IU's demand for "sincerity" and framing it within the scope of formal, controllable business cooperation, avoiding falling into ambiguity or being blackmailed.

At the same time, he once again emphasized Lee Tima's core position and TG Entertainment's resource investment, implying that this was not an empty promise, but supported by a solid team and plan.

IU fell silent. She had to admit that Jiang Zhiyu had executed this "great shift" maneuver beautifully.

He not only neutralized her offensive but also threw out a bait that she found very hard to refuse—a new project that she could potentially lead.

"Highest decision-making power"... These words swirled in her mind.

This meant that if handled correctly, she might even be able to "arrange" Jiang Zhiyu in this new project? Or, at the very least, possess a collaborative status equal to, or perhaps even slightly higher than his?

This prospect resonated subtly with the dark desires for "conquest" and "control" deep within her heart.

Looking at Jiang Zhiyu's calm and composed expression, as if everything were under his control, the dark flame inside IU did not extinguish; instead, it burned even more calmly and persistently.

"Very well, Jiang Zhiyu." She secretly clenched the hand resting on her lap, her fingernails almost digging into her palm.

"You have given me an option I cannot refuse, but you have also let me see your 'value' and 'difficulty' more clearly."

"I will make this investment. But this 'highest decision-making power' project... and you as a person... we shall take our time."

She slowly raised her head, and her face blossomed once again with that impeccable, perfect smile belonging to the top artist IU, though deep in her eyes, there was a glint of determination to win.

"President Jiang's proposal... sounds much more reasonable than before," she said softly, her tone as if she were merely evaluating an ordinary business plan. "Then, I shall look forward to seeing what kind of 'cooperation proposal' Tima and TG Entertainment can bring me."

At the entrance of the teahouse, the night had deepened, and the streetlights stretched the shadows of the roadside trees into long, thin shapes. Jiang Zhiyu politely escorted IU and Lee Tima to the entrance, his face still wearing that gentle and appropriate smile.

"Then, IU-xi, be careful on your way. Tima, listen to Unnie." His instructions sounded perfectly normal.

Lee Tima was still immersed in the overwhelming emotion brought by IU's earlier words about "the pure, golden bond between us sisters," completely unaware of the approaching storm.

She nodded vigorously, her little face radiating the happy glow of "Unnie really loves me the most," even feeling that those previous complaints and fears about acting were just her overthinking.

She proactively stretched out her small hand, held IU's hand, and shook it gently.

Feeling that soft, small hand in her palm, IU looked down at the little bean standing beside her, who was almost pressed against her body. Under the lights, Lee Tima's upturned little face carried an undefended sense of reliance and intimacy.

However, this reliance and intimacy, in IU's eyes at this moment, formed an extremely jarring contrast with her earlier outburst in the private room where she blurted out to Jiang Zhiyu that she "disliked Unnie's bad breath" and made those critical remarks about her acting.

You little traitor! A wave of irritation, mixed with a strong sense of possessiveness and betrayal, spread wildly in the depths of her heart like poisonous ivy.

After running wild outside for so long, hanging out with Kim Taeyeon and Im Yoona, and helping Jiang Zhiyu scheme against me (she unilaterally believed), now you know how to hold my hand and act cute and obedient?

The gentleness in her eyes faded rapidly, replaced by a coldness born of near-paranoid possessiveness and the feeling that "the rebellious child who ran around everywhere and almost ran off with someone else has finally been caught by me."

But on her face, she bloomed with a smile even sweeter and more "loving" than before in the private room. She gripped Lee Tima's small hand tightly, with considerable force to ensure she couldn't break free, and her voice was so gentle it could drip honey: "Don't worry, Unnie has everything arranged."

Lee Tima was completely unaware, even feeling excited because of Unnie's "thoughtful arrangements." Her big eyes sparkling, she began to chirp and suggest: "Unnie, Unnie! I know there's a super great new dessert shop in Gangnam District! The signature items are rainbow mille-feuille and molten chocolate! I heard it's su—per delicious! Should we go later..."

"No rush," IU smiled and interrupted her, her voice still soft but carrying an unquestionable decisiveness, "We are going home first."

The two words "going home" were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing all of Lee Tima's excitement and fantasies about desserts.

Going home? Lee Tima's brain seemed to have been hit with a forced restart button. Her sharp thinking—honed as a "generational diva," "TG Entertainment's hidden ace," and someone who had "experienced countless variety show tropes and Jiang Zhiyu's devilish training"—instantly woke up amidst the alarm bells!

Something is wrong! Her little heart sank abruptly.

If it were just a normal "going home," IU Unnie wouldn't use this tone that is eerily gentle while faintly revealing a sense of "finally caught you"!

Combining everything that happened tonight—her "talking big" in front of Jiang Zhiyu by complaining about Unnie's acting, being caught red-handed by Unnie, then Unnie and Jiang Zhiyu having a conversation she half-understood but felt was filled with undercurrents, and finally Jiang Zhiyu "packaging" her up as part of some "sincerity" to hand over to Unnie...

Going home... not to the dormitory or the apartment she occasionally stays at, but back to... the old home in Suwon? Or some place even more "safe," more "private," where she would "call to heaven and get no response, call to earth and get no reply"?!

Oh no!!!! Lee Tima's little face turned deathly pale in a "whoosh," all color draining away. She finally realized, belatedly, that her earlier emotion might have been wishful thinking, and what awaited her was likely not some heartwarming sisterly chat, but... the "torture" of settling scores after the fact!

She wanted to pull her hand back, but found that IU was gripping it extremely tightly, making it impossible to break free.

Just then, IU's nanny van slid silently to the side of the road and stopped. The driver got out and opened the door.

The smile on IU's face, under Lee Tima's terrified gaze, retreated slowly like the tide, restoring that usual slightly distant coldness. She did not look in Jiang Zhiyu's direction again, but simply, faintly, and irresistibly gave Lee Tima—who was trying to shrink back—a gentle push toward the car door.

"Get in." These two simple words, without any emotional fluctuation, made Lee Tima feel more afraid than any threat.

Lee Tima turned her head, looking for help toward Jiang Zhiyu, who was still standing at the teahouse entrance. She saw her "good Oppa" Jiang Zhiyu waving at her, his face wearing that gentle smile of "it's only natural for a younger sister to go home with her older sister," and he even silently mouthed a sentence: "Have fun."

Jiang Zhiyu!!! You bastard who won't save someone in trouble!!! Lee Tima wailed internally.

Under IU's calm yet highly oppressive gaze, Lee Tima finally resigned herself to her fate and slowly climbed into the nanny van, her back filled with the tragic air of "the wind blows, the Yi River is cold; the warrior goes, never to return."

IU turned back one last time and glanced at the empty teahouse entrance. Jiang Zhiyu's figure had already disappeared inside, with only warm light shining through the glass windows.

Her eyes were complex; they held lingering irritation, unwillingness at being schemed against, and gnashing of teeth at that little traitor, but deeper within, there was a raging fire that had been thoroughly ignited, mixed with extreme desires for conquest and dark possessiveness.

"Jiang Zhiyu... we shall take our time."

She withdrew her gaze, bent over, and sat inside the car, closing the door behind her. "Bang."

The soft sound of the car door closing was exceptionally clear in the silent night, as if declaring that the miserable night of a certain "little traitor" had officially begun.

Inside the car, the heater was on full blast, yet it couldn't dispel the chill all over Lee Tima's body. She curled up in the corner of the spacious seat, cautiously peeking at IU, who was sitting beside her with her eyes closed in rest, showing no emotion.

"Unnie..." She tried one last struggle, her voice as thin as a mosquito's, "I... I suddenly remembered that Zhiyu Oppa seems to have something else to discuss with me..."

IU did not open her eyes but spoke indifferently, her voice sounding exceptionally clear in the enclosed cabin: "Fasten your seatbelt. From now on, until we get 'home,' stay quiet."

Lee Tima: "..."

She despairingly and obediently pulled over the seatbelt and buckled it, then, like a frightened quail, tightly shut her mouth. Inside her heart, only one thought was frantically scrolling: It's over! It's really over! Yoona Unnie! Taeyeon Unnie! Zhiyu Oppa! Jessica Unnie! Help me ahhhhhhhh!!!