320: Chapter 300 General

The negotiations lasted until six in the evening. Outside the window, the sky had already darkened, but the JYP building was brightly lit.

When the conference room door finally opened, both sides wore a certain degree of fatigue on their faces, but the light in their eyes was brighter than when they had arrived—it was the relaxation and anticipation that came with reaching a preliminary consensus.

"President Jiang, since you've rarely visited, would you like to try our JYP cafeteria?" Park Jin-young extended an enthusiastic invitation, while shooting a glance at his assistant behind him. "Our cafeteria's organic meals are quite famous in the industry; they're both healthy and delicious."

Jiang Zhiyu checked the time—6:15 PM. He still had to return to TG Entertainment in the afternoon to process emails, but declining the President's dinner invitation was clearly inappropriate.

"Then I shall respectfully accept." He smiled and nodded.

Park Jin-young laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. "Let's go, let's go, I'll take you. I'll also have the company's kids meet you—it'll make future collaborations more convenient."

This sounded perfectly reasonable.

But Jiang Zhiyu keenly noticed that when Park Jin-young said "have the company's kids meet you," the expressions of the executives nearby paused subtly before quickly returning to normal.

It was premeditated.

He understood, but didn't show it on his face, simply responding gently, "Sounds good. I've also always wanted to officially meet JYP's talented artists."

On the way to the cafeteria, Jiang Zhiyu clearly felt that the atmosphere in the JYP building had changed.

At this time, trainees and staff should have been leaving work, and the hallways should have been quiet. But today, all the way from the top-floor conference room to the mid-level cafeteria, they encountered an unusually large number of artists.

And all of them were "just happening" to pass by.

"Ah, President Park! President Jiang!" A boy group member wearing sportswear (Jiang Zhiyu recognized him as Stray Kids' Bang Chan) "accidentally" appeared from around the corner and bowed respectfully.

Park Jin-young introduced him with a smile. "This is Stray Kids' leader, Bang Chan. Bang Chan, this is President Jiang of TG Entertainment."

Bang Chan immediately turned to Jiang Zhiyu and performed another standard ninety-degree bow. "Hello, President Jiang! I am Stray Kids' Bang Chan, and I serve as the main vocalist and producer for the group!"

His Korean had a slight Australian accent, and his tone was sincere and enthusiastic.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out to shake his hand, wearing a perfectly balanced professional smile. "Hello, hello. You look very handsome."

Bang Chan: "...?"

He was visibly stunned, his hand stiffening in Jiang Zhiyu's grip for half a second before his ears quickly turned red. "Th-thank you for the compliment, President Jiang..."

'What the hell, is that the right thing to say?' Bang Chan complained wildly in his mind. Although he had to admit that President Jiang was indeed excessively handsome, but... did he say that to everyone?

Jiang Zhiyu let go of his hand, his smile unchanged.

Bang Chan dizzily moved aside, watching the two Presidents continue walking forward. He looked down at the hand that had just been shaken, then looked up at Jiang Zhiyu's tall, upright back, his expression dazed.

And this was just the beginning.

For the next ten minutes, Jiang Zhiyu felt like a panda being gawked at in a zoo—no, even worse than a panda. Pandas could at least eat bamboo in peace; he had to keep shaking hands, smiling, and making small talk.

The hallway seemed to have become a gallery for JYP artists:

Stray Kids' dance leader Lee Know: "Hello, President Jiang! I am Lee Know, the main dancer of the group!"

Jiang Zhiyu shook his hand: "Hello, hello. You dance very well."

Lee Know's internal monologue: 'How does he know I dance well? Has he watched our performances? No, this must be small talk... but the way he says it, it's like he's really watched them...'

Stray Kids' main vocalist Kim Seungmin: "Hello, President Jiang! I am Kim Seungmin, the main vocalist of the group!"

Jiang Zhiyu shook his hand: "Hello, hello. Your voice has a unique quality."

Kim Seungmin's internal monologue: 'Unique quality? Does he mean my vocal tone? Does he really know? Or is it just small talk again? Ah, so confusing...'

Day6's leader Jae Park (although Day6 is a band, they are also under JYP): "President Jiang, it's an honor! I am Jae Park of Day6."

Jiang Zhiyu shook his hand: "Hello, hello. Your songwriting ability is very strong."

Jae Park's internal monologue: '...He even pays attention to bands? Just how broad is TG Entertainment's scope of business?'

Every boy group member gave a standard self-introduction, including their role in the group. Jiang Zhiyu shook hands with everyone, offering similar, flawless polite compliments.

But it was precisely this "same for everyone" attitude that made the artists even more confused—did he actually know them, or was he just brushing them off?

It was exactly like being a panda on display in a zoo. Jiang Zhiyu sighed internally, but the smile on his face remained perfect.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Before they even entered, they could hear familiar laughter coming from inside.

The door was pushed open, and there were already quite a few people sitting in the cafeteria—all of TWICE, the five members of ITZY, and some other JYP artists. Seeing Park Jin-young and Jiang Zhiyu enter, everyone immediately stood up.

"President! President Jiang!"

Park Jin-young scanned the room with satisfaction—very good, everyone was present. He stepped aside to let Jiang Zhiyu enter first. "President Jiang, please."

Jiang Zhiyu walked into the cafeteria, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Compared to the boy groups, he was definitely more familiar with TWICE.

His gaze met Im Nayeon, who was standing at the very front.

The two made eye contact for a second, and a silent exchange was quickly completed through their eyes:

Jiang Zhiyu: 'Act?'

Im Nayeon: 'Act!'

The next second, Im Nayeon's face blossomed into her signature brilliant smile, her voice dripping with sweetness. "President Jiang! Long time no see! Ever since the Haidilao dinner last time, I've been wanting to see you again!"

She took a step forward and grasped Jiang Zhiyu's hand with both of hers (much more enthusiastically than those respectful handshakes from the boy groups), looking at him with sparkling eyes. "I heard you're filming a movie lately? That's amazing! As expected, a genius can do anything well!"

Jiang Zhiyu also immediately entered character, a touched expression of "finding a kindred spirit" appearing on his face. "Nayeon, you flatter me too much. On the contrary, I saw news of TWICE's recent world tour; every show was sold out. That is the true style of international superstars!"

The two began to shower each other with praise, their tones sincere and expressions on point, as if long-lost soulmates had reunited.

The other TWICE members: "..."

Jeongyeon poked Sana next to her with a blank expression, whispering, "Here they go again."

Sana tried to hold back her laughter, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Mina stood a little further back, nodding quietly at Jiang Zhiyu as a greeting. Her etiquette was impeccable, but her sense of distance was just right—neither impolite nor overly enthusiastic.

But Sana was the complete opposite.

Once Im Nayeon and Jiang Zhiyu's "business flattery" came to an end, Sana immediately sidled up to him and naturally linked her arm with Jiang Zhiyu's (an action that made Park Jin-young's eyebrow twitch).

"President Jiang!" Her Japanese accent made her Korean sound especially cute. "The tripe at Haidilao last time was so delicious! How did you know about that place? Do you go to China often?"

Questions came one after another, so enthusiastic that Jiang Zhiyu was finding it hard to cope.

'Social terrorist Sana.' Jiang Zhiyu evaluated internally, though he kept a smile on his face. "That place was recommended by TG Entertainment's partner in China. If you like it, Sana, I can send you the address next time."

"Really? That's great!" Sana clapped her hands happily, then asked again, "And has President Jiang watched our new TWICE performance recently? Wasn't Momo's dance part super cool?"

Momo, who had been named, was originally secretly observing the buffet area. Hearing her name, she turned her head in a daze. "Hmm? You called me?"

There was a bit of sauce on the corner of her mouth—she had clearly "previewed" the meal before it officially started.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze landed on Momo.

'The gluttonous idiot Momo.' He recalled some industry rumors—Momo seemed to have had some relationship problems recently, leading to a surge in appetite, turning all her emptiness into a craving for food.

Come to think of it, she was apparently... dating Kim Heechul? Breaking up? Jiang Zhiyu recalled the gossip he'd heard while at SM. Although he admired senior Kim Heechul's professionalism, that didn't stop him from being a player...

He nodded at Momo, his tone gentle. "Momo's dancing has always been excellent. I watched the fancam of 'TT' many times."

Momo was stunned for a moment, then smiled shyly and wiped the corner of her mouth. "Thank you, President Jiang..."

There was a hint of strain in her smile.

Jiang Zhiyu saw it but didn't say anything more.

Finally, his gaze landed on Tzuyu at the end of the line.

The Taiwanese girl stood there quietly, tall and elegant, with delicate features. She didn't step forward proactively like Sana, nor did she perform exaggeratedly like Im Nayeon; she simply bowed slightly and politely when she met Jiang Zhiyu's gaze.

'Quiet kids are the most likable.' Jiang Zhiyu evaluated internally and returned her smile.

Next was ITZY.

The five girls bowed in unison. "Hello, President Jiang!"

Hwang Yeji, as the leader, spoke on their behalf. "It is an honor to see you again. We look forward to having the opportunity to collaborate in the future."

Her tone was formal, but the anticipation in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

Jiang Zhiyu nodded, his tone a bit warmer than when he treated the boy groups. "Oh, very good, very good. President Park, it is truly enviable to have a trump card group like you!"

Park Jin-young laughed heartily upon hearing this, his face full of pride. "The kids of ITZY are the future of our JYP! If President Jiang is truly jealous, let's collaborate more in the future, and let TG Entertainment share in some of the glory!"

This was cleverly said, both praising his own artists and hinting at a willingness to collaborate.

Jiang Zhiyu smiled without saying a word.

Just as the atmosphere was harmonious, there was another commotion at the cafeteria entrance.

A figure wearing an off-white trench coat with exquisite makeup hurried in. She had clearly rushed over from somewhere, her breathing still a bit rapid.

"I'm sorry, I'm late." Bae Suzy took off her sunglasses and gave Park Jin-young an apologetic smile. "There was a bit of traffic on the way."

Park Jin-young's eyes lit up, and he immediately beckoned. "Suzy, come here, come here! Just in time to introduce you—this is President Jiang Zhiyu of TG Entertainment. President Jiang, this is Bae Suzy, our JYP... ah, no, she is now actress Bae Suzy, but she will always be the pride of our JYP!"

Bae Suzy turned to Jiang Zhiyu, flashing her signature sweet smile, and extended her hand. "President Jiang, it's an honor to meet you. I am Bae Suzy."

Her posture was elegant, her tone confident, carrying the aura of a top actress.

In fact, Bae Suzy had indeed been troubled recently—TG Entertainment was in its prime, and all its projects were huge hits, but as an actress, she hadn't found a suitable opportunity to connect with TG Entertainment. This afternoon, she suddenly received a message from Park Jin-young: "Hurry to the company cafeteria, Jiang Zhiyu is here."

She immediately dropped what she was doing and rushed over. 'Jinyoung-oppa still cares about me, so touched~'

At this moment, she stood in front of Jiang Zhiyu, waiting for his reaction.

Industry rumors said that Jiang Zhiyu had a "thing for older women"—those he had been rumored with or were close to, Im Yoona (1990) and Bae Joo-hyun (1991), were both older than him. And she, Bae Suzy (1994), while younger than those two, was still seven years older than Jiang Zhiyu, so she should fit his "preference," right?

Moreover, she was the "Nation's First Love" and one of the top actresses in South Korea. She didn't believe anyone could completely resist her charm.

However—

Jiang Zhiyu reached out to shake her hand, his expression polite, his tone flat. "Bae Suzy, hello. I have watched your 'Architecture 101,' you acted very well."

Then, he let go of her hand.

His expression didn't change, his eyes didn't flicker, and his attitude was no different from how he had treated the members of Stray Kids, TWICE, and ITZY just moments ago.

Bae Suzy's smile froze on her face.

'...What's going on?'

'Isn't it said that Jiang Zhiyu has a thing for older women? Im Yoona and Bae Joo-hyun, aren't they all older than him?'

'Is there really someone who can resist my charm??'

'I don't believe it!'

She was screaming internally, but on the surface, she still maintained her elegance. "Thank you, President Jiang. I also look forward to having the opportunity to collaborate with TG Entertainment."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "If there's an opportunity."

Then, he turned to Park Jin-young and said, "President Park, shouldn't we eat? I'm a bit hungry."

Park Jin-young looked at Bae Suzy, then at Jiang Zhiyu, his eyes complex, but he quickly returned to a smile. "Yes, yes, yes, let's eat! President Jiang, this way please; today we specially had the cafeteria prepare our signature dishes..."

The group walked toward the dining area.

Bae Suzy stood in place, watching Jiang Zhiyu's back, and bit her lip.

For the first time, she began to doubt her own charm.

And Jiang Zhiyu, walking in front, felt no ripples in his heart.

Bae Suzy was indeed beautiful, and her acting was good.

But he didn't "get" her face... or rather, that type of face? Not at all.

By comparison, he preferred faces with sharp angles and a sense of story behind them. Like Bae Joo-hyun's, with her coldness mixed with stubbornness, or Im Yoona's, with the sharpness hidden beneath her sweetness.

As for Bae Suzy's "Nation's First Love" halo?

Sorry, Jiang Zhiyu had met too many beauties.

So many that he was already immune.

In the cafeteria, the buffet tables were already full. Organic vegetable salad, grilled chicken breast, mixed grain rice, beef stew, seafood soup... it was indeed as Park Jin-young had said: healthy and abundant.

Jiang Zhiyu picked up a tray and began to choose his food.

Behind him, the JYP artists also began to get their food one after another. But everyone's gaze drifted toward him, intentionally or otherwise.

This night was destined to be the most talked-about night in JYP's internal chat groups.

And Jiang Zhiyu was still that "panda" being watched.

Only this panda was already calculating in his heart how to pluck more bamboo from this group of "zookeepers."