417: Chapter 471 The Old Woman (5)

The atmosphere in the restaurant's private room became as delicate as a taut string in the minutes after Jiang Zhiyu took his seat.

He sat there, head lowered, staring at the water glass in front of him without saying a word. An air of aloofness radiated from him, as if an invisible wall had been erected. Lee Tima stole several glances at him, wanting to say something, but fearing she might step on a landmine, she could only huddle obediently beside Bae Joo-hyun, pretending to be a quiet little quail.

Yeri also sensed that the atmosphere wasn't right, but she wasn't the type to let a silence linger. She cleared her throat and decided to break the silence.

“President Jiang—” she drawled, speaking in an accusatory tone, “That Bubble live stream of yours has really made things miserable for us.”

Jiang Zhiyu looked up and glanced at her. His gaze was indifferent, devoid of much expression, but for some reason, Yeri felt a chill run down her spine.

“Miserable for you?” His voice returned to its usual temperature, but it carried a hint of teasing, as if to say 'What kind of joke is this?'. “I haven't even collected copyright fees from you yet.”

Yeri was stunned for a moment. “Copyright fees? What copyright fees?”

Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, looking like he was about to settle some accounts. “The creative concept for that Bubble live stream—the photos with captions, the feeling of being in a relationship, the tsundere tone, the ambiguous 'Goodnight, mine' sign-off—from concept to execution, I designed it all by myself. By right, I could demand copyright fees from every idol for this creative design.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five people present, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. “For a group as formidable as Red Velvet, charging several hundred million won per person wouldn't be excessive, would it?”

Yeri's mouth fell open. “Hundreds of millions? You're robbing us!”

Jiang Zhiyu shrugged with a look that said, 'You can choose not to pay.'

Joy was also stunned, Wendy blinked, Kang Seulgi looked bewildered, and only Bae Joo-hyun continued to hold her cup of tea with a faint expression, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

Yeri was left speechless by his retort. After mumbling for a long time, she finally squeezed out a sentence: “Then... you should think of a solution for us...”

Her tone shifted from accusation to acting cute, her eyes blinking repeatedly as she tried to move him with an aegyo offensive.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and expressionlessly extended his hand, palm up. “Pay up.”

Yeri's eyes widened, and she pointed at the table full of dishes, her voice rising an octave: “Please—it's my treat today!”

She intentionally emphasized the words “my treat,” as if it were some grand favor.

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, looking at the table of dishes that had barely been touched, then at Yeri's face which was practically screaming 'You're getting a bargain,' and said slowly: “Do you know how many people are begging me to design variety shows for their company's idols?”

Yeri opened her mouth, finding herself completely unable to argue back. She looked to the other members for help, and Wendy took over the conversation.

Wendy cleared her throat, set down her teacup, and said in that gentle, undeniable tone: “Zhiyu, just help us analyze it. What should we do?”

She paused and added, “We'll do whatever you say.”

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then smiled. That smile was completely different from the cold smirk he had given Yeri; it was as warm as spring sunshine.

“Senior Wendy's face—”

He paused, his gaze lingering on Wendy's face for a moment.

“To me, it's worth five hundred million won.”

Wendy was taken aback, then she laughed. That smile was as brilliant as the high notes she sang, bright and warm.

Yeri listened from the side, her eyes bulging like brass bells.

“Five... five hundred million?!”

Jiang Zhiyu ignored her and continued, “Of course, I've already finished Senior Wendy's Bubble plan long ago.”

The private room fell silent once again.

Yeri's mouth gaped even wider. Joy's chopsticks dropped onto the table. Kang Seulgi's eyes went round. Bae Joo-hyun's hand holding the teacup faltered slightly.

“You finished it long ago?” Yeri's voice changed pitch. “When did you do it? When exactly did you do it?”

Jiang Zhiyu still ignored her, looking only at Wendy, his tone as serious as if he were delivering an academic report.

“We'll just collect Senior Wendy's patent fee from the others.”

He turned his head and looked at Yeri.

“Yeri, the price has gone up now. You need to pay one billion. No credit allowed. Thank you for your business.”

Yeri's face went from white to red, red to purple, and purple to black.

She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. Finally, she squeezed out a sentence:

“Am I... supposed to thank you?”

Jiang Zhiyu nodded seriously. “You're welcome.”

Yeri took a deep breath, then another. She told herself: Don't get angry, don't get angry, it's not worth getting angry at this man. But her cheeks were already puffed out like a pufferfish.

Wendy watched this scene from the side and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

“Zhiyu, stop teasing her.”

Jiang Zhiyu shrugged, indicating 'I didn't do anything.' Then he turned to Wendy, his expression becoming serious.

“Senior Wendy, are you familiar with the 'female deskmate bestie' archetype?”

Wendy blinked, not quite understanding.

Jiang Zhiyu continued to explain: “It's the kind of person who brings confidence and happiness to others in both life and studies. Not some high-and-mighty idol, not some unreachable goddess, but the kind of person where—when you walk into the classroom every morning and see her sitting there—you feel like 'today is going to be another great day'.”

Wendy's eyes slowly lit up.

Jiang Zhiyu got more enthusiastic as he spoke: “The feeling Senior Wendy gives off is exactly like that. Warm, sunny, sincere. When you smile, others smile with you. When you speak, people feel healed. Just by standing there and doing nothing, you make people feel at ease.”

Wendy's face flushed slightly.

“I think the most suitable Bubble plan for Senior Wendy is the 'Healing Bestie'.” Jiang Zhiyu held up a finger. “Every morning, send a photo—it could be breakfast, the sunlight outside the window, or a selfie after exercising. The caption could be something like 'Fighting today!', 'I hope you have a wonderful day too', or 'Remember to eat breakfast'.”

Wendy listened intently, nodding from time to time.

“And then?”

Jiang Zhiyu continued: “In the evening, send a photo—it could be the night view outside, a book you're reading, or a video of you practicing your singing. The caption could be 'You worked hard today', 'Rest well', or 'Goodnight, sweet dreams'.”

He paused, his tone becoming even more serious.

“There's no need to intentionally create a 'romantic feeling'. Senior Wendy's 'romantic feeling' isn't the heart-fluttering kind of ambiguity; it's the sense of security that comes from feeling warm and loved.”

The private room went quiet.

Wendy looked at Jiang Zhiyu, her eyes turning slightly red.

“Zhiyu...”

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. “Senior Wendy, you just need to be yourself.”

Wendy nodded vigorously, the smile at the corners of her mouth impossible to hide.

Yeri watched this from the side, her heart overflowing with jealousy.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait!!!”

She jumped up and pointed at Jiang Zhiyu, her voice urgent and loud.

“Finished long ago? Exclusive plan? On what grounds?!”

She pointed at Wendy, her voice sharp and loud: “On what grounds does Son Seung-wan get one?!”

Wendy was startled by her pointing and then blushed. “Hey! What are you talking about!”

Yeri ignored her completely and continued to stare at Jiang Zhiyu. “You said Wendy Unnie's face is worth five hundred million—so how much is mine worth?”

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “Yours?”

“Yes!” Yeri nodded righteously. “I'm not asking for much, four hundred million will do.”

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and remained silent for a second. Then he smiled, a smile that carried a hint of 'You're dreaming'.

“Yeri.”

“Yeah?”

“Your face—” He paused. “To me, it's worth zero won.”

Yeri's face instantly froze. “...Zero?”

“Zero.” Jiang Zhiyu nodded. “You'd have to pay me a billion.”

Yeri stomped her feet in anger. “Why! How am I any worse than Wendy Unnie!”

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and said seriously, “Senior Wendy is a senior.”

“I'm a senior too!”

“Senior Wendy is a good person.”

“I'm also—”

Yeri stopped halfway, suddenly unable to continue.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the corners of his mouth curling up.

“Can't say it?”

Yeri grit her teeth, then her eyes darted around as she adopted a flattering expression. She leaned in toward Wendy, took her arm, and said sweetly, “Seung-wan Unnie~ I'm your most beloved little sister~ right~?”

Wendy shuddered at the sudden aegyo. “Wh-what are you trying to do...”

Yeri blinked. “Unnie, your face is worth five hundred million, so mine should be about the same, right? After all, I'm your favorite sister. Giving it to you is no different from giving it to me~”

Wendy rolled her eyes. “Hey! When you were just saying 'on what grounds' earlier, why didn't you think about me being your favorite sister?”

Yeri was taken aback, then she smiled even more brilliantly. “That... that was just a momentary impulse! A slip of the tongue... a slip of the tongue... Seung-wan Unnie is the best!”

Joy was laughing so hard she couldn't stand straight. “A slip of the tongue? That expression you had just now was clearly 'Why can she do it and I can't'.”

Yeri glared at Joy but didn't retort.

Kang Seulgi whispered, “Yeri, you'd better stop talking. The more you say, the more you lose.”

Yeri looked at Jiang Zhiyu piteously, trying one last struggle: “President Jiang~ do you have the heart? I'm Red Velvet's cute maknae~”

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and remained silent for a second.

“Cute?” He raised an eyebrow. “Where? I don't see it.”

Yeri's expression instantly collapsed.

Lee Tima finally couldn't help it and burst out laughing. “Unnie, just give up. My Oppa has a very high standard for 'cute'.”

Yeri glared at her. “Whose side are you on?”

Lee Tima immediately raised her hands in surrender. “I'm neutral! Neutral!”

“Yeri.”

“Yeah?”

“Senior Wendy's face is worth five hundred million, yours—”

He paused.

“Is currently still a negative number.”

Yeri's mouth fell open.

“A negative number? What does that mean?”

Jiang Zhiyu stood up and walked over to Wendy's side, like a dutiful bodyguard:

“It means you owe me.”

Yeri's expression went from shock to grievance, and from grievance to a breakdown.

“On what grounds! Where do I owe you!”

Jiang Zhiyu started counting on his fingers:

“At the last dinner, you ordered the most expensive Hanwoo and ate two plates.”

Yeri's face turned red.

“The dinner before that, you opened my private collection of red wine without asking.”

Yeri's face turned even redder.

“The dinner before that—”

“Fine, fine, fine!!!”

Yeri covered her ears and sprawled across the table, her voice muffled:

“I owe you, I owe you, alright! Stop talking!”

Joy was already laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

Kang Seulgi laughed so hard she slapped her thigh.

Wendy looked at Yeri's look of despair and couldn't help but laugh as well.

Bae Joo-hyun sat by the window, not saying much. She watched this scene, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly, but she quickly returned to her cold expression. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Zhiyu for a second before moving away.

This man's attitude toward Wendy was indeed different.

She gave a soft hmph in her heart and said nothing.

—

The laughter in the private room gradually subsided. Jiang Zhiyu picked up a piece of Hanwoo, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. After swallowing, he suddenly put down his chopsticks, scanned everyone, and posed a question.

“Have you ever wondered why a simple Bubble chat with a selfie and a caption that I threw together could become what it is now?”

The room went quiet for a second.

Yeri was the first to raise her hand. “Because of your grasp of fan psychology! You understand too well what fans want to see!”

Joy nodded. “The format is novel; no one had ever done it like that before.”

Wendy chimed in, “Exactly. The three languages—Chinese, English, and Korean—plus that feeling of 'I'm chatting with you' just grabbed people instantly.”

Jiang Zhiyu shook his head after hearing them.

“No.”

Everyone was stunned.

Jiang Zhiyu picked up his water glass, took a sip, and said leisurely, “It's a matter of persona.”

He set the glass down, his gaze sweeping over their faces. “Ji-min's first sentence established the persona for the entire live stream. Do you remember what she sent?”

Yeri thought for a moment. “'Guess what I'm going to do? It's not like I made this specifically for you'—Ah! It's the tsundere vibe!”

Jiang Zhiyu nodded. “Right. Tsundere. Wanting to make it for you secretly, but unable to resist showing off. Wanting you to know it was made for you, but too embarrassed to admit it. This kind of persona perfectly matches what people look for in a romantic partner.”

He paused and continued, “Think about it. If Ji-min's first sentence had been 'I'm making Double-skin milk for everyone today, I hope you like it,' would the effect be the same?”

Wendy thought about it and shook her head. “No. That would have turned into a tutorial stream.”

“If she said, 'I made Double-skin milk today, aren't I amazing?', would the effect be the same?”

Yeri shook her head. “No, that would just be bragging.”

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. “So, the point was never what was being made, but 'who you are'. Ji-min's tsundere persona made every sentence feel like she was acting cute with someone she liked. Fans weren't watching an idol make a dessert; they were watching a tsundere girlfriend secretly preparing a surprise for someone she liked.”

Joy suddenly realized. “So, those who copied our format...”

“They all copied the wrong things.” Jiang Zhiyu spread his hands. “They thought the essence was the kitchen, the dessert, or the photos with captions. But the true essence is the persona. Without the right persona, a kitchen is just a kitchen, and a dessert is just a dessert.”

Yeri said thoughtfully, “Then we... also need personas?”

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Jiang Zhiyu was about to speak when Lee Tima suddenly put on a serious face, cleared her throat, and said, "Let me say a few words on this question."

Everyone turned their heads to look at her.

She crossed her hands under her chin, her gaze deep, looking just like an old professor about to share some profound insight. "Why must it be about dating?"

The private room went quiet for a second.

Jiang Zhiyu rolled his eyes. This little brat, what is she pretending for?

Lee Tima didn't notice his expression at all and continued, "Actually, I think it should be about relating to someone close. Like a good friend, or perhaps a more suitable persona—a gentle elder, a mischievous but not annoying junior, or a peer."

After she finished speaking, her gaze swept across everyone, waiting for a response.

The private room went quiet for another second.

Then Yeri was the first to react. "Wow, Tima, what you said makes so much sense!"

Joy also nodded. "Indeed, not everyone is suited for a dating persona. Some personas might be better suited for friends or juniors."

Wendy sighed in admiration. "Tima has really learned a lot working as a deputy director in the variety department."

Kang Seulgi also chimed in, "So impressive!"

Hearing these praises, the corners of Lee Tima's mouth slowly curled up. Her eyes curved into crescent moons, her chin lifted slightly, and she swept her gaze across everyone with an expression that screamed, "Quick, praise me! Hurry up and praise me!" She looked as cocky as a little fox that had successfully stolen a chicken.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her smug, carried-away look and couldn't help but laugh.

He reached out and patted her on the head. "Alright, stop getting carried away."

Lee Tima covered her head and muttered dissatisfiedly, "I was clearly making a good point!"

"You were making a good point, but could you not use that old professor tone?"

"That was me being serious! Being earnest!"

The two bickered for a few moments, and the atmosphere in the private room relaxed again.

Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his hand and looked at everyone. "Tima is right. The key to establishing the tone lies in the positioning of the relationship between both parties."

He paused, his tone becoming a bit more serious. "As you all know, with regular Bubble replies, it's impossible to respond to every fan's comment. Because you are one-to-many, while the fan only sees one-to-one. Imagine this—you send a message to someone, but the reply you receive is meant for someone else. Isn't that a bit awkward?"

Yeri nodded vigorously. "Right! Fans will feel, 'So I wasn't special after all.'"

"Exactly. So, some fans won't continue their subscription," Jiang Zhiyu said. "But if you do a one-on-one livestream during a specific time every week, like Ji-min does—every sentence sounds like it's spoken just to 'you', every photo looks like it's only meant for 'you' to see. The fans will feel, 'I am that special person.'"

He paused and added, "Of course, if you want to strengthen fan engagement, you can also post some photos with text at a fixed time every day, as long as it fits the persona. It doesn't need to be grand every time; a simple selfie with a line like, 'The weather is so nice today, I wanted to share it with you,' is enough."

Wendy nodded thoughtfully. "I see... So what we need to do isn't to imitate Ji-min's tsundere attitude, but to find our own personas?"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. "Wendy, you are indeed smart."

Yeri immediately raised her hand. "Me, me, me! What persona suits me?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and fell silent for a second. Then, a wicked smile curled the corners of his lips.

"Yeri—"

Yeri blinked her eyes, looking expectant.

"You could totally be the female desk-mate from school days."

Yeri was stunned for a moment. "A female desk-mate?"

"Yes," Jiang Zhiyu continued. "The kind who likes to bully him, but only you are allowed to bully him. If anyone else bullies him, you'd be the first to stand up for him. You don't say you like him, but everyone can tell."

He paused and added, "This kind of 'forced love' is very popular right now."

Yeri's eyes lit up. "Really?"

She had already started imagining the scene in her mind—the female desk-mate from school, secretly drawing on his textbook, giving him nicknames, stealing his snacks, but on a rainy day, she would force her umbrella on him, and before exams, she would secretly cheer him on.

It seems... it really could work!

Just as she was about to speak, Kang Seulgi suddenly raised her hand.

"So, could it also mean—that only I am allowed to bully you?"

The private room went quiet for a second.

Everyone looked at Kang Seulgi at the same time.

She was thinking about it with a serious expression, completely unaware of what she had just said.

Yeri's face turned green instantly.

"Bullying? Bullying?!"

She widened her eyes, her voice going out of tune:

"Seulgi Unnie! What did you just say?! A bully?! If I get labeled a bully, my idol career will be over!!"

Joy was already laughing like crazy next to her. She clutched her stomach, her shoulders shaking, tears almost coming out. "Yeri, don't say that with an interrogative tone! Are you serious?"

Wendy was also laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up. "Seulgi, that word isn't used like that!"

Kang Seulgi looked innocent. "Did I say it wrong? 'Only I can bully you,' isn't that bullying?"

Yeri glared at her, gritting her teeth. "Unnie, just shut up."

Kang Seulgi finally realized what she had said, and her face instantly flushed red. "I, I didn't mean that! I meant that kind of—that kind of—"

She gestured for a long time, not knowing what word to use.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her embarrassed state and smiled, helping her out. "Seulgi, what you meant is that sense of possessiveness of 'only I can bully you.' It's not actual bullying; it's that feeling of 'you're mine' mixed with indulgence."

Kang Seulgi nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I meant!"

Yeri breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me to death... I thought Seulgi Unnie was going to label me a school bully."

Joy wiped away tears and said, "Yeri, that expression you had just now was just too funny."

"You're still laughing!" Yeri glared at her. "If I really get labeled a bully, will you take responsibility?"

Joy shrugged. "What does that have to do with me? I wasn't the one who said it."

The two started bickering again.

Wendy shook her head with a smile and turned to Jiang Zhiyu. "What about Seulgi? What persona suits her?"

"Seulgi," he began, his voice unhurried, "you are better suited to be a sharp, efficient office worker who is very serious and rigorous at work, but in private, you're soft, a bit clumsy, and a foodie."

Kang Seulgi was stunned for a moment.

Jiang Zhiyu continued, "For example, you could post a photo with an office background, with the caption—'Work is really tough, but being able to eat fried chicken from XX store makes me feel so happy... Want to share half with you?'"

He paused and added, "This kind of contrast—the seriousness at work and the soft, gluttonous nature in private—can really strike a chord with fans."

Kang Seulgi's eyes lit up. "This is good! That's how I am usually!"

Wendy nodded. "Indeed, Seulgi is very serious in the practice room, but as soon as it's mealtime, she becomes a different person."

Joy added, "Last time, she snuck out of the practice room to eat fried chicken and got caught red-handed by the Manager."

Kang Seulgi's face flushed. "Th-that was because I was too hungry..."

Everyone laughed.

Wendy asked again, "What about Joy?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Joy, thought for a moment, and said, "Joy, you are suited for that kind of—trendy woman who likes to go out and play, but also has a great artistic sensibility."

Joy raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Think about it, what is your Instagram style? Fashionable, artistic, with great taste. Why do your fans like looking at your photos? Because they are beautiful, because they are high-end." Jiang Zhiyu paused. "But the problem is, it's too high-end; there's a sense of distance."

Joy nodded thoughtfully.

"So, what you need to do is add a bit of 'human touch' to that high-end vibe." Jiang Zhiyu held up a finger. "For example, you post a photo of yourself at an art gallery, with the caption—'Life requires eyes that can discover beauty. How about I become your eyes?'"

Joy's eyes lit up.

"This is good! It maintains the high-end feel while having that sense of closeness of 'I'm accompanying you to the exhibition.'"

Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "Right. Your 'persona' can be—the one who takes you to discover the aesthetics of life."

Joy nodded with satisfaction, already starting to conceive it in her mind.

Wendy asked again, "What about me?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, his expression softening a bit more.

"Wendy, you are suited to be that kind of—sincere, warm, sunshine-like presence."

He paused and said, "You don't need to force any persona; just be yourself. Share your daily life, your healthy meals, your workouts, but add a little bit of 'you'."

"For example, you post a photo of yourself running, with the caption—'Ran five kilometers today, I wish I could run with you.' You post a photo of a healthy meal, with the caption—'Made a salad today, I'll make it for you next time.'"

Wendy nodded with a smile. "I can do that."

"Also," Jiang Zhiyu added, "you can occasionally post some 'encouraging' content. For example—'You worked hard today too, tomorrow will be better, I will always be by your side.' This way, your persona is—the person who gives you warmth when you are exhausted."

Wendy's eyes were bright, and she nodded vigorously. "Okay!"

The atmosphere in the private room was becoming increasingly relaxed. The meat on the grill had been mostly eaten, and the waiter brought over a new plate.

Yeri picked up a piece of meat and asked vaguely while chewing, "What about Irene Unnie?"

The private room went quiet for a moment.

Everyone's gaze fell on Bae Joo-hyun.

She sat there, holding that cup of tea that had already gone cold, her expression faint, showing no emotion.

Jiang Zhiyu met those eyes.

His heart skipped a beat again.

But he didn't look away.

He just looked at her, silent for a few seconds, and then slowly began to speak.

"Irene xi—"

He paused, his voice neither soft nor loud, yet as clear as if it were etched into everyone's heart.

"You should be that kind of—the eldest sister is like a mother style."

Bae Joo-hyun's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"You are the eldest sister in the team, the leader, the person everyone relies on. You care about everything, yet you never suppress the development of the children." Jiang Zhiyu's voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something. "You only offer advice, silently supporting from the background, while also having your own hobbies, your own life, and your own little emotions."

The private room was so quiet you could hear breathing.

"You could post a photo of yourself cooking in the kitchen, wearing an apron, with your hair loosely tied behind your head. With the caption—'You must be very tired today, was there anything unhappy at work? I learned a new dish, let's eat and talk.'"

Bae Joo-hyun's fingers tightened slightly.

"You could post a photo of yourself looking at the night view by the window late at night, with the city lights outside, and your profile looking exceptionally gentle under the moonlight. With the caption—'It's so late, are you still awake? I can't sleep either. Do you want to drink a cup of hot milk together?'"

Jiang Zhiyu's voice grew softer and softer.

"You could post a photo with the younger members, with you watching them play on the side, a trace of helplessness yet doting smile on your lips. With the caption—'The kids are very noisy today too, but seeing them happy makes me feel everything is worth it.'"

Bae Joo-hyun lowered her head, looking at the teacup in her hand.

No one knew what she was thinking.

"You don't need to do anything deliberately, you don't need to act cute, you don't need to say those mushy words." Jiang Zhiyu's voice carried an indescribable gentleness. "You just need to be yourself, be the leader who silently takes care of everyone, be the sister who doesn't say it out loud but cares about the younger members more than anyone else in her heart."

He paused.

"The fans will feel it."

The private room was extremely quiet.

Everyone was looking at Bae Joo-hyun.

Bae Joo-hyun lowered her head, looking at the tea in her hand.

After a long while, she softly said, "Mm."

The sound was very light, as light as the sound of rain outside the window.

But everyone heard it.

Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his gaze and picked up his water glass to take a sip.

His heart was still beating very fast.

But the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Yeri broke the silence and said excitedly, "So can we start doing it now?"

Jiang Zhiyu put down the water glass and nodded.

"Remember one thing—don't force it. Each of you has the foundation of a persona. You just need to amplify it and let it become a 'character' in this mode. The rest is maintaining consistency. Every Bubble message must fit this persona. Fans will remember; they will find 'you' in every one of your Bubble messages."

Wendy said thoughtfully, "So, Ji-min's success isn't because her planning was perfect, but because she maintained a consistent 'persona' from beginning to end?"

Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "Right. Planning can be copied, but a persona cannot. That's why—everyone in Korea is copying, but the only one who can become popular is Ji-min."

The private room went quiet for a moment.

Then Yeri whispered, "Then can we... still become popular?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and smiled.

"You don't need to become popular. You are already Red Velvet."

Yeri was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

That smile was more sincere than any other time just now.

"Ahem—"

Lee Tima's voice broke the silence.

"Oppa, you've said so much, what about me? What persona suits me?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her and smiled.

"You?"

Lee Tima nodded expectantly.

"You are suited for the 'shut up and eat' persona."

Lee Tima's face fell.

"What is that!"

The private room erupted into laughter again.