451: Chapter 504 Beheading

The crystal chandeliers in the banquet hall cast fragmented patches of light onto the ceiling. Those spots of light swayed gently with the slight flickering of the lights, like countless stars blown by the wind. Champagne glasses were arranged in neat rows on trays, the liquid shimmering with an amber glow under the lights. Waiters moved through the crowd, trays held above their heads, their steps as light as if they were gliding on ice. Elegant dresses, rustling silk, and clinking glasses—this was a banquet belonging to Samsung. Everyone invited was an important coordinate on this country's map of power, their surnames, identities, and wealth interwoven into a dense, impenetrable web.

The moment Lee Jae-yong walked in, the air in the banquet hall seemed to be stirred by something. It wasn't silence, but a deeper vibration, like a huge boulder being thrown into a calm body of water. First, a ripple spread out from where he stood, then another and another, until every corner was affected. The conversations didn't stop, but people's gazes converged in the same direction.

Lee Jae-yong was wearing a dark blue suit, a white shirt, and a silver-gray tie. His hair was meticulously groomed, and his leather shoes gleamed subtly under the lights. His expression was a standard, well-trained smile, the curve of his lips just right—neither too warm nor too cold. His pace was unhurried, every step carrying the composure cultivated since childhood and etched into his very bones.

Jiang Zhiyu followed half a step behind him. This distance was carefully calculated; it was not close enough to make people think he was Lee Jae-yong's assistant, nor far enough to make them feel they had no connection. He kept pace with Lee Jae-yong, unhurried, standing tall in his suit with a smile on his face.

Lee Jae-yong walked to the center of the banquet hall and stopped. He turned to face the crowd gathering around him, raised his hand, and made a gesture asking for silence. "This is President Jiang Zhiyu of TG Entertainment." His voice was not loud, but it could be heard clearly in every corner of the banquet hall. "He is an important partner for Samsung in the future, and a talent I highly value." His gaze lingered on Jiang Zhiyu's face for a moment, then swept across the faces of everyone present. "I hope everyone will look after him."

Those who gathered around began to re-evaluate Jiang Zhiyu. Earlier, their looks at Jiang Zhiyu were filled with curiosity—'Who is this young man?' Now, it had turned into a scrutiny of 'This young man is not simple.' An important partner for Samsung's future, a talent Lee Jae-yong highly values—coming from Lee Jae-yong's mouth, these two statements carried no less weight than a formal endorsement.

The first to reach out was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with graying hair and a square face. He shook Jiang Zhiyu's hand firmly. "President Jiang, I have long looked forward to meeting you. I am Cho Dong-hyuk of Hanjin Group." Jiang Zhiyu smiled and shook his hand, "Chairman Cho, the honor is mine. I have always paid close attention to Hanjin's layout in the logistics sector, especially your recent expansion in the Southeast Asian market, which is truly admirable." Cho Dong-hyuk's eyes lit up, "President Jiang, you actually know about us?" Jiang Zhiyu nodded, "Hanjin's growth rate in the Vietnamese market has maintained double digits for three consecutive years. This is a rare achievement in the global logistics industry." Cho Dong-hyuk's laughter bubbled up from deep in his throat as he patted Jiang Zhiyu on the shoulder, "The younger generation is truly formidable, truly formidable!"

Lee Jae-yong had already been invited to a nearby drinks table by a few people to toast. From time to time, his gaze would drift over here. His sidelong glances were very brief, so brief that one wouldn't notice unless they were paying constant attention. However, his security personnel did not follow him. They were scattered across various corners of the banquet hall like chess pieces on a board, each person's position carefully arranged to perfectly cover the area where Jiang Zhiyu was. This was a test. To see how he would maneuver among these people on Samsung's home turf, and whether he could handle their probing, questioning, and attempts to win him over.

Jiang Zhiyu did not look at Lee Jae-yong, nor did he look at the security guards. His attention was entirely on the people in front of him. His mind was packed with information on almost all of South Korea's conglomerate groups—not public information gathered from the internet, but core intelligence that he and Kim Soo-yeon had spent a long time researching, analyzing, and deducing. The shareholding structure, business layout, financial status, and future plans of every enterprise formed a complete puzzle in his mind.

When Vice Chairman Kim of SK Group walked over, Jiang Zhiyu chatted about their layout in the semiconductor materials sector. "SK's silicon wafer business has been expanding production recently. I heard the new factory in Pyeongtaek is going into production next year." Vice Chairman Kim's eyebrows arched, "President Jiang, you are very well-informed." Jiang Zhiyu smiled, "I just pay close attention to industry trends." Vice Chairman Kim reached out his hand, "If there's an opportunity, we can cooperate." Jiang Zhiyu shook his hand, "Definitely."

When President Jung of Hyundai Motor Group walked over, Jiang Zhiyu brought up their technological route in the hydrogen fuel cell field. "Hyundai's investment in this area is industry-leading, especially the technical specifications of the NEXO model, which are very impressive." President Jung's lips curved slightly, "President Jiang, you also study the automotive industry?" Jiang Zhiyu nodded, "The automotive industry is one of the pillars of the South Korean economy. Those of us in the entertainment industry also need to pay attention to macroeconomic trends." President Jung laughed, "You're an interesting young man."

When President Koo of LG Group walked over, Jiang Zhiyu talked about their technological advantages in the OLED panel sector. "LG's technological accumulation in large-sized OLED panels is world-leading. Samsung Display dominates in small sizes, while LG dominates in large sizes; this pattern shouldn't change in the short term." President Koo glanced at him, "President Jiang, you also know a lot about the display industry?" Jiang Zhiyu smiled, "In the entertainment industry, we can't do without screens. Understanding screens is understanding our own future."

More and more people gathered around him. Every time he finished a conversation, that person would leave with a satisfied smile, and someone else would fill the spot. Occasionally, a few would directly pitch cooperation intentions—"President Jiang, is TG interested in cooperating with us in such-and-such field?" Jiang Zhiyu's answers were always very appropriate, "Of course we are interested, but the specific details still require further communication. If your company has a concrete proposal, we can set up a time to discuss it in detail." Satisfied expressions appeared on their faces, and they raised their evaluation of Jiang Zhiyu in their minds.

Lee Jae-yong stood in the center of the crowd in the distance, holding a glass of champagne in his hand, a smile on his face as he chatted with the people beside him. His gaze casually swept over Jiang Zhiyu again. A small circle had already formed over there, with faint laughter drifting over. The corner of his mouth curved up slightly, and he withdrew his gaze. "Interesting, this kid really has something going for him."

The revolving doors of the banquet hall were pushed open. The doorman bowed, and two figures walked in. Lee Boo-jin led the way, wearing a dark blue evening gown with a hemline falling to her ankles and a tightly cinched waist that outlined her elegant silhouette. Her hair was swept up, and a pair of diamond studs shone with delicate brilliance on her earlobes under the lights. Her expression was a standard, well-trained smile with just the right curve. Kim Soo-yeon walked beside Lee Boo-jin, wearing a black formal dress with a hemline falling below her knees, revealing a section of her fair calves. Her hair was let down, the ends slightly curled, and she wore light makeup with a dusty rose lip color. Her expression was also a faint, unreadable calm.

The scene of Lee Boo-jin and Kim Soo-yeon walking in arm-in-arm drew the gaze of almost everyone in the banquet hall. Needless to say, Lee Boo-jin, the eldest princess of Samsung and the president of The Shilla Hotel, was always the focus of media attention whenever she made a public appearance. Instead, it was the young girl beside her who piqued more curiosity. Earlier, when Lee Jae-yong introduced Jiang Zhiyu, he had mentioned—'His right-hand person, Chairwoman Kim Soo-yeon of TG Entertainment.' A president not even twenty years old. Just moments ago, some people thought Lee Jae-yong was merely speaking politely, but seeing the real person now, that sense of 'unreality' became even stronger.

Several noblewomen who were close with Lee Boo-jin gathered around. "Boo-jin, is this TG's Chairwoman Kim? So young." Lee Boo-jin introduced her with a smile, "Yes, Chairwoman Kim Soo-yeon. She is also my partner." She put extra emphasis on the words 'my partner.'

Kim Soo-yeon bowed slightly, the angle of her bow neither too deep nor too shallow. "Hello, seniors, I am Kim Soo-yeon of TG Entertainment." Her voice was neither too high nor too low, her tone carrying a natural, innate composure. The noblewomen exchanged glances, and one of them asked, "How old is Chairwoman Kim this year?" Kim Soo-yeon replied, "I am twenty this year." The noblewomen's eyes widened even more.

Lee Boo-jin led Kim Soo-yeon through the crowd, stopping to introduce her wherever they went. Kim Soo-yeon's style of socializing was completely different from Jiang Zhiyu's. Jiang Zhiyu was good at using words to close the distance, first piquing the other party's interest with a topic, and then throwing out benefits so that the other party was drawn in unconsciously. Kim Soo-yeon didn't need any of that. She only had to stand there, look at the other person with her clear, dark eyes, and state her judgment in a tone of 'I think we should cooperate,' and the other person would feel—she was right.

A man in his fifties walked up to Kim Soo-yeon with a wine glass. "Chairwoman Kim, TG's return on investment in the real estate sector has always been very high. Are you interested in cooperating with our company?" Kim Soo-yeon glanced at him, "Your company's land in Gyeonggi-do is already lagging behind its original development schedule. Now is not a good time to expand cooperation." The man's expression froze for a moment, and then he laughed. "Chairwoman Kim, you also know about our company?" Kim Soo-yeon nodded. "Understanding your partner is basic business etiquette."

Watching this scene from the side, a very faint curve appeared on Lee Boo-jin's lips. She didn't say anything, but thought to herself—this girl will definitely become someone even more terrifying in the future. Not because she has ability, but because she knows she has ability and never hides it.

In the banquet hall, the sounds of clinking glasses and chatter continued. Jiang Zhiyu was still mingling in the center of the crowd, Kim Soo-yeon was moving through the room accompanied by Lee Boo-jin, and Lee Jae-yong was standing in the distance talking with his guests. Those political and business figures, chaebols, and elites played their respective roles in their own positions. Everything was perfectly normal.

—

A corner of the banquet hall was an area semi-shielded by a screen. The screen was painted with ink-wash landscapes, with expressive brushstrokes depicting overlapping mountains and surging river waters, looking like a flowing scroll under the illumination of the lights. The screen separated the noise of the main banquet hall, not completely blocking it out, but giving the feeling of sound drifting in from afar, like listening to waves through a thin veil. A long table was covered with a white tablecloth, piled high with all kinds of food—Korean barbecue, Japanese sashimi, Chinese stir-fry, and Western desserts. The aroma of food filled the air, mixing with the scent of flowers and champagne, making one's appetite soar.

Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Soo-yeon sat side-by-side on the sofa behind the screen. The two of them finally had a chance to catch their breath, briefly escaping from the state of being surrounded by those political and business figures, chaebols, and elites.

Jiang Zhiyu held a plate in his hand, piled high with a mountain of food—a few slices of grilled Hanwoo beef, two pieces of sushi, a small portion of stir-fried glass noodles, and a cream cake. He used a fork to pick up a piece of grilled meat, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and picked up another. Kim Soo-yeon held a glass of orange juice, with a layer of fine water droplets condensed on the outer wall of the glass. She didn't eat anything, only taking an occasional sip of the orange juice, her gaze falling on the figures passing by through the gaps in the screen.

Jiang Zhiyu put down his fork, picked up his phone, opened KakaoTalk, and entered the 'Encountering Happiness' group chat. He took a few photos of the food on the table, choosing an excellent angle where the light fell perfectly on the grilled meat, making it look shiny and delicious. He circled the most tempting piece of Hanwoo and the cream cake in the photos, and then sent them. The caption read: @winter, do you want me to bring some back for you?

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Kim Minjeong's reply was almost instantaneous, as if her finger had been hovering over the keyboard the whole time. "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!" followed by a long string of exclamation marks and drooling emojis.

Jiang Zhiyu smiled as he looked at the text. That smile was different from the one he gave the people in the banquet hall—it wasn't a social, polite, or calculated smile; it was a heartfelt, amused smile, tinged with a hint of doting affection.

He could imagine what Kim Minjeong looked like right now—probably curled up on the dormitory sofa, Lami lying on her stomach, the fluorescent light of the phone screen reflecting on her face, her eyes wide, mouth slightly open, fingers tapping rapidly on the screen. He typed another line. "Then beg me."

Kim Minjeong's reply was even faster. "Oppa~ please~ you are the most handsome, kindest, and most generous Oppa in the world~" followed by a string of star and heart emojis. The curve of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth refused to be suppressed.

Kim Soo-yeon watched him, holding her orange juice. He was looking down at his phone, his fingers typing rapidly on the screen, and the curve of his mouth hadn't faded since he sat down. That smile was different from the one he gave the people in the banquet hall. Their smiles were tools; this smile was instinct.

"The Shilla Hotel will let us handle their promotion." Kim Soo-yeon's voice was low.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't look up, his fingers still typing on the screen. "She is testing our capabilities." His tone carried a sense of composure, as if to say, "I saw through this long ago." "Does The Shilla Hotel really need our help with promotion? Her own connections, resources, and channels are far superior to ours. Seeking our cooperation isn't because she can't do it, but because she wants to see to what extent we can perform."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded. "That's true. But I think this is a very good opportunity. Relying on the background of Samsung, we can develop more steadily in South Korea." Her voice lowered. "A tangible, visible Samsung is always more reliable than a mysterious ethnic Chinese family."

Jiang Zhiyu put down his phone and picked up the water glass on the table to take a sip. "Friendships bound by interests are more stable in the business world. The Shilla Hotel is indeed a very suitable partner, at least compared to Samsung." He emphasized the words "compared to Samsung" heavily.

Kim Soo-yeon's fingers lightly brushed against the rim of her glass. "Then... what about SM..."

The smile in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes slowly faded. The change was swift, as if someone had flipped a switch inside, replaced by an indifference, a chill like the first frost of winter.

"Wait for Lee Soo-man to blow up." His voice was steady. "I am already collecting evidence on his trust fund and 'Like Planning'. Based on the current investigation, the amount embezzled from SM—" He paused. "Is no less than 500 billion won."

Kim Soo-yeon's eyelashes fluttered. 500 billion won—the number spun in her mind. She couldn't imagine what that much money looked like piled up, only knowing that she had never seen that much money, and probably never would in her life.

"This year, I will see how things go and gain recognition from China to take over the ethnic Chinese family. By then, funds will surge, and I expect to be able to make a move on SM by next March." Jiang Zhiyu's voice was as calm as if he were reading meeting minutes, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, like the cold glint on a blade's edge. "As for Lee Soo-man—" He picked up his water glass and took another sip. "I will ensure he spends his twilight years in an American prison."

Kim Soo-yeon's gaze shifted from his face to his phone screen. Kim Minjeong had sent a few more messages, the last one being, "Oppa, why aren't you talking anymore? Do you not love me anymore?" followed by a crying emoji. She raised an eyebrow.

"By then, Minjeong will be the true princess of SM, right?" Her voice carried a hint of teasing.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at his phone, the curve of his mouth bending up again. "I will make Minjeong the happiest child in the world." The tone was completely different from when he had said "ensure he spends his twilight years in an American prison"; it was softer, warmer, like the tone of making a promise.

Kim Soo-yeon was silent for a moment. She wondered whether to say it. After thinking, she said it anyway. "Everyone knows Minjeong likes you."

Jiang Zhiyu's smile didn't change. It was the same smile he had when looking at Kim Minjeong's messages—doting, warm, and carrying a hint of composure that said, "I know what you're saying, but I don't mind." "What? Does it look like I don't like Minjeong?" He looked up at Kim Soo-yeon.

Kim Soo-yeon bit her lip in frustration. That's exactly what she knew. The kindness he showed Minjeong was visible to everyone—writing songs for her, planning birthday parties, taking photos, giving gifts; even that Kohinoor Star was custom-made for her. That kind of kindness wasn't the kindness of a president to a subordinate, nor the kindness of a partner; it was the kindness of an Oppa. But was that kindness love? She wasn't sure.

"But—" she spoke again, "Kim Taeyeon, Bae Joo-hyun, and them... you wouldn't also..."

Jiang Zhiyu didn't speak. Silence. His gaze fell on the ink landscape painting on the screen; the river surged, the mountains layered, there were no people in the painting, only mountains and water.

A thought suddenly flashed through Kim Soo-yeon's mind. She compared Bae Joo-hyun, Kim Taeyeon, Im Yoona, Karina, and Baek Ji-xin, and discovered an indescribable pattern—there were similarities in their looks, their temperaments were alike, and even their personalities shared something in common. She suddenly realized something; she seemed to be playing a puzzle game. Not piecing together a whole person, but piecing together a shadow in his heart. He was searching for her fragments in this world, embedding these fragments into different people—Bae Joo-hyun's looks, Taeyeon's personality, Yoona's temperament, Karina's talent, Minjeong's innocence. Each person was like a fragment of that person in his memory. He was piecing these fragments together one by one, trying to assemble a complete "her." She was only suspicious, not daring to confirm. She decided to test him by joking.

"Where did that pure-love warrior Jiang Zhiyu go!" Her tone was teasing, yet carried an indescribable hint of heartache.

Jiang Zhiyu showed a confused expression, an amused "how could she say that" look. He spread his hands, palms up, fingers open, striking an innocent pose as if to say, "What did I do?"

"I am still pure love now." The tone was taken for granted. "It's just that I have several objects of pure love." He paused. "Doesn't this count as pure love?"

Kim Soo-yeon looked at his "I'm being serious" face. "That's sophistry—" Her voice rose by half a tone. "No, that's a pure asshole statement!"

The corners of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth slowly curved into an arc. It was an evil smile, the kind that made opponents feel a chill down their spines in the business world and forced them to retreat step by step at the negotiating table.

"Oh?" His voice softened. "Then what about you, back when you were a girl group idol killer, changing targets every month, seducing other women through various means and then breaking up—using career resources, verbal teasing, physical advances, even getting them drunk and taking them away." He counted them off one by one, and with each one, Kim Soo-yeon's face turned redder. "And keeping them on the hook with hot and cold behavior." He looked at her. "Is that also being an asshole?"

Kim Soo-yeon blushed deeply. The redness spread from the base of her neck, up past her chin, across her cheeks, reaching her earlobes. Her lips trembled several times. "I was... I was..." The content after "was" got stuck in her throat, unable to come out no matter what.

"Enjoying the feeling of playing people in the palm of your hand?" Jiang Zhiyu finished for her.

Kim Soo-yeon opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but her throat felt blocked by something. Because he was right; she had indeed enjoyed that feeling. Watching others be happy all day because of one word from her, and dejected for a whole week because of her missing an appointment. That sense of control, that power of "I can determine your emotions"—she had once been addicted to it. She bit her lip and turned her face away.

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. The smile was different from the "evil" one just now; it was a restrained one, saying, "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."

"Alright, break time is over." His tone switched from "teasing" to "work." He looked at Kim Soo-yeon, "Go talk to those ladies about high-end jewelry. Especially the one Minjeong is wearing—the Kohinoor Star."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded. She went over the faces of those ladies in her mind. The promotional cooperation with The Shilla Hotel was just the beginning. The resources behind them were the real target. "I'll go gather some intelligence." Jiang Zhiyu stood up from the sofa and straightened his tie. "It is said that a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer wants to make cars, and they have already been working on the project for almost a year." The corner of his mouth curved into an arc that said, "This is an opportunity for me." "I want to use technology trading to manufacture a Zhongmeng Black Steed C to use as a 'calling card' for TG."

Kim Soo-yeon raised an eyebrow. The Black Steed C was a government-issued vehicle unique to the Zhongmeng of the Tianxuan Continent. This model was not sold to the public, had no license plates installed, and only had a pass with a unique number. It was the ride of high-level officials in the Tianxuan Continent's Zhongmeng—low-key, steady, but when you saw it on the road, you knew the person inside was not simple. Jiang Zhiyu wanted to use the car production line to produce one exclusively for himself. It wasn't a question of money; it was a question of status that money couldn't buy.

"You want to use the car production line to produce one exclusively for yourself?" Her voice was calm, confirming a guess.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't answer. The curve of his mouth remained. He turned and walked toward the banquet hall.

Kim Soo-yeon watched his back and sat on the sofa for a while longer. She picked up the lukewarm orange juice, took a sip, put it down, stood up, straightened her skirt, and stepped toward the group of ladies.

Behind the screen, only half a plate of unfinished food and two unfinished drinks remained. The Hanwoo on the plate had gone cold, grease congealed on the slices of meat, losing the lustrous shine it had just moments ago. The cream on the cream cake had collapsed a little, and the strawberry had slid from the top to the edge of the plate. The crystal chandelier in the banquet hall was still shimmering with fine light overhead, and the clinking of wine glasses mixed with the laughter and chatter of people. Everything continued.

—The lights in the banquet hall dimmed the moment the people from the Samsung Lee family stood on the podium. It wasn't completely dark, but a gradual transition from "bright" to "soft," as if someone had turned a dimmer switch on the ceiling. Several spotlights gathered from different directions, drawing a bright circle around the podium. Lee Jae-yong stood in the center of the aperture, no manuscript in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet strange faces below the stage.

The past, present, and future of Samsung. His voice was steady. Cooperation and mutual benefit were the concepts Samsung had always adhered to. Standing on the podium, his posture was straight, and the light pouring down from above cast a soft shadow on his face. His standard square face appeared particularly solemn at this moment.

Below the stage, everyone raised their champagne glasses, smiling, their gazes fixed on Lee Jae-yong. Those smiles contained sincerity, perfunctoriness, calculations, and expectations. The sound of clinking glasses rose and fell in the gaps of the speech, like an uncomposed symphony.

In the corner of the banquet hall, the light was dimmer than in the central area. Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Soo-yeon stood side by side against the wall, each holding a glass of orange juice. They were not standing in the center of the crowd; this position was neither too far nor too close to the podium, just right to hear every word of Lee Jae-yong clearly without attracting too much attention.

"It's been over a month since 'the crab' was released." Jiang Zhiyu's voice was very low, low enough that only Kim Soo-yeon could hear. His gaze rested on Lee Jae-yong, his lips barely moving.

Kim Soo-yeon took a sip of her orange juice. "What about the box office?"

"As of now, in South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and China's Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Macau—the total box office has exceeded 300 million US dollars." Jiang Zhiyu spoke at a measured pace. "After deducting all costs, the total profit is also tens of millions of US dollars."

Kim Soo-yeon tapped her finger lightly on the wall of the glass. Tens of millions of US dollars, not won, but dollars. This sum of money wasn't a lot, but it came at just the right time.

"Im Yoona's market value has risen quite a bit." Kim Soo-yeon picked up the conversation. "That 'Phantom Thief Zhimin' short film has ushered in another small wave of viewership."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "The short film's view count has already broken 100 million. The online discussion surrounding Karina's 'Phantom Thief Zhimin' persona is still continuing to ferment."

Lee Jae-yong's speech was still continuing. He was talking about Samsung's layout in the semiconductor field, discussing investment plans for the next few years, and talking about win-win strategies with global partners. His voice carried a solemnity that said, "I am talking about something very important."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were listening, and his ears were listening, but his attention was no longer on the podium. His brain was churning over another matter.

"When you have money, you have to invest heavily." Kim Soo-yeon's voice drifted over.

"Hmm." Jiang Zhiyu paused. "That TG Entertainment external investment planning department proposed at the year-end meeting should be officially launched."

The department's function was simple—to search for potential investment projects externally, while also accepting unsolicited investment proposals from those lacking investors. It wasn't about waiting for others to come, but about taking the initiative.

Kim Soo-yeon nodded. "We've received quite a few unsolicited proposals recently. There's one you should be interested in."

"Whose?"

"Jessica Jung. A mid-to-low luxury brand, Blanc & Eclare."

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze shifted away from Lee Jae-yong and landed on Kim Soo-yeon's face. That gaze carried a hint of surprise, a "what did you say?" look, and then that hint of surprise was quickly replaced by something more complex.

His understanding of Jung Sooyeon was still stuck at the time when he was a producer at SM. In 2017, he joined SM, and by then, Jung Sooyeon had already left the company for more than three years. His knowledge of her mainly came from two channels—various information online and gossip circulating within the company. The credibility of these two channels wasn't very high, but that didn't prevent him from piecing together a rough outline.

A former member of Girls Generation, Jessica, Jung Sooyeon. Her brand was called "Blanc & Eclare," a mid-to-low luxury line, starting with sunglasses, then expanding to clothing, accessories, and cosmetics. It started off with good momentum; fans were buying it, the media was supportive, and the sales figures were once impressive. But good times didn't last long.

After 2014, SM imposed a k-entertainment industry ban on her. It wasn't an explicit one, but the tacit understanding of "if you let her on the show, I'll pull my artists." TV stations didn't dare use her, variety shows didn't dare invite her, and even radio stations didn't dare let her appear. The brand lost its most important promotional channel, and sales plummeted. Coupled with the subsequent impact of the pandemic, offline stores closed one after another, inventory piled up, and the capital chain broke. Recently, there have been rumors of debt problems; no matter how you look at it, it's on the verge of bankruptcy and liquidation.

Her younger sister, Jung Soojung, wasn't faring well either. f(x) was originally an experimental group, and SM had never truly valued it. After the members went solo, Soojung took on a few dramas, but the response was lukewarm. Without major hit works or continuous exposure, she was gradually forgotten by the audience. It wasn't that she wasn't working hard; it was just that there were too few opportunities.

Jiang Zhiyu recalled something. Sulli had been staying in Iceland since leaving the group, returning to Korea occasionally. She expressed a desire through Kim Taeyeon—hoping that Jiang Zhiyu could help Soojung, whether it was on stage or in film and television, as long as Soojung could get back on the big screen. Those were Sulli's exact words.

A kind heart. She was living a life removed from the world in Iceland, but she still remembered her former teammates. She knew she didn't have the ability, so she found Kim Taeyeon, hoping Kim Taeyeon could use her connections to help Soojung.

Sulli was smart; she knew the indescribable relationship between Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu, and she knew Kim Taeyeon wouldn't refuse her. She leveraged Kim Taeyeon's feelings for Jung Sooyeon, as well as the subtle relationship between Kim Taeyeon and Jiang Zhiyu. It wasn't malice; it was helplessness. A former idol trapped in Iceland could only do so much.

Jiang Zhiyu remembered that Sulli had also added his phone number through some channels. It wasn't adding him on Kakao, but sending a direct text message. The content of that text was very brief—"President Jiang, I am Sulli. Regarding Soojung, I hope to talk to you. I can pay any price."

He didn't reply to that text, just saved the number.

A few days later, he replied to her—"Don't say things like 'pay any price' to me. I don't know your value, and I haven't seen it. Besides, I am not interested in your value."

A long time later, her reply finally came—"I understand, President Jiang. Thank you."

That was the only intersection between them. Since then, they had never contacted each other again.

Kim Taeyeon had indeed mentioned a few things to him. She was still that awkward self, stopping halfway through her sentences, then unable to resist saying a few more, then stopping again. In the end, wasn't it just Kim Taeyeon wanting to help Jung Sooyeon? It was just that there were many people in between—Sulli found Kim Taeyeon, and Kim Taeyeon found Jiang Zhiyu. That message traveled from Iceland to Seoul, from one person's phone to another's, passing through countless base stations and servers, finally landing in front of him. The core meaning remained unchanged—"Help Soojung."

Helping Soojung meant helping Jung Sooyeon. With Soojung's career not going smoothly, Jung Sooyeon's pressure would only be greater. She was carrying that crumbling brand all by herself, while also having to take care of her sister's career. It wasn't that she wasn't strong enough; it was just that the times weren't on her side.

Jiang Zhiyu smiled, a smile that carried a cold and indifferent business mindset. "Send an invitation to meet to Jung Sooyeon." His tone was as calm as if he were discussing a routine work arrangement. "Give her only one planning proposal—retain her boss position and creator title, and everything else will be handled by us."

Kim Soo-yeon frowned. "Jung Sooyeon will absolutely not agree." She paused. "The reason she broke with SM initially was because SM didn't agree with her using the Girls Generation title to develop her personal brand privately."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded, the nodding motion carrying a sense of "I know." He knew more than Kim Soo-yeon thought. It wasn't that he had deliberately investigated; it was from those years as a producer at SM, piecing together the gossip heard from various channels like puzzle pieces. Some were heard from Kim Taeyeon, some from Im Yoona, and some from the old employees chatting in the breakroom.

"I heard—" His voice was very soft, as if telling a secret that shouldn't be known by too many people. "A large part of the reason Jung Sooyeon left the group was because of a conflict over the profit-sharing ratio of her personal brand with her 'Girls Generation' teammates." Kim Soo-yeon's eyebrows moved; his tone carried that contradictory feeling typical of a gossip-monger—both serious and dismissive. "Jung Sooyeon's reasoning was that she created the brand, so she wanted the larger share. But some members hoped to divide it fairly, just like before." He spread his hands. "And that's how the conflict arose."

Kim Soo-yeon raised an eyebrow. "Taeyeon Unnie shouldn't have voted in favor at the time, right?"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. The smile carried a "you guessed right" implication. "Noona, Yoona Noona, and Sunny Noona are not people who lack money. Of course, abstaining is also a choice—at the very least, your conscience can rest easy."

Kim Soo-yeon understood instantly and was silent for a moment. "Then we are investing in her now—she won't agree."

Jiang Zhiyu sneered. The sneer was very light, so short it was like a small pebble thrown into a lake; the ripples disappeared before they could even spread. "We are investors, not suckers. Just use some means to force her to accept it. Anyway—" He paused. "She can't resist."

His voice became even lighter. "She's in her thirties; compared to her twenties when she left the group, she should know what it means to assess the situation and be prudent."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded. She understood; not because she was cold, but because she knew it was right. Keeping business and private matters separate is good for everyone. An investment decision not mixed with personal feelings is the only way to go far in the business world.

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly thought of something. He leaned forward slightly, leaning close to Kim Soo-yeon's ear, his voice lowered, low enough that only she could hear.

"Jung Sooyeon has American citizenship." Kim Soo-yeon's eyelashes trembled. "The Chinese entertainment industry doesn't have any restrictions on Americans. Jung Sooyeon's desire for the stage is no less than Noona's, but she is more pragmatic. Suppose we reach an agreement with Tencent, and TG designs a variety show to let Jung Sooyeon debut again in China—no, re-enter the public eye." His speech slowed down. "We put in more effort in promotion; relying on Jung Sooyeon's 'former Girls Generation member' status and the 'Kim Taeyeon main vocal dispute' from back then, we buy announcements and hype up the heat. As for SM's stock price—" The corners of his mouth curved into an arc. "Perhaps it will also be hit."

Kim Soo-yeon thought for a moment; the thinking time was very short. "Jung Sooyeon's popularity in China is decent." Her tone carried the calmness of "I am analyzing data." "After the '930' incident, as long as Girls Generation is mentioned, she is inevitably brought up. Chinese fans are the most long-lasting group among Asian fans; as long as she doesn't commit crimes or have moral lapses, there will always be fans supporting her." She looked up into Jiang Zhiyu's eyes. "And—TG produced, former top Girls Generation member Jessica, the relationship between Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Taeyeon, Kim Taeyeon and Jung Sooyeon, Jung Sooyeon and Im Yoona." Her finger tapped in the air. "If any one of these keywords appears, it will go straight to the hot search."

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. That smile, under the dim light in the corner of the banquet hall, carried an indescribable meaning.

Lee Jae-yong's speech was still continuing. He was talking about Samsung's future vision, discussing win-win strategies with global partners. The spotlight shone on him, casting his shadow onto the backdrop behind him, stretching it very long.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze cut through the crowd and landed on the podium. The arc on the corner of his mouth was still there, but the hint of a smile in his eyes had disappeared.

Kim Soo-yeon followed his gaze and looked over. "What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Zhiyu didn't answer, picked up the orange juice and took a sip. The orange juice was no longer cold; the sweetness melted on the tip of his tongue, a bit cloying.

Jung Sooyeon's matter wasn't urgent. Wait for the banquet to end, wait for the Samsung matter to come to an end, wait for "the crab" box office settlement to be completed, wait for TG's capital to be returned. Take it step by step. He listed the things to do next in his mind: First, send an invitation to Jung Sooyeon. Second, have Kim Soo-yeon prepare the planning proposal. Third, contact Tencent to discuss the possibility of cooperation. Fourth, wait for the right time to push Jung Sooyeon to the hot search. Every step wasn't difficult; what was difficult was walking step by step, not rushing, not panicking, and not making a wrong step.

Kim Soo-yeon's orange juice was also finished. She placed the empty cup on a passing waiter's tray, took out her phone from her pocket and glanced at it. There was no content in the message list that needed an immediate reply, so she put the phone back in her pocket and looked up.

The speech ended. Applause rang out from the crowd; it was sparse at first, but soon gathered into a wave. Lee Jae-yong bowed slightly, walked off the podium, and was surrounded by a group of people.

The banquet hall lights were adjusted from soft back to bright. The sound of clinking glasses once again became the main melody.

Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Soo-yeon looked at each other. "Let's go; it's time to go and greet those people."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded. The two walked out from the corner and into that ocean of light.