51: Chapter 51: If you want to see the full content, please do not dial 110 while intoxicated.

The interview notices for the "SM Entertainment Weekend Special" were delivered to Im Yoona and all members of Red Velvet.

The location was unexpected—it wasn't a conference room or a practice room, but an open-plan "kitchen classroom" within the company.

This place was usually used for cooking hobby classes for artists or filming food-related content. It was spacious and bright, with a huge island counter in the center, surrounded by bar stools, a sink, and a full set of kitchenware; there was even a faint scent of baking lingering in the air.

Im Yoona was the first to arrive. Today, she wore a light beige knit sweater and jeans, her long hair loosely tied up, looking fresh and homey. She looked around, her beautiful eyebrows arching slightly. "A kitchen? For an interview? What kind of trick is Jiang Zhiyu playing now?"

The five members of Red Velvet arrived one after another. Bae Joo-hyun remained the quietest one, her gaze merely sweeping lightly across the kitchen before landing on a row of neatly arranged transparent water glasses on the island counter. Yeri and Joy had already huddled together, whispering, while Wendy and Seulgi were also somewhat bewildered.

"Unnie, did we come to the wrong place?" Yeri asked Im Yoona in a low voice. "Or is the... first episode a cooking special?"

"I don't know." Im Yoona shrugged, but a glint of eagerness flickered in her eyes. "Either way, Jiang Zhiyu definitely isn't up to any good."

Just as they were speaking, Jiang Zhiyu pushed the door open and walked in. He was dressed casually today in a black hoodie and dark trousers, holding a tablet in his hand, with his usual, lukewarm smile on his face.

"Everyone's here? Take a seat." He gestured for everyone to sit on the bar stools around the island counter.

The seven female artists sat in a circle. In the middle was the wide countertop, where, besides that row of empty glasses, there were also several unopened bottles of mineral water and... an inconspicuous little salt shaker.

Jiang Zhiyu walked to the inner side of the island counter, facing them, and set the tablet aside.

"As you can see, we've set the first meeting and preliminary planning discussion for the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special' here," he said, getting straight to the point. "An open kitchen environment is more relaxed and... more suitable for some 'interaction'."

He paused, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone. "The preliminary consideration for the variety show's filming locations is to choose some non-traditional spaces that can spark chemical reactions. The kitchen is just one of the options. I've invited everyone here today, firstly, to get familiar with the show's concept, and secondly, to hear your preliminary thoughts on the filming environment and game formats. Everyone can speak freely; any idea can be brought up."

Im Yoona was the first to speak, her smile sweet but her eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Producer Jiang, choosing a kitchen... are you planning to have us answer questions while chopping vegetables? Or maybe a 'cooking duel'?"

"That possibility isn't excluded," Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "A kitchen itself is full of 'tasks' and 'accidents,' making it very suitable for game scenarios. For example, timed cooking, blind-guessing ingredients, or..." He pointed to the bottles of water, "some simple 'beverage challenges'."

As he spoke, he naturally picked up a bottle of mineral water, twisted it open, and began pouring water into the seven empty glasses on the counter in turn. The clear stream of water flowed into the cups with a soft sound.

"Let's chat while we drink," he said in a casual tone. "Today is just a preliminary discussion, so relax."

Im Yoona watched his movements. Her fox-like intuition caused a trace of oddness to cross her heart. It was too natural, natural to the point of being a bit deliberate. And... Jiang Zhiyu was personally pouring water for everyone? Although he was a junior, given his usual personality and current status as 'Producer,' this action was a bit too 'solicitous'.

Her gaze fell on that inconspicuous salt shaker, then she looked at Jiang Zhiyu's pouring action—he didn't touch the salt shaker, he was just pouring water.

But who was Im Yoona? Girls Generation's 'black-bellied' visual; capturing details and 'distrusting' others had almost become instinctual. She watched Jiang Zhiyu push the first glass of water he poured in front of her. Her smile remained unchanged, but alarm bells were ringing faintly in her mind.

"Producer Jiang is too polite. How can we let you pour water for us?" Im Yoona said, but she didn't reach for the glass. Instead, she gently pushed the untouched water in front of her back toward Jiang Zhiyu, her eyes curving into crescents. "You're the host today and the one working the hardest. This first glass should be for you to drink."

This was a test.

If there was something wrong with the water, Jiang Zhiyu would either refuse or reveal a flaw.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at the glass pushed back to him. There was no change in his facial expression; even his eyebrows didn't twitch. He reached out his hand, not to take that glass, but to pick up another empty glass next to it and poured half a glass of water from the mineral water bottle again.

Then, he placed this newly poured glass of water in front of Im Yoona.

"Yoona Sunbae must be joking." He looked up at Im Yoona, his tone calm and waveless, even carrying a hint of perfectly measured 'junior's respect.' "Pouring water for seniors is etiquette. This glass is clean; please have some, Sunbae. As for the previous glass, since you've deferred it, I'll consider it poured for myself."

After saying that, he actually picked up the glass Im Yoona had pushed back and, in front of everyone, took a sip as if nothing were wrong, then set the glass down with a normal expression.

Im Yoona: "..." Did I really overthink it?

Jiang Zhiyu then continued pouring water for the other members of Red Velvet, his movements smooth and natural. Yeri and Joy had already started chatting, full of various whimsical ideas for "kitchen games" ("Can we have a cream fight?" "Blindfolded guessing if the dish a teammate made is a dark cuisine?"). Wendy and Seulgi also gradually relaxed and joined the discussion. Although Bae Joo-hyun didn't say much, she occasionally nodded or softly offered an opinion.

The atmosphere really seemed to have relaxed.

Jiang Zhiyu listened to their discussion, nodding occasionally and taking notes on his tablet. After everyone had received a glass of water, he suddenly raised his own glass (the one Im Yoona had pushed back), a very faint smile appearing on his face, as if he were truly happy.

"I'm very happy to be able to have this preliminary meeting with everyone here and discuss such an interesting project," he said, his voice gentler than usual. "Although it's just the beginning, I feel it will be a great collaboration. For this start, and to thank all the seniors for being willing to take the time to participate, I propose we use water instead of wine and have a simple 'celebration'?"

He looked at the five members of Red Velvet. "Everyone from RV, please join in too? Think of it as a small sense of ceremony before the show begins."

Yeri and Joy were the most supportive, immediately raising their glasses. "Okay, okay! Let's celebrate!"

Wendy and Seulgi also raised their glasses with smiles. Bae Joo-hyun looked at her members, then at Jiang Zhiyu, and slowly picked up the glass in front of her as well.

Im Yoona looked at the "clean" glass of water Jiang Zhiyu had poured for her later, then at the glass in Jiang Zhiyu's hand that he had taken a sip from, and at the glasses in the hands of the Red Velvet members. Jiang Zhiyu drank first, and the RV members' glasses were also poured by him from the same bottle in front of everyone... it should be fine, right?

She hesitated for a moment but still raised her glass. Perhaps she really was being too suspicious? Although Jiang Zhiyu was black-bellied, he wouldn't go as far as to pull such a low-level prank at their first official meeting, would he? And an indiscriminate attack at that?

"Then," Jiang Zhiyu's gaze swept over everyone, lingering for a split second on Im Yoona's face, the curve of his lips deepening almost imperceptibly by half a degree, "for the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special,' and for our upcoming 'pleasant' collaboration—"

"Cheers."

The seven water glasses clinked lightly in the air, making a crisp sound.

Then, except for Jiang Zhiyu who only took another small sip of his own (previously tasted) water, the five members of Red Velvet, including Im Yoona who still harbored a trace of doubt in her heart, all drank more or less of the water in their glasses.

The next second—

"Pfft—!!!"

"Cough, cough, cough!!!"

"Wh-What is this?!!!"

Almost simultaneously, six people (except for Bae Joo-hyun, who covered her mouth abruptly and endured it without spraying but with a distorted expression) all spat out the water in their mouths or choked and coughed violently!

Yeri and Joy jumped up directly, their small faces scrunched into balls, desperately sticking out their tongues. "It's so salty!! So salty!!!"

Wendy choked until tears came out, and Seulgi's simple face was a picture of bewilderment plus pain. Although Bae Joo-hyun tried her best to maintain her image, her flushed face and rapid breathing betrayed her current discomfort.

Im Yoona had the biggest reaction; she sprayed a mouthful of water onto the island counter, then abruptly turned to Jiang Zhiyu, her beautiful face full of unbelievable shock and anger, pointing her finger at him:

"Jiang Zhiyu! You actually... you added salt to the water?!!"

She immediately looked at her glass of water—the "clean" one Jiang Zhiyu had poured later. She had clearly seen him pour it from the same bottle just now! Could it be...

Jiang Zhiyu stood where he was, facing six pairs of eyes (either spitting fire, aggrieved, or bewildered). The bit of gentle smile on his face had long since vanished, replaced by a calm, even somewhat matter-of-fact "innocence."

He swirled the glass of water in his hand, which only had a small half left. "Yoona Sunbae, I wasn't drinking from that bottle." He pointed to another identical-looking mineral water bottle next to it that he had already drunk from. "I was drinking normal mineral water. The bottle I poured for you..."

He picked up the bottle on the table he had just used to pour for them and shook it. "It's pre-prepared saline solution with just the right concentration. It replenishes electrolytes and is good for your health."

"Good for your health my foot!!" Im Yoona was about to explode with anger; she had actually been played by this guy! He had exploited her reassurance from "the glass he had drunk" and the sleight of hand of "pouring water in front of her"! When he poured water for Red Velvet later, his movements were so natural; who could have thought the entire bottle was salt water? And the "clean" glass he gave her was nothing more than a smokescreen!

"You... you planned this all along! Starting from calling us to the kitchen!" Im Yoona gritted her teeth.

"Noona," Jiang Zhiyu suddenly changed his form of address, but his tone remained calm. "This is for variety effect."

He pointed to an inconspicuous corner above the island counter, where there was a tiny miniature camera with a blinking red dot.

"From the moment you entered the door, the hidden camera segment of the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special' had already begun," Jiang Zhiyu said unhurriedly. "'The Interview Kitchen Salt Water Challenge' tests everyone's genuine reactions and variety sense when encountering an 'accident' in a relaxed environment. Currently, it seems..."

His gaze swept over Yeri, who was still sticking out her tongue looking for fresh water; Wendy, who was coughing with a face flushed red; Joy and Seulgi, whose facial expression management was almost out of control; Bae Joo-hyun, who was enduring the discomfort; and Im Yoona, who was so angry she was about to fume but was still trying to maintain her image (though clearly failing).

"...the effect is very good. Especially the contrast between Yoona Sunbae's vigilance and her ultimately 'falling for it,' as well as the collective water-spraying scene of the RV seniors 'sharing joys and sorrows' (sharing saltiness and sorrows), it's very impactful."

"Jiang, Zhi, Yu!" Im Yoona squeezed his name through her teeth, walking closer step by step. "Do you have any idea how bad saline solution tastes?! And we have schedules later!"

"Don't worry, the concentration isn't high; just rinse your mouth and it'll be fine." Jiang Zhiyu didn't panic at all, even taking out several bottles of real mineral water from the side and handing them over. "Besides, this is just the beginning."

He paused, looking at Im Yoona's almost murderous gaze and the resentful looks from the Red Velvet members, and added slowly:

"Since everyone has already 'experienced' the level of 'surprises' this show might have, now we can formally discuss whether you are still willing to participate in this 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special' that might make you 'hurt the enemy by a thousand but lose twelve hundred yourself'."

He picked up the tablet, his face once again wearing that lukewarm professional smile.

"Of course, if you decide to participate, that 'wonderful' first experience just now will become precious teaser footage."

Im Yoona took the mineral water and gulped down several mouthfuls, glaring fiercely at Jiang Zhiyu, but deep within her eyes, besides anger, a stronger fighting spirit, mixed with unwillingness and excitement, gradually ignited.

Salt water, huh? Hidden camera, huh?

Fine, Jiang Zhiyu, you just wait.

This variety show, I, Im Yoona, am definitely participating!

If I don't make you beg for mercy, I'll write my name backwards!

On the side, the Red Velvet members who had finally caught their breath looked at each other, and Yeri whispered with a bitter face, "Unnies... we seem to have... boarded a pirate ship?"

Bae Joo-hyun wiped the corner of her mouth and looked at Jiang Zhiyu's calm, emotionless face, remembering his earlier comment about "looking forward to seeing you break down." The frozen surface of the lake in her heart seemed to have been struck by that sudden mouthful of salt water, creating a tiny but real ripple.

The game... has indeed begun.

Moreover, the opening move was such a ruthless "lose-lose" tactic.

She took a deep breath, picked up the mineral water, and took another sip to dilute the saltiness in her mouth. Her cold gaze was more focused than before as she turned it toward the instigator.

Jiang Zhiyu felt her gaze and looked over as well.

Their eyes met.

He slightly raised his chin, his eyes seemingly saying: How is it, Irene Sunbaenim? How does the water taste?

Bae Joo-hyun did not look away, but only imperceptibly pursed her lips slightly.

Then, she turned her head and stopped looking at him.

But Jiang Zhiyu knew that the ripple had already spread.

In the kitchen classroom, the salty taste had not yet completely dissipated, but a new, more intense "weekend war" had silently begun.

SM Entertainment Weekend Special · Episode 1 Preparation Meeting (Part 2)

The aftermath of the salt water incident had not yet settled, and the kitchen classroom was still filled with a strange atmosphere mixed with shock, anger, and laughter.

Yeri was still muttering "so salty," Joy was handing Wendy a tissue, Seulgi was blankly rinsing her mouth with fresh water, and Bae Joo-hyun had regained her cold sitting posture, though her fingertips would occasionally touch her lips as if she could still taste the salt.

Im Yoona had the most intense reaction—she gulped down half a bottle of mineral water in one go, then crossed her arms, her beautiful eyes staring fixedly at Jiang Zhiyu. If that gaze could materialize, it would have probably burned two holes in him.

"Variety effect, right?" Im Yoona sneered, "Jiang Zhiyu, you just wait, I've noted this down."

"It's my honor to be remembered by Yoona Sunbaenim." Jiang Zhiyu remained unfazed, as if he wasn't the one who had just added salt to the water. He picked up the tablet again and clicked on a prepared PPT, projecting it onto the white wall of the kitchen classroom.

"Since everyone has already 'warmed up,' let's officially enter the preparation briefing for the first episode of the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special'."

A line of bold artistic text appeared on the screen:

[Showdown, Chef-min!]

—SM Entertainment Weekend Special Episode 1

"As you can see, the theme of the first episode is 'Cooking Duel'." Jiang Zhiyu pointed at the screen with a laser pointer. "But we don't require you to actually become professional chefs. The core of the program is 'completing a meal by any means under absurd rules'."

He switched pages, and a simple flowchart appeared on the screen:

Program Flow (Initial Draft)

Phase 1: Theme Determination

The production team will collect suggestions from idols/trainees/staff within SM Entertainment who are not involved in the recording of this episode.

After synthesizing the opinions, the "core ingredient" for this cooking duel will be determined.

(Tentative: Instant Noodles)

Phase 2: Team Confrontation

Participating guests: Red Velvet (5 members) + Im Yoona (1 person), total 6 people.

Grouping method: Determined by drawing lots.

Divided into Team A and Team B, 3 people per team.

Phase 3: Resource Scramble

The production team will provide:

Basic ingredients (vegetables, eggs, ham, etc.)

Various instant noodle seasoning packets

Multiple flavors of noodle blocks

Hot water (limited supply)

However, the above resources will not be given directly to the two teams.

The two teams need to complete various tasks to win "Resource Coins" to exchange for the required items.

Task types include but are not limited to:

Improvised dance challenge (random music, choreography within 30 seconds)

Vocal duel (singing children's songs with specified emotions)

Physical confrontation (such as "Instant Noodle Bowling," "Seasoning Relay Race")

Trivia quiz (obscure facts about SM family history)

Phase 4: Punishment Mechanism

The losing side of a task must wear a specially made "abstract emoji" mask provided by the production team.

Perform a designated dance in front of the camera (e.g., zombie version of 'Gee', accelerated version of 'Into the New World').

The performance video will be uploaded to the member's official personal SNS channel and kept for 24 hours.

(Jiang Zhiyu added: "Of course, we will ensure the dance moves won't ruin your image too much—just 'slightly' ridiculous.")

Phase 5: Final Cooking Segment

The two teams use the resources they've obtained to create the "Ultimate Instant Noodle Dish" within a limited time.

Special rule for this phase: Scramble Mode On.

Team members can snatch any items already obtained by the opposing team (noodle blocks, seasonings, side dishes, even hot water).

However, there can be no physical conflict; "peaceful snatching" must be done through "Rock-Paper-Scissors," "Quick Quiz," "Staring Contest," etc.

Each round of snatching must be requested from the referee (Jiang Zhiyu), and only one item can be snatched at a time.

Teams that fail to submit their dish by the end of the time will be judged as losers.

Phase 6: Judging and Rewards/Punishments

Judging Panel: Composed of three senior chefs from the SM Entertainment cafeteria + two randomly selected lucky employees.

Judging Criteria: Creativity (40%), Completeness (30%), Entertainment Value (30%).

Reward for the winning team:

Receive the [SM First Weekend Special Gold Card] specially designed and produced by the "SM Entertainment Weekend Special" production team.

The card is a physical gold-plated card engraved with the winner's name, the program logo, and a "Privilege Exchange Right" (can be used in subsequent programs, such as skipping a punishment or obtaining extra resources).

Each member of the winning team will receive one.

Punishment for the losing team:

All members must go to the main entrance of SM Entertainment.

During the afternoon peak flow (approximately 17:00-18:00).

In the most crazed, exaggerated, and lung-bursting fan tone.

Take turns praising one member of the winning team.

Rules:

Each loser can only choose to praise one person from the winning team.

The praise content must be original and cannot be repeated.

Duration no less than 30 seconds.

Must use a megaphone.

The entire process will be recorded and uploaded to the program's official channel.

After the PPT finished playing, the kitchen classroom fell into a brief silence.

Im Yoona spoke first, raising her eyebrows with a complex tone: "So... we might have to wear those weird masks and dance to 'Gee,' and even go to the company entrance to act like 'crazy fans'?"

"Theoretically, yes." Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "If you lose, that is."

"Then what if we win?" Yeri's eyes lit up. "Gold Card! That sounds so cool!"

"The physical card is even cooler than it sounds." Jiang Zhiyu brought up a design—it was a palm-sized card with gilded edges, the SM logo and "weekend special" engraved in the center, shimmering with a low-key luxury under the lights. "And the 'Privilege Exchange Right' is very useful. For example, if there's another 'Salt Water Challenge' next time, you can use it to make a teammate drink it for you."

"Hey!" Joy protested.

Bae Joo-hyun asked softly, "The grouping is by drawing lots? So Red Velvet might be split up?"

"Yes, random grouping." Jiang Zhiyu looked at her. "This is also one of the show's highlights—breaking the inherent team chemistry to see what kind of side everyone shows in different combinations."

Wendy thought for a moment, raised her hand, and asked: "That 'Scramble Mode'... we can really steal the other side's things? So the ingredients we worked so hard to win might suddenly be taken away?"

"That's the thrill of the game." A faint curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth. "Strategy, psychological warfare, temporary alliances... anything could happen. Of course, the rules will ensure basic 'civility'."

Seulgi asked blankly, "Then... can the instant noodles be made into any flavor?"

"As long as you can make it with the resources you obtain." Jiang Zhiyu said, "The production team will provide basic spicy, seafood, beef, and other seasoning packets, but if you want 'Strawberry Cream Instant Noodles,' that's not impossible—as long as you can win strawberries and cream through tasks."

"Strawberry Cream Instant Noodles..." Im Yoona's expression twisted. "Jiang Zhiyu, are you really making a variety show, or are you running a punishment game?"

"The essence of variety is to let both participants and viewers obtain 'pain and pleasure within a controllable range'." Jiang Zhiyu replied calmly, "And I believe with your variety sense and competitive spirit, you'll have a lot of fun."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over everyone again, lingering for an extra second on Im Yoona and Bae Joo-hyun's faces.

"That's all for today's briefing. A week from now, official recording begins. You can go back and think about strategies—or, practice your crazy fan lines in advance."

He packed up his tablet and prepared to leave.

"Wait." Im Yoona called out to him, a smile suddenly appearing on her face that was so sweet it was almost dangerous. "Producer Jiang, as the general planner and referee of the show... you won't be personally participating in the game, will you?"

Jiang Zhiyu paused and looked back at her. "I am the referee; I don't participate in the confrontation."

"That's a pity." Im Yoona blinked. "I quite wanted to see you wear an 'abstract emoji mask' and dance to 'Gee'."

Jiang Zhiyu remained expressionless. "There will be a chance—in your dreams."

He turned and left, leaving the six female artists in the kitchen classroom with their own thoughts.

The moment the door closed, Yeri wailed and collapsed onto the table. "It's over, it's over, I feel like we're really doomed! Jiang Zhiyu Oppa is playing for real this time!"

Joy, however, was rubbing her hands in anticipation. "I think it's really interesting! Stealing things! Emoji masks! Gold Cards! Isn't this way more fun than performing on music shows?"

Wendy gave a bitter smile. "I hope I don't get drawn into the same group as Yoona Unnie... she looks like she's already entered 'revenge mode'."

Seulgi was still thinking. "Strawberry cream instant noodles... actually, maybe they're quite tasty?"

Bae Joo-hyun didn't speak, but just quietly looked at the design of the Gold Card on the screen, her eyes deep.

Im Yoona picked up her phone and quickly typed in the Girls Generation group chat:

[Yoona]: Sisters, I've accepted that 'weekend special' variety show. The first episode is an instant noodle war, and the losers have to go to the company entrance and act like crazy fans.

[Yoona]: Help me think, if I lose, how should I praise Jiang Zhiyu so that it both disgusts him and isn't against my conscience? Waiting online, it's quite urgent.

[Sunny]: ??? You're finally going to make a move on Jiang Zhiyu?

[Tiffany]: Wow! Sounds so exciting! I want to go see it in person!

[Yuri]: Crazy fans? I'm familiar with that! I'll teach you: "Oppa! Your salt water is the best-tasting salt water in the world!!!"

[Yoona]: ...I'll just think of something myself.

She put down her phone and looked at her Red Velvet juniors, suddenly revealing a brilliant smile:

"Girls, let's discuss our tactics. No matter how the drawing turns out—"

"Our goal is only one: to win."

"Then, let Jiang Zhiyu see what real 'variety effect' looks like."

Outside the kitchen classroom, Jiang Zhiyu leaned against the wall, listening to the faint sounds of discussion from inside, the corners of his mouth slowly turning up.

The game board has been set, and the pieces have begun to think about their moves.

Well then, the first "weekend war"—

Let's wait and see.