59: Chapter 59 One Day Without Eating

"Yeri-ah~~ Our cutest maknae~~"

The opening was already unique!

"Unnie has watched you grow from this little (gesturing with her hands) into the beautiful, smart, and naughty young adult you are now~"

Her tone was full of reminiscence and emotion, as if she were truly watching her own child grow up.

"Your cleverness when playing games, your sweet baby voice when acting cute, your little smugness when a prank succeeds... every side of you is so vivid, so dazzling, so—so much that Unnie likes you to death~"

Her eyes were so gentle they could melt water as she looked at Yeri, as if looking at the most precious treasure in the world.

"Even if you 'bullied' Unnie today and made Unnie 'lose face' here..." Her tone shifted, remaining gentle but adding a slight nasal quality of grievance, "Unnie won't be angry at all~"

"Because, our Yeri deserves all the beauty in the world, and deserves Unnie doing anything for you~"

"So, today Unnie stands here to tell the whole world loudly—"

Her voice suddenly rose, but she maintained that sweet, emotional tone, as if reciting a hymn dedicated to the maknae:

"Yeri-ah!!! Our Yeri!!! The cutest, most beautiful, most sparkling maknae in the whole world!!!!!"

"Did you grow up eating CDs?! How can your voice be so sweet and clear?! Do you know that Unnie's heart melts every time I hear you sing?!!"

"'Yeri World' is the best! It's the center of the universe! Unnie watches your fancams a hundred times every day! My phone wallpaper and lock screen are all you!!"

"Look at this face! This skin! This smile! Did God put all the beauty in when He made you?! How can someone be so perfect?! Small stature, big energy! maknae on top! You are the truth!!!"

"I've lived for twenty-seven years (deliberately exaggerating?), and I've never liked someone this much! Yeri-ah! Saranghaeyo!!! Please continue to walk the flower path! Unnie will always, always support you! I'll be your strongest backbone!! Ahhhh Yeri————!!!!!!"

After shouting the last line, her eyes even reddened slightly (acting?), and she sent an incredibly sincere blowing kiss in Yeri's direction.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

And then—

"Waaaaahhhhhh——————!!!"

The female audience (and some males) collectively erupted into screams and applause more frantic and emotional than any before!

This wasn't a crazy fan at all! This was an epic declaration of doting! The ultimate indulgence of a gentle older sister for a rebellious maknae! It was the most ruthless "counterattack" completed with the sweetest voice—because Yeri's face was now so red it was about to explode. She was curled up in her chair, covering her face with her hands, making sounds of shame and indignation, likely cringing so hard she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with her toes!

What a contrast! The more gentle and sweet Im Yoona was, the more Yeri was so ashamed she wanted to disappear!

Brilliant! Truly brilliant!

The bullet chat went completely wild:

[Yoona Unnie—!!! My Goddess!!!]

[This counter-kill! Incredible!]

[Yeri: I lost, I lost completely.]

[Using the gentlest tone to complete the harshest execution!]

[Jiang Zhiyu! Did you see that?! This is a true master!]

[Yoona: Jiang Zhiyu, take notes.]

By the second-floor window, the Girls Generation members were also stunned.

Sunny's mouth hung open: "...Yoona... she's evolved."

Tiffany covered her face: "So scary... a gentle blade, every strike is fatal."

Kim Taeyeon slowly clapped: "This psychological fortitude... this improvisation... as expected of her."

Seohyun took notes seriously: "Learned something new. So a 'crazy fan' can be portrayed like this."

In the SJ car by the roadside, Kim Heechul even forgot to laugh, exclaiming: "Wow... Im Yoona, truly worthy of Girls Generation."

Lee Hyukjae nodded: "This round, Yeri is utterly defeated."

Cho Kyuhyun: "Jiang Zhiyu's loop video seems... to have been outdone?"

On the viewing stand, Bae Joo-hyun looked at the "socially deceased" Yeri beside her, then at the distant Im Yoona, who still wore a gentle smile as if she had just finished an elegant performance. Deep in her cool eyes, a very complex flash of admiration, vigilance, and a hint of... interest at meeting a worthy opponent flickered.

This "public execution" came to a close in a way no one expected, with Im Yoona's textbook "gentle counterattack."

Sure enough, after her performance, Im Yoona put down the megaphone, and the "frantic crying fan" expression vanished instantly, replaced by her usual elegant composure. She even bowed to the camera with a smile, as if that "maniac" just now wasn't her.

Then, her gaze, intentionally or not, was cast precisely toward the high floor of the SM Building, at that large floor-to-ceiling window—the direction of the conference room where Jiang Zhiyu was.

Despite the glass and the distance, Jiang Zhiyu clearly felt that gaze like a cold arrow, piercing through space and pinning itself firmly onto him.

The meaning in her eyes was clear:

Jiang Zhiyu, did you see that?

This is the effect you wanted.

Are you satisfied?

We're not finished.

Jiang Zhiyu silently looked away and took a sip of his now-cold coffee.

Hmm, today's coffee seems particularly bitter.

The punishment segment barely counted as a "successful" conclusion amidst massive laughter and Yeri's continued "playing dead."

However, just as the host was about to announce the end, a crisp shout with an electronic quality (but clearly a person's disguise) suddenly came from the crowd:

"Wait—!"

The crowd parted, and two women wearing hats and masks walked out. One petite figure wore a pair of very conspicuous purple rabbit ears on her head.

In her hand, she also held a megaphone (a smaller one, rabbit-shaped).

She walked to the center and, under everyone's astonished gaze, took off her mask—

It was Lee Tima! She wasn't wearing her rabbit headgear today, revealing her fair, delicate face with a bit of baby fat, though her eyes were a bit red, as if she had just cried (?) or laughed too hard.

And standing beside her, also removing her mask, was none other than—IU (Lee Ji-eun)!

IU had a gentle yet helpless smile on her face as she nodded slightly to the crowd.

The crowd erupted again! Why were IU and Lee Tima here?!

Lee Tima raised her rabbit megaphone, took a deep breath, and shouted in her crisp, childlike voice toward where Im Yoona and the others had performed:

"Yoona Unnie! Wendy Unnie! Joy Unnie! You worked hard—!!"

Then, she turned toward the high-floor window (how did she know Jiang Zhiyu was there?) and shouted even louder, with a sob (this time it seemed real):

"But! Jiang Zhiyu, you big jerk—!!!!"

"How dare you bully my Unnies like this! How dare you make my Jieun Unnie's sister's (referring to herself) Unnies suffer like this! I'm not finished with you—!!!"

"In the name of 'IU Lee Ji-eun's sister' Lee Tima, I declare! You are on my 'the kings card' permanent hunt list—!!!"

"Also! On behalf of the moon... no, on behalf of everyone harmed by your saltwater, I will punish you—!!!"

As she shouted, she pulled out a... water gun from her rabbit-shaped bag.

A cute-looking but large-capacity pink water gun.

She pulled the trigger toward the high-floor window!

"Biu—!"

A stream of clear water arched through the air, shooting toward... the glass.

Of course, the range wasn't enough; the water fell several meters away from the building, soaking a few innocent onlookers (eliciting a round of gasps and laughter).

But this action undoubtedly pushed the atmosphere to another climax!

IU quickly pulled back Lee Tima, who still wanted to pull out a second "weapon," and apologized to everyone with a wry smile: "Sorry, just a child's mischief..."

Im Yoona, Wendy, and Joy watched this sudden scene, then at Lee Tima "taking revenge" against the air, and then at the motionless high-floor window...

For the first time today, genuine, complex smiles appeared on the three of them.

Perhaps, having someone else "hate" that guy as much as they did... didn't feel so bad?

One farce ended with another smaller farce.

Finally, with the efforts of the security and the host's forced summary, the "Public Execution" cum "Large Fan Meeting" cum "Lee Tima's Revenge Declaration Scene" finally came to a close.

The crowd gradually dispersed, but the discussions, screenshots, and short videos of this "Crazy Fan Show at SM Entrance" had already swept the internet with viral speed.

At this moment, in a secluded cafe booth a few blocks away from SM Entertainment.

Jiang Zhiyu sat alone, having watched the entire live broadcast of the "public execution" on his laptop.

When he saw Im Yoona's "gentle declaration," his hand holding the coffee cup paused slightly.

Then, he set down the cup, leaned back in his chair, and lightly tapped the table with his fingers.

His face was expressionless, but deep in his eyes, like a deep pond into which a stone had been thrown, fine, hard-to-read ripples appeared.

"Im Yoona..."

He whispered the name, his tone neither admiration nor a headache.

He picked up his phone. The screen showed the latest spam in the Girls Generation group chat (which he had "infiltrated" by some method), full of Sunny and the others' frantic praise for Im Yoona's performance and comments expressing regret (?) for his "absence."

He then clicked on SM's official social media account and saw that under the official highlights teaser for "SM Entertainment Weekend Special: Let's Duel, Chef-min!", comments and shares were growing crazily. At the same time, the individual official accounts of Im Yoona, Wendy, and Joy had "kept their promise" and uploaded the full versions of their emoji-mask dances (of course, the "beautified versions" approved by the company with cute filters and captions), triggering a new round of heated discussion and emoji-making craze.

Everything was as he expected, even exceeding expectations.

The buzz, the attention, the program's brand effect... everything was maxed out.

But...

He looked at the frozen close-up of Im Yoona's profile on the screen, looking gentle to the extreme.

And remembered that bone-chilling gaze she had thrown back when the live broadcast ended that day.

Jiang Zhiyu slowly let out a breath.

He knew that this time, "playing with fire" might have actually burned him.

Im Yoona's "gentle counterattack" was not just an "execution" of Yeri, but a crystal-clear declaration to him, the mastermind behind the scenes:

The game isn't over yet.

And this time, it's my turn.

Jiang Zhiyu closed his laptop, picked up the lukewarm coffee, and drank it in one gulp.

Bitter.

But the aftertaste seemed to have a strange... thrill.

He looked out the window. Night had fallen over Seoul, and the lights were coming on.

The aftermath of the first episode of the "SM Entertainment Weekend Special" clearly wouldn't subside just like that.

It seemed the preparations for the second episode needed to be accelerated.

And, he had to find a way...

He stroked his chin, a calculating gleam flashing in his eyes.

Perhaps, he should prepare a more "special" stage for that "gentle counter-attacker"?

Capital Accumulation—From "Devil PD" to "Invisible Tycoon"

Time: One month after the first episode of "SM Entertainment Weekend Special" aired.

Gangnam District, a penthouse restaurant booth known for its privacy and high prices.

Jiang Zhiyu sat by the window, with only a glass of plain water in front of him. He wore a simple black shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, looking down at the dense reports and data streams on his tablet. Outside was the brilliant night view of Seoul, with neon lights flashing and traffic flowing like a river, reflected on his calm and steady profile.

The tablet displayed the final settlement report for the first episode of the "SM Entertainment Weekend Special" just sent by the SM Entertainment Finance Department.

The contents of the report were enough to make any industry producer's heart race.

1. Direct Income:

Advertising Revenue Share: Due to the program's "Live + VOD" model, and the peak online viewership during the live broadcast breaking platform records, advertising recruitment was exceptionally hot. Product placement, verbal ads, opening and ending ads... just the advertising share from the first episode, after deducting platform commission and company operating costs, the amount allocated to the project team (with Jiang Zhiyu taking the lion's share as the chief planner and core PD) reached a staggering figure.

On-demand and Copyright Sales: After the edited version went online, the on-demand volume on SM's official channel and partner streaming services continued to dominate the charts. Simultaneously, the show's format has received inquiries from multiple overseas TV stations and streaming platforms. Preliminary overseas copyright sales agreements are being negotiated, and part of the advance payment has already arrived.

Derivative Income: Elements from the show, such as the 'abstract emoji headgear' and 'Golden Cards,' quickly became online hits. The design, authorized production, and sales of related merchandise brought in unexpected derivative income. Even the SM cafeteria launched a 'weekend special Co-branded Instant Noodle Set,' with sales skyrocketing.

II. Indirect Gains and Value Enhancement:

Artist Commercial Value: The commercial value of participating artists—Im Yoona, all members of Red Velvet (especially Bae Joo-hyun and Yeri), and even Kim Taeyeon and Super Junior members who appeared as judges—saw their topic popularity and search volume soar during and after the broadcast. This led to an increase in prices for commercial endorsements and event invitations. Although this part of the value is not directly counted as program revenue, Jiang Zhiyu's influence as the project leader has also risen accordingly within the company's evaluation system and future negotiations.

Company Brand and Stock Price: The success of the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special' was interpreted by the market as SM Entertainment possessing strong innovative content production capabilities beyond traditional idol business, as well as a new model of 'self-memeing' and 'mastering the fan economy.' The company's stock price recorded a significant increase within a week after the program aired.

Personal Brand Building: Jiang Zhiyu himself has leaped from being a somewhat mysterious, talented, but slightly aloof 'Ace Producer' to a phenomenal PD with multiple labels such as 'Devil Planner,' 'Variety Genius,' and 'The One Who Aggravates Idols to Death.' His industry reputation, appeal to young audiences, and (in the eyes of his peers) that formidable yet irresistible 'troublemaking ability' have all reached new heights. This in itself is a massive intangible asset.

At the end of the report was the first annual copyright dividend and project bonus advance payment transferred to Jiang Zhiyu's personal designated account after accounting by the finance department.

The number of zeros following that figure was enough for him to buy a very decent apartment in the most central part of Seoul with a full payment, or... carry out some even bolder plans.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze lingered on that number for a few seconds. There was no particular expression on his face, but deep in his eyes, a sharp light flashed, like a sleeping falcon spotting prey worth diving for.

He closed the report and opened another encrypted folder.

Inside was a more detailed and long-term draft of a business plan titled:

[TG Entertainment (Provisional Name) — Preliminary Blueprint Construction]

The core of the plan was to utilize his currently accumulated capital, industry reputation, network of contacts, as well as the mature operating concepts and 'otherworldly music library' resources from TG Entertainment of the Tianxuan Continent. He aimed to gradually build a 'content production and artist incubation platform' in the Korean entertainment industry that would be independent of the existing Big Three system but deeply interactive and complementary with them.

Initially, he could use the continuous cooperation with SM Entertainment on the 'weekend special' series to accumulate capital and influence, while simultaneously starting to secretly scout and train his own core team (production, planning, Managers, trainees, etc.). When the time was right, he would break away from SM Entertainment to operate as an independent studio and then gradually expand into an entertainment company with a complete industrial chain.

To start all of this, he needed a sum of seed capital, a reliable initial team, and... a sufficiently heavyweight 'signboard'.

Funding now had a prototype.

As for the team... the names of several staff members he had worked with at SM Entertainment, who were capable and had relatively compatible ideas, flashed through his mind.

As for the 'signboard'...

Just then, his phone vibrated continuously.

It wasn't a call, but bank account deposit notifications.

One after another.

In addition to the huge program dividend just now, several other sums of equally significant amounts were credited, with remarks as follows:

[LOEN Entertainment - Song 'Frost and Moonlight' Annual Copyright Dividend]

[LOEN Entertainment - Song 'Greed' (Credited to Mario) Annual Copyright Dividend]

[Major Digital Music Platforms - Summary of Comprehensive Copyright Earnings]

These were the continuous copyright incomes generated over the past year from songs he had created for IU and other singers under anonymous or semi-anonymous identities like 'Z' and 'Mario.' Although a single song's income wasn't as high as a one-time payout from a hit variety show, they were steady and reliable. As time passed and the songs became classics, this portion of income would become increasingly stable and substantial.

The liquid capital in his account now far exceeded what an ordinary ace producer, or even many presidents of small and medium-sized agencies, could possess.

He, Jiang Zhiyu, had truly become a 'wealthy man' in this world.

The primitive accumulation of capital had been completed at an almost insane speed in just over a year.

Jiang Zhiyu picked up his water glass and took a sip. The cold liquid slid down his throat, cooling his mind which was slightly overheated from the large amount of data and analysis.

Wealth is a weapon and a foundation, but how to use it is the key.

His gaze once again turned to the city lights outside the window. Beneath those lights were the headquarters, practice rooms, and recording studios of countless entertainment companies—a massive battlefield where dreams, desires, talent, and capital intertwined.

TG Entertainment... it's time to make this name resound in this world once again.

Just as he was immersed in the conception of his future blueprint, his phone vibrated again.

This time it was a message from Lee Tima.

[Jiang! Zhi! Yu!]

[A huge sum of money suddenly appeared in my account! The remark is 'JYP - Annual Copyright Dividend for works like Poison Apple'!]

[Is this your doing?! (Though I'm very happy, but still)]

[I'm a wealthy rabbit now! I'm going to buy a whole ice cream factory!]

[Wait... this money... seems like a lot more than I imagined...]

[Jiang Zhiyu, confess honestly, did you do something scandalous behind my back to earn this much? (Wary)]

Jiang Zhiyu looked at this message, which was full of Lee Tima's style, and the corners of his mouth curled up imperceptibly.

As 'Z,' Lee Tima's works like 'Poison Apple' created for JYP's ITZY had been a huge success. Naturally, they would generate considerable copyright income from digital charts, downloads, streaming, and even potential advertisements and performance shares. JYP's settlements in this regard were quite standardized, and given Park Jin-young's high regard for 'Z,' the share ratio should be very generous. Lee Tima receiving this money meant she had also completed her preliminary capital accumulation.

He replied:

[It's money you earned from the songs you wrote yourself.]

[Legal income.]

[You can buy the ice cream factory, but remember to pay your taxes.]

[Also, now that you have money, do you want to... do something bigger?]

Not long after the message was sent, Lee Tima directly made a video call.

Jiang Zhiyu pressed answer.

Lee Tima's small face, slightly flushed with excitement, immediately appeared on the screen. The background seemed to be a room in IU's old home in Suwon. She wasn't wearing her rabbit headgear, and her jet-black long hair was draped messily, her eyes shining brilliantly.

"Bigger? What's bigger?" She lowered her voice, but the joy in her tone couldn't be hidden. "Tell me, tell me! Is it something fun again... no, is it something that can earn even more money?"

"Do you want to be 'Z' forever?" Jiang Zhiyu asked directly. "Hiding behind a rabbit headgear, writing songs for JYP or other companies, and just taking a cut?"

Lee Tima was stunned for a moment, then curled her lip. "Of course not! I am... (almost slipped up). Anyway, how can I, the Great Lee Tima, always be a mastermind behind the scenes? My goal is to conquer the world music scene! To let everyone know my name! To be as amazing as IU... cough cough, as amazing as Jieun Unnie!"

"Then you need your own platform," Jiang Zhiyu said calmly. "Your own company, your own team, the artists you want to promote, making music entirely according to your own ideas, and having most of the money go into your own pocket instead of giving others a cut."

Lee Tima's eyes widened even further. "Our own... company? Like SM or JYP? You and me? The two of us?"

"A preliminary concept," Jiang Zhiyu did not deny it. "Utilizing our existing funds, works, and... some special resources. Initially, we can start with music production and content planning, and gradually build a trainee system and debut groups."

"TG Entertainment!" Lee Tima almost shouted, then quickly covered her mouth, looking outside the door like a thief (afraid of being heard by IU's family), and then said excitedly in a whisper, "You want to restart TG here?! Just like we did back on the Tianxuan Continent?!"

"Similar, but it must adapt to the rules here," Jiang Zhiyu nodded. "It needs a detailed plan, reliable partners, and... a sufficiently shocking debut."

Lee Tima's small face glowed with excitement as she paced back and forth in the room (the camera shaking). "Plan! Partners! Debut! I know, I know! Just like when we were at TG, blowing everyone away with a virtual concert no one had ever seen before! We can... we can..."

She suddenly stopped, leaned close to the camera, and said mysteriously, "Jiang Zhiyu, do you know? Jieun Unnie has also been considering some new plans recently for after her contract expires. She seems quite interested in completely independent music production and artist training... Of course, I just accidentally overheard her chatting with Manager Oppa..."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes moved slightly. IU? If he could pull this top solo singer in, even in the form of a partner or shareholder, into the early blueprint of TG Entertainment, it would be an incalculable brand boost and resource aid. But the difficulty was also immense.

"That's a matter for later," Jiang Zhiyu said, not showing too much interest, and instead asked, "When are you coming back to Seoul?"

"In just a few days! Jieun Unnie's schedule is almost done, and I've played enough... no, I mean I miss the food at the SM cafeteria! (As if!)" Lee Tima said. "Let's talk in detail when I get back! My head is full of how to spend... no, how to use this money to start our great undertaking!"

After ending the call, Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

Lee Tima's positive response was within expectations. They came from the same world, shared similar ambitions, and had a sentiment for TG Entertainment. She was an indispensable partner (and a troublemaker) in the plan.

But restarting TG Entertainment was far from something that could be accomplished just by two people making a snap decision.

Legal structure, team building, office space, trainee recruitment, market positioning, competition or cooperation strategies with existing giants... every step required meticulous planning.

And the most important thing right now was to make good use of the huge reputation and capital brought by the 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special' to consolidate his position within SM Entertainment while laying more hidden tracks for future independence.

He picked up his phone and sent a message each to the PD and music director of the SM program team. The content was about the preliminary concept for the second season of 'weekend special,' as well as a proposal to increase the program budget and resource allocation. His tone was respectful and constructive, completely looking like a loyal backbone 'considering the company's long-term development.'

After sending the messages, he called the waiter to settle the bill.

The amount on the bill was insignificant to him now.

Stepping out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze of Seoul brushed against his face.

He stood beneath the tall buildings, looking up at the night sky dotted with stars (though the city's light pollution was severe, making it almost impossible to see any stars).

Capital was in place.

Partners were about to return.

The blueprint had already unfolded.

The prologue of TG Entertainment in the Earth's Korean entertainment industry was about to be written by his own hand.

And before that, he needed to first handle the preparations for the second season of 'SM Entertainment Weekend Special,' as well as... deal with that 'gentle counter-attacker' Miss Im Yoona, who might launch a 'revenge' at any time.

Also, there was that 'troublemaker rabbit' sister far away in Suwon who was about to return.

The road ahead was still long.

But in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, there was not the slightest confusion or fear, only a determination as calm as the sea, yet with surging undercurrents.

He stepped forward and walked toward the parking lot.

His figure soon merged into the brilliance and shadows of this city that never sleeps.

A new stage belonging to 'Producer Jiang Zhiyu' and also to the future 'Founder of TG Entertainment' had officially begun.