84: Chapter 84 If you're going to eat, eat Xizhilang.

In front of the JYP building, a crowd of media reporters and curious fans had already gathered after catching wind of the news. Although JYP officials remained tight-lipped about the 'Han River Bridge Mystery Beauty,' the explosive popularity online was impossible to hide, and reporters with keen senses were already blocking the entrance.

A black sedan braked sharply at the employee entrance on the side of the building. The door swung open, and Jiang Zhiyu was the first to step out, his face tense and his eyes filled with an anxiety he couldn't conceal. Following close behind was Lee Tima, whose hair was a bit messy, wrapped in an obviously ill-fitting (likely IU's) oversized coat, with sleep marks still on her face but her nerves highly strung.

"This way!" Lee Tima barked in a low voice. She was surprisingly familiar with the layout of the JYP building (perhaps an impression left from her many visits during the filming of the 'destined kim hyo-soon' special, or perhaps it was her 'Black Hole Charm' talent for always finding shortcuts). Ignoring the security guards and staff trying to come forward to question them, she pulled Jiang Zhiyu along and slipped through a side door next to the fire escape like a slippery fish.

Their sudden intrusion and hurried manner drew sideways glances and whispered discussions from some of the early-shift staff in the building.

"Was that... President Jiang Zhiyu of TG Entertainment? And that Lee Tima?"

"Why are they here? And in such a hurry?"

"Are they here to see the President? Or..."

"It couldn't be related to that 'Han River Bridge Girl,' could it? Isn't the internet saying several companies are fighting over her? Has TG stepped in too?"

"Look, they're heading that way... seems to be toward the ITZY practice room?"

Jiang Zhiyu had no time to pay attention to the whispers behind him; his entire mind was tied to that name—Kim Soo-yeon. Lee Tima also kept her small face tense, walking rapidly as she guided Jiang Zhiyu through the maze-like corridors. Her familiarity with this place even surprised Jiang Zhiyu, but now was not the time to ask.

As they got closer to the large practice room area where ITZY was, the invisible sense of 'bustle' and 'tension' in the air became increasingly apparent. Faint sounds of music, voices, and the peculiar hum of many people gathered could be heard.

Finally, they rounded the last corner, and the heavy soundproof door of the ITZY practice room appeared before them. The door was slightly ajar, revealing light and music from within, and a few staff members and trainees from other JYP departments were gathered at the door, peeking in with expressions of excitement and curiosity.

Lee Tima didn't hesitate for a second, nor did she understand the concept of 'knocking' or 'waiting.' She forcefully pushed open the slightly ajar door—

Inside the room, the scene came into view.

In the center of the spacious and bright practice room stood a young girl in a magnificent Starry Purple stage outfit—it was indeed the Kim Soo-yeon from the photos. Her back was to the door, her posture straight, her head slightly tilted up as if she were looking at herself in the mirror or listening to something. The lines of her profile were as perfect as a sculpture under the lights.

Park Jin-young stood not far in front of her, his face wearing a complex expression of excitement, admiration, and the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent. The five members of ITZY stood against the wall with varying expressions—shock, confusion, admiration, and a trace of defeat that hadn't fully dissipated. Standing nearby were the dumbfounded vocal coach and several executives from the production and artist development departments who had rushed over upon hearing the news, all staring intently at the girl in the center.

The air seemed to still hold the lingering resonance of some 'contest' or 'demonstration' that had just occurred.

Lee Tima's gaze instantly locked onto that back—the sister she knew so well, who shone radiantly on the stages of the Nanming Kingdom and who would privately pat her head and bring her snacks. All the speculation, worry, and the urgency of the journey here transformed into an uncontrollable impulse at this moment.

"Unnie?!!!"

A cry, crisp and tinged with a sob, a mix of shock and wild joy, pierced the brief silence of the practice room.

This shout was in the pure language of the Nanming Kingdom of the Tianxuan Continent, delivered in Lee Tima's characteristic energetic and somewhat reckless tone.

Everyone in the practice room was startled by this sudden intruder and the shout, and they all turned in unison toward the door.

Standing in the center, Kim Soo-yeon's body jolted violently.

That voice... that form of address...

She turned around slowly, in disbelief.

The first thing that caught her eye was the girl at the door in the ill-fitting coat, with messy hair and wide, round eyes staring intently at her—Lee Tima?! The 'Black Hole Maknae' of TG Entertainment, the head of the variety department, the one who always loved to cling to her and secretly bring her snacks while she practiced... Lee Tima?!

Immediately after, her gaze moved past Lee Tima and fell upon the young man behind her, who was also staring intently at her, his face filled with a complex mix of shock, confirmation, and relief.

Beneath that gentle and steady exterior were those eyes she knew so well, which always hid both schemes and concern...

"Oppa...?"

Kim Soo-yeon subconsciously uttered that long-lost address, filled with dependence and respect. Her voice was very soft, carrying an uncertain tremor.

Then, she saw the brand of the oversized coat Lee Tima was wearing. A vague impression of a top female singer belonging to this world flashed through her mind, and she blurted out with even greater astonishment:

"Jieun?! (IU's real name)"

Why would she be wearing IU's clothes? Here... could it be...

All the clues, all the confusion, and all the sense of strangeness were shattered in this moment by the impact of these two suddenly appearing familiar figures. Kim Soo-yeon's mind went blank; only her heart pounded wildly in her chest, hitting her ribs and bringing waves of dull pain and dizziness.

It really was them?! President Jiang Zhiyu! Lee Tima! They were here too?! In this completely foreign world?!

The moment Jiang Zhiyu heard Kim Soo-yeon's 'Oppa,' the last shred of doubt vanished. It was her! It really was Soo-yeon! The Kim Soo-yeon he had personally discovered and nurtured, watching her grow from a green trainee into the leader of a top girl group!

He could no longer control himself and strode across the practice room, ignoring the stunned Park Jin-young and the JYP crowd who hadn't yet grasped the situation, walking straight up to Kim Soo-yeon.

His gaze swept quickly over her face and the familiar 'Starry Covenant' stage outfit she was wearing, confirming she wasn't hurt, though her eyes were filled with alarm, confusion, and the disbelief of seeing someone familiar.

A thousand words were blocked in his chest, but now was clearly not the time for a reunion. Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, and spoke in the language of the Tianxuan Continent, his voice rapid but clear and low:

"Soo-yeon, it's me, Zhiyu Oppa. Tima is here too. It's okay now, I've found you."

A simple sentence, yet it acted like a stabilizing anchor, instantly steadying Kim Soo-yeon's teetering mind. It really was them! It wasn't a hallucination!

Lee Tima also rushed over like a small cannonball, grabbing Kim Soo-yeon's arm, her voice sobbing: "Soo-yeon Unnie! It really is you! You scared me to death! Why are you here? And wearing these clothes? Do you know how desperately we've been looking for you!"

They exchanged urgent words in a language no one present could understand.

Meanwhile, everyone else in the practice room, including Park Jin-young, was completely bewildered.

Park Jin-young looked at the suddenly intruding Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima (the producer and artist from TG Entertainment who had been making waves recently), who clearly knew Kim Soo-yeon, and then at Kim Soo-yeon's rapidly changing expression—from calm scrutiny to shocked excitement and then to a faint relaxation. Listening to them converse rapidly in a language he couldn't understand at all, his mind couldn't quite process it for a moment.

This... what was going on?

This 'Kim Suyeon'—the 'star fallen from heaven' from America with a mysterious background he had just set his sights on... how could she be so familiar with TG Entertainment's Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima? Looking at their interaction, it was definitely more than just being acquaintances!

The members of ITZY looked at each other even more, and Shin Ryujin whispered, "Shibal... what kind of day is this..." The succession of shocks had left them somewhat numb.

Park Jin-young collected himself and stepped forward, his smile returning, but his eyes were full of inquiry. "President Jiang, Lee Tima-xi, I didn't expect you to come. Do you... know our Suyeon?"

Only then did Jiang Zhiyu shift his gaze from Kim Soo-yeon to Park Jin-young. He quickly adjusted his expression, revealing a flawless, slightly apologetic business smile, but his gaze was incredibly sharp:

"President Park, sorry for the intrusion. Yes, we know her." He paused, glanced at Kim Soo-yeon, and emphasized his tone with an undeniable sense of ownership, "More than just know her. Kim Soo-yeon is a very important member of our TG Entertainment."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a giant rock being thrown into a calm lake.

Everyone from JYP, including Park Jin-young, was stunned.

TG Entertainment... a very important member?!

The Kim Suyeon they had just regarded as a 'found treasure,' a 'secret weapon,' and a 'diva of the era'... was already part of TG Entertainment?!

For the first time, the smile on Park Jin-young's face completely froze. His eyes became incredibly deep and sharp, silently clashing in the air with Jiang Zhiyu's calm but firm gaze.

A battle for Kim Soo-yeon, exceeding everyone's expectations, seemed to have just begun its truly intense prologue at this moment. And at the center of the storm, Kim Soo-yeon held Lee Tima's hand and looked at Jiang Zhiyu beside her, feeling for the first time in this strange world a solid reliance and... the direction home.

The air in the practice room seemed to freeze, with only the sound of Lee Tima's quiet sobbing and the faint noise of her excitedly clutching Kim Soo-yeon's arm. Park Jin-young and Jiang Zhiyu's gazes met in a short-range skirmish—one shocked, inquiring, and unwilling; the other calm, firm, and carrying the intent of declaring sovereignty.

And Kim Soo-yeon, the center of the struggle, felt her calm and decisiveness as the leader of Zephyrus and a top idol of the Nanming Kingdom quickly return after the initial shock and excitement. She gently patted the back of Lee Tima's hand to comfort her, then let go and took a small step forward.

This step placed her more clearly between Jiang Zhiyu and Park Jin-young.

She didn't immediately respond to Jiang Zhiyu's statement about being a 'very important member of TG Entertainment,' nor did she look at the shifting expression on Park Jin-young's face. Her gaze first landed on Jiang Zhiyu—there was the relief of finding a reliance in those eyes, but more so a scrutiny and reflection as she quickly entered her professional state. Then, she turned to Park Jin-young, nodded slightly, and said in her still unpolished but effortfully clear mixed language (starting to intersperse a few newly learned Korean words):

"President Park... thank you. JYP... is good." She pointed to the practice room and equipment, then pointed to herself, "But... I know them. TG."

Her tone was flat, yet it carried an undeniable decisiveness. She didn't explain why she knew them or specify their relationship; she simply stated a fact and used it as the basis for her choice.

Park Jin-young looked at the girl before him. She was wearing a stage outfit so magnificent it was almost dreamlike, standing on his home turf, having just shaken JYP's entire core team with her overwhelming strength. Yet now, in such a calm and even somewhat distant tone, she expressed her intention of 'choosing the other side.'

An indescribable emotion surged into Park Jin-young's heart. It wasn't anger; it was more like... the immense sense of loss and frustration of watching a one-of-a-kind treasure slip through his fingers and into someone else's hands, mixed with disbelief at TG Entertainment's (especially Jiang Zhiyu's) luck.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

The smile on his face could barely be maintained; the corner of his mouth twitched, and in a tone that was almost a sigh, he whispered half-jokingly, "Oh my... jealousy... I'm truly jealous... President Jiang, what kind of luck did your TG Entertainment have..."

The look he gave Kim Soo-yeon was filled with regret and reluctance, but at the same time, there was a hint of relief—no wonder this girl was so extraordinary; it turned out she was the "ultimate weapon" that TG Entertainment had secretly cultivated all along!

Upon hearing Kim Soo-yeon's clear declaration, the heavy stone in Jiang Zhiyu's heart finally fell, and a smile of relief involuntarily appeared on his face.

He looked at Kim Soo-yeon, the girl he had raised with his own hands; even after crossing time and space and finding herself in a completely unfamiliar environment, she still maintained that heart-captivating calmness, judgment, and... trust in him.

Just as he was about to say something, his gaze inadvertently swept over Lee Tima, who was still sniffling, her eyes red.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning—what was the foundation and symbol of TG Entertainment in the Nanming Kingdom? It was Kim Soo-yeon! It was Zephyrus! Although this was Earth, and although the company structure and development path were different, but...

A brilliant idea, or rather, a logical decision, formed instantly.

He cleared his throat, and under everyone's gaze, he suddenly spoke to Kim Soo-yeon in the language of the Tianxuan Continent, his tone solemn: "Soo-yeon."

Kim Soo-yeon looked at him, her eyes questioning.

Jiang Zhiyu revealed a smile on his face that mixed slyness, certainty, and absolute trust, announcing word by word: "Since you have come, then the Chairman of our TG Entertainment... shall be you!"

He said this sentence in his native language; apart from Kim Soo-yeon and Lee Tima, no one present understood the specific meaning, but his solemn tone and explicit gesture made everyone feel that some sort of major decision had been announced.

Kim Soo-yeon was stunned, her beautiful eyes widening slightly. Chairman? The... Chairman of TG Entertainment? On Earth?

Beside her, Lee Tima also forgot to sob, blinking her teary eyes as she looked at Jiang Zhiyu, then at Kim Soo-yeon, her little mouth slightly agape, as if she wanted to say something, but then thought... it seemed... it wasn't impossible?

Although Park Jin-young didn't understand, seeing Jiang Zhiyu's solemn expression and Kim Soo-yeon's stunned appearance, alarm bells rang in his heart; intuition told him that this was definitely not some ordinary "reunion" or "confirmation of belonging."

He couldn't help but ask in English: "President Jiang, what are you talking about? What decision?"

It was only then that Jiang Zhiyu seemed to remember there were outsiders present. He turned to Park Jin-young, his smile becoming even brighter, even carrying a hint of polite "Sorry, please excuse our family matter," but the words he spoke were earth-shattering:

"Oh, President Park, it's nothing major. Just a formal notification that, starting today, Kim Soo-yeon xi will officially assume the position of Chairman of our TG Entertainment."

He deliberately used formal vocabulary like "formal notification" and "assume the position of Chairman" to ensure his meaning was clear and unambiguous.

"What?!" Park Jin-young almost thought he had misheard, his eyes instantly widening, his voice changing pitch.

The JYP executives behind him, the members of ITZY, that vocal teacher, the employees watching at the door... everyone revealed an expression of disbelief.

Chair... Chairman?! This stunningly beautiful girl who looked at most seventeen or eighteen, who had just almost been signed by them as a "secret weapon" trainee?! The... Chairman of TG Entertainment?!

This was simply a fantasy! The Chairman of an entertainment company meant the highest decision-making power, management authority, and a symbol of ownership! Was Jiang Zhiyu crazy? Or was the equity structure of TG Entertainment really this much of a joke?!

However, facing the stunned and speechless gazes of Park Jin-young and everyone else, Kim Soo-yeon quickly regained her composure after the initial shock.

She didn't even look to see if Jiang Zhiyu was joking; she just tilted her head slightly, as if digesting this sudden, heavyweight appointment.

A few seconds later, she raised her head and looked at Jiang Zhiyu, her face no longer showing confusion or surprise, but instead blooming with an extremely confident, even slightly eager, perfect smile.

In that smile, there was anticipation for the challenge, a clear understanding of power, and, even more, absolute certainty in her own abilities.

Using a clear, no-longer-awkward tone (as if the title of Chairman had given her new linguistic inspiration), she spoke to Jiang Zhiyu, and as if to everyone present: "Okay, Oppa."

Then, she shifted the topic, her smile unchanged, but her eyes became sharp and filled with a desire for control: "Then... Oppa must hand over all the company's documents—financial statements, project plans, artist contracts, personnel structure, asset details... everything, carefully, for me to handle."

Her tone was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable pressure belonging to a superior, and a sense of natural entitlement. It was as if she was born to sit in that position, review those documents, and make those decisions.

This was not a girl hit by a surprise; this was a queen who had instantly stepped into her role, ready to show her prowess.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her, the smile on his face deepening, his eyes filled with appreciation and the gratification of "as expected." He nodded: "Of course. Chairman nim."

Lee Tima, standing nearby, had sparkling eyes and cheered softly: "Wow! Soo-yeon Unnie is going to be the Chairman! Does that mean I can get an allowance raise in the future?"

Park Jin-young: "..." JYP group: "..."

In the practice room, only Kim Soo-yeon's confident smile remained, along with the suffocating declaration of power transition echoing in the air. A battle over the "heaven-sent superstar" had instantly come to an end in a way that no one had expected—dramatic to the point of absurdity—and shifted in an even more unbelievable direction.

TG Entertainment welcomed its new female Chairman from another world—young, beautiful, and possessing immense power. And the landscape of the Korean entertainment industry seemed to have begun to quietly loosen due to the abrupt arrival of this "Chairman."

Inside the JYP building, the shock and chaos caused by Kim Soo-yeon's sudden declaration of her identity as "Chairman of TG Entertainment" were temporarily forcibly paused under the calm yet unquestionable attitude of the person involved.

Even though Park Jin-young had ten thousand regrets and was shocked, in the face of Kim Soo-yeon's clear choice and Jiang Zhiyu's set-in-stone "appointment of Chairman," he could only temporarily accept this inconceivable reality.

With an extremely complex expression, he had a brief and subtle "handover" communication with Jiang Zhiyu, and "watched" as Kim Soo-yeon left, accompanied by the two people from TG Entertainment.

When Kim Soo-yeon, Jiang Zhiyu, and Lee Tima appeared at the main entrance of the JYP building, the media reporters who had been waiting for a long time and some fans who had heard the news and rushed over instantly focused their cameras and gazes on them.

The noise in front of the JYP building did not diminish with the passage of time; instead, it became even livelier because of more media rushing over after hearing the news and fans gathering after receiving the information.

Long lenses and short cannons, along with mobile phone cameras, were pointed squarely at the building exit; everyone wanted to be the first to capture the true face of the "mysterious beauty of Han River Bridge" who had ignited the internet, as well as... her relationship with President Jiang Zhiyu of TG Entertainment.

When the heavy glass door slid open, the crowd instantly became restless.

The first to walk out was President Jiang Zhiyu of TG Entertainment. He was in a well-tailored dark suit, his posture upright, his face gentle and handsome; even in the slightly chaotic scene, he maintained a calm demeanor, with a faint, reassuring smile at the corner of his mouth. His appearance itself brought a peculiar sense of stability.

Immediately following him, like a little tail, was Lee Tima, wearing an oversized jacket, her hair tied up casually, looking around with curiosity and excitement on her face. Her lively eyes and quirky expression, even in the tense atmosphere, revealed a vibrant cuteness that made people unable to help but look twice.

However, when the figure of the third person appeared at the doorway, all gazes and all cameras, as if attracted by a magnet, were firmly locked on.

Kim Soo-yeon walked out. She hadn't changed out of that gorgeous "Starry Vow" performance outfit; the Starry Purple and platinum-colored dress refracted an even more dazzling light under the morning sun in Seoul, reflecting and enhancing her flawless, stunningly beautiful face.

After the brief reunion and communication with Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima, as well as that sudden "Chairman" appointment, the lingering panic and detachment in her eyes had mostly dissipated.

Replacing it was a settled composure, as well as a calmness and confidence that naturally flowed from the presence of someone familiar and trusted (Jiang Zhiyu) by her side. She even lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping calmly over the moving crowd and flashing cameras in front of her; that stage presence honed through thousands of trials and the demeanor of someone in a high position flowed out naturally, inadvertently.

What made the crowd even more boisterous was that, while walking towards the black sedan Jiang Zhiyu had parked on the side, facing a few young female fans who were closest and flushed with excitement (perhaps ITZY fans, or perhaps passersby purely attracted by her beauty), Kim Soo-yeon actually paused, turned her head, and towards their direction, revealed a very faint, yet sufficiently clear smile, and nodded gently, as a greeting.

In that instant, it was as if a frozen rose had suddenly bloomed; the extreme beauty mixed with a rare approachability brought an unparalleled impact.

"Ahhhhh—!!!" Those few female fans instantly erupted into uncontrolled screams, clutching their chests, so excited they almost jumped up. This sudden response made them dizzy with happiness.

"Look here! Look here! Kim Soo-yeon xi!" "So beautiful! She's a hundred times more beautiful in person than in photos!" "She looked at me! She smiled at me!" "President Jiang is also so handsome! Tima is so cute! What kind of god-tier combination is this!" "So they really are together? Are they from TG Entertainment?"

Other reporters and fans also became restless, and the sound of shutters rang out in a chorus, trying to capture this rare scene—the stunningly beautiful mysterious girl, the gentle and jade-like young President, and the quirky, cute maknae. The image of the three standing together was simply the ultimate feast for those who love beauty, with every frame filled with a sense of story and visual impact.

Jiang Zhiyu stepped forward half a step at the right moment, skillfully using his body to shield Kim Soo-yeon from the cameras and crowd that were getting too close, while maintaining a polite and distant smile, turning a deaf ear to the commotion around him. Lee Tima nimbly ran a few steps and opened the back door of the sedan.

Under Jiang Zhiyu's silent protection, Kim Soo-yeon calmly walked to the car, once again nodded slightly to the crowd around her who were casting kind or curious gazes, and then gracefully bent down and sat into the car. Her movements were natural and smooth, without the slightest awkwardness, as if she were long accustomed to such attention.

Jiang Zhiyu followed her and sat in the other side, and Lee Tima nimbly slipped into the passenger seat.

The black sedan started slowly, and with the assistance of security and the pursuit of countless cameras, it drove away from the noise in front of the JYP building.