85: Chapter 85...

Inside the car, the composed smile Kim Soo-yeon had worn for the outside world faded from her face. She leaned back against the seat and let out a long, silent sigh of relief. In the presence of someone familiar and in a relatively private space, her tightly wound nerves could finally relax a little.

Lee Tima immediately clung to her like a koala, hugging her arm and chirping away in their native tongue: "Unnie, Unnie! How on earth did you get here? You scared us to death! How was the tenth-anniversary concert? Where are the others? Why are you wearing those clothes? And what's up with that 'American passport'?"

Kim Soo-yeon rubbed her temples and looked at Jiang Zhiyu, who was watching her with concern through the rearview mirror from the passenger seat. For the first time since their reunion, a truly relaxed smile appeared on her face, tinged with a bit of helplessness and confusion.

"Oppa, Tima... I'd really like to know too," she said softly. "I feel like I need to hear a very, very long story... about this place, about you all, and about... TG Entertainment."

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her through the rearview mirror, his gaze gentle yet firm.

"Of course, President-nim," he smiled slightly. "Our story is just beginning."

Outside the window, the streetscape of Seoul receded rapidly. A new chapter had quietly turned its first page amidst a feast for the eyes and the shock of the entire internet. Kim Soo-yeon's brand-new journey on Earth had officially begun.

—

The black sedan drove away from the bustle of JYP and finally stopped at the office building TG Entertainment had recently moved into. Compared to JYP's grand, futuristic, and industrial-style architecture, TG Entertainment's current office location appeared more low-key and compact, even a bit... cramped. Although they had upgraded from a basement to a proper office building, their funds and resources were limited after all, and most of their investment was spent where it mattered most—such as new projects in production, artist training, and basic operations.

Jiang Zhiyu's CEO office was reasonably spacious and bright, but after Kim Soo-yeon did a preliminary browse through the mountain of company documents brought by Lee Tima (who doubled as an assistant), her brows furrowed slightly. The financial reports showed the company had profited handsomely from the 'destined kim hyo-soon' series, but the lack of liquid capital and fixed assets (especially professional hardware) was also obvious.

"The practice rooms... are temporarily shared with a dance studio, and the equipment is basic," Jiang Zhiyu pointed at the planning map, his tone calm and without concealment. "As for the recording studio... we don't have our own professional studio yet. Lee Tima's previous OSTs and project scores were all done by renting external studios or... well, borrowed as a favor from IU-xi's studio." As he said this, he glanced at Lee Tima, who was happily munching on high-end snacks she had swiped from IU.

Kim Soo-yeon's finger lightly tapped on the almost blank budget column for the 'Recording Production Department.' For an entertainment company aiming to build top-tier artists (especially since she was a core singer and dancer herself), not having its own high-standard recording studio was no different from a warrior not having a proper weapon.

"Senior IU's studio..." Kim Soo-yeon mused. She knew of IU; the Nanming Kingdom had a top solo singer of similar status, possessing both skill and popularity. While borrowing her resources was a shortcut, relying on external sources—especially the private resources of another company's top artist—was by no means a long-term solution, nor did it showcase TG's own strength.

She looked up at Jiang Zhiyu, her gaze sharp. "Oppa, we can borrow for short-term projects, but we must have a plan for our own recording studio. It needs the highest priority." She paused. "As for the plans for me..."

Before she could finish, there was a soft knock on the office door. Lee Tima (acting as the receptionist) poked her head in with a strange expression. "Oppa, Soo-yeon Unnie, SM Entertainment... has sent a formal letter."

Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Soo-yeon exchanged a look, both somewhat surprised. SM was moving this fast?

Lee Tima placed an elegantly designed letter on the desk. It was from the SM Entertainment headquarters, addressed to 'Chairwoman Kim Soo-yeon of TG Entertainment.' The wording was extremely formal and... meaningful.

The letter first politely congratulated TG Entertainment on its inevitable new development under the leadership of Chairwoman Kim Soo-yeon (clearly they had quickly updated their understanding of TG). Then, the tone shifted, using 'promoting industry exchange and jointly exploring the infinite possibilities of artist cultivation and music production' as a reason to formally invite Chairwoman Kim Soo-yeon to 'visit' SM Entertainment at her convenience. It specifically noted that SM looked forward to having 'informal and in-depth business discussions' with Chairwoman Kim, who had 'demonstrated extraordinary insight and strength in the fields of vocals and dance.'

It was signed jointly by the SM Entertainment Artist Development Division and Production Division, and even copied to President Lee Soo-man's office.

On the surface, this letter was an invitation for a visit and exchange, but in reality, it revealed SM's intense interest in and desire to recruit Kim Soo-yeon. The phrase 'extraordinary insight and strength' directly pointed to her crushing performance during her brief stay at JYP. The 'business discussion' left infinite room for imagination—was SM trying to poach a President? Or seeking some kind of cooperation? Or... did they simply want to evaluate this sudden variable that might change the landscape from up close?

"SM..." Jiang Zhiyu looked at the letter, a playful curve touching the corner of his mouth. "As expected of SM, their sense of smell and initiative are top-tier. They've bypassed me as the CEO and thrown an olive branch directly to the President." He looked at Kim Soo-yeon. "What do you think?"

Kim Soo-yeon picked up the heavy-textured letter, her gaze sweeping over the gold-stamped SM logo. Her expression didn't change; she was neither flattered nor wary, showing only a calm evaluation.

"SM's hardware and system are indeed top-tier," she put the letter down, her tone calm. "Their recording studios, trainee training system, and production resources... are worth seeing." She wasn't against contacting the industry giant; understanding one's rivals was also a necessary path to strengthening oneself.

"However," her tone shifted as she looked at Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima, a sharp light flashing in her eyes, "we are visiting as the President of TG Entertainment, with the purpose of learning and evaluation, not to undergo an 'interview' or be 'recruited.'"

She stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the heavy traffic of Seoul below. Her simple black training outfit now seemed to exude a sense of decisive power.

"Start the recording studio plan immediately and readjust the budget," she issued her first clear command. "Before that, regarding Senior IU... Tima, I need you to use your 'black hole charm' again." She glanced at Lee Tima, who immediately puffed out her small chest and promised, "Leave it to me! IU Unnie is the easiest person to talk to! And she's definitely super curious about you too, Soo-yeon Unnie!"

Kim Soo-yeon nodded, then turned to Jiang Zhiyu. "As for SM's invitation... accept it. We'll set the time. Before we go, I need a detailed report on all of TG Entertainment's current projects in development, artist contracts, and the plan for the next six months." She paused and added, "Also, regarding my 'identity' issue, that passport... we need to find a reliable way to resolve it as soon as possible. I don't want it to become a hidden danger in the future."

Her thoughts were clear and her commands precise. In an instant, she had switched from the lost girl on the Han River Bridge to a young, strategic President. She identified the company's weaknesses and set out to fix them (building their own studio), didn't refuse to use existing resources and connections (IU's studio), and dared to face a giant in the industry (SM's invitation) while firmly keeping the initiative.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at her back as she stood by the window, his eyes full of admiration. This was Kim Soo-yeon; no matter where she was, she could quickly find her place and goals.

"Understood, President-nim," Jiang Zhiyu replied with a smile. "I'll coordinate the time with SM. I'll arrange the other matters immediately."

Lee Tima also hopped excitedly. "Great! We can take Soo-yeon Unnie to IU Unnie's studio to play! No, to work! SM's side must be su—per interesting too!"

Kim Soo-yeon turned around, the sunlight outlining her with a golden silhouette. That confident smile, tinged with a hint of challenge, appeared on her face again.

TG Entertainment's hardware might be rudimentary for now, but with this 'powerhouse President' from another world, along with Jiang Zhiyu's strategy and Lee Tima's 'surprise factor,' the road ahead seemed to open up instantly.

SM's invitation was like a touchstone, about to test whether this young President could maintain her composure and edge before a true titan. The winds of the Seoul entertainment industry seemed to be quietly gathering toward TG—a seemingly small ship equipped with a 'nuclear engine'—following the arrival of this uninvited guest.

Inside TG Entertainment's practice room, which was shared with other departments and slightly crowded but reasonably well-equipped, the lights were bright. Jiang Zhiyu stood by the mirror, holding a tablet displaying several stylistically different and highly difficult song and dance clips he had specifically selected. Lee Tima sat cross-legged on the floor in the corner, clutching a bag of potato chips, her eyes sparkling as she watched the center of the room.

In the center, Kim Soo-yeon had changed into a comfortable black practice outfit. Her long hair was tied back in a neat high ponytail, revealing a flawless face that looked exceptionally vivid due to her focus. Although this body was seventeen in the eyes of both Nanming and Earth, the steadiness, calmness, and the sense of mastery over the upcoming 'test' in her eyes were definitely not what a true seventeen-year-old girl would possess. It was the certainty of a twenty-seven-year-old soul that had been tempered on top-tier stages, participated in company decision-making, and witnessed the storms of the industry.

"Soo-yeon, are you ready?" Jiang Zhiyu asked in the language of the Tianxuan Continent. His tone was calm, sounding more like a professional exchange between colleagues than an evaluation from a superior.

Kim Soo-yeon nodded without superfluous words. Her gaze swept over the tracklist on Jiang Zhiyu's tablet—a ballad requiring extreme emotional explosiveness and vocal control, a neo-soul/R&B track with a complex and ever-changing rhythm requiring high groove and improvisation skills, and a high-difficulty choreography video blending modern dance, street dance, and theatrical elements.

Even at the peak of Kim Soo-yeon's career, these tracks and dances would have been challenges requiring careful preparation to perform perfectly. But at this moment, there was no sign of difficulty on her face, only a calm eagerness to try.

"Let's start with the ballad. Do you need time to look at the sheet music and listen to the accompaniment?" Jiang Zhiyu asked.

Kim Soo-yeon shook her head and walked straight to the stand microphone. "Just play the accompaniment, Oppa. As for the lyrics... I'll listen to the melody once and should be able to improvise some words that fit the mood."

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow but didn't question her, pressing the play button directly.

A melodious and slightly sad piano intro flowed out. Kim Soo-yeon closed her eyes, her body swaying slightly with the melody as if capturing the emotion of every note. After a few measures, she opened her eyes and began an improvised vocal performance into the microphone with a voice that was clear yet possessed a husky texture.

She wasn't singing lyrics in any known language, but rather syllables and hums that flowed like a poem along with the melody and emotion. Her vocal control was astonishing—the transition between breathy and solid tones was incredibly smooth, the switch between chest and head voice was seamless, her high notes were ethereal and piercing, and her low notes were rich and magnetic. Even more shocking was her emotional expression; she seemed to completely immerse herself in the world of interwoven sadness and hope constructed by the music. Every vibrato and every pause was filled with a sense of story. Even without specific lyrics, the listener could clearly feel that deep sorrow and the unquenchable glimmer of light.

When the improvisation ended, the practice room fell into silence. Even Lee Tima, who had been munching on chips, forgot to move.

A flash of amazement crossed Jiang Zhiyu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and clicked on the accompaniment for the second track, the neo-soul/R&B song. The rhythm of this one was even more tricky, full of syncopation and room for improvisation.

Kim Soo-yeon started moving almost with the very first drum beat. Her body seemed to become the instrument itself, with every joint and muscle precisely matching the music's groove. She no longer just stood and sang but added extremely casual yet well-designed body sways and footwork that blended perfectly with her voice. Her improvised singing became even more dynamic, with melodic lines that wound and curved yet always stayed tight with the harmonic progression, filled with a sophisticated jazz feel and a lazy, sexy charm. That absolute control over the rhythm and her effortless improvisational ability gave the performance an inimitable personal flair.

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

Jiang Zhiyu didn't speak; he immediately switched to the final, high-difficulty choreography video.

The dancer in the video possessed exquisite technique and powerful expressiveness, with complex and forceful movements.

Kim Soo-yeon only watched it once. When the video ended, she walked to the mirror and signaled to play the instrumental accompaniment.

Then, she began to replicate it—no, to "re-interpret" it.

Her body seemed to possess a photographic memory, precisely reproducing the vast majority of the high-difficulty movements from the video, with the force, angles, and rhythm perfectly matched.

But what was even more striking was that she incorporated her own understanding into it—some of the originally slightly stiff points of explosive power were handled by her to be more fluid and elastic; for some dramatic freezes that required strong emotional support, her eyes and micro-expressions endowed them with deeper meaning.

She was not just "dancing," but "performing." The entire dance was infused with soul by her, and the level of completion even faintly surpassed the original video.

As the last note faded, Kim Soo-yeon froze in a tense ending pose, panting slightly, with fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead, but her eyes remained bright and sharp.

"Clap, clap, clap—"

Lee Tima in the corner was the first to jump up and clap vigorously, scattering potato chips everywhere: "Wow! Soo-yeon Unnie! That was so cool! Even better than before!"

Jiang Zhiyu also clapped slowly, a heartfelt and extremely satisfied smile appearing on his face.

He turned off the tablet, walked up to Kim Soo-yeon, and examined her carefully, as if re-evaluating a diamond that had become even more brilliant after being polished by time and space.

"Very good." His evaluation was concise and powerful, carrying undisguised admiration. "Soo-yeon, your technique has become more mature; that's not surprising. But what surprises me the most is..."

He paused, searching for the right phrasing, "It's that sense of 'ease.' Before, on stage, you were a warrior giving your all; every movement and every note was poured with all your passion and strength. It was dazzling, but it also made people feel the weight of that 'effort.'"

He looked into Kim Soo-yeon's eyes and said slowly: "But now, you are more like an... artist. Your control over your body and voice has internalized into instinct. You no longer need to 'think' about how to sing well or dance well, but rather let the music and dance naturally 'flow through' you, and then you imbue them with unique color and life. This sense of ease, of handling heavy burdens as if they were light, is a realm that can only be possessed after enough practical experience, precipitation, and even... crossing a certain psychological threshold."

He pointed to his chest: "It's here, it's stronger."

Kim Soo-yeon listened to Jiang Zhiyu's analysis, slightly stunned for a moment, then understood.

Yes, before transmigrating, she was the leader bearing the expectations of Zephyrus, TG Entertainment, and countless fans; every stage was like a battle that could not be lost.

And after transmigrating, although she had panic when she first arrived in this other world, after confirming the existence of Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima, and even being unexpectedly given the duty of "President," that tension of fighting alone had strangely disappeared.

In its place was a broader, more autonomous perspective, and... a deep-seated confidence that "no matter where I am, I can stand firm with my own strength."

This shift in mentality had invisibly made her more relaxed and in control in her artistic expression.

"It seems time travel has this benefit?" Kim Soo-yeon made a rare joke, wiping her sweat with a towel.

Jiang Zhiyu also smiled: "Perhaps. However, this is definitely the greatest luck for our TG Entertainment."

He said seriously, "With your current state, whether it is as President coordinating the overall situation, or as an artist (if needed) stunning the world, it is more than enough. You can go to SM's invitation with complete peace of mind, and respond with your most authentic strength and state. What they will see is only the immeasurable future of TG Entertainment."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded, and the last trace of subtle tension in her heart caused by the "test" vanished.

Her perception of herself, confirmed by Jiang Zhiyu, the "mentor" and "partner" who knew her past and present best, became clearer and firmer.

A 17-year-old appearance, a 27-year-old soul and strength.

This might be her most unexpected and powerful trump card when dealing with SM, and even the entire Korean entertainment industry, in the future.

In the corner of that multi-purpose practice room at TG Entertainment, the conversation between Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Soo-yeon continued, the atmosphere much more relaxed.

Lee Tima ran to clean up the potato chip debris she had scattered all over the floor, humming an off-key tune.

Kim Soo-yeon wiped her sweat, recalling Jiang Zhiyu's precise selection of the song and dance during the test; it was definitely not chosen at random.

She looked at Jiang Zhiyu thoughtfully: "Oppa, those test contents just now... were very targeted, not like a spur-of-the-moment decision. Have you been personally training trainees lately?"

Upon hearing this, the smile on Jiang Zhiyu's face became somewhat subtle, carrying a bit of helplessness of "you found me out" and a trace of imperceptible... "old fatherly" concern.

He signaled for Kim Soo-yeon to sit on the rest chair nearby, and pulled up a chair for himself as well.

"It doesn't count as personally training, it's more like... giving private lessons." Jiang Zhiyu picked up his water cup and took a sip, his tone flat, "Over at SM, there are a few good seedlings, the pre-debut group of aespa."

Kim Soo-yeon raised her eyebrows. She knew about aespa; back at JYP, she had vaguely heard JYP staff discussing this upcoming girl group project with a very new concept from SM.

Jiang Zhiyu was actually able to reach into SM's pre-debut group to "give private lessons"?

Seeing the question in Kim Soo-yeon's eyes, Jiang Zhiyu explained: "It's not the kind of infiltration you're thinking of. It's... a coincidence."

He paused, seeming to recall some past events, his eyes somewhat distant, "When we first 'came' here, the situation was worse than we imagined. Penniless, unable to speak the language, we almost starved to death on the street."

Kim Soo-yeon's heart tightened. Although she was panicked when she first arrived, she at least met Park Jin-young (though she didn't choose him), and soon found Jiang Zhiyu and Lee Tima.

It was hard to imagine how Jiang Zhiyu had survived initially.

Jiang Zhiyu continued: "At that time, to survive, I had to do everything. Odd jobs, running errands, and even..."

He gave a light cough, skipping over some less-than-glamorous details, "Later, by chance, I came into contact with some underground music and dance studios. Relying on the vision I accumulated back in the Tianxuan Continent and a little bit of 'foresight' (from another world), I became a familiar face and taught some children the basics."

"Later, through some opportunities, I met some people on the fringes of the industry, and slowly touched the periphery of the SM trainee system."

"Those children in aespa, I observed them for a long time and felt they really had potential, and... it was quite difficult for them."

Jiang Zhiyu's tone softened, "Karina, she has the potential of a leader, but carries too much pressure; Minjeong, she has good talent, but her personality is too soft and she's easily manipulated; NingNing, her foreign status, cultural barriers, and homesickness are a double-edged sword."

"I saw them training hard, and sometimes, in the name of a 'special consultant' or 'anonymous senior,' through some informal channels, I would give some small suggestions or share some training insights. It counts as... a little help and investment."

He looked at Kim Soo-yeon and smiled: "There aren't many seedlings that catch my eye. Since I ran into them, and we are in the same system, I help where I can. I originally thought that when they debuted, maybe I could borrow some light, or do some collaborations to improve my own life. I didn't expect..."

He spread his hands helplessly: "I didn't expect Jieun (he used Lee Tima's real name) this 'black hole' to crash over first. With her set of variety show thinking from the Tianxuan Continent and lawless action, she forced open the door of TVN and created destined kim hyo-soon. Then, we built TG Entertainment."

His eyes were filled with emotion: "I originally just thought about having a small company to make a living, taking it slow. As a result, you came, parachuting in as President, and raised the strength ceiling to outer space."

He said half-jokingly, "Now it's great, my 'private lessons' and 'long-term investment' for aespa, in front of a 'nuclear weapon' level President like you, seem to have suddenly become... insignificant."

Kim Soo-yeon listened, her heart filled with mixed feelings. She hadn't expected Jiang Zhiyu to have such a difficult time when he first arrived on Earth, and even less did she expect that even when he could barely look after himself, he would still pay attention to and help several total strangers who were trainees.

This cherishing of talent and instinctive layout of the industry was exactly the Jiang Zhiyu she was familiar with.

"Oppa is Oppa; he won't change anywhere." Kim Soo-yeon said softly, her tone carrying respect, "However, since I am now the President of TG, and it looks like our relationship with SM in the short term will be a bit... subtle."

She thought of that invitation letter, "Then, for the 'private lessons' for aespa, maybe we can change the form?"

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes lit up: "You mean?"

"SM invited me for an 'exchange'; this in itself is an opportunity." Kim Soo-yeon's thoughts were clear, "I can, as the President of TG, 'incidentally' express some 'professional interest' in SM's upcoming new girl group during the 'exchange.' If SM doesn't object, or even welcomes it... perhaps I can become a 'specially appointed teacher' for the aespa pre-debut group? Of course, in name, it would be part of 'industry exchange,' but we can control the actual content."

This proposal was bold and clever. Utilizing the olive branch actively extended by SM to cut in from the reverse direction not only allowed Kim Soo-yeon to legitimately contact and evaluate SM's future power but could also establish a more special and deeper connection between TG Entertainment and SM (even if only superficially).

More importantly, if Kim Soo-yeon could really guide aespa as a 'specially appointed teacher,' it would undoubtedly be a huge opportunity for those girls—to be personally guided by a President whose strength was comparable to, or even surpassed, the ACE of current top girl groups!

Jiang Zhiyu pondered for a moment and nodded slowly: "This train of thought... is feasible. SM is more curious than wary of you right now, especially with Lee Soo-man's personality of liking to 'collect stamps' of 'special talents.' In the name of 'exchange and guidance,' they are very likely to accept it, and might even feel they are taking advantage—using our 'secret weapon' to help them polish their newcomers."

He paused, reminding her: "However, Soo-yeon, you must pay attention to the boundaries. Guidance is fine, but you cannot truly teach our core training methods and philosophies. Also, within aespa, there is a variable."

"A variable?"

"A paratrooper." Jiang Zhiyu whispered, "aespa was originally a four-member concept, but recently I heard that SM higher-ups might have temporarily stuffed a 'paratrooper' in. It is said to be a Japanese-mixed race, named Uchinaga Eri, stage name Giselle. A sudden debut will inevitably cause complex emotions among the original members and fans. If you intervene, you are very likely to be drawn into this delicate internal balance."

Kim Soo-yeon nodded, indicating she understood. She was all too familiar with the dynamics within a group.

"I understand. I will keep it in check." She stood up, her eyes flashing with confidence and anticipation, "Let's just treat it as... an in-depth 'field trip' and 'strategic warm-up' in advance for the competitive environment our TG Entertainment might face in the future. By the way, let's see what kind of little girls they are that you, Oppa, are thinking of 'giving private lessons' to."

Jiang Zhiyu also smiled, with a sense of relief of "having a great master at home, nothing to worry about": "Then it's up to you, President-nim. But before that..."

He pointed upstairs, "Shouldn't you first, as President, go and hold a small meeting for our Finance Department and Planning Department, to set the budget for the recording studio and the itinerary for the SM visit? Also, that girl Tima is clamoring to take you to IU's studio to 'get to know the place.'"

Kim Soo-yeon laughed, shook her head, that composed demeanor belonging to a President and the helpless softness belonging to an "older sister" intertwined.

"Got it, Oppa." She replied, turning and walking towards the door, her steps firm.

The President's schedule belonging to Kim Soo-yeon officially kicked off after a strength test and a casual chat about "giving private lessons." And beneath the surface of the Seoul entertainment industry, the waves caused by her were quietly spreading in more unexpected directions.