160: Chapter 160 Donation Ceremony

Three days after the filming of "Running Man" ended, the tranquility of the Seoul entertainment industry was shattered by a sudden piece of news.

The official website of JS Investment Company and major news platforms across The Peninsula released the news simultaneously.

Jiang Hongshao, the Managing Director of JS Investment, announced at 9:00 AM today that JS Investment, in the joint name of f(x)'s Choi Sulli herself and the Junxue Fan Club, would donate 10 billion korean won to the Guangming Childrens Mental Illness Cooperative Research Center, a collaboration between China and The Peninsula.

The funds will be specifically used for clinical research into psychological disorders such as childhood depression and anxiety, as well as for the rescue and treatment of children from impoverished families.

The donation ceremony will take place today at 10:00 AM at The Peninsula branch of the Bright Research Center.

As soon as the news broke, netizens on The Peninsula were first stunned, and then the internet exploded with excitement.

The Guangming Childrens Mental Illness Cooperative Research Center is an authoritative organization jointly established by top psychological medical institutions and renowned medical universities from both countries.

The Peninsula branch had been established for less than three months, and the largest donation it had received previously was only 1 billion korean won.

A massive donation of 10 billion korean won is something even top-tier A-list artists would find difficult to part with easily, let alone Choi Sulli, who is just an idol who recently reached adulthood and debuted only a few years ago.

"10 billion korean won? What is the relationship between JS Investment and Choi Sulli?"

"The Junxue Fan Club is this wealthy? This isn't even in the realm of fan support anymore, is it?"

"There's definitely someone backing her. I felt it wasn't simple when the relationship was first made public, but now it seems the water runs even deeper."

"Could it be a company operation? But SM Entertainment wouldn't drop this much money for just one artist."

While doubts and speculations fermented on social media platforms, the donation ceremony at The Peninsula branch of the Bright Research Center began promptly at 10:00 AM.

The research center is located on the outskirts of Seoul. The white building is simple yet solemn. A banner reading "Passing on Love, Protecting the Hearts of Children" hung in front of the door. Only a few media cameras were set up, aimed at the entrance.

However, more media outlets were frantically rushing over.

Choi Sulli's appearance caused the scene to fall silent instantly.

She wore a simple cream-white suit skirt, her long hair neatly tied in a low ponytail, with very light makeup on her face.

Her entire persona had shed the sweetness of the stage and the liveliness of variety shows, replaced by a sense of composure and gentleness.

On the ring finger of her left hand, that iconic peach ring shimmered in the sunlight, complementing the "Bright Research Center Charity Ambassador" badge pinned to her chest.

Jiang Hongshao was by her side, her burgundy curls tied into a high ponytail. Dressed in a black professional suit, her aura was in full force as she held the donation agreement with a polite smile on her face.

As the two walked into the venue side by side, the camera flashes instantly became as dense as daylight.

The donation ceremony process was concise and solemn.

Professor Shin Min-cheol, the Director of The Peninsula branch of the Bright Research Center, gave the opening speech, expressing gratitude for the generous donation from Choi Sulli and the Junxue Fan Club.

"This sum of money will greatly advance our research progress. It is expected to help at least five thousand sick children from impoverished families receive free diagnosis and treatment. Miss Choi Sulli's love and sense of responsibility have set an example for the entire industry."

When it was Choi Sulli's turn to speak, she took the microphone, her grip tightening slightly as she felt a bit nervous.

Her gaze swept over the media and researchers below. In a voice that was both gentle and tense, she said, "I once had a very difficult time. I still remember that feeling of confusion and helplessness."

"Oppa said that he, like me, wanted to do something for those children suffering in the dark."

"So this honor should belong to Oppa, and to the Junxue Fan Club."

"Because it is the support of the Junxue Fan Club that makes us believe there is much beauty in this world."

She paused, a glimmer of light appearing in her eyes.

"Many people feel that an artist's value lies on the stage, but I think being able to use one's influence to help others is a more meaningful thing."

"Thank you to everyone who supports f(x) and Choi Sulli, especially Oppa, saranghae."

After speaking, she even made a finger heart.

As soon as she finished, the venue erupted in warm applause.

Jiang Hongshao stepped forward and signed the donation agreement together with Professor Shin Min-cheol. When the donation plaque for 10 billion korean won was unveiled, the camera flashes reached a peak once again.

Choi Sulli also personally presented carefully prepared gifts to several sick children who had come to the ceremony, gently squatting down to interact with them in a warm and healing scene.

After the ceremony, Choi Sulli's act of donation quickly topped various trending searches, but the voices of doubt did not subside; instead, they grew more intense.

Keywords such as "Choi Sulli 10 Billion Donation," "True Financial Power of Junxue Fan Club," and "Artist Donation Limit" dominated the top of the trending lists as netizens speculated about the true source of the money.

Just as the public opinion reached its peak and even SM Entertainment received countless inquiry calls,

SBS Television Station dropped a bombshell.

The "Running Man" production team aired some clips, reporting on the events before and after Liu Zijun and Choi Sulli decided to donate at the filming site. They then added that everyone was welcome to watch the full episode on time for many surprises.

This completely hammered home the truth about Liu Zijun's identity.

Following that, a series of documentary evidence appeared online.

The disclosure of JS Investment's shareholding structure and the registration information showing Liu Zijun as the actual controller were released.

The SBS news also summarized Liu Zijun's previous series of operations: acquiring CCM Entertainment and renaming it JS Entertainment, injecting capital into SM Entertainment to become the second-largest shareholder, and collaborating with SD Group on new types of clean energy.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, instantly turning the entire Peninsula upside down.

"I thought it was an idol's counterattack falling in love with a bodyguard, but it turns out to be a chaebol playing the pig to eat the tiger?"

"JS Investment actually belongs to him!"

"Donating 10 billion just like that, this financial power is too terrifying. But Liu Zijun and Choi Sulli are too good to us Junsulli fans!"

"Choi Sulli is so lucky. Not only is she loved by a chaebol, but he also supports her in doing charity. What kind of divine love is this?"

...

The netizens who had previously questioned Choi Sulli were all stunned. Was the clown actually myself?

The junsulli cp fans were even more ecstatic. The previous love story between a bodyguard and an idol instantly upgraded to a mutual journey between a chaebol and a 'Human Peach'.

The number of members in the support club surged to one hundred thousand within just two hours.

Liu Zijun did not follow Choi Sulli to the donation site. Instead, he stayed in Girls Generation's van, driving the car!

The girls would exclaim in amazement from time to time, and then Im Yoona would unhappily curse.

"Ya! It's all Choi Sulli's fault!"

"Ya! Choi Sulli, I'm definitely going to beat you up tonight! You still want to snatch Oppa away today? Hmph! How is that possible!"

"Oppa! Oppa! I want to be accepted and blessed by everyone just like her!"

"Oppa~~"

...

This Im Yoona was like a crazy person in the van, acting cute one moment, roaring the next, and crying the moment after.

The other five members of Girls Generation stayed quite far away from her, and no one bothered with her.

Kim Taeyeon even wrinkled her small face, looking at Im Yoona with an expression of pure disgust.

Meanwhile, when Jessica Jung saw the news, she was discussing brand registration with Kwon Young-il.

The news notification that popped up on her phone screen made her freeze instantly.

She thought of her previous contempt and misunderstanding of Liu Zijun, and her obsession with proving herself. Suddenly, she felt a bit ridiculous.

He always favored Choi Sulli like this. Even if she proved herself, so what?

Kwon Young-il looked at her suddenly changing expression and asked with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

Jessica Jung shook her head and didn't speak, only gripping her phone tightly as complex emotions flashed in her eyes.