167: Chapter 167 Silly Girl Jessica Jung

Time reached July, and f(x)'s new album "Pink Tape" officially landed on the Music Bank stage.

The backstage was brightly lit.

Choi Sulli sat in front of the vanity mirror, wearing the school uniform outfit from the album's title track. Her hair was meticulously styled into lazy curls, with the ends adorned with fine silver glitter.

The makeup artist was outlining the corners of her eyes. She didn't chatter and joke with the staff as she used to, but simply looked at herself in the mirror quietly, her fingers gently stroking the peach ring on her ring finger.

The makeup artist reminded her softly, "Sulli-xi, lift your chin a bit more."

She obediently complied. The exhaustion in her eyes from before was gone, replaced by composure and passion.

The continuous cycle of practice, schedules, and recordings during this period had made her tired, but the change in her mindset made her increasingly composed.

Every glance and every dance step on stage exuded charm.

Victoria Song patted her shoulder and said, "Last run-through of the positions. Focus on remembering the formation change at the end; don't make a mistake like the last rehearsal."

Choi Sulli looked back and smiled, her eyes showing apology but no panic.

"Don't worry, unnie. I practiced in front of the mirror for so long last night; I definitely won't get it wrong."

Her voice was much steadier than before, no longer that little girl who needed constant reminders.

Liu Zijun leaned against the dressing room door, holding iced Americanos he bought for the members. His gaze was full of gratification when it fell on Choi Sulli.

This girl had indeed grown up compared to when he first met her.

Before, she would collapse in his arms and act spoiled when tired from practice. Now, even with bloodshot eyes, she would grit her teeth and persevere until the end, and even take the initiative to help staff organize props or comfort backup dancers who made mistakes.

"Oppa!"

"Just leave the iced Americanos here; we'll drink them when we get off stage."

Choi Sulli spotted him immediately, a familiar sweet smile appearing on her face. However, she didn't rush over like before, but simply waved at him.

Liu Zijun walked in, placed the coffee on the table, and habitually tidied the stray hairs on her forehead.

"Jin-ri is getting prettier and prettier. Don't rush later, fighting!"

Choi Sulli blinked, her fingers secretly hooking his palm as she said coquettishly, "I know! Once this comeback stage is over, I want to have a good sleep, and then Oppa can take me to eat something delicious."

"Alright, whatever you want."

Liu Zijun rubbed her hair and turned to walk toward the door.

The moment the stage lights came on, the cheers from the audience almost blew the roof off.

The five members of f(x) appeared in coordinated yet individually designed stage outfits as the intro to "Rum Pum Pum Pum" began. Choi Sulli stood in the center, and a crisp wave movement drew continuous screams.

Her dance steps were powerful, and her gaze was both sweet and sharp. As the camera swept across her sweat-dampened forehead, it only added a touch of mature charm.

Liu Zijun stood in the staff area at the side of the stage, his eyes always following Choi Sulli.

Choi Sulli was no longer that little girl who needed everyone to protect her from behind.

She could now stand on her own, shining brightly on a stage that belonged to her.

The comeback stage ended successfully, and the backstage was instantly flooded with congratulations.

Choi Sulli and the members hugged each other, bright smiles on their faces.

She took a towel from a staff member, wiped her sweat, and immediately threw herself into Liu Zijun's arms.

"Oppa, we did it! The cheering from the audience was so loud~"

Liu Zijun gently stroked her head.

Passing artists who saw Liu Zijun and Choi Sulli like this only had envy and respect in their eyes.

They envied Choi Sulli for meeting a tycoon like Liu Zijun, and for being able to date so openly. Finally, they were respectful of Liu Zijun's status.

Who in the entertainment industry didn't know by now that Liu Zijun was the boss of JS Investment Company?

Just then, Liu Zijun's phone rang.

Im Yoona's tearful voice came from the other end, her speaking speed so fast it was almost unintelligible.

"Oppa, something's wrong... Sica unnie... something happened to her!"

"All the members have returned to the company. Can you come over quickly?"

Liu Zijun's expression changed. "Don't panic, speak slowly. Did that silly girl Jessica Jung really fall for it?"

Im Yoona's voice carried obvious anxiety.

"The company's legal department just said that Jessica Unnie registered a fashion brand called BLANC & ECLARE, with Kwon Young-il as the sole agent and channel partner."

"That wouldn't have been much, but Jessica Unnie used many Girls Generation tags in the contracts and brand promotions."

"The company is currently discussing how to handle Jessica Unnie's situation."

Liu Zijun said calmly, "It's fine! No rush, I'm coming back now."

He glanced at Choi Sulli and Krystal Jung, saying, "I'm heading back to the company for a bit, something's come up!"

The two girls didn't know about Jessica Jung's situation yet; they just nodded, their eyes full of happiness.

They were very likely to win first place today.

When Liu Zijun arrived outside the company conference room, he saw all nine members of Girls Generation sitting inside, still arguing about something.

Lee Soo-man, Jiang Hongshao, and other company executives were not present.

Liu Zijun didn't go in immediately, listening quietly instead.

He heard Kim Taeyeon take a deep breath: "Sica, are you still not going to say anything?"

Jessica asked knowingly, "Say what?"

"You know what I'm asking. It's come to this point, and the company has already issued a final ultimatum."

Jessica Jung's expression instantly turned cold, panic flashing in her eyes as she said, "So you're all standing on the company's side?"

Kim Taeyeon shook her head and said, "I just don't want to see you regret it, and I don't want the relationship between us to turn sour."

Jessica Jung couldn't help but let out a sneer: "Regret? What do I, Jessica Jung, have to regret?"

Kim Taeyeon looked Jessica Jung in the eye and said seriously, "The problem with this matter lies with you. You unilaterally linked Girls Generation with your brand, which is equivalent to using all of our names."

"Even if we don't care, would the company agree?"

"You're used to being forceful; do you think this is how it should be?"

Jessica Jung shouted, "Kim Taeyeon, what are you saying? I never thought about using you guys."

"I want to make money for myself, I want to prove myself. What's wrong with that?"

Kim Taeyeon sighed and said, "There's nothing wrong with wanting to prove yourself, and nothing wrong with trying to develop your own brand. Your mistake is tying Girls Generation and your brand together while you're still under contract."

"Does Girls Generation's Jessica Jung really belong entirely to yourself?"

Jessica Jung's face turned pale. "Am I not even in control of my own name?"

Kim Taeyeon said solemnly, "Of course you can use it. Even if you eventually fall out with the company, you can just leave with your brand."

"But what about us?"

"At that point, it will just be a lose-lose situation! You will no longer be part of Girls Generation, and your brand's value will be greatly diminished."

And for those of us remaining, Girls Generation will never be a nine-member group again, and our fame will never recover!"

"Even between us, we will become like strangers!"