169: Chapter 169 A Chaotic Girlhood

Liu Zijun stood silently to the side, watching the farce unfold, his heart full of doubt.

He didn't have much interaction with Jessica Jung; his impression of her was only her coldness, competitiveness, and occasional hostility towards him.

He really couldn't understand why this woman, who always kept her distance, would suddenly make such an impulsive decision, even faintly revealing a special emotion towards him.

It wasn't until he heard Jessica Jung say she was leaving that he finally spoke.

"Let's leave it at that for now."

His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly drowned out the noise in the conference room.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him—some with expectation, some with doubt, and some with the complexity deep in Jessica Jung's eyes.

Liu Zijun walked to the conference table, picked up the cooperation agreement, and flipped through it quickly with a calm and unhurried manner.

"Your brand will temporarily stop all promotion and cooperation progress. As for the debt, JS Investment can advance the payment for now, with interest calculated at the lowest market standard."

Jessica Jung suddenly looked up and roared at him in disbelief, "I don't want your money!"

Liu Zijun looked up, his gaze calm as he watched her.

"This isn't for you; it's a loan to you."

"Don't you want to prove yourself? Then pay off the debt first, and then use your strength to show everyone whether your brand is actually viable or not."

He turned to Lee Soo-man and Jiang Hongshao and said, "Girls Generation's schedule will proceed as planned. Jessica Jung should not be absent from group schedules, but her individual activities will be temporarily adjusted to prioritize cleaning up the brand's mess."

He looked back at Jessica Jung again and said, "I suggest you quickly get Kwon Young-il to bring out the money he's supposed to contribute."

"If he does, it proves he still sincerely wants to cooperate with you. If he's unwilling or makes excuses, then you should understand what kind of person this partner of yours really is."

"Regarding the contract, Jiang Hongshao, you coordinate with the company's legal department. First, have Jessica Jung's brand stop using the Girls Generation label; don't touch anything else for now."

Jiang Hongshao nodded, "No problem, JS Investment's legal team can step in at any time."

Lee Soo-man looked at Liu Zijun, his brow slightly furrowed, but he didn't object.

JS Investment was the second-largest shareholder of SM. Liu Zijun's decision carried significant weight, and currently, this seemed to be the only way to balance the company's interests with the integrity of Girls Generation.

Hearing Krystal mentioned, Jessica Jung finally bit her lip hard.

She looked at Liu Zijun, her voice trembling slightly, with a hint of imperceptible grievance.

"Why are you helping me?"

"Don't you always look down on me?"

Liu Zijun put down the documents and gave a faint smile.

"I've never looked down on you. Everyone has the right to pursue their dreams. There's nothing wrong with wanting to become strong and have your own career."

He paused and continued, "I'm helping you not because of you, but because of Yoona, because of Taeyeon, and because of the other eight members of Girls Generation. They don't want to see anything happen to you, and they certainly don't want to see this group break up."

"Helping you is even more for Krystal! Do you think if you leave like this, Krystal's life will still be easy?"

After Liu Zijun finished speaking, he clapped his hands and said, "It's not a big deal! Everyone, get back to whatever you need to do."

"President Lee! Sometimes, blind exploitation only leads to the opposite of what's intended! I think it's time for SM Entertainment Company to make some changes in certain areas."

"Girls Generation is no longer the Girls Generation that just debuted. Individual development and the interests of each member need to be fully considered. I will give everyone a result regarding this matter."

"Yoona! You guys focus on your schedule. I'm leaving now. Seol-ri and Krystal are still waiting for me to take them for BBQ!"

After saying that with a smile, he left the conference room.

Reaching the end of the corridor, Liu Zijun stopped, glanced back at the conference room, and shook his head gently.

This competitive unnie was truly unpredictable.

Inside the Girls Generation van, none of the nine spoke.

Liu Zijun was right just now; Girls Generation had changed. Perhaps only Kim Taeyeon and a few others still held onto their original intentions.

Jessica Jung had touched everyone's interests, and not every Girls Generation member was willing to pay the price for it.

There's nothing wrong with that; no one can say anything bad about fighting for one's own interests.

Im Yoona pursed her lips and suddenly said, "Jessica Unnie! Joon oppa helping you is one thing. But if you try to steal him, I won't agree to that."

Jessica Jung was stunned, her brow furrowing, "Im Yoona! Didn't you also steal him from Seol-ri? What right do you have to talk about me?"

Im Yoona choked for a moment and replied, "That's different!"

Jessica Jung chuckled, "How is it different? If you hadn't taken the initiative, would that dog man Liu Zijun have been hooked by you?"

Im Yoona also broke into a smile, "Yes! I took the initiative, but even when someone else took the initiative, Ji-Jun didn't even give them a second look!"

Jessica Jung was about to die of anger.

"Ya! Im Yoona, just you wait and see. Let's see if I can make him take an interest!"

Im Yoona looked at Jessica Jung with a sharp gaze.

"You won't get the chance!"

Jessica Jung was about to say more.

But Kim Taeyeon exploded.

"Ya! That's enough, you two! Are you two going to fight over a stinking man?"

"I think it's just because Seol-ri is too obedient, otherwise where would there be room for you two?"

"Sica! I suggest you don't get involved. Liu Zijun is a fire pit; don't jump into it!"

Jessica Jung countered, "Why can't I get involved?"

"Is this kind of thing rare in our circle?"

"Are there few women who climb into someone's bed for a role or a bit of resources?"

"Since I've already said it, I, Jessica Jung, am not afraid of you guys laughing at me."

"With a man as outstanding as Liu Zijun, which woman wouldn't be tempted?"

"As for you, Kim Taeyeon, you're in contact with that Baekhyun from EXO. Don't think I don't know."

"Let me tell you, the company won't allow your situation even more!"

"I can't compete with Seol-ri, but Im Yoona, I don't think I'm any worse than you!"

Everyone looked at Kim Taeyeon.

What a huge piece of gossip!

Kim Taeyeon blushed, pointing at Jessica Jung for a long time without saying a word.

Sunny suddenly said, "Taeyeon! Let's not talk about Sica and Yoona's business for now. At worst, they'll both just be Liu Zijun's mistresses."

Anyway, Joon oppa already has three now. Let Lin the Mistress and Jung the Fourth fight it out."

"But what about you? Are you really in contact with Baekhyun?"

Kim Taeyeon pursed her lips and didn't speak.

Seohyun suddenly said, "unnie! Why are you all like this? Isn't it just dating? Is it really that good?"

"Sigh! Is Girls Generation really going to break up?"

"Ya! maknae! What nonsense are you talking? How could Girls Generation break up? At worst, Joon oppa will just have to work a bit harder!"

Everyone looked at Kwon Yuri, who had foolishly blurted that out.

"Kwon Yuri, are you crazy?"

Im Yoona looked at her ill-intentioned members and sneered.

"Seol-ri, if you don't do something soon, your Joon oppa is really going to be too busy to handle it all."

"As long as you say the word, Joon oppa will only belong to the three of us."