42: Chapter 42 The Progress of Shadow

The electronic clock on the bedside table showed seven in the morning. Liu Zijun was still in a light sleep, the faint, dull pain from the wound on his shoulder making his rest less peaceful than usual.

The bed beside him sank slightly as a warm hand gently brushed across his forehead, then carefully avoided his injured left shoulder to tuck in the corner of the quilt for him.

Son Ye-jin rose quietly, her bare feet stepping onto the soft carpet. She moved with extreme care, afraid of fully waking him.

She picked up the scattered clothes from the floor and the chair and went into the dressing room to change.

The woman in the mirror had a hint of fatigue in her eyes, yet she could not hide the tenderness in her expression.

She tidied her hair in front of the mirror, then looked back at Liu Zijun on the bed. A faint smile played on her lips, only to find Liu Zijun smiling back at her.

She stepped forward and kissed Liu Zijun, saying with a smile, "Go back to sleep! I have a schedule to get to."

Liu Zijun nodded, but couldn't help pulling her in for another fierce kiss.

Walking into the kitchen, Son Ye-jin opened the refrigerator, took out milk and toast, quickly toasted two slices of bread, fried a soft-boiled egg, and arranged them on an exquisite porcelain plate. Beside it, she placed a sticky note, writing in the Korean language: "Remember to eat breakfast, don't let the wound touch water, I'll be back this afternoon."

She placed the plate on the bar counter, took one last look toward the bedroom, and then picked up her bag, softly closing the door as she left.

Exiting the elevator, she took out her phone and dialed her stylist: "Help me prepare an outfit suitable for a gathering. I want a gentle style and light makeup. I'll be at the studio in an hour."

After hanging up, Son Ye-jin sat in the driver's seat of her car, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalled her wildness from the night before.

She had changed her schedule for today; now she had to dress up properly. For the Housewarming Feast this afternoon, she wanted to stand openly by his side in her capacity as his noona.

Back in the apartment, Liu Zijun got up shortly after Son Ye-jin left.

Walking into the living room, the plate and the note on the bar counter caught his eye.

Liu Zijun picked up the note, and as he looked at the elegant handwriting on it, the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously.

He sat at the bar and began to eat his breakfast.

The aroma of the toast mixed with the sweetness of the milk, dispelling the morning chill.

Just then, a sound came from the entrance, followed by the sound of the digital lock clicking open.

Jiang Hongshao had the passcode to the apartment.

Liu Zijun didn't even look up, continuing to eat his breakfast.

Jiang Hongshao was dressed in an OL outfit, her burgundy curls draped casually over her shoulders, carrying two large bags of groceries as she entered.

Her eyes swept across the living room, landing straight on Liu Zijun.

"Morning, Boss!"

"Did Son Ye-jin just leave? That woman is quite thoughtful, even preparing breakfast for you."

Liu Zijun set down his milk glass and said flatly, "Is there something?"

Jiang Hongshao walked to his side, took a bite of his half-eaten toast, and raised an eyebrow. "Of course there's something."

Seeing Liu Zijun look back, she deliberately leaned over to show off her impressive cleavage.

Liu Zijun finished his breakfast. Seeing that she wasn't speaking, he went upstairs to the bedroom to change his clothes, only to find Jiang Hongshao barefoot, hopping onto the bed in a few strides. She sat on the edge of the bed swinging her legs, hands propped behind her, smiling mischievously.

"Boss, your shoulder is injured, and you must have used a lot of energy last night. Are you feeling weak this morning? Why don't I accompany you for some morning exercise? Moving your muscles and bones helps the wound heal faster."

Liu Zijun's face darkened instantly, and he barked coldly, "Shadow, get down."

Instead of moving, Jiang Hongshao pushed her luck, lifting a corner of the quilt and sliding inside.

"I won't."

"Boss, I won't eat you, why are you being so fierce? Besides, your shoulder is injured, what could you possibly do to me anyway?"

Liu Zijun looked at the woman burrowed under the covers, a vein throbbing at his temple.

Jiang Hongshao was someone he had trained himself. Her personality was as wild as a cat's; she feared nothing and no one, and she was obedient only to him, yet she always loved to mess with him in matters like this.

"Last night's battle seems to have been quite intense! I say, with a great beauty like me right here, why won't you ever make a move on me?"

Liu Zijun ignored her and went about changing his clothes.

Seeing that he wasn't responding, Jiang Hongshao finally restrained her joking expression.

"Alright, down to business. I've just organized the work progress from the past few days to report to you."

Jiang Hongshao's tone became serious as her finger slid across the tablet screen, pointing to a girl in a photograph.

"There's progress with CCM Entertainment Company. This is Ryu Hwayoung, a former member of T-ara.

I found that during her time with the group, she deliberately missed schedules multiple times and privately smeared other members to the company."

"This is a recording I got from the staff around T-ara, as well as some chat logs, which prove that Ryu Hwayoung's bullying claims are entirely fabricated."

"I also found several staff members at CCM Entertainment Company who are willing to testify that Ryu Hwayoung being isolated in the group was a lie, and that no bullying ever took place."

Liu Zijun took the tablet and looked through the materials carefully, his brow furrowing deeper.

"The people at CCM Entertainment Company are that willing to listen to you?"

"Of course! I'm now the second-largest shareholder of CCM Entertainment. With the massive injection of capital over the past few days, I've acquired quite a bit of equity.

If this continues, I'm confident I can take over the management rights of T-ara."

Liu Zijun asked, "Will CJ Group allow you to operate like this?"

Jiang Hongshao smiled and shifted into a more comfortable position, her chest pressing directly against Liu Zijun's arm.

"Of course not, but everything comes down to interests. After I presented certain things, they gave their tacit consent."

"Before long, I will completely take over Kim Kwang-soo's shares. At that time, T-ara's ownership will follow your surname, Oppa Liu!"

This woman, with a figure even better than a model's, was quite tall; that 'oppa' she uttered made Liu Zijun's skin crawl with goosebumps.

Jiang Hongshao continued, "I will also find evidence of Ryu Hwayoung and her family's private manipulations, as well as evidence of CCM management's improper handling. Then we'll launch a powerful counterattack. I've already arranged for people to do this, and there will be results soon."

Liu Zijun nodded; it seemed the day of T-ara's comeback was not far off.

She shifted positions again and continued, "We've also had preliminary contact with SM Entertainment. In my capacity as a director of JS Investment Company, I met with SM Entertainment's CEO, Kim Young-min, to discuss investment intentions.

He is very interested in our investment, and that Lee Soo-man is also quite tempted."

Liu Zijun pushed her away and asked, "They agreed that easily?"

Jiang Hongshao shook her head and said, "Of course not! They said they need to consider it further, but they shouldn't refuse!"

"Why?"

Jiang Hongshao leaned in again and added, "Because I brought chips they can't refuse! Things like a global endorsement for YSL and cooperation channels to enter the Western market."

Liu Zijun asked, "How has Jin-ri been these past few days?"

Jiang Hongshao said, "Don't worry, I'm watching her every day. She's been with the f(x) members almost the entire time, with no chance to contact Choi Jae-ho.

However, her mental state isn't very good most of the time.

She only shows true happiness when she's by your side, but when you're not there, she's very insecure and even has low self-esteem.

According to my observations, these are signs of depression. Should we have Doctor come and take a look at her?"

Liu Zijun shook his head and said, "Not for now. Doctor has been very busy lately, and he's not a professional psychiatrist.

f(x) has an event in Paris next month; I'll contact Dr. Klein then."

As soon as Jiang Hongshao heard 'Europe', she instantly got goosebumps.

"Going to Paris? Boss, are you serious? Aren't you afraid Charm will just tear your little lover apart?"

Liu Zijun shook his head and said, "If you and Emily don't say anything, how would she know?"

Jiang Hongshao said, "I'm scared. Anyway, I'm not going. You just go with your little lover!"

Clearly, she was very afraid of this person called Charm.

Liu Zijun suddenly said, "Perhaps she already knew the moment you appeared in The Peninsula!"

Jiang Hongshao was startled!

The two discussed a few more things, and as she was leaving, Jiang Hongshao still managed to steal a kiss from Liu Zijun before running off.

Walking into the living room, Liu Zijun looked at the morning light outside the window, took out his phone, and sent a text to Choi Sulli: "Jin-ri, have you had breakfast? No need to come too early this afternoon; everything here is almost ready."

Choi Sulli's reply came quickly, accompanied by a cute emoji: "I know, oppa! unnie and I will be there at two in the afternoon. I'll give you a surprise then!"

Liu Zijun looked at the message, a gentle smile touching his lips.

Today's Housewarming Feast would likely be very lively.

He walked to the bar, picked up the note Son Ye-jin had left, looked at it for a long time, and finally tucked it carefully into his wallet.