48: Chapter 48 The Other Side of the World

The night was as dark as ink. The prosperity and bustle of Seoul had not diminished because it was winter; instead, it had become even more lively.

After sending Choi Sulli back to her dormitory, Liu Zijun took a taxi home alone.

Stepping out of the car, the evening breeze blew with a winter chill. He tightened his coat; the wound on his left shoulder throbbed faintly in the cold wind, but he paid it no mind.

Turning into the building, the elevator rose steadily.

The duplex apartment was silent and shrouded in darkness.

He walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of white liquor—specifically, the Maotai sent by Sunny.

The liquid swirled gently in the glass.

Just as he picked up the glass, he heard the sound of the digital lock unlocking.

"BOSS, why are you back from the gentle village so soon?"

A voice tinged with laziness and playfulness rang out. Jiang Hongshao, dressed in a sharply tailored black OL outfit, walked in with an elegant, feline stride.

She carried an exquisite food box in her hand. Her wine-red curls swayed gently with her movements, and her ice-blue eyes looked exceptionally captivating under the lights.

Setting the food box on the bar, she leaned close to Liu Zijun without ceremony, sniffing him. A playful smile curled on her lips: "Hmm... only the scent of little sister Sulli. BOSS, you were quite well-behaved today."

Liu Zijun ignored her teasing and merely gave her a flat look. "Get to business."

Jiang Hongshao straightened up and pulled up several files on her tablet, her expression instantly becoming professional.

"We have results regarding CCM Entertainment."

She turned the tablet toward Liu Zijun, the screen displaying a detailed equity structure chart.

"I have acquired 72% of Kim Kwang-soo's shares through several offshore funds and proxies.

The remaining shares have also been locked down by us. He has no choice but to sell to us.

From a legal standpoint, T-ara is now yours, BOSS."

Liu Zijun looked at the screen without a ripple in his gaze, merely giving a soft "Mm."

This was within his expectations.

Jiang Hongshao swiped the screen to bring up another file, ignoring the fact that her ample cleavage was partially exposed, and said slowly: "Things are going just as smoothly at SM Entertainment. Lee Soo-man has softened his stance after seeing the resources we offered.

Kim Young-min is even more impatient; he's waiting for our letter of intent for investment.

If all goes well, we can become a major strategic investor in SM Entertainment by next week. My goal is to become the second or third largest shareholder. Controlling Girls Generation is difficult since they are their cash cow, but I intend to have f(x) completely under my thumb at the very least."

"Very well."

Liu Zijun nodded and took a sip of the Maotai.

Everything was proceeding steadily according to his plan.

This made Jiang Hongshao pout slightly, but she said nothing; she knew Liu Zijun wouldn't listen to her and would drink regardless.

Jiang Hongshao gave Liu Zijun a subtle glare before speaking again, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and coldness.

However, her next words caused the air in the apartment to instantly turn cold.

"A fly has started buzzing."

"Oh?"

Liu Zijun's eyes narrowed slightly, glinting with a dangerous, cold light.

"When you followed Sulli to record 'Running Man' today, your intimate interactions and her reliance on you were leaked by some staff members. It reached Choi Jae-ho's ears.

"That idiot is probably jealous and going mad. He's actually started using his family's influence to investigate you, BOSS."

She chuckled, her voice full of contempt.

"He found a handsome Chinese man working as a bodyguard at SM who has a close relationship with Sulli.

That's it.

He has no idea what kind of person he's actually provoking."

"Emily has completely taken control of the public opinion online. Any comments attempting to smear you or Sulli will be deleted immediately.

However, I suspect a mad dog like Choi Jae-ho won't let it go. He might make a move against you."

Liu Zijun listened quietly, his finger slowly tracing the rim of the glass.

He had originally intended to wait until his wound healed before slowly dealing with Choi Jae-ho and giving him and his family a profound lesson.

But now it seemed the other party couldn't wait.

Choi Sulli's happy, smiling face flashed through his mind.

Anything or anyone that could potentially harm her had to be nipped in the bud.

He slowly set down the glass, his gaze becoming cold and resolute, as if a Siberian cold front had suddenly swept through the room.

"Since he's looking for death, let's start with him."

Liu Zijun's voice was low and calm, yet it carried an unquestionable killing intent.

He picked up his phone and dialed the encrypted number; the call was answered almost instantly.

"Emily."

Liu Zijun's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Jayden, I'm here," the electronic voice replied.

Liu Zijun said flatly: "You can release it now."

"Wait on Choi Jae-ho's personal dirt for now! Take his family's scandals—tax evasion, government-business collusion, power-for-sex trades..."

"Everything you can find, release it all at once."

He paused, a flash of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes.

"Don't worry about the consequences. Make it as big as possible. I want the media in The Peninsula to be filled with exactly what I want when I wake up tomorrow morning.

Let the family behind him have a taste first."

"Received."

Emily's reply remained concise.

Hanging up the phone, Liu Zijun picked up his glass again and drained it in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Hongshao wasn't afraid; instead, she wore an excited and cruel smile.

She leaned in, her finger gently tracing Liu Zijun's chest, her voice seductive and dangerous:

"BOSS, tonight, The Peninsula is going to be very lively."

Liu Zijun didn't speak. He simply walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the brilliantly lit city beneath his feet.

Choi Jae-ho, let's play this slowly!

The night was still long.

Meanwhile, in Seoul's finest bar, within the best private room, a dozen girls were dancing in the lounge with almost no clothes on; among them were members of some 18th-tier girl groups from small companies.

A young man with gloomy eyes held an actress in his arms.

He squeezed her with such force that the actress was on the verge of tears, but she didn't dare cry out, only trembling slightly as she endured the pain.

"Interesting! Choi Jae-ho, that old man, actually dares to have designs on Choi Sulli?"

"Young Master Li! Should I take some men to teach this Choiza a lesson? A mediocre actor dares to provoke the girl Young Master Li has his eyes on? His grandfather and their family assets are simply not worth mentioning in front of you, Young Master Li!"

The young man pinned the actress beneath him and took a sip of wine.

"No need! Let him play his hand! I want to see how he plans to win over Choi Sulli. What I love most is appearing just when someone thinks they've won."

"This feeling of snatching everything away from someone and having them kneel before me to beg... it's truly wonderful!"