50: Chapter 50 The Prelude to the Feast

The sensational scandal of the Cui Family had long been covered up by rotating entertainment news and the short-lived memory of the residents of The Peninsula.

The entertainment industry seemed unaffected.

Girls Generation's new song promotions, variety show appearances, and commercial shoots were still packed tight.

And f(x) was also busy preparing for small overseas concerts and various schedules.

For artists under the limelight, stopping meant being forgotten.

Under the careful care of Choi Sulli and others, Liu Zijun's left shoulder wound had almost scabbed and fallen off, the new skin itching slightly.

For Liu Zijun, it was no longer an issue.

He followed the doctor's orders and Choi Sulli's "commands," spending most of his time resting in the apartment and occasionally going out for a walk.

With Jiang Hongshao around, there was no need to worry about Choi Sulli's safety.

She not only efficiently pushed forward the capital penetration of SM Entertainment and CCM Entertainment but also kept a close eye on Choi Sulli's schedule and safety.

Detailed daily reports were sent to Liu Zijun's phone on time.

She would occasionally complain that her mouth was sore every time, but her Boss just wouldn't "eat" her.

Choi Sulli, like a happy little elf, would run to Liu Zijun's apartment whenever she had a gap in her schedule.

She no longer tested the waters cautiously as she did at first, but naturally took over the sofa in the living room, acting like the lady of Liu Zijun's house, chirping away about everything.

Liu Zijun mostly just listened quietly, occasionally stroking her short hair or handing her a glass of warm water.

His indulgence made Choi Sulli feel unprecedented peace of mind, as if as long as she was by his side, no wind or rain from the outside world could blow in.

This almost instinctive dependence was seen by Victoria Song and the others, who could only sigh helplessly, both relieved that Sulli finally had someone to rely on and faintly worried about the weight of this dependence.

Im Yoona had been so busy lately she barely had time to sleep, only sending a few messages occasionally. The content was simple, nothing more than asking about his wound's recovery, reminding him to stay warm as the weather changed, or sharing a song she found pleasant.

Between the lines, there was a sense of cautious concern.

Liu Zijun's replies were equally brief, polite yet distant.

The little deer ornament on his study desk, that unspoken sentiment, was like a tiny thorn pricking the boundary between reason and emotion, making him choose to keep his distance.

Son Ye-jin was relatively more direct, calling him during filming breaks with a tone of a noona's characteristic playful reproach.

She was also very busy lately and had no time to visit Liu Zijun.

She never asked about Choi Sulli or the other girls, as if there was a tacit understanding between the two.

Enjoying the current companionship without questioning each other's boundaries.

That night, Liu Zijun had just finished a set of simple recovery exercises, sweat soaking the stray hairs on his forehead.

Bare-chested, he stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the dazzling city nightscape below. The light-colored scar on his shoulder looked somewhat hideous under the soft indoor lighting.

The phone rang, and Jiang Hongshao's voice sounded.

Her voice carried a hint of subtle excitement: "A charity banquet in the name of SD Group will be held tomorrow at 7 PM at Huake Mountain Villa.

Interestingly, the pretext is to celebrate SD Group's new breakthrough in the semiconductor field, combined with a charity auction.

The heir of SD Group, Jeong Hyun-bin, is personally making an appearance. The invitation list is heavy, including political and business elites, fashion moguls, and... SM Entertainment artists."

Her voice shifted as she continued, "I won't even mention Super Junior's Leeteuk and Kim Heechul. On Girls Generation's side, Im Yoona, Kim Taeyeon, and Jessica Jung—the three popular queens the company is pushing—are all on the guest list."

Seeing Liu Zijun waiting for more, Jiang Hongshao's voice lowered slightly.

"And f(x). Choi Sulli and Krystal Jung's names are also prominently on the list."

"And I, as the new controller of CCM Entertainment, am naturally on the list as well."

"Boss! These are all normal activities, but the actual organizer this time is Choi Jae-ho!"

Liu Zijun's gaze instantly froze, like the cold air suddenly condensing on the Siberian tundra, slowly spreading out.

Im Yoona, Kim Taeyeon, Jessica Jung, Choi Sulli, Krystal Jung...

"Good! Not long after the bait was thrown, they've indeed started to bite one by one!"

Jiang Hongshao continued, "Although the Cui Family has collapsed, that mad dog Choi Jae-ho is still living quite well because we wanted to catch bigger fish.

He took advantage of Jeong Hyun-bin's eagerness to prove himself within the family and persuaded him to act.

They must have reached some kind of deal; the Jeong family's SD Group might move against the Cui Family.

Jeong Hyun-bin provides the venue, the name, and the funds, while Choi Jae-ho is responsible for the entertainment planning and... special guest invitations."

Jiang Hongshao's eyes showed undisguised disdain and killing intent.

"I've checked. The banquet's security is handled by Jeong Hyun-bin's own bodyguard team.

But the core area, especially the passage to the private lounges upstairs, has core security that isn't bad."

Liu Zijun's fingers tightened unconsciously, his knuckles making a faint cracking sound.

He looked at the brilliant lights outside the window, his eyes colder than the freezing night outside.

"So, Boss, what's your plan?"

Jiang Hongshao spoke on the phone while driving, her eyes flashing with anticipation.

She knew a hunt was about to begin.

Liu Zijun didn't answer immediately.

He walked to the wine cabinet and poured a glass of amber whiskey but didn't drink it, just held it, feeling the cold touch from the glass wall.

"Tell Emily to send me all the intelligence—detailed floor plans of all areas of the banquet, surveillance layouts, security personnel status—within half an hour."

His speech rate was not fast.

"Come pick me up! I'll go there as the bodyguard for Jin-ri and the others."

Jiang Hongshao blew a kiss into the phone.

"Understood, Boss. The hunting ground... has been prepared for you."

Liu Zijun changed into another suit prepared by Mei, which could reduce the kinetic energy of handgun bullets; though it would hurt, it guaranteed it wasn't fatal.

He took out the cold glock handgun and magazines from the box and hid them in the lining. He looked at the mask but still didn't take it out.

Although using a gun directly wasn't something Liu Zijun wanted those girls to see, given tonight's situation, he didn't want any accidents.

Once ready, Liu Zijun put on a coat he had bought with Choi Sulli and walked out of the house.

Jiang Hongshao's Porsche Panamera was already waiting downstairs.

She looked at Liu Zijun's overly calm face and suddenly became excited.

"Boss, you know what? At times like this, you're at your most handsome!"