89: Chapter 89 T-ara's Imminent Rebirth

The meeting room of CCM Entertainment Company was thick with a tense atmosphere.

The seven members of T-ara sat on one side; some of the girls were even rubbing the edge of the table, their expressions full of anxiety.

Ever since Yang Hyeri took over as CEO, their schedule had decreased sharply.

Except for a few commercial activities already signed, they spent almost all their time resting in the dormitory or their respective homes.

Although days without schedules were relaxing, unease haunted everyone at every moment.

In particular, Lee Areum's parents had come to the company to communicate several times, and rumors of her withdrawal were quietly spreading among the members, making the already fragile team atmosphere even more oppressive.

"Why hasn't the CEO-nim arrived yet? Could there be some bad news?"

Jeon Bo-ram lay on the table, her voice muffled, her baby-fat cheeks squeezed together, with a hidden panic deep in her eyes.

Lee Ji-hyun toyed with her phone charm while sending messages.

"Don't overthink it, maybe something just delayed her."

Despite her words, her eyes lacked confidence; after all, since the bullying incident, they were no longer that top girl group that could vaguely rival Girls Generation.

Park Soyeon sat in the middle, looking at news of f(x), whose popularity had suddenly surged recently with a massive increase in resources, feeling a mix of emotions in her heart.

Especially within the current group, things were already very difficult, and the changes in the company's shareholders made her feel even more flustered.

The new CEO, Yang Hyeri, was actually quite gentle, letting them rest more, but she hadn't made any further arrangements for the group's future.

Within the group, she had also communicated with Lee Areum, who only said she would follow her parents' arrangements.

The meaning of this was already very clear.

The others were equally filled with worry.

Just then, the meeting room door was pushed open, and Yang Hyeri walked in first, wearing a professional smile.

"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Director Jiang Hongshao of JS Investment Company, and she is now the actual owner of our CCM Entertainment Company."

As her voice fell, two figures entered side by side.

Jiang Hongshao was still in a formal suit, her burgundy curly hair draped down, her aura fully unleashed.

In front of her, Liu Zijun wore a simple black shirt with sleeves rolled up, revealing the smooth lines of his forearms; he had a gentle smile on his face, and when his gaze swept over everyone, it paused for an extra second on Park Soyeon.

"Mr. Liu Zijun, it's you?"

The seven of them cried out in surprise almost simultaneously, and Park Soyeon even stood up directly, her eyes full of disbelief.

They never expected that the f(x) bodyguard who had sent sunflower support items to the waiting room and cheered loudly for them at the Gayo Daejeon would actually appear here.

The key was that he was even walking in front of Jiang Hongshao.

They certainly knew Jiang Hongshao; she was the recently rapidly rising newcomer in the entertainment industry.

Not only had she acquired the vast majority of CCM Entertainment Company's shares to become their new boss.

Later, she even became the second-largest shareholder of SM Entertainment and had close cooperation with the SD Group.

Not only that, Kira Jiang Hongshao, the director of JS Investment Company, was also a stunning beauty whose figure and looks were not at all inferior to a Peninsula female idol.

Many noble sons of chaebol moguls had expressed strong curiosity about her, and she had many suitors.

She not only had methods and capital but also looks.

In The Peninsula circle now, she was quite a figure.

But now, she was actually obediently following behind this bodyguard of Choi Sulli.

Jiang Hongshao walked to the lower-left of the head seat and sat down, gesturing for Liu Zijun to sit in the head seat.

Then she said straightforwardly, "I presume you are all not unfamiliar with Liu Zijun. To introduce him formally, he is the actual controller of JS Investment Company and my only boss.

Currently, JS Investment holds 100% of the shares in CCM Entertainment, which is to say, from today onwards, your future is up to him."

"What?"

This news was like a thunderclap exploding in the meeting room.

Shock was written all over the faces of every T-ara member, while the youngest, Lee Areum, lowered her head, her fingers twisting together as her expression became conflicted.

They simply could not connect the person before them, who seemed like their fan, with the investor who controlled their destiny.

Liu Zijun felt everyone's gaze but didn't feel the slightest discomfort.

He just spoke calmly: "I know you have many questions in your hearts, but for now, let's handle the team's matters first.

CEO Yang said that Areum-xi's parents have the idea of having you withdraw from the group, is that right?"

With the topic suddenly shifting to her, Lee Areum jerked her head up, her eyes turning slightly red.

"I... my parents feel the team's current situation is not good, I... I..."

She bit her lip, leaving the rest unsaid, but the reluctance and resolve in her eyes already explained everything.

Her parents were sitting right next to her; they had been specially invited by Yang Hyeri.

Hearing this, they also stood up and bowed to Jiang Hongshao and Liu Zijun.

"We are truly sorry; we know it's irresponsible to have Areum leave the group now. But Areum is still young, and we don't want her to be constantly affected by negative public opinion; we hope she can have better development."

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became heavy.

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes reddened, and she took Lee Areum's hand, saying, "Areum, do you really have to go? Let's wait a bit longer, maybe things will get better."

Park Ji-yeon also followed with persuasion: "Yeah, we've worked hard together for so long, how can you just leave?"

Looking at the sisters she had spent years with, Lee Areum's tears finally couldn't help but fall.

"I'm sorry, unnie, I really..."

Liu Zijun watched this scene and didn't let them say more, only nodding as he said, "I respect your choice. CEO Yang, handle the subsequent contract termination process as quickly as possible, and then release the announcement."

Lee Areum's parents hurriedly thanked him, and pulling the still-crying Lee Areum, they bowed deeply to the other members together and turned to walk out of the meeting room.

The moment the door closed, Jeon Bo-ram, like a small child, could no longer hold it in and lay on the table crying.

The remaining six remained silent, an air of despair permeating the room.

With the shadow of the "Bullying Scandal" yet to dissipate and another member withdrawing, they truly began to doubt if T-ara was really coming to an end.

Liu Zijun looked at them and asked, "Everyone has the right to make their own choices, but for your choices, you must also bear the corresponding responsibilities."

"Do any of the six of you still want to withdraw?"

Ham Eun-jung took a deep breath and looked up, a trace of stubbornness in her eyes.

"No matter what, I won't withdraw. Even if I'm the only one left, I will keep going."

Liu Zijun took an extra look at her.

Park Hyomin followed by saying, "I won't withdraw either! The six of us have been through so much, we can't just give up like this."

Jeon Bo-ram wiped her tears and choked out, "I'm staying too; we are T-ara."

Lee Ji-hyun nodded: "We've come so far together, there's no reason to give up halfway."

Park Ji-yeon clenched her fists: "As long as there's still one person willing to support us, I want to stay on the stage."

Park Soyeon looked at the sisters beside her, a warm current surging in her heart.

She turned to look at Liu Zijun and said with a firm gaze, "None of us will withdraw."

Liu Zijun looked at the six girls with stubborn eyes before him, and a long-absent smile appeared on his face.

"Good!"

Seeing Liu Zijun's gesture.

Jiang Hongshao took over the conversation, stopping her play with her nails.

She said directly: "Tomorrow, CCM Entertainment will be officially renamed JS Entertainment, and we will adjust the resources for the groups under the company."

"Additionally, regarding your 'bullying' incident, we have already collected a complete chain of evidence."

"The slander from Ryu Hwayoung and her sister fabricating facts, the recordings and chat logs of them privately blackening the members, the internal documents of CCM's improper handling back then, and the manipulators behind those marketing accounts and internet water armies that maliciously spread rumors—we have investigated them all."

These words caused the eyes of the six to light up instantly; everyone began to cry, and Park Soyeon was so excited her body trembled slightly.

They had waited for this day for a very long time.

"The day after tomorrow at ten in the morning, we will hold a press conference to release all the evidence and clear T-ara's name."

"At the same time, we will file lawsuits against those individuals and groups who maliciously slandered you and caused a negative impact, pursuing them to the end."

"When the time comes, just follow the company's arrangements and fully cooperate with the company."

She jerked her chin toward Yang Hyeri.

Yang Hyeri continued: "Not only that, the company will also tailor a new comeback album for you, inviting a top production team; everything from the music style to the stage design will be re-planned."

"When the time comes, I hope you can show everyone a different T-ara."

Led by Park Soyeon, the six girls stood up simultaneously and bowed deeply to Liu Zijun, Jiang Hongshao, and the others: "Thank you!"

After looking up, Park Soyeon suddenly asked Liu Zijun, "You are so good to me and Sulli, is everything you've done because of Oppa Soomyeong?"

Liu Zijun first nodded, and then shook his head.