93: Chapter 93 The Conflict of Girlhood

Inside SM Entertainment Company, in f(x)'s practice room, five girls were dressed in loose clothing. Sweat dripped down their faces from their foreheads as a song from their upcoming comeback album played on loop.

Not even the sweat covering their faces could hide the joy they felt.

This was because they were leaving for New Zealand this afternoon to begin overseas filming for "Amazing f(x)".

When the song ended, all five sat on the floor to catch their breath.

Choi Sulli leaned against the wall, looking at her phone, the screen stopped on the real-time trending search page.

Search terms about T-ara dominated the top of the trending list.

She clicked on one of them, and the screen was filled with comments defending T-ara.

Some netizens even dug up old photos of T-ara members looking lonely in the waiting room, captioned—'Finally, vindicated.'

As her finger scrolled through the news articles, her eyes gradually grew deep.

JS Investment had suddenly appeared to acquire CCM Entertainment, becoming T-ara's new agency.

Immediately after, they injected capital into SM Entertainment, leaping to become the second-largest shareholder.

Since then, f(x)'s resources had visibly skyrocketed, transforming from a small, neglected group into a hot commodity sought after by major brands both at home and abroad.

Even Girls Generation's comeback stages received significantly more prime-time exposure.

More importantly, there were her intimate interactions with Liu Zijun in the company hallways and their frequent private meetings.

Even when fans caught photos of them riding an electric scooter through the night market in Star City last time, the company not only didn't give her any warnings but also took the initiative to suppress those negative rumors.

Even their Manager Han Jaeran, who knew them best and used to remind her not to get too close to Liu Zijun, had now adopted a completely hands-off approach.

Especially during the New Year, when Liu Zijun's mother, Lin Wanrou, gifted her that property in Beijing, China.

At the time, she just thought the auntie was being too warm and didn't take it to heart much.

But after returning, she happened to hear Victoria Song mention the location and value of that house again.

Then she thought of how Liu Zijun had nonchalantly called it a small token of his elders' appreciation, acting as if it were nothing.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

She had also heard Liu Zijun on the phone; the person on the other end called him by his English name, Jayden, while she was called Sulli.

And the name of this suddenly rising new company just happened to be JS Investment.

With so many coincidences, she had already vaguely guessed something.

Although Liu Zijun always called her a silly girl, Jin-ri wasn't silly at all!

It turned out he really was fulfilling his promise to Oppa Soomyeong!

Victoria Song walked over, handed her a bottle of chilled mineral water, and followed her gaze to the phone screen.

"What are you thinking about? You've been spacing out for so long."

"This T-ara business... I guess their suffering has finally come to an end."

Choi Sulli nodded and said, "Yeah! The T-ara unnies finally don't have to suffer any more grievances."

Once the discussion about T-ara ended, they began chattering about the trip to New Zealand.

The atmosphere in the practice room became lively again, but Krystal Jung watched Choi Sulli's back, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes.

That person is going too. How annoying!

...

Meanwhile, Girls Generation's van was on its way to an event venue.

The members were also discussing the T-ara situation.

Tiffany Young chewed on strawberry-flavored gum, swinging her legs as she sighed.

"I really didn't expect T-ara to see this day. They were criticized so harshly before."

Choi Sooyoung leaned against the car window, scrolling through interview videos of the T-ara members on her phone, and said, "Now that JS Entertainment is backing them, their new album will definitely be a hit. They might even return to their peak. Our competition just got tougher!"

The discussion continued!

Just then, Kim Hyoyeon suddenly pulled a gold-embossed invitation from her bag, waved it, and said, "Oh right! Sica, there's a cocktail party tonight. I know someone from the organizer's side, and they gave me an invitation.

They said many big shots will be there, including capital from Hong Kong Island and Shanghai. How about I introduce you to some of them?

Haven't you been researching some fashion brand lately?"

Jessica Jung's hand, which was touching up her makeup, paused for a moment, a flicker of interest flashing in her eyes.

She had been preparing her personal fashion brand for a while now and had always lacked reliable capital and channel support.

There are quite a lot of wealthy people in China now, far beyond what The Peninsula can compare with.

The capital from those two places is incredibly strong. If she could make some connections, it would indeed be a great opportunity.

She put down her lipstick, took the invitation to look at it, and asked, "When is it? Where?"

Kim Hyoyeon smiled and said, "Tomorrow night at seven, at the Lisa Hotel in Gangnam District. I'll call you when it's time to go together."

She didn't notice Im Yoona's face instantly darkening.

Im Yoona gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed.

She suddenly remembered what Liu Zijun had warned her about before.

Choi Sulli and Choi Jae-ho were introduced by Kim Hyoyeon at a drinking party. Later, Choi Jae-ho developed ill intentions toward Sulli, leading to a series of subsequent events.

That was why Liu Zijun had shown such a terrifying side, doing things that still made her heart race with fear just thinking about them.

Now Kim Hyoyeon was going to introduce Jessica Jung to unknown capital.

Who knew what kind of people those so-called big shots were?

Im Yoona's voice carried a hint of urgency and warning: "Hyo-yeon Eonni, let's not go. Those kinds of parties are a mixed bag. We finally have some time to rest; wouldn't it be better to just relax?"

Kim Hyoyeon didn't care at all, clearly not understanding her concerns.

"Going out for a drink is also a way to relax!

Besides, it's just to meet someone. What could happen?

Everyone attending is a capitalist. How is it a mixed bag?

Moreover, Sica's brand needs resources. This is a good opportunity."

Im Yoona's tone became a bit more stern and anxious.

"Those capitalists—which one of them doesn't eat people alive? It's better not to go."

Im Yoona's tone caused the entire van to fall silent.

Kim Hyoyeon retorted, "Yoona! It's not like we haven't attended these parties before. How is it that complicated? You're being a bit excessive, aren't you?"

"But before, you introduced Sulli and Choi Jae-ho, and so many things happened afterward..."

Im Yoona was interrupted by Kim Hyoyeon before she could finish.

Kim Hyoyeon's tone carried a hint of impatience and displeasure.

"How is that the same? Choi Jae-ho was just an isolated case. This time, the organizer is very reliable!

Yoona, are you overthinking things? I'm doing this for Sica's own good."

Im Yoona raised her voice, and the atmosphere in the car instantly froze.

"I'm not overthinking. I'm afraid you'll run into danger!"

Kim Hyoyeon shot back, "What danger could there be in attending a cocktail party? Would I harm Sica?"

Tiffany Young quickly tried to mediate, saying, "Okay, okay, stop arguing. Let's talk things through calmly."

Lee Soonkyu Sunny also pulled on Kim Hyoyeon's arm and urged, "Hyoyeon, Yoona is just worried about you. Don't be angry."

But Kim Hyoyeon was in the heat of the moment and shook off Lee Soonkyu's hand, saying, "I'm kindly introducing resources to Sica. How could there be any danger? Yoona, do you have a problem with me?"

Im Yoona looked at her stubbornness and shook her head.

Then she turned to look at Jessica Jung, her tone softening a bit: "Jessica Unnie, please don't go, okay? That kind of party really isn't necessary.

Besides, Joon oppa once said that capital! It only ever plays with capital..."

At the mention of "Liu Zijun," Jessica Jung's face instantly turned cold.

She had been hesitating, but hearing Im Yoona bring up Liu Zijun, that bit of hesitation vanished instantly.

"Whether I go or not is my decision."

"Hyoyeon is acting out of kindness. Why shouldn't I go? This is my business; you don't need to worry about it."

Im Yoona was stunned; she hadn't expected Jessica Jung to react this way.

Her own expression turned cold as well.

Kim Taeyeon, as the leader and the one who loved the group the most, watched on.

The members of Girls Generation had already had many disputes over resources before, and now everyone had their own ideas.

Many had already lost their original intentions; Girls Generation was no longer what it was a few years ago.

Setting aside whether it was good or bad, the team was truly becoming difficult to lead.

She closed her eyes slightly, feeling a bit tired.

Lee Soonkyu looked at them, wanting to advise them but letting out a soft sigh instead, ultimately saying nothing.