Chapter 187: Cube
Under the complete suppression of Unique Star, even though this bond had not fully evolved, it still displayed significant suppressive power.
In their first clash, Lee Ji-eun barely managed to suppress Kim Hyun-a, but as time went on, the gap between them widened. By the time Kim Hyun-a finished her promotional period, the difference had nearly doubled.
Complete suppression means complete suppression, and this gap will gradually widen during the suppression period. Others might find this data exaggerated, but Jiang Shu knows clearly that this is just the beginning.
DM Entertainment, Chairman's Office.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Come in.”
The door was forcefully pushed open, and the sound of high heels clattering entered his ears. Jiang Shu unhurriedly raised his head, and what met his eyes was Li Duohui’s face filled with disbelief.
“Chairman, how did you do it?”
“I thought you’d come to me when Ji-eun got her first win,” Jiang Shu said calmly, looking at Li Duohui.
He hadn't expected Li Duohui to be so patient, waiting until Kim Hyun-a announced the end of her promotional period before coming to him.
“I initially thought winning once was just a coincidence. Who would have thought she could keep winning?” Li Duohui’s voice carried unconcealed shock.
It was already unbelievable enough for Lee Ji-eun to win against Kim Hyun-a once. Who would have thought she would win every time, and with the gap widening each time?
Under such a direct and crushing defeat, Kim Hyun-a’s position as one of the two top female soloists was questioned. Kim Hyun-a’s fans, to protect their idol’s standing, had no choice but to admit that Lee Ji-eun was strong, not that Kim Hyun-a was weak.
Moreover, this time, the sales, streams, and other data for “Bbibbi” completely reached the level of Lee Sun-mi and Kim Hyun-a, even exceeding them by a significant margin.
Korean Entertainment is not like fantasy leveling up and monster-slaying; overnight success absolutely exists.
Lee Ji-eun’s success this time wasn't exactly overnight, but with several months of pre-release hype as a foundation, this completely overwhelming victory attracted a massive base of casual listeners and new fans for her.
It could be said that she won completely and thoroughly.
“See? She really has been winning,” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
“From the results, you were right. But why were you so sure Lee Ji-eun would win?” Li Duohui asked, puzzled.
Lee Ji-eun’s win wasn’t a crushing victory. While she had a complete lead during her first win, all five data points were only slightly ahead. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a narrow victory, which was completely different from Jiang Shu’s earlier certainty that Lee Ji-eun would definitely win.
Where did Jiang Shu’s confidence come from?
“Because I saw unique potential in Lee Ji-eun.”
It was that kind of strange answer again.
Li Duohui was a bit helpless but wisely said nothing more.
“With Red Velvet’s comeback approaching, S.M. has asked us to cooperate with them for the final promotions. Do you have any arrangements?”
“No, you can handle it yourselves,” Jiang Shu said, waving his hand. “I’ll be busy with other matters for a while. Unless it’s extremely important, you can make decisions on your own.”
His current girl group deployment was already arranged. Next, Jiang Shu needed to lay some groundwork for IZONE’s three-year plan, and these matters didn't need to be known by them.
Jiang Shu trusted DM Entertainment’s executives, but not entirely.
“Alright.” Li Duohui didn’t overthink it and nodded in agreement after hearing Jiang Shu’s words.
After discussing decisions for other company projects, Li Duohui saw that they had talked enough and stood up to leave.
Jiang Shu glanced at the current time and also stood up.
...
Seoul, Gangnam District, Seocho-gu, JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, Twenty-second floor business suite.
Click.
The door opened, and a woman wearing a bathrobe, with a graceful figure and a large expanse of her chest exposed, entered Jiang Shu’s sight.
Jiang Shu’s gaze showed no fluctuation, lingering on the woman’s beautiful face for half a second.
“Where’s Ji Lei?”
“You’re looking for Mr. Ji?” The woman looked at Jiang Shu, finding him somewhat familiar. Not daring to be negligent, she turned and went back into the room to call him.
Jiang Shu took the opportunity to walk in.
Soon, his cousin-in-law, wearing only a pair of large shorts, came into Jiang Shu’s view.
Upon seeing Jiang Shu, Ji Lei’s expression became somewhat unnatural.
“Uh, Jiang Shu, you’re here.”
“Get out,” Jiang Shu said to the woman in Korean.
The woman hesitated, looking at Ji Lei.
“You go out first.”
The woman bowed to Ji Lei and then left the room.
“Jiang Shu, don’t worry, I promise this kind of thing won’t happen again!” As soon as the woman left, Ji Lei quickly swore his loyalty.
“I won’t concern myself with such matters, as long as they don’t delay what I’ve arranged,” Jiang Shu said indifferently, looking at the somewhat flustered Ji Lei.
He wasn't close to his original body's cousin, and he needed Ji Lei to do some things. Why would he expose him?
Ji Lei was stunned. Hearing Jiang Shu’s words, he was immediately overjoyed.
“Don’t worry! I will absolutely carry out your arrangements perfectly!”
Jiang Shu took a set of keys from his pocket and tossed them to him.
“This is an apartment in Gangnam District. I’ve rented it for you for half a year. Half a year is enough time for you to do what I’ve arranged.”
Ji Lei quickly took the keys.
“What do you need me to do?”
“While learning Korean, you should have gained some understanding of Korean Entertainment.”
Ji Lei nodded.
“I want you to become a director of Cube Entertainment. You don’t need to have significant influence there, but at least ensure you can attend when the board of directors meets,” Jiang Shu stated his requirement.
“No problem!” Ji Lei agreed immediately. “Even if it’s one of the Three Greats, I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”
Jiang Shu scoffed inwardly. If the Three Greats were that easy to get into, he wouldn’t have traded half of aespa for it.
But now wasn’t the time to discourage him.
“Then go do it. Implement this as soon as possible,” Jiang Shu said, glancing at the various toys and clothes on the floor, and reminded him, “Play all you want, but don’t get into trouble.”
“Understood!” Ji Lei nodded frantically like a pecking chick. He was a henpecked husband, only indulging a little in Korea, a place his wife couldn't reach. If he were at home, he wouldn’t even dare to meet female colleagues privately; if discovered, it would be “death.”
Fortunately, Jiang Shu saw it and didn’t intervene, otherwise Ji Lei would have been wondering whether he should go home and beg for forgiveness.
However...
Ji Lei secretly glanced at his younger brother by marriage. The aura around him was so heavy, even more intimidating than his aunt and uncle.
He truly was a formidable person who could carve out a career in a foreign land.
“If you need anything, call me. We shouldn’t have any direct contact,” Jiang Shu said to Ji Lei.
“Alright!” Ji Lei’s instinctive reply was like addressing a superior.
Jiang Shu nodded, then turned and left.