Chapter 223: By Imperial Decree 80
“One more thing, the company’s family Mid-Autumn Festival gala has been set for October 1st this year. Xiao Liu, you’ll be the host.”
Liu Zhimin pointed to herself in surprise.
“Me?”
“Yes, Xiao Yuan is too young, so you’ll do it.”
“Alright.”
“Ningning.” Jiang Shu turned to look at Ning Yizhuo.
“Yes!” Ning Yizhuo instinctively sat up straighter.
“I asked someone to talk to your family’s culture and tourism department. Take some time from your schedule to go home and discuss cultural and tourism promotion with them.”
Ning Yizhuo was stunned.
“Can I do it?”
Although she had some recognition in Korea, she wasn’t particularly prominent in China right now. Even K-pop fans weren't that familiar with her.
“Start with your hometown’s city-level units, not the promotion of the entire province right away.”
He didn't have the ability to pull off that kind of promotion either.
Jiang Shu’s asking price was very low, not enough to even hire a third-tier singer in China. Of course, Harbin’s culture and tourism department wouldn't refuse. She was family, still working in Korea, and most importantly, she was cheap. Why not take it?
“Yes.”
“Giselle.”
“Yes!”
“You’ll follow Sakura and develop the Japan market.”
Giselle was taken aback.
Sakura could be said to be the most popular Japanese person in K-pop right now, and she was very popular in the Japan market too.
The New Kami Seven + IZONE’s four Cs, her idol popularity was top-tier in both Japan and Korea. Many of IZONE’s Japan activities benefited from the Sakura trio.
Compared to the Sakura trio, although Giselle had also debuted, she wasn't that prominent in aespa, and her popularity wasn't particularly high.
She wasn't particularly fond of chasing trends either; she was content to go with the flow, letting others compete while she did her own thing.
But with Jiang Shu’s words, the nature of things changed.
This was chasing trends by imperial decree.
She didn't fight or snatch, but there was no reason to refuse popularity that was handed to her.
“Yes.” Giselle nodded in agreement.
“Winter.” Jiang Shu turned to look at Xiao Dongxi.
It’s my turn, it’s my turn!
Kim Minjeong excitedly responded, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Jiang Shu.
Seeing Kim Minjeong’s expectant expression, Jiang Shu’s lips curved upwards.
“I want you to bully Ningning.”
Kim Minjeong: “(' ')”
Ning Yizhuo: “Σ(°△°|||)︴”
Liu Zhimin: “(⊙o⊙)”
Giselle: “_”
“Bu… bully?” Kim Minjeong looked at Jiang Shu with an incredulous expression. Was this something that could be said?
If Korean artists wanted to make a living in the Chinese market, the one thing they couldn't touch was politics. Then, for Korean artists in Korean Entertainment, the one thing they couldn't touch was bullying.
Even just a bullying controversy could cause popularity to plummet.
Bae Joo-hyun’s popularity in Korea was directly cut in half due to the controversy of bullying her makeup artist, and she relied entirely on her popularity in China to sustain her.
Xu Suizhen was directly forced to withdraw from (G)I-DLE due to a bullying controversy. Even after the bullying incident was clarified, her solo debut flopped completely.
This thing was like a bucket of shit; once it was dumped on you, it smelled bad regardless of whether it was true or not.
And now, what was Jiang Shu saying?
Asking her to bully Ning Yizhuo?
Was she crazy?
Ning Yizhuo was also bewildered.
Bully herself?
Kim Minjeong had a bit of a temper, but it was far from bullying.
And even if it was bullying, why say it in front of her?
“Don’t be so scared, it’s not real bullying.”
Of course, Jiang Shu wasn’t giving up on Kim Minjeong. The ‘small thoughts’ was a very useful bond. Especially at S.M., the second effect of ‘small thoughts’ after generating a large number of anti-fans, in the hands of S.M., who had rich experience in turning anti-fans into fans, these were all future little ice cubes!
“Xiao Liu’s topic popularity is already high enough, so there’s no need to worry about her. Giselle currently needs to follow Sakura and the others to develop the Japan market, so we’ll leave her alone for now. But you two are perfect for my plan.”
Kim Minjeong and Ning Yizhuo exchanged glances, both remaining silent, continuing to listen to Jiang Shu’s explanation.
“It’s not real bullying, but rather showing a tendency towards bullying. Or, rather, pretending to bully.”
“In the future, when you two appear together, Winter, you need to appear as a bully, but not too obviously. Just that feeling of dislike, like this.” Jiang Shu said, pulling up the unprepared Liu Zhimin.
“Smile.”
Liu Zhimin instinctively smiled.
Jiang Shu also smiled and high-fived her.
“Let’s say we’re at a concert right now, after interacting.” Jiang Shu said, then turned his back to Liu Zhimin, his smile instantly fading, and he subtly rolled his eyes, wiping his hand on his body.
This scene left the four girls stunned.
“It’s like this, do you understand?” Jiang Shu asked, looking at Kim Minjeong.
Kim Minjeong: “…”
To say she didn’t understand would be a lie; wasn’t this a natural talent for girls?
But could she say she was very good at it?
Probably not.
“If you don’t speak, I’ll assume you understand.” Jiang Shu didn’t know if others would, but Xiao Dongxi definitely would.
He also didn’t know if Xiao Dongxi was really bullying Ning Yizhuo back then or just playing around, but from the looks of it, she definitely would.
“Ningning, your task is to do nothing. You are the victim; the more silent you are, the better.”
Ning Yizhuo’s lips twitched slightly.
“This way, I’ll get scolded.” Kim Minjeong couldn’t help but say.
“If you don’t get scolded, what am I going through all this trouble for?” Jiang Shu looked at Kim Minjeong strangely.
This rhetorical question silenced Kim Minjeong.
“President, you don’t like me?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then why do you want me to get scolded?” Kim Minjeong asked, puzzled.
“Don’t worry about that, S.M. is very skilled at the ‘black-to-red’ strategy. You getting scolded is for you to become more popular.” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
“Can it really work?” Kim Minjeong looked at Jiang Shu suspiciously.
Her words startled Ning Yizhuo and Giselle. This person actually dared to question the President?
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t destroy the group I personally built.” Jiang Shu chuckled and ruffled Kim Minjeong’s head.
This action made Liu Zhimin’s eyes narrow.
“Cough.” Noticing Liu Zhimin’s gaze, Jiang Shu somewhat guiltily withdrew his hand.
“I’m confident that the criticism you generate will later turn into fans, but the negative effect of doing this is that your two fanbases will likely evolve to be like Xiao Liu and Xiao Yuan’s.” Jiang Shu said, looking at Kim Minjeong and Ning Yizhuo.
“Fan numbers?” Kim Minjeong’s eyes lit up, saying.
“The degree of opposition.” Jiang Shu said with a slight smile.
Fan numbers, she was dreaming.
“Alright.” Kim Minjeong scratched her head. She had thought she could also have fan numbers like Liu Yuan.
“Alright, that’s all there is.” Jiang Shu clapped his hands, “Do you all have anything else? If not, I’m leaving?”
The girls all shook their heads.
“I’m leaving.”