Chapter 413 Who Will Win
My little follower...
A subtle glimmer appeared in Wu Hae-won's blinking eyes.
What the heck, Chairman really says such troublesome things so seriously.
Wu Hae-won shook her head, dispelling the chaotic thoughts, and Jiang Shu's voice sounded in her ear at the right time.
“The banquet is about to begin. Do you want to sit with others, or sit alone?”
“Me, by myself?”
“It's fine if you don't want to be with me,” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
“No, no, not at all.” Wu Hae-won waved her hands repeatedly, “I mean, can it just be the two of us sitting together, without anyone else?”
“Yes,” Jiang Shu replied, “This banquet is meant for everyone to gather and have fun. If you like a lively atmosphere, you can sit at a large table; if not, that's fine, no pressure.”
Wu Hae-won nodded in understanding.
“Then can I come here in the future too?”
“You can, but it's best not to come by yourself when I'm not here.” Jiang Shu's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, and Wu Hae-won immediately thought of how those senior artists would force smiles next to unfamiliar men and women.
“I understand.”
It's better to find a place to play by herself when there's nothing going on.
“Chairman Jiang!” A waiter scurried over, bowing to Jiang Shu.
“What is it?” Jiang Shu glanced at him and asked.
“Chairman Fang requests your presence at the main table.”
“We won't go; a small table will do,” Jiang Shu refused.
“Understood.” The waiter bowed again, then quickly left to report back.
“I feel like they treat you as if you were an emperor,” Wu Hae-won muttered softly, watching the waiter's retreating back.
“The service here is to ensure every guest receives emperor-like treatment,” Jiang Shu explained.
Guests here can order around any non-senior staff members like eunuchs; as long as they don't kill them, beating or scolding is allowed.
“I've asked them to prepare Japanese cuisine. Just tell the waiter what you'd like to eat.”
“Understood.” Wu Hae-won replied, “I'll have Japanese cuisine too.”
“Are you sure? I don't eat sashimi, so there will be a lot of fried dishes.”
“It's fine, today's a cheat day!” Wu Hae-won answered with a grin.
Since she said so, Jiang Shu didn't say anything more.
The two found a small table and sat down.
As soon as she sat down, Wu Hae-won felt something was off. Why did it feel like everyone was looking this way?
Her gaze fell on Jiang Shu.
It must be because of Chairman.
Tsk, she was benefiting from him too.
“Tomorrow, Girls' Generation, the company's newly formed limited group, will begin recording their debut song. Do you have time tomorrow?”
“I have a schedule.” Wu Hae-won actually wanted to go see it, but having a schedule meant she couldn't.
“Alright.” Jiang Shu stopped there upon hearing that. If she didn't have time, there was no need to extend the conversation.
“Chairman, when will Xue Yun and the others debut?” While dinner hadn't been served yet, Wu Hae-won asked Jiang Shu.
“In a few months, before August.”
“Is there an event in August? A summer girl group war?”
“No, IU and Taeyeon are making a comeback in August,” Jiang Shu said casually.
“Coming back together?” Wu Hae-won was stunned and asked.
Jiang Shu suddenly came to his senses. It seemed he shouldn't have told Wu Hae-won that.
But now that he had… did it really matter?
“Lee Sun-mi and Kim Hyun-a are already in the lower tier. Now, among the four female soloists, there's still one missing for the top spot. The company is having the two of them make a comeback together, which will just decide a winner.”
Jiang Shu didn't play favorites.
The songs for Kim Tae-yeon and Lee Ji-eun's comebacks this time were for concert warm-ups, what fans often call “battle anthems.”
And objectively speaking, Kim Tae-yeon's “Spark” was more rhythmic than Lee Ji-eun's “Eight.”
Aside from him rapping for Lee Ji-eun, Kim Tae-yeon had the advantage in everything else.
“Emmm, who do you hope wins?” Wu Hae-won blinked, looking at Jiang Shu slyly and asking.
“That's a very sly question of yours.” Jiang Shu looked at Wu Hae-won in surprise. This big-eyed, bushy-browed person, is her heart that dark?
“What about you? Who do you hope wins?” Jiang Shu retorted.
“Uh… either is fine with me.” Wu Hae-won didn't dare to reply. What if Jiang Shu, being a mischief-maker, actually told Kim Tae-yeon and Lee Ji-eun? Wouldn't she be doomed?
“Then either is fine with me too,” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
Wu Hae-won's mouth twitched slightly.
“I'll tell you, Chairman, but please don't tell the two seniors, okay?” Wu Hae-won hesitated, then said.
She really wanted to know Jiang Shu's thoughts.
“Alright.” Jiang Shu nodded, completely unconcerned.
Even if Wu Hae-won hadn't brought it up, he wouldn't have told Kim Tae-yeon and Lee Ji-eun. Why would he tell them?
Those in high positions must always be mindful of their words and actions; those below will scrutinize every word you say.
Kim Tae-yeon and Lee Ji-eun were not close friends or above with him, so they would still scrutinize Jiang Shu's words.
Generally, Jiang Shu wouldn't mention others to these less familiar artists, unless there was a specific reason.
Thinking from a subordinate's perspective, if Jiang Shu told Kim Tae-yeon and Lee Ji-eun Wu Hae-won's opinion, those two would surely wonder if he had an issue with Wu Hae-won, and then take a series of actions against her.
Therefore, Jiang Shu wouldn't talk too much with artists unless necessary.
Casual chats like now were fine, though.
“I think… Senior IU will win,” Wu Hae-won stated her opinion.
“Why?” Jiang Shu's expression shifted, and he asked.
“Because when Senior IU and Senior Hyuna competed back then, Senior IU created a miracle. Now, with both of them having similar popularity, I don't see any reason for Senior IU to lose.”
That confrontation was still too deeply ingrained in people's minds.
Aside from Jiang Shu, probably no one thought Lee Ji-eun could win. Ever since that astonishing reversal, whenever Lee Ji-eun clashed with a solo artist, countless people saw it as a guaranteed win for her.
In fact, Lee Ji-eun hasn't lost to this day.
“I'm done. What about you, Chairman?”
“The same,” Jiang Shu immediately replied, “IU is indeed very powerful. I also believe she will win.”
If even you, Chairman, believe Senior IU will win, then does Senior Taeyeon still have a chance?
Wu Hae-won muttered to herself.
At this moment, a waiter pushed a dining cart over.
“Chairman Jiang, Hae-won xi, I'm here to serve your meal.”
“Hmm, no need for alcohol. Replace it with drinks,” Jiang Shu said, looking at the Lafite on the cart.
“Understood.” The waiter replied, then placed the various Japanese dishes from the cart onto the table one by one.
Jiang Shu had requested no sashimi, so the kitchen didn't prepare any raw food dishes, not even the classic raw sterile egg in Japanese cuisine.
The focus was entirely on fully cooked Japanese food.
“Stop looking, let's eat.”
“Oh, oh.”
