Chapter 61 (Two Chapters Combined) The resigning director + ...
Director Jiang's increasingly forceful tone and his blunt, almost naked words did not cause any change in Han Shangxi's expression.
She has experienced this kind of forced pressure from the outside world many times over a long period of time.
This kind of thing happened many times before my debut, when I was training with President Yang and at my previous company.
While reflecting on what the other person was saying, Han Shangxi learned to automatically purify the emotions conveyed in their tone.
To be honest, Han Shangxi prefers to deal with things as they are and focus on the present moment rather than endure the negative emotions emanating from his superiors.
Director Jiang's words sounded reasonable, and seemed to be for her sake, this child who had one foot in the wrong direction.
She seemed to have no way to defend herself.
But is it really not true?
Since her debut, most of her scandals, big and small, have involved her with "popular seniors".
Why didn't anyone think that she would be labeled as "a certain senior's rumored girlfriend" back then?
Do you really care that much? Do you care about her? Do you care about ETE?
The reason we're bringing this up is ultimately because something happened.
She was really curious about what had happened to make the board members put out these documents.
If she admits her mistake directly, what conditions will the board members offer afterward?
Han Shangxi was also curious about this, but she wouldn't admit her mistake directly.
As people grow up, they realize that in many things, rather than right or wrong, people care more about whether they can achieve their goals.
The choice Han Shangxi faces is never a simple matter of admitting or not admitting his mistakes.
This is the first time Han Shangxi has had a disagreement with Director Jiang, who has shown her kindness. Even if Han Shangxi is young and impetuous, she should listen to what the other party says is for her own good.
However, she needs to gain something and understand some things in order to satisfy Director Jiang's wishes.
Han Shangxi neatly placed the documents in his hand on the table.
But what he said was something Director Jiang hadn't expected.
Why are rumors acceptable?
Her voice trembled slightly as she said those words.
Han Shangxi quickly looked away from Director Jiang, her gaze lowered as if to conceal the emotions in her eyes.
It's dissatisfaction, it's feeling wronged, it's trust in those close to you.
Han Shangxi's question sounded more childish than questioning itself.
Normally calm and rational, but with a prickly exterior in front of others, they inadvertently reveal their wounded side to you.
Welcome to Han Sang-hee's performance moment.
Faced with Han Shangxi like this, Director Jiang became somewhat flustered.
She knew what Han Sang-hee was like with Yang Hyun-suk, and she also knew how much he trusted her.
Han Shangxi's sudden grievance made Jiang Suxian subconsciously begin to reflect on herself.
She does seem to be doing a rather incompetent job.
During this period, she devoted most of her energy to her own affairs. At YG, she mostly delegated authority.
The words I just said were too blunt, leaving no room for the child.
Oh dear, they could have been more tactful.
This child has the most worry-free personality.
Jiang Suxian acted this way because she was so angry when she received the video recording from Yang Xianshuo after the meeting ended.
She doesn't have much time left.
She hopes that, at least before she leaves, ETE can reach a higher level.
In this way, ETE can proceed more smoothly.
Han Sang-hee is the key.
At least with Han Shangxi, no mistakes can be made.
Thinking of this, Jiang Suxian's tone softened when she spoke again.
Shangxi has always trusted her more than anyone else. She has always known this.
"Because scandals are controllable."
Young girls are easily blinded by the illusion of love, letting impulse override reason. At this stage, love is uncontrollable.
You are only twenty-one years old and have a bright future ahead of you.
Why cling to a relationship that has no future?
When Jiang Suxian said these words, she did so with one of her few genuine feelings.
Young children can play, but they need to have enough capital to play. Han Shangxi clearly doesn't have that capital yet.
Han Sang-hee, Hwa Sung-ji, and Lee Min-jin are all different.
In short, from her perspective, it's too early for Han Shangxi to be talking about relationships.
As a result, Director Jiang added a negative prefix to Shangxi's relationship.
It's ethereal and without result.
According to Director Jiang's account, such feelings should be the easiest to discard.
Director Jiang is constantly implying to Han Shangxi that she made a mistake in choosing a partner and that this relationship was a mistake.
Whether the relationship was actually wrong, or whether the other person was as bad as she described, is not important.
She was only doing this to achieve her own goals, nothing more.
Jiang Suxian got married very early; she married the person she loved right after graduating from university.
She now has two adorable children.
They will enjoy a happy and fulfilling marriage and family life, and will also achieve what they desire in their careers.
However, she would not compare herself to Han Sang-hee.
This may stem from the condescending perspective of those in positions of authority.
Love and happiness are both confined to the realm of "possessing resources".
She wouldn't really interfere with Lee Min-jin's relationships, nor would she care too much about Sung Ji-hye's boyfriends.
Regardless of whether their boyfriends are "popular seniors".
Some rules, from the very beginning, were established specifically for Han Sang-hee.
This is something everyone tacitly understands.
"Isn't the director afraid that saying this will make me have a rebellious thought?"
After all, feelings that are not accepted by society are often the most steadfast.
Han Shangxi raised her head again, her previous expression of injury completely gone, replaced by confusion—a genuine, heartfelt confusion.
She didn't understand why the current Jiang Council and President Yang were so similar.
However, she also understood the reasons behind GD's choices at times.
Humans are truly creatures that are constantly changing.
Those who don't change will only get hurt more.
Hearing the childish words, Jiang Suxian felt a little relieved.
The fact that the child asked this question indicates two things: first, the other person is still close to her; second, she listened to her.
"You've always been smart and good at making choices."
You even gave up the chance to regain your hearing in order to debut. What more could you expect now?
Focus on ETE, on your development; that's what you should be doing right now, Shangxi.
Jiang Suxian had always known some things.
For example, Han Sang-hee gave up the opportunity to go abroad for treatment before her debut.
She brought this up without any attempt to conceal it, using it as an example of "Han Sang-hee being good at making choices".
When Director Jiang praised his decision to give up with an affirmative tone, Han Shangxi suddenly had the thought, "How absurd is this world sometimes?"
She then realized that this wasn't the first time she'd had this thought.
However, now is not a good time to entertain this idea.
Han Shangxi sighed inwardly.
“Director, I need more reasons to convince me.”
What made you call us all together after today's meeting to discuss these things that we've all been tacitly agreeing on for a long time?
Director Jiang may only have learned about her situation today, but he has always known about the other two.
Is this whole drama only happening because of her?
Han Sang-hee didn't think he could be that important.
It's amazing that so many people were able to participate in this whole thing.
Her previous setup was all for the sake of addressing the current issue.
"You want me to focus on ETE."
However, ETE's development over the past year or so should be quite satisfactory.
With ETE having board members, who in the company could bully us?
As he finished speaking, Han Shangxi clearly felt his heart racing.
That's a bit bad; her choice of words was a bit too obvious.
However, no matter what he was thinking, Han Shangxi remained outwardly normal, and his gaze towards Director Jiang was also very natural.
Where Director Jiang couldn't see, Han Shangxi's fingers left a deep mark on his palm.
Jiang Suxian's expression changed from relaxed to a look of inquiry in her eyes as she looked at Han Shangxi.
She stared at Han Sang-hee, trying to discern something from his face.
Seeing that the other person's expression changed from natural to tense as if they realized they had asked something they shouldn't have, Jiang Suxian looked away.
Whether the child is genuinely nervous or just acting, it doesn't matter.
It won't do any harm to what she's about to say.
"I will officially leave the company next year."
Lee Young-cheol, Min-jin's older sister, you should have heard of her. She wants you to take over my position, including a small portion of YG's shares.
Before I leave, I hope that ETE can achieve the best that Shangxi can.
In that case, Shangxi, things will go smoothly for you from now on.
Otherwise, given Sang-hee's young age, it will be difficult for him to lead ETE to a long career at YG.
Jiang Suxian spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something extremely ordinary.
The most emotionally charged moment in the entire speech was when she mentioned Li Rongzhe, her eyes showing a clear smile.
She wouldn't have come to YG as a director if it weren't for a friend's request.
Of course, she didn't regret it. After all, putting everything else aside, the gift her friend gave her was something she really wanted.
Without Li Rongzhe's help, she wouldn't have been able to have such a smooth experience during this time.
That's one of the reasons she did this today.
However, her final reminder to Han Sang-hee was also sincere.
Some positions are not ones that anyone can hold onto simply because they want to.
"YG Director"—this unexpected offer landed right in front of Han Sang-hee.
She wasn't blinded by this "luck," but instead chose to ask questions.
"Why me?"
Why her?
When Jiang Suxian heard this question, a smile reappeared on her face.
She thought Han Sang-hee was a very interesting child.
"She said it was a gift, a reward for your hard work over the past year."
As Director Jiang finished speaking...
Han Sang-hee smiled for the first time since entering the room.
In Director Jiang's eyes, it was a smile of joy and recognition.
Only Han Shangxi knew that there was a hint of absurdity in her laughter.
The game moves from the original chessboard to a larger one.
However, she at least later had the opportunity to no longer be a piece on the original chessboard.
Han Shangxi didn't know whether to say that this opportunity was too absurd or to lament that the world was too ridiculous.
However, once she seizes an opportunity, she will never let it go.
Now that things have come to this point, it seems unreasonable for the two of you not to discuss the future development of ETE.
Some things become less important at this moment.
Neither of the two people present today expected that they would talk about this topic.
After a brief period of consensus, Director Jiang let Han Shangxi leave.
"The two children outside are still waiting for you."
I won't go into that today.
Before getting up to leave, Han Shangxi thought for a moment and decided to put an end to the original topic.
"I am not dating GD, and I will keep my distance from GD in the future. Please rest assured, Director."
After saying that, she stopped looking at the other person's reaction and left.
She thought the board members probably wanted this answer.
If it were just the original topic, she might not be able to let go of the game with GD.
But as the stakes increased, Han Shangxi admitted that she was drawn to an even more interesting game.
What she calls "the more interesting game" will, to some extent, determine her future a year from now.
Regardless, Han Shangxi has to give up some things in these situations. If she doesn't, she herself will be the one to be given up.
She hasn't yet stepped onto a bigger stage.
She couldn't afford to lose this opportunity.
This was Han Sang-hee's only thought before opening the door, after gaining a great deal of information during the conversation.
After leaving the house, Han Shangxi took his cell phone from Minister Li, but did not turn it on immediately.
"Everything is going well, I guess."
"It's alright."
Lost in thought, Han Sang-hee belatedly responded to Minister Lee's concern.
Li Chuxia assumed that this person was just confused after being scolded by the director, and looked at him with a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Some things are just a little sad in the moment."
She subtly conveyed the meaning of comfort.
"Yes, thank you, Minister."
Han Shangxi nodded earnestly and thanked Minister Li.
Minister Li has always been very concerned about her.
Most of the people she encountered at the companies were actually kind to her.
A goodwill response should be met with the same goodwill.
Seeing that Han Shangxi came out unharmed, the two waiting outside were relieved.
"You're finally out."
Lee Min-jin's tense nerves relaxed after Han Sang-hee came out.
She was genuinely worried that something might happen to her friend.
"How about we go eat barbecue together?" Seeing that Han Shangxi still seemed to be in a daze, Cheng Zhihui tactfully changed the subject. "We've been waiting for you for ages."
It seems these two friends don't know those things yet, Han Shangxi thought.
While knowing the answer makes the decision easier, sometimes not knowing makes things much simpler.
Composing himself, Han Shangxi smiled and responded to their concern.
"Okay, let's go get some barbecue. It's on me."
However, I need to take half an hour to handle some things before that.
Please, Minjin and Jihye, wait for me!
Han Shangxi's tone sounded no different from usual.
Cheng Zhihui and Li Minzhen, who didn't say much, felt a pang of heartache for their friend.
In their eyes, this friend was forced to give up the person she liked.
The half hour set aside is precisely the time for your friends and family to adjust their emotions.
There are some things that seem to be beyond our control.
The two were aware of the sensitive nature of their positions and refrained from saying much at this time.
Han Sang-hee ultimately chose to return to his recording studio.
She checked that room; there shouldn't be any surveillance cameras there.
Leaning back on the sofa, Han Shangxi hugged her newly acquired cushion and quietly waited for her phone to turn on.
She never liked to avoid problems.
Sorry, senior.
Han Shangxi closed his eyes briefly and pressed the call button.
When the call was connected, Han Shangxi, who had been organizing her thoughts, didn't know where to begin.
From this perspective, she really seems like someone who starts something and then abandons it for personal gain.
Anyway, I'm really sorry.
She knew she was bad.
For the first half minute of the call, neither of them spoke first, and only their breathing was transmitted through the receiver.
Han Shangxi finally spoke first.
"Hey, you're not allowed to come back before the 17th. I'll be angry."
She was actually a little worried that he might be coming back today. Whether she said it directly or not wasn't really a problem, but his schedule was what it was. So many flights in such a short time; it was hard not to worry about his health.
Han Sang-hee's words actually made Kwon Ji-yong feel somewhat frustrated.
The other party always handles all the problems independently.
Even knowing that this is due to Han Sang-hee's personality, who wouldn't want to be the exception?
He was waiting for the security check, but after hearing Han Shangxi predict his actions, he responded with a mix of helplessness and amusement.
"Inside."
Since he's said so, he doesn't intend to do anything she doesn't like.
The act of leaving the security check line halfway through seemed somewhat abrupt.
However, most people who choose to fly at this time have their own urgent matters to attend to, so no one pays much attention to Kwon Ji-yong.
"No, senior, you didn't really go to the airport, did you?"
Han Shangxi felt a headache coming on from listening to the other person's tone.
The hand resting on the cushion kept stroking it, as if only in this way could she alleviate the anxiety in her heart.
"No, don't worry."
Kwon Ji-yong directly denied Han Sang-hee's words.
Beneath his light and airy tone lay a complex mix of emotions.
This guy really knows exactly what will make him angry.
He could tell the other person was unhappy, but Han Shangxi had no time to care at that moment.
Because what she was about to say would make him even angrier.
"Senior, you know I don't like to run away from things."
After saying this, in order to calm herself down, Han Shangxi focused her gaze on the news that had been pushed to her.
Okay, it's entertainment news related to the other party.
Having already seen many of these things at the board meeting, seeing them again now naturally doesn't evoke much emotion.
The news headline was eye-catching and managed to calm Han Shangxi down.
Han Sang-hee's words gave Kwon Ji-yong a very bad feeling.
At the same time, there is also a sense of powerlessness.
Han Sang-hee has her own strong will, and Kwon Ji-yong also has his own personality.
To be honest, these two are not really suited to be together.
Kwon Ji-yong didn't respond, but waited for the other party to deliver their judgment on the game.
He was curious how this would end up.
Are we just going to pretend nothing happened?
Because of the company's disapproval
"I'm sorry, senior."
I'm still as bad at handling relationships as ever.
Even though I said I didn't like running away, I still avoided my feelings for my senior and treated it like a game.
But actually, I don't like games at all.
The game's content and the characters it targets don't seem to be what I'm looking for.
I was very happy to indulge in the physiological pleasure brought about by stimulation and intimacy.
But after I came to my senses, I realized that I didn't like the nature of the game.
I can't recklessly indulge in it, nor can I make the game more than just a game.
My senior did nothing wrong in this matter. Ever since I met him, I have always been the one being helped by him.
I also enjoyed working with my seniors.
Sometimes I think I should have just pretended not to see it.
But that seems just as bad.
If possible, please pretend you don't know me from now on.
If that doesn't work, it's okay if my senior acts like they dislike me.
Han Shangxi spoke very slowly, almost as if he wanted to say each sentence one by one.
Actually, she's quite confused right now.
She said these things not only because of what the board members said, but also because of her own sincerity.
To be honest, Han Sang-hee actually prefers a normal relationship.
Exciting games for players are not suitable for her at all.
But she made a mistake from the very beginning.
She knew that her senior might not necessarily like her that much.
People tend to be more attached to things they can't have.
She had never seen the look in her parents' eyes when they looked at each other.
Of course, she certainly didn't look at GD with that kind of gaze.
In short, let's leave it at that.
She really doesn't know how to handle these things; she loses a friend almost every time she tries to.
This is a terrible thing.
After hearing Han Sang-hee's words, Kwon Ji-yong was genuinely amused and even his first words were a sarcastic remark.
"You should say hurtful things instead of writing a thank-you note."
"Besides, Shangxi, do you really think you can just say you don't know her and then not know her?"
Han Shangxi had many ways to end this game, but she chose the one he could never bring himself to say.
How could he be without fault? From beginning to end, it seems like it was just his insistence.
"Then what do you want, senior?"
Han Shangxi was somewhat resigned to his fate.
She collapsed onto the sofa, her tone filled with utter despair.
Kwon Ji-yong remained silent for a while, and when he spoke again, it was with a sense of helplessness mixed with a last glimmer of hope.
"It's really hard for me to get angry when you act like this."
Shangxi didn't just say these things because of the company's opposition, did she?
He is confirming.
Kwon Ji-yong actually hoped that Han Sang-hee said these words because of the company.
In that case, everything seems to become easier to solve.
"No, senior, today is just an opportunity."
However, I only spoke up so quickly because I chose the benefits the company offered me.
Seniors don't need to feel burdened.
Han Sang-hee didn't want Kwon Ji-yong to feel any remorse, so she chose to reveal part of it.
Kwon Ji-yong didn't understand why Han Sang-hee could say these things so casually.
The other person's frankness left him feeling uneasy.
Should he be angry? The other party chose personal gain over him.
He seems to have reason to be angry.
But precisely because I understand the other person, I can't get angry at all.
If it weren't for the benefits provided by the company, would she, who disliked the game, have waited until she herself became aware of her own suffering before suggesting an end?
Because he was her senior.
"Don't call me senior next time."
Kwon Ji-yong hung up the phone immediately after saying that.
He was unusually flustered.
The call ended with a notification sound. Han Shangxi stared at the call screen for a while, then sighed.
It was exactly half an hour later, and she had to go downstairs to the practice room to meet up with her two teammates.
She didn't know what she should think or what emotions she should have.
Forget it, let's eat the barbecue first.
She hadn't eaten at that barbecue place in a long time.
When Han Shangxi sat down at the barbecue restaurant with his two teammates, looking at the familiar barbecue restaurant and the familiar people, he felt as if everything had returned to the way it was before.
However, this time she lost something again.
She was actually quite sad.
But life goes on.
She is not just herself.
She also has her own dreams.
We agreed to reach the summit, how can we give up halfway!
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thank you to all my lovely readers for your comments and support! [cat paw emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com