Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 75 Girls' Generation's Second Encounter

Three days after the recording ended, Su Yu received an email.

The email was from SM Entertainment, inviting him to the shareholders' meeting next Thursday. It wasn't because he held SM stock—those shares were held through a third party, and SM was unaware that he was the actual holder. The email was addressed to Yinguo Entertainment, stating that the two companies had recently expressed interest in a collaboration and inviting Su Yu to attend as an observer.

Kim Dong-wook checked and confirmed it wasn't a trap. "It was probably Yoona who made the connection," he said. "She asked you in the parking lot that day if you wanted to sign her, maybe it was just a test. But after we got back, she mentioned Influence Entertainment to SM Entertainment. SM wanted to find out more about you."

Su Yu looked at the email but didn't say anything.

"Are you going or not?" Kim Dong-wook asked.

"go."

The shareholders' meeting was held in the conference room of SM headquarters. When Su Yu arrived, several people were already standing at the door: a director in a suit, a secretary with a folder, and a middle-aged man he didn't recognize, with gray hair and gold-rimmed glasses, who looked like the head of some department.

Su Yu was led to the conference room. The long table was filled with people; he sat near the door, a sign in front of him reading "Yinguo Entertainment." Next to him sat a man in his early thirties who introduced himself as a representative of an investment company, surnamed Park.

"Are you new here?" Representative Park asked in a low voice.

"Um."

"What do you do?"

Film and television production.

Representative Park nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The meeting began. First, SM's financial situation for the first quarter was reported, then the debut plan for the rookie boy group was discussed, and finally, the overseas expansion strategy was outlined. Su Yu listened without speaking, casually scribbling a few lines in his notebook.

Halfway through the meeting, someone knocked on the door and came in.

Su Yu looked up and saw Lim Yoon-a, Kwon Yuri, and Choi Soo-young filing in. All three were dressed formally, their hair meticulously styled; they looked more like they were there for a photoshoot than a meeting. They sat down on the other side of the conference table, with Yoon-a facing Su Yu.

When Yoona sat down, she saw him, her eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. Su Yu nodded in greeting.

The meeting was chaired by a vice president of SM Entertainment, surnamed Kim, who was in his fifties and spoke slowly and methodically. He first had each department report on their work, and then turned to Yoona to ask her about the preparations for the Japan tour. Yoona answered very professionally, explaining the data, timelines, and promotional strategies clearly.

Su Yu listened, and stopped writing. He began to notice a detail—when Yoona spoke, her gaze would inadvertently sweep over him, each time lingering for no more than a second, but enough for him to feel.

Kwon Yuri noticed it too. She was sitting next to Yoona, and when she saw Yoona's gaze drift towards Su Yu, her lips twitched slightly, but she didn't say anything.

After the meeting, Vice President Jin came over and shook hands with Su Yu.

"Representative Su, I've heard so much about you. Yoona mentioned you to me, saying that although you're young, you're very capable."

"You flatter me."

"If there are opportunities in the future, the two companies can cooperate more. SM has resources in the music field, while In-Kin Entertainment has potential in film and television production, so they complement each other."

Su Yu nodded. "Okay."

Vice President Kim left. People gradually dispersed from the conference room. Su Yu packed his things to leave, and Yoon-ah walked over and stood beside him.

"Representative Su, we meet again."

"Um."

"We were in such a rush in the parking lot last time, we didn't have a proper chat." Yoona put the folder she was holding on the table. "Are you free today? There's a nice coffee shop nearby, I'd like to buy you a coffee."

Su Yu glanced at his watch. "Half an hour."

Yoona smiled. "That's enough."

As the two walked out of the meeting room, Kwon Yuri and Choi Sooyoung were talking in the hallway. Yoona told them, "I'm going to have coffee with Representative Su." Kwon Yuri glanced at Su Yu, hesitating to speak, but Choi Sooyoung said directly, "Don't scare the representative away." Yoona smiled and glared at her before pulling Su Yu away.

The coffee shop is across from the SM building, a three-minute walk away. Yoona is clearly a regular; when she went in, the owner immediately said, "I'll save you your usual spot." The usual spot is in a corner, by the window, with a view of the SM building across the street.

The two sat down, and Yoona ordered an Americano, as did Su Yu.

"Do you usually drink Americano?" Yoona asked.

"Um."

"No sugar?"

"No."

Yoona laughed. "You're so easygoing, even when it comes to drinking coffee."

Su Yu didn't reply.

The coffee was served, and Yoona picked up the cup, took a sip, then leaned back in her chair and looked out at the street scene.

"Representative Su, what did you think of today's meeting?"

"There's a lot of information."

"this one?"

"That's it."

Yoona turned to look at him. "Can't you say a few more words? Every time I talk to you, I feel like I'm performing a one-woman show."

Su Yu thought for a moment. "SM's overseas strategy is a bit too aggressive. The Japanese market is alright, but the European and American markets aren't so easy to enter."

Yoona paused for a moment, then laughed. "You know how to talk, don't you? You're just too lazy to say it."

Su Yu took a sip of coffee.

"Representative Su, I have a question for you." Yoona put down her cup and placed her hands folded on the table. "When you said 'we'll talk about it later' the other day, were you really considering signing me, or were you just making excuses?"

Su Yu looked into her eyes. "I've considered it. But I don't think you'll leave SM."

Yoona raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"SM is one of the Big Three. Its resources, connections, and platform are unmatched by Krystal Entertainment. If you leave SM, no matter which company you go to, you'll be demoted. Unless you start your own company."

Yoona stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Your analysis is more insightful than my agent's."

"I was just stating the facts."

"The truth is, I've been at SM for almost ten years." Yoona's voice softened. "Everything here is great, except it's a bit... boring. The same procedures, the same patterns, the same routines. I could close my eyes and know what to do next."

Su Yu didn't speak.

"I'm not saying SM is bad. It has given me a lot, and I'm very grateful." Yoona slowly twirled her fingers on the cup. "But sometimes I wonder, is this all there is to my life? Releasing albums, holding concerts, filming movies, acting in dramas, I'm busy all year round, but looking back, it seems like I haven't left anything behind."

Su Yu was silent for a few seconds. "You want too much."

Yoona looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

"You want to do what you want on SM's platform, but these two things are inherently conflicting," Su Yu said. "Big companies want stability and replicability, while individuals want breakthroughs and growth. You want to grow, but big companies won't change their rules for you alone."

After listening, Yoona leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling.

"You're really saying something awful."

"I know."

"But I like it." Yoona sat up straight and looked at him. "Because what you said is the truth. In all my time at SM, very few people have told me the truth. Everyone flatters me, saying I can do anything, and I'm good at everything. Only you said, 'You want too much.'"

Su Yu took a sip of coffee. "So, will you leave?"

Yoona thought for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe someday, but it's not there yet."

Su Yu nodded.

"Representative Su, I have one more question for you." Yoona leaned forward, lowering her voice slightly, "Do you... have even the slightest... feeling for me?"

Su Yu looked at her, his expression unchanged.

"You are Yoona from Girls' Generation. I am Su Yu from Yinguo Entertainment. There is only the possibility of cooperation between us, nothing more."

Yoona stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"You're a really difficult person to deal with."

"I know."

"But I like it." Yoona picked up her coffee cup, finished the last sip, and said, "Okay, let's work together then. Remember to contact me if you have any good scripts in the future. We can discuss the fee."

"it is good."

Yoona stood up and picked up her bag. "Let's go, I'll see you downstairs."

The two walked out of the coffee shop and stood in front of the SM building. Yoona glanced at her watch and said, "I have a meeting later, so I won't see you home." Su Yu said, "No need to see me off."

"Representative Su," Yoona called out to him.

Su Yu turned around.

"Your girlfriend is really lucky. Although you don't talk much, everything you say is true. These days, there aren't many people who tell the truth."

Su Yu nodded, turned and left.

Yoona stood at the door, watching his back disappear into the crowd, then smiled, turned and walked into the building.

When Su Yu returned to the company, Cai Xiubin was waiting for him in the office. There were two boxed lunches on the table, already cold.

"Why don't you eat first?" Su Yu sat down and opened the lunchbox.

"Waiting for you." Cai Xiubin opened her lunchbox as well. "How did the meeting go?"

"It was alright. I saw Im Yoona."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment, then continued picking up food. "She contacted you again?"

"I had a cup of coffee and we talked about the collaboration."

"That's all?"

That's all.

Cai Xiubin chewed her rice without saying a word. After a few seconds, she put down her chopsticks and looked at Su Yu.

"Su Yu, I have a question for you."

"Um."

"Does Yoona have feelings for you?"

Su Yu put down his chopsticks and looked at her. "You want to hear the truth?"

"certainly."

"She might be a little curious. But not interested."

How did you know?

"Because she doesn't even know who I am," Su Yu said. "She just thinks I'm different from everyone she's met, and that I'm new and exciting. But after a while, that'll all be gone."

Cai Xiubin stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"You've got a good eye for things."

"Otherwise, how can I be your boyfriend?"

Cai Xiubin chuckled at his words and picked up her chopsticks to continue eating. "Alright, I believe you."

After the two finished their boxed lunches, Cai Xiubin took the containers away, and Su Yu leaned back in her chair and turned on her phone. There was a message from Yoona.

"Representative Su, don't tell anyone what I said today. Especially the part about 'I want to leave'."

Su Yu typed: "I'm not that free."

Yoona replied with a smiley face.

Su Yu put down his phone and closed his eyes. He ran through the day's events in his mind—the SM meeting, Yoona's words, Kwon Yuri and Choi Sooyoung's observations. He noticed something: Yoona said she wanted to leave, but her eyes didn't look like someone who wanted to leave. It was more like a test, to see how he would react.

He suppressed the thought and stopped thinking about it.

Whatever Yoona is thinking is none of his business. He has Chae Soo-bin, his company, and things to do. Everything else is superfluous.

Cai Xiubin came back after washing her hands and sat down next to him.

"Tired?"

"A little."

"Then let's go home."

Su Yu opened his eyes and looked at her. "Not working overtime today?"

"No more." Cai Xiubin took his hand. "It's rare for you to say you're tired, so let's go home."

The two walked out of the company; it was already dark. The streetlights were on, and there weren't many pedestrians. Cai Xiubin linked arms with Su Yu, and the two walked slowly.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Will you ever find me too annoying?"

Su Yu glanced at her. "No."

Why?

"Because when you're bothering me, I'm always busy."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment, then smiled. "I give your answer full marks."

Su Yu's lips curved slightly.