Chapter 162 - 141: The Establishment of Zhengshi Company (Part 2)

Chapter 162: Chapter 141: The Establishment of Zhengshi Company (Part 2)

But Jiang Jingshi gazed at Lin Zhengran, her eyes soft as water. "What’s wrong? Have a taste. Open wide."

Lin Zhengran had no choice but to eat the piece of tomato from her chopsticks. He savored it carefully before nodding in approval.

"The tomato is good too. Delicious."

A visible blush crept across Jiang Jingshi’s face.

"You’re so direct with your praise, Zhengran... But as long as you like it, that’s all that matters."

Just then, someone entered. It was Wang and the young idol.

The kitchen door had been left open, so as Wang approached, she got a clear view of Jiang Jingshi feeding Lin Zhengran.

Such an intimate gesture... It spoke volumes about their relationship.

Besides, Jiang Jingshi had admitted it herself just yesterday.

"President Jiang... Zhengran..."

The young idol behind her, knowing his place, spoke up respectfully, "President Jiang, Lin."

Hearing their voices, Jiang Jingshi put down her chopsticks and turned to look. "Wang?"

Lin Zhengran also looked toward the two people at the door. "Wang? What’s the matter?"

Wang’s expression was full of gratitude. "It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to take this opportunity to talk with President Jiang and you, Zhengran, about the studio."

A short while later, they were all in the office.

Jiang Jingshi and Lin Zhengran sat on one side, with Wang and the young man on the other.

A secretary came in to pour tea for the four of them.

But just as the secretary was about to pour tea for Lin Zhengran, Jiang Jingshi stopped her. "I’ll pour his. You can go now."

The secretary didn’t understand, but she nodded obediently. "Of course, President Jiang."

Jiang Jingshi gently picked up the teapot and, with the utmost tenderness, poured tea into Lin Zhengran’s cup. She carefully wiped the rim before pushing it in front of him. "There, all set."

Lin Zhengran murmured his thanks.

Wang and the young man exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with mutual astonishment.

Sipping her own tea, Jiang Jingshi asked, "Wang, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Wang smiled before replying, "President Jiang, it’s like this. The two of us are truly grateful to you and Zhengran for what happened."

Jiang Jingshi smiled. "Don’t mention it. We didn’t really do much to help, after all."

’She knew they must have been responsible for what happened this morning; no one else could have pulled it off. Jiang Jingshi was just being modest because some things couldn’t be acknowledged openly.’

"In any case, President Jiang, after everything that’s happened, I’ve made up my mind. I’ve always been rather stubborn when it comes to music. For years, I’ve insisted on trying to improve my team on my own, but it’s been a constant struggle."

"We have Jiang Xueli at the studio now, but she’s a special case. We’ve barely taught her a thing. All we really did was sign her up for a few small competitions."

"Zhengran taught her almost everything she knows. Even her contract with the studio was unique because she didn’t require any training. I’m fully aware that we played almost no role in Sherrie’s development."

She paused for a moment. "What I’m trying to say is, I know my studio’s limits, and my own. I simply may not have the ability to cultivate new talent. These past years have proven as much."

"Moreover, without your and President Jiang’s help this time, I would have been utterly ruined. That compensation fee would have buried me for good. I’m simply not equipped to deal with people like that on my own. So... if you want it, President Jiang... I’d like to give you the studio. Free of charge."

The offer took even Jiang Jingshi by surprise. "What did you say? Give the studio to me? Wang, are you quitting the business?"

"It’s not that I’m quitting, it’s just... if Sherrie hadn’t come along, the studio wouldn’t be making any profit at all. For years, I’ve just been barely hanging on..."

’She’s being vague, but what she really wants is to partner with the Jiang Group.’ Lin Zhengran understood.

’But with her current resources, she doesn’t have the leverage or qualifications to make such a proposal, so she’s offering the studio instead.’

’After all, the only valuable singer she has is Jiang Xueli, and Sherrie is one of my people. If Sherrie leaves, it’s only a matter of time before the studio collapses.’

’Wang might not be great at developing talent, but her ability to scout artists and manage a company is solid. It would be impossible to run a studio for so many years with no backing if she didn’t have any skills.’

As this thought crossed his mind, Lin Zhengran suddenly felt Jiang Jingshi nudge him discreetly with her elbow.

He and Jiang Jingshi exchanged a subtle glance.

Her gentle eyes were smiling; she had clearly figured out Wang’s real intentions as well.

She was asking for his opinion on whether to accept the offer.

Jiang Jingshi took out her phone, typed a sentence, and showed the screen to Lin Zhengran.

The screen read: "You know Wang’s abilities better than I do. If you want her to stay, she stays. In the new company, I’m the vice president and you’re the president, anyway. So your big sister will listen to you."

Lin Zhengran let out a fond, helpless laugh.

He took the initiative and spoke.

"Wang, we can’t just take your studio like this. Besides, I know you’ve been in this industry for a long time. I’ve known you for years, and I know how capable you are. So, how about this... if you’re willing, I’d like to partner with you. We can work together in the future."

’She did want to partner with the Jiang Group, but she never expected them to be the ones to propose it.’

"Huh?"

Jiang Jingshi spoke up only after Lin Zhengran had finished.

"Zhengran and I are planning to establish a new company soon. As he said, if you’re willing, Wang, you can join us."

"We’ll definitely be cultivating many teams in the future, and we’ll need a director for the music division. We think you’d be a great fit for the position."

Wang was stunned and overjoyed. "R-Really, President Jiang? You really intend to partner with me... But my abilities..."

Jiang Jingshi replied, "Zhengran trusts you, so I trust you. Besides, I’m just the vice president of this new company. He’s the one who calls the shots."

Her words were spoken lightly, but they were enough to make it crystal clear to Wang who the real key person was.

Lin Zhengran spoke up. "I haven’t known you for just a day or two, Wang. We go back several years, so I trust you. It just depends on whether you’re willing to partner with us."

She looked at Lin Zhengran, her voice filled with gratitude. "Young... President Lin, of course I’m willing! I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity than to partner with you two! Thank you so much, President Lin, President Jiang!"

Jiang Jingshi smiled. "Then it’s a deal? We’re all partners from now on!"

"Yes! Thank you, truly!" Words couldn’t express her gratitude; all she could do was break into a wide grin.

「One week later.」

The new company was in its initial stages of formation. Though the original plan was to open a studio, with Wang Lan now on board, the three of them discussed it and decided to establish a limited liability company instead.

The new company’s name was decided by Lin Zhengran and Jiang Jingshi together. They combined parts of their given names, creating the full name: Zhengshi Media Co., Ltd.

Zhengshi Media was structured as a parent company overseeing three subsidiaries. The first was the music subsidiary, which was to be run by Wang Lan.

The second was a sports company focused on Taekwondo, to be temporarily managed by Jiang Jingshi. The third was a live-streaming subsidiary.

The necessary corporate approval procedures were being expedited, and Zhengshi Media was expected to be officially established within a month.