My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

"Mr. Hiraishi, how could you jump into a fire pit like that! It's so stupid! Won't it turn into a scene from a TV drama? Getting caught and forced to work on a crab fishing boat in the deep sea... or being used as an example and sunk in Tokyo Bay... I don't want that kind of thing..."

The store is noisier than usual today.

Xiangzi could hear Rencai's loud voice even standing outside the shop. To be honest, she didn't like it. Although he seemed polite at first glance, he was a straightforward person at heart and lacked intellect.

After sighing, he opened the shop door, where the noise from the restaurant was even louder.

"Good morning."

The three people inside the store all looked over when they heard the sliding door.

"Good morning."

"Miss Toyokawa! You've arrived. Quickly, try to calm Mr. Hiraishi down."

Some of the vegetables that were on top of him were pressed directly against Xiangzi.

Xiangzi immediately stretched out one hand and pressed it against her forehead to prevent her from getting too close to him. His gaze darted back and forth between Chaoyang and Rencai, and then he sighed as if in surrender.

“Miss Jingqin, you should calm down first. Putting aside the fact that the store manager is an adult and knows what he should do, he should at least let me know what happened so that I can decide what to do myself.”

. .

"...Foolish, courting disaster."

Xiangzi sat quietly opposite the rising sun, her hands clenched, trying to conceal her emotions. However, the anger burning deep within her was already raging.

"Wow, that's amazing. I never thought you were the most outrageous one, Ms. Toyokawa."

This foolish man... how could he be so reckless!

Xiangzi gritted his teeth inwardly.

"The store manager may have a false sense of accomplishment because business has been good lately, making you think you're doing well. But from what I've observed, there's nothing particularly outstanding about it."

The person in front of her looked exactly like her father.

His wealth is less than one ten-thousandth of his father's at his peak, but his level of stupidity is almost the same.

I hate this foolish decision... I hate seeing people who, when there's a way out, insist on walking into the abyss.

"Well, didn't I already say that even if we fail, I only need to bear the amount I invested? The company's debt doesn't mean I'm the one who's in debt, understand? Why are you acting like a pushover too?"

"Is that really all you think? Legally, that's how it is, but what about in reality? Will creditors just obediently accept the law's decision and let it go? What if they've got their sights set on you, think you still have money, and send people to constantly harass you on the edge of the law? What if they send someone to your shop every day, order a drink and a dish, occupy the table, and prevent you from living a normal life? What are you going to do then?"

"Then... I'll take on 10! ...Don't be angry, don't be angry, I was just kidding!"

Seeing Xiangzi's angry departure, he quickly got up and ran behind her, gently pressing her shoulders with both hands in an attempt to calm her down.

"I really don't understand you! Why can't you just run this shop peacefully and steadily?!"

Tao Xiang watched the farce lazily from the side, picking up her beer and chuckling softly.

"It sounds like a wife scolding her husband, about investing in family assets... Looks like that woman over there is also a housekeeper's wife, you're getting some competition, Nina."

"I already told you, Momoka-san, don't take this kind of joke seriously. Everyone is obviously doing this for Hiraishi-san's good. And why go to such lengths for those lip-syncing idols?"

"Well, she's already made her decision, so I can't really stop her. Besides, three hundred million isn't a huge amount, but it's not a small amount either. With this store, there's always a way to manage, right?"

Tao Xiang thought about how she had ruined all of her former teammates' high school diplomas, and felt that she had no right to talk to Chao Yang, so she didn't intend to persuade him.

"Ha... I know there are some risks involved, but I promised Kotone, D-Season, and another student from Hatsuhoshi Academy that I would sign contracts with them as a producer. Since I can get a mature company for a few hundred thousand this time, and I've lived a mundane life for so long... I want to try something exciting."

Chaoyang's inner thought was that since she had agreed, she didn't want to break the contract. If she lost the money that the system paid her every month, she wouldn't have any funds to support their dreams.

If he wants to fulfill his promise, he must first focus on running the izakaya, or he should consider changing careers and becoming a professional producer at Hatsuki Academy.

More importantly! ... He really enjoyed being surrounded by these beautiful girls calling him "producer"!

I don't want to lose it!

Just then, Chaoyang's brain started to receive another notification sound.

. .

"We have detected the host's concerns about the risks and are giving advance notice of the next phase of feature release. You can receive a fixed amount of reward for completing the required indicators for the management agency."

For example: Sign 10 new idols (including singers, dancers, actors, etc.): ¥100 million yen reward.

Organize an idol's first solo concert (with at least 500 attendees): Reward: ¥300 million.

Including but not limited to the above indicators, more content will be released in stages.

As a price for the advance notice, the host must make a choice immediately: accept the exclusive management tasks and continue to run the agency; or choose to give up, and the system will disappear forever.

. .

"Only a fool would refuse, wouldn't they?"

Without hesitation, Chaoyang pressed "accept" in his mind, and the next moment, a emotionless system voice appeared in his mind.

"If this company goes bankrupt or is liquidated, the host system will unbind and all rewards issued will be forcibly turned into debts. All income will be automatically deducted and disappear before the debts are paid off (to prevent the host from dying, the minimum amount of water and food required by the human body will be provided daily)."

Wait, wait, wait, wait! That didn't count! Give me another chance to choose! Is this even possible? Shouldn't you have told me that first?

Unfortunately, the system remained completely unresponsive, like a corpse.

Chapter 53: If you take the top, you will get the middle; if you take the bottom, you will get nothing.

Xiangzi frowned as he looked at the rising sun across the street.

"...What an idiot... To make such an agreement without permission for someone else... and then what? To live for someone else's dreams?"

"No, if I'm lucky, I might become a capitalist and squeeze them to make money for me."

"Hmph, trying to act tough and play the villain here? You'll only impress yourself and drag everyone else down with you..."

Xiangzi originally intended to continue speaking, but then he immediately remembered that his identity was now connected to Chaoyang.

The sound emanating from his throat had lost its earlier anger and returned to its previous coldness.

"I'm sorry, I was rude. I'll go change my clothes first."

"Well, let's go."

Although Chaoyang had just experienced the situation where a supplementary clause was forcibly added to the contract after signing it, and the thought of his company going bankrupt with 300 million in debt and being forced to reopen it was indeed a bit scary, after being shown so many tasks, he felt that they were easy to accomplish. He felt that as long as he didn't invest in any messy things and just honestly and properly run the business, there was no reason for the company to go bankrupt.

Considering that she herself currently has an extra 100 million yen in income every month.

I don't actually feel much pressure.

Thinking about it carefully, 300 million yen isn't much, equivalent to about 15 million RMB. A certain two-character game in Japan easily generates 1 billion yen in revenue per month just on iOS alone. A mere 300 million yen.

When Nina heard Asahi's reasoning, she couldn't help but admire him.

"Mr. Hiraishi! Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Thank you so much, Nina-chan. Having you work here is the best help you can give me. I really need your help today~~"

"Leave it to me!"

Upon hearing Chaoyang's words, Rencai immediately stood up and patted her chest.

"You really dare to say that. You broke quite a few cups while washing the dishes yesterday."

"Yesterday was the first time! Everything will be fine today! Please deduct the cost of the broken cup from your salary!"

Chaoyang had no intention of becoming that kind of unscrupulous boss, and quickly waved his hand.

"No shop would do that. It's okay, it's okay. If you really feel bad, just ask the customer if they want another drink when their glass is empty."

"If you don't order, just kick them out!"

"Yes!"

"What do you mean? Don't listen to Tao Xiang's nonsense, or no one will come anymore!"

As the three chatted, they gradually forgot about what had just happened. However, Xiangzi was still in the toilet, sighing softly as he listened to the laughter outside, looked at himself in the mirror, and pondered what he should do next.

. .

The next morning.

Today is the day Chaoyang is going to officially sign the contract, pay the fees, and accept the firm's work.

As soon as Chaoyang got up, he pulled a cardboard box from under the bed, inside which were suits that he never wore.

I blew off the dust, which naturally resulted in the room being covered in dust.

"Cough! Cough! Cough! When was the last time I wore a suit...?"

Muttering to himself, he opened the cardboard box, and a pungent smell hit him.

"...Wow, it smells so musty..."

Chaoyang pinched his nose and couldn't help but feel regretful.

"Ha, if I'd known, I should have taken it to the dry cleaner yesterday... Should I have just bought a new one on the way?... Hmm, never mind. Air freshener, detergent... a spray and it'll be fine..."

Chaoyang thought about it carefully. He was going to be the boss, not to have a job interview, so there was no need to be so formal. He simply sprayed some air freshener on his suit to suppress the musty smell. Although the two smells mixed together were even stranger, he got used to it after wearing it for a while.

This is a habit from my past life; it's so careless that it led to me being single for many years.

After another round of washing and scrubbing, I was quickly and easily cleaned myself up in less than 10 minutes.

He went straight out and took a taxi to the agency in Ikebukuro that he was going to work for.

The driver quietly turned on the air circulation, while Chaoyang, sitting in the car, looked out the window and began to think.

...I'm surprisingly calmer than I expected. The system suddenly gave me this additional condition. Surrounded by so many beautiful girls, I was forced into being heavily in debt, yet I can still sleep soundly and even laugh without any burden. It seems I'm no ordinary person. Come to think of it, aren't I quite capable? Even without the system's money, my shop is still profitable despite such high labor costs, so I might be able to turn a profit on my own.

Just as Chaoyang was feeling good about himself, after driving for more than 20 minutes in a taxi, he finally arrived at his destination.

"Here you go, thank you, keep the change!"

Chaoyang casually handed over a 5,000 yuan bill, and the driver remained silent for a moment after seeing that the meter showed 4980 yuan.

Thank you for your patronage.

. .

Standing nervously at the agency's entrance, Shirahisa Chisato had already heard good news: the company she'd accepted would be signing her contract today. She feared she'd have to rebuild the connections she'd previously made, and that she'd be let go. As for Pastel*, an idol group with a tarnished past even before their debut, based on her experience, they were likely to disband. She wasn't about to stay and be buried with them.

I saw a taxi arrive, and a man who looked to be in his early twenties, dressed in a suit and looking unfamiliar, got out of the car with a confident smile on his face.

This must be the person.

Qian Sheng immediately went to greet him, about to greet him with a smile. He walked closer.

"Hello, may I ask how you are...?"

Why does this person smell like their clothes haven't dried properly and have gone bad?

But Qian Sheng remained calm and continued to step forward with a smile, asking questions.

"Hello, are you Mr. Hiraishi?"

Chaoyang is like someone who doesn't notice the stench of pooping; he has no idea that the combination of musty smell and air freshener would produce this effect.

"Hello... Are you here to greet me? Thank you for your trouble... Hmm..."

Chaoyang stroked his chin and began to observe the egret Qiansheng.

Qian Sheng, who was being stared at, nervously placed his hands on his chest and asked.

"...Um...did I do something wrong or rude?"

"...No wonder this company owes so much money. Even the staff who came out to greet me were so cute and pretty. I can't even imagine what the idols inside are like. Hehe, it's nice to meet you, Hiraishi Asahi."

Chaoyang wanted to leave a good impression on his employees, so he half-jokingly said that he did think Shirahiro Chisato was very cute and beautiful, and that if he had no chance, he would like to lock her in the basement that he had not yet built.

It's a pity that the first impression has already been ruined.

"Haha... You flatter me... Um... Actually, I'm a signed artist, not an employee..."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar with the entertainment industry. I don't recognize many famous stars. I hope I haven't offended you."

"You're joking. Although I debuted quite early, I don't actually have any famous works. My name is Shirasagi Chisato."

"Ah! Chisato-chan, right? I've heard of her! Your... uh... ah, it's getting late, I have to sign a contract, let's talk about your work later."

This person has definitely never seen my work... ...but they seemed quite friendly, probably only recently graduated from university.

Chapter 54, Even if you're doing pillow business, you're only allowed to pillow with me!

Last night, during his free time, Chaoyang made a special phone call with Aiyin to learn about their situation. Although Aiyin only had a vague understanding, that was enough for him.

Today, at his own meeting, Chaoyang directly announced the abolition of all departments except those related to idols. Fortunately, the agency didn't have many full-time employees to begin with, and most of the staff had already been replaced with part-time workers or even temporary workers before Chaoyang arrived. Therefore, the severance pay will only be a few million.