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

Hmm... My savings just disappeared into there...

Actually, Chaoyang shouldn't have been in a position to lose money, but unfortunately, the company's accounts were so empty that there wasn't even anything to sell. Unless they forced their idols to work as hostesses, they would have to pay for it themselves.

He could only invest all the money he received as a reward from the system during this period, along with his savings from opening the izakaya, into the company as his personal investment. He planned to find an opportunity to get the money back once the company became more profitable.

He looked at his hard-earned savings, watching them being ruthlessly emptied, and a pang of sadness welled up in his heart.

However, this company is now directly related to his happiness in his lower body, so he dares not treat it lightly.

So even though I'm reluctant, there's nothing I can do.

The host has completed the prerequisite tasks, and the formal opening of the business module signing task has been activated.

A virtual panel instantly appeared before Chaoyang's eyes, and the system prompted him to continue.

Target: Sign 10 players: 100 million yen reward. Current progress: 6/10. (Note: Only special players' signings will be recognized) (Maruyama Aya, Shirasagi Chisato, Yamato Maya, Hikawa Hina, Chihaya Aine, Wakamiya Eve)

"Huh? Wakamiya Eve? Shouldn't Pastel* have five people? Who is this Wakamiya Eve?"

Upon seeing unfamiliar names appear on the panel, Chaoyang immediately inquired about them.

"Ms. Wakamiya is one of our contracted models... However, as per your instructions, the modeling business will be cancelled, so we should terminate the contracts with all models after this meeting."

"Um, let's ask her if she'd be willing to switch to the idol business. If not, uh, can we keep the modeling business solely for her?"

The agent was still wondering who this girl was, but nodded before he could figure it out.

"of course can!"

Could it be that this guy has taken a liking to this model?

. .

Qian Sheng sat in the waiting room. Even after seeing Chao Yang walk into the conference room, she still did not go to the dance studio to meet up with her companions.

I can't transfer to another company now, so I have to seize this opportunity.

Just then, she heard noises coming from the conference room. She instinctively walked towards the door and quietly opened it a crack to see what was going on.

The board members all looked listless... After all, the company is already in this state... Changing the boss won't magically make things better.

As she tried to peek out to observe the rising sun, suddenly, a pair of eyes were right next to hers. Qian Sheng's eyes widened, and a moment of panic made her lose her balance, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Hehe, sorry, I startled you."

Chaoyang chuckled, pushed open the conference room door, and handed it over. Qiansheng awkwardly took his hand and used it to stand up.

"If I'm being presumptuous, I apologize in advance: were you waiting for me?"

"Ah... um... I'm sorry, I'm really worried about whether my companions will be able to stay."

"Well, it depends on who your 'colleagues' are. My first measure this time was indeed to cancel all non-core business operations. Departmental restructuring means many people will likely have to leave..."

"Ah... So that's how it is... Then may I ask what the company's core business is going forward...? I'm sorry, if it's a confidential matter..."

"It's the idol category, of course. Don't worry, your group won't disband. After all, the fault doesn't lie with you."

"That's really nice."

Upon hearing this, Qian Sheng immediately relaxed, but Chao Yang's next words made her heart tighten.

"...So I won't hold your previous attempts to leave Pastel* against you, nor will I tell them about it."

Qian Sheng's smile froze slightly for a moment.

Chaoyang walked directly to the sofa and sat down, gesturing for Qiansheng to sit opposite him.

After she sat down, she began to speak.

"To be honest, I don't really like high school students who are too calculating; it's not cute at all. I can roughly understand why you wanted to talk to me. Actually, I've been paying attention to you. Aine told me about the practice room before, saying that you almost never participate in practice... Ah, but don't misunderstand, she wasn't tattling to me. She was just envious that you have so many jobs that you can't practice, and asked if I could introduce her to so many jobs so that she would look like a star. I asked my manager, and you do have some advertising contracts, but they're not so frequent that you need to go every day. However, it's probably best to stop these networking-related outreach activities in the future."

"..."

Qian Sheng did not answer, but simply lowered his head slightly and listened quietly.

Chaoyang regrets not smoking, otherwise he'd love to imitate the old men in TV dramas who lecture others. He takes a deep drag of his cigarette and blows a smoke ring at the other person, giving off that air of knowing everything, like a know-it-all, and most importantly, it makes him look cool.

"I'm just worried about your safety. You've been in this industry much longer than me, so you should know more about all the shady dealings. Although you like to expand your network and build relationships, you've actually met pretty good people all along. But if you really catch the eye of some big shot, would you be willing to accompany them for drinks or even engage in prostitution? Do you know what will happen if you refuse?"

Qian Sheng knew this, of course, so she always took ample precautions, including leaving her phone number with a friend and calling the police if she didn't receive a reply within a certain timeframe. She would never drink any beverage that had left her sight.

"...If I could get ahead just by practicing, of course I wouldn't choose to do it. But that's not the reality. Many people practice with all their might for three years, only to have to leave the stage in disappointment."

Qian Sheng's voice was filled with helplessness.

"I don't expect to take shortcuts, I just hope that I won't fall behind others."

Chaoyang looked at her, smiled, and stood up, his left thumb pointing only towards his chest.

“I know, that’s why I’m here. You don’t need to do this anymore. Leave everything except performance practice to me. By the way, just call me producer from now on. My job is to bring you work. And all you have to do is make a lot of money for me.”

"what!?"

"Alright, let's end this date here... Time to go meet my Pastel."

Chaoyang stood up and gently patted Qiansheng on the shoulder.

"...Um, producer...thank you."

Qian Sheng forced a smile, and seeing how proactively Chao Yang was trying to build a closer relationship, Qian Sheng didn't hold back either.

"Also... your clothes seem to have a musty smell, you'd better change into something else."

Chapter 55 Moving!

practice room.

Good morning, everyone.

"Good morning, Sensato-chan~ Don't you have any other work today?"

Upon seeing that it was Shirasagi Chisato who had entered, Maruyama Ayaka immediately stopped her independent practice and went over to inquire with great pleasure.

However, following Qian Sheng, another strange man wearing a cheap Uniqlo T-shirt entered.

"Ah, producer~ finally came over to say hello?"

Aine immediately recognized the person who came in.

Jog over.

"But why did you come with Chisato-chan?"

"We bumped into each other on the way and came together. Ano-chan, have you been practicing diligently?"

"Hmph~ Hmph~, of course, since Chaoyang is here, let's go have some tea."

In the blink of an eye, Aine abandoned the title of producer and called him by his name directly. Of course, this was also her little scheme to show that she had a better relationship with the boss. However, she only wanted to show that she was special and get attention, and she did not have any intention of profiting from it.

"Huh? But, but Ano-chan, we've only practiced for less than ten minutes."

Maruyama Aya glanced at the clock hanging in the dance practice room and replied to Aine with difficulty.

"Oh, Cai Cai~ don't be in such a hurry, there's still plenty of time today. Besides, this is the boss of the firm, so let's build a good relationship."

"Cai Cai!?"

Perhaps because they had the backing of their boss, Aine, a freshman, started giving the other members nicknames. However, no one paid much attention to the senior-junior issue; they were just surprised for a moment and then moved on.

Chaoyang immediately agreed with Aine's words.

"That's right! If you get on good terms with me, I can give you more work."

With his hands on his hips facing the sun, he nodded and said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Qian Sheng turned to look at Chao Yang without saying a word, and said with a frown.

"...Isn't this completely different from what I just said...?"

"Of course, my idol wouldn't fawn over anyone! But fawning over me is no problem at all. In fact, it's very welcome!!!"

"Wow, producer, you're so blatant!"

Ai Yin thought Chao Yang was joking. Little did she know that if it weren't for legal restrictions, Chao Yang would already be having chains made at a blacksmith's shop.

Chisato also thought Asahi was joking, but turned to Maruyama Aya and said...

"However, it would be better for Tiantian to get to know our producer first, rather than practicing. The company has undergone significant changes recently, and it would be more convenient for everyone to chat over tea rather than just standing here listening. This will make it easier for everyone to get to know each other..."

While Qian Sheng was talking to everyone, Chao Yang took a look to see who was the cutest in the idol group. At that moment, he noticed a girl with short, light blue hair staring at him.

Chaoyang smiled and waved to her, giving her a simple greeting.

However, she immediately put one index finger to her chin and spoke directly with a hint of doubt in her voice.

"...Hmm? You're the unlucky guy who ended up taking over?"

"Hina-chan! That's incredibly rude of you."

Even though Aine had just called Asahi by his first name, she still felt that Hina had gone a bit too far.

Of course, Asahi thought it was alright. Having experienced the baptism of intermittent irritability in Nina, Hina was at most just too straightforward and impolite.

"Hmm? But didn't they say this firm owes 300 million? Wouldn't it be really unlucky for him to accept it?"

"That's true... but the way you expressed it isn't very good; you can't be so direct."

Aiyin tried to make her understand that communication between people cannot be so simple and crude.

At that moment, Chaoyang patted Aiyin on the shoulder.

"Hehe, it's okay. After all, strictly speaking, we're not in a superior-subordinate relationship. Just speak as you see fit. Hmm, you're Hina, right? Aine introduced you before. She said there's a genius in the team."

"Am I a genius? Well, some people say that, but I think I'm pretty average. I just learn things quickly."

"You certainly aren't a genius compared to the truly exceptional, but compared to the average person, you are undoubtedly one. If you don't fully recognize your own talents, the people around you will suffer a lot."

"Huh? Is that so?"

Hina turned to look at Maruyama Aya.

"No, that's not true. I'm actually quite happy to see that the Japanese-style sauce was made so smoothly and that it provided me with a template!"

"That's what Aya-chan said, right?"

"In this situation, it's either just politeness or this guy is just naturally kind."

As Asahi spoke, he pointed at Maruyama Aya, but Aine immediately grabbed Asahi's finger and pressed it down.

"Chaoyang, how could you call this cute girl that? That's very rude of you."

"Oh dear, I'm really sorry... Okay, enough of this nonsense, let's go to the lounge."

. .

"...In short, that's the situation. The company's overall staff will be reduced to about 2 or 30 people. Of course, this doesn't apply to you; registered artists are not included in this scope. As for business, we'll only be doing idol-related work from now on. This afternoon, and... um, I'm sorry, we'll also be changing locations. The rent here is a bit too high, like the one near Wu Xiaoshan."

Basically, they rented the entire building where my izakaya (Japanese pub) is located. The landlord is a familiar face, and the price was much cheaper than here. It's a bit old, of course, but it's close to my house... and conveniently, I can grill skewers at the shop.

Japanese food immediately expressed its regret.

"Oh well... well, it's normal given how difficult things have become. It's already quite an achievement that they haven't gone bankrupt."

However, he quickly found a reason for Chaoyang.

"..."

Qian Sheng still found it somewhat hard to accept, but there was nothing he could say.

"Um... the new place... is there a place like here where we can practice?"

Maruyama Aya expressed her concerns.

Chaoyang, with his arms outstretched, began to speak.

"Of course, there is a dance studio for rent near the office. I will automatically book a room there on a regular monthly basis so you can practice anytime."

"Huh... does this mean we have to rent a dance studio now?"

Hina sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

"Ah, it feels like I've suddenly gone from working for a big company to working for a small company."

However, Chaoyang had to make a comment at this point.

"...A company that can't even pay off 300 million can hardly be considered a big company...Aiyin's family is quite well-off, don't say such ignorant things. Your tuition alone is over 2 million a year."