diymy Chapter 11 The Man Locked Behind the Glass Wall
Chapter 11 The Man Locked Behind the Glass Wall
He walked to the clothes rack, his slender fingers sweeping across the row of clothes, skillfully picking out a few pieces.
"Okay, I'll put together five outfits for you from head to toe, that'll be three million. But since you were introduced by Tiffany and are new here, I'll give you a 20% discount, making it two million four hundred thousand. How about that?"
Jiang Yan glanced at the 12 million yuan balance in his mobile bank account, thought of what Tiffany had said, and gritted his teeth.
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Minwoo."
Kwon Minwoo's styling skills are truly impressive.
The first outfit consists of a dark gray turtleneck sweater paired with black slim-fit casual pants, topped with a well-tailored navy blue mid-length coat, and simple black Chelsea boots.
When Jiang Yan came out of the fitting room, Quan Minyu leaned against the cashier's counter, stroking his chin and looking her up and down for a long time.
"Clothes make the man, and gold plating makes the Buddha. You've always had a good foundation, it's just that you dressed terribly before. With that height, those proportions, those features, you could easily be an idol. Why do you insist on staying behind the scenes doing production?"
Jiang Yan touched his neck sheepishly. He stood in front of the mirror, looking at the person in the mirror who was both strange and familiar.
The person in the mirror has a tall and straight figure. The lines of the navy blue coat outline the contours of broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The texture of the dark gray turtleneck sweater is soft and fits the body well, and the curve of the Adam's apple is revealed at the neckline.
That youthful spirit unique to his age was accentuated by the well-tailored clothes, making him appear both sharp and composed.
He was momentarily dazed.
So he can be like that too.
Not that poor student who could only huddle in a semi-basement, wearing a pilling T-shirt and baggy jeans, staying up all night rewriting songs for tens of thousands of won.
He is not a typical Seoulite, but a respectable and dignified person.
Kwon Minwoo then put together four more outfits for him.
A classic black, white, and gray sweatshirt paired with casual pants.
A caramel-colored leather jacket paired with a beige sweater.
A dark blue denim jacket paired with a white T-shirt and black ripped jeans, along with a slightly formal black suit with a white shirt underneath.
"This outfit is for your celebration party." Kwon Minwoo patted the shoulder of his suit jacket. "In this industry, your first appearance is very important. If people remember what you wear, it's like they remember what level of producer you are."
Jiang Yan nodded, doing some mental calculations.
That 2.4 million was well spent.
He doesn't lack the ability to make money; what he lacks is the capital to make others take him seriously.
Tiffany is right. In this industry, if you dress like someone who can be replaced at any time, people will treat you the same way they would treat someone else.
This isn't snobbery; this is the rule.
When Jiang Yan was paying the bill, his phone vibrated.
It's a message from Ahn Jung-hwan: "[Kang Yeon-xi, Tiffany will be recording the official version next Monday at 10 AM. Kenzie wants you to come early to prepare. Also, your individual contract will begin processing next week—the SM producer contract. We'll discuss the details with you then. Congratulations.]"
Jiang Yan's finger hovered above the screen, and his heart skipped a beat.
Producer contract.
It's not a part-time job, not an internship, and not a temporary collaboration.
It is an official exclusive producer contract with SM Entertainment.
He knew all too well what this meant.
One of the largest entertainment companies in the peninsula, with a top-notch team, the best equipment, the largest platform, and the most valuable two words: resources.
Jiang calmed herself down, then put away her phone and said with a smile, "Minwoo, could you please help me pick out a few outfits for a fifteen-year-old girl?"
Kwon Minwoo raised an eyebrow: "Fifteen years old? My sister?"
"Yes, this is my younger sister. She came to Seoul from Busan on Friday to become a trainee at SM Entertainment."
Kwon Minwoo whistled, "Oh, an SM trainee, not bad. Wait a minute, you're an SM producer, and your sister's an SM trainee. Are you two going to take over SM?"
"Manager Quan..."
"Just kidding, just kidding." Kwon Minwoo waved his hand with a smile, then turned around and picked out three more outfits suitable for a fifteen-year-old girl. "These three outfits are my signing gift to her."
"I can't accept this..."
"Just take it. It's not a gift for you, it's for your sister." Kwon Minwoo deftly folded and bagged it. "Once you've established yourself at SM, just recommend a few more people to buy clothes from me."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan understood his meaning and accepted the kindness without any burden, expressing his sincere gratitude.
When I walked out of MONO, the lights on Hong Street were already on.
The evenings in March were still quite cool, but Jiang Yan, wearing his newly bought navy blue coat, felt warm all over.
He carried several large bags home and neatly folded his old clothes into his wardrobe. It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with them; he just wanted to constantly remind himself of the way he came.
After doing all this, he stood on the balcony, watching the lights of thousands of homes gradually illuminate the opposite bank of the Han River, and a strange sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
Before, when he stood in front of the tiny ventilation window in the semi-basement, he could only see the iron bars of the sewer and the ankles of passersby.
Now he stands on the sixth-floor balcony, and the lights of the entire Han River and Yeouido unfold before his eyes, like a silver river fallen to the ground.
Then my phone vibrated again.
This time, Tiffany sent me the restaurant address. It's a Japanese restaurant in Jiangnan, and the time is set for 8 PM.
A message followed: "Change into new clothes before you come over, or Nuna will be angry."
Jiang Yan smiled and replied "okay," then changed into the white T-shirt and caramel-colored leather jacket he had just bought that day. He looked in the mirror to make sure there were no problems before heading out.
Jiangnan, Cheongdam Cave.
This Japanese restaurant is hidden deep in a small alley in Apgujeong. There is no sign at the entrance, only a paper lantern with the character "隐" (hidden) on it swaying gently in the night breeze.
Pushing open the wooden door, you are greeted by a dry landscape garden, with white sand on the ground and moss as decoration.
Several rocks stand in the center of the courtyard in a staggered manner. After the bamboo water basin is filled, it is tapped on the rock with a "click", the sound is ethereal and far-reaching.
A waiter dressed in a kimono led him through the courtyard and stopped in front of the sliding door of the innermost private room, gently pulling open the paper door.
Tiffany has arrived.
Today she wore a black fitted dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Compared to her tired, bare-faced appearance in the company recording studio that day, she was a completely different person now.
Bright and confident, with her eyes crinkling when she smiles, she exudes an aura that makes people hesitant to offend her.
And sitting next to her was another person.
A woman wearing a beige sweater with long, flowing black hair.
Sitting there quietly, like a meticulously painted picture.
Jiang Yan was stunned for a moment, then quickly recognized the face.
Girls' Generation's leader, Kim Tae-yeon.
"What are you standing there for? Come in and sit down." Tiffany pointed to the cushion opposite her, her smile bright. "Taeyeon, this is the genius I told you about, Kang Yeon. I don't need to introduce him, right?"
Kim Tae-yeon raised her head and her gaze fell on Kang Yeon.
Her eyes were calm, like the surface of a lake covered with a thin layer of ice in the depths of winter; you couldn't see what lay beneath, only your own reflection on the ice.
"Hello." Her voice was soft and a little hoarse, and she smiled politely. "Tiffany told me that the solo song you revised for her was really great."
"Hello, Kim Tae-yeon sunbaenim." Kang Yeon bowed and sat down opposite them. "Noona's song was able to proceed smoothly because she herself has a very clear understanding of the song. I just helped her translate her ideas into technical language."
Tiffany rested her chin on her hand and looked at him with a smile: "Don't be so polite. Today is just a dinner invitation to thank you for helping me with my solo song. I'd also like to introduce you to Taigu."
She paused, her smile fading, and her tone suddenly became serious: "Taeyeon's first solo full-length album might be scheduled for release early next year."
Jiang Yan was taken aback.
That statement is incredibly revealing. It's only a few months now, and you've already told him about this?
Is this appropriate?
Kim Tae-yeon picked up her sake cup, took a small sip, lowered her gaze, and remained silent.
Tiffany glanced at her, then looked at Jiang Yan, her tone becoming more serious: "I told her that you are the producer I've ever met who understands singers' voices the best. If her solo project ever gets on the agenda, you'll have to help out."
Before Jiang Yan could answer, Kim Tae-yeon put down her wine glass and said in a calm voice, "We'll see."
Three words, light and airy, carrying a sense of alienation that pushes people away.
Tiffany's smile faltered for a moment, then she casually picked up the menu and handed it to Jiang Yan: "Never mind work, let's order something first. This restaurant has the best bluefin tuna belly in Seoul. Noona's treating today, so order as much as you want."
Jiang Yan took the menu and quickly scanned the two of them with his eyes.
Kim Tae-yeon quietly picked up the pickled radish in front of her, the cuffs of her off-white sweater covering half of the back of her hand, revealing only a slender fingertip.
Her movements were light and slow: picking up the radish, dipping it in sauce, putting it in her mouth, and chewing it. Every movement carried an excessively precise sense of self-control.
That sense of self-control formed an impenetrable glass wall.
Under the fluorescent light, he saw a very deep, dark blue patch on Kim Tae-yeon's chest.
It wasn't the pale blue of ordinary sadness; it was the cobalt blue of the deep sea, three thousand meters below the surface, so thick it was almost solidified, like a body of water that could never let in any light.
In the center of that unfathomable blue, several extremely fine dark red threads were wrapped around.
Those are scratches left from swallowing emotions.
It is those unspoken words, unvented anger, and swallowed tears that, day after day, scrape bloodstains on the lining of the heart.
Jiang Yan withdrew his gaze, his eyes darkening slightly.
The senior in front of me is not just introverted or shy as the rumors suggest.
It's more like locking all your emotions in a black box, not letting anyone open it, and not letting yourself see it either.
……