In the end, Fang Zheng couldn’t get that money from the FBI.
Because President Takagi refused!
Initially, Fang Zheng planned to use his tricks from the Game World to approach President Takagi through an intermediary, proposing that a certain conglomerate was willing to invest in 765 Agency, requiring just a five percent stake for a substantial sponsorship. Fang Zheng thought this was a good deal, essentially like giving away money.
However, to Fang Zheng’s surprise, President Takagi flatly refused.
He said, "765 is a place that protects the children’s dreams, and it will never be sold to anyone!"
Fang Zheng had to admit, he was a bit shocked, so he personally went to ask President Takagi for money.
After all, love and dreams can’t be eaten!
"Uh... can’t those publicity photos work?"
President Takagi felt a little embarrassed facing Fang Zheng’s remarks.
"Of course, President. Frankly speaking, such photos... any planning department would probably just glance at them. Honestly, if even these kinds of photos could be selected, I’d suspect they have ulterior motives. So, we need to reshoot new promotional materials!"
"But the funds from our agency have almost dried up to produce new concert costumes."
"............"
Fang Zheng silently looked at President Takagi.
You can’t find a job, and you want to hold a concert? Isn’t this like wanting to feast at a communal banquet without having earned anything yet?
Can’t even walk yet, and you want to spin like a top?
"Ahem."
President Takagi also felt a bit guilty under Fang Zheng’s stare, so he coughed.
"Alright then, I’ll contact my old friends, hmm... I’ll finance the reshoot of the promotional materials, and I’ll leave the rest to you guys."
"Leave it to us."
Since he got President Takagi’s assurance, Fang Zheng said nothing more. He could understand President Takagi’s thoughts, and to be honest, if Fang Zheng were running an agency, he wouldn’t want anyone meddling either. After all, having shares means financial ties, which might lead to forcing his artists to endure things like selling smiles or suffering grievances.
If any company dared to mess with those little ones from the Fang Family, Fang Zheng would definitely tear their company down. President Takagi doesn’t have such power, but their thoughts probably don’t differ much.
In fact, this is also what Fang Zheng likes about 765. Although it’s officially an idol agency, it feels more like a big family gathered from all over. Those girls are the children of this family, and President Takagi is the head.
Every day at lunchtime, everyone would gather, chatting about the day’s events while enjoying their homemade bento. After school in the afternoon, they would finish their homework here, and the older ones would help the younger ones with their studies. Fang Zheng would occasionally help them with their assignments and schoolwork, too.
Apart from not sleeping here, the agency gives Fang Zheng the same warm, buzzy feeling as his family at the Heavenly Dao Palace.
Fang Zheng actually quite likes this environment and doesn’t wish it to change if it doesn’t have to. Though the agency is small and a bit old, with a broken elevator that feels cramped when people crowd in.
But this relaxed family atmosphere is something he doesn’t see at 346 or 961.
President Takagi is indeed reliable. It didn’t take long for him to find a photographer to reshoot the promotional materials, and Fang Zheng also sent a group message to all the girls, asking them to report to the shoot site.
Before long, everyone was there, with no one missing.
After all, since they don’t have work, they have plenty of free time.
"Alright, I want to explain today’s shoot."
Fang Zheng clapped his hands, standing in front of the girls and speaking. Hearing his voice, Yukimi Hagiwara shivered and instinctively hid behind Kikuchi Makoto, and Fang Zheng just gave her a helpless look without saying more. Yukimi Hagiwara’s fear of men wasn’t new to him, initially reacting to him as though he were a predator, skittering away like a mouse at the sight of a cat, as if Fang Zheng might do something to her...
But by now, Fang Zheng was used to it.
"You all should know already, today’s shoot is for promotional materials, so you need to show your individuality..."
"Big Brother!"
Before Fang Zheng could finish, the twins raised their hands immediately.
"What’s individuality?!"
"Simply put, it’s your characteristics and the impression you give others... to put it bluntly, how you are usually, just be like that now, even in front of the camera. Show your true selves, don’t be like that... speaking of which, what are these things?"
As he spoke, Fang Zheng, with a head full of black lines, pointed to a clothing rack beside him, laden with various costumes that looked more like theatrical attire than regular shoot outfits, exaggerated to the point of speechlessness.
Fang Zheng was sure he didn’t prepare these. He glanced at Sora beside him, who shook her head—she certainly wouldn’t bother herself to prep those items.
"I prepared these."
At that moment, a girl about 14 or 15 years old, with smooth bangs and long hair, holding a white rabbit plush, walked out, glaring dissatisfied at Fang Zheng.
"It’s Iori."
Seeing the girl before him, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow. Among so many people, she was the first one he remembered, for a simple reason.
Her voice was almost identical to Shana and the Vampire.
So much so that when Sora first heard her greeting, she thought Shana had somehow ended up in this world.
Moreover, their personalities were quite similar, making Fang Zheng wonder if anyone with that voice naturally had those stuck-up tendencies.
But come to think of it, isn’t the Vampire not haughty?
Speaking of which, if he ever built a teleportation gate between worlds and brought Shana, the Vampire, and Minase Iori together, you’d probably have a hard time telling their voices apart.
"What were you thinking?"
"I thought it might attract everyone’s attention..."
With anyone else, Minase Iori might argue a bit, but since Fang Zheng conquered even Shana, this Young Lady is no real challenge. Minase Iori intended to retort but obediently softens under the reflection of Fang Zheng’s glasses.
"I understand your feelings, but the aim of promotional material isn’t about catching eyes. It’s about showcasing yourselves, displaying your unique charm... you wouldn’t want to spend the rest of your life wearing such costumes under the spotlight, would you?"
Hearing this, Minase Iori’s face fell instantly.
What a joke, wearing these costumes for life would be unbearable!
"Alright, go get ready."
Seeing this, Fang Zheng said no more, and the girls quickly went to the dressing room to prepare for the shoot.
Unlike the previous events akin to punishment shoots, this time, with Fang Zheng’s suggestion, most of the girls showcased their true selves. Among them, Hoshii Miki stood out the most. The fifteen-year-old with long blonde hair, a third-year middle school girl, was lively and outward-going, posing attractively.
Needless to say, just standing there, her presence was overwhelming.
"This kind of girl must have boys lining up to confess at school."
Sora standing beside him was whispering to Fang Zheng.
"Bro, you better be careful."
"What should I be careful of?"
"I don’t think she’s the type to stay put."
Sora doesn’t really like Meixi, which is quite normal, because in modern terms, Meixi is considered a super socialite. Beautiful, cute, lively, popular, everyone likes her. People like her tend to be the center of attention in the class.
This is completely opposite to someone like Sora who is introverted, doesn’t like to interact with others, and hates social butterflies.
"No worries, I’m keeping an eye out, nothing will happen... Xuebu, what are you doing there?"
While Fang Zheng was talking with Sora, he noticed Xuebu hiding timidly behind a clothes rack not far away, stealthily watching him, looking as if Hikari Onaba’s pet hamster encountered a cat.
"Uh, um... Producer..."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s voice, Xuebu trembled all over with fear, looking like she was about to be chopped into pieces by Fang Zheng at any moment.
"Don’t be nervous, speak slowly..."
Seeing Xuebu so scared, Fang Zheng was at a loss. He still didn’t know what had happened to Yukimi Hagiwara to give her such a severe fear of men.
Honestly, with your intense fear of men, you still want to be an idol?
Standing on stage staring at the crowd of male fans might just make her lose her senses.
She might end up fainting, and then being handled on stage by an enthusiastic crowd taking photos and then......
"Bro?"
"Cough, cough, just had a thought."
Prompted by Sora’s reminder, Fang Zheng snapped out of his almost sky-high thoughts and looked at Xuebu again.
"So, what’s the matter?"
"It’s, it’s like this..."
Faced with Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Xuebu seemed troubled. She glanced at Meixi who was shooting, bit her lip, and spoke softly.
"I, I don’t know what kind of pose to make..."
It was lucky that Fang Zheng had the hearing of a dragon, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to hear what Xuebu’s mosquito-like voice was saying. Surprised by this question, Fang Zheng paused for a moment, then glanced at the photographer, quickly piecing it together.
Oh right, the photographer is a man.
Given Xuebu’s personality, getting her to pose in front of a man like Meixi is clearly impossible.
But this is indeed a problem.
Fang Zheng quickly recalled the promotional photos Xuebu had taken before, where she looked nervous and scared, as if she was about to be attacked by a grizzly bear. Those photos wouldn’t sell unless it was for a horror film set...
Soon, Fang Zheng found a solution.
"Sora, go find a bouquet of flowers for Xuebu... hmm, white ones, lilies or daffodils, nothing too flashy, something modest."
"Got it."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Sora nodded and went off to find the staff, while Fang Zheng signaled to Xuebu.
"In a bit, just hold the flowers and stand there, you don’t need to do anything special, just stand."
"Ah... okay..."
Hearing that she didn’t have to pose, Xuebu relaxed a lot. Not long after, Sora came back with a bouquet of flowers for her, and Xuebu held the flowers, standing still without any special expression.
But precisely because of this, she exuded a serene and gentle charm.
"This girl is interesting."
Sora returned to Fang Zheng’s side and whispered.
"Honestly, bro, maybe you should help her with her fear of men. I think if you just take off your glasses, we could see whether your charm is greater or her fear of men is stronger."
"What a bad idea..."
Fang Zheng tapped Sora on the head.
"Stay focused, we’re working here, not picking a queen."
Hearing this, Sora stuck out her tongue and said no more, just obediently stood by.
After Xuebu’s turn, it was Kikuchi Makoto’s turn... as for her...
"Honestly, if I hadn’t seen the files, I wouldn’t believe she’s a girl."
Fang Zheng agreed with Sora’s sentiment, looking at Kikuchi Makoto, who looked every bit like a handsome boy, with a physique similar to a male’s. It’s said she knows martial arts—Yeah, Fang Zheng had seen her practicing some martial arts moves, it seemed legit.
Because of this, in 765, Kikuchi Makoto was one of the more popular idols.
Though most of her fans were girls.
"Bro, why don’t you try wooing her?"
Having nothing better to do, Sora started giving Fang Zheng ideas again.
"I’m curious about what kind of girly expression this tomboy would have when in love..."
"That’s enough, one more word and I’ll send you back to the office."
Fang Zheng rolled his eyes in exasperation; he brought Sora here to help with work, not to concoct bad ideas.
"What’s the big deal, Little Hei said it’s inevitably going to be your harem anyway."
"I don’t acknowledge that, what do you mean inevitably? Look at Touma, Sekai, Yukina, are they included too?"
"Tsk..."
Hearing that, Sora pouted. This was why she was so eager. Initially, Sora thought that since Fang Zheng was back, Sekai and Yukina would turn over a new leaf and confess to him. At that time, as long as she had a good ’talk’ with them, there shouldn’t be a problem.
But unexpectedly, after they met once, they seemed to vanish and never sought out Fang Zheng again!
This puzzled Sora; she didn’t know what they were thinking.
But oh well, it’s no big deal if they give up.
Thinking this, Sora looked at the girls being photographed again.
There are plenty of ’candidates’ after all!

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