Peninsula: I'm the Top Streamer

Chapter 685 What is guidance?
The car door closed gently, shutting out the noise from outside. The car instantly became quiet, with only the faint sound of the air conditioner running.

Zhao Meiyan didn't speak immediately. She picked up the water glass in front of her, her gaze falling on a point on the table, as if she was organizing her thoughts.

They were probably waiting for Quan Xuanhe to speak first.

The natural composure she maintained in front of Liu Zhimin and Song Yuqi was now betraying a hint of her true feelings.

Are you trying to ask her why she's here?

Quan Xuanhe turned to look at Zhao Meiyan and spoke.

"Ah."

Zhao Meiyan nodded slightly, now she had a reason to continue the story.

“I didn’t know before I came, and you didn’t say she was here too.”

Upon hearing this, Quan Xuanhe nodded.

I knew you would ask.

Zhao Meiyan looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"She really doesn't have any schedules or announcements to attend recently."

"Their company is embroiled in internal strife."

"So I guess I was bored, or... I had other ideas, so I came to the film crew on my own. I didn't expect that at first."

He paused, then reached out and took her hand, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

“She became like this after she arrived. You saw it too.” Quan Xuanhe carefully chose his words.

She knows exactly where to stay and what she should and shouldn't do.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk sighed, seemingly a little helpless, and leaned back in his chair, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

“You know she… has those kinds of thoughts.” He was referring to Liu Zhimin’s little scheme. Although he didn’t say it directly, they both knew it.

If he insists that there's absolutely no connection, who would believe him?

Let's just be open and honest.

"She's willing to stay, so it's not good to just kick her out. After all, she hasn't done anything too outrageous. If we force her out, the scene will be even more awkward, and it won't be good for her either."

His explanation sounded practical, without any fancy embellishments or excessive justifications.

Zhao Meiyan finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry, as well as a lingering sense of grievance.

"So you're just going to let her stay here like this? Following her around like a little assistant?"

Her voice was soft, yet it went straight to the point.

Quan Xuanhe met her gaze, his eyes honest: "I asked her to come over and say hello now because I wanted her to understand, and for you to see, that you are more important. She needs to recognize herself."

He squeezed her hand.

"How she behaves is her business. I can't control her thoughts and actions; I can only manage myself. I told you, she's here, and I'll handle it."

"It was a bit of a surprise that you ran into me today, but all I can do is try my best to keep things from getting complicated or ugly."

He paused, looked into Zhao Meiyan's eyes, and softened his tone.

"Actually, did you see how anxious she looked just now? She knew she shouldn't, and she was afraid you would be angry."

This statement was very effective; Zhao Meiyan took it to heart immediately.

Considering that Quan Xuanhe had previously asked Liu Zhimin to greet the two of them, Zhao Meiyan felt that it was understandable.

Yes, she saw clearly the way Liu Zhimin looked like she wanted to disappear into the ground.

Liu Zhimin was both afraid and timid towards her, but what was she afraid of?

Thinking of this, Zhao Meiyan seemed to straighten her back a little.

"I understand..." Zhao Meiyan replied, her voice still a little soft and sweet.

Quan Xuanhe sensed her softening and his heart stirred.

His arms naturally wrapped around her waist, and with a little force, he pulled her halfway into his embrace.

Zhao Meiyan paused slightly, but did not resist. Instead, as if she had found a foothold, she obediently turned to the side and gently rested half of her cheek against his shoulder.

"You can trust me." Kwon Hyun-hyuk's voice carried a slight tickle, penetrating directly into your ears.

He raised his other hand, his fingertips gently combing through the strands of hair that hung down her neck.

Zhao Meiyan involuntarily closed her eyes and softly responded.

“Meiyan, sometimes, communicating more isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

Kwon Hyun-hyuk seemed to have another meaning behind his words.

Zhao Meiyan shifted in his arms, raised her eyes, and looked at him with a hint of confusion.

She didn't understand what he was referring to specifically, but her intuition told her that there was something more to his words.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk didn't directly answer her questioning gaze. Instead, he turned his head slightly, resting his chin gently on the top of her head, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window.

“Look, just like Jisoo and Tzuyu…” He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

"We've been getting quite close lately, haven't we? We've been having meals together and have had very pleasant conversations."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, gently rippling through Zhao Meiyan's heart.

Of course she knew.

I felt a pang of anxiety at the time, wondering how these two people had gotten so close.

But she didn't think too much about it at the time.

But now, with Kwon Hyun-hyuk bringing these words up in this context, the meaning is completely different.

Zhao Meiyan's thoughts drifted a little further away.

Did Kim Jisoo actively approach Chou Tzu-yu just to hang out?
Given Kim Jisoo's personality and her feelings for Kwon Heon-hyuk...

A strange feeling swept through Zhao Meiyan's heart, like seeing a blurry outline in the fog.

"The two of them," she repeated softly, a hint of thought in her voice.
"Yes, the relationship seems to have improved all of a sudden, which is quite interesting."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk tightened his grip on her arm, as if trying to pull her closer to him.

He can't just watch; he has to take action too.

Jisoo and Tzuyu are getting so close, can't he do something too? A real man can't be passive.

Zhao Meiyan leaned against his chest, able to clearly hear his steady heartbeat, but felt her own thoughts racing.

Quan Xuanhe's words were like a key, gently unlocking a corner of her heart that had always been ignored.

What do they exchange when they get together? Information? Opinions? Or some unspoken consensus?
Zhao Meiyan felt a slight chill.

She never thought about forming cliques; her feelings were straightforward and focused. If she liked someone, she liked them; if she gave, she gave.

But Quan Xuanhe's words made her realize that in this complex vortex surrounding him, it seemed that someone had already begun to act in ways she had never imagined.

Zhao Meiyan was deep in thought, her gaze lost in thought.

Quan Xuanhe stopped talking and gently patted her back, giving her enough space to process what was happening.

Rather than passively getting caught up in various situations, or guarding against Yoo Jimin like a thief, or being suspicious of the alliance between Kim Jisoo and Chou Tzuyu, perhaps...

Taking the initiative and trying to understand, engage with, and even manage to some extent might be a better option.

This idea felt foreign to her, even somewhat resistant, as it went against her simple, instinctive nature.

But another voice reminded her that Quan Xuanhe's world was never simple, and those who stayed by his side were destined not to be just ignorant and passive little girls.

Quan Xuanhe noticed the subtle change in the person in his arms. He didn't urge her, but simply gently rubbed his chin against the top of her soft hair.

Looking out the window further into the distance, Liu Zhimin and Song Yuqi seemed to be talking about something.

Warm breath brushed against her forehead, then a gentle kiss dissolved Zhao Meiyan's lingering awkwardness.

She didn't say anything, but simply buried herself closer to him and quietly wrapped her arms around his waist.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk felt the force of her leaning against him and her silent dependence, and the corners of his mouth curved up.

He lowered his head, and this time his target was clearly her lips.

A long and tender kiss.

Their lips pressed together, rubbing against each other, exchanging warm breaths, unhurried and calm, as if time itself had slowed down for them.

Song Yuqi walked over to Liu Zhimin and stood next to her naturally, her gaze also fixed on the film set.

The afternoon breeze carried a chill and the smell of dust.

"Phew... It feels so much better to get some fresh air."

Song Yuqi stretched and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if the subtle atmosphere in the RV had never existed.

"It's still a bit stuffy in there, isn't it?"

Liu Zhimin nodded. Facing Song Yuqi, she felt far less of the invisible pressure she felt when facing Zhao Meiyan.

"It's... a bit stuffy inside."

Song Yuqi turned her head to look at her. Liu Zhimin wasn't wearing makeup today, her face was bare, her skin was clean, and she really looked like she had come on vacation with nothing to do.

She smiled and spoke, her voice carrying a casual curiosity, but her eyes held a hint of inquiry.

"So you really don't have any schedules lately? Aren't you guys supposed to be super busy?"

She paused, then gestured with her chin towards Quan Xuanhe.

"You just watch him film every day?"

Liu Zhimin's heart skipped a beat. Was this a series of tricks to get information out of her?

"It's alright, watching him act is quite interesting."

"Wow, so serious?" Song Yuqi raised an eyebrow, her tone half joking and half teasing.

"He's so considerate, bringing breakfast and water. He's getting such good treatment." These words made Liu Zhimin's cheeks flush slightly, and she lowered her voice: "It was just something I did... He seemed to be working hard."

"Tsk tsk, he's really lucky." Song Yuqi clicked her tongue, stirring the ice cubes at the bottom of the glass with her straw, making a soft clinking sound.

Her gaze swept over Liu Zhimin's somewhat embarrassed face, knowing that no matter how much she asked, Liu Zhimin wouldn't say anything.

It was just idle chatter.

"Speaking of which, how did you two meet?"

Song Yuqi didn't know much about her relationship with Quan Xuanhe.

Although those who know more know that Yoo Jimin and Kwon Hyun-hyuk knew each other back in their trainee days, she didn't know this.

Liu Zhimin was staring blankly at the staff moving props in the distance when she turned her head and met Song Yuqi's open yet slightly gossipy gaze.

“That one…” Yoo Jimin raised her hand to tuck a stray hair that had been blown across her face behind her ear. “I knew him before he debuted. He was a trainee at SM Entertainment.”

"Trainee?"

With this reminder of the keyword, Song Yuqi immediately remembered and pretended to have a sudden realization.

"Now I remember."

"It seems you've known each other for quite some time."

Song Yuqi tilted her head and said with a sigh.

"That's it."

Liu Zhimin also recalled her and Quan Xuanhe's bumpy journey and couldn't help but nod.

While the two were chatting idly, Kwon Hyun-hyuk and Cho Mi-yeon got out of the RV.

Quan Xuanhe went first, followed closely by Zhao Meiyan. She raised her hand to smooth the strands of hair that were being blown by the wind, her expression unchanged.

She saw Quan Xuanhe lower his head and say something to Zhao Meiyan, who nodded slightly, her profile gentle.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk stopped in front of the two of them.

"I'm going in first, filming will start soon."

"You can wander around as you like, or rest in the car. If you need anything, just call my assistant."

His gaze then turned to Liu Zhimin, his eyes encouraging: "Zhimin, don't just sit there."

Don't be too timid.

Liu Zhimin received his gaze, but only gave him a hint of resentment.

Kwon Heonhyuk didn't say anything more, leaving only his broad back as he strode towards the depths of the studio, quickly disappearing into the busy figures of the staff.

After he left, the atmosphere became unpredictable.

Zhao Meiyan turned her gaze away from the direction where Quan Xuanhe had disappeared and placed it on Liu Zhimin, who was a few steps away.

“Ji-min-xi,” Zhao Mei-yan’s voice broke the silence, her tone gentle.

"Yuqi and I are getting ready to go back to Seoul. Do you... want to come along?"

Liu Zhimin was clearly taken aback upon hearing this, and looked up at Zhao Meiyan.

She didn't expect Zhao Meiyan to take the initiative to invite her.

A flicker of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes, followed by a rapid thought.

She had indeed planned to leave tonight; after spending several days on set, it was time to go back and prepare for the upcoming event.

But with them?
Song Yuqi also spoke up at the right time, her tone more relaxed than Zhao Meiyan's.

“Yeah, Zhimin, let’s go together? We can talk on the way, which is more convenient than you going back by yourself.”

She winked at Liu Zhimin, seemingly trying to ease the tension.

Liu Zhimin looked at Zhao Meiyan, then at Song Yuqi.

Refusing seems more deliberate and petty.

She pursed her lips, and finally nodded with difficulty: "Okay."

She really should leave.

"Let's go then."

"Uh, I need to go back to the hotel to pack my things."

After Liu Zhimin finished speaking, she said she was going back to the hotel to pack her things, and Song Yuqi immediately replied, "Ah, yes, it's time to pack."

Just as Liu Zhimin was about to turn around, Zhao Meiyan's voice rang out: "I'll go with you."

Liu Zhimin paused, looking up at Zhao Meiyan.

Zhao Meiyan's expression remained unchanged, still possessing that perfectly gentle demeanor.

Song Yuqi blinked, looking at this and then that, before finally choosing to look down at her phone and pretend she hadn't heard anything.

“…No need to trouble you, senior.” Liu Zhimin looked at her and then shook her head. “I’ll be fine on my own, I just need to grab a bag.”

"It's okay." Zhao Meiyan took a small step forward, closing the distance between the two, and the corners of her mouth even curved into a more obvious smile.

"Let's go together."

Liu Zhimin pursed her lips, her eyes flashing rapidly beneath the brim of her hat.

Refusing is clearly not a wise move; on the contrary, it makes one appear guilty.

She finally nodded, her voice even softer than before: "...Yes."

"Let's go." Zhao Meiyan turned around first and walked towards the direction where the nanny van was parked, her pace neither hurried nor slow.

"Yuqi, just wait here for now. We'll be back anyway."

"Row."

Upon hearing this, Song Yuqi wondered what they were trying to say to get her out of the way.

Then she'll just have to cooperate.

Liu Zhimin immediately sensed something was wrong, feeling that Zhao Meiyan might be planning something against her.

This is a bit scary.

Liu Zhimin's expression suddenly became slightly hesitant, and she took a step back.

Don't suddenly grab her hair.

The atmosphere remained subtly tense until they reached the hotel, with Liu Zhimin walking in front and Zhao Meiyan following behind.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk and Yoo Jimin have been staying together for the past few days, and their things have all gotten mixed up.

"Unnie, wait here for a moment, I'll be ready and out in a minute."

Liu Zhimin stood in front of Zhao Meiyan, showing no intention of going up to her, and turned to say to her.

"it is good."

Liu Zhimin got into the hotel elevator.

As she swiped her card to enter, Quan Xuanhe's familiar scent wafted towards her, mixed with traces of their shared life over the past few days, instantly bringing back the inexplicable grievances and helplessness in her heart.

She looked around her temporary home.

His T-shirt, which he had changed out of, was draped on the sofa, and his half-finished water glass from last night was on the table. In the bathroom, their towels were even hanging side by side.

"Hoo..." She let out a long breath, as if to expel all the stuffiness in her chest.

There's no need to hesitate, just pack your things and leave.

She opened her suitcase and stuffed all the clothes and skincare products scattered around into it.

Her petty schemes of the past few days seemed so ridiculous and vulnerable after Zhao Meiyan appeared.

Still dreaming of climbing the social ladder? Still thinking about checking her phone password? Zhao Meiyan's simple visit to the set exposed her true colors.

The more calm and polite Zhao Meiyan was, the more she felt that she was in the wrong.

She hastily stuffed the last coat into the suitcase and slammed it shut. Standing in the middle of the room, her gaze involuntarily fell back onto the large bed.

After a few seconds of pause, she shook her head, picked up her suitcase, and walked out.

The elevator arrived at the first floor with a "ding" sound.

The door slowly opened, and Liu Zhimin subconsciously took a deep breath, straightened her back, and tried to give herself some courage.

She walked out pulling her suitcase, her gaze almost immediately locking onto Zhao Meiyan, who was standing in the corner of the hotel's bright lobby.

Zhao Meiyan did not have a cold face, nor did she show any impatience.

She simply stood there quietly, tilting her head slightly to look at the green plants placed at the hotel entrance.

Liu Zhimin paused for a moment, then slowly pulled her suitcase over, the wheels making a soft sound on the polished marble floor.

The noise startled Zhao Meiyan.

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Liu Zhimin, and then naturally sweeping over the not-so-large suitcase in Liu's hand.

"All packed up?" Zhao Meiyan's voice was as gentle as it had been outside the hotel, revealing no particular emotion.

"Yes." Liu Zhimin nodded, her voice a little hoarse.

She tried her best to make her expression look natural, but her eyes still seemed a little unfocused. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay." Zhao Meiyan shook her head gently. She looked at Liu Zhimin standing in front of her, as if she had finally thought of something, and said the next sentence.

"Jimin...are you familiar with Tzuyu and Jisoo?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimin was stunned.

What does this sentence mean?

(End of this chapter)