Peninsula: It’s just a dream, are you serious?

Chapter 458 Does this oppa like Krystal more than me?
Shortly after Chen Yan and Jung Soo-jung parted ways at the company entrance, SM Entertainment began its own operations.

The PR team pretended to be passersby and posted photos online of themselves "coincidentally" encountering Krystal Jung and her alleged boyfriend.

The angle is definitely that of a passerby taking a candid photo, and the photo is somewhat blurry, clearly not taken by a professional.

After the photos were posted online, SM's PR department hired online trolls to quickly generate buzz and attract genuine fans and casual observers to follow the story.

[Oh my! It really looks like Krystal, and this guy looks kind of familiar too.]

[To the person upstairs: No need to say "looks like," this is Krystal herself. I have a friend who's a Krystal fan, and he recognized her immediately.]

[Isn't this guy Chen Yanxi, the up-and-coming producer from JYP Entertainment who's been trending a lot lately? He even trended with Suzy a couple of days ago.]

[Yes, it's him. These two look like they're buying food at a food stall. They're out together so late, could they be on a date?]

[A man and a woman out together late at night, seemingly enjoying their meal together—I simply don't believe there's nothing going on between them.]

As more and more people joined the discussion, it was eventually concluded that the two were possibly dating, and the popularity and discussion surrounding the topic skyrocketed.

Soon, the hashtags 【f(x) maknae Krystal suspected of being in a relationship】 and 【f(x) maknae Krystal and JYP's up-and-coming producer's relationship】 appeared on Naver's trending list and continued to rise to the top positions.

SM's public relations department had been monitoring online public opinion, and after the relevant keywords climbed to the top three of the trending list and remained there for half an hour, they immediately issued a statement to refute the rumors.

The buzz and discussion have been enough to achieve a good promotional effect; we can stop here.

One minute later, a pre-prepared denial statement appeared on SM Entertainment's official website.

Hello everyone, this is SM Entertainment.

Regarding the online rumors about a relationship between our artist Krystal and JYP's up-and-coming producer Chen Yanxi, our company contacted Krystal herself immediately after noticing the rumors to confirm.

It has been confirmed that the two are close siblings.

Chen Yanxi was simply visiting Krystal, who was practicing at the company late at night in preparation for her comeback, as a close older brother. Our company staff also knew about this.

We urge everyone to stop spreading rumors. Our company reserves the right to pursue legal action against those who spread rumors.

The statement also pointed out that the two became close because Chen Yan was the creator and producer of the title track of f(x)'s second full-length album, and also participated in some of the concept planning work for the second full-length album.

Finally, two videos were released: one showing Chen Yan recording a song for Krystal Jung in the recording studio, and the other a teaser for the music video of "First Wisdom Tooth".

Then he added, "I hope everyone will pay more attention to and support f(x)'s comeback at the end of July."

The swift statement refuting the rumors, coupled with the subtle manipulation of online trolls, which emphasized that Krystal Jung was still a minor under Korean law, quickly quelled the online speculation about their relationship.

Fans, on the other hand, turned around and started criticizing SM Entertainment.

[SM Entertainment, they're at it again with their usual scandal-driven publicity stunts. They're never tired of it, are they?]

[I was wondering why this rumor suddenly popped up; turns out f(x) is making a comeback. SM Entertainment's signature style is really something else. But seriously, why was it denied so quickly this time?]

[Yeah, when has SM Entertainment ever denied something so quickly? Is it because the other person is from JYP? Do they not want JYP to ride on their coattails? Or did they suddenly remember they're human?]

Then, the online discussion inexplicably shifted to netizens analyzing why SM Entertainment denied the rumors so quickly this time.

Finally, the hashtag "[SM's fastest denial in history]" squeezed into the top of Naver's trending list, even surpassing the trending searches for the rumored relationship between Chen Yan and Krystal Jung at one point.

This unexpected turn of events amused onlookers and left those in SM's public relations department, who are closely monitoring public opinion, somewhat embarrassed.

The company's reputation has indeed remained consistently stable.

As the hashtag for his relationship with Krystal Jung slowly dropped from the top of the trending list, and public opinion stopped focusing on the romance, Chen Yan, who was leaning against the headboard, breathed a sigh of relief.

He was prepared that if SM Entertainment didn't quickly deny the rumors as agreed, he would release what he had prepared and use even more public opinion to cover up the controversy surrounding him and Krystal Jung.

He prepared two things.

One was to have his sixth brother specifically find someone to interview the guy who had opened Lee Seung-gi's eyes last time, to let him talk about his specific feelings at the time, and to film a video.

While the negative publicity surrounding the other party hasn't died down yet, I'll give him another boost to cover up the rumors about my relationship with Krystal Jung.

I believe Lee Seung-gi wouldn't mind and would be happy to help.

After all, he's going to enlist in the military soon, and it won't be easy for him to continue working in the entertainment industry after he comes out. This is just a way for him to experience what it feels like to be trending on social media one last time.

The second piece of news is that Lee Byung-hun and his girlfriend are getting married in August. This news was told to him by Lim Yoon-ah, so it's good to have it just in case.

Although Lee Byung-hun is a playboy, even a bit perverted, his influence on the Korean Peninsula is undeniable, easily overshadowing his rumored affair with Krystal Jung.

Fortunately, Kim Young-min kept his word and issued a statement to refute the rumors, so he didn't need those two things anymore.

After glancing at the completely shifting public opinion online, Chen Yan smiled and posted a message jokingly commenting on the trending topics.

[You've managed to ride my coattails this time, so aside from everything else, you'll have to treat us to dinner next time, Krystal @Krystal]

Below the text, several photos of him and Krystal Jung were added.

This was also part of what was agreed upon beforehand, as part of clarifying the rumors. He and Krystal each posted an update, openly showing their close relationship.

Krystal Jung also posted an update a few minutes ago, and the caption was quite interesting.

[Chen Yan, you big idiot! @ChenYanyan I already said I'd pack the snacks to take back to the company to eat, but you insisted on eating them while they were hot. Now look what happened!]

The post also included several photos of her and Chen Yan taken together previously.

Chen Yan smiled at the post, gave it a thumbs up, and then placed his phone on the bedside table next to him.

Instead of lying down to sleep immediately, he continued to sit quietly on the edge of the bed, a thoughtful expression gradually appearing on his face.

It has to be said that this feeling of having a backup plan and being in complete control is really easy to get addicted to, giving people the feeling of controlling other people's fate.

In fact, many things that have happened recently have given Chen Yan this feeling to some extent.

This includes anticipating the collapse of JYP after its IPO, preparing in advance, and quietly waiting for the day when he could rise from an employee to a company director.

There's also Lee Seung-gi's situation. Through his own schemes, he went from being an unparalleled top-tier celebrity on the Korean Peninsula to rock bottom in just half a month, ultimately having no choice but to semi-retire from the entertainment industry to serve in the military.

Even now, this whole thing with Krystal Jung has given him that feeling to some extent.

To be honest, Chen Yan's ego was inevitably somewhat inflated and unbalanced.

But this arrogance only lasted a short time before he quickly adjusted back to his usual calm and composed state of mind.

There's a saying that goes, "When you think you've got someone else's or even your own destiny in your hands, little do you know, fate might just be playing tricks on you." Chen Yan understood this well, which is why he could always quickly snap out of that feeling and regain his composure.

If this statement only serves as a warning, then the presence of Kim Tae-yeon and Im Yoon-ah is truly reassuring.

If we're really talking about controlling the fate of others, then the two of them, as reborn individuals, would undoubtedly find it easier to do so.

Both of them knew the fate of many people over the next ten years or so, and even knew about many major international events.

But they simply lived their lives quietly, never interfering in the fate of others except for a few people they cared about.

They often say that living life to the fullest, in peace and quiet, is more important than anything else.

It was their presence that finally calmed Chen Yan's restless heart.

They're right. A family living a comfortable and happy life is more important than anything else; everything else is completely unimportant.

"Whoo~"

As his jumbled thoughts dissipated into a breath, Chen Yan exhaled slowly, and his eyes regained their brightness and clarity.

He chuckled softly, then reached out and pulled open the first drawer of the bedside table next to him, taking out a small box.

Open the box, and inside lies a piece of stiff cardboard.

That was a birthday present that Peach had given him before.

Pick up the cardboard and open it; two short lines of text come into view.

OPPA Exclusive Coupon

Oppa who holds this coupon can make five requests to me (no limit), and I will grant them unconditionally.

Party A: Choi Jin-ri
Party B: Chen Yan
Validity period: Perpetual.

Looking at these two lines of text, especially at the character "five" which showed signs of slight modification, Chen Yan's lips curled up slightly again.

If Kim Tae-yeon and Im Yoon-ah were the calming pills that dispelled his unnecessary career ambitions, then Tao was the calming pill that suppressed his emotional ambitions.

Although the card still says five, it actually became four after Jessica Jung's older sister entered the house.

This also made Chen Yan roughly understand what Taozi's gift was for.

It's both indulgence and a bottom line.

Although he knew that even if he crossed the line a little, Peach would get angry, but he could easily coax her back to normal.

That girl is so easy to please.

Even so, he would not try to cross the line. Instead, he would willingly let the girl confine him and obediently stay within the boundaries she had drawn for him.

As Taozi's bright smiling face appeared in his mind, a gentle smile also appeared on Chen Yan's face.

He didn't want to hurt the girl, not at all.

also can not.

Therefore, the so-called "it would be a pity to give it to someone else" is at most within the range of the number "four".

It just so happens that Bae Suzy's rabbit takes up one of the spots, so it doesn't conflict with that.

After quietly examining the cardboard for a few more seconds, Chen Yan smiled and put it back in the box, then put the box back in the drawer.

Close the door, go to sleep, I have to go to work tomorrow.

As Chen Yan had hoped, public opinion on the internet shifted, and few people were discussing whether he and Krystal Jung were in a romantic relationship anymore.

However, there were two people who remained very concerned about this rumor.

In the back seat of a moving van, Bae Suzy, who had just finished recording a radio program and was on her way home, was holding her phone, pouting and frowning.

How did this oppa get involved in a dating rumor with Krystal? He clearly rejected being involved in a dating rumor with him twice before, so how did he suddenly start dating Krystal?

What does that mean?

Does this oppa like Krystal more than her, and think Krystal is more important to him?
Thinking of this, Bae Suzy's lips pursed slightly, and her unhappiness became more obvious.

And Krystal, I knew she had something going on.

She kept telling herself that oppa wasn't a good person and that she should stay away from him, but then she turned around and got a rumored relationship with oppa, which made her a trending topic.

Moreover, judging from the appearance in the photos, it doesn't seem like she was forced by the company at all; she's clearly smiling happily.

Oh well, so I ended up asking my love rival.

She almost fell for their trap, but luckily she was quick-witted enough.

Hmph, that wretched Soojung!
but
Bae Suzy's eyebrows furrowed even more.

She really needs to find out the specifics about Chen Yan, this oppa.

Although she knew that this oppa was unlikely to be the kind of scumbag who would start a relationship and then abandon it, it was still just her guess, and she still needed to find out for sure.

She may be attracted to good looks, but that doesn't mean she's stupid; she's genuinely invested her feelings.

only.
Who should I ask to get to the bottom of this?
Holding her phone, the girl fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, in a high-end apartment in Seoul...

Lee Ji-eun sat cross-legged on the bed, her ten cute toes, painted with light blue nail polish, unconsciously curling and opening slightly, over and over again.

Looking at the phone on the bed, the girl fell into deep thought.

The phone screen displayed trending news about Chen Yan and Krystal Jung.

Upon seeing this news, Lee Ji-eun's delicate eyebrows furrowed.

What's going on with Krystal Jung? Another rival?
Why is she becoming increasingly unable to understand the situation?

(End of this chapter)