The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 245 Zhang Yuanying: Oppa, you smell so good~
This month, TWICE released their fifth mini-album, "What is Love?", which includes six songs. The title track is an upbeat and energetic track. The concept behind "What is Love?" is "TWICE's curiosity about love."

This song was written by Park Jin-young himself. Gong Cheng heard the arrangement and lyrics and thought they were very good... It was said that he wrote it for his newborn daughter or something. DiCaprio mentioned it to him, but he didn't listen carefully at the time...

"Are you really going to make a comeback in the second half of the year?" Park Jin-young stood up from his desk in the lounge on the top floor of the new building. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind him offered a panoramic view of the entire Gangdong district. He went to the refrigerator in the small cabinet next to the sofa, took out two cans of Heineken beer, and handed one to Gong Cheng.

Gong Cheng waved his hand, "I won't drink anymore, I have to go record a show this afternoon."

"As for a return, it's hard to say..."

Perhaps since the Grammy nominations came out, Gong Cheng's mind has been sparking with inspiration lately, but he hasn't quite found the right spark yet and still needs to explore. Many of his songs are the result of combining inspiration with his own experiences. So for producers, inspiration is very important and must be grasped...

"If you really want to do it, how do you plan to do it?" Park Jin-young sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, popped open the tab on his beer, and took a satisfied sip. He hoped that Gong Cheng would stop for a moment. "Even the best sports car needs refueling..."

Gong Cheng took off his baseball cap and smoothed his hair back. "I understand, Zhenying-ge, so it's hard to say. It's uncertain. If I really have a plan, I'll let you know in advance..."

"The Grammys, oh my god, I can't even imagine how big a sensation you'll cause in Asia after you receive the award."

"Oh, I'm not the biggest winner at this year's Grammys..." Gong Cheng chuckled lightly, unconcerned. Bruno Mars's nominations for the three major awards were practically a sure thing, and everyone knew that.

Park Jin-young put down his beer, stood up, went to his desk, took out a stack of scripts from the drawer, and placed them in front of Gong Cheng. "Damn it! If you sweep all the major awards, what's the point of the Grammys? This is only your first year being nominated for a Grammy, you're only 22 years old, Best Newcomer, Best Pop, and so on are practically yours, no contest..."

"We've received many scripts from production teams. Our company is particularly interested in 'Crash Landing on You,' but we didn't expect you to take it. You wouldn't have time to film. But since you're here, we'll take a look so you can have an idea..."

Gong Cheng casually picked up a script, flipped through a couple of pages, and said, "Actually, filming is not bad, but I don't have any schedule. It's definitely not going to happen this year, so let's just postpone it as usual, bro. But speaking of filming, I should visit my teacher's house when I have some free time in a few days."

Park Jin-young nodded. Almost since last year, invitations have been sent to him from all variety shows and drama crews across Asia, as well as well-known radio stations in Europe and America. Nowadays, there is a popular saying in the industry: "No matter how popular someone is, who can be more popular than Tarot?"

The fashion industry resources he possesses alone are enough to make celebrities across Asia envious. He's a global ambassador for three top luxury brands and an Aston Martin supercar brand ambassador; any one of those titles would be enough to make Asian celebrities fight tooth and nail for them...

A recent survey by a New York media organization has released a list titled "2017 Global Sports and Entertainment Stars Endorsement Return Rate Ranking," which covers stars from various fields, including actors, singers, football, basketball, rugby, and race car drivers.

The top-ranked "Tarot" model boasts the highest return on investment for the brand. Following Aston Martin's official announcement of the "Tarot" ambassador two months ago, the DBS Superleggera, despite not being a limited-production model, saw a surge in orders, a bittersweet experience for the company. Even the brand itself was surprised to learn in its many years of operation that Aston Martin could sell so well.
The returns that brand ambassadors bring to brands are real, tangible financial gains. As a result, more and more high-end luxury brands are approaching Gongcheng. The competitive relationship between brands is nothing compared to the high returns that multiply...

Watch brands are also keeping an eye on Gong Cheng's next move: Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, Audemars Piguet, Piaget...

……

"Kids~ I'm home!!!"

Gong Cheng, carrying bags of coffee, kicked open the door to TWICE's practice room with an air of dominance, only to see the members, who were resting on the floor, staring at him with astonishment...

"No reaction at all?"

He looked a little melancholy... As an undisclosed member of Twice, the tenth member... It's been about ten days since we last met. Shouldn't everyone give him a hug?

Lim Nayeon glanced at her boyfriend, her red lips showing her rabbit teeth, and couldn't help but purse her lips. Her boyfriend was sometimes quite nonsensical and abstract... but she was already used to it and didn't indulge him. She pretended not to see it and then quickly turned off the phone screen she had been staring at.

The screen flashed by, then went black, displaying recent announcements from Cube Entertainment as they announced the individual looks of each member of (G)I-DLE's debut group...

She believes that men shouldn't interfere in battles between women... Bunny Girl Lin Na-yeon is about to take over the battlefield and defend her rightful place in the martial arts world!
Kim Da-hyun, with a cold face, looked up and saw that it was a certain incompetent "former superior," then lowered her head and went about her own business.

She was waiting for a powerful patron who could protect her, someone who would extend an olive branch at the right time. Then, she would ruthlessly and decisively join the "bright and noble" camp, never again engaging in such despicable acts...

Gong Cheng sauntered over to Minatozaki Sana and handed her her favorite milk tea. Zhou Tzuyu and the others came forward to get theirs, and when Mina finally put down the handle, she took the coffee, itching to pat Gong Cheng's butt. "Not bad~" she grinned, showing her pink gums and grinning like a silly goose...

The little penguin is getting more and more unruly...

Sana Minatozaki, who was standing nearby, took in the whole scene. She felt that when Mina was patting her boyfriend's butt, her friend's cool eyes glanced at her slyly, as if to declare war.
After their trip to Beijing during the Spring Festival, a delicate balance was achieved between Minatozaki Sana and Mina, yet this balance was tinged with tension. Minatozaki Sana could share snacks, milk tea, and even nice clothes and jewelry with her friend...

But the man couldn't do it. Mina was annoyed by Sana Minato's provocation on her way to the capital and wanted to tell that little thief, "Do you really think I can't deal with the underlings in your female camp?"
Gong Cheng took in the subtle exchange of glances between Mina and Sana Minatozaki, nudged Son Chaeyoung beside him, and asked with a grin, "How are the sales of YT Jewelry's new season products?"

It might sound a bit unfair, but it's best for men to stay out of women's business. Besides, he has to record a show later, so it's better for him and Little Tiger to disappear for a while. It's so reassuring!
Gong Cheng loves little tigers the most. Regarding TWICE opening up their individual profiles, the first individual advertising endorsement was Son Chaeyoung. Their collaboration with YT Jewelry has already been circulating throughout the Korean Peninsula a few days ago. I just heard from Park Jin-young in his office that sales are good, and the return on investment for the endorsement is positive…

Having just become a member of the top girl group TWICE, coupled with Son Chaeyoung's distinctive personal style and her excellent understanding of the new season's themes of "rebellion" and "freedom," she still managed to ask the little tiger (a nickname for a male celebrity) again.

"Rapper star~" Son Chaeyoung grinned, showing her little tiger teeth, and said in a sweet, childlike voice. She was very happy to hear this, even though she was very confident in herself. But when she was truly recognized by fans and audiences, the joy was even more indescribable, although she didn't really care about other people's opinions...

Everyone has a bright future. Gong Cheng smiled happily, lay on the sofa, and took a sip of coffee to refresh himself.

When Chou Tzu-yu saw that Gong Cheng was still holding a coffee even after returning to Seoul, she immediately understood that her good brother's schedule was still incredibly busy. She poked Gong Cheng's hand, which was dangling on his lower abdomen and holding a phone, with her slender fingers resting on her knees...

Then, to Gong Cheng's surprise, Zhou Ziyu picked up her grapefruit juice and handed it to him. The white plastic straw still had pink lipstick stains on it. "Oppa, if you don't like coffee, drink mine..."

Chou Tzu-yu wore a blue and white short-sleeved T-shirt from practice, revealing her abs. Her long, slender legs were neatly together, and her doe-like eyes were wide and watery as she blinked. Her expression seemed unintentional, pure and sincere, yet her pursed lips held a hint of expectation and uncertainty...

Perhaps it's because the maknae (youngest member) has a loud voice, but as soon as she spoke, Lim Nayeon, who was sitting cross-legged not far away, forgot about scouting the situation and raised her rabbit head, staring intently at her male lead. The incident with Zhao Miyeon had given her a wake-up call; her male lead... was more restless than she had imagined...

Sana Minatozaki and Mina MAI exchanged a few sharp glances, then simultaneously looked at Makoto Miyamoto, who was lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed, and the youngest member beside him, who was handing him a juice. The youngest member's short face was covered in sweat, and his expression was full of innocence and naivety, just like a younger sister caring for her older brother...

Son Chaeyoung also unconsciously distanced herself from Gong Cheng, tilting her head and looking at Tzuyu and her boyfriend with a blank expression. But she didn't think it was a big deal. Her boyfriend often shared a wine glass with the unnies during dinners. Everyone was a clean person and not the type to mess around...

It's normal for close friends to share a drink, but since men and women shouldn't touch each other, it's not really appropriate.

Kim Da-hyun suddenly raised her fair face, her expression filled with anxiety that screamed, "I knew it! I knew it!" She felt that if she didn't sprint back to shore, this time bomb would really explode, and TWICE would be finished!
She couldn't help but recall the officer on the sofa who had mentioned having a talent for acting? Maybe he should become an actor after the group's collapse? Lieutenant Kim wished she could pull out a pistol from her waistband, grab a sturdy stool, stand on it, and grab the collar of this high-ranking general who was about to be court-martialed, demanding, "How many is this?"

"Oppa dislikes me?" Tzuyu's muffled voice carried a hint of aggression.

But in Gong Cheng's eyes, he always felt that his good sister's smile had a kind of charm reminiscent of the women in the TV series "Empresses in the Palace"... "Ani, I'll just have coffee, Ziyu..."

"Try a sip, it's delicious..." Chou Tzu-yu's voice was sweet and charming, the tone of a Tainan girl was soothing and tingling. Her bright eyes glanced at Sana unnie's stunned expression, and she smiled slightly. But after seeing Gong Cheng's conflicted and hesitant expression, she pouted, a little annoyed...

Is a good younger sister more important than a female relative, brother?

"Hmm, it really is delicious..." Gong Cheng didn't even lift his eyelids, quickly took the grapefruit juice she offered, took a sip, and savored the sweet and sour taste with a faint lemon aroma. Then, he calmly handed the juice back to Zhou Ziyu, "Hey, one sip is enough, I'll just have coffee..."

Gong Cheng felt death was looming around him... but he understood that it was precisely in times like these that he needed to be confident and composed...

"Oh my god~ indirect kiss..." Hirai Momo couldn't sit still anymore. What's going on, Tzuyu? Your master is being inconsiderate, and aren't you being inconsiderate too? I've already said this, so you probably won't do anything so intimate with my master again, right?

"..." x9
Hearing his traitor's words, Miyako felt a chill run down his spine! Aigoo! What did you do, Hirai Momo?!

There was nothing wrong with you, what's wrong with taking a sip of juice?! You didn't act like this when I was doing partner hip thrusts for you!
Mina wore a look of anticipation, raising a smug expression at Makoto. "So many female friends, let's appease them one by one!" she thought. "Tzuyu's doing a good job too, this maknae is quite cunning..."

Especially now, seeing Tzuyu's slightly flushed face and her little hand clutching the juice, she was certain: the maknae was doing it on purpose...

Gong Cheng winked at Kim Da-hyun, "Aigoo, what nonsense are you talking about? It'll be bad for my reputation if word gets out..."

"..." x9
Kim Da-hyun laughed in exasperation, opening her mouth as if to say, "How can this guy be so ungrateful after getting the better deal?" "Oppa, when have you ever had a good reputation? It's always the same old scandals..."

What was meant as a sarcastic remark actually helped Miyako change the subject...

"These past few days, there have been rumors circulating that you're having an affair with Dilraba, a celebrity from your country..."

After Kim Da-hyun finished speaking, she turned her head away and remained silent. Fine, I give up. Hurry up and explain... It's impossible that you actually have a relationship with this celebrity, right? When you explain, make sure you're confident and righteous...

The Great Marshal and General are the worst bastards...

Garlic Bird, I'll help you one more time...

Upon hearing this, Gong Cheng sat up straight, completely engaging in a "guerrilla war" with Lieutenant Jin. However, he was genuinely curious. Dilireba? He didn't even know her, how could there be any rumors about her? "Annie, Dilireba?"

"What scandal? I know her, she's a very popular actress these past two years, but I don't even know her... Isn't this just pure fabrication?" He sighed, quite emotionally, "Alas, my reputation has been ruined by these unscrupulous media outlets..."

"Right, Dahyun? You think so too, don't you?"

"..." Kim Da-hyun, with her hair in a bun, reluctantly nodded and murmured in agreement, "Mmm..."

Yoo Jeongyeon was completely uninterested in the topic. As for drinking Tzuyu's beverage, it was nothing out of the ordinary. As she spoke, she glanced speechlessly at Hirai Momo and then at Gong Cheng. One of them always managed to say something that made people feel awkward, and the other had once again refreshed her understanding of his shamelessness...

Good reputation?
Dahyun is really good at flattering people...she spoils him with everything...

Lim Nayeon continued to peer into Zhao Meiyan's background. As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Zhou Tzuyu's matter wasn't a big deal, but it still made her wary. After all, the two had been the closest of friends since they first met...

The father often takes the maknae (youngest member) out for private meals and to explore different restaurants... but he also frequently stands the maknae up, which often makes the maknae unhappy and sullen...

"..."

……

"Xiao Cheng, let's have lunch first. We need to go to PRODUCE 48 to record later..."

Around lunchtime, Kim Daewoo and Cha Gunho, holding their meal cards, prepared to head to JYP's huge organic cafeteria. He reminded Gong Cheng of his schedule.

Gong Cheng nodded, his tall figure following behind the TWICE members. During their usual practice periods, they ordered takeout more often, but during their comeback period, the TWICE members went to the cafeteria more often.

The company has dedicated staff who will create and prepare their return-to-work meal plans, all for the sake of maintaining their figure...

After Kim Dae-woo and Cha Kun-ho quickly left, Gong Cheng glanced at Minatozaki Sana, who was wearing a sleeveless black T-shirt, dark blue wide-leg jeans that hugged her waist, and pink Adidas sneakers. She walked with a graceful and charming gait...

He strode over, grabbed the little dog's wrist, made her stop for a moment, then let go... He originally wanted to ask if she was angry, but that would be too stupid—he hadn't done anything wrong, so why would Sana be angry? Asking would just be admitting it.

"What are you doing?" Sana Minatozaki felt a little helpless. Tzuyu is being immature, but are you immature too, boyfriend? Tzuyu is already clingy enough to you... Can't you see that? Wouldn't doing this just deepen the misunderstanding between you two?

Or perhaps, my dear husband, you really want that kind of beautiful misunderstanding?

"Jeongyeon, Momo-chan~ come here for a second..." Gong Cheng didn't speak, but instead called out to Yoo Jeongyeon and Hirai Momo who were walking ahead. Many members turned around curiously, and he explained with a smile, "Do me a favor, Daewoo hyung just said I should upload some casual photos..."

"Hasn't updated Instagram in a long time..."

"So, let's take a picture together, all of us born in '96?" He pulled his phone out of his back pocket, a casual smile on his face, and made up a reason. Tzuyu's matter was no big deal at all... at most, it would make Sana-chan a little annoyed...

Then some happy things will help to clear things up...

Sana Minatozaki was stunned when she heard this. She didn't believe that Makoto Miyamoto would do this for no reason. You see, Makoto Miyamoto's Instagram account, since it was opened, has been almost entirely filled with miscellaneous posts, responses to fans, photos of his life, and some simple song promotions...

Aside from a video he filmed with Tzuyu last year to celebrate their country's National Day, there are almost no photos of him with other female celebrities. There are, however, photos of him with members of Bombardment Meteor, or photos of them drinking and partying sometimes...

"Daughter, does this count as an official announcement?" Gong Cheng whispered in Sana's ear as he watched Yu Dingyan and Hirai Momo walk over. Then, still smiling, he thought for a moment and, seeing that many members didn't believe him, he added, "Isn't it because you guys are slowly releasing your personal information?"

"There will probably be more collaborations in the future, it's a kind of promotion..." he said with a laugh, making things up. But what he said wasn't wrong; he had a huge following on his Instagram account, and his followers were very active...

Almost every day, people flood his old social media updates with comments and check-ins... It's no exaggeration to say that one of his posts is more effective than any publicity or exposure from appearing on a variety show in Seoul...

Unlike other celebrities, whose fans are mostly based in their home country or at most in Asia, his fans are spread all over the world...

"Aigoo, I really am benefiting from your fame... my friend..." Yoo Jeongyeon found this explanation quite reasonable. Of the entire TWICE, only she, Minatozaki Sana, Hirai Momo, and Miyako Makoto were born in 96...

It's quite normal and common in the entertainment industry to divide friends into groups based on birth year... Many celebrities also form friendship circles based on their birth year, such as "94line," "99line," and so on...

Within TWICE alone, there are "food group line", "96 line", "cherry blossom line", "..."

"Let's take a group photo and upload it to Instagram?" Hirai Momo's previously eager expression relaxed, and her face flushed slightly...

Is Master trying to make our relationship official?

"Yes." Miyako responded, then glanced down at the smile on Minatozaki Sana's cheeks. Starting with her 96-line friends, it would be natural to upload photos with other female friends later...

Of course, taking individual photos is definitely not an option right now, or rather, it's completely unnecessary... Next time, I'll take a group photo of Lim Nayeon and Son Chaeyoung together. The female friends will be happy, and he will be happy too, since there are so many female friends.
The four stood in the corridor leading to the JYP Organic Cafeteria, while the other members watched curiously. They all thought Gong Cheng's explanation made a lot of sense; with such a huge following on Instagram, he was a natural publicity channel...

After Gong Cheng's great success in the US last year, he has always taken good care of the members. This includes the opening up of individual resources for TWICE, which was also done with his help. They all know this in their hearts, so they are very grateful...

Only Mina and Dahyun, looking at Makoto Miyamoto's smiling face, knew exactly what was going on... This wasn't promoting the members at all; it was... flirting with the fans!
Just as the little penguin's face darkened, a cheerful voice reached her ears, "Shall we ask Mina-chan to take the photos? Mina-chan's photos are always so beautiful, the lighting and angles are perfect..." Minatozaki Sana turned her head with a beaming smile to look at Miyako, her bright eyes flashing with a mixture of threat and sweetness. Then, she looked at her friend Mina standing beside her with a smile, her usually cool face twitching slightly, but she still managed a smile and nodded...

Gong Cheng's eyes darted across the ceiling; it seemed the Shiba Inu woman and the little penguin were truly at odds! The events in the capital were really irritating the Shiba Inu woman…

Mina picked up her phone, glanced at the person who was pretending to be dead again, and took a step back, moving behind Sana-chan. She stood back a bit, having suffered a loss in silence, and had no choice but to squat down and watch the four people in the camera.

The four stood at the window at the end of the corridor, the warm Seoul sun shining directly on their shadows. Gong Cheng wore a cream-colored knit sweater, cool and breathable, with the uniquely cut collar slightly open, revealing his prominent Adam's apple and a glimpse of his collarbone. His dark hair, radiant in the sunlight, reflected a light brownish-red hue, and beneath his tousled hair were a pair of lazy, smiling eyes...

Sana Minatozaki stood beside his tall figure, wearing a black sleeveless short-sleeved T-shirt. Her fair arms were backed against the stone eaves of the windowsill. Beneath her long, black curly hair was a bright face that was ambitious and fearless, with a faint smile as she looked at the camera...

Mina squatted on the ground, tilting her head back. She knew Sana's gaze wasn't on the camera, but on her. She pursed her lips, the little mole on her lip twitching slightly, as if they were a perfect match...

They don't match at all, Sana-chan...

Standing to the left and right of the two, Hirai Momo has short black hair with berry-green highlights at the ends. The slight curve of her lips exudes the understated charm of a Japanese woman. Yoo Jeongyeon has short blonde hair and looks sideways at the camera, knowing how to find the right angle to pose. Both of their looks are from their recent comeback album, their fifth mini-album, "What is love?".

……

[TTTTarot]: "To my friends and family from '96 (cheers)!"

[Photos]

……

On the afternoon of April 16th, with Gong Cheng's Instagram post, the hashtag "#96line" instantly became a trending topic, and with JYP's help, the news of "TWICE's comeback" also topped the trending list...

"Waaaaah, I'm so happy to be a fan of both! My favorite couple is Tarot and Sana-chan~ Don't you think they're a perfect match?"

"Me, your mother?! Where did you put my Momo-chan?!"

"Teacher, why isn't my YoungJae among the '96 friends? He was also born in '96, and we even work at the same company..."

"Can the bird upstairs get out of the way? When have you ever seen my pigeon take a photo with any male celebrity other than the members of Bombardment Meteor?"

"Exactly...who doesn't know how popular Tarot is with women..."

"What's the name of the short-haired, blonde girl on the far right? She looks so lesbian..."

"Hey sis, that's my Jeongyeon. I've tagged her on Instagram. Follow her if you like. Now, let's get on the table..."

"I like these two Japanese girls, they seem so ambitious. Send me a portal..."

"Oppa, when are you going to do another photoshoot with Tzuyu? Please! Our 'Honey Fish Ice Cheng'..."

……

The sheer volume of attention and online traffic, coupled with Gong Cheng's previously rather perfunctory personal photos, has led to a surge in fans saving and sharing these photos across various entertainment forums and social media platforms.

Whenever an artist posts a new photo, a large number of fans spontaneously spread it across all corners of the internet. Especially in the current domestic environment, accessing entertainment apps like Instagram usually requires bypassing the Great Firewall, which makes the fans spread the photos even more vigorously.

The news of TWICE's latest comeback, along with the three members of the '96 line, has led to varying degrees of increase in followers and attention on their Instagram accounts...

In TWICE's practice room, the nine members kept refreshing the Instagram accounts of Sana Minatozaki, Jeongyeon Yoo, and Momo Hirai. The number of followers they gained was terrifying, increasing almost every moment. Only two hours had passed.
Their agent is also monitoring the search trends on their Instagram account, and can't imagine how many followers the three of them will gain by tomorrow.

……

It was almost 5 p.m.

"Oppa~ We'll wait for you to get off work..."

"Salanghey~"

"Oh, I'll be getting off work really late." Gong Cheng arrived at the recording site of PRODUCE 48 at Yongkyu Resort in Gyeonggi Province. Outside the security cordon, a dense crowd of fans had gathered. Their young and beautiful faces were overjoyed to see him step out of the Maybach...

Kim Dae-woo followed beside him, and Cha Gun-ho saw the two of them get out of the car and head to the parking garage to park...

"Oppa, please post more photos like today, so we know if you're doing well, if you're happy, if you're lonely, if you're tired..."

A female student from a local school in Gyeonggi Province, wearing a pink high school uniform, her smooth legs beneath the pleated skirt, is standing on tiptoe, her bright, youthful face framed by a raised, waving support sign covered in colorful graffiti.
We breathe the same air, so let me know if you're doing well, even if it's behind the spotlight...

[I feel sorry for you because I don't want the activation to be delayed...]

Gong Cheng, with his tall figure, glanced over. Under the support sign, the girl's face had some dark circles under her eyes. At the age of high school, her studies should be heavy, so the girl's tired eyes looked a little pale, but it couldn't hide her youthful and beautiful aura. "Ani, I'm having a great time every day, really."

"However, I have heard your suggestions, and I will make sure you see me more often in the future..."

"Those of you who are studying should also focus on your studies and finish your assignments..." He stopped in front of the safety line, chuckled, and offered this gentle advice. Then, amidst the reluctant gazes of his fans, he walked into the recording studio...

……

"Aigu ah, first-class purity."

"Do you really like the atmosphere in Class F? What are you still doing here...?"

Gong Cheng walked into the practice room for his first lesson of the day, Class F. Of the original nineteen F-level trainees, almost half of the familiar faces were gone. F was already the lowest rating, so there was no way it could be lowered any further…

They should all have been promoted to the DCBA class to some extent, but when he pushed open the door of Class F, which he hadn't seen for three or four days, he saw Jiang Huiyuan wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt, sitting cross-legged on the floor. The black mole on the tip of his nose and his dull eyes complemented each other well, as if he was in a daze.
Meanwhile, the trainees who had been brought down to her side were all practicing their dances.

It is said that one should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation, but why is this F student so clueless?

"Teacher..." Upon hearing Gong Cheng's voice, Jiang Huiyuan quickly stood up and greeted him with an awkward smile. The other trainees nearby also stopped practicing and greeted her as well... Her hands were clenched together, her fingers fidgeting nervously. She felt embarrassed by Gong Cheng's words. "I made a mistake, and then..."

Gong Cheng didn't speak. Having just traveled for an hour to reach Gyeonggi Province, he wasn't in a hurry to give a lesson. Instead, he smiled at the trainees standing to the side and said, "You guys continue your individual practice. I'm going to take a break..."

"Yes." The other trainees laughed when they heard his words, and then began their own practice.

Jiang Huiyuan sat back down in her original seat, stealing glances at Gong Cheng sitting behind her in the mirror. His broad shoulders and narrow waist made him look very stylish even when he was sitting. He was chatting with the production crew next to him.

Gong Cheng glanced at the director's camera beside him and asked in surprise, "Why are there so many shots of the first-class innocent girls?"

Royal family?
The skill level isn't that great either...

Li Huanzhi chuckled and leaned closer, whispering, "Since there aren't many good candidates for filming in Class F, we've chosen to focus on her for now. By the way, Xiao Cheng, the title of 'first-class pure' is quite funny. I reckon she'll get a lot of attention after the show airs..."

"Besides, being a pretty child makes it easier to get attention..."

Gong Cheng nodded, took a sip of water handed to him by a staff member, and stared at Jiang Huiyuan not far away. The underachiever looked at the other trainees practicing diligently in the camera's view, then stood up and walked over, awkwardly bouncing around a couple of times...

This behavior, as he observed it... well, it was rather strange about this person...

"How is Professor Cheng Xizhen?" Li Huanzhi asked with a smile, patting Gong Cheng on the shoulder.

Gong Cheng was a little surprised. He asked in confusion, "Brother Huanzhi, do you know my teacher?" Logically speaking, he should know all his fellow disciples. During the filming of "Goblin" last year, this teacher took him to many gatherings, all of whom were screenwriters, directors, actors, etc. in the film and television industry...

"Oh, back when I was still a student, I studied broadcasting. I even attended two classes to try and win over a girl," Lee Hwan-ji explained, revealing his Yonsei University degree. This was also the reason why he and Gong Cheng had gotten so close from the very beginning of the show's recording.

In the directing circle, many of the elite young and middle-aged directors and screenwriters in the past two years have a teacher-student relationship with that mentor Cheng Xizhen. Otherwise, that professor wouldn't be sitting on the judging panel of the Baeksang, Blue Dragon, and Grand Bell Awards every year. However, in the acting field, her students' performances have been somewhat lackluster. Only Gong Cheng has won the Baeksang Best Actor award for two dramas since last year.

Lee Huan-ji and many friends in the industry initially thought that Gong Cheng would move into the big screen and join Chungmuro ​​after the end of "Goblin" last year. After all, the relationship between the two schools was there, and Gong Cheng's appearance, acting skills and other conditions were all excellent. In addition, with the buff of being a TV King upon his debut, even if he switched to Chungmuro, the resources of his school would still be tilted towards him.

However, the young man beside her was developing too quickly in music, and Chungmuro ​​(the film industry) didn't take him seriously... As a result, in the past two years, Chungmuro's resources for young actors have been concentrated on a few people like Ryu Jun-yeol and Yoo Ah-in...

"Senior, why didn't you say so sooner, Hwanji-hyung?" Gong Cheng was a little surprised, but then he smiled. It was the first time he knew that Lee Hwanji was also a graduate of Yonsei University. "Thank you for taking care of me, hyung..."

"But I'm curious, did you manage to win over that senior sister?"

"Hehe..." Lee Hwan-ji quickly shook his head with a laugh, looking a little embarrassed, then changed the subject, "Ani, it's hardly like I took care of you. When you came to participate in the show, I was really... aigoo." Even though they were both students from Yonsei University, it doesn't mean that just because they graduated from the same school, they'll help each other out...

But with this identity, people will feel closer to each other. In addition, since the two of them work in almost the same industry, this industry connection will make their alumni status even more familiar and converging...

"Want a drink tonight?"

Gong Cheng smiled and agreed. He would be staying at a hotel in Gyeonggi Province tonight, as the filming schedule continued until tomorrow. However, judging from his expression, it seemed like his first love was just that – his first love.
Their casual conversation attracted the attention of many trainees. After the new round of promotion and demotion selections in Class F, many members of the Japanese team, through hard work, were promoted to levels A, B, C, and D...

Therefore, there are quite a few trainees from both Japan and the Korean Peninsula in Class F nowadays...

"Top-notch purity!"

Gong Cheng stood up, his tall figure appearing before the group of trainees. "Step forward!"

Jiang Huiyuan shrank her neck and looked around, wondering what had happened to her. But she obediently stepped out of the line...

……

An hour later, the trainees and mentors from the five classes, ABCDF, arrived at the recording studio.

The stage lights were dazzling, with purple light interlacing and projecting, and a huge "PRODUCE 48" sign was prominently displayed in the center of the backdrop, highlighting the theme of the show. The pastel diamond logo of "PRODUCE 48" was also printed on the base of the central stage.

Trainees from the five classes A, B, C, D, and F sat in a circular staircase around the stage, creating a tense and exciting atmosphere.

Gong Cheng stood casually in a corner with a microphone, not really wanting to move forward. Cui Yongjun was the one cueing the program's flow.

A moment later, Soyou walked onto the stage in the center of the audience seats where the trainees were located, wearing high heels. She looked at the script and asked with a smile, "What do you trainees think is the most important thing in the performance of the theme song '(PICK ME)'?"

"C position..." the trainees said in unison.

"..."

Today's recording will be the selection battle for the center position of the theme song "(PICK ME)". In the latest ranking, there are a total of 14 A-level trainees. The mentors will give each A-level trainee one hour to prepare on the spot, followed by a one-minute performance. Then, all the trainees outside of A-level will vote to select the center position.

After the center position is determined, we will go to the M! Countdown stage for a performance after the rehearsal.

"..."

An hour of preparation time passed quickly. Gong Cheng noticed that Zhang Yuanying, a trainee from a company, whose name was An, had been promoted to A-level... In the scene, Zhao You invited Gong Cheng to sit down together.

Among the five classes A, B, C, D, and F, Class A had the fewest students, but they needed to prepare for their performance, making it inconvenient for them to get on and off stage. Meanwhile, in Class B's tiered seating area, several seats in the front row were empty, and the trainees from Class B looked expectantly at Gong Cheng, hoping that he and vocal coach Zhao You would sit down together.

"Inside……"

Gong Cheng responded and walked over to sit next to Zhao You. Coincidentally, Zhang Yuanying was also sitting in the first row...

Zhang Yuanying's innocent face showed nervousness. Besides Gong Cheng casually walking over, countless cameras were also rotating around her. Her heart pounded in her chest...

The camera lens and the oppa – double happiness!
Immediately afterwards, a faint fragrance wafted into Zhang Yuanying's delicate nose. She sniffed it; the fresh and gentle scent was not pungent like perfume, but rather soft, clear, pure, and pleasant...

Zhang Yuanying tried hard to suppress the urge to smile in front of the camera. She couldn't help but glance at Gong Cheng, who was chatting with Teacher Zhaoyou. She was no more than 20 centimeters away from him. It was the first time she had been so close to him, so she could see him even more clearly...

Her features, even without makeup, were unbelievably beautiful. A blend of coldness and gentleness danced between her bone structure and skin. A necklace adorned the pale nape of her neck… This was a description Zhang Yuanying had seen in the novel "Tarot," but at this moment, she felt that those authors of the novel were not quite right in their descriptions, and their writing skills were not mature enough…

Once she gets the phone, she'll tell the author in the comments section of the novel how wonderful Tarot's body odor is, providing the author with some material.

Although her tall figure, which was often envied by family and friends, appeared quite petite next to this oppa... When Gong Cheng turned around and saw Zhang Yuanying staring at him, he blinked, smiled, and didn't say anything more...

Zhang Yuanying grinned, her expression unchanged, and turned her gaze back to the rehearsal for their upcoming performance. Today was truly lucky! Oppa was here, and the cameras were rolling...

Oppa, you smell so good...

(End of this chapter)