The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 269 In fact, life is like this...

The next morning, the Las Vegas sun was shining brightly...

Last night's sweet dreams didn't continue. Gong Cheng got up early and, before the other members were even awake, accompanied Jin Dayu out for a stroll in the commercial district of Las Vegas Boulevard. "What kind of taste is this, bro? Your wife probably won't like such a flashy gift, will she?"

He glanced at the long dress the sales assistant was pushing so hard—a graffiti-style crayon dress. He'd met Kim Dae-woo's girlfriend before; she seemed like a beautiful woman who knew how to manage a household, and she spoke in a gentle voice. She was accompanying her two managers, Kim Dae-woo and Cha Kun-ho, to pick out gifts for their respective families.

It's a business trip, after all...

"Really? It looks very trendy, very fashionable..." Kim Daewoo said, casually raising his hand to reveal his Rolex watch. He was quite good at showing off. "It's a new model too."

When traveling, besides picking out gifts for his family and trying to please them when he returns to Seoul, Kim Dae-woo's favorite thing to do is casually show off his expensive watch or belt, eliciting admiring glances from sales assistants at high-end luxury stores. He really enjoys it...

Gong Cheng, holding his coffee, waved his hand dismissively. "Believe it or not, why don't you just video call your sister-in-law? She's complained about your taste more than once or twice. You might as well learn from Brother Qianhao." He pouted, his gaze behind his sunglasses...

Che Qianhao was video calling his girlfriend on his phone. The camera panned across rows of shelves. "Eun-ya, which one do you like?" His straightforward personality, coupled with his recent discharge from the military and his increasingly stable job, and the rumors that he was planning to marry his girlfriend next year…

“I like to play with surprises and romance…” Kim Daewoo patted his belly, his beady eyes darting around, and then said to the sales assistant, “Here, wrap up this one and that simple one for me.”

Gong Cheng chuckled. This guy's got a smooth tongue too...

"Your flight back to Tokyo is tonight, aren't you going to buy Irene a gift?" After swiping his card, Kim Daewoo leaned over, winking and whispering, "Sung, you need to be more romantic when pursuing a girl, like giving her some small gifts or something. You can't just bring back gifts for the TWICE members every time you go on a business trip, can you?"

"Shouldn't you take better care of your girlfriend, or the girl you want to date? Emphasis on 'better'! Understand?"

"You know it well?"

"Of course, I was the most handsome guy at Cheongju University when I was young..."

"..."

Gong Cheng sat on the sofa in the store, unmoved. Jin Dayu looked at his superior face behind his sunglasses, thought for a moment, and then burst out laughing. "Ani, you don't trust me, do you?"

"The company doesn't know about you and Irene, and I won't say a word. Besides, the company won't interfere in your love life, don't worry. At your age..."

Gong Cheng took off his sunglasses, revealing his handsome face, and said helplessly, "Brother, actually you seem to have it backwards."

"Irene is pursuing me, do you understand?"

Bae Joo-hyun: ? ? ?

Of course he prepared a gift for Bae Joo-hyun, did Kim Dae-woo need to say that?
Besides the Daegu Little Woman, there are also Minatozaki Sana, Lim Nayeon, Son Chaeyoung, Mina, Hirai Momo... and many others are prepared...

He will do his best in everything he can.

……

At 6 p.m., the 25th Billboard Music Awards ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Hotel, and NBC broadcast the ceremony.

On the red carpet, stars shone brightly...

After walking the red carpet with the members of Bombardment Meteor, Gong Cheng was called back by the organizer's photographer and walked it all over again by himself.

Hundreds of cameras flashed wildly... Amid the shouts of the media and photographers, Gong Cheng had no choice but to linger on the red carpet a little longer. Meanwhile, some cameras that were only responsible for shooting the upper body quickly changed their angles to capture full-body shots of the red carpet.

Raw photos straight out of the camera...

It wasn't that they wanted to trouble Gong Cheng to linger on the red carpet any longer; it was simply that none of the stars on the red carpet had Gong Cheng's charisma and physique, making him a perfect subject for every photo...

Some photographers who originally only photographed the upper body did so because of the tacit understanding among colleagues. Some male stars' upper bodies would have a good hairstyle and a made-up face in the shot, which would really give them a "male god" feeling. But how the hell could they photograph the lower body exposed off-camera, with 10-centimeter platform shoes and trousers that couldn't be filled out?
Aren't you afraid of spraining your ankle?

Furthermore, the style of some hip-hop artists is something that ordinary people cannot appreciate.

...Only the upper body can be photographed...

Compared to other celebrities, the boys in various suits and ties, or those holding a cup of coffee and trying to appear relaxed, and being pursued by high-end celebrities in the camera, seem much more casual. They stand tall with one hand in their pocket, waving to the camera.

The male celebrities who walked past him looked like... bodyguards? subordinates?

……

At 3 p.m., the 25th Billboard Music Awards opened, hosted by Kelly Clarkson, a three-time Grammy Award winner who began serving as a mentor on the music talent show series "The Voice" last year.

The program aired on NBC in the United States on February 26th of this year, and it attracted quite a few viewers...

At the noisy awards ceremony, Gong Cheng and the members of Bombardment Meteor sat in the front row of the audience, next to Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and a few others, chatting casually.

Compared to their initial awkwardness and nervousness when they first arrived last year, the members have become much more relaxed after their recent trip to the Grammys.

The saying that red is good for health is not without reason.

……

Countless music fans overseas were waiting in the live stream room for the Billboard Music Awards to begin.

The view of Las Vegas appeared on the screen as the sun set, followed by the Billboard logo, and then transitioned to Lady Gaga's opening performance...

"..."

After the performance, in the bustling live broadcast room, the host and award presenters smiled and began the award presentation: "Who is the winner of the Best Newcomer Award?"

Amidst the noisy venue, shouts of "TTTTTTTarot!" could be heard from the back row of the live stream.

"An undisputed award~" Host Kelly Clarkson chuckled softly into the microphone, no longer keeping everyone in suspense, "Tarot!"

The camera cut to Gong Cheng, who stood up calmly with a smile on his face. He hugged the members around him and strode to the podium.

A very bland acceptance speech...

"..."

……

Gong Cheng returned to the guest seat with the Best Newcomer of the Year award in hand. He had received 13 nominations, plus 5 nominations for the Bombardment Meteor Award, only one of which was the Best Social Artist Award, which was an overlap between individual and group awards.

The Bombardment Meteor nominations are mostly for group awards, meaning there are a total of 17 nominations including individual and group awards. If every acceptance speech is lengthy, I'd really have to use a search engine to find the right words on the spot...

"This is outrageous! You're a three-time Grammy winner, and you come here to accept Best Newcomer." Taylor chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand as she teased Gong Cheng. During the awards ceremony, the faces of the other nominees—21 Savage, Kodak Black, Camila Cabello…—appeared green on the big screen…

Gong Cheng shrugged, handed the trophy to Jin Dayu who was jogging over, and turned to Taylor, "How can you not be considered a newcomer?"

This is only his third year in the industry...

It was only last year that I went to the US...

"..." Taylor glanced at him, feeling that what he said sounded very manipulative and cheap.

On stage, the presenter, holding her cue cards, first picked up her headphones amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, put them on, and then, with a beaming smile, called out the winner's name, "Best Group of the Year—Bombardment Meteor!!"

"Ah ah ah ah ah!"

"Bomb the meteor!"

"Asian male model!"

"..."

A deafening roar of cheers erupted from all directions within the venue...

"Asian Male Models" - If Bombardment Meteor is jokingly called the "Sex Group" in Asia, then in Europe and America, fans combine their "Perfect Looks Group" attributes with their own experiences of being labeled as "Sex Groups" after scandals, calling them the "Asian Male Model Group".

The seven members smiled, turned around, waved to their fans, and walked onto the stage.

Jay Park, a local, delivered his acceptance speech in English, “…”

Then, Oh Sehun, Park Chanyeol, and Lim Young-woong said in Korean to thank their Asian fans.

Lay Zhang and Jackson Wang thanked their Chinese fans for their love and support in Chinese...

Gong Cheng smiled as he looked at the camera, pondering what to say in his acceptance speech for the next award...

……

"Social Artist of the Year - TTTarot!"

"Single of the Year: Tarot's 'Shape of You'"

"Best Rap Single of the Year: Tarot's 'Rockstar'"

"Billboard Album of the Year Artist: Tarot"

"..."

……

In the live broadcast, as Gong Cheng was about to go on stage again to accept the award, the Bombardment Meteor members and Taylor Swift stood up to hug him, while he simply sat in his seat and clapped...

To the audience, it seems like "Tarot" has to go up and accept an award every now and then.

Some niche awards in country music or Christian songs are given out, and then "Tarot" is on the podium again... To date, the boy standing in the spotlight on stage has won 9 out of 13 nominations.

The remaining awards have not yet been announced, and many fans are eagerly anticipating whether he can follow in Drake's footsteps last year and win every single one he's nominated for…

But tonight, without a doubt, the boy who is giving his acceptance speech with a wry smile is the biggest winner...

……

"Artist of the Year - Tarot!"

The award presenter, Alexis, watched with a hint of helplessness as Gong Cheng stepped onto the stage once again. She handed the trophy to Gong Cheng and asked with a smile, "Tarot, there's a rumor circulating online that you have a glowing wall of honor. Is it already filled with trophies?"

"This is your thirteenth trophy tonight, a perfect thirteen wins..."

“I remember you standing here with Bombardment Meteor a year ago, and you said you needed more…”

Gong Cheng adjusted the microphone, nodded slightly, his silver hair swept back and his smiling eyes bathed in the spotlight. "Yes, obviously, I did it, haha... As for that glowing wall of honor, it should be too full to hold it all, right?"

He laughed carelessly and explained, "I haven't been inside for a long time because I've been really, really busy..."

Since the awards season began at the end of last year, his music awards have included not only major awards in mainland China, but also prestigious awards in Europe and America such as the BRIT Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Asia Music Awards, and HITO Pop Music Awards...

There were both big and small prizes, but due to the busy schedule, many of the prizes were sent over by the organizers.

In the scrolling bullet comments:

"Oppa is so arrogant, I love your rebellious side..."

"What's with the 'crazy' stuff? To be honest, I just checked in at JYP a couple of days ago. All I can say is that Oppa's awards alone are worth more than JYP has done in half a lifetime. That wall is truly breathtaking; I can't even fit it all in. I suggest checking in at dusk; that wall glows..."

"Dafa!"

"..."

……

"After you won the Grammy, on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, many young singers, or young people with dreams, expressed that they wanted to become singers like you and achieve everything. Do you think they can do it, or do you have any advice for them?"

The host, dressed in a black tuxedo, read from a script card. The questions prepared by the organizers were related to one of the hottest topics on social media: "Who do you most want to be?"

Many young people answered, "Tarot—I most want to be Tarot."

The story of early fame is so compelling: Grammys, Billboard, unparalleled musical achievements, good looks, good character... all sorts of virtues have been summarized...

"..." Gong Cheng was silent for a moment when he heard the question. He looked at the golden trophy in his hand and didn't know how to answer. As for advice? He didn't have any good advice.
As for encouragement? Encouragement is even less effective...

He seemed to recall everything from the Han River Bridge to where he was now… Gong Cheng raised his eyelids, smiled nonchalantly at the camera in front of him, and said, “Actually, in life, you don’t really need other people’s advice… Some things, you won’t understand until you experience them…”

"Fighting!"

"Clap clap clap..." A wave of applause swept in. The guests in the front row and the fans in the back row stared at Gong Cheng's handsome face on the big screen. Although he was smiling, his eyes looked somewhat complicated, tired, and lonely.

……

Inside TWICE's dorm, it was early morning in Seoul. Mina, holding her phone, went to the dorm across the hall and ran into Tzuyu's bedroom, where Chaeyoung and Dahyun were still washing up.

May was still half-asleep in Tzuyu's bed, her eyes half-closed.

The four members of the "Medical Integrity Alliance" stared at the live broadcast of the awards ceremony on the bulletin board...

Mina quickly pressed the pause button. The screen was filled with comments like, "Oppa looks so tired, I feel so sorry for him...", "Waaah, everyone envies my oppa's achievements, but nobody knows what he's been through.", "Oppa hasn't rested since his debut. Are you all qualified to be oppa? Putting everything else aside, just look at what happened to oppa when he was twenty, the year he debuted. No one else could have endured that!"

She turned off the live chat, as if she had made some earth-shattering discovery, "Look, that look in her eyes, isn't it so tired!"

“Yes, my brother looks really tired. He's not a good sleeper, so he probably didn't get a good rest in the hotel in Las Vegas,” Tzuyu said knowingly. Her brother had often complained to her about this; he always had trouble sleeping in public beds, tossing and turning…

Kim Da-hyun yawned sleepily. She had to attend a script reading session today. Besides acting problems, her kissing skills were also a big problem lately. "Oppa is practically a frequent flyer, he must be tired!"

“Yes…” Son Chaeyoung glanced at the paused live stream with a pained expression. The male lead, though tired, still wore a smile, seemingly wanting to show his best self to his fans, himself, and the members…

Mina shook her head, speaking softly yet firmly, "No, when a person is very tired, their eyes are lifeless. Look at his eyes, they're very complicated, it really feels like he's seriously ill..."

As she spoke, she glanced at the people in front of her with a slightly flustered look. Afraid that they wouldn't believe her, she quickly pulled out some "ugly photos" of Nayeon unnie and Sana-chan from her photo album. Well, they weren't exactly ugly photos; they were pictures taken by fans on their way to work last year when everyone was busy with their schedules and not getting enough rest.

In the picture, Nayeon unnie and Sana-chan, looking dejected and with disheveled hair, get out of the van, their backs hunched over...

"This is what it looks like when someone isn't getting enough rest. I've also consulted a psychologist, and they said that the younger and more successful someone is, the greater the probability of them developing mental health issues!"

Mina analyzed the situation patiently, then slid the progress bar again. "Listen to what he said?"

On the screen, a comment hailed as "bible" by countless viewers reads, "Actually, in life... you don't really need other people's advice... you won't understand unless you experience it..."

"Did you hear anything?" she asked, lifting her eyelids.

Son Chaeyoung scratched her head and said in a sweet, childlike voice, "Oppa's voice is as nice as ever?"

"Sounds profound? Philosophical...?" Zhou Ziyu tentatively guessed, then glanced at Mina unnie.

"..." Kim Da-hyun rubbed her fair face, looking at the group of people in front of her. She felt that even if the handsome guy wasn't sick, they would analyze him until they found something wrong with him! It was just a sentence, what's with all this talk about how profound he is? He's a top student from Yonsei University, after all...

Oh my God!

“Profound is one thing, but how could a 22-year-old say something so thought-provoking?” Mina sighed softly. She remembered the psychologist her father had introduced her to saying that people with psychological problems tend to overthink and say nonsensical things every day…

Chou Tzuyu reached out and played Gong Cheng's speech again, as if she understood what Mina unnie meant. Then her face turned pale. "Unnie, I also heard loneliness, vulnerability, and helplessness..."

"Is...is...is it that serious?" Hearing their analysis, Son Chaeyoung's heart began to race. She hid her bright little tiger teeth and clenched her clothes tightly. "Don't scare me, it must be...it must be really serious..."

"Anyway, the situation is not optimistic!" Mina looked at Son Chaeyoung's doubtful expression, feeling somewhat helpless, but her words became more firm!
How could you be such a doting father? Cheng-chan is so sick, Chae-young, how could you be so clueless and know nothing about it?

That's incompetent!

Kim Da-hyun's lips twitched as she stroked May, who was curled up asleep in the blankets. The gray fur on her back felt soft to the touch. She whispered, "Actually, I don't think there's anything seriously wrong, right?"

Faced with three quack doctors, she feared that it wouldn't be long before they diagnosed the Marshal with a terminal illness...

"No matter what, we have to take this seriously!" Tzuyu pursed her lips, patted Dahyun's bare thigh, and said earnestly, "Unnie, is everything settled about seeing the psychologist that you told your brother about?"

"It's all arranged. Once he returns to Japan, and after the Nissan concert in a few days, we should have the experts' conclusions. Then we can treat the symptoms accordingly!" Mina sighed, feeling anxious and somewhat hesitant to let Makoto see a doctor...

I'm afraid they'll find out something serious, but I'm also afraid of not treating it...

After all, this kind of disease is no joke...sigh...

……

The 25th Billboard Music Awards have concluded...

Gong Cheng and Bombardment Meteor, accompanied by their agents and team, waved to the dense barrage of flashing lights and got into their van.

Taylor stood in front of the MGM Grand Hotel, smiled, and said to Gong Cheng through the car window, "See you in Seoul in a while. I also have a song I'd like to collaborate with you on."

"Okay, let's grab a drink then." Gong Cheng smiled, then closed the car window. Che Qianhao drove towards the airport. They still had to rush back to Japan that night to go to the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama for the second stop of their concert in Japan.

"Aigoo, one year is equivalent to six years of my debut." Wu Sehun sat next to Gong Cheng, happily looking at the trophy in his hand. He, Gong Cheng, and Wang Jiaer were in the same car—the maknae line of the "Gunner Group"!
Jackson Wang was taking a photo of Sehun holding the trophy with his phone, preparing to upload it to Instagram before boarding the plane. He joked, "Don't even mention six years, it might not even work in sixteen years..."

Wu Sehun smiled nonchalantly. Tonight's Billboard Awards ceremony was a great success, a real haul!

Bombardment Meteor was nominated five times and accepted four times.

The maknae next to him won all 13 of his nominations, just like last year's Duck, making him the biggest winner of the night. If you include the team awards, then it's 17 nominations and 17 wins.

He's certain that the public opinion outside and the trending topics in China have completely exploded!

Individually and as a group, they have all made K-pop history again, but the youngest member next to them only seemed happy for a moment when he held up the trophy. Now, I don't know what he's thinking, as if he didn't seem very happy even after receiving the trophy...

"...What are you thinking about?" Wu Sehun asked, his expression somewhat strange.

Gong Cheng then came to his senses and shook his head. "It's nothing." He was just thinking about how to arrange things for Mina-chan's parents when they returned to Japan.

He felt a little nervous, somewhat like meeting his parents. Although nothing had actually happened between him and the little penguin, he felt a strange sense of connection, like when he dreamed about Mina-chan last night…

But who knows, maybe Mina-chan dreamed about herself too?

Therefore, Makoto was very careful in his dealings with Mina's parents, wanting to be a more prudent Makoto and leave a good impression on them, especially since he had heard that Mina had an older brother...

He had never met her, only Mina-chan's mother, whom he had met a few times at the dinner table.

At the time, I remember that the members' parents all liked me quite a bit, and my adoptive parents also liked the members quite a bit...

After we arrive in Japan, shall we invite our uncles, aunts, and brothers to have a meal together?

Let's be more formal...

……

(End of this chapter)