The number one playboy on the Peninsula!

Chapter 324 Kim Jisoo: He's playing me again! (Seeking monthly votes)

"That's great!"

A slightly surprised voice echoed in the living room. Mina realized that her somewhat cheerful tone was a bit inappropriate. She glanced at Makoto sitting on the carpet, and a wave of sadness and sorrow washed over her...

What terrible good news!

Mina's face quickly shifted expressions, her earlier excitement vanishing instantly, replaced by a look of pity and sympathy, even her eyes drooping slightly. Barefoot, her toes curling as she shuffled across the cool floor, she slowly strolled to the refrigerator, picked out a bottle of low-alcohol green grape wine, and asked, "With whom?"

We should have a drink to celebrate!
Gong Cheng lifted his eyelids and glanced at her, his gaze sweeping over the slightly upturned corner of Ming Jingnan's fair face. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Could you be any happier?"

"Why would I be happy?"

Mina, holding the still-frozen bottle, sat down opposite Makoto, shaking the bottle in her hand. "See, I specifically wanted to have a drink with you and listen to your troubles~"

Her eyes and brows lit up with a smile, so gentle and adorable it was almost unbelievable, and her tone carried a hint of coquettishness...

"Ha ha……"

Gong Cheng was amused by the little penguin's pretentious attitude. He could easily figure out what the little penguin was thinking.
"correct!"

"Come here... Makoto!"

Mina took a small sip of the fruit wine. The cool, sweet liquid quickly washed over her pink lips. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she abruptly put down the glass. Her delicate white hands rummaged through Makoto's pockets, emptying both of his pants pockets. Besides his phone and car keys, there was nothing else...

"Where's the stuff?"

She raised her head in a sweet voice, pouting.

"what?"

Gong Cheng took a sip of his drink, looking completely bewildered. He stared at Mina with a strange expression. "Dude! I broke up with you! Where's your comforting words? Why do you look like you've won the lottery, or like you're interrogating a criminal? What's going on?"

"What do you say?"

Mina and Makoto were standing very close. Mina sniffed, smelling the faint tobacco scent on him... but there was also a hint of women's perfume. After frowning, she straightened her previously smiling face, and suddenly, as if acting strangely, she held up two fingers, put them to her lips, and took two deep breaths, hissing as if to remind Makoto...

"...hh~"

"What are you trying to do?" Gong Cheng was amused by the little penguin's silly antics. "It's just a cigarette, but you're making me look like a drug addict. I threw away my cigarettes a long time ago." He grinned at Mina's suspicious gaze and couldn't help but reach out and pinch her fair, pink cheek. "I'm serious..."

"..." Mina glanced at his earnest eyes, but a deep bitterness still lingered on her lips. She then murmured softly, "I'll trust you this once..."

"Then tell me quickly!"

"Who did you break up with?"

She sat back down, her heart brimming with curiosity and excitement, and asked!
Mina increasingly felt that Makoto was like a profound math problem. The known female friends were Nayeon unnie, Sana-chan, Chaeyoung, and Jo Mi-yeon—essentially the four heavenly kings from all directions. But Nayeon unnie and Sana-chan didn't seem to be in any trouble…

So, his elimination now could very well be due to his persistent ex-girlfriend, Zhao Meiyan, or Chaeyoung? But Chaeyoung is less likely, since she knows about his ambiguous relationship with Cheng-chan, which is what she admires about him…

Even though his mother knew he was flirting with other girls, his "feelings" remained completely unaffected... Mina was already itching to kick Nayeon unnie, Sana-chan, Chaeyoung, and those other girls off the street...

Because of this math problem, she believed that no matter how Makoto solved it, the final answer would always be herself, and only then would their lives be perfect...

"Guess it?"

Gong Cheng glanced at Mina's flushed cheeks, pink from the alcohol, like cherry blossoms in summer, and a sudden urge to kiss her popped into his head. But the pain of the recent breakup still lingered in his chest, and he simply couldn't bring himself to turn around and kiss another girl…

How could I possibly do something like that?!
"Zhao Meiyan?"

Mina looked at him with a flicker in her eyes, tentatively uttering a name, her fingertips unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.

Gong Cheng shook his head and remained silent, continuing to drink...

“…Chaeyoung?” Upon hearing the little tiger’s name, Mina’s heart skipped a beat, because in her mind, the chances of Chaeyoung breaking up with him were slim! It wasn’t Zhao Meiyan, nor Chaeyoung?

Could it be... that Makoto has a female relative he doesn't know about?

Gong Cheng remained silent, continuing to drink...

Give me a cup of the potion of forgetfulness, in exchange for a lifetime free from sorrow.
"If you guessed right, I'll reward you with a kiss~"

Gong Cheng lowered his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, tinged with self-mockery and an inexplicable weariness. The lamplight fell on his eyelashes, casting a soft shadow that concealed the emotions in his eyes.

Mina stared at him blankly for a moment, and the surprise she had felt earlier suddenly became a bit choked up!
What am I so happy about?! I thought the Four Heavenly Kings were unmatched, but how... how did another one appear? She took a deep breath, rubbed her smiling eyes, and frowned. "I don't want to know anymore, Makoto-chan..."

"I can not……"

She spoke softly, gazing at the sullen boy before her, a sudden feeling of powerlessness and oppression washing over her.

"Irene!"

Gong Cheng ignored Mina's quiet murmur and went straight to Bae Joo-hyun's name. He also needed someone to talk to, and he wished he could tell the little penguin everything and have her keep him company.

"What?!" Mina's eyes widened in disbelief, and her voice rose!

"But it's okay, it was a one-sided breakup, I didn't agree to it."

"Although I disagree right now, it won't make a difference..."

He took another swig of wine, his hoarse voice tinged with amusement.

"...You little thief!"

"How...how many female relatives do you have?!"

Seeing him like this, Mina felt a surge of anger and resentment! She trembled with anger and couldn't help but raise her voice to question him! The slight intoxication she had felt earlier had now cleared up, making her want to escape.

He thought four was Hagiwara's limit! But... now it seems he was too naive. The only consolation is that Bae Joo-hyun has broken up with him...

The Four Heavenly Kings remained as steadfast as a rock, with heavy troops guarding the South Heavenly Gate, North Heavenly Gate, West Heavenly Gate, and East Heavenly Gate...

"Hey~ Nayeon, Sana-chan~ Chaeyoung~ Miyeon~ Joohyun~"

"besides……"

"I knew it! You bastard!" Mina suddenly sprang up from the carpet, completely stunned by the list of her female relatives that sounded like a menu. She didn't even notice her knee hitting the edge of the coffee table. Her cheeks, which had been flushed from the alcohol, were now burning red, like embers on a hot coal...

She raised her taut little face, but her eyes uncontrollably reddened, and she stubbornly asked, "Who else?!"

"Momo Hirai!"

"Phew~" Gong Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. He had told Mina about the current roster. He put down his wine glass and looked at Mina's dejected face. "Mina, I didn't dare tell them, but I told you."

"I know you might be a little shocked, your worldview..."

"Is this a matter of worldview, Makoto? This is mind-blowing!" Mina slumped back down, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Makoto's face. "You're really sick!"

"Why are you cursing me? I'm not sick!" Gong Cheng muttered in rebuttal.

"You're sick!!!"

"I'm not sick~ My medical check-up report from the beginning of the year showed I'm perfectly healthy!"

"You are just sick!"

"Oh, I'm really not sick..." Gong Cheng couldn't help but roll his eyes. Then he noticed the bruise on Mina's knee from the bump, and quickly rummaged through the drawer for a medicine box or something. He found some ointment for bruises and sprains, squeezed out a little, and casually applied it, muttering to himself, "If I were sick, would I still be able to move around?"

"I've made so much money, and I haven't even had a proper chance to spend it all. The first thing I'd do is travel the world and make a bucket list, right? That's how it's always in the movies... Am I crazy? If I were, would I be touring every day?"

“I won’t argue with you…” Mina’s reddened eyes suddenly welled up with tears as she looked at Makoto, who was bending down to apply medicine to her knee.

For the first time, she realized so directly that this bastard was seriously ill.

As for Hirai Momo and Bae Joo-hyun's affair, she had no energy to pursue it. One had already broken up, and the other was just a simpleton. She was confident. She raised her hand and touched Makoto's stray hairs. Mina asked softly, "Didn't you always say that you wanted to take a break next year?"

"Does it still count?"

"Sigh, that was my original plan, but after today's abrupt breakup, I've decided to change my plans..." Gong Cheng sighed softly. Originally, after the world tour ended, he was thinking of temporarily retiring for a while, a few months, half a year, or even a year...

He's been moving incredibly fast these past two years. To be honest, since he became a global sensation last year, the number of songs he's produced is definitely among the highest in the world music scene. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift often releases an album every year, or even every two or three years...

A short rest is nothing.

"We'll probably continue our activities next year, right? I don't want to end things with Joo-hyun so easily..." Gong Cheng was explaining his plans and thoughts, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by Mina. She grabbed Gong Cheng's chin, lifting his handsome yet tired face, tears streaming down her face, and angrily said, "You're not allowed to go see her!!!"

"Can't you be a little more sensible, Makoto? Didn't I tell you that if you dare to play like this, you have to be prepared to accept that people will leave you?"

Mina's gentle tone turned fierce at this moment. She didn't know why Makoto could deceive himself like this. What does "a breakup that abruptly ends" mean? If someone catches you red-handed, do you still think you can have a good time?

Not everyone is as foolish as I am...

"Take a break next year. Didn't you want to go to Hokkaido for hot springs and drinks?"

Mina realized that Miyako's illness could not be delayed any longer and urgently wanted him to end his world tour and go to Japan for treatment. There, Aunt Eiko was one of the top psychologists in Japan, and her parents were also there to take care of him.

Just like how Makoto's parents and brother would always ask about his illness from time to time after learning about it in the spring, and also inquire about the progress of their relationship...

"……it is good."

Gong Cheng raised his eyelids, withdrew his hand from applying the medicine, glanced at the little penguin's tearful, concerned face, and nodded with a smile.

The reason his relationship with Mina hasn't progressed is that she knows all his secrets and his mother's...

Even though they're not together, their feelings for each other are definitely still very deep. He can't possibly refuse the little penguin's concern. As for Bae Joo-hyun's project, perhaps he can wait until after his rest period.
Anyway, he won't be resting for too long, because he doesn't want to be idle...

"..."

When are you going on tour?

After a moment of silence in the living room, Mina wiped away her tears, stared at the ointment she had just applied to her knee, and changed the subject. She said that Makoto was sad because of the breakup, and she was sad because his illness was getting worse, and she felt very depressed.

She even wanted to accompany him to Japan for treatment, but TWICE's career, and Makoto's current situation, are still living in unrealistic fantasies, oblivious to their deep-seated problems...

"the day after tomorrow……"

"If the world tour ends, it might not be until January next year. By the way, is Hyogo a fun place?"

Knowing Mina's motive for changing the subject, Miyako smiled and asked, "Mina is from Hyogo, Kansai. If I take a vacation to Japan, I could visit my aunt and uncle, and that 'older brother' whose attitude towards me has been so inexplicably changing..."

"..."

Around 9 PM, Mina glanced at the group chat of 【TWICE】 and saw messages from the members returning to their dorms one after another after get off work.

Knowing she couldn't stay any longer, she got up and went to Gong Cheng, who was lying on the sofa, and whispered, "I'm going back to my dorm..."

"Take care on the road..." Gong Cheng chuckled as soon as he finished speaking. TWICE lived downstairs. As he was laughing, Mina's face suddenly appeared in his line of sight as she bent down slightly. Her long, black hair fell on the tip of his nose, tickling him, but the subtle fragrance of her hair was very pleasant.

Mina's cold gaze seemed to be that of someone eyeing prey. The pink flush on her cheeks, which had been flushed from drinking a little fruit wine earlier, had long since faded. She bit her pink lips and kissed Gong Cheng's lips briefly before pulling away. Then, she said haughtily, "Whether I'm right or wrong, I'll still kiss you!"

"Why are you like this? I just broke up with my boyfriend, okay?" Gong Cheng pursed his warm lips, blinked at Mingi Mina in front of him, and looked at her like he was cosplaying, no, more like the she-devil demeanor she used to threaten him with videos. "You're even taking advantage of me, making me feel like such a bastard?!"

"Makoto, I've let you roam free for too long, letting you keep looking for one woman after another." Mina's soft tone suggested she had made a decision. She felt her previous strategy needed to be changed. Rather than waiting until the end, she might as well cut the Gordian knot and kick those roadside girls to the curb first!

If I personally stand by Cheng-chan's side, then there won't be so many female relatives anymore!
"Ha ha……"

Gong Cheng stared speechlessly at the little penguin in front of him, whose chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) spirit was overflowing, and didn't know what to say.
What kind of nonsense is this?! He's constantly threatening me, taking advantage of me, video chatting with me...playing with me! He's too embarrassed to even mention it...

"I will save your Makoto-chan!"

Mina ignored his laughter, focusing only on fueling her ambition. She picked up the LV bag that was under Miyako's arm and left the dormitory.

"……baffling."

Gong Cheng lay on the sofa, shifted his position, placed his hands folded under his cheeks, and continued to moan...

……

"...What are you talking about, unnie?"

In a barbecue restaurant in Gangnam District, Zhao Meiyan listened to Kim Jisoo's words, which were spoken with a gloomy expression, and her hand holding the barbecue trembled involuntarily.

"I'm telling you, that scumbag Gong Cheng is not only dating you, but also Bae Joo-hyun..."

Kim Jisoo stared intently at her friend Jo Miyeon, repeating the cruel truth once more. Seeing her friend's once smiling eyes now filled with disbelief, a surge of relief rose within her again, just like she had that morning…

Not long ago, when she apologized to Joo-hyun at the hospital, Joo-hyun accepted her apology, but the distance and coldness in Joo-hyun's words made her feel extremely annoyed! But when she saw her friend's flustered face, her annoyance was greatly relieved!

Gong Cheng, you [Newborn Dawn], prepare to die!
"Unnie, how did you know?"

Zhao Meiyan put down the grilled meat, placed her chopsticks on the plate, and lowered her eyes beneath her long hair, hiding the panic and unease in her eyes. However, she still put on a calm expression and waited for the unnie in front of her to tell her the whole story.

One is Lim Nayeon, one is Chou Tzuyu, and now Bae Joo-hyun has suddenly appeared?!

But Jisoo unnie, who sits opposite Zhao Miyeon, is the person she should be most wary of, after all, she has been wary of her for three years!
"Didn't I tell you last time we met? I've been getting very close to Joo-hyun unnie this year, and then..."

Kim Jisoo didn't have much of an appetite either, and proceeded to recount Bae Joo-hyun and Gong Cheng's couple bracelets and such, "Paboo, didn't I tell you long ago that guy is a jerk!"

"You incorrigible bad boy! I advised you not to look for him when you broke up! Fortunately, Joo-hyun unnie has already broken up with him... but you can't be love-struck, understand? You should break up with him as soon as possible too!"

She spoke faster and faster, her tone full of complaints and dissatisfaction with Gong Cheng, as if she were standing up for her best friend!

"So... Bae Joo-hyun has already broken up with Oppa?"

After listening to the whole story, including how this unnie exposed her boyfriend's lies, Zhao Meiyan grasped the key to the problem and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes.

Unnie, you are not only my Zhuge Ji-soo, but also my warrior!

Also, regarding what happened back then, why didn't you let me go find him, but you went to Yonsei University all by yourself?!
"Yeah, how could Joo-hyun unnie possibly stand it? That bastard was two-timing her! She broke up with him on the spot..." Kim Ji-soo's delicate face recalled everything that had happened today, even though it had only been a dozen hours since yesterday.

But so many things have happened. Then, her expression suddenly changed, and she frowned as she looked at Zhao Meiyan, "Pabu! You're not going to keep getting entangled with him, are you? He's like this, aren't you going to break up with him?"

Kim Jisoo's hurried tone sounded to Jo Miyeon like she was urging her to break up with her boyfriend quickly. She raised her eyelids, her dazed face showing sadness and anger, "Unnie, I'll settle accounts with him!"

But deep down, I'm thinking, "What's the point of giving you a share? You've already broken them up for me, so why should I bother?"
How could she not know that three years ago, when she broke up with Gong Cheng, this unnie secretly went to Yonsei University? It was as clear as day, everyone knew. Therefore, for the past three years, she had been extremely worried about this unnie in front of her…

"Settling accounts?"

"You, Prabhu, are so easily swayed... He just sweet-talked you a couple of times, and you're already being fooled again? He's two-timing you, Prabhu! I beg you, wake up!"

Kim Jisoo, gesturing wildly, tried to persuade her, "Even if we're not sisters, you can't be this love-struck! Do you really think this is still the old days with three wives and four concubines? Are you planning to become the first wife?"
"...Unnie, don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

Zhao Meiyan raised her head with a silly grin, deliberately showing some sadness and disappointment. In reality, looking at the unnie in front of her, she felt both helpless and amused... Is she two-timing?
He was already juggling two relationships three years ago, but unnie! He's already evolved! Nayeon, Tzuyu, how many relationships has he had?

Feeling somewhat weary, she picked up the grilled meat and stuffed it into her mouth...

“Miyeon~ Listen to my advice, you can’t handle a scumbag like Gong Cheng…” Kim Jisoo looked at the Pab who was in love and deceiving herself, and felt a sense of helplessness. How could a person be so stupid?
You little paboo!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Meiyan narrowed her eyes, smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, and asked in return, "Then, unnie, who do you think could handle someone like oppa?"

"...Anyway, it's not you!"

"You're so love-struck, completely swayed by him!" Kim Jisoo blurted out, her frustration growing stronger.

She felt she could handle it? After all, that guy was so afraid of her...

Dealing with that [Emerging Dawn] is a piece of cake, isn't it?

"..." Zhao Meiyan pursed her lips almost imperceptibly. If I can't control it, how can you? But she still picked up her phone, found the pinned number, and dialed it. She was no pushover!
Now that Bae Joo-hyun has already been eliminated by the military commander Ji-soo, she's not stupid enough to break up with her boyfriend. After all, she's surrounded by wolves, and who knows what kind of wicked schemes the unnie across from her is plotting...

And what's more, there's Nayeon and Tzuyu too...

A real breakup? She figured these people would harass her so much that she'd never be able to go back to her boyfriend. She knew her boyfriend's personality well; he was good to her, but he was a womanizer and couldn't control himself. And what happened between Kim Ji-soo and her boyfriend back then…

She knew perfectly well that for the past two years, the unnie in front of her had been wondering why her boyfriend could be so cold and ruthless, pretending to be a stranger to her. It was because this unnie had made a decision for her boyfriend on her own. He was good in every way, except for his greed.

So, even knowing that Nayeon and Tzuyu were eyeing her, Zhao Meiyan didn't dare to bring up breaking up. Having already broken up once, how could someone who had lost and then regained their love possibly back down?! And over the years, eliminating these girls who wanted to throw themselves at her boyfriend had been her usual strategy…

This also includes Jisoo unnie right in front of us...

"Are you on the phone with that guy?"

Kim Jisoo looked at Jo Miyeon's gesture of raising the phone with surprise, and asked nervously and expectantly!

Get away from that scumbag as soon as possible, my dear friend. Let me handle this hellish thing…

"...Yes, I need to get some answers..."

Zhao Meiyan's dazed smile was gone, replaced by anger, sadness, and a sense of betrayal. Sometimes, she wondered, could love really turn someone into a drama queen? On the contrary, Jisoo's acting was quite poor…

"Pabu, I've been waiting for your call."

Gong Cheng's gentle voice came through the receiver, "Mi-nae, I made a mistake again..."

In the private room of the barbecue restaurant, Kim Jisoo held her breath, while Jo Miyeon listened to the voice on the receiver. Her heart, which had been trying to remain calm, was now aching unbearably!
She can pretend not to care in front of Jisoo unnie, but that doesn't mean she really doesn't care...

"Oppa, your honesty scares me..."

……

“Pabu, I am just as afraid as you are.”

Gong Cheng lay on the living room sofa, answering softly, "...I just couldn't help but fall for Bae Joo-hyun, like I liked you...and things have come to this..."

"I have no excuses."

"How many times is this, Oppa?" Zhao Meiyan's voice was aggrieved and trembling with tears. "You can lie to me, but can you at least hide it perfectly so I don't catch you!"

"..." Kim Jisoo stared wide-eyed at Zhao Meiyan, who had just said those words!
What are you saying?! What do you mean you need to hide yourself perfectly so you don't get caught?!

Shouldn't you break up with that "Emerging Dawn" guy? Dump him hard and make him heartbroken!

"The third time?" Gong Cheng's hoarse voice sounded like he was having trouble answering. "Pabu, I don't want to make any more mistakes, but I can't. Breaking up with Zhu Xuan makes me very sad, and talking to you on this phone call makes me sad too..."

Hajime is playing the victim again!

As Kim Jisoo listened to the voice on the other end of the line, despite the sadness, distress, and exhaustion in the tone, she just couldn't stand it. A third time? You're a repeat offender!

"Who was it the first time, and the second time?" She couldn't help but sneer, "Is this why you're two-timing? You're sad? Isn't Joo-hyun unnie sad?"

"Isn't Meiyan sad? Gong Cheng, you're being far too selfish!"

"Jisoo's here too? I've always been this selfish. Is this the first time you've met me?" Gong Cheng replied bluntly from the other end of the phone.

Clutching her phone, Zhao Meiyan glanced at Jisoo unnie's annoyed expression with red-rimmed eyes. "Oppa, is there going to be a next time?"

"..."

“Pabu, I don’t want to lie to you, but my heart tells me I don’t know…” Since things have come to this point, Gong Cheng decided to give Zhao Meiyan a heads-up. After all, it’s happened three times already, and no one would believe him if he promised there wouldn’t be a next time.

Moreover, he doesn't want to be like he used to be! I, Haji Cheng, will rise from the ashes! I will undergo a complete transformation!
"Hey, you bastard, you want a next time? You want to cheat on me again?" Kim Jisoo interrupted Zhao Meiyan, her voice filled with rage, "You're hopeless!"

"Pabu, what are you waiting for if you don't break up with this scumbag?"

Gong Cheng remained expressionless upon hearing the blunt words, then suddenly spoke up, "Jisou, what if you were the next one to cheat on me?"

……

Upon hearing this, Zhao Meiyan initially planned to scold her boyfriend a few times and then let the matter drop, since Bae Joo-hyun had already lost! But he... was too honest, leaving her unsure of what to do!

Moreover, the name called out was that of her siblings and close friends sitting opposite her. She knew that her boyfriend and her sister had liked each other. When she heard this, Zhao Meiyan's face turned pale instantly!
Raising her eyelids, she stared at Kim Jisoo's stiff expression. Feeling somewhat guilty and lacking confidence, she said angrily, "You little bastard, stop talking nonsense! I wouldn't even give a second glance to a man like you!"

“Oppa, stop joking. How could unnie possibly like you? And you wouldn’t like unnie either…” Zhao Meiyan said insincerely, her lips twitching. After all, in the eyes of her boyfriend and unnie, she knew nothing about their relationship. “Besides, you two used to argue all the time when you met…”

"Don't say things like that anymore, you're making unnie angry..."

As she spoke, she looked at Kim Jisoo with an unnatural expression, "Unnie, please don't scold Oppa anymore. This is between him and me, we'll handle it ourselves!!!" She emphasized her words at the end!

……

“Miane, Pabu…”

"Can you understand me?" Gong Cheng took a deep breath, guessing that Zhao Meiyan was definitely suspicious of Kim Jisoo at this moment!

Kim Jisoo, you just wait! I'll make you pay! This isn't over yet!
"Or, how about we talk about this after my world tour ends? You've just debuted, so take care of yourself first. I'm leaving Seoul soon, and there are many things that can't be explained over the phone..." Having already revealed his thoughts, he was now resorting to stalling tactics!

Gong Cheng knew Pabu well and would never dare to mention separating right now. Kim Jisoo, Lim Nayeon, and Tzuyu were there to keep her in check.

However, he now wants Kim Ji-soo to have more control over Cho Mi-yeon so that he can teach Kim Ji-soo, this meddlesome girl, a lesson!
"..."

Zhao Meiyan was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, then softly replied, "Then after your world tour ends, Oppa, one last question: after we break up, will you still like Joo-hyun unnie?"

"I like it!" Gong Cheng answered crisply.

He's not someone who can't accept defeat. When it comes to feelings, how can you stop loving someone just because you broke up? That's pure nonsense! He's already been this honest, so let Hagiyan and Hagisu witness my deep affection and unwavering devotion!

"You like her? Do you still want to win Joo-hyun unnie back?"

"Impossible!" Kim Ji-soo suddenly sneered, attempting to shatter Gong Cheng's unrealistic fantasy!
But when these words reached Zhao Meiyan's ears, it was as if she had been awakened to something! She suddenly said, "Since Oppa said we'll deal with this after the world tour ends, then during the world tour, Oppa, please don't interfere in my affairs, okay?"

Zhao Meiyan suddenly realized that even if Bae Joo-hyun and Gong Cheng broke up, her boyfriend wouldn't agree, and he might even try to win her back! Bae Joo-hyun is different from Lim Na-yeon and Zhou Tzuyu because this senior now knows that she is dating her boyfriend.

She had already chosen to leave, but she was really afraid that this senior would not be able to resist the male relative's persistent pursuit, so she felt it was necessary to communicate with him and show off her prestige as a righteous female relative!
"You're going to find Joo Hyun-mo?" Gong Cheng immediately understood Zhao Meiyan's meaning and asked in return.

"Yes!!!" Zhao Meiyan pursed her lips and frankly admitted it!

She knew that if her boyfriend dared to refuse, then it would be the end of her relationship with him!

What an exhilarating game!

"..."

"We've already separated, Pabu. She's a very good person, and I hope you two can get along well..." Gong Cheng's previously calm face suddenly broke into a smile! He deliberately said these words; heaven is on my side!
He was still worried about how to maintain contact with his girlfriend in Daegu during their separation, until the project started next year! He couldn't really lose touch, could he? He knew Zhao Meiyan; she was definitely off "showing off"!
But he also understood Daegu's girlfriend. She was already so sad that she voluntarily withdrew. If he continued to show off, it would only provoke her rebellious mentality. After all, whether she was legitimate or not, it was still the same title. Once they separated, would it still count?
"..."

"Alas," Zhao Meiyan muttered, a cold smile creeping across her face. *Oppa, do you really expect me and Bae Joo-hyun to get along like sisters? You think you can have me all to yourself? Ha!*

Kim Jisoo panicked a little!

But there's also a bit of anticipation. Good grief, you Pabu won't listen to reason, huh? Then let's have a good fight!
"correct……"

……

Before hanging up the phone, Gong Cheng, with a hoarse voice and a smile playing on his lips, deliberately asked Zhao Meiyan and Kim Jisoo on the other end of the line, "Is Jisoo still listening?"

“Unnie is by my side…” Zhao Meiyan replied.

"It's good that you're here, Jisoo. Here's my last piece of advice: no matter how much you hate me or how much you despise me, remember that being the Dior Peninsula Beauty Ambassador is a top-tier endorsement among idols. Make sure you hold onto it and don't let my relationship with you affect your career..."

"This is advice from a friend. Congratulations, Jisoo, on becoming the new Dior Peninsula Beauty Ambassador!"

I can't handle you anymore? Kim Jisoo!

OK, Kim Jisoo probably felt that in Jo Miyeon's mind, the security alert had been upgraded to the level one alert that it was three years ago. No matter how Kim Jisoo got the Dior beauty ambassadorship, the important thing was what Jo Miyeon thought.

……

The private room was quiet, with only Gong Cheng's voice coming from the receiver.

Kim Jisoo looked up and met Jo Miyeon's gaze, her face twitching slightly!

Damn it! This [Emerging Dawn] is really... wicked!
They're... playing with me again...

“Miyan~ I’ve been talking to Burberry about an endorsement deal, which is also a beauty ambassadorship for the Peninsula region. But you’ve just debuted, so maybe we’ll have to wait a bit longer. I’m not trying to bribe you with resources. We’ve been discussing this for a month now, so don’t worry. If I make a mistake, I won’t brush it off. We’ll resolve it after the world tour ends.”

Gong Cheng immediately offered Zhao Meiyan fashion resources to prevent Pabu from feeling resentful.

When Zhao Meiyan heard the last sentence, she felt satisfied. Resources were far less important than her boyfriend's attitude. Then, she glanced almost imperceptibly at Kim Jisoo, "That's settled then. I'll hang up now, Oppa. I'll wait for your explanation..."

"Inside."

"Take care of yourself during the world tour, oppa, don't make me worry anymore, okay?" Zhao Meiyan still couldn't help but ask with concern. Three years, so many entanglements, she gave him everything, and even before he made it big, she still gave him everything.

But one thing you can't completely give your heart to yourself...

"Thank you for thinking of me, Pabu..."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Meiyan put down her phone and looked at Kim Jisoo with a sad expression, "...Unnie, do you like oppa too?"

"Or is it that oppa likes unnie?"

She bit her lip, as if she had just been hurt by Bae Joo-hyun's situation and had then experienced another round of bombardment!

"how is this possible?"

“Pabu, don’t overthink it. As for the Dior endorsement, it has nothing to do with him…” Kim Jisoo thought that Zhao Meiyan had guessed her thoughts by mistake, and hurriedly tried to explain, but she couldn’t bring herself to completely absolve Gong Cheng of any responsibility. “We’re just friends!”

“Really! You have to believe me, Pab... However, after today, my two best friends have been deceived by him, and that friendship is over…”

Her delicate face now showed some anxiety, as if she felt she couldn't clear her name no matter what she did...

"Friendship, huh?" Zhao Meiyan smiled bitterly, looking at Kim Jisoo without any pretense. Then, she grabbed the unnie's fair wrist at the table. "Unnie, will you betray me like Oppa did in the future?"

She was genuinely worried. The rekindled romance between Kim Ji-soo and Gong Cheng—there was no question of who Gong Cheng liked first; in fact, he fell for both of them at first sight. Wasn't that awful? But she just couldn't resist...

Kim Jisoo looked at her friend's pitiful little face, which was filled with grievance and sadness. Her throat went dry for a moment, and she grasped her friend's hand, "No, it won't happen."

Think about it, she'd already presumptuously withdrawn for so long, and this whole sisterly drama was hard for that bastard to accept, and she'd been secretly regretting it for the past two years. But things had already come to this point...

There's no going back, especially seeing Zhao Meiyan's haggard face now, she wanted even more to rescue Pabu and free her from this misery...

My turn!
After a brief moment of "sisterly affection," Kim Jisoo, still unwilling to give up, asked, "You really don't plan to break up with that bastard?"

"He treated you like this?"

"I haven't thought it through yet, let's wait until his world tour is over before we talk about it..." Zhao Meiyan's submissive appearance was extremely pathetic, which made Kim Jisoo furious. "You're not going to let him get rid of two women at once?!"

"Are you going to wait until he's juggling seven, eight, or even nine relationships before you give up?"

"If I were you, would you give up?"

Zhao Meiyan listened to her friend's words and suddenly asked a question, narrowing her eyes as she observed the changes in her expression.

"This is betrayal, blatant betrayal! I will kill him!"

Kim Jisoo shook her head with a complicated expression and said.

But Zhao Meiyan chuckled softly, picked up her coffee, took a sip, and, as if drawing a bow and nocking an arrow, prepared her 'final whisper,' saying meaningfully, "That's because Unnie has never received it..."

"..." Kim Jisoo's expression froze, her silent lips trembled slightly, breaking through her defenses!

These words seemed to lightly strike her heart. Why was she still fantasizing about saving that bastard when he was already in such a terrible state?
Isn't it just like what Pabu said?

"If Unnie and Bae Joo-hyun have a good relationship..." Zhao Mi-yeon changed the subject, continuing her plan, "When can we arrange for them to get to know each other?"

"You really want to see Joo-hyun unnie?"

Kim Ji-soo didn't know what her friend was thinking, but how could she not agree to something so favorable right now?

“Well, or you could just send me Joohyun's contact information, and I'll contact her myself…” Zhao Miyeon tentatively suggested with a gentle smile. Sure enough, Jisoo, still harboring her mischievous intentions, quickly looked up and exclaimed, “Aigoo…”

"Let me schedule a time so the three of us can meet. I can introduce you all then, to avoid any awkward situations..."

"Unnie, how do you know it'll definitely be awkward? Oppa said we should get along well~" Zhao Meiyan pouted, her face still a little dazed. "I just feel that after something like this happened, we should talk to that senior."

"After all, we'll inevitably run into each other during future events, and that would be so awkward. I want to ease the tension because Oppa is always the one in the wrong, and Joo-hyun is also one of the ones who got hurt."

Upon hearing this, Kim Jisoo felt a mix of emotions. This Pab!
How could you be so stupid? Rivals are always eyeing each other with intense hatred, and you actually want to be friends with your rival? "Don't listen to Gong Cheng's nonsense. If you really want to meet, I'll arrange for you to get to know each other another day..."

After thinking for a moment, she said with a hint of reluctance, "Anyway, don't be too kind, Miyeon. What if Joo-hyun unnie still wants to get back together with Gong Cheng? You need to be on your guard!"

"..." Zhao Meiyan tilted her head to listen, a cold laugh running through her mind. Heh!

Is this stirring up trouble? Trying to reap the benefits without lifting a finger? "Don't worry, unnie, I know what I'm doing~"

Zhuge Zhixiu, what a clumsy trick!

……

"I know it's no use saying anything, but Nuna, give me some time..."

Late at night, Bae Joo-hyun went to the hospital for two IV drips and then returned to her dorm. After taking a long shower, she curled up on her bed with red and swollen eyes, staring at the message Gong Cheng had sent. The background image of the chat window was still a photo of the two of them together in Japan.

Her ex-boyfriend smiled brightly, and Bae Joo-hyun, with her beautiful eyes and white teeth, leaned against him, exuding an atmosphere of passionate love and ambiguous intimacy, far removed from the sadness and pain they felt now...

She didn't reply to the message because she didn't know what to say, and suppressed sobs whimpered under the covers. Meanwhile, the phone on the bedside table gradually went dark, extinguishing the photos of the two of them.

"..."

……

The following day, the day before heading to Bangkok, a grieving Hagi Cheng accompanied Son Chae-young to an art exhibition in Longhu District, along with Little Strange Tofu!
Captain Kim would normally never want to do this kind of work as a light bulb!

However, after being coerced and bribed by Son Chae-young, and having her past grievances brought up, she still followed him with her head down and eyes lowered.

The little tiger's thinking was simple: the art exhibition had a large flow of people, and not to mention how influential his father was worldwide, his height of nearly 190cm with shoes on made him stand out in the crowd, and his incredible body proportions and temperament made him easily recognizable.

So, she invited her friend Kim Da-hyun to be a third wheel. One reason was that the three of them would be less likely to arouse media suspicion. However, Gong Cheng told her that the media wouldn't suspect anything because they were more focused on her and Kim Tae-yeon's rumors lately and were just rehashing old news!
In the end, Son Chaeyoung confessed the truth: she just wanted to take a small revenge on a certain traitorous Korean!
At noon, after dropping Son Chae-young off at her dorm, Gong Cheng changed cars again to pick up the superstar from get off work, and they went home together for lunch. Afterwards, he took Lim Na-yeon to his home in Gangdong-gu to visit the superstar's mother and sister...

In a flash, he picked up Hirai Momo and took her to a private cinema to watch a movie and have dinner.

That evening, Minatozaki Sana used a walk as an excuse to sneak out of the dormitory again. Miyako, along with the little dog, went to Dounsan Mountain on the outskirts of Seoul to admire the moon—and then had some fun in the car!
"..."

When spending time with his female relatives, Gong Cheng wasn't the type to be fickle. He would only think of whoever he was with; he was very principled and wouldn't think about Zhao Meiyan, Bae Joo-hyun, or anything like that...

But once separated from his female relatives, his longing for his female relative in Daegu and Zhao Meiyan surged overwhelmingly...

……

The next day, before boarding his flight to Bangkok, Gong Cheng picked up his phone and opened the chat window with Bae Joo-hyun [Five Years Older, Blessed with Gold], "Noona, I'm going to Bangkok. Let's meet again when I get back..."

"Salanghey~"

[Five years older, holding a gold brick]: "Have some shame?! We've already broken up, who are you flirting with now?"

“With Noona (acting cute)” Gong Cheng glanced at Bae Joo-hyun’s first reply after they parted ways and couldn’t help but smile happily. Then he left the chat box, turned on airplane mode, asked the flight attendant for a blanket, and covered himself with it.

Zhao Meiyan held firm, Bae Joo-hyun, take it slow, just keep going...

Haki Show, you bastard!
It broke my heart...

I wonder if poor Jisoo is being manipulated by the cunning Miyeon again? For a moment, Gong Cheng felt a pang of sympathy for Kim Jisoo...

"..."

Five minutes later, the flight took off...

This November, Gong Cheng will complete his Asian tour in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and other locations, after which he will take a short break before flying to Europe and America...

……

Meanwhile, upon learning that Gong Cheng had already boarded a flight to Thailand, Bae Joo-hyun shamelessly stared at the chat box between the two. She reached out her fair hand, wanting to open the page to delete contacts, but her fingertip lingered there for a long time.

But she still couldn't bring herself to do it. Just as she was hesitating, the practice room door was pushed open, and her manager's voice came through, "Irene, come out here for a moment!"

Bae Joo-hyun lifted her somewhat tired face, nodded, then put away her phone and followed after him.

"..."

They arrived at Lee Soo-man's office in silence. Bae Joo-hyun greeted him respectfully, "Teacher Lee Soo-man..."

Lee Soo-man sat on the sofa, adjusted his glasses, and looked at Bae Joo-hyun with a smile, his wrinkled eyebrows revealing a hint of sadness. He suddenly asked, "Irene, are you and Tarot dating?"

Upon hearing this, Bae Joo-hyun paused, then shook her head with a complicated expression, "No..."

They've already broken up...

"Tell the truth!" Lee Soo-man asked again, this time with added emphasis. Right now, Tarot wants to launch the project they mentioned at the beginning of the year, and for the company, having any of their artists join this "limited-time group" would be entirely beneficial!

That day, that guy actually brought up the idea of ​​producing an album for Ryderbabe next year, and since 16, there have been all sorts of rumors about Irene and that guy...

Now, an even more... has been delivered.

"We have no relationship!"

Bae Joo-hyun raised her head, her serious expression conveying a resolute certainty.

Seeing her stubbornness, Lee Soo-man couldn't help but sigh. "Aigoo, Irene, you don't need to worry about anything. The company won't object to you dating him, but if you do start dating, you need to report it to the company..."

He once told all the artists under the company that if they were dating, the first thing they should do was to report it to the company. If they were not in a group or artist who had just debuted and were on the rise, reporting it in advance would benefit both the company and the artist.

The company can take precautions in advance and prepare for future public relations, such as altering recordings or the like.

"We are really not dating right now, Lee Soo-man..."

Bae Joo-hyun concealed the sadness in her eyes and spoke earnestly yet helplessly with her beautiful face.

"Really do not have?"

"real!"

“That’s strange…” Lee Soo-man couldn’t help but doubt his judgment. He adjusted his glasses, picked up the contract Dior had sent him, and handed it to Bae Joo-hyun, who was standing there. “Take a look for yourself…”

“Besides Tarot, no one else can specifically request them to send the contract…”

He rubbed his chin, saying with some confusion, but he was more inclined to believe that Irene was lying. After all, no one in K-pop except for Gong Cheng had such ability to land an endorsement so suddenly, even if it was just a small Dior Peninsula beauty ambassador.

But for K-pop idols right now, that's already the absolute limit...

To put it bluntly, nowadays, almost all the popular singers and actors in the music and entertainment industry endorse products that are essentially discarded by those who are "Tarot" (a derogatory term for those who are not popular in the entertainment industry)...

What might seem trivial to them, yet is unattainable for other celebrities, is something far beyond their reach. After all, high-end luxury endorsements involve a three- to five-year evaluation period. Brands will typically contact the agency and artist beforehand to indicate that the endorsement has entered the evaluation phase, essentially meaning they have expressed interest in signing a contract…

Once talent agencies and artists receive this signal, they will gravitate towards the brands that released the signal in all aspects of their lives, from clothing and food to housing and transportation, showcasing their ability to carry off the brand's fashion sense, etc.

However, Dior hadn't paid any attention to Bae Joo-hyun in the past two years, but suddenly an endorsement contract came along!
"What contract?"

Bae Joo-hyun took the contract with a puzzled expression, her feelings a mix of confusion and curiosity, because Lee Soo-man had mentioned his name, which she guessed was related to some cheating bastard!

My heart, still, started pounding uncontrollably...

Holding the contract in the white paper folder, Bae Joo-hyun smoothed the stray strands of hair behind her ear. Her face, which had been somewhat haggard, now held an indescribable charm in her eyes. But when her fair hand turned to the first page of the contract, her pupils instantly contracted.

"This is……"

(End of this chapter)